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Devouring time, blunt thou the lion's paws
Devouring time, blunt thou the lion's paws And make the earth devour her own sweet brood, Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws And burn the long-liv'd phoenix in her blood, Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleet'st, And do what e'er thou wilt, swift-footed time, To the wide world and all her fading sweets: But I forbid thee one most heinous crime, O carve not with thy hours my love's fair brow, Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen, Him in thy course untainted do allow For beauty's pattern to succeeding men. Yet do thy worst, old time, despite thy wrong, My love shall in my verse ever live young.
Time that eats everything, make the lion's claws dull And make the earth consume her own lovely children, Take the sharp teeth from the fierce tiger's mouth And destroy the long-living phoenix in her own fire, Create happy and sad times as you pass by, And do whatever you want, fast-moving time, To the whole world and all its fading beauties: But I forbid you from one terrible act, Do not mark my love's beautiful forehead with your hours, Nor write any lines there with your old pen, Let him remain untouched in your path As a model of beauty for future generations. Yet do your worst, old time, despite your harm, My love shall remain forever young in my poetry.