Since brass, nor stone, nor earth, nor boundless sea,
既然大地沧海巨石坚金
But sad mortality o'er-sways their power,
均难与无常永世并存，
How with this rage shall beauty hold a plea,
那么，娇若柔花的美
Whose action is no stronger than a flower?
又如何能与死的严威抗衡？
O, how shall summer's honey breath hold out
夏日的嫩蕊香风如何能挡住
Against the wreckful siege of battering days,
来日霜刀雪剑的摧凌？
When rocks impregnable are not so stout,
纵然是壁立巉岩钢门如铸，

Nor gates of steel so strong, but Time decays?
终必在时间的磨砺下消殒。
O fearful meditation! where, alack,
啊，令人胆寒的思想！我只能哀叹，
Shall Time's best jewel from Time's chest lie hid?
时间的珍珠难免埋进时间的荒坟。
Or what strong hand can hold his swift foot back?
问，可有巨手能挡住这过客般的光阴？
Or who his spoil of beauty can forbid?
可有猛士能止住他掠夺美物的暴行？
O, none, unless this miracle have might,
没有，没有，要使我的爱辉耀千载，
That in black ink my love may still shine bright.
唯一的高招是借我的墨迹显圣通灵。