Love's Witness
 
Slight unpremeditated Words are borne
By every common Wind into the Air;
Carelessly utter'd, die as soon as born,
And in one instant give both Hope and Fear:
Breathing all Contraries with the same Wind
According to the Caprice of the Mind.
But Billetdoux are constant Witnesses,
Substantial Records to Eternity;
Just Evidences, who the Truth confess,
On which the Lover safely may rely;
They're serious Thoughts, digested and resolv'd;
And last, when Words are into Clouds devolv'd.


不加思索的轻率话语，
被每一次平凡的呼吸载入空气；
随便说说，刚出口即消失，
一瞬间给人希望和恐惧：
同一气息呼出万般矛盾心肠，
追随心灵无常的遐想。
但情书则是恒常的见证，
直至永恒的实体记录；
公道的证物，它道出真诚，
恋人能在其上安心依附；
它们是严肃的思想，经过深思熟虑；
当话语在云外消失，它们还将延续。

注释：unpremeditated　adj. 非预谋的
　carelessly　adv. 不注意的、粗心的
　utter　v. 发出、做声
　caprice　n. 反复无常
　billet-doux　n. 情书
　witness　n. 证据、证明
　confess　v. 坦白、承认
　digest　v. 消化
　devolve　v. 传下