第2章
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  Whatthoughtherosehaveprickles,yet’tisplucked。

  Werebeautyundertwentylockskeptfast,Yetlovebreaksthrough,andpicksthemallatlast。

  Forpitynowshecannomoredetainhim;

  Thepoorfoolpraysherthathemaydepart。

  Sheisresolvednolongertorestrainhim;

  Bidshimfarewell,andlookwelltoherheart,ThewhichbyCupid’sbowshedothprotestHecarriesthenceincagedinhisbreast。

  ’Sweetboy,’shesays,’thisnightI’llwasteinsorrow,Formysickheartcommandsmineeyestowatch。

  Tellme,love’smaster,shallwemeetto—morrow?

  Say,shallwe?shallwe?wiltthoumakethematch?’

  Hetellsher,no;to—morrowheintendsTohunttheboarwithcertainofhisfriends。

  ’Theboar!’quothshe:whereatasuddenpale,Likelawnbeingspreadupontheblushingrose,Usurpshercheek;shetremblesathistale,Andonhisneckheryokingarmsshethrows。

  Shesinkethdown,stillhangingbyhisneck,Heonherbellyfalls,sheonherback。

  Nowissheintheverylistsoflove,Herchampionmountedforthehotencounter。

  Allisimaginaryshedothprove;

  Hewillnotmanageher,althoughhemounther;

  ThatworsethanTantalus’isherannoy,ToclipElysiumandtolackherjoy。

  Evensopoorbirds,deceivedwithpaintedgrapes,Dosurfeitbytheeyeandpinethemaw;

  EvensoshelanguishethinhermishapsAsthosepoorbirdsthathelplessberriessaw。

  ThewarmeffectswhichsheinhimfindsmissingSheseekstokindlywithcontinualkissing。

  Butallinvain,goodqueen,itwillnotbe。

  Shehathassayedasmuchasmaybeproved;

  Herpleadinghathdeservedagreaterfee;

  She’sLove,sheloves,andyetsheisnotloved。

  ’Fie,fie,’hesays,’youcrushme;letmego;

  Youhavenoreasontowithholdmeso。’

  ’Thouhadstbeengone,’quothshe,’sweetboy,erethis,Butthatthoutold’stmethouwouldsthunttheboar。

  O,beadvised:thouknow’stnotwhatitisWithjavelin’spointachurlishswinetogore,Whosetushesneversheathedhewhettethstill,Liketoamortalbutcherbenttokill。

  ’Onhisbow—backhehathabattlesetOfbristlypikesthateverthreathisfoes;

  Hiseyeslikeglow—wormsshinewhenhedothfret;

  Hissnoutdigssepulchreswhere’erhegoes;

  Beingmoved,hestrikeswhate’erisinhisway,Andwhomhestrikeshiscrookedtushesslay。

  ’Hisbrawnysides,withhairybristlesarmed,Arebetterproofthanthyspear’spointcanenter;

  Hisshortthickneckcannotbeeasilyharmed;

  Beingireful,onthelionhewillventer:

  Thethornybramblesandembracingbushes,Asfearfulofhim,part;throughwhomherushes。

  ’Alas,henoughtesteemsthatfaceofthine,TowhichLove’seyespaystributarygazes;

  Northysofthands,sweetlips,andcrystaleyne,Whosefullperfectionalltheworldamazes;

  Buthavingtheeatvantage—wondrousdread!—

  Wouldrootthesebeautiesasherootsthemead。

  ’O,lethimkeephisloathsomecabinstill;

  Beautyhathnoughttodowithsuchfoulfiends。

  Comenotwithinhisdangerbythywill;

  Theythatthrivewelltakecounseloftheirfriends。

  Whenthoudidstnametheboar,nottodissemble,Ifearedthyfortune,andmyjointsdidtremble。

  ’Didstthounotmarkmyface?wasitnotwhite?

  Saws’tthounotsignsoffearlurkinmineeye?

  GrewInotfaint?andfellInotdownright?

