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			Original Text | 
			
			Modern Text | 
		
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			 But wherefore do not you a mightier way 
			Make war upon this bloody tyrant, time, 
			And fortify yourself in your decay 
			With means more blessèd than my barren rhyme? 
			Now stand you on the top of happy hours, 
			And many maiden gardens, yet unset, 
			With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers, 
			Much liker than your painted counterfeit. 
			So should the lines of life that life repair 
			Which this time’s pencil or my pupil pen 
			Neither in inward worth nor outward fair 
			Can make you live yourself in eyes of men. 
			  To give away yourself keeps yourself still, 
			  And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill. 
			 | 
			
			 But wherefore do not you a mightier way 
			Make war upon this bloody tyrant, time, 
			And fortify yourself in your decay 
			With means more blessèd than my barren rhyme? 
			Now stand you on the top of happy hours, 
			And many maiden gardens, yet unset, 
			With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers, 
			Much liker than your painted counterfeit. 
			So should the lines of life that life repair 
			Which this time’s pencil or my pupil pen 
			Neither in inward worth nor outward fair 
			Can make you live yourself in eyes of men. 
			  To give away yourself keeps yourself still, 
			  And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill. 
			 | 
		
			Original Text | 
			
			Modern Text | 
		
| 
			 But wherefore do not you a mightier way 
			Make war upon this bloody tyrant, time, 
			And fortify yourself in your decay 
			With means more blessèd than my barren rhyme? 
			Now stand you on the top of happy hours, 
			And many maiden gardens, yet unset, 
			With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers, 
			Much liker than your painted counterfeit. 
			So should the lines of life that life repair 
			Which this time’s pencil or my pupil pen 
			Neither in inward worth nor outward fair 
			Can make you live yourself in eyes of men. 
			  To give away yourself keeps yourself still, 
			  And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill. 
			 | 
			
			 But wherefore do not you a mightier way 
			Make war upon this bloody tyrant, time, 
			And fortify yourself in your decay 
			With means more blessèd than my barren rhyme? 
			Now stand you on the top of happy hours, 
			And many maiden gardens, yet unset, 
			With virtuous wish would bear your living flowers, 
			Much liker than your painted counterfeit. 
			So should the lines of life that life repair 
			Which this time’s pencil or my pupil pen 
			Neither in inward worth nor outward fair 
			Can make you live yourself in eyes of men. 
			  To give away yourself keeps yourself still, 
			  And you must live, drawn by your own sweet skill. 
			 |