第1章
加入书架 A- A+
点击下载App,搜索"VENUS AND ADONIS",免费读到尾

  byWilliamShakespeareViliamireturvulgus;mihiflavusApolloPoculaCastaliaplenaministretaquaTOTHE

  RIGHTHONOURABLE

  HENRYWRIOTHESLEY,EARLOFSOUTHAMPTON,ANDBARON

  OFTITCHFIELD

  RightHonourable,IknownothowIshalloffendindedicatingmyunpolishedlinestoyourlordship,norhowtheworldwillcensuremeforchoosingsostrongaproptosupportsoweakaburden:only,ifyourhonourseembutpleased,Iaccountmyselfhighlypraised,andvowtotakeadvantageofallidlehours,tillIhavehonouredyouwithsomegraverlabour。Butifthefirstheirofmyinventionprovedeformed,I

  shallbesorryithadsonobleagodfather,andneverafterearsobarrenaland,forfearityieldmestillsobadaharvest。Ileaveittoyourhonourablesurvey,andyourhonourtoyourheart’scontent;

  whichIwishmayalwaysansweryourownwish,andtheworld’shopefulexpectations。

  Yourhonour’sinallduty,WilliamShakespeareEvenasthesunwithpurple—colouredfaceHadta’enhislastleaveoftheweepingmorn,Rose—cheekedAdonishiedhimtothechase;

  Huntingheloved,butlovehelaughedtoscorn。

  Sick—thoughtedVenusmakesamainuntohim,Andlikeabold—facedsuitor’ginstowoohim。

  ’Thricefairerthanmyself,’thusshebegan,’Thefield’schiefflower,sweetabovecompare,Staintoallnymphs,morelovelythanaman,Morewhiteandredthandovesorrosesare;

  NaturethatmadetheewithherselfatstrifeSaiththattheworldhathendingwiththylife。

  ’Vouchsafe,thouwonder,toalightthysteed,Andreinhisproudheadtothesaddle—bow;

  Ifthouwiltdeignthisfavour,forthymeedAthousandhoneysecretsshaltthouknow。

  Herecomeandsit,whereneverserpenthisses,Andbeingset,I’llsmothertheewithkisses;

  ’Andyetnotcloythylipswithloathedsaiety,Butratherfamishthemamidtheirplenty,Makingthemredandpalewithfreshvariety;

  Tenkissesshortasone,onelongastwenty。

  Asummer’sdaywillseemanhourbutshort,Beingwastedinsuchtime—beguilingsport。’

  Withthissheseizethonhissweatingpalm,Theprecedentofpithandlivelihood,And,tremblinginherpassion,callsitbalm,Earth’ssovereignsalvetodoagoddessgood。

  Beingsoenraged,desiredothlendherforceCourageouslytopluckhimfromhishorse。

  Overonearmthelustycourser’srein,Underherotherwasthetenderboy,Whoblushedandpoutedinadulldisdain,Withleadenappetite,unapttotoy;

  Sheredandhotascoalsofglowingfire,Heredforshame,butfrostyindesire。

  ThestuddedbridleonaraggedboughNimblyshefastens—O,howquickislove!

  Thesteedisstalledup,andevennowTotietheridershebeginstoprove。

  Backwardshepushedhim,asshewouldbethrust,Andgovernedhiminstrength,thoughnotinlust。

  Sosoonwasshealongashewasdown,Eachleaningontheirelbowsandtheirhips;

  Nowdothshestrokehischeek,nowdothhefrown,And’ginstochide,butsoonshestopshislips,Andkissingspeaks,withlustfullanguagebroken,’Ifthouwiltchide,thylipsshallneveropen。’

  Heburnswithbashfulshame;shewithhertearsDothquenchthemaidenburningofhischeeks;

  ThenwithherwindysighsandgoldenhairsTofanandblowthemdryagainsheseeks。

  Hesaithsheisimmodest,blameshermiss;