  Withinmybosom,whereonthoudostlie,Mybodingheartpants,beats,andtakesnorest,But,likeanearthquake,shakestheeonmybreast。

  ’ForwhereLovereigns,disturbingJealousyDothcallhimselfAffection’ssentinel;

  Givesfalsealarms,suggestethmutiny,Andinapeacefulhourdothcry\"Kill,kill!\"

  Distemp’ringgentleLoveinhisdesire,Asairandwaterdoabatethefire。

  ’Thissourinformer,thisbate—breedingspy,ThiscankerthateatsupLove’stenderspring,Thiscarry—tale,dissentiousJealousy,Thatsometimetruenews,sometimefalsedothbring,Knocksatmyheart,andwhispersinmineearThatifIlovetheeIthydeathshouldfear;

  ’Andmorethanso,presentethtomineeyeThepictureofanangrychafingboarUnderwhosesharpfangsonhisbackdothlieAnimagelikethyself,allstainedwithgore;

  WhoseblooduponthefreshflowersbeingshedDothmakethemdroopwithgriefandhangthehead。

  ’WhatshouldIdo,seeingtheesoindeed,Thattrembleatth’imagination?

  Thethoughtofitdothmakemyfaintheartbleed,Andfeardothteachitdivination:

  Iprophesythydeath,mylivingsorrow,Ifthouencounterwiththeboarto—morrow。

  ’Butifthouneedswilthunt,beruledbyme;

  Uncoupleatthetimorousflyinghare,Oratthefoxwhichlivesbysubtlety,Orattheroewhichnoencounterdare。

  Pursuethesefearfulcreatureso’erthedowns,Andonthywell—breathedhorsekeepwiththyhounds。

  ’Andwhenthouhastonfootthepurblindhare,Markthepoorwretch,toovershoothistroubles,Howheoutrunsthewind,andwithwhatcareHecranksandcrosseswithathousanddoubles。

  ThemanymusitsthroughthewhichhegoesArelikealabyrinthtoamazehisfoes。

  ’Sometimeherunsamongaflockofsheep,Tomakethecunninghoundsmistaketheirsmell,Andsometimewhereearth—delvingconieskeep,Tostoptheloudpursuersintheiryell;

  Andsometimesortethwithaherdofdeer。

  Dangerdevisethshifts;witwaitsonfear。

  ’Fortherehissmellwithothersbeingmingled,Thehotscent—snuffinghoundsaredriventodoubt,CeasingtheirclamorouscrytilltheyhavesingledWithmuchadothecoldfaultcleanlyout。

  Thendotheyspendtheirmouths;Echoreplies,Asifanotherchasewereintheskies。

  ’Bythis,poorWat,faroffuponahill,Standsonhishinderlegswithlist’ningear,Tohearkenifhisfoespursuehimstill;

  Anontheirloudalarumshedothhear;

  AndnowhisgriefmaybecomparedwellToonesoresickthathearsthepassing—bell。

  ’Thenshaltthouseethedew—bedabbledwretchTurn,andreturn,indentingwiththeway;

  Eachenviousbrierhiswearylegsdoscratch,Eachshadowmakeshimstop,eachmurmurstay;

  Formiseryistroddenonbymany,Andbeinglowneverrelievedbyany。

  ’Liequietlyandhearalittlemore;

  Nay,donotstruggle,forthoushaltnotrise。

  Tomaketheehatethehuntingoftheboar,Unlikemyselfthouhear’stmemoralize,Applyingthistothat,andsotoso;

  Forlovecancommentuponeverywoe。

  ’WheredidIleave?’’Nomatterwhere,’quothhe;

  ’Leaveme,andthenthestoryaptlyends。

  Thenightisspent。’’Why,whatofthat?’quothshe。

  ’Iam’,quothhe,’expectedofmyfriends;

  Andnow’tisdark,andgoingIshallfall。’

  ’Innight’,quothshe,’desireseesbestofall。

  ’Butifthoufall,O,thenimaginethis,Theearth,inlovewiththee,thyfootingtrips,Andallisbuttorobtheeofakiss。

  Richpreysmaketruementhieves;sodothylipsMakemodestDiancloudyandforlorn,Lestsheshouldstealakiss,anddieforsworn。

