Sonnet 15

One of William Shakespeare's most famous sonnets is Sonnet 15. Here it is:

Sonnet 15

When 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,
Cheered and cheque'd 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.

Sonnet 15 tells the reader that perfection is only temporary. Everything will decay over time. However, the poem has the power to immortalize the poet's friend and make him new again.

The rhyme scheme is abab cdcd efef gg. The rhyming couplet at the end characterizes the Shakespearean sonnet.