Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
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 tattered 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.
我的愛情之主啊,你的美德
值得我對你效忠,盡心盡力,
我因此派出這書寫的使者,
為見證忠誠,不為炫耀才智。
忠誠如此強大,我孤陋寡聞,
文筆拙劣,使忠誠不能彰顯,
但我仍希望你懷一片善心,
憑赤誠的靈魂收下這詩篇,
直到有星宿引導我的命數(shù),
為我慷慨昭示吉祥的面顏,
并給我襤褸的愛披上華服,
使我配受你那甜美的禮贊。
那時我才敢夸口我多么愛你,
并接受你的考驗,肝腦涂地。