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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    Not Peer Reviewed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.

    1380There might you see the labouring Pyoner
    Begrim'd with sweat, and smeared all with dust,
    And from the towres of Troy, there would appeare
    The verie eyes of men through loop-holes thrust,
    Gazing vppon the Greekes with little lust,
    1385 Such sweet obseruance in this worke was had,
    That one might see those farre of eyes looke sad.

    In great commaunders, Grace, and Maiestie,
    You might behold triumphing in their faces,
    In youth quick-bearing and dexteritie,
    1390And here and there the Painter interlaces
    Pale cowards marching on with trembling paces.
    Which hartlesse peasaunts did so wel resemble,
    That one would swear he saw them quake & trēble.

    In AIAX and VLYSSES, ô what Art
    1395Of Phisiognomy might one behold!
    The face of eyther cypher'd eythers heart,
    Their face, their manners most expreslie told,
    In AIAX eyes blunt rage and rigour rold,
    But the mild glance that slie VLYSSES lent,
    1400 Shewed deepe regard and smiling gouernment.
    K 2
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