首页 >出版文学> VENUS AND ADONIS>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;