My glass shall not persuade me I am old,
So long as youth and thou are of one date;
But when in thee time‘s furrows I behold,
Then look I death my days should expiate.

For all that beauty that doth cover thee,
Is but the seemly raiment of my heart,
Which in thy breast doth live, as thine in me:
How can I then be elder than thou art?

O! therefore love, be of thyself so wary
As I, not for myself, but for thee will;
Bearing thy heart, which I will keep so chary
As tender nurse her babe from faring ill.

    Presume not on thy heart when mine is slain,
    Thou gav‘st me thine not to give back again.

Sonnet explained:

In this heartfelt poem, the speaker expresses a deep longing for eternal youth and beauty, intertwined with their love for the addressed individual. The themes of mortality, aging, and the preservation of love are eloquently woven into each line, creating a poignant reflection on the passage of time and the enduring nature of love. The speaker’s poignant plea for their beloved to be cautious with their own heart reflects a profound sense of devotion and commitment. This timeless poem captures the essence of love’s transformative power and the desire for an everlasting connection.