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Sonnet 74: But Be Contented: When That Fell Arrest, By: William Shakespeare

October 12, 2026 by Editors

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But be contented: when that fell arrest
Without all bail shall carry me away,
My life hath in this line some interest,
Which for memorial still with thee shall stay.
When thou reviewest this, thou dost review
The very part was consecrate to thee:
The earth can have but earth, which is his due;
My spirit is thine, the better part of me:
So then thou hast but lost the dregs of life,
The prey of worms, my body being dead;
The coward conquest of a wretch’s knife,
Too base of thee to be remembered.
The worth of that is that which it contains,
And that is this, and this with thee remains.

Read all of William Shakespeare's poems · About William Shakespeare

More by William Shakespeare

  • Sonnet 75: So Are You To My Thoughts As Food To Life
  • Sonnet 76: Why Is My Verse So Barren Of New Pride
  • Sonnet 77: Thy Glass Will Show Thee How Thy Beauties Wear
  • Sonnet 78: So Oft Have I Invoked Thee For My Muse
  • Sonnet 79: Whilst I Alone Did Call Upon Thy Aid

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