Sonnet 1 Sonnet 3 Sonnet 12 Sonnet 18 Sonnet 19 Sonnet 20 Sonnet 29 Sonnet 30 Sonnet 33 Sonnet 55 Sonnet 60 Sonnet 65 Sonnet 71 Sonnet 73 Sonnet 94 Sonnet 106 Sonnet 116 Sonnet 126 Sonnet 127 Sonnet 129 Sonnet 130 Sonnet 138 Sonnet 144 Sonnet 146 Sonnet 147

Sonnet 71

Original Text

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:

Modern English

Don't mourn me any longer than it takes for the dull funeral bell to die away — that bell that warns the world I have departed from this wretched life to lie among the worms.

Original Text

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.

Modern English

In fact, if you read these lines, don't even think of the hand that wrote them — I love you too well to want to linger in your thoughts at all if remembering me would cause you pain.

Original Text

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;

Modern English

If, I say, your eyes should fall on these words after I have gone back to dust and clay, don't so much as speak my name aloud — let your love for me fade when my life does.

Original Text

Lest the wise world should look into your moan, And mock you with me after I am gone.

Modern English

Otherwise the knowing world might observe your grief and mock you for mourning someone like me.

Shakespeare's Sonnets

Sonnet 71

Sonnet 71