Venus and adonis

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Title:VenusandAdonis
Author:WilliamShakespeare
ReleaseDate:August10,2008[EBook#1045]
Lastupdated:December22,2017
Language:English

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VENUSANDADONIS
byWilliamShakespeare

Viliamireturvulgus;mihiflavusApollo
PoculaCastaliaplenaministretaqua.

TOTHERIGHTHONOURABLE

HENRYWRIOTHESLEY,EARLOF
SOUTHAMPTON,
andBaronofTitchfield.
RightHonourable,IknownothowIshalloffendindedicatingmy
unpolishedlinestoyourlordship,norhowtheworldwillcensureme
for choosing so strong a prop to support so weak a burthen: only, if
your honour seem but pleased, I account myself highly praised, and
vowtotakeadvantageofallidlehours,tillIhavehonouredyouwith
some graver labour. But if the first heir of my invention prove


deformed,Ishallbesorryithadsonobleagodfather,andneverafter
earsobarrenaland,forfearityieldmestillsobadaharvest.Ileaveit
to your honourable survey, and your honour to your heart’s content;
which I wish may always answer your own wish and the world’s
hopefulexpectation.
Yourhonour’sinallduty,
WILLIAMSHAKESPEARE.


VENUSANDADONIS
Evenasthesunwithpurple-colour’dface
Hadta’enhislastleaveoftheweepingmorn,
Rose-cheek’dAdonistriedhimtothechase;
Huntinghelov’d,butlovehelaugh’dtoscorn;4
Sick-thoughtedVenusmakesamainuntohim,
Andlikeabold-fac’dsuitor’ginstowoohim.
“Thricefairerthanmyself,”thusshebegan,
“Thefield’schiefflower,sweetabovecompare,8
Staintoallnymphs,morelovelythanaman,

Morewhiteandredthandovesorrosesare:
Naturethatmadethee,withherselfatstrife,
Saiththattheworldhathendingwiththylife.12
“Vouchsafe,thouwonder,toalightthysteed,
Andreinhisproudheadtothesaddle-bow;
Ifthouwiltdeignthisfavour,forthymeed
Athousandhoneysecretsshaltthouknow:16
Herecomeandsit,whereneverserpenthisses,
Andbeingset,I’llsmothertheewithkisses.
“Andyetnotcloythylipswithloath’dsatiety,
Butratherfamishthemamidtheirplenty,20
Makingthemred,andpale,withfreshvariety:
Tenkissesshortasone,onelongastwenty:
Asummer’sdaywillseemanhourbutshort,
Beingwastedinsuchtime-beguilingsport.”24
Withthissheseizethonhissweatingpalm,
Theprecedentofpithandlivelihood,
Andtremblinginherpassion,callsitbalm,
Earth’ssovereignsalvetodoagoddessgood:28
Beingsoenrag’d,desiredothlendherforce
Courageouslytopluckhimfromhishorse.
Overonearmthelustycourser’srein,
Underherotherwasthetenderboy,32
Whoblush’dandpoutedinadulldisdain,
Withleadenappetite,unapttotoy;
Sheredandhotascoalsofglowingfire,


Heredforshame,butfrostyindesire.36
Thestuddedbridleonaraggedbough

Nimblyshefastens;—O!howquickislove!—
Thesteedisstalledup,andevennow
Totietheridershebeginstoprove:40
Backwardshepush’dhim,asshewouldbethrust,
Andgovern’dhiminstrength,thoughnotinlust.
Sosoonwasshealong,ashewasdown,
Eachleaningontheirelbowsandtheirhips:44
Nowdothshestrokehischeek,nowdothhefrown,
And’ginstochide,butsoonshestopshislips,
Andkissingspeaks,withlustfullanguagebroken,
“Ifthouwiltchide,thylipsshallneveropen.”48
Heburnswithbashfulshame,shewithhertears
Dothquenchthemaidenburningofhischeeks;
Thenwithherwindysighsandgoldenhairs
Tofanandblowthemdryagainsheseeks.52
Hesaithsheisimmodest,blameshermiss;
Whatfollowsmore,shemurderswithakiss.
Evenasanemptyeagle,sharpbyfast,
Tireswithherbeakonfeathers,fleshandbone,56
Shakingherwings,devouringallinhaste,
Tilleithergorgebestuff’dorpreybegone:
Evensoshekiss’dhisbrow,hischeek,hischin,
Andwheresheendsshedothanewbegin.60
Forc’dtocontent,butnevertoobey,
Pantinghelies,andbreathethinherface.
Shefeedethonthesteam,asonaprey,
Andcallsitheavenlymoisture,airofgrace,64
Wishinghercheeksweregardensfullofflowers
Sotheyweredew’dwithsuchdistillingshowers.
Lookhowabirdliestangledinanet,

Sofasten’dinherarmsAdonislies;68
Pureshameandaw’dresistancemadehimfret,
Whichbredmorebeautyinhisangryeyes:
Rainaddedtoariverthatisrank
Perforcewillforceitoverflowthebank.72
Stillsheentreats,andprettilyentreats,
Fortoaprettyearshetuneshertale.
Stillishesullen,stillheloursandfrets,


’Twixtcrimsonshameandangerashypale;76
Beingredsheloveshimbest,andbeingwhite,
Herbestisbetter’dwithamoredelight.
Lookhowhecan,shecannotchoosebutlove;
Andbyherfairimmortalhandsheswears,80
Fromhissoftbosomnevertoremove,
Tillhetaketrucewithhercontendingtears,
Whichlonghaverain’d,makinghercheeksallwet;
Andonesweetkissshallpaythiscountlessdebt.
Uponthispromisedidheraisehischin,85
Likeadive-dapperpeeringthroughawave,
Who,beinglook’don,ducksasquicklyin;
Sooffershetogivewhatshedidcrave,88
Butwhenherlipswerereadyforhispay,
Hewinks,andturnshislipsanotherway.
Neverdidpassengerinsummer’sheat
Morethirstfordrinkthansheforthisgoodturn.92
Herhelpshesees,buthelpshecannotget;
Shebathesinwater,yetherfiremustburn:
“O!pity,”’ganshecry,“flint-heartedboy,