  ’NowofthisdarknightIperceivethereason:

  Cynthiaforshameobscureshersilvershine,TillforgingNaturebecondemnedoftreason,Forstealingmouldsfromheaventhatweredivine,Whereinsheframedthee,inhighheaven’sdespite,Toshamethesunbydayandherbynight。

  ’AndthereforehathshebribedtheDestiniesTocrossthecuriousworkmanshipofNature,TominglebeautywithinfirmitiesAndpureperfectionwithimpuredefeature,MakingitsubjecttothetyrannyOfmadmischancesandmuchmisery;

  ’Asburningfevers,aguespaleandfaint,Life—poisoningpestilenceandfrenzieswood,Themarrow—eatingsicknesswhoseattaintDisorderbreedsbyheatingoftheblood,Surfeits,imposthumes,griefanddamneddespair,SwearNature’sdeathforframingtheesofair。

  ’AndnottheleastofallthesemaladiesButinoneminute’sfightbringsbeautyunder。

  Bothfavour,savour,hueandqualities,Whereatth’impartialgazerlatedidwonder,Areonthesuddenwasted,thawedanddone,Asmountainsnowmeltswiththemiddaysun。

  ’Therefore,despiteoffruitlesschastity,Love—lackingvestalsandself—lovingnuns,ThatontheearthwouldbreedascarcityAndbarrendearthofdaughtersandofsons,Beprodigal:thelampthatburnsbynightDriesuphisoiltolendtheworldhislight。

  ’Whatisthybodybutaswallowinggrave,SeemingtoburythatposterityWhichbytherightsoftimethouneedsmusthave,Ifthoudestroythemnotindarkobscurity?

  Ifso,theworldwillholdtheeindisdain,Sithinthypridesofairahopeisslain。

  ’Sointhyselfthyselfartmadeaway;

  Amischiefworsethancivilhome—bredstrife,Ortheirswhosedesperatehandsthemselvesdoslay,Orbutchersirethatreaveshissonoflife。

  Foulcank’ringrustthehiddentreasurefrets,Butgoldthat’sputtousemoregoldbegets。’

  ’Nay,then,’quothAdon,youwillfallagainIntoyouridleover—handiedtheme;

  ThekissIgaveyouisbestowedinvain,Andallinvainyoustriveagainstthestream;

  For,bythisblack—facednight,desire’sfoulnurse,Yourtreatisemakesmelikeyouworseandworse。

  ’Iflovehavelentyoutwentythousandtongues,Andeverytonguemoremovingthanyourown,Bewitchinglikethewantonmermaid’ssongs,Yetfrommineearthetemptingtuneisblown;

  Forknow,myheartstandsarmedinmineear,Andwillnotletafalsesoundenterthere,’LestthedeceivingharmonyshouldrunIntothequietclosureofmybreast;

  Andthenmylittleheartwerequiteundone,Inhisbedchambertobebarredofrest。

  No,lady,no;myheartlongsnottogroan,Butsoundlysleeps,whilenowitsleepsalone。

  ’WhathaveyouurgedthatIcannotreprove?

  Thepathissmooththatleadethontodanger;

  Ihatenotlove,butyourdeviceinloveThatlendsembracementsuntoeverystranger。

  Youdoitforincrease:Ostrangeexcuse,Whenreasonisthebawdtolust’sabuse!

  ’Callitnotlove,forLovetoheavenisfledSincesweatingLustonearthusurpedhisname;

  UnderwhosesimplesemblancehehathfedUponfreshbeauty,blottingitwithblame;

  Whichthehottyrantstainsandsoonbereaves,Ascaterpillarsdothetenderleaves。

  ’Lovecomfortethlikesunshineafterrain,ButLust’seffectistempestaftersun;

  Love’sgentlespringdothalwaysfreshremain,Lust’swintercomeseresummerhalfbedone;

  Lovesurfeitsnot,Lustlikeagluttondies;

  Loveisalltruth,Lustfullofforgedlies。

  ’MoreIcouldtell,butmoreIdarenotsay;

