Internet Shakespeare Editions

Toolbox




Jump to line
Through Line Number
Help on texts
About this text
Print this page

About this text

  • Title: Lucrece (Quarto, 1594)
  • Editor: Hardy M. Cook

    • ISBN: 978-1-55058-411-0

    Copyright Hardy M. Cook. This text may be freely used for educational, non-profit purposes; for all other uses contact the Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Hardy M. Cook
    Not Peer Reviewed

    Lucrece (Quarto, 1594)

    THE RAPE OF LVCRECE.

    As each vnwilling portall yeelds him way,
    310Through little vents and cranies of the place,
    The wind warres with his torch, to make him staie,
    And blowes the smoake of it into his face,
    Extinguishing his conduct in this case.
    But his hot heart, which fond desire doth scorch,
    315 Puffes forth another wind that fires the torch.

    And being lighted, by the light he spies
    LVCRECIAS gloue, wherein her needle sticks,
    He takes it from the rushes where it lies,
    And griping it, the needle his finger pricks.
    320As who should say, this gloue to wanton trickes
    Is not inur'd; returne againe in hast,
    Thou seest our mistresse ornaments are chast.

    But all these poore forbiddings could not stay him,
    He in the worst sence consters their deniall:
    325The dores, the wind, the gloue that did delay him,
    He takes for accidentall things of triall.
    Or as those bars which stop the hourely diall,
    Who with a lingring staie his course doth let,
    Till euerie minute payes the howre his debt.
    So
    About
    Contact us
    Content quality
    Site guide
    © Internet Shakespeare Editions
    Copyright details
    Privacy policy
    This site is supported by:
    University of Victoria
    Friends of the ISE
    SSHRC