Some Longer Elizabethan Poems :: THE THIRTY-FIRST IDILLION.

THE THIRTY-FIRST IDILLION.

Argument

The conceit of this Idillion is very delicate. Wherein it is imagined how Venus did send for the Boar who in hunting slew Adonis, a dainty youth whom she loved: and how the Boar answering for himself that he slew him against his will, as being enamoured on him, and thinking only to kiss his naked thigh; she forgave him. The Poet's drift is to shew the power of Love, not only in men, but also in brute beasts: although in the last two verses, by the burning of the Boar's amorous teeth, he intimateth that extravagant and unorderly passions are to be restrained by reason.

ADONIS.

Hen Venus first did see

Adonis dead to be;

With woeful tattered hair

And cheeks so wan and sear,

The wingÈd Loves she bade,

The Boar should straight be had.

Forthwith like birds they fly,

And through the wood they hie;

The woeful beast they find,

And him with cords they bind.

One with a rope before

Doth lead the captive Boar:

Another on his back

Doth make his bow to crack.

The beast went wretchedly,

For Venus horribly

He feared; who thus him curst:

"Of all the beasts the worst,

Didst thou this thigh so wound?

Didst thou my Love confound?"

The beast thus spake in fear

"Venus, to thee I swear!

By thee, and husband thine,

And by these bands of mine,

And by these hunters all,

Thy husband fair and tall,

I mindÈd not to kill!

But, as an image still,

I him beheld for love:

Which made me forward shove

His thigh, that naked was;

Thinking to kiss, alas,

And that hath hurt me thus.

"Wherefore these teeth, Venus!

Or punish, or cut out:

Why bear I in my snout

These needless teeth about!

If these may not suffice;

Cut off my chaps likewise!"

To ruth he Venus moves,

And she commands the Loves,

His bands for to untie.

After he came not nigh

The wood; but at her will

He followed Venus still.

And coming to the fire,

He burnt up his desire.

Emblem.

Raris forma viris, secula prospice

Impunita fuit.

FINIS.

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