Shakespeare's Sonnets: Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea

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Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless seaBut sad mortality o'er-sways their pow'r,How with this rage shall beauty hold a pleaWhose action is no stronger then a flow'r?O how shall summer's honey breath hold outAgainst the wrackful siege of batt'ring daysWhen rocks impregnable are not so stout,Nor gates of steel so strong but time decays?O fearful meditation! where, alack,Shall time's best jewel from time's chest lie hid?Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back,Or who his spoil o'er beauty can forbid? O none, unless this miracle have might, That in black ink my love may still shine bright.

© William Shakespeare