Death, be not proud, though some have called
thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;
For those, whom thou think'st thou dost
overthrow,
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy picture be,
Much pleasure, then from thee much more must
flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou'rt slave to Fate, chance, kings, and
desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well,
Which statement best explains the shift between the
octave and the sestet in the sonnet?
O The speaker says death is less powerful than it
seems, then explains that death will die, too.
The speaker argues that everyone fears death, then
gives reasons why they should not.
The speaker begins by explaining how death is
powerful, then shows why this is not true.
O The speaker shows how we are fascinated with
death, then explains how to focus on life.