Peer Reviewed
- Edition: Venus and Adonis
Venus and Adonis (Modern)
- Texts of this edition
- Facsimiles
782Into the quiet closure of my breast,
783And then my little heart were quite undone
784In his bedchamber to be barred of rest.
785 No, lady, no. My heart longs not to groan,
786 But soundly sleeps, while now it sleeps alone.
788The path is smooth that leadeth on to danger.
789I hate not love, but your device in love,
790That lends embracements unto every stranger.
791 You do it for increase. O strange excuse,
792 When reason is the bawd to lust's abuse!
794Since sweating lust on earth usurped his name,
795Under whose simple semblance he hath fed
796Upon fresh beauty, blotting it with blame,
797 Which the hot tyrant stains and soon bereaves,
798 As caterpillars do the tender leaves.
800But lust's effect is tempest after sun.
801Love's gentle spring doth always fresh remain;
802Lust's winter comes ere summer half be done.
803 Love surfeits not; lust like a glutton dies.
804 Love is all truth; lust full of forgèd lies.
806The text is old; the orator too green.
807Therefore in sadness now I will away.
808My face is full of shame; my heart of teen.
809 Mine ears that to your wanton talk attended
810 Do burn themselves for having so offended."