Properties
- end_line
- 4301
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T06:24:48.288Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 4184
- text
- # THE RAPE OF
## LVCRECE.
From the besieged Ardea all in post,
Borne by the trustlese wings of false desire,
Lust-breathed TARQVIN, leaues the Roman host,
And to Colatium beares the lightlese fire,
VWhich in pale embers hid, lurkes to aspire,
And girdle with embracing flames, the wast
Of COLATINES fair loue, LVCRECE the chast.
Haply that name of chast, vnhaply set
This bateless edge on his keene appetite:
VWhen COLATINEXnwifely did not let,
To praise the cleare vnmatched red and white,
VWhich triumph in that skie of his delight:
VWhere mortal stars as bright as heaues Beauties,
VWith pure aspects did him peculiar ducties.
B
II. 1—14
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# THE RAPE OF LVCRECE.
For he the night before in Tarquins Tent,
Vulockt the treasure of his happie state:
V Vhat prîșelește wealth the heauens had him lent,
In the possession of his beauteous mate.
R eckning his fortune at such high proud rate,
That Kings might be espoused to more fame,
But King nor Peere to such a peerelește dame.
O happinește enioyd but of a few,
And it possess as soone decayed and done:
As is the morning silver melting dew,
Against the golden splendour of the Sunne.
An expir’d date cancels ere well begunne.
• Honour and Beautie in the owners armes,
• Are weakelle fortrest from a world of harmes.
Beautie it felse doth of it felse persuade,
The eies of men without an Orator,
V Vhat need:th then Appologie be made
To set forth that which is so singular?
Or why is Colatine the publisher
• Of that rich jewell he should keepe vniknown,
• From the euish eares because it is his owne?
Perchance
II. 15—35
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# THE RAPE OF LYCRECE.
Perchance his boast of Lucrece Sou'raigntie,
Suggested this proud issue of a King:
For by our eares our hearts oft tayhted be:
Perchance that enuie of so rich a thing
Brauing compare, disdainefully did sting (vant,
His high picht thoughts that meaner men should
That golden hap which their superiors want.
But some vntimelie thought did instigate,
His all too timeleffe speede if none of those,
His honor, his affaires, his friends, his state,
Neglected all, with swift intent he goes,
To quench the coale which in his liuer glowes.
Orash false heate, wrapt in repentant cold,
Thy hastie spring still blasts and nere growes old.
VWhen at Colatium this false Lord ariued,
VVell was he welcom'd by the Romaine dame,
VVithin whose face Beautie and Vertue striued,
VWhich of them both should vnder prop her fame.
VVhé Vertue brag'd, Beautie wold blush for shame,
VWhen Beautie bosted blushes, in despight
Vertue would staine that ore with siluer white.
B 2
II. 36—56
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# THE RAPE OF LVCRECE.
But Beautie in that white entituled,
From Venus doves doth challenge that faire field,
Then Vertue claimes from Beautie, Beauties red,
VVhich Vertue gaue the golden age, to guild
Their filuer checkes, and cald it then their shield,
Teaching them thus to vše it in the fight,
VVhē shame affaibl, the red should fēce the white.
This Herauldry in LVCRECE face was feene,
Argued by Beauties red and Vertues white,
Of eithers colour was the other Queene:
Prouing from worlds minority their right,
Yet their ambition makes them still to fight:
The foueraignty of either being so great,
That oft they interchange ech others feat.
This silent warre of Lillies and of Roses,
VVhich TARQUIN vew'd in her faire faces field,
In their pure rankes his traytor eye encloses,
VVhere least betweene them both it should be kild.
The coward captiue vanquished, doth yeeld
To those two Armies that would let him goe,
Rather then triumph in so false a foe.
Now
II. 57—77
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# THE RAPE OF LYCRECE
- title
- Chunk 1