Peer Reviewed
- Edition: Venus and Adonis
Venus and Adonis (Modern)
- Texts of this edition
- Facsimiles
302Anon he starts at stirring of a feather.
303To bid the wind a base he now prepares,
304And where he run or fly they know not whether;
305 For through his mane and tail the high wind sings,
306 Fanning the hairs, who wave like feathered wings.
308She answers him as if she knew his mind.
309Being proud, as females are, to see him woo her,
310She puts on outward strangeness, seems unkind,
311 Spurns at his love, and scorns the heat he feels,
312 Beating his kind embracements with her heels.
314He vails his tail that, like a falling plume,
315Cool shadow to his melting buttock lent.
316He stamps and bites the poor flies in his fume.
317 His love perceiving how he was enraged,
318 Grew kinder, and his fury was assuaged.
320When, lo, the unbacked breeder, full of fear,
321Jealous of catching, swiftly doth forsake him;
322With her the horse, and left Adonis there.
323 As they were mad, unto the wood they hie them,
324 Outstripping crows that strive to overfly them.
326Banning his boist'rous and unruly beast;
327And now the happy season once more fits
328That lovesick love by pleading may be blest;
329 For lovers say the heart hath treble wrong
330 When it is barred the aidance of the tongue.