’TisbutakissIbeg;whyartthoucoy?96
“Ihavebeenwoo’dasIentreattheenow,
Evenbythesternanddirefulgodofwar,
Whosesinewyneckinbattlene’erdidbow,
Whoconquerswherehecomesineveryjar;100
Yethathhebeenmycaptiveandmyslave,
Andbegg’dforthatwhichthouunask’dshalthave.
“Overmyaltarshathhehunghislance,
Hisbatter’dshield,hisuncontrolledcrest,104
Andformysakehathlearn’dtosportanddance,
Totoy,towanton,dally,smile,andjest;
Scorninghischurlishdrumandensignred
Makingmyarmshisfield,histentmybed.108
“Thushethatoverrul’dIoversway’d,
Leadinghimprisonerinaredrosechain:
Strong-temper’dsteelhisstrongerstrengthobey’d,
Yetwasheserviletomycoydisdain.112
Ohbenotproud,norbragnotofthymight,
Formast’ringherthatfoil’dthegodoffight.
“Touchbutmylipswiththosefairlipsofthine,


Thoughminebenotsofair,yetaretheyred,116
Thekissshallbethineownaswellasmine:
Whatsee’stthouintheground?holdupthyhead,
Lookinmineeyeballs,therethybeautylies;
Thenwhynotlipsonlips,sinceeyesineyes?120
“Artthouasham’dtokiss?thenwinkagain,
AndIwillwink;soshallthedayseemnight.
Lovekeepshisrevelswheretherearebuttwain;

Beboldtoplay,oursportisnotinsight,124
Theseblue-vein’dvioletswhereonwelean
Nevercanblab,norknownotwhatwemean.
“Thetenderspringuponthytemptinglip127
Showstheeunripe;yetmaystthouwellbetasted,
Makeuseoftime,letnotadvantageslip;
Beautywithinitselfshouldnotbewasted,
Fairflowersthatarenotgather’dintheirprime
Rot,andconsumethemselvesinlittletime.132
“WereIhard-favour’d,foul,orwrinkledold,
Ill-nurtur’d,crooked,churlish,harshinvoice,
O’erworn,despised,rheumatic,andcold,
Thick-sighted,barren,lean,andlackingjuice,136
Thenmightstthoupause,forthenIwerenotforthee;
Buthavingnodefects,whydostabhorme?
“Thoucanstnotseeonewrinkleinmybrow,139
Mineeyesaregreyandbright,andquickinturning;
Mybeautyasthespringdothyearlygrow,
Myfleshissoftandplump,mymarrowburning,
Mysmoothmoisthand,wereitwiththyhandfelt,
Wouldinthypalmdissolve,orseemtomelt.144
“Bidmediscourse,Iwillenchantthineear,
Orlikeafairy,tripuponthegreen,
Orlikeanymph,withlongdishevell’dhair,
Danceonthesands,andyetnofootingseen.148
Loveisaspiritallcompactoffire,
Notgrosstosink,butlight,andwillaspire.
“WitnessthisprimrosebankwhereonIlie:151
Theseforcelessflowerslikesturdytreessupportme;
Twostrengthlessdoveswilldrawmethroughthesky,

Frommorntillnight,evenwhereIlisttosportme.
Islovesolight,sweetboy,andmayitbe
Thatthoushouldstthinkitheavyuntothee?156


“Isthineownhearttothineownfaceaffected?
Canthyrighthandseizeloveuponthyleft?
Thenwoothyself,beofthyselfrejected,
Stealthineownfreedom,andcomplainontheft.160
Narcissussohimselfhimselfforsook,
Anddiedtokisshisshadowinthebrook.
“Torchesaremadetolight,jewelstowear,
Daintiestotaste,freshbeautyfortheuse,164
Herbsfortheirsmell,andsappyplantstobear;
Thingsgrowingtothemselvesaregrowth’sabuse,
Seedsspringfromseeds,andbeautybreedethbeauty;
Thouwastbegot;togetitisthyduty.168
“Upontheearth’sincreasewhyshouldstthoufeed,
Unlesstheearthwiththyincreasebefed?
Bylawofnaturethouartboundtobreed,
Thatthinemaylivewhenthouthyselfartdead;172
Andsoinspiteofdeaththoudostsurvive,
Inthatthylikenessstillisleftalive.”
Bythisthelove-sickqueenbegantosweat,
Forwheretheylaytheshadowhadforsookthem,176
AndTitan,tiredinthemiddayheat,
Withburningeyedidhotlyoverlookthem,
WishingAdonishadhisteamtoguide,
SohewerelikehimandbyVenus’side.180
AndnowAdoniswithalazyspright,

Andwithaheavy,dark,dislikingeye,
Hislouringbrowso’erwhelminghisfairsight,
Likemistyvapourswhentheyblotthesky,184
Souringhischeeks,cries,“Fie,nomoreoflove:
Thesundothburnmyface;Imustremove.”
“Ayme,”quothVenus,“young,andsounkind!
Whatbareexcusesmak’stthoutobegone!188
I’llsighcelestialbreath,whosegentlewind
Shallcooltheheatofthisdescendingsun:
I’llmakeashadowfortheeofmyhairs;
Iftheyburntoo,I’llquenchthemwithmytears.192
“Thesunthatshinesfromheavenshinesbutwarm,
AndloIliebetweenthatsunandthee:
TheheatIhavefromthencedothlittleharm,
Thineeyedartsforththefirethatburnethme;196


