Sonnet #71

Sonnet LXXI

by William Shakespeare

No longer mourn for me when I am dead then 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.

Sonnet #71

translation by ModCon Shakespeare

I don’t want you to cry for me once I’m buried and gone, I don’t want you wasting your tears on worm-food once you are left all alone.

Forget the words that I’ve written for you, and forget the hands that you loved. If you weep over me, if you never smile again, then I’ll have no peace up above.

If you find this note after I am gone, as my bones are turning to crust, then do not even whisper my name, leave me lying alone in the dust.

Let your love die with me, leave it with me to rot, because you may wish that I was still with you, but the world will not.