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SONNET: 106, by         Recitation     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: When in the chronicle of wasted time
Last Line: Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.
Variant Title(s): "beauty Beyond Praise;to His Love;""when In The Chronicle Of Wasted Time"";
Subject(s): Admiration; Beauty; Love


WHEN in the chronicle of wasted time
I see descriptions of the fairest wights,
And beauty making beautiful old rhyme,
In praise of ladies dead, and lovely knights;
Then, in the blazon of sweet beauty's best
Of hand, of foot, of lip, of eye, of brow,
I see their antique pen would have expressed
Even such a beauty as you master now.
So all their praises are but prophecies
Of this our time, all you prefiguring;
And, for they looked but with divining eyes,
They had not skill enough your worth to sing;
For we, which now behold these present days,
Have eyes to wonder, but lack tongues to praise.




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