Hear, Nature, hear, dear goddess, hear! 289 Suspend thy purpose if thou didst intend 290 To make this creature fruitful. 291 Into her womb convey sterility. 292 Dry up in her the organs of increase, 293 And from her derogate body never spring 294 A babe to honor her. If she must teem, 295 Create her child of spleen, that it may live 296 And be a thwart disnatured torment to her. 297 Let it stamp wrinkles in her brow of youth, 298 With cadent tears fret channels in her cheeks, 299 Turn all her mother’s pains and benefits 300 To laughter and contempt, that she may feel 301 How sharper than a
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