Were 't aught to me I bore the canopy,
With my extern the outward honouring,
Or laid great bases for eternity,
Which prove more short than waste or ruining?
Have I not seen dwellers on form and favour
Lose all, and more, by paying too much rent,
For compound sweet forgoing simple savour,
Pitiful thrivers, in their gazing spent?
No, let me be obsequious in thy heart,
And take thou my oblation, poor but free,
Which is not mix'd with seconds, knows no art,
But mutual render, only me for thee.
Hence, thou suborn'd informer! a true soul
When most impeach'd stands least in thy control.
这对我何益,纵使我高擎华盖,
用我的外表来为你妆点门面,
或奠下伟大基础,要留芳万代,
其实比荒凉和毁灭为期更短?
难道我没见过拘守仪表的人,
付出高昂的代价,却丧失一切,
厌弃淡泊而拚命去追求荤辛,
可怜的赢利者,在顾盼中雕谢?
不,请让我在你心里长保忠贞,
收下这份菲薄但由衷的献礼,
它不搀杂次品,也不包藏机心,
而只是你我间互相致送诚意。
被收买的告密者,滚开!你越诬告
真挚的心,越不能损害它分毫。