Virtue preserv'd' from fell destruction's blast,
Led on by heaven, and crown'd with joy at last.
In Helicanus may you well descry

A figure of truth, of faith, and loyalty:
In reverend Cerimon there well appears,
The worth that learned charity aye wears.
For wicked Cleon and his wife, when fame
Had spread their cursed deed, the honour'd name
Of Pericles, to rage the city turn;

That him and his they in his palace burn.
The gods for murder seemed so contents
To punish them, although not done, but meant.
So on your patience evermore attending,

New joy wait on you! Here our play has ending.

• Virtue PRESERVED-] Old copies, " Virtue preferr'd.”

The gods for murder seemed so CONTENT] So all the editions after the first of 1609, which reads to contend for "so content." In the next line, "them," which is wanting in the old copies, quarto and folio, was supplied by Malone.

THE POEMS

OF

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

VENUS AND ADONIS.