41241At this Adonis smiles as in disdain,

242That in each cheek appears a pretty dimple.

243Love made those hollows, if himself were slain,

244He might be buried in a tomb so simple,

245 Foreknowing well, if there he came to lie,

246 Why, there love lived, and there he could not die.

42247These lovely caves, these round enchanting pits,

248Opened their mouths to swallow Venus' liking.

249Being mad before, how doth she now for wits?

250Struck dead at first, what needs a second striking?

251 Poor queen of love, in thine own law forlorn,

252 To love a cheek that smiles at thee in scorn.

43253Now which way shall she turn? What shall she say?

254Her words are done; her woes the more increasing.

255The time is spent; her object will away;

256And from her twining arms doth urge releasing.

257 "Pity," she cries. "Some favor, some remorse."

258 Away he springs and hasteth to his horse.

44259But, lo, from forth a copse that neighbors by,

260A breeding jennet, lusty, young, and proud,

261Adonis' trampling courser doth espy;

262And forth she rushes, snorts, and neighs aloud.

263 The strong-necked steed, being tied unto a tree,

264 Breaketh his rein, and to her straight goes he.

45265Imperiously he leaps, he neighs, he bounds,

266And now his woven girths he breaks asunder.

267The bearing earth with his hard hoof he wounds,

268Whose hollow womb resounds like heaven's thunder.

269 The iron bit he crusheth 'tween his teeth,

270 Controlling what he was controllèd with.