AndwereInotimmortal,lifeweredone,
Betweenthisheavenlyandearthlysun.
“Artthouobdurate,flinty,hardassteel?
Naymorethanflint,forstoneatrainrelenteth:200
Artthouawoman’ssonandcanstnotfeel
What’tistolove,howwantoflovetormenteth?
Ohadthymotherbornesohardamind,
Shehadnotbroughtforththee,butdiedunkind.204
“WhatamIthatthoushouldstcontemnmethis?
Orwhatgreatdangerdwellsuponmysuit?
Whatwerethylipstheworseforonepoorkiss?
Speak,fair;butspeakfairwords,orelsebemute:208
Givemeonekiss,I’llgiveittheeagain,

Andoneforint’rest,ifthouwilthavetwain.
“Fie,lifelesspicture,coldandsenselessstone,
Well-paintedidol,imagedullanddead,212
Statuecontentingbuttheeyealone,
Thinglikeaman,butofnowomanbred:
Thouartnoman,thoughofaman’scomplexion,
Formenwillkissevenbytheirowndirection.”216
Thissaid,impatiencechokesherpleadingtongue,
Andswellingpassiondothprovokeapause;
Redcheeksandfieryeyesblazeforthherwrong;
Beingjudgeinlove,shecannotrighthercause.220
Andnowsheweeps,andnowshefainwouldspeak,
Andnowhersobsdoherintendmentsbreak.
Sometimessheshakesherhead,andthenhishand,
Nowgazethsheonhim,nowontheground;224
Sometimesherarmsinfoldhimlikeaband:
Shewould,hewillnotinherarmsbebound;
Andwhenfromthencehestrugglestobegone,
Shelocksherlilyfingersoneinone.228
“Fondling,”shesaith,“sinceIhavehemm’dtheehere
Withinthecircuitofthisivorypale,
I’llbeapark,andthoushaltbemydeer;
Feedwherethouwilt,onmountainorindale:232
Grazeonmylips,andifthosehillsbedry,
Straylower,wherethepleasantfountainslie.
“Withinthislimitisreliefenough,
Sweetbottomgrassandhighdelightfulplain,236


Roundrisinghillocks,brakesobscureandrough,

Tosheltertheefromtempestandfromrain:
Thenbemydeer,sinceIamsuchapark,239
Nodogshallrousethee,thoughathousandbark.”
AtthisAdonissmilesasindisdain,
Thatineachcheekappearsaprettydimple;
Lovemadethosehollows,ifhimselfwereslain,
Hemightbeburiedinatombsosimple;244
Foreknowingwell,iftherehecametolie,
Whythereloveliv’d,andtherehecouldnotdie.
Theselovelycaves,theseroundenchantingpits,
Open’dtheirmouthstoswallowVenus’liking.248
Beingmadbefore,howdothshenowforwits?
Struckdeadatfirst,whatneedsasecondstriking?
Poorqueenoflove,inthineownlawforlorn,
Toloveacheekthatsmilesattheeinscorn!252
Nowwhichwayshallsheturn?whatshallshesay?
Herwordsaredone,herwoesthemoreincreasing;
Thetimeisspent,herobjectwillaway,
Andfromhertwiningarmsdothurgereleasing:256
“Pity,”shecries;“somefavour,someremorse!”
Awayhesprings,andhastethtohishorse.
Butlofromforthacopsethatneighboursby,
Abreedingjennet,lusty,young,andproud,260
Adonis’trampingcourserdothespy,
Andforthsherushes,snortsandneighsaloud:
Thestrong-neck’dsteed,beingtieduntoatree,
Breakethhisrein,andtoherstraightgoeshe.264
Imperiouslyheleaps,heneighs,hebounds,
Andnowhiswovengirthshebreaksasunder;
Thebearingearthwithhishardhoofhewounds,

Whosehollowwombresoundslikeheaven’sthunder;
Theironbithecrusheth’tweenhisteeth,269
Controllingwhathewascontrolledwith.
Hisearsup-prick’d;hisbraidedhangingmane
Uponhiscompass’dcrestnowstandonend;272
Hisnostrilsdrinktheair,andforthagain,
Asfromafurnace,vapoursdothhesend:
Hiseye,whichscornfullyglisterslikefire,
Showshishotcourageandhishighdesire.276


Sometimehetrots,asifhetoldthesteps,
Withgentlemajestyandmodestpride;
Anonherearsupright,curvetsandleaps,
Aswhoshouldsay,“Lothusmystrengthistried;
AndthisIdotocaptivatetheeye281
Ofthefairbreederthatisstandingby.”
Whatreckethhehisrider’sangrystir,
Hisflattering“Holla”,orhis“Stand,Isay”?284
Whatcareshenowforcurborprickingspur?
Forrichcaparisonsortrappingsgay?
Heseeshislove,andnothingelsehesees,
Nornothingelsewithhisproudsightagrees.288
Lookwhenapainterwouldsurpassthelife,
Inlimningoutawell-proportion’dsteed,
Hisartwithnature’sworkmanshipatstrife,
Asifthedeadthelivingshouldexceed:292
Sodidthishorseexcelacommonone,
Inshape,incourage,colour,paceandbone.
Round-hoof’d,short-jointed,fetlocksshagandlong,

