Structure
Sonnet 12 rigidly follows the structure of a typical Shakespearan sonnet. It consists 14 lines of which 12 belong to three quatrains and the last two belong to the couplet. In this sonnet the first three quatrains develop the argument which is basically of despair, and the couplet is the resolution to the argument which is that there seems to be hope to this despair. The rhyme scheme for this sonnet is ABAB, CDCD, EFEF, GG Lines one through eight are the octave which concerns the decaying that occurs in the environment, and these lines are connected through alliteration. Lines nine through fourteen which is the sestet concerns the decaying of the beloved.
1. When I do count the clock that tells the time, A
2. And see the brave day sunk in hideous night; B
3. When I behold the violet past prime, A
4. And sable curls all silvered over with white; B
5. When lofty trees I see barren of leaves C
6. Which erst from heat did canopy the herd, D
7. And summer's green all girded up in sheaves C
8. Borne on the bier with white and bristly beard, D
9. Then of thy beauty do I question make, E
10. That thou among the wastes of time must go, F
11. Since sweets and beauties do themselves forsake E
12. And die as fast as they see others grow; F
13. And nothing against time's scythe can make defense G
14. Save breed, to brave him when he takes thee hence. G
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