| VENUS, with young Adonis sitting by her | |
| Under a myrtle shade, began to woo him: | |
| She told the youngling how god Mars did try her, | |
| And as he fell to her, so fell she to him. | |
| ‘Even thus,’ quoth she, ‘the war-like god embrac’d me,’ | 5 |
| And then she clipp’d Adonis in her arms; | |
| ‘Even thus,’ quoth she, ‘the war-like god unlac’d me,’ | |
| As if the boy should use like loving charms. | |
| ‘Even thus,’ quoth she, ‘he seized on my lips,’ | |
| And with her lips on his did act the seizure; | 10 |
| And as she fetched breath, away he skips, | |
| And would not take her meaning nor her pleasure. | |
| Ah! that I had my lady at this bay, | |
| To kiss and clip me till I run away. |