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 extremity¹ 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 fiery² 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。