1 6 8 S/z akspeare 



Besides these general admonitions, a special re- 

 proach — most significant in relation to the loose 

 kind of life the two were living — he is forced 

 sadly to make because of a treacherous wrong 

 done to him, quite unlooked-for and touching him 

 to the very quick. This was nothing less than the 

 base seduction of the mistress whom he dearly 

 loved. In extenuation of the gross perfidy, it was 

 true, might be pleaded the woman's seducive arts 

 and the overpowering temptation, when a woman 

 wooes, to succumb to the insidious flattery of her 

 wiles and guiles. * 



To promise so fairly and act so falsely was a 

 sore-wounding offence, nor did the repentance 

 which followed cure the hurt and disgrace of the 

 wrong. Nevertheless, such is his extravagantly 

 professed affection or advised devotion that al- 

 though it is greater grief to bear love's wrong 

 than hate's known injury, yet he will forgive the 

 robbery and not quarrel with " the gentle thief " — 



Lascivious grace, in whom all ill well shows, 

 Kill me with spite ; yet we must not be foes. 



The forgiveness was not immediate ; there was 

 a temporary breach of friendly intercourse, during 



* And when a woman wooes what woman's son 

 Will sourly leave her until she do prevail ? 

 Ay, me ! but yet thou might'st my seat forbear 

 "Who lead thee in the riot, even there, 

 Where thou art forced to break a twofold truth, 

 Hers by thy beauty tempting her to thee, 

 Thine by thy beauty false to me. 



