Sonnet 19: Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion’s paws
by an unknown author
Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion’s paws,
And make the earth devour her own sweet brood;
Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger’s jaws,
And burn the long lived Phoenix in her blood;
Make glad and sorry seasons as thou flees,
And do whatever thou wilt, swift footed Time,
To the wide world and all her fading sweets;
But I forbid thee one more heinous crime:
O, carve not with thy hours my love’s fair brow,
Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen!
Him in thy course untainted do allow
For beauty’s pattern to succeeding men.
Yet do thy worst, old Time! Despite thy wrong
My love shall in my verse ever live young.
Summary of Sonnet 19
“Sonnet 19” is a vivid meditation on beauty, youth, and the relentless march of time. The poem portrays Time as a powerful, destructive force that can erode even the mightiest creatures and natural wonders. At its core, it is a plea by the speaker to shield his beloved’s beauty from the ravages of age, declaring that his poetry will preserve her allure for eternity.
The central theme contrasts Time’s inevitable decay with art’s capacity to capture and immortalize what is lost. It celebrates the enduring nature of love and the power of creative expression to defy mortality, underscoring the poet’s confidence in the written word.
In-Depth Analysis of Sonnet 19
The Personification of Time
Time is presented as an active, destructive entity. The opening line, “Devouring Time, blunt thou the lion’s paws,” immediately sets a dramatic tone. Time is not a passive measure of duration but a predator that diminishes strength and vitality. This theme continues in subsequent lines: “And make the earth devour her own sweet brood” and “Pluck the keen teeth from the fierce tiger’s jaws.” These violent verbs reinforce Time’s ruthless nature, stripping power from even the most majestic creatures.
Imagery and Figurative Language
The poem is rich in vivid imagery that heightens its emotional impact. The extended metaphor of Time as a destructive force spans the first eight lines, building a sense of escalating dread. The image of the Phoenix—traditionally a symbol of renewal—being “burned… in her blood” suggests that even immortality cannot escape Time’s grasp. The phrase “fading sweets” poignantly describes the fleeting nature of beauty and pleasure.
The Turn: A Plea for Preservation
The ninth line, “But I forbid thee one more heinous crime,” introduces a clear turning point, or volta, in the poem. The speaker shifts from observation to active resistance, demanding that Time spare his beloved from aging. The following lines—“O, carve not with thy hours my love’s fair brow, / Nor draw no lines there with thine antique pen!”—are a passionate appeal to preserve her beauty. The metaphor of Time as a sculptor, carving wrinkles and lines, is particularly striking.
The Power of Art and Immortality
The speaker believes that poetry can transcend the limitations of time. Lines 11 and 12—“Him in thy course untainted do allow / For beauty’s pattern to succeeding men”—express hope that his beloved’s beauty will serve as an eternal standard for future generations. The final couplet—“Yet do thy worst, old Time! Despite thy wrong / My love shall in my verse ever live young”—celebrates the triumph of art over the physical decay that Time brings.
Literary and Poetic Devices in Sonnet 19
Literary Devices
- Personification: Time is portrayed as an active, destructive force.
- Metaphor: Time is compared to a sculptor; beauty to a fleeting sweetness.
- Imagery: Vivid images of a devouring lion and a burning Phoenix create lasting impressions.
- Allusion: The Phoenix references Greek mythology, adding depth to the poem.
Poetic Devices
- Form: The poem contains fourteen lines, but it does not follow the Shakespearean sonnet structure or rhyme scheme.
- Meter: The lines are not strictly iambic pentameter; the rhythm is more fluid and free.
- Rhyme Scheme: The poem uses an irregular rhyme pattern rather than the traditional ABAB CDCD EFEF GG.
- Enjambment: Some lines continue without punctuation, creating a sense of flow.
- Caesura: Pauses within lines add emphasis and rhythmic variation.
“Sonnet 19” exemplifies timeless themes—beauty, youth, and the relentless passage of time. Through its vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and skillful use of poetic devices, the poem offers a compelling meditation on the enduring power of art and the hope of achieving immortality through creative expression. It stands as a testament to the poet’s ability to capture universal emotions in a concise and elegant form.