Broadbreast,fulleye,smallhead,andnostrilwide,
Highcrest,shortears,straightlegsandpassingstrong,
Thinmane,thicktail,broadbuttock,tenderhide:
Look,whatahorseshouldhavehedidnotlack,
Saveaproudrideronsoproudaback.300
Sometimeshescudsfaroff,andtherehestares;
Anonhestartsatstirringofafeather:
Tobidthewindabasehenowprepares,
Andwhereherunorflytheyknownotwhether;304
Forthroughhismaneandtailthehighwindsings,
Fanningthehairs,whowavelikefeather’dwings.
Helooksuponhislove,andneighsuntoher;
Sheanswershimasifsheknewhismind,308
Beingproud,asfemalesare,toseehimwooher,
Sheputsonoutwardstrangeness,seemsunkind,
Spurnsathisloveandscornstheheathefeels,
Beatinghiskindembracementswithherheels.312
Thenlikeamelancholymalcontent,
Hevailshistailthatlikeafallingplume,
Coolshadowtohismeltingbuttocklent:
Hestamps,andbitesthepoorfliesinhisfume.316
Hislove,perceivinghowhewasenrag’d,


Grewkinder,andhisfurywasassuag’d.
Histestymastergoethabouttotakehim,
Whenlotheunback’dbreeder,fulloffear,320
Jealousofcatching,swiftlydothforsakehim,
Withherthehorse,andleftAdonisthere:
Astheyweremad,untothewoodtheyhiethem,

Outstrippingcrowsthatstrivetooverflythem.324
Allswolnwithchafing,downAdonissits,
Banninghisboisterousandunrulybeast;
Andnowthehappyseasononcemorefits
Thatlove-sicklovebypleadingmaybeblest;328
Forloverssay,thehearthathtreblewrong,
Whenitisbarr’dtheaidanceofthetongue.
Anoventhatisstopp’d,orriverstay’d,
Burnethmorehotly,swellethwithmorerage:332
Soofconcealedsorrowmaybesaid,
Freeventofwordslove’sfiredothassuage;
Butwhentheheart’sattorneyonceismute,
Theclientbreaks,asdesperateinhissuit.336
Heseeshercoming,andbeginstoglow,
Evenasadyingcoalreviveswithwind,
Andwithhisbonnethideshisangrybrow,
Looksonthedullearthwithdisturbedmind,340
Takingnonoticethatsheissonigh,
Forallaskanceheholdsherinhiseye.
Owhatasightitwas,wistlytoview
Howshecamestealingtothewaywardboy,344
Tonotethefightingconflictofherhue,
Howwhiteandredeachotherdiddestroy:
Butnowhercheekwaspale,andbyandby
Itflash’dforthfire,aslightningfromthesky.348
Nowwasshejustbeforehimashesat,
Andlikealowlyloverdownshekneels;
Withonefairhandsheheavethuphishat,
Herothertenderhandhisfaircheekfeels:352
Histend’rercheekreceiveshersofthand’sprint,

Asaptasnew-fall’nsnowtakesanydint.
Ohwhatawaroflookswasthenbetweenthem,
Hereyespetitionerstohiseyessuing,356
Hiseyessawhereyes,astheyhadnotseenthem,


Hereyeswoo’dstill,hiseyesdisdain’dthewooing:
Andallthisdumbplayhadhisactsmadeplain
Withtears,which,chorus-like,hereyesdidrain.
Fullgentlynowshetakeshimbythehand,361
Alilyprison’dinagaolofsnow,
Orivoryinanalabasterband,
Sowhiteafriendengirtssowhiteafoe:364
Thisbeauteouscombat,wilfulandunwilling,
Show’dliketwosilverdovesthatsita-billing.
Oncemoretheengineofherthoughtsbegan:
“Ofairestmoveronthismortalround,368
WouldthouwertasIam,andIaman,
Myheartallwholeasthine,thyheartmywound,
ForonesweetlookthyhelpIwouldassurethee,
Thoughnothingbutmybody’sbanewouldcurethee.”
“Givememyhand,”saithhe,“whydostthoufeelit?”
“Givememyheart,”saithshe,“andthoushalthaveit.
Ogiveitmelestthyhardheartdosteelit,
Andbeingsteel’d,softsighscannevergraveit.376
Thenlove’sdeepgroansInevershallregard,
BecauseAdonis’hearthathmademinehard.”
“Forshame,”hecries,“letgo,andletmego,
Myday’sdelightispast,myhorseisgone,380
And’tisyourfaultIamberefthimso,

Iprayyouhence,andleavemeherealone,
Forallmymind,mythought,mybusycare,
Ishowtogetmypalfreyfromthemare.”384
Thusshereplies:“Thypalfreyasheshould,
Welcomesthewarmapproachofsweetdesire,
Affectionisacoalthatmustbecool’d;
Else,suffer’d,itwillsettheheartonfire,388
Theseahathbounds,butdeepdesirehathnone;
Thereforenomarvelthoughthyhorsebegone.
“Howlikeajadehestoodtiedtothetree,
Servilelymaster’dwithaleathernrein!392
Butwhenhesawhislove,hisyouth’sfairfee,
Heheldsuchpettybondageindisdain;
Throwingthebasethongfromhisbendingcrest,
Enfranchisinghismouth,hisback,hisbreast.396
“Whoseeshistrue-loveinhernakedbed,


Teachingthesheetsawhiterhuethanwhite,
Butwhenhisgluttoneyesofullhathfed,
Hisotheragentsaimatlikedelight?400
Whoissofaintthatdarenotbesobold
Totouchthefire,theweatherbeingcold?
“Letmeexcusethycourser,gentleboy,
Andlearnofhim,Iheartilybeseechthee,404
Totakeadvantageonpresentedjoy,
ThoughIweredumb,yethisproceedingsteachthee.
Olearntolove,thelessonisbutplain,
Andoncemadeperfect,neverlostagain.”408
“Iknownotlove,”quothhe,“norwillnotknowit,

