Page 2286 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

Thoughts are but dreams till their effects be tried;
The blackest sin is clear’d with absolution.
Against love’s fire fear’s frost hath dissolution: [355]
The eye of heaven is out, and misty night

Covers the shame that follows sweet delight».

This said, his guilty hand pluck’d up the latch,
And with his knee the door he opens wide.
The dove sleeps fast that this night-owl will catch; [360]

Thus treason works ere traitors be espied.
Who sees the lurking serpent steps aside;
But she, sound sleeping, fearing no such thing,
Lies at the mercy of his mortal sting.

Into the chamber wickedly he stalks, [365]

And gazeth on her yet unstained bed.
The curtains being close, about he walks,
Rolling his greedy eyeballs in his head;
By their high treason is his heart misled,
Which gives the watch-word to his hand full soon, [370]

To draw the cloud that hides the silver moon.

Look as the fair and fiery-pointed sun
Rushing from forth a cloud, bereaves our sight:
Even so, the curtain drawn, his eyes begun

To wink, being blinded with a greater light. [375]
Whether it is that she reflects so bright,
That dazzleth them, or else some shame supposed;
But blind they are, and keep themselves enclosed.

O had they in that darksome prison died,

Then had they seen the period of their ill! [380]
Then Collatine again by Lucrece’ side
In his clear bed might have reposed still.
But they must ope, this blessed league to kill;

And holy-thoughted Lucrece to their sight
Must sell her joy, her life, her world’s delight. [385]