60
The Rape of Lucrece.
For he the night before in Tarquin's tent,
Unlock'd the treasure of his happy state:
What priceless wealth the heavens had him lent
In the possession of his beauteous mate,
Reckoning his fortune at so high-a rate,
That Kings might be espoused to more fame:
But King nor Prince to such a peerless dame.
Unlock'd the treasure of his happy state:
What priceless wealth the heavens had him lent
In the possession of his beauteous mate,
Reckoning his fortune at so high-a rate,
That Kings might be espoused to more fame:
But King nor Prince to such a peerless dame.
O happiness enjoy'd but of a few,
And if possest, as soon decay'd and done:
As if the mornings silver melting dew,
Against the golden splendor of the sun,
An date expir'd, cancel'd ere begun:
Honor and beauty in the owners arms,
Are weakly fortrest from a world of harms.
And if possest, as soon decay'd and done:
As if the mornings silver melting dew,
Against the golden splendor of the sun,
An date expir'd, cancel'd ere begun:
Honor and beauty in the owners arms,
Are weakly fortrest from a world of harms.
Beauty it self doth of it self perswade
The eyes of men without an orator,
What needeth then apologies be made
To set forth that which is so singular?
Or why is Colatine the publisher
Of that rich jewel he should keep unknown,
From theevish ears because it is his own?
The eyes of men without an orator,
What needeth then apologies be made
To set forth that which is so singular?
Or why is Colatine the publisher
Of that rich jewel he should keep unknown,
From theevish ears because it is his own?
Perchance his boast of Lucrece Sov'rainty,
Suggested this proud issue of a King:
For by our ears our hearts oft tainted be,
Perchance that envy of so rich a thing
Braving compare, disdainfully did sting
Suggested this proud issue of a King:
For by our ears our hearts oft tainted be,
Perchance that envy of so rich a thing
Braving compare, disdainfully did sting
His
