Were 't aught to me I bore the canopy,
With my extern the outward honouring,
Or laid great bases for eternity,
Which prove more short than waste or ruining?
Have I not seen dwellers¹ on form and favour
Lose all, and more, by paying too much rent,
For compound sweet forgoing² simple savour,
Pitiful thrivers, in their gazing spent?
No, let me be obsequious³ in thy heart,
And take thou my oblation⁴, poor but free,
Which is not mix'd with seconds, knows no art,
But mutual⁵ render, only me for thee.
  Hence, thou suborn'd informer! a true soul
  When most impeach'd stands least in thy control.

这对我何益，纵使我高擎华盖，
用我的外表来为你妆点门面，
或奠下伟大基础，要留芳万代，
其实比荒凉和毁灭为期更短？
难道我没见过拘守仪表的人，
付出高昂的代价，却丧失一切，
厌弃淡泊而拚命去追求荤辛，
可怜的赢利者，在顾盼中雕谢？
不，请让我在你心里长保忠贞，
收下这份菲薄但由衷的献礼，
它不搀杂次品，也不包藏机心，
而只是你我间互相致送诚意。
　　被收买的告密者，滚开！你越诬告
　　真挚的心，越不能损害它分毫。