  Thetextisold,theoratortoogreen。

  Therefore,insadness,nowIwillaway;

  Myfaceisfullofshame,myheartofteen:

  MineearsthattoyourwantontalkattendedDoburnthemselvesforhavingsooffended。’

  Withthis,hebreakethfromthesweetembraceOfthosefairarmswhichboundhimtoherbreast,Andhomewardthroughthedarklawndrunsapace;

  LeavesLoveuponherbackdeeplydistressed。

  Lookhowabrightstarshootethfromthesky,SoglidesheinthenightfromVenus’eye;

  Whichafterhimshedarts,asoneonshoreGazinguponalate—embarkedfriend,Tillthewildwaveswillhavehimseennomore,Whoseridgeswiththemeetingcloudscontend;

  SodidthemercilessandpitchynightFoldintheobjectthatdidfeedhersight。

  WhereatamazedasonethatunawareHathdroppedapreciousjewelintheflood,Or’stonishedasnight—wand’rersoftenare,Theirlightblownoutinsomemistrustfulwood;

  Evensoconfoundedinthedarkshelay,Havinglostthefairdiscoveryofherway。

  Andnowshebeatsherheart,whereatitgroans,Thatalltheneighbourcaves,asseemingtroubled,Makeverbalrepetitionofhermoans;

  Passiononpassiondeeplyisredoubled:

  ’Ayme!’shecries,andtwentytimes,’Woe,woe!’

  Andtwentyechoestwentytimescryso。

  She,markingthem,beginsawailingnote,Andsingsextemporallyawoefulditty;

  Howlovemakesyoungmenthrall,andoldmendote;

  Howloveiswiseinfolly,foolishwitty:

  Herheavyanthemstillconcludesinwoe,Andstillthechoirofechoesanswerso。

  Hersongwastedious,andoutworethenight,Forlovers’hoursarelong,thoughseemingshort;

  Ifpleasedthemselves,others,theythink,delightInsuch—likecircumstance,withsuch—likesport。

  Theircopiousstories,oftentimesbegun,Endwithoutaudience,andareneverdone。

  ForwhohathshetospendthenightwithalButidlesoundsresemblingparasites,Likeshrill—tonguedtapstersansweringeverycall,Soothingthehumouroffantasticwits?

  Shesays’’Tisso’;theyanswerall’’Tisso’;

  Andwouldsayafterher,ifshesaid’No’。

  Lo,herethegentlelark,wearyofrest,Fromhismoistcabinetmountsuponhigh,Andwakesthemorning,fromwhosesilverbreastThesunarisethinhismajesty;

  WhodoththeworldsogloriouslybeholdThatcedar—topsandhillsseemburnishedgold。

  Venussaluteshimwiththisfairgood—morrow:

  ’Othoucleargod,andpatronofalllight,FromwhomeachlampandshiningstardothborrowThebeauteousinfluencethatmakeshimbright,TherelivesasonthatsuckedanearthlymotherMaylendtheelight,asthoudostlendtoother。’

  Thissaid,shehastethtoamyrtlegrove,Musingthemorningissomucho’erworn,Andyetshehearsnotidingsofherlove;

  Shehearkensforhishoundsandforhishorn。

  Anonshehearsthemchantitlustily,Andallinhasteshecoastethtothecry。

  Andassheruns,thebushesinthewaySomecatchherbytheneck,somekissherface,Sometwindaboutherthightomakeherstay;

  Shewildlybreakethfromtheirstrictembrace,Likeamilchdoe,whoseswellingdugsdoache,Hastingtofeedherfawnhidinsomebrake。

  Bythisshehearsthehoundsareatabay;

  Whereatshestarts,likeonethatspiesanadderWreathedupinfatalfoldsjustinhisway,Thefearwhereofdothmakehimshakeandshudder;

  EvensothetimorousyelpingofthehoundsAppalshersensesandherspiritconfounds。

  Fornowsheknowsitisnogentlechase,Butthebluntboar,roughbear,orlionproud,Becausethecryremainethinoneplace,Wherefearfullythedogsexclaimaloud。

