Venus and Adonis (Modern)
Peer Reviewed
¶This solemn sympathy, poor Venus noteth.
¶Over one shoulder doth she hang her head.
¶Dumbly she passions; franticly she doteth.
1060She thinks he could not die; he is not dead.
¶_Her voice is stopped; her joints forget to bow;
¶_Her eyes are mad that they have wept till now.
¶Upon his hurt she looks so steadfastly,
¶That her sight dazzling makes the wound seem three;
1065And then she reprehends her mangling eye,
¶That makes more gashes where no breach should be.
¶_His face seems twain; each several limb is doubled;
¶_For oft the eye mistakes, the brain being troubled.
¶"My tongue cannot express my grief for one,
1070And yet," quoth she, "behold two Adons dead.
¶My sighs are blown away; my salt tears gone;
¶Mine eyes are turned to fire; my heart to lead.
¶_Heavy heart's lead, melt at mine eyes' red fire;
¶_So shall I die by drops of hot desire.
1075"Alas, poor world, what treasure hast thou lost;
¶What face remains alive that's worth the viewing?
¶Whose tongue is music now? What canst thou boast
¶Of things long since, or anything ensuing?
¶_The flowers are sweet, their colors fresh and trim;
1080_But true sweet beauty lived and died with him.