Unlessitbeaboar,andthenIchaseit;
’Tismuchtoborrow,andIwillnotoweit;
Mylovetoloveislovebuttodisgraceit;412
ForIhaveheard,itisalifeindeath,
Thatlaughsandweeps,andallbutwithabreath.
“Whowearsagarmentshapelessandunfinish’d?
Whoplucksthebudbeforeoneleafputforth?416
Ifspringingthingsbeanyjotdiminish’d,
Theywitherintheirprime,provenothingworth;
Thecoltthat’sback’dandburden’dbeingyoung,
Losethhispride,andneverwaxethstrong.420
“Youhurtmyhandwithwringing.Letuspart,
Andleavethisidletheme,thisbootlesschat:
Removeyoursiegefrommyunyieldingheart,
Tolove’salarmsitwillnotopethegate:424
Dismissyourvows,yourfeignedtears,yourflatt’ry;
Forwhereaheartishardtheymakenobatt’ry.”
“What!canstthoutalk?”quothshe,“hastthouatongue?
Owouldthouhadstnot,orIhadnohearing;428
Thymermaid’svoicehathdonemedoublewrong;
Ihadmyloadbefore,nowpress’dwithbearing:
Melodiousdiscord,heavenlytune,harsh-sounding,
Ear’sdeepsweetmusic,andheart’sdeepsorewounding.
“HadInoeyesbutears,myearswouldlove433
Thatinwardbeautyandinvisible;
OrwereIdeaf,thyoutwardpartswouldmove
Eachpartinmethatwerebutsensible:436
Thoughneithereyesnorears,tohearnorsee,
YetshouldIbeinlovebytouchingthee.

“Saythatthesenseoffeelingwerebereftme,
AndthatIcouldnotsee,norhear,nortouch,440
Andnothingbuttheverysmellwereleftme,
Yetwouldmylovetotheebestillasmuch;
Forfromthestillitoryofthyfaceexcelling
Comesbreathperfum’d,thatbreedethlovebysmelling.
“Butohwhatbanquetwertthoutothetaste,445
Beingnurseandfeederoftheotherfour;
Wouldtheynotwishthefeastmighteverlast,
Andbidsuspiciondouble-lockthedoor,
Lestjealousy,thatsourunwelcomeguest,
Shouldbyhisstealingindisturbthefeast?”448
Oncemoretheruby-colour’dportalopen’d,
Whichtohisspeechdidhoneypassageyield,452
Likearedmornthateveryetbetoken’d
Wracktotheseaman,tempesttothefield,
Sorrowtoshepherds,woeuntothebirds,
Gustsandfoulflawstoherdmenandtoherds.456
Thisillpresageadvisedlyshemarketh:
Evenasthewindishush’dbeforeitraineth,
Orasthewolfdothgrinbeforehebarketh,
Orastheberrybreaksbeforeitstaineth,460
Orlikethedeadlybulletofagun,
Hismeaningstruckhererehiswordsbegun.
Andathislooksheflatlyfallethdown
Forlookskilllove,andlovebylooksreviveth;464
Asmilerecuresthewoundingofafrown;
Butblessedbankrout,thatbylovesothriveth!
Thesillyboy,believingsheisdead,

Clapsherpalecheek,tillclappingmakesitred.468
Andallamaz’dbrakeoffhislateintent,
Forsharplyhedidthinktoreprehendher,
Whichcunninglovedidwittilyprevent:
Fairfallthewitthatcansowelldefendher!472
Foronthegrasssheliesasshewereslain,
Tillhisbreathbreathethlifeinheragain.
Hewringshernose,hestrikesheronthecheeks,
Hebendsherfingers,holdsherpulseshard,476
Hechafesherlips;athousandwaysheseeks
Tomendthehurtthathisunkindnessmarr’d:


Hekissesher;andshe,byhergoodwill,
Willneverrise,sohewillkissherstill.480
Thenightofsorrownowisturn’dtoday:
Hertwobluewindowsfaintlysheup-heaveth,
Likethefairsunwheninhisfresharray
Hecheersthemorn,andalltheworldrelieveth:484
Andasthebrightsunglorifiesthesky,
Soisherfaceillumin’dwithhereye.
Whosebeamsuponhishairlessfacearefix’d,
Asiffromthencetheyborrow’dalltheirshine.488
Wereneverfoursuchlampstogethermix’d,
Hadnothiscloudedwithhisbrow’srepine;
Buthers,whichthroughthecrystaltearsgavelight
Shonelikethemooninwaterseenbynight.492
“OwhereamI?”quothshe,“inearthorheaven?
Orintheoceandrench’d,orinthefire?
Whathouristhis?ormornorwearyeven?

DoIdelighttodie,orlifedesire?496
ButnowIliv’d,andlifewasdeath’sannoy;
ButnowIdied,anddeathwaslivelyjoy.
“Othoudidstkillme;killmeonceagain:
Thyeyes’shrewdtutor,thathardheartofthine,500
Hathtaughtthemscornfultricks,andsuchdisdain,
Thattheyhavemurder’dthispoorheartofmine;
Andthesemineeyes,trueleaderstotheirqueen,
Butforthypiteouslipsnomorehadseen.504
“Longmaytheykisseachotherforthiscure!
Ohneverlettheircrimsonliverieswear,
Andastheylast,theirverdurestillendure,
Todriveinfectionfromthedangerousyear:508
Thatthestar-gazers,havingwritondeath,
Maysay,theplagueisbanish’dbythybreath.
“Purelips,sweetsealsinmysoftlipsimprinted,
WhatbargainsmayImake,stilltobesealing?512
TosellmyselfIcanbewellcontented,
Sothouwiltbuy,andpay,andusegooddealing;
Whichpurchaseifthoumake,forfearofslips,
Setthysealmanualonmywax-redlips.516
“Athousandkissesbuysmyheartfromme;
Andpaythematthyleisure,onebyone,


