Why is my verse so barren of new pride,
我的诗何以这样缺乏新鲜花样，
So far from variation or quick change?
这样缺乏变化或敏捷的才思？
Why with the time do I not glance aside,
我对时髦作风何以不加模仿，
To new-found methods, and to compounds strange?
使用新奇笔调或诡异的复合名词？
Why write I still all one, ever the same,
我为什么写法总是千篇一律，
And keep invention in a noted weed,
有所创作总是穿着陈旧衣裳，
That every word doth almost tell my name,
每个字几乎可以宣示我的名字，
Showing their, birth, and where they did proceed?
露出身份以及来自何方？

O know, sweet love, I always write of you,
你要知道，爱人，我写的永远是你，
And you and love are still my argument,
你与爱永远是我的题材；
So all my best is dressing old words new,
我擅长的是把旧词变成新的，
Spending again what is already spent:
已经用过的不妨再用一回：
For as the sun is daily new and old,
太阳每日出没，新旧递嬗，
So is my love still telling what is told.
我的爱也永远是老调重弹。