也奈何不得无常来扬威称霸，
But sad mortality o'ersways their power,
那么美，又怎能向死的暴力对抗——
How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea,
看她的活力还不过是一朵娇花？
Whose action is no stronger than a flower?
呵，夏天的芳香怎么能抵得住
O, how shall summer's honey breath hold out
多少个日子前来猛烈地围攻？
Against the wrackful siege of batt'ring days,
要知道，算顽石坚强，巉岩牢固，
When rocks impregnable are not so stout,
钢门结实，都得被时间磨空！
Nor gates of steel so strong but Time decays?
可怕的想法呵，唉！时间的好宝贝，
O, fearful meditation, where, alack,
哪儿能避免进入时间的万宝箱？
Shall Time's best jewel from Time's chest lie hid?
哪只巨手能拖住时间这飞毛腿？
Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back,
谁能禁止他把美容丽质一抢光？
Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid?
没人能够呵，除非有神通显威灵，
O, none, unless this miracle have might,
我爱人能在墨迹里永远放光明。
That in black ink my love may still shine bright.