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;