Venus and Adonis (Modern)
Author: William ShakespeareEditor: Hardy M. CookPeer Reviewed
¶"It shall be cause of war and dire events,
1160And set dissention twixt the son and sire,
¶Subject and servile to all discontents,
¶As dry combustious matter is to fire.
¶_Sith in his prime death doth my love destroy,
¶_They that love best their loves shall not enjoy."
1165By this, the boy that by her side lay killed
¶Was melted like a vapor from her sight,
¶And in his blood that on the ground lay spilled
¶A purple flower sprung up, checkered with white,
¶_Resembling well his pale cheeks and the blood
1170_Which in round drops upon their whiteness stood.
¶She bows her head, the new-sprung flower to smell,
¶Comparing it to her Adonis' breath,
¶And says within her bosom it shall dwell,
¶Since he himself is reft from her by death.
1175_She crops the stalk, and in the breach appears
¶_Green-dropping sap, which she compares to tears.