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    Not Peer Reviewed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.

    Deare Lord of that deare iewell I haue lost,
    What legacie shall I bequeath to thee?
    My resolution loue shall be thy bost,
    By whose example thou reueng'd mayst be.
    1195How TARQVIN must be vs'd, read it in me,
    My selfe thy friend will kill my selfe thy fo,
    And for my sake serue thou false TARQVIN so.

    This briefe abridgement of my will I make,
    My soule and bodie to the skies and ground:
    1200My resolution Husband doe thou take,
    Mine Honor be the knifes that makes my wound,
    My shame be his that did my Fame confound;
    And all my Fame that liues disbursed be,
    To those that liue and thinke no shame of me.

    1205Thou COLATINE shalt ouersee this will,
    How was I ouerseene that thou shalt see it?
    My bloud shall wash the sclander of mine ill,
    My liues foule deed my lifes faire end shall free it.
    Faint not faint heart, but stoutlie say so be it,
    1210 Yeeld to my hand, my hand shall conquer thee,
    Thou dead, both die, and both shall victors be.
    This
    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