Time

1 - 32

1. I, that please some, try all, both joy and terror
2. Of good and bad, that makes and unfolds error,
3. Now take upon me, in the name of Time,
4. To use my wings. Impute it not a crime
5. To me, or my swift passage, that I slide
6. O’er sixteen years and leave the growth untried
7. Of that wide gap, since it is in my pow’r
8. To o’erthrow law, and in one self-born hour
9. To plant and o’erwhelm custom. Let me pass
10. The same I am, ere ancient’st order was,
11. Or what is now receiv’d. I witness to
12. The times that brought them in; so shall I do
13. To th’ freshest things now reigning, and make stale
14. The glistering of this present, as my tale
15. Now seems to it. Your patience this allowing,
16. I turn my glass, and give my scene such growing
17. As you had slept between. Leontes leaving—
18. Th’ effects of his fond jealousies so grieving
19. That he shuts up himself—imagine me,
20. Gentle spectators, that I now may be
21. In fair Bohemia, and remember well,
22. I mentioned a son o’ th’ King’s, which Florizel
23. I now name to you; and with speed so pace
24. To speak of Perdita, now grown in grace
25. Equal with wond’ring. What of her ensues
26. I list not prophesy; but let Time’s news
27. Be known when ’tis brought forth. A shepherd’s daughter,
28. And what to her adheres, which follows after,
29. Is th’ argument of Time. Of this allow,
30. If ever you have spent time worse ere now;
31. If never, yet that Time himself doth say,
32. He wishes earnestly you never may.