啊，有了真赋予的甜美的化妆，
O! how much more doth beauty beauteous seem
美还会展示出多少更多的美。
By that sweet ornament which truth doth give.
艳丽玫瑰有了活在花朵中的芬芳，
The rose looks fair, but fairer we it deem
在我们的心中会平添出多少妩媚。
For that sweet odour, which doth in it live.
野蔷薇同样在带刺的枝头悬垂，
The canker blooms have full as deep a dye
一如玫瑰那样活泼地戏弄清风。
As the perfumed tincture of the roses,
当夏的气息剥开戴面具的花蕾，
Hang on such thorns, and play as wantonly
它也有芬芳玫瑰那浓浓的艳红。
When summer's breath their masked buds discloses:
但是，它们的姿色只宜一旁观赏，
But, for their virtue only is their show,
活着没人追求，凋亡没人怜惜，
They live unwoo'd, and unrespected fade;
自生自灭；甜美的玫瑰却不一样，
Die to themselves. Sweet roses do not so;
甜美的死亡造出了最甜美的香气。
Of their sweet deaths are sweetest odours made:
同样，美丽可爱的青年啊，当你姿色不存，
And so of you, beauteous and lovely youth,
我笔下的诗歌却会提炼出你的真。
When that shall vade, my verse distills your truth.