5. The 1609 Quarto Version

THoſe howers that with gentle worke did frame,

The louely gaze where euery eye doth dwell

Will play the tirants to the very ſame,

And that vnfaire which fairely doth excell:

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For neuer reſting time leads Summer on,

To hidious winter and confounds him there,

Sap checkt with froſt and luſtie leau's quite gon.

Beauty ore-ſnow'd and barenes euery where,

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Then were not ſummers diſtillation left

A liquid priſoner pent in walls of glaſſe,

Beauties effect with beauty were bereft,

Nor it nor noe remembrance what it was.

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But flowers diſtil'd though they with winter meete,

Leeſe but their ſhow,their ſubſtance ſtill liues ſweet.

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Read by Luke Amadeus Ranieri