passions for the present, departed with the rest back to the camp; from whence he shortly after privily withdrew himself, and was (according to his estate) royally entertained and lodged by Lucrece at Collatium. The same night, he treacherously stealeth into her chamber, violently ravished her, and early in the morning speedeth away. Lucrece, in this lamentable plight, hastily dispatcheth messengers, one to Rome for her father, another to the camp for Collatine. They came, the one accompanied with Junius Brutus, the other with Publius Valerius; and finding Lucrece attired in mourning habit, demanded the cause of her sorrow. She, first taking an oath of them for her revenge, revealed the actor, and whole manner of his dealing, and withal suddenly stabbed herself. Which done, with one consent they all vowed to root out the whole hated family of the Tarquins; and bearing the dead body to Rome, Brutus acquainted the people with the doer and manner of the vile deed, with a bitter invective against the tyranny of the king: wherewith the people were so moved, that with one consent and a general acclamation the Tarquins were all exiled, and the state government changed from kings to consuls. THE RAPE OF LUCRECE. FROM the besieged Ardea all in post, Haply that name of chaste unhapp❜ly set With pure aspects did him peculiar duties. For he the night before, in Tarquin's tent, 1 let] i. e. forbear. THE POEMS O happiness enjoy'd but of a few! Beauty itself doth of itself persuade Of that rich jewel he should keep unknown Perchance his boast of Lucrece' sovereignty Suggested this proud issue of a king; For by our ears our hearts oft tainted be: Perchance that envy of so rich a thing, Braving compare, disdainfully did sting His high-pitch'd thoughts, that meaner men should vaunt That golden hap which their superiors want. But some untimely thought did instigate Neglected all, with swift intent he goes When at Collatium this false lord arriv'd, Well was he welcom'd by the Roman dame, Within whose face beauty and virtue striv'd Which of them both should underprop her fame: When virtue bragg'd, beauty would blush for shame; When beauty boasted blushes, in despite Virtue would stain that o'er with silver white. But beauty, in that white intituled,3 From Venus' doves doth challenge that fair field; Then virtue claims from beauty beauty's red, Which virtue gave the golden age, to gild Their silver cheeks, and call'd it then their shield; Teaching them thus to use it in the fight,— When shame assail'd, the red should fence the white. This heraldry in Lucrece' face was seen, This silent war of lilies and of roses To those two armies that would let him go, Now thinks he that her husband's shallow tongue This earthly saint, adored by this devil, For that he colour'd with his high estate, * praise] i. e. object of praise. 5 owe] i. e. own, possess. |