Sonnet 79

MEN call you fayre, and you doe credit1 it,

For that your selfe ye dayly such doe see:

But the trew fayre2, that is the gentle wit

And vertuous mind, is much more praysd of me.

For all the rest, how ever fayre it be,

Shall turne to nought and loose that glorious hew3:

But onely that is permanent, and free

From frayle corruption, that doth flesh ensew4.

That is true beautie: that doth argue you

To be diuine, and borne of heavenly seed,

Derived from that fayre Spirit5, from whom al true

And perfect beauty did at first proceed.

He only fayre, and what he fayre hath made;

All other fayre, lyke flowres, untymely fade.

注释：1.credit：相信。

2.fayre：美。

3.hew：外貌，外表。

4.ensew：随侍，服侍；看护，照料。

5.Spirit：上帝是圣灵。