When I consider every thing that grows

Holds in perfection but a little moment,

That this huge stage presenteth nought¹ but shows

Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;

When I perceive that men as plants increase,

Cheered and cheque'd even by the self-same sky,

Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,

And wear their brave state out of memory;

Then the conceit² of this inconstant stay

Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,

Where wasteful³ Time debateth with Decay,

To change your day of youth to sullied night;

And all in war with Time for love of you,

As he takes from you, I engraft you new.

当我默察一切活泼泼的生机

保持它们的芳菲都不过一瞬，

宇宙的舞台只搬弄一些把戏

被上苍的星宿在冥冥中牵引；

当我发觉人和草木一样蕃衍，

任同一的天把他鼓励和阻挠，

少壮时欣欣向荣，盛极又必反，

繁华和璀璨都被从记忆抹掉；

于是这一切奄忽浮生的征候

便把妙龄的你在我眼前呈列，

眼见残暴的时光与腐朽同谋，

要把你青春的白昼化作黑夜；

为了你的爱我将和时光争持：

他摧折你，我要把你重新接枝。