  Findingtheirenemytobesocurst,Theyallstraincourt’sywhoshallcopehimfirst。

  Thisdismalcryringssadlyinhercar,Throughwhichitenterstosurpriseherheart;

  Who,overcomebydoubtandbloodlessfear,Withcold—paleweaknessnumbseachfeelingpart;

  Likesoldiers,whentheircaptainoncedothyield,Theybaselyflyanddarenotstaythefield。

  Thusstandssheinatremblingecstasy;

  Till,cheeringuphersensesalldismayed,Shetellsthem’tisacauselessfantasy,Andchildisherror,thattheyareafraid;

  Bidsthemleavequaking,bidsthemfearnomore;

  Andwiththatwordshespiedthehuntedboar,Whosefrothymouth,bepaintedallwithred,Likemilkandbloodbeingmingledbothtogether,Asecondfearthroughallhersinewsspread,Whichmadlyhurrieshersheknowsnotwhither:

  Thiswaysheruns,andnowshewillnofurther,Butbackretirestoratetheboarformurther。

  Athousandspleensbearherathousandways;

  Shetreadsthepaththatsheuntreadsagain;

  Hermorethanhasteismatedwithdelays,Liketheproceedingsofadrunkenbrain,Fullofrespects,yetnoughtatallrespecting,Inhandwithallthings,noughtatalleffecting。

  Herekennelledinabrakeshefindsahound,Andasksthewearycaitiffforhismaster;

  Andthereanotherlickingofhiswound,’Gainstvenomedsorestheonlysovereignplaster;

  Andhereshemeetsanothersadlyscowling,Towhomshespeaks,andhereplieswithhowling。

  Whenhehathceasedhisill—resoundingnoise,Anotherflap—mouthedmourner,blackandgrim,Againstthewelkinvolleysouthisvoice;

  Anotherandanotheranswerhim,Clappingtheirproudtailstothegroundbelow,Shakingtheirscratchedears,bleedingastheygo。

  Lookhowtheworld’spoorpeopleareamazedAtapparitions,signsandprodigies,Whereonwithfearfuleyestheylonghavegazed,Infusingthemwithdreadfulprophecies;

  Sosheatthesesadsignsdrawsupherbreath,And,sighingitagain,exclaimsonDeath。

  ’Hard—favouredtyrant,ugly,meagre,lean,Hatefuldivorceoflove’—thuschidessheDeath—

  ’Grim—grinningghost,earth’sworm,whatdostthoumeanTostiflebeautyandtostealhisbreathWhowhenhelived,hisbreathandbeautysetGlossontherose,smelltotheviolet?

  ’Ifhebedead—Ono,itcannotbe,Seeinghisbeauty,thoushouldststrikeatit—

  Oyes,itmay;thouhastnoeyestosee,Buthatefullyatrandomdostthouhit。

  Thymarkisfeebleage;butthyfalsedartMistakesthataim,andcleavesaninfant’sheart。

  ’Hadstthoubutbidbeware,thenhehadspoke,And,hearinghim,thypowerhadlosthispower。

  TheDestinieswillcursetheeforthisstroke;

  Theybidtheecropaweed,thoupluck’staflower。

  Love’sgoldenarrowathimshouldhavefled,AndnotDeath’sebondart,tostrikehimdead。

  ’Dostthoudrinktears,thatthouprovokestsuchweeping?

  Whatmayaheavygroanadvantagethee?

  WhyhastthoucastintoeternalsleepingThoseeyesthattaughtallothereyestosee?

  NowNaturecaresnotforthymortalvigour,Sinceherbestworkisruinedwiththyrigour。’

  Hereovercomeasonefullofdespair,Shevailedhereyelids,who,likesluices,stoppedThecrystaltidethatfromhertwocheeksfairInthesweetchannelofherbosomdropped;

  Butthroughtheflood—gatesbreaksthesilverrain,Andwithhisstrongcourseopensthemagain。

  O,howhereyesandtearsdidlendandborrow!