  Whatfollowsmoreshemurderswithakiss。

  Evenasanemptyeagle,sharpbyfast,Tireswithherbeakonfeathers,fleshandbone,Shakingherwings,devouringallinhaste,Tilleithergorgebestuffedorpreybegone;

  Evensoshekissedhisbrow,hischeek,hischin,Andwheresheendsshedothanewbegin。

  Thusshereplies:’Thypalfrey,asheshould,Welcomesthewarmapproachofsweetdesire。

  Affectionisacoalthatmustbecooled;

  Else,suffered,itwillsettheheartonfire。

  Theseahathbounds,butdeepdesirehathnone,Thereforenomarvelthoughthyhorsebegone。

  ’Howlikeajadehestoodtiedtothetree,Servilelymasteredwithaleathernrein!

  Butwhenhesawhislove,hisyouth’sfairfee,Heheldsuchpettybondageindisdain,Throwingthebasethongfromhisbendingcrest,Enfranchisinghismouth,hisback,hisbreast。

  ’Whoseeshistrue—loveinhernakedbed,Teachingthesheetsawhiterhuethanwhite,But,whenhisgluttoneyesofullhathfed,Hisotheragentsaimatlikedelight?

  WhoissofaintthatdaresnotbesoboldTotouchthefire,theweatherbeingcold?

  ’Letmeexcusethycourser,gentleboy;’

  Andlearnofhim,Iheartilybeseechthee,Totakeadvantageonpresentedjoy;

  ThoughIweredumb,yethisproceedingsteachthee。

  O,learntolove;thelessonisbutplain,Andoncemadeperfect,neverlostagain。’

  ’Iknownotlove,’quothhe,’norwillnotknowit,Unlessitbeaboar,andthenIchaseit。

  ’Tismuchtoborrow,andIwillnotoweit。

  Mylovetoloveislovebuttodisgraceit;

  ForIhavehearditisalifeindeath,Thatlaughs,andweeps,andallbutwithabreath。

  ’Whowearsagarmentshapelessandunfinished?

  Whoplucksthebudbeforeoneleafputforth?

  Ifspringingthingsbeanyjotdiminished,Theywitherintheirprime,provenothingworth。

  Thecoltthat’sbackedandburdenedbeingyoungLosethhispride,andneverwaxethstrong。

  ’Youhurtmyhandwithwringing;letuspart,Andleavethisidletheme,thisbootlesschat;

  Removeyoursiegefrommyunyieldingheart;

  Tolove’salarmsitwillnotopethegate。

  Dismissyourvows,yourfeignedtears,yourflatt’ry;

  Forwhereaheartishardtheymakenobatt’ry。’

  ’What,canstthoutalk?’quothshe,’hastthouatongue?

  O,wouldthouhadstnot,orIhadnohearing!

  Thymermaid’svoicehathdonemedoublewrong;

  Ihadmyloadbefore,nowpressedwithbearing:

  Melodiousdiscord,heavenlytuneharshsounding,Ears’deep—sweetmusic,andheart’sdeep—sorewounding。

  ’HadInoeyesbutears,myearswouldloveThatinwardbeautyandinvisible;

  OrwereIdeaf,thyoutwardpartswouldmoveEachpartinmethatwerebutsensible。

  Thoughneithereyesnorears,tohearnorsee,YetshouldIbeinlovebytouchingthee。

  ’Saythatthesenseoffeelingwerebereftme,AndthatIcouldnotsee,norhear,nortouch,Andnothingbuttheverysmellwereleftme,Yetwouldmylovetotheebestillasmuch;

  ForfromthestillitoryofthyfaceexcellingComesbreathperfumed,thatbreedethlovebysmelling。

  ’ButO,whatbanquetwertthoutothetaste,Beingnurseandfeederoftheotherfour!

  Wouldtheynotwishthefeastmighteverlast,AndbidSuspiciondouble—lockthedoor,LestJealousy,thatsourunwelcomeguest,Shouldbyhisstealingindisturbthefeast?’

