Ben Jonson (1572-1637)
Epicoene, or the Silent Woman: Still to be neat, still to be drest
1Still to be neat, still to be drest,
2As you were going to a feast;
3Still to be powder'd, still perfum'd:
4Lady, it is to be presum'd,
5Though art's hid causes are not found,
6All is not sweet, all is not sound.
7Give me a look, give me a face,
8That makes simplicity a grace;
9Robes loosely flowing, hair as free:
10Such sweet neglect more taketh me
11Than all th' adulteries of art;
12They strike mine eyes, but not my heart.
你看看诗人的生卒年代，那时是中古英语，跟现代英语不完全一样。你把上面的中古版本和下面的现代版本对比一下，就会看出不仅一处不同，而是有多处不同。
Still to be neat, still to be dressed,
总是那般优雅，总是盛装出场
As you were going to a feast ;
仿佛总是忙着奔赴宴会
Still to be powdered, still perfumed :
总是涂脂抹粉，总是香气扑鼻
Lady, it is to be presumed,
女士，我暂且这样比拟
Though Art's hid causes are not found,
虽然装扮的内因尚不可知
All is not sweet, all is not sound.
但并非所有装扮都怡人，都美丽
Give me a look, give me a face,
你的眉眼，你的容颜
That makes simplicity a grace ;
朴实无华，自有风采
Robes loosely flowing, hair as free :
衣袍松松微摆，头发轻轻飘逸
Such sweet neglect more taketh me,
这种美好的不加修饰，比起
Than all the adulteries of Art ;
矫情的粉饰更能将我吸引。
They strike mine eyes, but not my heart
它们只能打动我的眼，而非我的心