Classic Poem

Book II

Now Ardea was besieg'd, the Town was strong,
The men resolv'd, and so the Leaguer long:
And whilst the Enemy did the War delay,
Dissolv'd in Ease the careless Souldiers lay,
And spent the vacant time in sport and play.
Young Tarquin doth adorn his Noble Feasts,
The Captains treats, and thus bespeaks his Guests;
Whilst we lye lingring in a tedious War,
And far from Conquest tired out with Care,
How do our Women lead their Lives at Rome ?
And are we thought on by our Wives at home?
Each speaks for his, each says I'll swear for mine,
And thus a while they talkt, grown flusht with Wine;
At last Young Collatine starts up and cryes,
What need of words, come let's believe our Eyes;
Away to Rome , for that's the safest Course,
They all agree, so each man mounts his Horse.
First to the Court, and there they found no Guard,
No Watchmen there, and all the Gates unbar'd;
Young Tarquin 's Wife, her hair disorder'd lay
And loose, was sitting there at Wine and play.
Thence to Lucretia 's, She a lovely Soul
Her Basket lay before her, and her Wooll,
Sate midst her Maids, and as they wrought she said,
Make haste, 'tis for my Lord as soon as made;
Yet what d'ye hear? (for you perchance may hear)
How long is't e'er they hope to end the War?
Yet let them but return; But ah, my Lord
Is rash, and meets all dangers with his Sword:
Ah when I fansie that I see him fight,
I swoon and almost perish with the fright.
Then wept, and leaving her unfinisht thread
Upon her bosome lean'd her lovely head.
All this became, gracefull her grief appears,
And she, chast Soul, lookt beauteous in her tears.
Her Face lookt well, by Natures are design'd,
All charming fair, and fit for such a mind.
I come, says Collatine , discard thy Fear,
At that she streight reviv'd, and oh my Dear,
She claspt his neck, and hung a welcome burthen there.
Mean while Young Tarquin gathers lustfull Fire,
He burns and rages with a wild Desire;
Her Shape, her Lilie-white, and Yellow hair,
Her natural Beauty, and her gracefull Air,
Her words, her voice, and every thing does please,
And all agree to heighten the disease;
That she was Chast doth raise his wishes higher,
The less his hopes, the greater his Desire.