Thus can my love excuse the slow offence

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。