Sonnet 44. Whilst thus my pen strives to eternize thee

Michael Drayton (1563–1631)

[First printed in 1599 (No. 43), and in all later editions.]

WHILST thus my pen strives to eternize thee,

Age rules my lines with wrinkles in my face;

Where, in the Map of all my Misery,

Is modelled out the World of my disgrace:

Whilst in despite of tyrannizing Times,

MEDEAlike, I make thee young again!

Proudly thou scorn’st my world-outwearing rhymes,

And murder’st Virtue with thy coy disdain!

And though in youth, my youth untimely perish,

To keep Thee from oblivion and the grave;

Ensuing Ages yet my Rhymes shall cherish,

Where I entombed, my better part shall save;

And though this earthly body fade and die,

My Name shall mount upon Eternity!