  Oncemoretheruby—colouredportalopened,Whichtohisspeechdidhoneypassageyield;

  Likearedmorn,thateveryetbetokenedWracktotheseaman,tempesttothefield,Sorrowtoshepherds,woeuntothebirds,Gustsandfoulflawstoherdmenandtoherds。

  Thisillpresageadvisedlyshemarketh。

  Evenasthewindishushedbeforeitraineth,Orasthewolfdothgrinbeforehebarketh,Orastheberrybreaksbeforeitstaineth,Orlikethedeadlybulletofagun,Hismeaningstruckhererehiswordsbegun。

  Andathislooksheflatlyfallethdown,Forlookskilllove,andlovebylooksreviveth;

  Asmilerecuresthewoundingofafrown。

  Butblessedbankruptthatbylosssothriveth!

  Thesillyboy,believingsheisdead,Clapsherpalecheek,tillclappingmakesitred;

  Andallamazedbrakeoffhislateintent,Forsharplyhedidthinktoreprehendher,Whichcunninglovedidwittilyprevent。

  Fairfallthewitthatcansowelldefendher!

  Foronthegrasssheliesasshewereslain,Tillhisbreathbreathethlifeinheragain。

  Hewringshernose,hestrikesheronthecheeks,Hebendsherfingers,holdsherpulseshard,Hechafesherlips,athousandwaysheseeksTomendthehurtthathisunkindnessmarred;

  Hekissesher;andshe,byhergoodwill,Willneverrise,sohewillkissherstill。

  Thenightofsorrownowisturnedtoday:

  Hertwobluewindowsfaintlysheupheaveth,Likethefairsun,wheninhisfresharrayHecheersthemorn,andalltheearthrelieveth;

  Andasthebrightsunglorifiesthesky,Soisherfaceilluminedwithhereye;

  Whosebeamsuponhishairlessfacearefixed,Asiffromthencetheyborrowedalltheirshine。

  Wereneverfoursuchlampstogethermixed,Hadnothiscloudedwithhisbrow’srepine;

  Buthers,whichthroughthecrystaltearsgavelight,Shonelikethemooninwaterseenbynight。

  Forcedtocontent,butnevertoobey,Pantingheliesandbreathethinherface;

  Shefeedethonthesteamasonaprey,Andcallsitheavenlymoisture,airofgrace,Wishinghercheeksweregardensfullofflowers,Sotheyweredewedwithsuchdistillingshowers。

  Lookhowabirdliestangledinanet,Sofast’nedinherarmsAdonislies;

  Pureshameandawedresistancemadehimfret,Whichbredmorebeautyinhisangryeyes。

  RainaddedtoariverthatisrankPerforcewillforceitoverflowthebank。

  Stillsheentreats,andprettilyentreats,Fortoaprettyearshetuneshertale;

  Stillishesullen,stillheloursandfrets,’Twixtcrimsonshameandangerashy—pale;

  Beingred,sheloveshimbest,andbeingwhite,Herbestisbetteredwithamoredelight。

  Lookhowhecan,shecannotchoosebutlove;

  AndbyherfairimmortalhandsheswearsFromhissoftbosomnevertoremoveTillhetaketrucewithhercontendingtears,Whichlonghaverained,makinghercheeksallwet;

  Andonesweetkissshallpaythiscountlessdebt。

  Uponthispromisedidheraisehischin,Likeadive—dapperpeeringthroughawave,Who,beinglookedon,ducksasquicklyin;

  Sooffershetogivewhatshedidcrave;

  Butwhenherlipswerereadyforhispay,Hewinks,andturnshislipsanotherway。

  Neverdidpassengerinsummer’sheatMorethirstfordrinkthansheforthisgoodturn。

  Herhelpshesees,buthelpshecannotget;

  Shebathesinwater,yetherfiremustburn。

  ’O,pity,’’ganshecry。’flint—heartedboy!

  ’TisbutakissIbeg;whyartthoucoy?

