With my extern the outward honouring,
Or laid great bases for eternity,
Which prove more short than waste or ruining?
Have I not seen dwellers on form and favour
Lose all, and more, by paying too much rent,
For compound sweet forgoing simple savour,
Pitiful thrivers, in their gazing spent?
No, let me be obsequious in thy heart,
And take thou my oblation, poor but free,
Which is not mix'd with seconds, knows no art,
But mutual render, only me for thee.
Hence, thou suborn'd informer! a true soul
When most impeach'd stands least in thy control.
這對我何益,縱使我高擎華蓋,
用我的外表來為你妝點門面,
或奠下偉大基礎(chǔ),要留芳萬代,
其實比荒涼和毀滅為期更短?
難道我沒見過拘守儀表的人,
付出高昂的代價,卻喪失一切,
厭棄淡泊而拚命去追求葷辛,
可憐的贏利者,在顧盼中雕謝?
不,請讓我在你心里長保忠貞,
收下這份菲薄但由衷的獻禮,
它不攙雜次品,也不包藏機心,
而只是你我間互相致送誠意。
被收買的告密者,滾開!你越誣告
真摯的心,越不能損害它分毫。