51351Then Loue and Fortune be my Gods, my guide,
352My will is backt with re
solution:
353Thoughts are but dreames till their e
ffe
cts be tried,
354The blacke
st sinne is clear'd with ab
solution.
355Again
st loues
fire, feares fro
st hath di
ssolution.
356 The eye of Heauen is out, and mi
stie night
357 Couers the
shame that followes
sweet delight.
52358This
said, his guiltie hand pluckt vp the latch,
359And with his knee the dore he opens wide,
360The doue
sleeps fa
st that this night Owle will catch.
361Thus trea
son workes ere traitors be e
spied.
362Who
sees the lurking
serpent
steppes a
side;
363 But
shee
sound
sleeping fearing no
such thing,
364 Lies at the mercie of his mortall
sting.
53365Into the chamber wickedlie he
stalkes,
366And gazeth on her yet vn
stained bed:
367The curtaines being clo
se, about he walkes,
368Rowling his greedie eye-bals in his head.
369By their high trea
son is his heart mi
s-led,
370 Which giues the watch-word to his hand ful
soon,
371 To draw the clowd that hides the
siluer Moon.
54372Looke as the faire and
fierie pointed Sunne,
373Ru
shing from forth a cloud, bereaues our
sight:
374Euen
so the Curtaine drawne, his eyes begun
375To winke, being blinded with a greater light.
376Whether it is that
shee re
fle
cts
so bright,
377 That dazleth them, or el
se
some
shame
suppo
sed,
378 But blind they are, and keep them
selues inclo
sed.
55379O had they in that darke
some pri
son died,
380Then had they
seene the period of their ill:
381Then
COLATINE againe by
LVCRECE side,
382In his cleare bed might haue repo
sed
still.
383But they mu
st ope this ble
ssed league to kill,
384 And holie-thoughted
LVCRECE to their
sight,
385 Mu
st sell her ioy, her life, her worlds delight.