That you were once unkind befriends me now,
And for that sorrow which I then did feel
Needs must I under my transgression1 bow,
Unless my nerves were brass2 or hammer'd steel.
For if you were by my unkindness shaken
As I by yours, you've pass'd a hell of time,
And I, a tyrant3, have no leisure taken
To weigh how once I suffered in your crime.
O, that our night of woe4 might have remember'd
My deepest sense, how hard true sorrow hits,
And soon to you, as you to me, then tender'd
The humble5 slave which wounded bosoms6 fits!
But that your trespass7 now becomes a fee;
Mine ransoms9 yours, and yours must ransom8 me.

你对我狠过心反而于我有利：
想起你当时使我遭到的痛创，
我只好在我的过失下把头低，
既然我的神经不是铜或精钢。
由于，你若受过我狠心的摇撼，
像我所受的，该熬过多苦的日子！
可是我这暴君从没抽过闲
来衡量你的罪行对我的打击！
哦，但愿大家那悲怛之夜能使我
牢牢记住真悲哀打击得多惨，
我就会立刻递给你，像你递给我，
那抚慰碎了的心的微贱药丹。
但你的罪行目前变成了保证，
我赎你的罪，你也赎我的败行。