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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.

    Perchance his bost of Lucrece Sou'raigntie,
    Suggested this proud issue of a King:
    For by our eares our hearts oft taynted be:
    Perchance that enuie of so rich a thing
    40Brauing compare, disdainefully did sting
    His high picht thoughts that meaner men should (vant,
    That golden hap which their superiors want.

    But some vntimelie thought did instigate,
    His all too timelesse speede if none of those,
    45His honor, his affaires, his friends, his state,
    Neglected all, with swift intent he goes,
    To quench the coale which in his liuer glowes.
    O rash false heate, wrapt in repentant cold,
    Thy hastie spring still blasts and nere growes old.

    50When at Colatia this false Lord arriued,
    Well was he welcom'd by the Romaine dame,
    Within whose face Beautie and Vertue striued,
    Which of them both should vnderprop her fame.
    Whē Vertue brag'd, Beautie wold blush for shame,
    55 When Beautie bosted blushes, in despight
    Vertue would staine that ore with siluer white.
    B 2
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