Soy pues como el rico cuya llave
Lo guía hasta el recóndito tesoro
Que no quiere mirar a cada instante
Por no mellar el filo de su goce.
Tal las fiestas, solemnes e infrecuentes,
Con su raro fulgor visten el año
Y cual piedras lucientes se destacan,
O cual joya mejor en gargantilla.
Así tus ausencias son un arca
O un cofre donde ricas vestiduras
Aguardan circunstancias especiales
Para lucir su orgullo encarcelado.
Cuán grande es tu valor, bendito seas:
Das júbilo si estás, si no esperanza.

So am I as the rich, whose blessed key,
Can bring him to his sweet up-locked treasure,
The which he will not every hour survey,
For blunting the fine point of seldom pleasure.
Therefore are feasts so solemn and so rare,
Since, seldom coming in the long year set,
Like stones of worth they thinly placed are,
Or captain jewels in the carcanet.
So is the time that keeps you as my chest,
Or as the wardrobe which the robe doth hide,
To make some special instant special-blest,
By new unfolding his imprisoned pride.
Blessed are you whose worthiness gives scope,
Being had, to triumph, being lacked, to hope.