That you were once unkind befriends me now,

And for that sorrow which I then did feel

Needs must I under my transgression bow,

Unless my nerves were brass or hammer'd steel.

For if you were by my unkindness shaken

As I by yours, you've pass'd a hell of time,

And I, a tyrant, have no leisure taken

To weigh how once I suffered in your crime.

O, that our night of woe might have remember'd

My deepest sense, how hard true sorrow hits,

And soon to you, as you to me, then tender'd

The humble slave which wounded bosoms fits!

But that your trespass now becomes a fee;

Mine ransoms yours, and yours must ransom me.

你对我狠过心反而于我有利：

想起你当时使我受到的痛创，

我只好在我的过失下把头低，

既然我的神经不是铜或精钢。

因为，你若受过我狠心的摇撼，

像我所受的，该熬过多苦的日子！

可是我这暴君从没有抽过闲

来衡量你的罪行对我的打击！

哦，但愿我们那悲怛之夜能使我

牢牢记住真悲哀打击得多惨，

我就会立刻递给你，像你递给我，

那抚慰碎了的心的微贱药丹。

　　但你的罪行现在变成了保证，

　　我赎你的罪，你也赎我的败行。