Internet Shakespeare Editions

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    Not Peer Reviewed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.

    Thus he replies, the colour in thy face,
    That euen for anger makes the Lilly pale,
    And the red rose blush at her owne disgrace,
    480Shall plead for me and tell my louing tale.
    Vnder that colour am I come to scale
    Thy neuer conquered Fort, the fault is thine,
    For those thine eyes betray thee vnto mine.

    Thus I forestall thee, if thou meane to chide,
    485Thy beauty hath ensnar'd thee to this night,
    Where thou with patience must my will abide,
    My will that markes thee for my earths delight,
    Which I to conquer sought with all my might.
    But as reproofe and reason beat it dead,
    490 By thy bright beautie was it newlie bred.

    I see what crosses my attempt will bring,
    I know what thornes the growing rose defends,
    I thinke the honie garded with a sting,
    All this before-hand counsell comprehends.
    495But Will is deafe, and hears no heedfull friends,
    Onely he hath an eye to gaze on Beautie,
    And dotes on what he looks, gainst law or duety.
    I