Sonnet CCXXIV
SONNET CCXXIV.
Cara la vita, e dopo lei mi pare.
HONOUR TO BE PREFERRED TO LIFE.
Methinks that life in lovely woman first,And after life true honour should be dear;Nay, wanting honour—of all wants the worst—Friend! nought remains of loved or lovely here.And who, alas! has honour's barrier burst,Unsex'd and dead, though fair she yet appear,Leads a vile life, in shame and torment curst,A lingering death, where all is dark and drear.To me no marvel was Lucretia's end,Save that she needed, when that last disgraceAlone sufficed to kill, a sword to die.Sophists in vain the contrary defend:Their arguments are feeble all and base,And truth alone triumphant mounts on high!
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