Toolbox



Textual Analysis

[ Go ]

Shakespeare on Stage
SIP Editors, King Henry VIII. To Aug. 4, 2013.
Original Shakespeare Company, Comedie of Errors. To Jun. 22, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, All's Well That Ends Well. To Nov. 29, 2013.
Original Shakespeare Company, A Midsommer Night's Dreame (Midsummer Midsommer). To Jun. 21, 2013.
American Shakespeare Center, Return to the Forbidden Planet. To Dec. 1, 2013.
More Performances…
‌

Venus and Adonis (Quarto 1, 1592-3)

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

On his bow-backe, he hath a battell set,
620Of brisly pikes that euer threat his foes,
His eyes like glow-wormes shine, when he doth fret
His snout digs sepulchers where ere he goes,
Being mou'd he strikes, what ere is in his way,
And whom he strikes, his crooked tushes slay.

625His brawnie sides with hairie bristles armed,
Are better proofe then thy speares point can enter,
His short thick necke cannot be easily harmed,
Being irefull, on the lyon he will venter,
The thornie brambles, and imbracing bushes,
630As fearefull of him part, through whom he rushes.

Alas, he naught esteem's that face of thine,
To which loues eyes paies tributarie gazes,
Nor thy soft handes, sweet lips, and christall eine,
VVhose full perfection all the world amazes,
635But hauing thee at vantage (wondrous dread!)
VVold roote these beauties, as he root's the mead.

Oh let him keep his loathsome cabin still,
Beautie hath nanght to do with such foule fiends,
Come not within his danger by thy will,
640They that thriue well, take counsell of their friends,
VVhen thou didst name the boare, not to dissēble,
I feard thy fortune, aud my ioynts did tremble.
E ij