Love’s Witness
Slight unpremeditated Words are borne
By every common Wind into the Air;
Carelessly utter’d, die as soon as born,
And in one instant give both Hope and Fear:
Breathing all Contraries with the same Wind
According to the Caprice of the Mind.
But Billetdoux are constant Witnesses,
Substantial Records to Eternity;
Just Evidences,who the Truth confess,
On which the Lover safely may rely;
They’re serious Thoughts,digested and resolv’d;
And last,when Words are into Clouds devolv’d.
不加思索的轻率话语,
被每一次平凡的呼吸载入空气;
随便说说,刚出口即消失,
一瞬间给人希望和恐惧:
同一气息呼出万般矛盾心肠,
追随心灵无常的遐想。
但情书则是恒常的见证,
直至永恒的实体记录;
公道的证物,它道出真诚,
恋人能在其上安心依附;
它们是严肃的思想,经过深思熟虑;
当话语在云外消失,它们还将延续。