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._
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._