Peer Reviewed
Venus and Adonis (Modern)
482Her two blue windows faintly she upheaveth,
483Like the fair sun, when in his fresh array
484He cheers the morn and all the earth relieveth;
485 And as the bright sun glorifies the sky,
486 So is her face illumined with her eye,
488As if from thence they borrowed all their shine.
489Were never four such lamps together mixed,
490Had not his clouded with his brows repine;
491 But hers, which through the crystal tears gave light,
492 Shone like the moon in water seen by night.
494Or in the ocean drenched, or in the fire?
495What hour is this, or morn, or weary even?
496Do I delight to die, or life desire?
497 But now I lived, and life was death's annoy;
498 But now I died, and death was lively joy.
500Thy eyes' shrewd tutor, that hard heart of thine,
501Hath taught them scornful tricks and such disdain
502That they have murdered this poor heart of mine;
503 And these mine eyes, true leaders to their queen,
504 But for thy piteous lips no more had seen.
506O, never let their crimson liveries wear,
507And as they last, their verdure still endure
508To drive infection from the dangerous year,
509 That the star-gazers, having writ on death,
510 May say the plague is banished by thy breath.