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As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow’st

In one of thine, from that which thou departest;

And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestow’st

Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth convertest

Herein lives wisdom, beauty, and increase;

Without this, folly, age, and cold decay.

If all were minded so, the times should cease,

And threescore year would make the world away.

Let those whom nature hath not made for store,

Harsh, featureless, and rude, barrenly perish;

Look whom she best endowed she gave thee more,

Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish

She carved thee for her seal, and meant thereby

Thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die