First shall the heavens want starry light,
The seas be robbèd of their waves;
The day want sun. and sun want bright,
The night want shade, the dead men graves;
  The April flowers and leaf and tree. 
  Before I false my faith to thee. 

First shall the tops of highest hills 
By humble plains be overpried;
And poets scorn the Muses' quills,
And fish forsake the water-glide; 
  And Iris lose her coloured weed. 
  Before I fail thee at thy need. 

First direful hate shall turn to peace,
And love relent in deep disdain; 
And death his fatal stroke shall cease,
And envy pity every pain; 
  And pleasure mourn, and sorrow smile,
  Before I talk of any guile. 

First time shall stay his stayless race. 
And winter bless his boughs with corn; 
And snow bemoisten July's face,
And winter spring, and summer mourn,
  Before my pen by help of fame
  Cease to recite thy sacred name.