第1章

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;