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. Sonnet 72 . (original language, but moderately updated) 01. O Lest the world should task you to recite, 02. What merit liv'd in me that you should love 03. After my death (dear love) forget me quite, 04. For you in me can nothing worthy prove. 05. Unless you would devise some virtuous lie, 06. To do more for me than mine own desert, 07. And hang more praise upon deceased I, 08. Than niggard truth would willingly impart; 09. O lest your true love may seem false in this, 10. That you for love speak well of me untrue, 11. My name be buried where my body is, 12. And live no more to shame nor me, nor you. 13. For I am shamed by that which I bring forth, 14. And so should you, to love things nothing worth. |
. Sonnet 72 . (paraphrased) 01. Oh, lest the world should call upon you to state 02. What merit existed in me so that you could love me, 03. After my death (dear beloved friend) forget me completely, 04. Because you can't show that, in me, there was anything worthy, 05. Unless you make up some white lie, 06. To do more for me than I deserve, 07. And dress up my dead self with more praise 08. Than the poor truth would willingly say; 09. Oh, lest your true love for me might appear false in that way, 10. (That you, out of love, falsely speak well of me,) 11. (Let) My name be buried where my body is, 12. And let my name live no more, since it could bring shame to you, the way it did me; 13. Because I am ashamed of that which my name evokes, 14. And you should be ashamed, to love things that are worth nothing. |
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Sonnet 72 Gloss
L1: task you = call upon you; give you the job. L1: recite = describe; speak of; state. The word, in context, hints of delivering a eulogy, but that implication is not to be taken literally. L2: liv'd = existed. L4: prove = show. L5: virtuous lie = "white lie." A lie told from a good motive. L6: desert = deserving. What he really deserves. L7: hang = decorate (with); dress up (with.) L8: niggard = parsimonious; "poor." L8: truth - Personified. Has a connotation of "life." L8: impart = say. L13: bring forth = evoke. That is, his name has certain associations which he would prefer not be recalled. |
Sonnet 72 Notes
Sonnet 72 is by Edward de Vere, to William Shakespeare. ------- |
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