Whatistenhundredtouchesuntothee?
Aretheynotquicklytoldandquicklygone?520
Say,fornon-paymentthatthedebtshoulddouble,
Istwentyhundredkissessuchatrouble?”
“Fairqueen,”quothhe,“ifanyloveyouoweme,

Measuremystrangenesswithmyunripeyears:524
BeforeIknowmyself,seeknottoknowme;
Nofisherbuttheungrownfryforbears:
Themellowplumdothfall,thegreensticksfast,
Orbeingearlypluck’d,issourtotaste.528
“Looktheworld’scomforter,withwearygait
Hisday’shottaskhathendedinthewest;
Theowl,night’sherald,shrieks,’tisverylate;
Thesheeparegonetofold,birdstotheirnest,532
Andcoal-blackcloudsthatshadowheaven’slight
Dosummonustopart,andbidgoodnight.
“Nowletmesaygoodnight,andsosayyou;
Ifyouwillsayso,youshallhaveakiss.”536
“Goodnight,”quothshe;anderehesaysadieu,
Thehoneyfeeofpartingtender’dis:
Herarmsdolendhisneckasweetembrace;
Incorporatethentheyseem,facegrowstoface.540
Tillbreathlesshedisjoin’d,andbackwarddrew
Theheavenlymoisture,thatsweetcoralmouth,
Whoseprecioustasteherthirstylipswellknew,
Whereontheysurfeit,yetcomplainondrouth,544
Hewithherplentypress’d,shefaintwithdearth,
Theirlipstogetherglued,falltotheearth.
Nowquickdesirehathcaughttheyieldingprey,
Andglutton-likeshefeeds,yetneverfilleth;548
Herlipsareconquerors,hislipsobey,
Payingwhatransomtheinsulterwilleth;
Whosevulturethoughtdothpitchthepricesohigh,
Thatshewilldrawhislips’richtreasuredry.552
Andhavingfeltthesweetnessofthespoil,

Withblindfoldfuryshebeginstoforage;
Herfacedothreekandsmoke,herblooddothboil,
Andcarelessluststirsupadesperatecourage,556
Plantingoblivion,beatingreasonback,
Forgettingshame’spureblushandhonour’swrack.


Hot,faint,andweary,withherhardembracing,
Likeawildbirdbeingtam’dwithtoomuchhandling,
Orasthefleet-footroethat’stir’dwithchasing,561
Orlikethefrowardinfantstill’dwithdandling:
Henowobeys,andnownomoreresisteth,
Whileshetakesallshecan,notallshelisteth.564
Whatwaxsofrozenbutdissolveswithtemp’ring,
Andyieldsatlasttoeverylightimpression?
Thingsoutofhopearecompass’doftwithvent’ring,
Chieflyinlove,whoseleaveexceedscommission:568
Affectionfaintsnotlikeapale-fac’dcoward,
Butthenwoosbestwhenmosthischoiceisfroward.
Whenhedidfrown,Ohadshethengaveover,
Suchnectarfromhislipsshehadnotsuck’d.572
Foulwordsandfrownsmustnotrepelalover;
Whatthoughtherosehaveprickles,yet’tispluck’d.
Werebeautyundertwentylockskeptfast,
Yetlovebreaksthrough,andpicksthemallatlast.
Forpitynowshecannomoredetainhim;577
Thepoorfoolpraysherthathemaydepart:
Sheisresolv’dnolongertorestrainhim,
Bidshimfarewell,andlookwelltoherheart,580
ThewhichbyCupid’sbowshedothprotest,

Hecarriesthenceencagedinhisbreast.
“Sweetboy,”shesays,“thisnightI’llwasteinsorrow,
Formysickheartcommandsmineeyestowatch.584
Tellme,love’smaster,shallwemeettomorrow
Say,shallwe?shallwe?wiltthoumakethematch?”
Hetellsherno,tomorrowheintends
Tohunttheboarwithcertainofhisfriends.588
“Theboar!”quothshe;whereatasuddenpale,
Likelawnbeingspreadupontheblushingrose,
Usurpshercheek,shetremblesathistale,
Andonhisneckheryokingarmsshethrows.592
Shesinkethdown,stillhangingbyhisneck,
Heonherbellyfalls,sheonherback.
Nowissheintheverylistsoflove,
Herchampionmountedforthehotencounter:596
Allisimaginaryshedothprove,
Hewillnotmanageher,althoughhemounther;
ThatworsethanTantalus’isherannoy,


ToclipElysiumandtolackherjoy.600
Evenaspoorbirds,deceiv’dwithpaintedgrapes,
Dosurfeitbytheeyeandpinethemaw:
Evensoshelanguishethinhermishaps,
Asthosepoorbirdsthathelplessberriessaw.604
Thewarmeffectswhichsheinhimfindsmissing,
Sheseekstokindlewithcontinualkissing.
Butallinvain,goodqueen,itwillnotbe,
Shehathassay’dasmuchasmaybeprov’d;608
Herpleadinghathdeserv’dagreaterfee;