  ’Ihavebeenwooed,asIentreattheenow,Evenbythesternanddirefulgodofwar,Whosesinewyneckinbattlene’erdidbow,Whoconquerswherehecomesineveryjar;

  Yethathhebeenmycaptiveandmyslave,Andbeggedforthatwhichthouunaskedshalthave。

  ’Overmyaltarshathhehunghislance,Hisbatt’redshield,hisuncontrolledcrest,Andformysakehathlearnedtosportanddance,Totoy,towanton,dally,smileandjest,Scorninghischurlishdrumandensignred,Makingmyarmshisfield,histentmybed。

  ’ThushethatoverruledIoverswayed,Leadinghimprisonerinared—rosechain;

  Strong—temperedsteelhisstrongerstrengthobeyed,Yetwasheserviletomycoydisdain。

  O,benotproud,norbragnotofthymight,Formast’ringherthatfoiledthegodoffight!

  ’Touchbutmylipswiththosefairlipsofthine—

  Thoughminebenotsofair,yetaretheyred—

  Thekissshallbethineownaswellasmine。

  Whatsee’stthouintheground?holdupthyhead;

  Lookinmineeyeballs,therethybeautylies;

  Thenwhynotlipsonlips,sinceeyesineyes?

  ’Artthouashamedtokiss?thenwinkagain,AndIwillwink;soshallthedayseemnight。

  Lovekeepshisrevelswheretherearebuttwain;

  Beboldtoplay,oursportisnotinsight。

  Theseblue—veinedvioletswhereonweleanNevercanblab,norknownotwhatwemean。

  ’ThetenderspringuponthytemptinglipShewstheeunripe;yetmaystthouwellbetasted;

  Makeuseoftime,letnotadvantageslip;

  Beautywithinitselfshouldnotbewasted。

  Fairflowersthatarenotgath’redintheirprimeRotandconsumethemselvesinlittletime。

  ’WereIhard—favoured,foul,orwrinkled—old,Ill—nurtured,crooked,churlish,harshinvoice,O’erworn,despised,rheumaticandcold,Thick—sighted,barren,lean,andlackingjuice,Thenmightstthoupause,forthenIwerenotforthee;

  Buthavingnodefects,whydostabhorme?

  ’Thoucanstnotseeonewrinkleinmybrow;

  Mineeyesaregreyandbrightandquickinturning;

  Mybeautyasthespringdothyearlygrow,Myfleshissoftandplump,mymarrowburning;

  Mysmoothmoisthand,wereitwiththyhandfelt,Wouldinthypalmdissolve,orseemtomelt。

  ’Bidmediscourse,Iwillenchantthineear,Or,likeafairy,tripuponthegreen,Or,likeanymph,withlongdishevelledhair,Danceonthesands,andyetnofootingseen。

  Loveisaspiritallcompactoffire,Notgrosstosink,butlight,andwillaspire。

  ’WitnessthisprimrosebankwhereonIlie;

  Theseforcelessflowerslikesturdytreessupportme;

  TwostrengthlessdoveswilldrawmethroughtheskyFrommorntillnight,evenwhereIlisttosportme。

  Islovesolight,sweetboy,andmayitbeThatthoushouldthinkitheavyuntothee?

  ’Isthineownhearttothineownfaceaffected?

  Canthyrighthandseizeloveuponthyleft?

  Thenwoothyself,beofthyselfrejected,Stealthineownfreedom,andcomplainontheft。

  Narcissussohimselfforsook,Anddiedtokisshisshadowinthebrook。

  ’Torchesaremadetolight,jewelstowear,Daintiestotaste,freshbeautyfortheuse,Herbsfortheirsmell,andsappyplantstobear;

  Thingsgrowingtothemselvesaregrowth’sabuse。

  Seedsspringfromseedsandbeautybreedethbeauty;

  Thouwastbegot;togetitisthyduty。

  ’Upontheearth’sincreasewhyshouldstthoufeed,Unlesstheearthwiththyincreasebefed?

