55
And thine was the vile hand that first did put
Bitterness in his cup. A venal love!
A love that waits on gold! It is the greatest,
And most abominable, and filthiest monster,
That ever land or sea shuddered at bearing.
But why in vain lament me? Every creature
Uses the helping arms which nature gave it;
The stag betakes himself to flight, the lion
Ramps with his mighty paws, the foaming boar
Turns with his tusks; and loveliness and grace
Are woman's weapons and her potency.
If nature made me then fitted for deeds
Of violence and rapine, why not I
Use violence for my ends? I will do so:
I will go force from that ungrateful one
What she denies my love. A goatherd, who
Has watched her ways, tells me that she is used
To bathe her in a fountain; and has shewn me
Bitterness in his cup. A venal love!
A love that waits on gold! It is the greatest,
And most abominable, and filthiest monster,
That ever land or sea shuddered at bearing.
But why in vain lament me? Every creature
Uses the helping arms which nature gave it;
The stag betakes himself to flight, the lion
Ramps with his mighty paws, the foaming boar
Turns with his tusks; and loveliness and grace
Are woman's weapons and her potency.
If nature made me then fitted for deeds
Of violence and rapine, why not I
Use violence for my ends? I will do so:
I will go force from that ungrateful one
What she denies my love. A goatherd, who
Has watched her ways, tells me that she is used
To bathe her in a fountain; and has shewn me
