So are you to my thoughts as food to life,
Or as sweet-season'd showers are to the ground;
And for the peace of you I hold such strife
As 'twixt a miser¹ and his wealth is found;
Now proud as an enjoyer and anon
Doubting the filching² age will steal his treasure,
Now counting best to be with you alone,
Then better'd that the world may see my pleasure;
Sometime all full with feasting on your sight
And by and by clean starved for a look;
Possessing or pursuing no delight,
Save what is had or must from you be took.
  Thus do I pine and surfeit³ day by day,
  Or gluttoning on all, or all away.

我的心需要你，像生命需要食粮，
或者像大地需要及时的甘霖；
为你的安宁我内心那么凄惶
就像贪夫和他的财富作斗争：
他，有时自夸财主，然后又顾虑
这惯窃的时代会偷他的财宝；
我，有时觉得最好独自伴着你，
忽然又觉得该把你当众夸耀：
有时饱餐秀色后腻到化不开，
渐渐地又饿得慌要瞟你一眼；
既不占有也不追求别的欢快，
除掉那你已施或要施的恩典。
　　这样，我整天垂涎或整天不消化，
　　我狼吞虎咽，或一点也咽不下。