Venus and Adonis (Modern)
Peer Reviewed
¶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.
¶But, lo, from forth a copse that neighbors by,
260A breeding jennet, lusty, young, and proud,
¶Adonis' trampling courser doth espy;
¶And forth she rushes, snorts, and neighs aloud.
¶_The strong-necked steed, being tied unto a tree,
¶_Breaketh his rein, and to her straight goes he.