  Hereyeseeninthetears,tearsinhereye;

  Bothcrystals,wheretheyviewedeachother’ssorrow,Sorrowthatfriendlysighssoughtstilltodry;

  Butlikeastormyday,nowwind,nowrain,Sighsdryhercheeks,tearsmakethemwetagain。

  Variablepassionsthrongherconstantwoe,Asstrivingwhoshouldbestbecomehergrief,Allentertained,eachpassionlabourssoThateverypresentsorrowseemethchief,Butnoneisbest。Thenjointheyalltogether,Likemanycloudsconsultingforfoulweather。

  Bythis,faroffshehearssomehuntsmanholla;

  Anurse’ssongne’erpleasedherbabesowell。

  ThedireimaginationshedidfollowThissoundofhopedothlabourtoexpel;

  Fornowrevivingjoybidsherrejoice,AndflattersheritisAdonis’voice。

  Whereathertearsbegantoturntheirtide,Beingprisonedinhereyelikepearlsinglass;

  Yetsometimesfallsanorientdropbeside,Whichhercheekmelts,asscorningitshouldpassTowashthefoulfaceofthesluttishground,Whoisbutdrunkenwhensheseemethdrowned。

  Ohard—believinglove,howstrangeitseemsNottobelieve,andyettoocredulous!

  Thywealandwoearebothofthemextremes;

  Despair,andhopemakestheeridiculous:

  Theonedothflattertheeinthoughtsunlikely,Inlikelythoughtstheotherkillstheequickly。

  Nowsheunweavesthewebthatshehathwrought;

  Adonislives,andDeathisnottoblame;

  Itwasnotshethatcalledhimalltonought。

  Nowsheaddshonourstohishatefulname;

  Sheclepeshimkingofgraves,andgraveforkings,Imperioussupremeofallmortalthings。

  ’No,no,’quothshe,’sweetDeath,Ididbutjest;

  Yetpardonme,IfeltakindoffearWhenasImettheboar,thatbloodybeast,Whichknowsnopity,butisstillsevere。

  Then,gentleshadow—truthImustconfess—

  Irailedonthee,fearingmylove’sdecease。

  ’’Tisnotmyfault:theboarprovokedmytongue;

  Bewreakedonhim,invisiblecommander;

  ’Tishe,foulcreature,thathathdonetheewrong;

  Ididbutact,he’sauthorofthyslander。

  Griefhathtwotongues,andneverwomanyetCouldrulethembothwithbuttenwomen’swit。’

  Thus,hopingthatAdonisisalive,Herrashsuspectshedothextenuate;

  Andthathisbeautymaythebetterthrive,WithDeathshehumblydothinsinuate;

  Tellshimoftrophies,statues,tombs,andstoriesHisvictories,histriumphsandhisglories。

  ’OJove,’quothshe,’howmuchafoolwasI

  TobeofsuchaweakandsillymindTowailhisdeathwholivesandmustnotdieTillmutualoverthrowofmortalkind!

  Forhebeingdead,withhimisBeautyslain,And,Beautydead,blackChaoscomesagain。

  ’Fie,fie,fondlove,thouartasfulloffearAsonewithtreasureladen,hemmedwiththieves;

  TriflesunwitnessedwitheyeorearThycowardheartwithfalsebethinkinggrieves。’

  Evenatthiswordshehearsamerryhorn,Whereatsheleapsthatwasbutlateforlorn。

  Asfalconstothelure,awaysheflies;

  Thegrassstoopsnot,shetreadsonitsolight;

  AndinherhasteunfortunatelyspiesThefoulboar’sconquestonherfairdelight;

  Whichseen,hereyes,asmurd’redwiththeview,Likestarsashamedofday,themselveswithdrew;

  Orasthesnail,whosetenderhornsbeinghit,Shrinksbackwardinhisshellycavewithpain,Andthereallsmoth’redupinshadedothsit,Longafterfearingtocreepforthagain;

  SoathisbloodyviewhereyesarefledIntothedeep—darkcabinsofherhead;

  WheretheyresigntheirofficeandtheirlightTothedisposingofhertroubledbrain;

  Whobidsthemstillconsortwithuglynight,Andneverwoundtheheartwithlooksagain;

