41281As corne ore-growne by weedes: so heedfull feare

282Is almost choakt by vnresisted lust:

283Away he steales with open listning eare,

284Full of foule hope, and full of fond mistrust:

285Both which as seruitors to the vniust,

286 So crosse him with their opposit perswasion,

287 That now he vowes a league, and now inuasion.

42288Within his thought her heauenly image sits,

289And in the selfe same seat sits COLATINE,

290That eye which lookes on her confounds his wits,

291That eye which him beholdes, as more deuine,

292Vnto a view so false will not incline;

293 But with a pure appeale seekes to the heart,

294 Which once corrupted takes the worser part.

43295And therein heartens vp his seruile powers,

296Who flattred by their leaders iocound show,

297Stuffe vp his lust: as minutes fill vp howres.

298And as their Captaine: so their pride doth grow,

299Paying more slauish tribute then they owe.

300 By reprobate desire thus madly led,

301 The Romane Lord marcheth to LVCRECE bed.

44302The lockes betweene her chamber and his will,

303Ech one by him inforst retires his ward:

304But as they open they all rate his ill,

305Which driues the creeping theefe to some regard,

306The threshold grates the doore to haue him heard,

307 Night-wandring weezels shreek to see him there,

308 They fright him, yet he still pursues his feare.

45309As each vnwilling portall yeelds him way,

310Through little vents and cranies of the place,

311The wind warres with his torch, to make him staie,

312And blowes the smoake of it into his face,

313Extinguishing his conduct in this case.

314 But his hot heart, which fond desire doth scorch,

315 Puffes forth another wind that fires the torch.