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)

    TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE
    Henrie Wriothesley, Earle of Southampton,
    and Baron of Titchfield.

    RIght Honourable, I know not how I shall offend in
    dedicating my vnpolisht lines to your Lordship, nor
    how the worlde will censure mee for choosing so
    strong a proppe to support so weake a burthen,
    onelye if your Honour seeme but pleased, I ac-
    count my selfe highly praised, and vowe to take aduantage of all
    idle houres, till I haue honoured you with some grauer labour. But
    if the first heire of my inuention proue deformed, I shall be sorie it
    had so noble a god-father: and neuer after eare so barren a land,
    for feare it yeeld me still so bad a haruest, I leaue it to your Honou-
    rable suruey, and your Honor to your hearts content, which I wish
    may alwaies answere your owne wish, and the worlds hope-
    full expectation.

    Your Honors in all dutie,

    William Shakespeare.