Peer Reviewed
- Edition: Venus and Adonis
Venus and Adonis (Modern)
- Texts of this edition
- Facsimiles
152These forceless flowers like sturdy trees support me.
153Two strengthless doves will draw me through the sky
154From morn till night, even where I list to sport me.
155 Is love so light, sweet boy, and may it be
156 That thou should think it heavy unto thee?
158Can thy right hand seize love upon thy left?
159Then woo thyself; be of thyself rejected;
160Steal thine own freedom; and complain on theft.
161 Narcissus so himself himself forsook,
162 And died to kiss his shadow in the brook.
164Dainties to taste, fresh beauty for the use,
165Herbs for their smell, and sappy plants to bear.
166Things growing to themselves are growth's abuse,
167 Seeds spring from seeds, and beauty breedeth beauty.
168 Thou wast begot; to get it is thy duty.
170Unless the earth with thy increase be fed?
171By law of nature thou art bound to breed,
172That thine may live when thou thyself art dead;
173 And so in spite of death thou dost survive,
174 In that thy likeness still is left alive."
176For where they lay the shadow had forsook them,
177And Titan, tirèd in the midday heat,
178With burning eye did hotly overlook them,
179 Wishing Adonis had his team to guide,
180 So he were like him, and by Venus' side.