它会是命运的私生儿，没有爸爸，
It might for Fortune's bastard be unfathered,
它将被时间的爱或憎任意处置，
As subject to Time's love, or to Time's hate,
随同恶草，或随同好花被摘下。
Weeds among weeds, or flowers with flowers gathered.
不，它建立了，同偶然毫无牵挂；
No, it was builded far from accident;
在含笑的高贵面前，它沉得住气，
It suffers not in smiling pomp, nor falls
被压制的愤懑的爆发也打不垮它，
Under the blow of thralled discontent,
尽管这爆发已成为当代的风气。
Whereto th' inviting time our fashion calls.
权谋在租期很短的土地上干活，
It fears not Policy, that heretic,
对于这位异教徒，它毫不恐惧。
Which works on leases of short-numb'red hours,
它不因热而生长，不被雨淹没，
But all alone stands hugely politic,
它只是巍然独立，且深谋远虑。
That it nor grows with heat, nor drowns with showers.
我唤那为一善而死、为众恶而生、
To this I witness call the fools of Time,
被时间愚弄的人来为此事作证。
Which die for goodness, who have lived for crime.