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- 2026-01-30T06:26:15.857Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- C 2
- end_line
- 4573
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T06:24:08.801Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 4512
- text
- C 2
II. 204—224
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# THE RAPE OF LYCRECE.
O what excuse can my invention make
V Vhen thou shalt charge me with so blacke a deed?
V Vil not my tongue be mute, my fraile joints shake?
Mine eics forgo their light, my false hart bleede?
The guilt beeing great, the feare doth still exceed;
And extreme feare can neither fight nor flie,
But cowardlike with trembling terror die.
Had **COLATINUS** kild my sonne or fire,
Or laine in ambush to betray my life,
Or were he not my deare friend, this desire
Might haue excuse to worke vppon his wife:
As in revenge or quittall of such strife.
But as he is my kinsman, my deare friend,
The shame and fault finds no excuse nor end.
Shamefull it is: I, if the fact be known,
Hatefull it is: there is no hate in louing,
Ile beg her loue: but she is not her owne:
The worst is but denial and reproouing.
My will is strong past reasons weake remoouing:
V Vho feares a sentence or an old mans saw,
Shall by a painted cloth be kept in awe.
Thus
II. 225—245
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# THE RAPE OF LVCRECE.
Thus graceleffe holds he disputation,
Tweene frozen conscience and hot burning will,
And with good thoughts makes dispensation,
Vrging the worfer fence for vantage still.
VVhich in a moment doth confound and kill
All pure effects, and doth fo farre proceede,
That what is vile, shewes like a verruous deede.
Quoth he, thee tooke me kindlie by the hand,
And gaz'd for tidings in my eager eyes,
Fearing some hard newes from the warlike band,
VVhere her beloued **COLATINVS** lies:
O how her feare did make her colour rise!
First red as Roses that on Lawne we laie,
Then white as Lawne the Roses tooke awaie.
And how her hand in my hand being lockt,
Forst it to tremble with her loyall feare:
VVhich strooke her sad, and then it falter rockt,
Vntill her husbands welfare thee did heare,
VVhereat thee smiled with fo sweete a cheare,
That had **NAREISSVS** feene her as thee stood,
Selfe-loue had neuer drown'd him in the flood.
- title
- C 2