1532ALack what pouerty my Muse brings forth,

1533That hauing such a skope to show her pride,

1534The argument all bare is of more worth

1535Then when it hath my added praise beside.

1536Oh blame me not if I no more can write!

1537Looke in your glasse and there appeares a face,

1538That ouer-goes my blunt inuention quite,

1539Dulling my lines, and doing me disgrace.

1540Were it not sinfull then striuing to mend,

1541To marre the subiect that before was well,

1542For to no other passe my verses tend,

1543Then of your graces and your gifts to tell.

1544 And more, much more then in my verse can sit,

1545Your owne glasse showes you, when you looke in it.

1547TO me faire friend you neuer can be old,

1548For as you were when first your eye I eyde,

1549Such seemes your beautie still:Three Winters colde,

1550Haue from the forrests shooke three summers pride,

1551Three beautious springs to yellow Autumne turn'd,

1552In processe of the seasons haue I seene,

1553Three Aprill perfumes in three hot Iunes burn'd,

1554Since first I saw you fresh which yet are greene.

1555Ah yet doth beauty like a Dyall hand,

1556Steale from his figure, and no pace perceiu'd,

1557So your sweete hew, which me thinkes still doth stand

1558Hath motion, and mine eye may be deceaued.

1559 For feare of which, heare this thou age vnbred,

1560Ere you were borne was beauties summer dead.

1562LEt not my loue be cal'd Idolatrie,

1563Nor my beloued as an Idoll show,

1564Since all alike my songs and praises be

1565To one, of one, still such, and euer so.

1566Kinde is my loue to day, to morrow kinde,

1567Still constant in a wondrous excellence,

1568Therefore my verse to constancie confin'de,

1569One thing expressing, leaues out difference.

1570Faire, kinde, and true, is all my argument,

1571Faire, kinde and true, varrying to other words,

1572And in this change is my inuention spent,

1573Three theams in one, which wondrous scope affords.

1574 Faire, kinde, and true, haue often liu'd alone.

1575 Which three till now, neuer kept seate in one.