Sonnet 15: When I Consider Every Thing That Grows
Sonnet 15: When I Consider Every Thing That Grows - meaning Summary
Preserving Beauty Against Time
The speaker reflects on the briefness of natural life and youthful beauty, comparing humans to plants that grow, peak, and decline under Time’s influence. Confronted with mortality, he places his beloved’s image at the height of youth and vows to counteract decay by preserving that beauty through his art. The sonnet frames poetic creation as an act of renewal that resists Time’s destructive march.
Read Complete AnalysesWhen I consider every thing that grows Holds in perfection but a little moment. That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows Whereon the stars in secret influence comment. When I perceive that men as plants increase, Cheerèd and checked even by the self-same sky, Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease, And wear their brave state out of memory; Then the conceit of this inconstant stay, Sets you most rich in youth before my sight, Where wasteful Time debateth with decay To change your day of youth to sullied night; And all in war with Time for love of you, As he takes from you, I engraft you new.
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