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 extremity 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 fiery 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.
這樣,我的愛就可原諒那笨獸
(當我離開你),不嫌它走得太慢:
從你所在地我何必匆匆跑走?
除非是歸來,絕對不用把路趕。
那時可憐的畜牲怎會得寬容,
當極端的迅速還要顯得遲鈍?
那時我就要猛刺,縱使在御風,
如飛的速度我只覺得是停頓:
那時就沒有馬能和欲望齊驅;
因此,欲望,由最理想的愛構成,
就引頸長嘶,當它火似地飛馳;
但愛,為了愛,將這樣饒恕那畜牲:
既然別你的時候它有意慢走,
歸途我就下來跑,讓它得自由。