Lord of my love, to whom in vassalage
Thy merit hath my duty strongly knit,
To thee I send this written embassage,
To witness duty, not to show my wit:
Duty so great, which wit so poor as mine
May make seem bare, in wanting words to show it,
But that I hope some good conceit¹ of thine
In thy soul's thought, all naked, will bestow² it;
Till whatsoever³ star that guides my moving
Points on me graciously with fair aspect
And puts apparel on my tatter'd loving,
To show me worthy⁴ of thy sweet respect:
  Then may I dare to boast how I do love thee;
  Till then not show my head where thou mayst prove me.

我爱情的至尊，你的美德已经
使我这藩属加强对你的拥戴，
我现在寄给你这诗当作使臣，
去向你述职，并非要向你炫才。
职责那么重，我又才拙少俊语，
难免要显得赤裸裸和她相见，
但望你的妙思，不嫌它太粗鄙，
在你灵魂里把它的赤裸裸遮掩；
因而不管什么星照引我前程，
都对我露出一副和悦的笑容，
把华服加给我这寒伧的爱情，
使我配得上你那缱绻的恩宠。
　　那时我才敢对你夸耀我的爱，
　　否则怕你考验我，总要躲起来。