24116811681"And for my sake, when I might charm thee so,
16821682For she that was thy Lucrece, now attend me.
16841684Thine, mine, his own. Suppose thou dost defend me
16851685From what is past. The help that thou shalt lend me
16861686Comes all too late, yet let the traitor die,
16871687For sparing justice feeds iniquity."
24216881688"But ere I name him, you fair lords," quoth she,
16891689Speaking to those that came with Collatine,
16901690"Shall plight your honorable faiths to me
16911691With swift pursuit to venge this wrong of mine;
16921692For 'tis a meritorious fair design
16931693To chase injustice with revengeful arms.
16941694Knights, by their oaths, should right poor ladies' harms."
16961696Each present lord began to promise aid,
16971697As bound in knighthood to her imposition,
16981698Longing to hear the hateful foe bewrayed.
But she, that yet her sad task hath not said,
17001700The protestation stops. "O, speak," quoth she,
17011701"How may this forcèd stain be wiped from me?"
17031703Being constrained with dreadful circumstance?
17041704May my pure mind with the foul act dispense,
17051705My low-declinèd honor to advance?
17061706May any terms acquit me from this chance?
17071707The poisoned fountain clears itself again,
17081708And why not I from this compellèd stain?"
17101710Her body's stain her mind untainted clears,
17111711While with a joyless smile she turns away
17121712The face, that map which deep impression bears
17131713Of hard misfortune, carved it in with tears.
17141714"No, no," quoth she, "no dame hereafter living
17151715By my excuse shall claim excuse's giving."