O! lest the world should task you to recite
What merit lived in me, that you should love
After my death, dear love, forget me quite,
For you in me can nothing worthy prove;

Unless you would devise some virtuous lie,
To do more for me than mine own desert,
And hang more praise upon deceased I
Than niggard truth would willingly impart:

O! lest your true love may seem false in this
That you for love speak well of me untrue,
My name be buried where my body is,
And live no more to shame nor me nor you.

    For I am shamed by that which I bring forth,
    And so should you, to love things nothing worth.

The poem cited is a beautiful Shakespearean sonnet, in which the speaker expresses concern about being forgotten and becoming a source of shame for their loved one. The poem reflects on the idea of preserving one’s reputation after death and the fear of being remembered in an undeserving or false light. It delves into the complexities of love, truth, and the desire for a lasting, honest legacy.

The sonnet’s introspective tone and emotional depth resonate with readers across time and cultures. Its timeless themes of love, mortality, and the desire for true remembrance continue to captivate and move audiences to this day.