  Bylawofnaturethouartboundtobreed,Thatthinemaylivewhenthouthyselfartdead;

  Andsoinspiteofdeaththoudostsurvive,Inthatthylikenessstillisleftalive。’

  Bythis,thelove—sickqueenbegantosweat,Forwheretheylaytheshadowhadforsookthem,AndTitan,tiredinthemid—dayheat,Withburningeyedidhotlyoverlookthem,WishingAdonishadhisteamtoguide,Sohewerelikehim,andbyVenus’side。

  AndnowAdonis,withalazysprite,Andwithaheavy,dark,dislikingeye,Hislouringbrowso’erwhelminghisfairsight,Likemistyvapourswhentheyblotthesky,Souringhischeeks,cries’Fie,nomoreoflove!

  Thesundothburnmyface;Imustremove。’

  ’Ayme,’quothVenus,’young,andsounkind!

  Whatbareexcusesmak’stthoutobegone!

  I’llsighcelestialbreath,whosegentlewindShallcooltheheatofthisdescendingsun;

  I’llmakeashadowfortheeofmyhairs;

  Iftheyburntoo,I’llquenchthemwithmytears。

  ’Thesunthatshinesfromheavenshinesbutwarm,Andlo,Iliebetweenthatsunandthee;

  TheheatIhavefromthencedothlittleharm;

  Thineeyedartsforththefirethatburnethme;

  AndwereInotimmortal,lifeweredoneBetweenthisheavenlyandearthlysun。

  ’Artthouobdurate,flinty,hardassteel?

  Nay,morethanflint,forstoneatrainrelenteth。

  Artthouawoman’sson,andcanstnotfeelWhat’tistolove,howwantoflovetormenteth?

  O,hadthymotherbornesohardamind,Shehadnotbroughtforththee,butdiedunkind。

  ’WhatamIthatthoushouldstcontemnmethis?

  Orwhatgreatdangerdwellsuponmysuit?

  Whatwerethylipstheworseforonepoorkiss?

  Speak,fair;butspeakfairwords,orelsebemute。

  Givemeonekiss,I’llgiveittheeagain,Andoneforint’rest,ifthouwilthavetwain。

  ’Fie,lifelesspicture,coldandsenselessstone,Wellpaintedidol,imagedullinddead,Statuecontentingbuttheeyealone,Thinglikeaman,butofnowomanbred!

  Thouartnoman,thoughofaman’scomplexion,Formenwillkissevenbytheirowndirection。’

  Thissaid,impatiencechokesherpleadingtongue,Andswellingpassiondothprovokeapause;

  Redcheeksandfieryeyesblazeforthherwrong;

  Beingjudgeinlove,shecannotrighthercause;

  Andnowsheweeps,andnowshefainwouldspeak,Andnowhersobsdoherintendmentsbreak。

  Sometimessheshakesherhead,andthenhishand,Nowgazethsheonhim,nowontheground;

  Sometimeherarmsinfoldhimlikeaband;

  Shewould,hewillnotinherarmsbebound;

  Andwhenfromthencehestrugglestobegone,Shelocksherlilyfingersoneinone。

  ’Fondling,’shesaith,’sinceIhavehemmedtheehereWithinthecircuitofthisivorypale,I’llbeapark,andthoushaltbemydeer;

  Feedwherethouwilt,onmountainorindale;

  Grazeonmylips,andifthosehillsbedry,Straylower,wherethepleasantfountainslie。

  ’Withinthislimitisreliefenough,Sweetbottom—grassandhighdelightfulplain,Roundrisinghillocks,brakesobscureandrough,Tosheltertheefromtempestandfromrain:

  Thenbemydeer,sinceIamsuchapark;

  Nodogshallrousethee,thoughathousandbark。’

  AtthisAdonissmilesasindisdain,Thatineachcheekappearsaprettydimple。

  Lovemadethosehollows,ifhimselfwereslain,Hemightbeburiedinatombsosimple;

  Foreknowingwell,iftherehecametolie,Why,thereLovelived,andtherehecouldnotdie。

  Theselovelycaves,theseroundenchantingpits,OpenedtheirmouthstoswallowVenus’liking。

  Beingmadbefore,howdothshenowforwits?

