Sonnet LX: Like as the Waves Make towards the Pebbled Shore

Shakespeare, William (1564 - 1616)

Original Text

William Shakespeare, Shake-speares sonnets (London: G. Eld for T. T., 1609). STC 22353. Facs. edn.: London: J. Cape, 1925. PR 2750 B48 1609b ROBA.

1Like as the waves make towards the pebbl'd shore,

2So do our minutes hasten to their end;

3Each changing place with that which goes before,

4In sequent toil all forwards do contend.

5Nativity, once in the main of light,

6Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,

7Crooked eclipses 'gainst his glory fight,

8And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.

9Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth

10And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,

11Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,

12And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:

13And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,

14Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.

Notes

1] Like as ... contend: from Ovid, Metamorphoses, XV, 180-84. Back to Line

5] Main of light: main body of light, world of light. Back to Line

7] Crooked: malignant. Back to Line

9] flourish: embellishment. Back to Line

11] rarities of nature's truth: outstanding examples of nature's creative power; literally of nature's conformity to her own best standard. Cf. The Phoenix and Turtle, line 53. Back to Line

13] in hope: to come. Back to Line

Publication Start Year

1609

RPO poem Editors

F. D. Hoeniger

RPO Edition

3RP 1.140.

Rhyme

ababcdcdefefgg

Form

sonnet