So oft have I invoked¹ thee for my Muse
And found such fair assistance in my verse
As every alien pen hath got my use
And under thee their poesy disperse².
Thine eyes that taught the dumb on high to sing
And heavy ignorance aloft to fly
Have added feathers to the learned's wing
And given grace a double majesty³.
Yet be most proud of that which I compile,
Whose influence is thine and born of thee:
In others' works thou dost but mend the style,
And arts with thy sweet graces graced be;
  But thou art all my art and dost advance
  As high as learning my rude ignorance.

我常常把你当诗神向你祷告，
在诗里找到那么有力的神助，
以致凡陌生的笔都把我仿效，
在你名义下把他们的诗散布。
你的眼睛，曾教会哑巴们歌唱，
曾教会沉重的愚昧高飞上天，
又把新羽毛加给博学的翅膀，
加给温文尔雅以两重的尊严。
可是我的诗应该最使你骄傲，
它们的诞生全在你的感召下：
对别人的作品你只润饰格调，
用你的美在他们才华上添花。
　　但对于我，你就是我全部艺术，
　　把我的愚拙提到博学的高度。