My vegetable love should grow Vaster than empires, and more slow; An hundred years should go to praise Thine eyes and on thy forehead gaze; Two hundred to adore each breast; But thirty thousand to the rest; An age at least to every part, And the last age should show your heart; For, Lady, you deserve this state, Nor would I love at lower rate.
This image clearly draws on ideas of physical strength and power, and the fact that their passions are well matched.
Worms, ie maggots, are not the only guilty parties.