71491I see what crosses my attempt will bring,

492I know what thornes the growing rose defends,

493I thinke the honie garded with a sting,

494All this before-hand counsell comprehends.

495But Will is deafe, and hears no heedfull friends,

496 Onely he hath an eye to gaze on Beautie,

497 And dotes on what he looks, gainst law or duety.

72498I haue debated euen in my soule,

499What wrong, what shame, what sorrow I shal breed,

500But nothing can affections course controull,

501Or stop the headlong furie of his speed.

502I know repentant teares insewe the deed,

503 Reproch, disdaine, and deadly enmity,

504 Yet striue I to embrace mine infamy.

73505This said, hee shakes aloft his Romaine blade,

506Which like a Faulcon towring in the skies,

507Cowcheth the fowle below with his wings shade,

508Whose crooked beake threats, if he mount he dies.

509So vnder his insulting Fauchion lies

510 Harmelesse LVCRETIA marking what he tels,

511 With trembling feare: as fowl hear Faulcōs bels.

74512LVCRECE, quoth he, this night I must enioy thee,

513If thou deny, then force must worke my way:

514For in thy bed I purpose to destroie thee.

515That done, some worthlesse slaue of thine ile slay.

516To kill thine Honour with thy liues decaie.

517 And in thy dead armes do I meane to place him,

518 Swearing I slue him seeing thee imbrace him.

75519So thy suruiuing husband shall remaine

520The scornefull marke of euerie open eye,

521Thy kinsmen hang their heads at this disdaine,

522Thy issue blur'd with namelesse bastardie;

523And thou the author of their obloquie,

524 Shalt haue thy trespasse cited vp in rimes,

525 And sung by children in succeeding times.