维纳斯和阿多尼斯英文版.pdfVIP

VENUS AND ADONIS William Shakespeare 1 TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HENRY WRIOTHESLEY, EARL OF SOUHAMPTON, AND BARON OF TICHFIELD. RIGHT HONOURABLE, I know not how I shall offend in dedicating my unpolished lines to your lordship, nor how the world will censure me for choosing so strong a prop to support so weak a burthen: only, if your honour seem but pleased, I account myself highly praised, and vow to take advantage of all idle hours, till I have honoured you with some graver labour. But if the first heir of my invention prove deformed, I shall be sorry it had so noble a godfather, and never after ear so barren a land, for fear it yield me still so bad a harvest. I leave it to your honourable survey, and your honour to your hearts content; which I wish may always answer your own wish and the worlds hopeful expectation. Your honours in all duty, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. 2 VENUS AND ADONIS EVEN as the sun with purple-colourd face Had taen his last leave of the weeping morn, Rose-cheekd Adonis tried him to the chase; Hunting he lovd, but love he laughd to scorn; Sick-thoughted Venus makes amain unto him, And like a bold-facd suitor gins to woo him. Thrice fairer than myself, thus she began, The fields chief flower, sweet above compare, Stain to all nymphs, more lovely than a man, More white and red than doves or roses are; Nature that made thee, with herself at strife, Saith that the world hath ending with thy life. Vouchsafe, thou wonder, to alight thy steed, And rein his proud head to the saddle-bow; If thou wilt deign this favour, for thy meed A thousand honey secrets shalt thou know: Here come and sit, where never