  Struckdeadatfirst,whatneedsasecondstriking?

  Poorqueenoflove,inthineownlawforlorn,Toloveacheekthatsmilesattheeinscorn!

  Nowwhichwayshallsheturn?whatshallshesay?

  Herwordsaredone,herwoesthemoreincreasing;

  Thetimeisspent,herobjectwillaway,Andfromhertwiningarmsdothurgereleasing。

  ’Pity,’shecries,’somefavour,someremorse!’

  Awayhesprings,andhastethtohishorse。

  Butlo,fromforthacopsethatneighboursby,Abreedingjennet,lusty,youngandproud,Adonis’tramplingcourserdothespy,Andforthsherushes,snortsandneighsaloud。

  Thestrong—neckedsteed,beingtieduntoatree,Breakethhisreinandtoherstraightgoeshe。

  Imperiouslyheleaps,heneighs,hebounds,Andnowhiswovengirthshebreaksasunder;

  Thebearingearthwithhishardhoofhewounds,Whosehollowwombresoundslikeheaven’sthunder;

  Theironbithecrusheth’tweenhisteeth,Controllingwhathewascontrolledwith。

  Hisearsup—pricked;hisbraidedhangingmaneUponhiscompassedcrestnowstandonend;

  Hisnostrilsdrinktheair,andforthagain,Asfromafurnace,vapoursdothhesend;

  Hiseye,whichscornfullyglisterslikefire,Showshishotcourageandhishighdesire。

  Sometimehetrots,asifhetoldthesteps,Withgentlemajestyandmodestpride;

  Anonherearsupright,curvetsandleaps,Aswhoshouldsay’Lo,thusmystrengthistried,AndthisIdotocaptivatetheeyeOfthefairbreederthatisstandingby。’

  Whatreckethhehisrider’sangrystir,Hisflattering’Holla’orhis’Stand,Isay?’

  Whatcareshenowforcurborprickingspur?

  Forrichcaparisonsortrappingsgay?

  Heseeshislove,andnothingelsehesees,Fornothingelsewithhisproudsightagrees。

  LookwhenapainterwouldsurpassthelifeInlimningoutawell—proportionedsteed,Hisartwithnature’sworkmanshipatstrife,Asifthedeadthelivingshouldexceed;

  SodidthishorseexcelacommononeInshape,incourage,colour,paceandbone。

  Round—hoofed,short—jointed,fetlocksshagandlong,Broadbreast,fulleye,smallheadandnostrilwide,Highcrest,shortears,straightlegsandpassingstrong,Thinmane,thicktail,broadbuttock,tenderhide;

  Lookwhatahorseshouldhavehedidnotlack,Saveaproudrideronsoproudaback。

  Sometimehescudsfaroff,andtherehestares;

  Anonhestartsatstirringofafeather;

  Tobidthewindabasehenowprepares,Andwhe’erherunorflytheyknownotwhether;

  Forthroughhismaneandtailthehighwindsings,Fanningthehairs,whowavelikefeath’redwings。

  Helooksuponhisloveandneighsuntoher;

  Sheanswershimasifsheknewhismind;

  Beingproud,asfemalesare,toseehimwooher,Sheputsonoutwardstrangeness,seemsunkind,Spurnsathisloveandscornstheheathefeels,Beatinghiskindembracementswithherheels。

  Then,likeamelancholymalcontent,Hevailshistail,that,likeafallingplume,Coolshadowtohismeltingbuttocklent;

  Hestamps,andbitesthepoorfliesinhisfume。

  Hislove,perceivinghowhewasenraged,Grewkinder,andhisfurywasassuaged。

  Histestymastergoethabouttotakehim,When,lo,theunbackedbreeder,fulloffear,Jealousofcatching,swiftlydothforsakehim,Withherthehorse,andleftAdonisthere。

