Devouring Time, you may make the lion’s claws blunt and return all creatures to the earth from which they sprang; pull the teeth from the fierce tiger’s jaws, and destroy the phoenix in her fire. Do whatever you like, fast-running Time, to any beautiful fading thing in the world; but I forbid you to commit one heinous crime: oh don’t cut into my love’s beautiful brow, nor draw wrinkles there with your insane pen. As you go on your destructive course spare him as a pattern of beauty for posterity. But, do your worst, old Time. Whatever harm you do my love will remain young forever in my poetry.