Thus can my love excuse the slow offence

　　Of my dull bearer when from thee I speed:

　　From where thou art why should I haste me thence?

　　Till I return, of posting is no need.

　　O, what excuse will my poor beast then find,

　　When swift extremity can seem but slow?

　　Then should I spur, though mounted on the wind;

　　In winged speed no motion shall I know:

　　Then can no horse with my desire keep pace;

　　Therefore desire of perfect'st love being made,

　　Shall neigh--no dull flesh--in his fiery race;

　　But love, for love, thus shall excuse my jade;

　　Since from thee going he went wilful-slow,

　　Towards thee I'll run, and give him leave to go.

　　这样，我的爱就可原谅那笨兽

　　(当我离开你)，不嫌它走得太慢：

　　从你所在地我何必匆匆跑走?

　　除非是归来，绝对不用把路赶。

　　那时可怜的畜牲怎会得宽容，

　　当极端的迅速还要显得迟钝?

　　那时我就要猛刺，纵使在御风，

　　如飞的速度我只觉得是停顿：

　　那时就没有马能和欲望齐驱;

　　因此，欲望，由最理想的爱构成，

　　就引颈长嘶，当它火似地飞驰;

　　但爱，为了爱，将这样饶恕那畜牲：

　　既然别你的时候它有意慢走，

　　归途我就下来跑，让它得自由。