78
The Rape of Lucrece.
My will that markes thee for my earths delight,
Which I to conquer sought with all my might.
But as reproof and reason beat it dead,
By thy bright beauty was it newly bred.
Which I to conquer sought with all my might.
But as reproof and reason beat it dead,
By thy bright beauty was it newly bred.
I see what crosses my attempt will bring,
I know what thornes the growing rose defends,
I think the hony guarded with a sting,
All this beforehand counsel comprehends;
But will is deafe, and heares no heedful friends.
Only he hath an eye to gaze on beauty,
And dotes on what he lookes, 'gainst law or duty.
I know what thornes the growing rose defends,
I think the hony guarded with a sting,
All this beforehand counsel comprehends;
But will is deafe, and heares no heedful friends.
Only he hath an eye to gaze on beauty,
And dotes on what he lookes, 'gainst law or duty.
I have debated even in my soule,
What wrong, what shame, what sorrow I shall breed,
But nothing can affections course controle,
Or stop the headlong fury of his speed,
I know repentant tears ensue the deed,
Reproch, disdaine, and deadly enmity,
Yet strive I to embrace mine infamy.
What wrong, what shame, what sorrow I shall breed,
But nothing can affections course controle,
Or stop the headlong fury of his speed,
I know repentant tears ensue the deed,
Reproch, disdaine, and deadly enmity,
Yet strive I to embrace mine infamy.
This said, he shakes aloft his Romane blade,
Which like a Faulcon towring in the skies,
Couchet the fowle below with his wings shade,
Whose crook beake threats, if he mount he dies.
So under his insulting Fauchion lies
Harmlesse Lucretia, marking what he tels,
With trembling feare, as fowle hear Faulcons bels.
Which like a Faulcon towring in the skies,
Couchet the fowle below with his wings shade,
Whose crook beake threats, if he mount he dies.
So under his insulting Fauchion lies
Harmlesse Lucretia, marking what he tels,
With trembling feare, as fowle hear Faulcons bels.
Lu-
