Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea, <br />But sad mortality o'ersways their power, <br />How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea, <br />Whose action is no stronger than a flower? <br />O, how shall summer's honey breath hold out <br />Against the wrackful siege of batt'ring days, <br />When rocks impregnable are not so stout, <br />Nor gates of steel so strong but Time decays? <br />O, fearful meditation! Where, alack, <br />Shall Time's best jewel from Time's chest lie hid? <br />Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back? <br />Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid? <br /> O, none, unless this miracle have might, <br /> That in black ink my love may still shine bright.<br /><br />William Shakespeare<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sonnet-65-since-brass-nor-stone-nor-earth-nor-bo/
