Shakespeare's Sonnets (1923) Yale/Text/Sonnet 15
15
When I consider everything that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment,
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment; 4
When I perceive that men as plants increase,
Cheered and check'd e'en by the self-same sky,
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
And wear their brave state out of memory; 8
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay,
To change your day of youth to sullied night; 12
And, all in war with Time for love of you,
As he takes from you, I engraft you new.
4 influence; cf. n.
6 Cheered and check'd: encouraged and repressed
7 Vaunt: exult
at height: when fully developed
8 And wear . . . memory: and outlast the memory of their prime
9 conceit: thought
inconstant stay: transitory state of being
11 debateth: takes counsel with
14 engraft you new: renew your beauty (by my verse)