The Sonnets

To me, fair friend, you never can be old,

For as you were when first your eye I eyʼd,

Such seems your beauty still. Three winters cold,

Have from the forests shook three summersʼ pride,

Three beauteous springs to yellow autumn turnʼd,

In process of the seasons have I seen,

Three April perfumes in three hot Junes burnʼd,

Since first I saw you fresh, which yet are green.

Ah! yet doth beauty like a dial-hand,

Steal from his figure, and no pace perceivʼd;

So your sweet hue, which methinks still doth stand,

Hath motion, and mine eye may be deceivʼd:

For fear of which, hear this thou age unbred:

Ere you were born was beautyʼs summer dead.