When most I wink¹, then do mine eyes best see,
For all the day they view things unrespected;
But when I sleep, in dreams they look on thee,
And darkly bright are bright in dark directed².
Then thou, whose shadow shadows doth make bright,
How would thy shadow's form form happy show
To the clear day with thy much clearer light,
When to unseeing eyes thy shade shines so!
How would, I say, mine eyes be blessed made
By looking on thee in the living day,
When in dead night thy fair imperfect shade
Through heavy sleep on sightless eyes doth stay!
  All days are nights to see till I see thee,
  And nights bright days when dreams do show thee me.

我眼睛闭得最紧，看得最明亮：
它们整天只看见无味的东西；
而当我入睡，梦中却向你凝望，
幽暗的火焰，暗地里放射幽辉。
你的影子既能教黑影放光明，
对闭上的眼照耀得那么辉煌，
你影子的形会形成怎样的美景，
在清明的白天里用更清明的光！
我的眼睛，我说，会感到多幸运
若能够凝望你在光天化日中，
既然在死夜里你那不完全的影
对酣睡中闭着的眼透出光容！
　　天天都是黑夜一直到看见你，
　　夜夜是白天当好梦把你显示！