Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Venus and Adonis (Modern)
  • Editor: Hardy M. Cook
  • ISBN: 978-1-55058-411-0

    Copyright Internet Shakespeare Editions. This text may be freely used for educational, non-proift purposes; for all other uses contact the Coordinating Editor.
    Author: William Shakespeare
    Editor: Hardy M. Cook
    Peer Reviewed

    Venus and Adonis (Modern)

    Sometime he scuds far off, and there he stares.
    Anon he starts at stirring of a feather.
    To bid the wind a base he now prepares,
    And where he run or fly they know not whether;
    305 For through his mane and tail the high wind sings,
    Fanning the hairs, who wave like feathered wings.
    He looks upon his love and neighs unto her;
    She answers him as if she knew his mind.
    Being proud, as females are, to see him woo her,
    310She puts on outward strangeness, seems unkind,
    Spurns at his love, and scorns the heat he feels,
    Beating his kind embracements with her heels.
    Then, like a melancholy malcontent,
    He vails his tail that, like a falling plume,
    315Cool shadow to his melting buttock lent.
    He stamps and bites the poor flies in his fume.
    His love perceiving how he was enraged,
    Grew kinder, and his fury was assuaged.
    His testy master goeth about to take him,
    320When, lo, the unbacked breeder, full of fear,
    Jealous of catching, swiftly doth forsake him;
    With her the horse, and left Adonis there.
    As they were mad, unto the wood they hie them,
    Outstripping crows that strive to overfly them.
    325All swollen with chafing, down Adonis sits,
    Banning his boist'rous and unruly beast;
    And now the happy season once more fits
    That lovesick love by pleading may be blest;
    For lovers say the heart hath treble wrong
    330 When it is barred the aidance of the tongue.