VI. Scarce had the sun dried up the dewy morn, And scarce the
herd1 gone to the hedge for shade, When Cytherea, all in love forlorn, A
longing2 tarriance for Adonis made Under an osier growing by a
brook3, A brook where Adon used to cool his spleen: Hot was the day; she hotter that did look For his approach, that often there had been. Anon he comes, and throws his
mantle4 by, And stood
stark5 naked on the brook's green brim: The sun look'd on the world with glorious eye, Yet not so wistly as this queen on him. He, spying her, bounced in, whereas he stood: 'O Jove,' quoth she, 'why was not I a flood!'