Sonnet 19. Devouring time, blunt thou the lion's paws

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-lived phoenix in her blood;

Make glad and sorry seasons as thou fleets

And do whate'er thou wilt, swift-footed Time

To the wide world and all her fading sweets;

But I forbid thee one most heinous crime: