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._ [Illustration] When 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. [Illustration] The Affectionate Shepheard. Containing the Complaint of _Daphnis_ for the loue of _Ganymede_. _Amor plus mellis, quam fellis, est._ [Illustration] LONDON, Printed by Iohn Danter for T.G. and E.N. and are to bee sold in Saint Dunstones Church-yeard in Fleetstreet, 1594. [Illustration] To the Right Excellent and most beautifull Lady, the Ladie PENELOPE RITCH. [Illustration] _Fayre louely Ladie, vvhose Angelique eyes Are Vestall Candles of sweet Beauties Treasure, Whose speech is able to inchaunt the wise, Conuerting Ioy to Paine, and Paine to Pleasure; Accept this simple Toy of my Soules Dutie, Which I present vnto thy matchles Beautie._