When I consider every thing that grows
Holds in perfection but a little moment,
That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows
Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;
When I perceive that men as plants increase,
Cheered and cheque'd even by the self-same sky,
Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,
And wear their brave state out of memory;
Then the conceit of this inconstant stay
Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,
Where wasteful Time debateth with Decay,
To change your day of youth to sullied night;
And all in war with Time for love of you,
As he takes from you, I engraft you new.

當我默察一切活潑潑的生機
保持它們的芳菲都不過一瞬，
宇宙的舞臺只搬弄一些把戲
被上蒼的星宿在冥冥中牽引；
當我發覺人和草木一樣蕃衍，
任同一的天把他鼓勵和阻撓，
少壯時欣欣向榮，盛極又必反，
繁華和璀璨都被從記憶抹掉；
于是這一切奄忽浮生的征候
便把妙齡的你在我眼前呈列，
眼見殘暴的時光與腐朽同謀，
要把你青春的白晝化作黑夜；
為了你的愛我將和時光爭持：
他摧折你，我要把你重新接枝。