William Shakespeare
1564-1616
Sonnet LXXI
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:
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.
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;
Lest
the wise world should look into your moan,
And mock you with me after I am gone.
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