Thus can my love excuse the slow offense
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.”
我已漸走漸遠,但是為了愛,
仍寬恕了馬駒步履的遲緩,
既然背了道,速度豈能加快?
如要催馬揚鞭,就得往回趕。
那時,極速在我眼里是龜行,
可憐的畜生,我豈容它怠惰!
它就是乘了風,我也要加鞭,
它長了翅膀,我不會有感覺!
馬兒不能與我的欲望爭勝,
因為欲望由純潔的美滋養(yǎng),
它一旦嘶鳴,能讓萬馬驚魂,
但愛為了愛,且將駑馬原諒。
背道時,我的馬曾有意磨蹭,
讓它慢行吧,我要朝你狂奔。