As an unperfect actor on the stage
Who with his fear is put besides his part,
Or some fierce thing replete¹ with too much rage,
Whose strength's abundance weakens his own heart.
So I, for fear of trust, forget to say
The perfect ceremony of love's rite,
And in mine own love's strength seem to decay,
O'ercharged with burden of mine own love's might.
O, let my books be then the eloquence
And dumb presagers of my speaking breast,
Who plead for love and look for recompense
More than that tongue that more hath more express'd.
  O, learn to read what silent love hath writ:
  To hear with eyes belongs to love's fine wit.

仿佛舞台上初次演出的戏子
慌乱中竟忘记了自己的角色，
又像被触犯的野兽满腔怒气，
它那过猛的力量反使它胆怯；
同样，缺乏着冷静，我不觉忘掉
举行爱情的仪节的彬彬盛典，
被我爱情的过度重量所压倒，
在我自己的热爱中一息奄奄。
哦，请让我的诗篇做我的辩士，
替我把缠绵的衷曲默默诉说，
它为爱情申诉，并希求着赏赐，
多于那对你絮絮不休的狡舌：
　　请学会去读缄默的爱的情书，
　　用眼睛来听原属于爱的妙术。