Venus and Adonis (Modern)
Peer Reviewed
¶"What have you urged that I cannot reprove?
¶The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.
¶I hate not love, but your device in love,
790That lends embracements unto every stranger.
¶_You do it for increase. O strange excuse,
¶_When reason is the bawd to lust's abuse!
¶"Call it not love, for love to heaven is fled
¶Since sweating lust on earth usurped his name,
795Under whose simple semblance he hath fed
¶Upon fresh beauty, blotting it with blame,
¶_Which the hot tyrant stains and soon bereaves,
¶_As caterpillars do the tender leaves.
¶"Love comforteth like sunshine after rain,
800But lust's effect is tempest after sun.
¶Love's gentle spring doth always fresh remain;
¶Lust's winter comes ere summer half be done.
¶_Love surfeits not; lust like a glutton dies.
¶_Love is all truth; lust full of forgèd lies.