She’slove,sheloves,andyetsheisnotlov’d.
“Fie,fie,”hesays,“youcrushme;letmego;
Youhavenoreasontowithholdmeso.”612
“Thouhadstbeengone,”quothshe,“sweetboy,erethis,
Butthatthoutold’stmethouwouldsthunttheboar.
Ohbeadvis’d;thouknow’stnotwhatitis,
Withjavelin’spointachurlishswinetogore,616
Whosetushesneversheath’dhewhettethstill,
Liketoamortalbutcher,benttokill.
“Onhisbow-backhehathabattleset
Ofbristlypikes,thateverthreathisfoes;620
Hiseyeslikeglow-wormsshinewhenhedothfret;
Hissnoutdigssepulchreswhere’erhegoes;
Beingmov’d,hestrikeswhate’erisinhisway,
Andwhomhestrikeshiscrookedtushesslay.624
“Hisbrawnysides,withhairybristlesarmed,
Arebetterproofthanthyspear’spointcanenter;
Hisshortthickneckcannotbeeasilyharmed;
Beingireful,onthelionhewillventure:628
Thethornybramblesandembracingbushes,
Asfearfulofhim,part,throughwhomherushes.
“Alas!henaughtesteemsthatfaceofthine,
Towhichlove’seyespaytributarygazes;632
Northysofthands,sweetlips,andcrystaleyne,
Whosefullperfectionalltheworldamazes;
Buthavingtheeatvantage,wondrousdread!
Wouldrootthesebeautiesasherootsthemead.
“Ohlethimkeephisloathsomecabinstill,637
Beautyhathnaughttodowithsuchfoulfiends:
Comenotwithinhisdangerbythywill;

Theythatthrivewell,takecounseloftheirfriends.
Whenthoudidstnametheboar,nottodissemble,
Ifear’dthyfortune,andmyjointsdidtremble.
“Didstthounotmarkmyface,wasitnotwhite?
Saw’stthounotsignsoffearlurkinmineeye?644
GrewInotfaint,andfellInotdownright?
Withinmybosom,whereonthoudostlie,
Mybodingheartpants,beats,andtakesnorest,
Butlikeanearthquake,shakestheeonmybreast.
“Forwherelovereigns,disturbingjealousy649
Dothcallhimselfaffection’ssentinel;
Givesfalsealarms,suggestethmutiny,
Andinapeacefulhourdothcry“Kill,kill!”652
Distemp’ringgentleloveinhisdesire,
Asairandwaterdoabatethefire.
“Thissourinformer,thisbate-breedingspy,
Thiscankerthateatsuplove’stenderspring,656
Thiscarry-tale,dissentiousjealousy,
Thatsometimetruenews,sometimefalsedothbring,
Knocksatmyheart,andwhispersinmineear,
ThatifIlovethee,Ithydeathshouldfear.660
“Andmorethanso,presentethtomineeye
Thepictureofanangrychafingboar,
Underwhosesharpfangsonhisbackdothlie
Animagelikethyself,allstain’dwithgore;664
Whoseblooduponthefreshflowersbeingshed,
Dothmakethemdroopwithgriefandhangthehead.
“WhatshouldIdo,seeingtheesoindeed,

Thattrembleatth’imagination?668
Thethoughtofitdothmakemyfaintheartbleed,
Andfeardothteachitdivination:
Iprophesythydeath,mylivingsorrow,
Ifthouencounterwiththeboartomorrow.672
“Butifthouneedswilthunt,berul’dbyme;
Uncoupleatthetimorousflyinghare,
Oratthefoxwhichlivesbysubtilty,
Orattheroewhichnoencounterdare:676
Pursuethesefearfulcreatureso’erthedowns,
Andonthywell-breath’dhorsekeepwiththyhounds.
“Andwhenthouhastonfootthepurblindhare,


Markthepoorwretch,toovershoothistroubles680
Howheoutrunsthewind,andwithwhatcare
Hecranksandcrosseswithathousanddoubles:
Themanymusitsthroughthewhichhegoes
Arelikealabyrinthtoamazehisfoes.684
“Sometimeherunsamongaflockofsheep,
Tomakethecunninghoundsmistaketheirsmell,
Andsometimewhereearth-delvingconieskeep,
Tostoptheloudpursuersintheiryell,688
Andsometimesortethwithaherdofdeer;
Dangerdevisethshifts,witwaitsonfear.
“Fortherehissmellwithothersbeingmingled,691
Thehotscent-snuffinghoundsaredriventodoubt,
Ceasingtheirclamorouscry,tilltheyhavesingled
Withmuchadothecoldfaultcleanlyout;
Thendotheyspendtheirmouths:echoreplies,

Asifanotherchasewereintheskies.696
“Bythis,poorWat,faroffuponahill,
Standsonhishinderlegswithlist’ningear,
Tohearkenifhisfoespursuehimstill.
Anontheirloudalarumshedothhear;700
Andnowhisgriefmaybecomparedwell
Toonesoresickthathearsthepassingbell.
“Thenshaltthouseethedew-bedabbledwretch
Turn,andreturn,indentingwiththeway,704
Eachenviousbriarhiswearylegsdoscratch,
Eachshadowmakeshimstop,eachmurmurstay:
Formiseryistroddenonbymany,
Andbeinglowneverreliev’dbyany.708
“Liequietly,andhearalittlemore;
Nay,donotstruggle,forthoushaltnotrise:
Tomaketheehatethehuntingoftheboar,
Unlikemyselfthouhear’stmemoralize,712
Applyingthistothat,andsotoso,
Forlovecancommentuponeverywoe.
“WheredidIleave?”“Nomatterwhere,”quothhe
“Leaveme,andthenthestoryaptlyends:716
Thenightisspent.”“Why,whatofthat?”quothshe.
“Iam,”quothhe,“expectedofmyfriends;
Andnow’tisdark,andgoingIshallfall.”
“Innight,”quothshe,“desireseesbestofall.”720


Butifthoufall,ohthenimaginethis,
Theearth,inlovewiththee,thyfootingtrips,
Andallisbuttorobtheeofakiss.723

