1-2. Or I shall live your epitaph to make, / Or you survive when I in earth am rotten: i.e., no matter whether I live to write your epitaph or you live on when I am rotten in the earth.

3. From hence your memory death cannot take: i.e., from this time forth, the death (of either of us) cannot erase the memory of you from the world.

4. in me each part: every part of my body and every quality of mine; i.e., all that I am.

5. Your name from hence immortal life shall have: i.e., from this time on, you will be famous throughout time.

7. common grave: i.e., ordinary grave; grave shared in common with millions of others who have been forgotten.

8. entombed in men's eyes: i.e., though dead, your image will live on in the minds of men yet to be born.

9. gentle verse: noble poetry.

11. tongues to be: voices in the future.   rehearse: recite.

12. breathers: living people.   this world: i.e., the world of today.

13. virtue: worth; power.