  Who,likeakingperplexedinhisthrone,Bytheirsuggestiongivesadeadlygroan,Whereateachtributarysubjectquakes;

  Aswhenthewind,imprisonedintheground,Strugglingforpassage,earth’sfoundationshakes,Whichwithcoldterrordothmen’smindsconfound。

  Thismutinyeachpartdothsosurprise,Thatfromtheirdarkbedsoncemoreleaphereyes;

  Andbeingopened,threwunwillinglightUponthewidewoundthattheboarhadtrenchedInhissoftflank;whosewontedlilywhiteWithpurpletearsthathiswoundweptwasdrenched:

  Noflowerwasnigh,nograss,herb,leaforweed,Butstolehisbloodandseemedwithhimtobleed。

  ThissolemnsympathypoorVenusnoteth;

  Overoneshoulderdothshehangherhead;

  Dumblyshepassions,franticlyshedoteth;

  Shethinkshecouldnotdie,heisnotdead。

  Hervoiceisstopped,herjointsforgettobow;

  Hereyesaremadthattheyhavewepttillnow。

  UponhishurtshelookssosteadfastlyThathersightdazzlingmakesthewoundseemthree;

  AndthenshereprehendshermanglingeyeThatmakesmoregasheswherenobreachshouldbe:

  Hisfaceseemstwain,eachseverallimbisdoubled;

  Forofttheeyemistakes,thebrainbeingtroubled。

  ’Mytonguecannotexpressmygriefforone,Andyet,’quothshe,’beholdtwoAdonsdead!

  Mysighsareblownaway,mysalttearsgone,Mineeyesareturnedtofire,myhearttolead;

  Heavyheart’slead,meltatmineeyes’redfire!

  SoshallIdiebydropsofhotdesire。

  ’Alas,poorworld,whattreasurehastthoulost!

  Whatfaceremainsalivethat’sworththeviewing?

  Whosetongueismusicnow?whatcanstthouboastOfthingslongsince,oranythingensuing?

  Theflowersaresweet,theircoloursfreshandtrim;

  Buttruesweetbeautylivedanddiedwithhim。

  ’Bonnetnorveilhenceforthnocreaturewear;

  Norsunnorwindwilleverstrivetokissyou。

  Havingnofairtolose,youneednotfear;

  Thesundothscornyou,andthewinddothhissyou。

  ButwhenAdonislived,sunandsharpairLurkedliketwothievestorobhimofhisfair;

  ’Andthereforewouldheputhisbonneton,Underwhosebrimthegaudysunwouldpeep;

  Thewindwouldblowitoff,and,beinggone,Playwithhislocks。ThenwouldAdonisweep;

  Andstraight,inpityofhistenderyears,Theybothwouldstrivewhofirstshoulddryhistears。

  ’ToseehisfacethelionwalkedalongBehindsomehedge,becausehewouldnotfearhim;

  Torecreatehimselfwhenhehathsung,Thetigerwouldbetameandgentlyhearhim;

  Ifhehadspoke,thewolfwouldleavehisprey,Andneverfrightthesillylambthatday。

  ’Whenhebeheldhisshadowinthebrook,Thefishesspreadonittheirgoldengills;

  Whenhewasby,thebirdssuchpleasuretookThatsomewouldsing,someotherintheirbillsWouldbringhimmulberriesandripe—redcherries;

  Hefedthemwithhissight,theyhimwithbeffies。

  ’Butthisfoul,grim,andurchin—snoutedboar,Whosedownwardeyestilllookethforagrave,Ne’ersawthebeauteousliverythathewore;

  Witnesstheentertainmentthathegave。

  Ifhedidseehisface,whythenIknowHethoughttokisshim,andhathkilledhimso。

  ’’Tistrue,’tistrue;thuswasAdonisslain:

  Heranupontheboarwithhissharpspear,Whodidnotwhethisteethathimagain,Butbyakissthoughttopersuadehimthere;

  Andnuzzlinginhisflank,thelovingswineSheathedunawarethetuskinhissoftgroin。

  ’HadIbeentoothedlikehim,Imustconfess,WithkissinghimIshouldhavekilledhimfirst;

