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Sonnet 14
Shakespeare's Sonnets Translation Sonnet 15
When I consider every thing that grows Holds in perfection but a little moment; That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows Whereon the stars in secret influence commént; When I perceive that men as plants increase, Cheerèd and checked ev'n by the self-same sky, Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease, And wear their brave state out of memory; 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; And all in war with time for love of you, As he takes from you, I engraft you new.
When I consider that everything that grows
Remains perfect for only a little moment;
That the huge stage of the world has on it nothing but shows
On which the stars have their secret influence;
When I perceive that humans multiply like plants,
Encouraged and held back by the very same sky,
Boasting of their youthful sap, until they peak and then decline,
And wear out their beauty until it is lost from memory;
Then the idea of this ever-changing state
Puts me in mind of you, since you are very youthful,
In you wasteful time debates with decay,
About how to corrupt your youthful day into sullied night;
I am fighting against time out of love for you,
As time takes from you, I engraft you again.
