Page 2306 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

The moon being clouded presently is miss’d,
But little stars may hide them when they list.

«The crow may bathe his coal-black wings in mire,
And unperceiv’d fly with the filth away; [1010]
But if the like the snow-white swan desire,

The stain upon his silver down will stay.
Poor grooms are sightless night, kings glorious day;
Gnats are unnoted wheresoe’er they fly,

But eagles gaz’d upon with every eye. [1015]

«Out idle words, servants to shallow fools,

Unprofitable sounds, weak arbitrators!
Busy yourselves in skill-contending schools,
Debate where leisure serves with dull debaters;

To trembling clients be you mediators: [1020]
For me, I force not argument a straw,
Since that my case is past the help of law.

«In vain I rail at opportunity,
At time, at Tarquin, at uncheerful night;

In vain I cavil with mine infamy, [1025]
In vain I spurn at my confirm’d despite;
This helpless smoke of words doth me no right:
The remedy indeed to do me good

Is to let forth my foul defiled blood.

«Poor hand, why quiver’st thou at this decree? [1030]
Honour thyself to rid me of this shame:
For if I die, my honour lives in thee,
But if I live, thou liv’st in my defame.

Since thou coul’dst not defend thy loyal dame,
And wast afeard to scratch her wicked foe, [1035]
Kill both thyself and her for yielding so».

This said, from her betumbled couch she starteth,
To find some desp’rate instrument of death;