出卖灵魂 The Selling of a Soul
A poet struggling with the world’s condition,
Prostitution of talents1 and the bondage
With which the bulk of men have been deceived,
I am not, I think, one who would say
That the selling of the soul would give respite2.
But I did say to myself, and not once,
That I would sell my soul for your love
If lie and surrender were needed.
I spoke this haste without thinking
That it was black blasphemy and perversion3.
Your forgiveness to me for the thought
That you were one who would take a poor creature
Of a little weak base spirit
Who could be sold, even for the graces4
Of your beautiful face and proud spirit.
Therefore, I will say again now,
That I would sell my soul for your sake
Twice, once for your beauty
And again for that grace
That you would not take a sold and slavish spirit.
最后,恋人宣称,即使是如此,他也要出卖他的灵魂。此举不为回报,不为自我满足,只为赞美她的美貌,只为衬托她的高贵。这里,恋人执意要“出卖灵魂”的举动似乎有一点变味了。与其说他在这里是赞美她的“高贵”,倒不如说是抱怨她的“高傲”。其中所带有的那一点讽刺,暗示了怀疑此举是否值得。