Page 2325 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

A creeping creature with a flaming light,
And softly cried ‘Awake, thou Roman dame,
And entertain my love; else lasting shame
On thee and thine this night I will inflict, [1630]

If thou my love’s desire do contradict.

«‘For some hard-favour’d groom of thine,’ quoth he,
‘Unless thou yoke thy liking to my will,
I’ll murder straight, and then I’ll slaughter thee,

And swear I found you where you did fulfil [1635]
The loathsome act of lust, and so did kill
the lechers in their deed: this act will be
My fame, and thy perpetual infamy.’

«With this I did begin to start and cry,

And then against my heart he set his sword, [1640]
Swearing, unless I took all patiently,
I should not live to speak another word.
So should my shame still rest upon record,
And never be forgot in mighty Rome

Th’adulterate death of Lucrece and her groom. [1645]

«Mine enemy was strong, my poor self weak,
And far the weaker with so strong a fear.
My bloody judge forbod my tongue to speak;

No rightful plea might plead for justice there.
His scarlet lust came evidence to swear [1650]
That my poor beauty had purloin’d his eyes;
And when the judge is robb’d, the prisoner dies.

«O teach me how to make mine own excuse,

Or at the least, this refuge let me find:
Though my gross blood be stain’d with this abuse, [1655]
Immaculate and spotless is my mind;
That was not forc’d, that never was inclin’d

To accessory yeldings, but still pure
Doth in her poison’d closet yet endure».