  Astheyweremad,untothewoodtheyhiethem,Out—strippingcrowsthatstrivetoover—flythem。

  Allswolnwithchafing,downAdonissits,Banninghisboist’rousandunrulybeast;

  AndnowthehappyseasononcemorefitsThatlove—sickLovebypleadingmaybeblest;

  ForloverssaythehearthathtreblewrongWhenitisbarredtheaidanceofthetongue。

  Anoventhatisstopped,orriverstayed,Burnethmorehotly,swellethwithmorerage;

  Soofconcealedsorrowmaybesaid,Freeventofwordslove’sfiredothassuage;

  Butwhentheheart’sattorneyonceismute,Theclientbreaks,asdesperateinhissuit。

  Heseeshercoming,andbeginstoglow,Evenasadyingcoalreviveswithwind,Andwithhisbonnethideshisangrybrow,Looksonthedullearthwithdisturbedmind,Takingnonoticethatsheissonigh,Forallaskanceheholdsherinhiseye。

  O,whatasightitwas,wistlytoviewHowshecamestealingtothewaywardboy!

  Tonotethefightingconflictofherhue,Howwhiteandredeachotherdiddestroy!

  Butnowhercheekwaspale,andbyandbyItflashedforthfire,aslightningfromthesky。

  Nowwasshejustbeforehimashesat,Andlikealowlyloverdownshekneels;

  Withonefairhandsheheavethuphishat,Herothertenderhandhisfaircheekfeels;

  Histend’rercheekreceiveshersofthand’sprintAsaptasnew—fall’nsnowtakesanydint。

  O,whatawaroflookswasthenbetweenthem,Hereyespetitionerstohiseyessuing!

  Hiseyessawhereyesastheyhadnotseenthem;

  Hereyeswooedstill,hiseyesdisdainedthewooing;

  AndallthisdumbplayhadhisactsmadeplainWithtearswhichchorus—likehereyesdidrain。

  Fullgentlynowshetakeshimbythehand,Alilyprisonedinagaolofsnow,Orivoryinanalabasterband;

  Sowhiteafriendengirtssowhiteafoe:

  Thisbeauteouscombat,wilfulandunwilling,Showedliketwosilverdovesthatsita—billing。

  Oncemoretheengineofherthoughtsbegan:

  ’Ofairestmoveronthismortalround,WouldthouwertasIam,andIaman,Myheartallwholeasthine,thyheartmywound;

  ForonesweetlookthyhelpIwouldassurethee,Thoughnothingbutmybody’sbanewouldcurethee。’

  ’Givememyhand,’saithhe;’whydostthoufeelit?’

  ’Givememyheart,’saithshe,’andthoushalthaveit;

  O,giveitme,lestthyhardheartdosteelit,Andbeingsteeled,softsighscannevergraveit;

  Thenlove’sdeepgroansInevershallregard,BecauseAdonis’hearthathmademinehard。’

  ’Forshame,’hecries,’letgo,andletmego;

  Myday’sdelightispast,myhorseisgone,And’tisyourfaultIamberefthimso。

  Iprayyouhence,andleavemeherealone;

  Forallmymind,mythought,mybusycare,Ishowtogetmypalfreyfromthemare。’

  ’O,whereamI?’quothshe;’inearthorheaven,Orintheoceandrenched,orinthefire?

  Whathouristhis?ormornorwearyeven?

  DoIdelighttodie,orlifedesire?

  ButnowIlived,andlifewasdeath’sannoy;

  ButnowIdied,anddeathwaslivelyjoy。

  ’O,thoudidstkillme:killmeonceagain。

  Thyeyes’shrewdtutor,thathardheartofthine,Hathtaughtthemscornfultricks,andsuchdisdainThattheyhavemurd’redthispoorheartofmine;

  Andthesemineeyes,trueleaderstotheirqueen,Butforthypiteouslipsnomorehadseen。

  ’Longmaytheykisseachother,forthiscure!

