51351351"Then Love and Fortune be my gods, my guide.

352352My will is backed with resolution.

353353Thoughts are but dreams till their effects be tried.

354354The blackest sin is cleared with absolution.

355355Against love's fire, fear's frost hath dissolution.

356356The eye of heaven is out, and misty night

357357Covers the shame that follows sweet delight."

52358358This said, his guilty hand plucked up the latch,

359359And with his knee the door he opens wide.

360360The dove sleeps fast that this night-owl will catch;

361361Thus treason works ere traitors be espied.

362362Who sees the lurking serpent steps aside;

363363But, she, sound sleeping, fearing no such thing,

364364Lies at the mercy of his mortal sting.

53365365Into the chamber wickedly he stalks,

366366And gazeth on her yet unstainèd bed.

367367The curtains being close, about he walks,

368368Rolling his greedy eyeballs in his head.

369369By their high treason is his heart misled,

370370Which gives the watchword to his hand full soon

371371To draw the cloud that hides the silver moon.

54372372Look as the fair and fiery-pointed sun,

373373Rushing from forth a cloud, bereaves our sight;

374374Even so, the curtain drawn, his eyes begun

375375To wink, being blinded with a greater light.

376376Whether it is that she reflects so bright

377377That dazzleth them, or else some shame supposed;

378378But blind they are, and keep themselves enclosed.

55379379O had they in that darksome prison died,

380380Then had they seen the period of their ill;

381381Then Collatine again by Lucrece' side

382382In his clear bed might have reposèd still.

383383But they must ope, this blessèd league to kill,

384384And holy-thoughted Lucrece to their sight

385385Must sell her joy, her life, her world's delight.