When in disgrace with fortune and men's eyes,
I all alone beweep my outcast state,
And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries,
And look upon myself and curse my fate,
Wishing me like to one more rich in hope,
Featured like him, like him with friends possessed,
Desiring this man's art and that man's scope,
With what I most enjoy contented least;
Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising,
Haply I think on thee, and then my state,
Like to the lark at break of day arising
From sullen earth, sings hymns at heaven's gate;
For thy sweet love remembered such wealth brings
That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
當我命途多舛并遭人白眼,
我便獨自哀悼自己的不幸,
徒勞地訴苦,向聾耳的蒼天;
我打量著自己,詛咒著命運,
渴望像別人那樣前程無量,
擁有堂堂儀表,或眾多知己,
或擁有彼得才華,約翰人望,
但最稱心的,最不讓人滿意。
如此的思索令我頗感自卑,
這時忽然想到你,我的心靈
便像凌晨的云雀沖天而飛,
離開陰沉大地,歌唱在天門。
你甜美的愛,就是無價寶藏,
有了它,王冠也不值得稀罕。