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worth in time begetteth praise;

Time, praise; praise, fame; fame, wonderment;

Wonder, fame, praise, time, her worth do raise

To highest pitch of dread astonishment.

Yet time in time her hardened heart bewrayeth

And praise itself her cruelty dispraiseth.

So that through praise, alas, her praise decayeth,

And that which makes it fall her honour raiseth!

Most strange, yet true! So wonder, wonder still,

And follow fast the wonder of these days;

For well I know all wonder to fulfil

Her will at length unto my will obeys.

Meantime let others praise her constancy,

And me attend upon her clemency.