当我想到所有衍生着的事物

When I consider every thing that grows

都仅仅在某一时刻保有完美，

Holds in perfection but a little moment,

这广阔舞台上呈现的只是演出，

That this huge stage presenteth nought but shows

被上空群星的神秘力量所支配；

Whereon the stars in secret influence comment;

When I perceive that men as plants increase,

当我感到人类如草木般繁蔚，

Cheered and checked even by the self-same sky,

由同一片天带来滋养或打击，

Vaunt in their youthful sap, at height decrease,

炫耀少壮的活力，盛极而退，

And wear their brave state out of memory;

继而气馁形销直到无人记起；

Then the conceit of this inconstant stay

Sets you most rich in youth before my sight,

这样思索着世间无常的羁留，

Where wasteful Time debateth with decay

你充沛的青春愈加使我瞩目，

To change your day of youth to sullied night,

眼见肆虐的时间勾结了腐朽，

  And all in war with Time for love of you,

要将你的春朝化成幽秽的夜暮。

  As he takes from you, I engraft you new.

出于对你的爱，我与时间开仗，

你被他夺走的，我用新枝接上。