1. When I consider everything that grows
2. Holds in perfection but a little moment,
3. That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
4. Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;
5. When I perceive that men as plants increase,
6. Cheered and check'd even by the selfsame sky,
7. Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
8. And wear their brave state out of memory;
9. Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
10. Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
11. Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay
12. To change your day of youth to sullied night;
13. And all in war with Time for love of you
14. As he takes from you, I engraft you new.
Other poems by Shakespeare ...
1. Original Text: William Shakespeare, Shake-speares sonnets (London: G. Eld for T. T., 1609). STC 22353. Facs. edn.: London: J. Cape, 1925. PR 2750 B48 1609b ROBA.
2. First Publication Date: 1609
3. Shakespeare's 154 sonnets were first published in 1609 by Thomas Thorpe in an unauthorized edition. They are there
dedicated to a mysterious Mr. W. H., whom some critics have identified with Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton,
others with William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke. Many other possibilities have been suggested. Most of the sonnets were
probably written before 1598, for in that year Francis Meres refers in Palladis Tamia to Shakespeare's "sugred Sonnets
among his private friends." More precise dating is not possible though the literature on the subject is vast. The numbering
of the sonnets here follows that of Thorpe and of modern standard editions. Thorpe's order is clearly wrong, but no
agreement has been reached as to their correct order. Of the 154 sonnets, 126 are addressed to the friend, a young
aristocrat, and 26 deal with the poet's love for a dark lady, who is also the friend's mistress. Friendship wins out. The
two final sonnets are not part of the story but are adaptations of verses by the Byzantine poet Marianus. Among the best
modern editions are those by H. E. Rollins in the New Variorium Shakespeare (1944).
4. Line 9 - conceit: thought.
5. Line 11 - Where ... Decay: where destructive Time fights in alliance with Decay.