Page 152 - Shakespeare - Vol. 4

A city on whom plenty held full hand,
For riches strewed herself even in her streets,
Whose towers bore heads so high they kissed the clouds,
And strangers ne’er beheld but wondered at, [25]

Whose men and dames so jetted and adorned,
Like one another’s glass to trim them by;
Their tables were stored full, to glad the sight,
And not so much to feed on as delight;

All poverty was scorned, and pride so great, [30]
The name of help grew odious to repeat.

DIONYZA
O, ’tis too true!

CLEON
But see what heaven can do by this our change.
These mouths who but of late earth, sea, and air

Were all too little to content and please, [35]
Although they gave their creatures in abundance,
As houses are defiled for want of use,
They are now starved for want of exercise.

Those palates who, not yet two summers younger,
Must have inventions to delight the taste [40]
Would now be glad of bread and beg for it.
Those mothers who to nuzzle up their babes

Thought naught too curious are ready now
To eat those little darlings whom they loved.
So sharp are hunger’s teeth that man and wife [45]
Draw lots who first shall die to lengthen life.

Here stands a lord and there a lady weeping;
Here many sink, yet those which see them fall
Have scarce strength left to give them burial.
Is not this true? [50]

DIONYZA
Our cheeks and hollow eyes do witness it.

CLEON