111From the besièged Ardea all in post,

22Borne by the trustless wings of false desire,

33Lust-breathèd Tarquin leaves the Roman host

44And to Collatium bears the lightless fire,

55Which, in pale embers hid, lurks to aspire

66And girdle with embracing flames the waist

77Of Collatine's fair love, Lucrece, the chaste.

288Haply that name of "chaste" unhapp'ly set

99This bateless edge on his keen appetite,

1010When Collatine unwisely did not let

1111To praise the clear unmatchèd red and white,

1212Which triumphed in that sky of his delight,

1313Where mortal stars, as bright as heaven's beauties,

1414With pure aspects did him peculiar duties.

31515For he the night before, in Tarquin's tent,

1616Unlocked the treasure of his happy state:

1717What priceless wealth the heavens had him lent

1818In the possession of his beauteous mate,

1919Reck'ning his fortune at such high proud rate

2020That kings might be espousèd to more fame,

2121But king nor peer to such a peerless dame.

42222O happiness enjoyed but of a few,

2323And, if possessed, as soon decayed and done

2424As is the morning silver melting dew

2525Against the golden splendor of the sun;

2626An expired date, canceled ere well begun.

2727Honor and beauty in the owner's arms

2828Are weakly fortressed from a world of harms.

52929Beauty itself doth of itself persuade

3030The eyes of men without an orator.

3131What needeth then apology be made

3232To set forth that which is so singular?

3333Or why is Collatine the publisher

3434Of that rich jewel he should keep unknown

3535From thievish ears, because it is his own?