  Butheisdead,andneverdidheblessMyyouthwithhis;themoreamIaccurst。’

  Withthis,shefallethintheplaceshestood,Andstainsherfacewithhiscongealedblood。

  Shelooksuponhislips,andtheyarepale;

  Shetakeshimbythehand,andthatiscold;

  Shewhispersinhisearsaheavytale,Asiftheyheardthewoefulwordsshetold;

  Sheliftsthecoffer—lidsthatclosehiseyes,Where,lo,twolamps,burntout,indarknesslies;

  Twoglasses,whereherselfherselfbeheldAthousandtimes,andnownomore,reflect;

  Theirvirtuelostwhereintheylateexcelled,Andeverybeautyrobbedofhiseffect。

  ’Wonderoftime,’quothshe,’thisismyspite,That,thoubeingdead,thedayshouldyetbelight。

  ’Sincethouartdead,lo,hereIprophesySorrowonlovehereaftershallattend;

  Itshallbewaitedonwithjealousy,Findsweetbeginningbutunsavouryend;

  Ne’ersettledequally,buthighorlow,Thatalllove’spleasureshallnotmatchhiswoe。

  ’Itshallbefickle,falseandfulloffraud;

  Bud,andbeblasted,inabreathingwhile;

  Thebottompoison,andthetopo’erstrawedWithsweetsthatshallthetruestsightbeguile;

  Thestrongestbodyshallitmakemostweak,Strikethewisedumb,andteachthefooltospeak。

  ’Itshallbesparing,andtoofullofriot,Teachingdecrepitagetotreadthemeasures;

  Thestaringruffianshallitkeepinquiet,Pluckdowntherich,enrichthepoorwithtreasures;

  Itshallberaging—mad,andsilly—mild,Maketheyoungold,theoldbecomeachild。

  ’Itshallsuspectwhereisnocauseoffear;

  Itshallnotfearwhereitshouldmostmistrust;

  Itshallbemercifulandtoosevere,Andmostdeceivingwhenitseemsmostjust;

  Perverseitshallbewhereitshowsmosttoward,Putfeartovalour,couragetothecoward。

  ’Itshallbecauseofwaranddireevents,Andsetdissension’twixtthesonandsire;

  Subjectandserviletoalldiscontents,Asdrycombustiousmatteristofire。

  Sithinhisprimedeathdothmylovedestroy,Theythatlovebesttheirlovesshallnotenjoy。’

  BythistheboythatbyhersidelaykilledWasmeltedlikeavapourfromhersight,AndinhisbloodthatonthegroundlayspilledApurpleflowersprungup,chequ’redwithwhite,Resemblingwellhispalecheeks,andthebloodWhichinrounddropsupontheirwhitenessstood。

  Shebowsherheadthenew—sprungflowertosmell,ComparingittoherAdonis’breath;

  Andsayswithinherbosomitshalldwell,Sincehehimselfisreftfromherbydeath;

  Shecropsthestalk,andinthebreachappearsGreen—droppingsap,whichshecomparestotears。

  ’Poorflower,’quothshe,’thiswasthyfather’sguiseSweetissueofamoresweet—smellingsireForeverylittlegrieftowethiseyes。

  Togrowuntohimselfwashisdesire,Andso’tisthine;butknow,itisasgoodTowitherinmybreastasinhisblood。

  ’Herewasthyfather’sbed,hereinmybreast;

  Thouartthenextofblood,and’tisthyright。

  Lo,inthishollowcradletakethyrest;

  Mythrobbingheartshallrocktheedayandnight;

  ThereshallnotbeoneminuteinanhourWhereinIwillnotkissmysweetlove’sflower。’

  Thuswearyoftheworld,awayshehies,Andyokeshersilverdoves,bywhoseswiftaidTheirmistress,mounted,throughtheemptyskiesInherlightchariotquicklyisconveyed,HoldingtheircoursetoPaphos,wheretheirqueenMeanstoimmureherselfandnotbeseen。

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