from the besieged ardea all in post, borne by the trustless wings of false desire, lust-breathed tarquin leaves the roman host, and to collatium bears the lightless fire which, in pale embers hid, lurks to aspire and girdle with embracing flames the waist of collatine's fair love, lucrece the chaste.
haply that name of chaste unhapp'ly set this bateless edge on his keen appetite;when collatine unwisely did not let to praise the clear unmatched red and white which triumphed in that sky of his delight, where mortal stars, as bright as heaven's beauties, with pure aspects did him peculiar duties.
for he the night before, in tarquin's tent, unlocked the treasure of his happy state;what priceless wealth the heavens had him lent in the possession of his beauteous mate;reck'ning his fortune at such high-proud rate that kings might be espoused to more fame, but king nor peer to such a peerless dame.
o happiness enjoyed but of a few!
and, if possessed, as soon decayed and done as is the morning silver-melting dew against the golden splendour of the sun!
an expired date, cancelled ere well begun:
honour and beauty, in the owner's arms, are weakly fortressed from a world of harms.
beauty itself doth of itself persuade the eyes of men without an orator;what needeth then apology be made, to set forth that which is so singular?
or why is collatine the publisher of that rich jewel he should keep unknown from thievish ears, because it is his own?
perchance his boast of lucrece' sov'reignty suggested this proud issue of a king;for by our cars our hearts oft tainted be.
perchance that envy of so rich a thing, braving compare, disdainfully did sting his high-pitched thoughts, that meaner men should vaunt that golden hap which their superiors want.