Page 2235 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Even so she kiss’d his brow, his cheek, his chin,
And where she ends she doth anew begin. [60]

Forc’d to content, but never to obey,
Panting he lies and breatheth in her face.
She feedeth on the steam as on a prey,

And calls it heavenly moisture, air of grace,
Wishing her cheeks were gardens full of flowers, [65]
So they were dew’d with such distilling showers.

Look how a bird lies tangled in a net,
So fasten’d in her arms Adonis lies;

Pure shame and aw’d resistance made him fret,
Which bred more beauty in his angry eyes: [70]
Rain added to a river that is rank

Perforce will force it overflow the bank.

Still she entreats, and prettily entreats,
For to a pretty ear she tunes her tale.
Still is he sullen, still he lours and frets, [75]
’Twixt crimson shame and anger ashy pale.

Being red, she loves him best, and being white,
Her best is better’d with a more delight.

Look how he can, she cannot choose but love;
And by her fair immortal hand she swears, [80]
From his soft bosom never to remove

Till he take truce with her contending tears,
Which long have rain’d, making her cheeks all wet:
And one sweet kiss shall pay this comptless debt.

Upon this promise did he raise his chin, [85]

Like a dive-dapper peering through a wave,
Who being look’d on, ducks as quickly in:
So offers he to give what she did crave,
But when her lips were ready for his pay,
He winks, and turns his lips another way. [90]