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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.

    But long shee thinkes till he returne againe,
    1360And yet the dutious vassall scarce is gone,
    The wearie time shee cannot entertaine,
    For now tis stale to sigh, to weepe, and grone,
    So woe hath wearied woe, mone tired mone,
    That shee her plaints a little while doth stay,
    1365 Pawsing for means to mourne some newer way.

    At last shee cals to mind where hangs a peece
    Of skilfull painting, made for PRIAMS Troy,
    Before the which is drawn the power of Greece,
    For HELENS rape, the Cittie to destroy,
    1370Threatning cloud-kissing ILLION with annoy,
    Which the conceipted Painter drew so prowd,
    As Heauen (it seem'd) to kisse the turrets bow'd.

    A thousand lamentable obiects there,
    In scorne of Nature, Art gaue liuelesse life,
    1375Many a dry drop seem'd a weeping teare,
    Shed for the slaughtred husband by the wife.
    The red bloud reek'd to shew the Painters strife,
    And dying eyes gleem'd forth their ashie lights,
    Like dying coales burnt out in tedious nights.
    There
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