So am I as the rich, whose blessed key
Can bring him to his sweet up-locked treasure,
The which he will not every hour survey,
For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure.
Therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare,
Since, seldom coming, in the long year set,
Like stones of worth they thinly placed are,
Or captain jewels in the carcanet.
So is the time that keeps you as my chest,
Or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hide,
To make some special instant special blest,
By new unfolding his imprison'd pride.
  Blessed are you, whose worthiness¹ gives scope,
  Being had, to triumph, being lack'd, to hope.

我像那富翁，他那幸运的钥匙
能把他带到他的心爱的宝藏，
可是他并不愿时常把它启视，
以免磨钝那难得的锐利的快感。
所以过节是那么庄严和希有，
因为在一年中仅疏疏地来临，
就像宝石在首饰上稀稀嵌就，
或大颗的珍珠在璎珞上晶莹。
同样，那保存你的时光就好像
我的宝箱，或装着华服的衣橱，
以便偶一重展那被囚的宝光，
使一些幸福的良辰分外幸福。
　　你真运气，你的美德能够使人
　　有你，喜洋洋，你不在，不胜憧憬。