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Since brasse, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundlesse sea,
But sad mortallity ore-swaies their power,
How with this rage shall beautie hold a plea,
Whose action is no stronger then a flower?
O how shall summers hunny breath hold out
Against the wrackfull siedge of battring dayes,
When rocks impregnable are not so stoute,
Nor gates of steele so strong but time decayes?
O fearefull meditation , where alack,
Shall times best Jewell from times chest lie hid?
Or what strong hand can hold his swift foote back,
Or who his spoile or beautie can forbid?
O none, unlesse this miracle have might,
That in black inck my love may still shine bright.
Commentary
Commentary
Address on time to his beloved
Address on time to his beloved
Changes made to the original text:
In the first quatrain, the poet asks, given that neither, brass, stone, earth or sea are immune to time's power, how can love, which is no stronger than a flower, hold out.
In the second quatrain, the poet asks how 'honey summer breath' can hold out against time's assault when rocks and steel gates cede.
In the third quatrain, the poet asks where can he hide his beloved (times best Jewell) from the grave (times chest).
In the final couplet, the poet hopes for a miracle, that his (the poet's) love (love or lover) might be preserved in ink.
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