Venus and Adonis (Modern)
Peer Reviewed
¶At this Adonis smiles as in disdain,
¶That in each cheek appears a pretty dimple.
¶Love made those hollows, if himself were slain,
¶He might be buried in a tomb so simple,
245_Foreknowing well, if there he came to lie,
¶_Why, there love lived, and there he could not die.
¶These lovely caves, these round enchanting pits,
¶Opened their mouths to swallow Venus' liking.
¶Being mad before, how doth she now for wits?
250Struck dead at first, what needs a second striking?
¶_Poor queen of love, in thine own law forlorn,
¶_To love a cheek that smiles at thee in scorn.
¶Now which way shall she turn? What shall she say?
¶Her words are done; her woes the more increasing.
255The time is spent; her object will away;
¶And from her twining arms doth urge releasing.
¶_"Pity," she cries. "Some favor, some remorse."
¶_Away he springs and hasteth to his horse.
