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    Not Peer Reviewed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.

    Now thinkes he that her husbands shallow tongue,
    The niggard prodigall that praisde her so:
    80In that high taske hath done her Beauty wrong.
    Which farre exceedes his barren skill to show.
    Therefore that praise which COLATINE doth owe,
    Inchaunted TARQVIN aunswers with surmise,
    In silent wonder of still gazing eyes.

    85This earthly sainct adored by this deuill,
    Little suspecteth the false worshipper:
    "For vnstaind thoughts do seldom dream on euill.
    "Birds neuer lim'd, no secret bushes feare:
    So guiltlesse shee securely giues good cheare,
    90 And reuerend welcome to her princely guest,
    Whose inward ill no outward harme exprest.

    For that he colourd with his high estate,
    Hiding base sin in pleats of Maiestie:
    That nothing in him seemd inordinate,
    95Saue sometime too much wonder of his eye,
    Which hauing all, all could not satisfie;
    But poorly rich so wanteth in his store,
    That cloy'd with much, he pineth still for more.
    B 3
    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