Shakespeare's Sonnets (1923) Yale/Text/Sonnet 71
For other versions of this work, see Sonnet 71 (Shakespeare).
71
No longer mourn for me when I am dead
Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell
Give warning to the world that I am fled
From this vile world, with vilest worms to dwell: 4
Nay, if you read this line, remember not
The hand that writ it; for I love you so,
That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot,
If thinking on me then should make you woe. 8
O, if, I say, you look upon this verse,
When I perhaps compounded am with clay,
Do not so much as my poor name rehearse,
But let your love even with my life decay; 12
Lest the wise world should look into your moan,
And mock you with me after I am gone.
3 Give warning to the world; cf. n.
7 would be: wish to be
10 compounded: mixed
11 rehearse: repeat