  O,neverlettheircrimsonliverieswear!

  Andastheylast,theirverdurestillendureTodriveinfectionfromthedangerousyear!

  Thatthestar—gazers,havingwritondeath,Maysay,theplagueisbanishedbythybreath。

  ’Purelips,sweetsealsinmysoftlipsimprinted,WhatbargainsmayImake,stilltobesealing?

  TosellmyselfIcanbewellcontented,Sothouwiltbuy,andpay,andusegooddealing;

  Whichpurchaseifthoumake,forfearofslipsSetthysealmanualonmywax—redlips。

  ’Athousandkissesbuysmyheartfromme;

  Andpaythematthyleisure,onebyone。

  Whatistenhundredtouchesuntothee?

  Aretheynotquicklytoldandquicklygone?

  Sayfornon—paymentthatthedebtshoulddouble,Istwentyhundredkissessuchatrouble?’

  ’Fairqueen,’quothhe,’ifanyloveyouoweme,Measuremystrangenesswithmyunripeyears;

  BeforeIknowmyself,seeknottoknowme;

  Nofisherbuttheungrownfryforbears。

  Themellowplumdothfall,thegreensticksfast,Orbeingearlypluckedissourtotaste。

  ’Look,theworld’scomforter,withwearygait,Hisday’shottaskhathendedinthewest;

  Theowl,night’sherald,shrieks’tisverylate;

  Thesheeparegonetofold,birdstotheirnest;

  Andcoal—blackcloudsthatshadowheaven’slightDosummonustopart,andbidgoodnight。

  ’Nowletmesay\"Goodnight\",andsosayyou;

  Ifyouwillsayso,youshallhaveakiss。’

  ’Goodnight’,quothshe;and,erehesays’Adieu’,Thehoneyfeeofpartingtend’redis:

  Herarmsdolendhisneckasweetembrace;

  Incorporatethentheyseem;facegrowstoface。

  Tillbreathlesshedisjoined,andbackwarddrewTheheavenlymoisture,thatsweetcoralmouth,Whoseprecioustasteherthirstylipswellknew,Whereontheysurfeit,yetcomplainondrouth。

  Hewithherplentypressed,shefaintwithdearth,Theirlipstogetherglued,falltotheearth。

  Nowquickdesirehathcaughttheyieldingprey,Andglutton—likeshefeeds,yetneverfilleth;

  Herlipsareconquerors,hislipsobey,Payingwhatransomtheinsulterwilleth;

  WhosevulturethoughtdothpitchthepricesohighThatshewilldrawhislips’richtreasuredry。

  Andhavingfeltthesweetnessofthespoil,Withblindfoldfuryshebeginstoforage;

  Herfacedothreekandsmoke,herblooddothboil,Andcarelessluststirsupadesperatecourage。

  Plantingoblivion,beatingreasonback,Forgettingshame’spureblushandhonour’swrack。

  Hot,faintandweary,withher,hardembracing,Likeawildbirdbeingtamedwithtoomuchhandling,Orasthefleet—footroethat’stiredwithchasing,Orlikethefrowardinfantstilledwithdandling,Henowobeysandnownomoreresisteth,Whileshetakesallshecan,notallshelisteth。

  Whatwaxsofrozenbutdissolveswithtemp’ring,Andyieldsatlasttoeverylightimpression?

  Thingsoutofhopearecompass’doftwithvent’ring,Chieflyinlove,whoseleaveexceedscommission:

  Affectionfaintsnotlikeapale—facecoward,Butthenwoosbestwhenmosthischoiceisfroward。

  Whenhedidfrown,O,hadshethengaveover,Suchnectarfromhislipsshehadnotsucked。

  Foulwordsandfrownsmustnotrepelalover;

点击下载App,搜索"VENUS AND ADONIS",免费读到尾