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Venus and Adonis (Quarto 1, 1592-3)

Author: William Shakespeare
Editor: Hardy M. Cook
Peer Reviewed
VENVS AND ADONIS.

An Ouen that is stopt, or riuer stayd,
Burneth more hotly, swelleth with more rage:
So of concealed sorow may be sayd,
Free vent of words loues fier doth asswage,
335But when the hearts atturney once is mute,
The client breakes, as desperat in his sute.

He sees her comming, and begins to glow:
Euen as a dying coale reuiues with winde,
And with his bonnet hides his angrie brow,
340Lookes on the dull earth with disturbed minde:
Taking no notice that she is so nye,
For all askance he holds her in his eye.

O what a sight it was wistly to view,
How she came stealing to the wayward boy,
345To note the fighting conflict of her hew,
How white and red, ech other did destroy:
But now her cheeke was pale, and by and by
It flasht forth fire, as lightning from the skie.

Now was she iust before him as he sat,
350And like a lowly louer downe she kneeles,
VVith one faire hand she heaueth vp his hat,
Her other tender hand his faire cheeke feeles:
His tendrer cheeke, receiues her soft hands print,
As apt, as new falne snow takes any dint.