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  • 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    Not Peer Reviewed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.

    Looke as the faire and fierie pointed Sunne,
    Rushing from forth a cloud, bereaues our sight:
    Euen so the Curtaine drawne, his eyes begun
    375To winke, being blinded with a greater light.
    Whether it is that shee reflects so bright,
    That dazleth them, or else some shame supposed,
    But blind they are, and keep themselues inclosed.

    O had they in that darkesome prison died,
    380Then had they seene the period of their ill:
    Then COLATINE againe by LVCRECE side,
    In his cleare bed might haue reposed still.
    But they must ope this blessed league to kill,
    And holie-thoughted LVCRECE to their sight,
    385 Must sell her ioy, her life, her worlds delight.

    Her lillie hand, her rosie cheeke lies vnder,
    Coosning the pillow of a lawfull kisse:
    Who therefore angrie seemes to part in sunder,
    Swelling on either side to want his blisse.
    390Betweene whose hils her head intombed is;
    Where like a vertuous Monument shee lies,
    To be admir'd of lewd vnhallowed eyes.
    D 2
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