Venus and Adonis (Modern)
Peer Reviewed
¶This ill presage advisedly she marketh.
¶Even as the wind is hushed before it raineth,
¶Or as the wolf doth grin before he barketh,
460Or as the berry breaks before it staineth,
¶_Or like the deadly bullet of a gun,
¶_His meaning struck her ere his words begun.
¶And at his look she flatly falleth down,
¶For looks kill love, and love by looks reviveth.
465A smile recures the wounding of a frown,
¶But blessèd bankrupt that by love so thriveth.
¶_The silly boy, believing she is dead,
¶_Claps her pale cheek till clapping makes it red.
¶And, all amazed, brake off his late intent,
470For sharply he did think to reprehend her,
¶Which cunning love did wittily prevent.
¶Fair fall the wit that can so well defend her;
¶_For on the grass she lies as she were slain,
¶_Till his breath breatheth life in her again.