Richpreysmaketruementhieves;sodothylips
MakemodestDiancloudyandforlorn,
Lestsheshouldstealakissanddieforsworn.
“NowofthisdarknightIperceivethereason:
Cynthiaforshameobscureshersilvershine728
Tillforgingnaturebecondemn’doftreason,
Forstealingmouldsfromheaven,thatweredivine;
Whereinshefram’dthee,inhighheaven’sdespite,
Toshamethesunbydayandherbynight.732
“Andthereforehathshebrib’dthedestinies,
Tocrossthecuriousworkmanshipofnature,
Tominglebeautywithinfirmities,
Andpureperfectionwithimpuredefeature,736
Makingitsubjecttothetyranny
Ofmadmischancesandmuchmisery.
“Asburningfevers,aguespaleandfaint,
Life-poisoningpestilenceandfrenzieswood,740
Themarrow-eatingsickness,whoseattaint
Disorderbreedsbyheatingoftheblood;
Surfeits,imposthumes,grief,anddamn’ddespair,
Swearnature’sdeath,forframingtheesofair.744
“Andnottheleastofallthesemaladies
Butinoneminute’sfightbringsbeautyunder:
Bothfavour,savour,hueandqualities,
Whereatth’impartialgazerlatedidwonder,748
Areonthesuddenwasted,thaw’danddone,
Asmountainsnowmeltswiththemiddaysun.
“Thereforedespiteoffruitlesschastity,
Love-lackingvestalsandself-lovingnuns,752
Thatontheearthwouldbreedascarcity

Andbarrendearthofdaughtersandofsons,
Beprodigal:thelampthatburnsbynight
Driesuphisoiltolendtheworldhislight.756
“Whatisthybodybutaswallowinggrave,
Seemingtoburythatposterity,
Whichbytherightsoftimethouneedsmusthave,
Ifthoudestroythemnotindarkobscurity?760


Ifso,theworldwillholdtheeindisdain,
Sithinthypridesofairahopeisslain.
“Sointhyselfthyselfartmadeaway;
Amischiefworsethancivilhome-bredstrife,764
Ortheirswhosedesperatehandsthemselvesdoslay,
Orbutchersirethatreeveshissonoflife.
Foulcank’ringrustthehiddentreasurefrets,
Butgoldthat’sputtousemoregoldbegets.”768
“Naythen,”quothAdon,“youwillfallagain
Intoyouridleover-handledtheme;
ThekissIgaveyouisbestow’dinvain,
Andallinvainyoustriveagainstthestream;772
Forbythisblack-fac’dnight,desire’sfoulnurse,
Yourtreatisemakesmelikeyouworseandworse.
“Iflovehavelentyoutwentythousandtongues,
Andeverytonguemoremovingthanyourown,776
Bewitchinglikethewantonmermaid’ssongs,
Yetfrommineearthetemptingtuneisblown;
Forknow,myheartstandsarmedinmineear,
Andwillnotletafalsesoundenterthere.780
“Lestthedeceivingharmonyshouldrun

Intothequietclosureofmybreast,
Andthenmylittleheartwerequiteundone,
Inhisbedchambertobebarr’dofrest.784
No,lady,no;myheartlongsnottogroan,
Butsoundlysleeps,whilenowitsleepsalone.
“Whathaveyouurg’dthatIcannotreprove?
Thepathissmooththatleadethontodanger;790
Ihatenotlove,butyourdeviceinlove
Thatlendsembracementsuntoeverystranger.
Youdoitforincrease:Ostrangeexcuse!
Whenreasonisthebawdtolust’sabuse.792
“Callitnot,love,forlovetoheavenisfled,
Sincesweatinglustonearthusurp’dhisname;
Underwhosesimplesemblancehehathfed
Uponfreshbeauty,blottingitwithblame;796
Whichthehottyrantstainsandsoonbereaves,
Ascaterpillarsdothetenderleaves.
“Lovecomfortethlikesunshineafterrain,
Butlust’seffectistempestaftersun;800


Love’sgentlespringdothalwaysfreshremain,
Lust’swintercomeseresummerhalfbedone.
Lovesurfeitsnot,lustlikeagluttondies;
Loveisalltruth,lustfullofforgedlies.804
“MoreIcouldtell,butmoreIdarenotsay;
Thetextisold,theoratortoogreen.
Therefore,insadness,nowIwillaway;
Myfaceisfullofshame,myheartofteen,808
Mineears,thattoyourwantontalkattended

Doburnthemselvesforhavingsooffended.”
Withthishebreakethfromthesweetembrace811
Ofthosefairarmswhichboundhimtoherbreast,
Andhomewardthroughthedarklaundrunsapace;
Leavesloveuponherbackdeeplydistress’d.
Lookhowabrightstarshootethfromthesky,
SoglidesheinthenightfromVenus’eye.816
Whichafterhimshedarts,asoneonshore
Gazinguponalateembarkedfriend,
Tillthewildwaveswillhavehimseennomore,
Whoseridgeswiththemeetingcloudscontend:820
Sodidthemercilessandpitchynight
Foldintheobjectthatdidfeedhersight.
Whereatamaz’d,asonethatunaware
Hathdropp’dapreciousjewelintheflood,824
Or’stonish’dasnight-wanderersoftenare,
Theirlightblownoutinsomemistrustfulwood;
Evensoconfoundedinthedarkshelay,
Havinglostthefairdiscoveryofherway.828
Andnowshebeatsherheart,whereatitgroans,
Thatalltheneighbourcaves,asseemingtroubled,
Makeverbalrepetitionofhermoans;
Passiononpassiondeeplyisredoubled:832
“Ayme!”shecries,andtwentytimes,“Woe,woe!”
Andtwentyechoestwentytimescryso.
Shemarkingthem,beginsawailingnote,
Andsingsextemporallyawoefulditty;836
Howlovemakesyoungmenthrall,andoldmendote,
Howloveiswiseinfollyfoolishwitty:
Herheavyanthemstillconcludesinwoe,

Andstillthechoirofechoesanswerso.840