26176His Faulchon on a flint he softly smiteth,

177That from the could stone sparkes of fire doe flie,

178Whereat a waxen torch forthwith he lighteth,

179Which must be lodestarre to his lustfull eye.

180And to the flame thus speakes aduisedlie;

181 As from this cold flint I enforst this fire,

182 So LVCRECE must I force to my desire.

27183Here pale with feare he doth premeditate,

184The daungers of his lothsome enterprise:

185And in his inward mind he doth debate,

186What following sorrow may on this arise.

187Then looking scornfully, he doth despise

188 His naked armour of still slaughtered lust,

189 And iustly thus controlls his thoughts vniust.

28190Faire torch burne out thy light, and lend it not

191To darken her whose light excelleth thine:

192And die vnhallowed thoughts, before you blot

193With your vncleannesse, that which is deuine:

194Offer pure incense to so pure a shrine:

195 Let faire humanitie abhor the deede,

196 That spots & stains loues modest snow-white weed.

29197O shame to knighthood, and to shining Armes,

198O foule dishonor to my houshoulds graue:

199O impious act including all foule harmes.

200A martiall man to be soft fancies slaue,

201True valour still a true respect should haue,

202 Then my digression is so vile, so base,

203 That it will liue engrauen in my face.

30204Yea though I die the scandale will suruiue,

205And be an eie-sore in my golden coate:

206Some lothsome dash the Herrald will contriue,

207To cipher me how fondlie I did dote:

208That my posteritie sham'd with the note

209 Shall curse my bones, and hold it for no sinne,

210 To wish that I their father had not beene.