11FROM the besieged Ardea all in post,

2Borne by the trustlesse wings of false desire,

3Lust-breathed TARQVIN, leaues the Roman host,

4And to Colatium beares the lightlesse fire,

5Which in pale embers hid, lurkes to aspire,

6 And girdle with embracing flames, the wast

7 Of COLATINES fair loue, LVCRECE the chast.

28Hap'ly that name of chast, vnhap'ly set

9This batelesse edge on his keene appetite:

10When COLATINE vnwisely did not let,

11To praise the cleare vnmatched red and white,

12Which triumpht in that skie of his delight:

13 Where mortal stars as bright as heauēs Beauties,

14 With pure aspects did him peculiar dueties.

315For he the night before in Tarquins Tent,

16Vnlockt the treasure of his happie state:

17What priselesse wealth the heauens had him lent,

18In the possession of his beauteous mate.

19Reckning his fortune at such high proud rate,

20 That Kings might be espowsed to more fame,

21 But King nor Peere to such a peerelesse dame.

422O happinesse enioy'd but of a few,

23And if possest as soone decayed and done:

24As is the mornings siluer melting dew,

25Against the golden splendour of the Sunne.

26An expir'd date canceld ere well begunne.

27 Honour and Beautie in the owners armes,

28 Are weakelie fortrest from a world of harmes.

529Beautie it selfe doth of it selfe perswade,

30The eies of men without an Orator,

31What needeth then Apologies be made

32To set forth that which is so singuler?

33Or why is Colatine the publisher

34 Of that rich iewell he should keepe vnknown,

35 From theeuish eares because it is his owne?