Shakespeare's Sonnets: XI

Wisdom and beauty are called on by nature to produce more like them. They are “her seal” and she wants the young man to “print more” like himself. Otherwise, “folly, age, and cold” result. 

Sonnet XI

As fast as thou shalt wane, so fast thou grow’st

In one of thine, from that which thou departest;

And that fresh blood which youngly thou bestow’st,

Thou mayst call thine when thou from youth convertest.

Herein lives wisdom, beauty, and increase;

Without this folly, age, and cold decay:

If all were minded so, the times should cease

And threescore year would make the world away.

Let those whom nature hath not made for store,

Harsh, featureless, and rude, barrenly perish:

Look whom she best endowed, she gave the more;

Which bounteous gift thou shouldst in bounty cherish:

                She carved thee for her seal, and meant thereby,

                Thou shouldst print more, not let that copy die.