Sonnet 25

HOW long shall this lyke dying lyfe1 endure,

And know no end of her owne mysery:

But wast and weare away in termes2 unsure,

Twixt feare and hope depending3 doubtfully.

Yet better were attonce to let me die,

And shew the last ensample of your pride:

Then to torment me thus with cruelty,

To prove your powre, which I too wel have tride4.

But yet if in your hardned brest ye hide,

A close5 intent at last to shew me grace:

Then all the woes and wrecks which I abide6,

As meanes of blisse I gladly wil embrace.

And wish that more and greater they might be,

That greater meede7 at last may turne to mee.

注释：1.lyfe：更像是奄奄一息地活着。

2.termes：条款。

3.depending：悬而未决的。

4.tride：体验过的。

5.close：隐秘的。

6.abide：经受（检阅、考验等）；经验，经历（变迁等）；遭受（苦难等）。

7.meede：报酬，酬劳，奖赏，酬金。