Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion’s paws

Lyrics

Devouring time, blunt thou the lion's paws And make the earth devour her own sweet brood Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger's jaws And burn the long-liv'd phoenix in her blood Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleet'st And do what e'er thou wilt, swift-footed time To the wide world and all her fading sweets: But I forbid thee one most heinous crime O carve not with thy hours my love's fair brow Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen Him in thy course untainted do allow For beauty's pattern to succeeding men Yet do thy worst, old time, despite thy wrong My love shall in my verse ever live young