Since brass nor stone nor earth nor the uncontained sea,
Can help being over-powered by sad mortality,
Given this destruction how can beauty survive,
Who is no stronger than a flower?
Oh how can summer's honey breath hold out
Against the destructive siege of battering days,
When invincible rocks are not so hard,
Nor gates of steel strong enough to withstand decay over time?
What a frightening thought! Where, alas,
Will time's most prized gem escape being put away in time's jewelry box?
What strong hand can hold back time's quick steps?
Who can prevent his spoiling of beauty?
None, unless this miracle is powerful enough
That in black ink my love may still shine bright.