Venus and Adonis (Modern)
Peer Reviewed
1Even as the sun with purple-colored face
¶Had ta'en his last leave of the weeping morn,
¶Rose-cheeked Adonis hied him to the chase.
¶Hunting he loved, but love he laughed to scorn.
5_Sick-thoughted Venus makes amain unto him
¶_And like a bold-faced suitor 'gins to woo him.
¶"Thrice fairer than myself," thus she began,
¶"The field's chief flower, sweet above compare,
¶Stain to all nymphs, more lovely than a man,
10More white and red than doves or roses are.
¶_Nature that made thee with herself at strife
¶_Saith that the world hath ending with thy life.
¶"Vouchsafe, thou wonder, to alight thy steed
¶And rein his proud head to the saddlebow.
15If thou wilt deign this favor, for thy meed
¶A thousand honey secrets shalt thou know.
¶_Here come and sit, where never serpent hisses,
¶_And being set, I'll smother thee with kisses.
