166991Now she unweaves the web that she hath wrought;

992Adonis lives, and death is not to blame.

993It was not she that called him all to naught.

994Now she adds honors to his hateful name;

995 She clepes him king of graves and grave for kings,

996 Imperious supreme of all mortal things.

167997"No, no," quoth she, "sweet death, I did but jest.

998Yet pardon me, I felt a kind of fear

999When as I met the boar, that bloody beast,

1000Which knows no pity but is still severe.

1001 Then, gentle shadow, truth I must confess,

1002 I railed on thee, fearing my love's decease.

1681003"'Tis not my fault; the boar provoked my tongue.

1004Be wreaked on him, invisible commander.

1005'Tis he, foul creature, that hath done thee wrong.

1006I did but act; he's author of thy slander.

1007 Grief hath two tongues, and never woman yet

1008 Could rule them both without ten women's wit."

1691009Thus hoping that Adonis is alive,

1010Her rash suspect she doth extenuate;

1011And that his beauty may the better thrive,

1012With death she humbly doth insinuate;

1013 Tells him of trophies, statues, tombs, and stories

1014 His victories, his triumphs, and his glories.

1701015"O Jove," quoth she, "how much a fool was I

1016To be of such a weak and silly mind

1017To wail his death who lives and must not die

1018Till mutual overthrow of mortal kind.

1019 For he being dead, with him is beauty slain;

1020 And beauty dead, black chaos comes again.