Internet Shakespeare Editions

About this text

  • Title: Venus and Adonis (Quarto 1, 1593)
  • 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 (Quarto 1, 1593)

    VENVS AND ADONIS.

    But lo from forth a copp's that neighbors by,
    260A breeding Iennet, lustie, young, and proud,
    Adonis trampling Courser doth espy:
    And forth she rushes, snorts, and neighs aloud.
    The strong-neckt steed being tied vnto a tree,
    Breaketh his raine, and to her straight goes hee.

    265Imperiously he leaps, he neighs, he bounds,
    And now his wouen girthes he breaks asunder,
    The bearing earth with his hard hoofe he wounds,
    Whose hollow wombe resounds like heauens thun-(der,
    The yron bit he crusheth tweene his teeth,
    270 Controlling what he was controlled with.

    His eares vp prickt, his braided hanging mane
    Vpon his compast crest now stand on end,
    His nostrils drinke the aire, and forth againe
    As from a fornace, vapors doth he send:
    275 His eye which scornfully glisters likefire,
    Shewes his hote courage, and his high desire.

    Sometime he trots, as if he told the steps,
    With gentle maiestie, and modest pride,
    Anon he reres vpright, curuets, and leaps,
    280As who should say, lo thus my strength is tride.
    And this I do, to captiuate the eye,
    Of the faire breeder that is standing by.
    What