Peer Reviewed
- Edition: Venus and Adonis
Venus and Adonis (Modern)
- Texts of this edition
- Facsimiles
62Panting he lies and breatheth in her face.
63She feedeth on the steam as on a prey
64And calls it heavenly moisture, air of grace,
65 Wishing her cheeks were gardens full of flowers,
66 So they were dewed with such distilling showers.
68So fastened in her arms Adonis lies.
69Pure shame and awed resistance made him fret,
70Which bred more beauty in his angry eyes.
71 Rain added to a river that is rank
72 Perforce will force it overflow the bank.
74For to a pretty ear she tunes her tale.
75Still is he sullen, still he lours and frets,
76'Twixt crimson shame and anger ashy pale.
77 Being red, she loves him best, and being white,
78 Her best is bettered with a more delight.
80And by her fair immortal hand she swears
81From his soft bosom never to remove
82Till he take truce with her contending tears,
83 Which long have rained, making her cheeks all wet,
84 And one sweet kiss shall pay this countless debt.
86Like a divedapper peering through a wave,
87Who being looked on, ducks as quickly in.
88So offers he to give what she did crave,
89 But when her lips were ready for his pay,
90 He winks and turns his lips another way.