Sonnet 74

Devouring Time

  1. 1 But be contented: when that fell arrest
  2. 2 Without all bail shall carry me away,
  3. 3 My life hath in this line some interest,
  4. 4 Which for memorial still with thee shall stay.
  5. 5 When thou reviewest this, thou dost review
  6. 6 The very part was consecrate to thee:
  7. 7 The earth can have but earth, which is his due;
  8. 8 My spirit is thine, the better part of me:
  9. 9 So then thou hast but lost the dregs of life,
  10. 10 The prey of worms, my body being dead;
  11. 11 The coward conquest of a wretch's knife,
  12. 12 Too base of thee to be remembered,.
  13. 13 The worth of that is that which it contains,
  14. 14 And that is this, and this with thee remains.