Shakespearean Variation: Sonnet 4
Unthrifty loveliness, why dost thou spend
on lesser things your splendid legacy?
The empty purse comes soon, and few will lend
to thriftless spendthrift whose purse is so free.
A treasure is not given for abuse;
to merit and desert it is to give,
to wise prudence and beneficial use,
to projects that help virtue's knights to live.
Yes, even beauty must soon die alone,
and scams on every side wait to deceive,
but let us use well what soon must be gone,
with wisdom before it must take its leave.
-- But it is pointless to argue with thee;
the lovely must overgenerous be.
