Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,
To thee I send this written embassage,
To witness duty, not to show my wit:
Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine
May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it,
But that I hope some good conceit of thine
In thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow it;
Till whatsoever star that guides my moving
Points on me graciously with fair aspect
And puts apparel on my tatter'd loving,
To show me worthy of thy sweet respect:
Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee;
Till then not show my head where thou mayst prove me.
我愛情的至尊,你的美德已經(jīng)
使我這藩屬加強對你的擁戴,
我現(xiàn)在寄給你這詩當(dāng)作使臣,
去向你述職,并非要向你炫才。
職責(zé)那么重,我又才拙少俊語,
難免要顯得赤裸裸和她相見,
但望你的妙思,不嫌它太粗鄙,
在你靈魂里把它的赤裸裸遮掩;
因而不管什么星照引我前程,
都對我露出一副和悅的笑容,
把華服加給我這寒傖的愛情,
使我配得上你那繾綣的恩寵。
那時我才敢對你夸耀我的愛,
否則怕你考驗我,總要躲起來。