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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.

    1FROM the besieged Ardea all in post,
    Borne by the trustlesse wings of false desire,
    Lust-breathed TARQVIN, leaues the Roman host,
    And to Colatium beares the lightlesse fire,
    5Which in pale embers hid, lurkes to aspire,
    And girdle with embracing flames, the wast
    Of COLATINES fair loue, LVCRECE the chast.

    Hap'ly that name of chast, vnhap'ly set
    This batelesse edge on his keene appetite:
    10When COLATINE vnwisely did not let,
    To praise the cleare vnmatched red and white,
    Which triumpht in that skie of his delight:
    Where mortal stars as bright as heauēs Beauties,
    With pure aspects did him peculiar dueties.
    B
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