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)

    Art thou asham'd to kisse? then winke againe,
    And I will winke, so shall the day seeme night.
    Loue keepes his reuels where there are but twaine:
    Be bold to play, our sport is not in sight,
    125 These blew-veind violets whereon we leane,
    Neuer can blab, nor know not what we meane.
    The tender spring vpon thy tempting lip,
    Shewes thee vnripe; yet maist thou well be tasted,
    Make vse of time, let not aduantage slip,
    130Beautie within it selfe should not bewasted,
    Faire flowers that are not gathred in their prime,
    Rot, and consume them selues in litle time.
    Were I hard-fauourd, foule, or wrinckled old,
    Il-nurtur'd, crooked, churlish, harsh invoice,
    135Ore-worne, despised, reumatique, and cold,
    Thick-sighted, barren, leane, and lacking iuyce;
    Thē mightst thou pause, forthē I were not for thee,
    But hauing no defects, why doest abhor me?
    Thou canst not see one wrinckle in my brow,
    140Mine eyes are grey, and bright, & quicke in turning:
    My beautie as the spring doth yearelie grow,
    My flesh is soft, and plumpe, my marrow burning,
    My smooth moist hand, were it with thy hand felt,
    Would in thy palme dissolue, or seeme to melt.
    145Bid me discourse, I will inchaunt thine eare,
    Or like a Fairie, trip vpon the greene,
    Or like a Nimph, with long disheueled heare,
    Daunce on the sands, and yet no footing seene.
    Loue is a spirit all compact of fire,
    150 Not grosse to sinke, but light, and will aspire.