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  • 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.

    Tis not my fault, the Bore prouok't my tong,
    Be wreak't on him (inuisible commaunder)
    1005T'is he foule creature, that hath done thee wrong,
    I did but act, he's author of thy slaunder.
    Greefe hath two tongues, and neuer woman yet,
    Could rule them both, without ten womens wit.

    Thus hoping that Adonis is aliue,
    1010Her rash suspect she doth extenuate,
    And that his beautie may the better thriue,
    With death she humbly doth insinuate.
    Tels him of trophies, statues, tombes, and stories,
    His victories, his triumphs, and his glories.

    1015O Ioue quoth she, how much a foole was I,
    To be of such a weake and sillie mind,
    To waile his death who liues, and must not die,
    Till mutuall ouerthrow of mortall kind?
    For he being dead, with him is beautie slaine,
    1020 And beautie dead, blacke Chaos comes againe.

    Fy, fy, fond loue, thou art as full of feare,
    As one with treasure laden, hem'd with theeues,
    Trifles vnwitnessed with eye, or eare,
    Thy coward heart with false bethinking greeues.
    1025 Euen at this word she heares a merry horne,
    Whereat she leaps, that was but late forlorne.
    G 2
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