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Not marble nor the gilded monuments
Not marble nor the gilded monuments
Of princes shall outlive this powerful rhyme,
But you shall shine more bright in these contents
Than unswept stone besmeared with sluttish time.
When wasteful war shall statues overturn,
And broils root out the work of masonry,
Nor Mars his sword nor war’s quick fire shall burn
The living record of your memory.
’Gainst death and all-oblivious enmity
Shall you pace forth; your praise shall still find room
Even in the eyes of all posterity
That wear this world out to the ending doom.
So, till the Judgement that yourself arise,
You live in this, and dwell in lovers’ eyes.
Not marble nor the fancy tombs
Of princes will last longer than this strong poem,
But you will shine more brightly in these words
Than neglected stone stained by careless time.
When destructive war topples statues,
And fights destroy the work of builders,
Neither Mars with his sword nor war's quick fire will destroy
The living record of your memory.
Against death and forgetful hostility
You will continue; your praise will still be found
Even in the eyes of all future generations
That will wear this world out until the end of time.
So, until the Judgment Day when you rise,
You live in this poem, and stay in lovers' eyes.