Classic Poem

Wise messengers departed from the host
And journeyed till they came to Venus' home,
Where with great honor they were well received.
Within a wooded plain is Cythera,
A mount so high that ne'er an arbalest,
However strong and competent to shoot,
Could send a shaft or arrow to its height.
Venus, who inspires all womankind,
Her principal pavilion perches there.
I'd bore you if I should describe it all,
And so I'll let it go; I would be brief.
Dame Venus had descended to the plain
To hunt. Her dearest friend attended her —
Adonis, prepossessing, fair, and young —
Coming to manhood, hardly more than boy,
He had a happy heart and loved the chase.
'Twas just past noon, and, wearied with the sport,
Beneath a poplar on the grass they sat
Beside a shaded pool. Their tired dogs,
Panting from exercise, the water lapped.
Their bows and arrows and their quivers stood
Against the tree behind them. They enjoyed
The birds they heard above them in the boughs.
After their hunting, Venus on her knees
Held him embraced, and, as she kissed his lips,
Gave him instructions how to course the woods
According to the manner she employed.
" Dearest, when you go forth with ready pack
To hunt wild boars that flee from your pursuit,
Pursue them boldly till they turn at bay;
But against one that fiercely shows his tusks
Defend your body lest you shall be gored.
Facing the brave, be slow and hesitant;
For against those that have a hardy heart
No hardihood will give security.
The brave against the brave make deadly fight.
Reindeer and other deer, roebucks and hinds,
Rabbits and hares and goats and lesser game
You may pursue at will. Enjoy yourself
In hunting such. But bears and wolves and boars
And lions I forbid; pursue none such
Against my interdiction. They defend
Themselves too well and kill or maim the dogs.
They make the best hunters lose the day,
Or serious wounds sustain, or even die.
Most sorely grieved, I'd have no joy in you
If you did otherwise than as I bid. "
Thus Venus counseled and sincerely prayed
That he would heed her words or hunt no more.
Adonis little prized his sweetheart's words
And to their truth or falseness gave no thought;
But, to have peace, accepted what she said,
Although he valued not her counseling.
Her efforts were in vain. He had in mind
That she might give him what advice she pleased,
But, once away, she'd not see what he did.
He'd not believe her, so he later died
When Venus was not there to give him aid;
Then hers it was to weep and grieve for him.
A boar he hunted that he thought to catch
And throttle; but he neither caught that boar
Nor cut him up. The boar had his revenge
Like proud and fiery beast; he couched his head
Against Adonis, and he slashed his teeth
Into his groin. Then with a twist of his snout
He stretched Adonis dead upon the earth.
Fair sirs, whatever hap, keep well in mind
This sad example. You who disbelieve
Your sweethearts' words should know that you are fools.
Trust them completely, for what they may say
Is true as chronicle. If they should swear,
" We are entirely yours, " believe them just
As you believe, " Our Father who's in Heaven. "
Never prove recreant to such a creed.
If Reason counter comes, believe her not
Though she should bring to you a crucifix;
Have no more trust in her than I have had.
Had Venus by Adonis been believed,
He had enjoyed a longer lease of life.
After Venus' speech the lovers toyed
Each with the other, as delighted them,
And took their pleasure. Then to Cythera
They both returned; and there the messengers,
Ere Venus had had time to change her clothes,
Recited, point by point, the narrative
Of all that had occurred. " My faith, " said she,
" 'Twill be an evil hour when Jealousy
A castle or even a cottage can maintain
Against my son's desires. My bow and brand
I'd not consider worth a wooden clog
If I did not the guardians set on fire,
With all their garrison, unless they yield the keys. "