Time Takes Its Toll
Yes, in spite of the fact (or perhaps because of it) that time wears all away we keep close watch upon it. Shakespeare created one of the most poignant poems about time ever written. It is presented here as both a short video clip or in the original written technicolor version.
A reading of Shakespeare's Sonnet Number 60
Sonnet 60
by William Shakespeare
Like as the waves make towards the pebbled shore,
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked elipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,
Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:
And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.
So do our minutes hasten to their end;
Each changing place with that which goes before,
In sequent toil all forwards do contend.
Nativity, once in the main of light,
Crawls to maturity, wherewith being crown'd,
Crooked elipses 'gainst his glory fight,
And Time that gave doth now his gift confound.
Time doth transfix the flourish set on youth
And delves the parallels in beauty's brow,
Feeds on the rarities of nature's truth,
And nothing stands but for his scythe to mow:
And yet to times in hope my verse shall stand,
Praising thy worth, despite his cruel hand.
Shakespeare on Amazon
Although Shakespeare seems to be receding slowly into the depths of time, his words still have much to tell us.
The Winter's Tale: The Cambridge Dover Wilson Shakespeare (Cambridge Library Collection - Literary Studies)
Amazon Price: $27.29 (as of 01/01/2010) 
The works of William Shakespeare
Amazon Price: $36.89 (as of 01/01/2010)
Shakespeare (The Illustrated and Updated Edition)
Amazon Price: $19.79 (as of 01/01/2010)
Some final thoughts
The image at the intro to the page was provided by USF.EDU.
InDepthinfo has an excellent educational site on clocks.
Granted, Shakespeare can be difficult to understand when a reader is first exposed to him. But it is like a chilly lake on a summers day. If you only put your toes in, soon you will be wading waste deep, and in no time you will be swimming like a duck and having the time of your life.
InDepthinfo has an excellent educational site on clocks.
Granted, Shakespeare can be difficult to understand when a reader is first exposed to him. But it is like a chilly lake on a summers day. If you only put your toes in, soon you will be wading waste deep, and in no time you will be swimming like a duck and having the time of your life.
