- The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 3
- (of 3), by Christopher Marlowe
- This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
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- Title: The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 3 (of 3)
- Author: Christopher Marlowe
- Editor: A. H. Bullen
- Release Date: April 30, 2007 [EBook #21262]
- Language: English
- *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE ***
- Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Leonard Johnson and the Online
- Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This
- file was produced from images generously made available
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- The English Dramatists
- CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE
- VOLUME THE THIRD
- [Greek:
- Hadymelei
- thama men phormingi pamphônoisi t' en entesin aulôn.]
- PINDAR, _Olymp._ vii.
- THE WORKS
- OF
- CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE
- EDITED BY
- A. H. BULLEN, B.A.
- IN THREE VOLUMES
- VOLUME THE THIRD
- LONDON
- JOHN C. NIMMO
- 14. KING WILLIAM STREET, STRAND, W.C.
- MDCCCLXXXV
- _One hundred and twenty copies of this Edition on Laid paper, medium
- 8vo, have been printed, and are numbered consecutively as issued._
- _No._ ____
- CONTENTS OF VOL. III.
- PAGE
- HERO AND LEANDER 1
- OVID'S ELEGIES 103
- EPIGRAMS BY J. D. 211
- THE FIRST BOOK OF LUCAN 249
- THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD TO HIS LOVE 281
- FRAGMENT 293
- DIALOGUE IN VERSE 295
- APPENDICES 301
- INDEX TO THE NOTES 355
- HERO AND LEANDER.
- Two editions of _Hero and Leander_ appeared in 1598. The first edition,
- containing only Marlowe's portion of the poem, is entitled _Hero and
- Leander. By Christopher Marloe. London, Printed by Adam Islip, for
- Edward Blunt._ 1598. 4to. The title-page of the second edition, which
- contains the complete poem, is _Hero and Leander: Begun by Christopher
- Marloe; and finished by George Chapman. Ut Nectar, Ingenium. At London,
- Printed by Felix Kingston, for Paule Linley, and are to be solde in
- Paules Churche-yard, at the signe of the Blacke-beare._ 1598. 4to.
- Two copies of the second edition were discovered a few years ago at
- Lamport Hall (the seat of Sir Charles Isham, Bart.) by Mr. Charles
- Edmonds. The existence of this edition was previously unknown. Later
- editions are:--
- _Hero and Leander: Begunne by Christopher Marloe: Whereunto is added the
- first booke of Lucan translated line for line by the same Author. Ut
- Nectar, Ingenium. At London Printed for John Flasket, and are to be
- solde in Paules Church-yard, at the signe of the Blacke-beare. 1600.
- 4to._
- _Hero and Leander: Begunne by Christopher Marloe, and finished by George
- Chapman. Ut Nectar, Ingenium. At London. Imprinted for John Flasket, and
- are to be sold in Paules Church-yard, at the signe of the blacke Beare.
- 1606. 4to._
- _Hero and Leander: Begunne by Christopher Marloe, and finished by George
- Chapman. Ut Nectar, Ingenium. At London. Imprinted for Ed. Blunt and W.
- Barret, and are to be sold in Pauls Church-yard, at the signe of the
- blacke Beare. 1609. 4to._
- _Hero and Leander: Begunne by Christopher Marloe, and finished by George
- Chapman. Ut Nectar, Ingenium. London. Printed by W. Stansby for Ed.
- Blunt and W. Barret, and are to be sold in Pauls Church-yard, at the
- signe of the Blacke Beare. 1613. 4to._
- _Hero and Leander: Begun by Christoper Marloe, and finished by George
- Chapman. Ut Nectar, Ingenium. London, Printed by A. M. for Richard
- Hawkins: and are to bee sold at his Shop in Chancerie-Lane, neere
- Serieants Inne. 1629. 4to._
- _Hero and Leander: Begun by Christopher Marloe, and finished by George
- Chapman. Ut Nectar, Ingenium. London: Printed by N. Okes for William
- Leake, and are to be sold at his shop in Chancery-lane neere the Roules.
- 1637. 4to._
- I have not had an opportunity of seeing the 4tos. of 1598 or the 4to. of
- 1600. For the text of the Isham copy, I am indebted to the _Works of
- George Chapman: Poems and Minor Translations_, 1875. I have examined the
- texts of eds. 1606, 1613, 1629, 1637; and my friend Mr. C. H. Firth has
- examined for me the Bodleian copy of ed. 1600, in the margin of which
- Malone has noted the readings of the first edition.
- TO THE
- RIGHT-WORSHIPFUL SIR THOMAS WALSINGHAM,
- KNIGHT.
- Sir, we think not ourselves discharged of the duty we owe to our friend
- when we have brought the breathless body to the earth; for albeit the
- eye there taketh his ever-farewell of that beloved object, yet the
- impression of the man that hath been dear unto us, living an after-life
- in our memory, there putteth us in mind of farther obsequies due unto
- the deceased; and namely of the performance of whatsoever we may judge
- shall make to his living credit and to the effecting of his
- determinations prevented by the stroke of death. By these meditations
- (as by an intellectual will) I suppose myself executor to the unhappily
- deceased author of this poem; upon whom knowing that in his lifetime you
- bestowed many kind favours, entertaining parts of reckoning and worth
- which you found in him with good countenance and liberal affection, I
- cannot but see so far into the will of him dead, that whatsoever issue
- of his brain should chance to come abroad, that the first breath it
- should take might be the gentle air of your liking; for, since his self
- had been accustomed thereunto, it would prove more agreeable and
- thriving to his right children than any other foster countenance
- whatsoever. At this time seeing that this unfinished tragedy happens
- under my hands to be imprinted; of a double duty, the one to yourself,
- the other to the deceased, I present the same to your most favourable
- allowance, offering my utmost self now and ever to be ready at your
- worship's disposing:
- EDWARD BLUNT.
- HERO AND LEANDER.
- THE FIRST SESTIAD.
- _The Argument_[1] _of the First Sestiad._
- Hero's description and her love's;
- The fane of Venus, where he moves
- His worthy love-suit, and attains;
- Whose bliss the wrath of Fates restrains
- For Cupid's grace to Mercury:
- Which tale the author doth imply.
- On Hellespont, guilty of true love's blood,
- In view and opposite two cities stood,
- Sea-borderers,[2] disjoin'd by Neptune's might;
- The one Abydos, the other Sestos hight.
- At Sestos Hero dwelt; Hero the fair,
- Whom young Apollo courted for her hair,
- And offer'd as a dower his burning throne,
- Where she should sit, for men to gaze upon.
- The outside of her garments were of lawn,
- The lining purple silk, with gilt stars drawn; 10
- Her wide sleeves green, and border'd with a grove,
- Where Venus in her naked glory strove
- To please the careless and disdainful eyes
- Of proud Adonis, that before her lies;
- Her kirtle blue, whereon was many a stain,
- Made with the blood of wretched lovers slain.
- Upon her head she ware[3] a myrtle wreath,
- From whence her veil reach'd to the ground beneath:
- Her veil was artificial flowers and leaves,
- Whose workmanship both man and beast deceives: 20
- Many would praise the sweet smell as she past,
- When 'twas the odour which her breath forth cast;
- And there for honey bees have sought in vain,
- And, beat from thence, have lighted there again.
- About her neck hung chains of pebble-stone,
- Which, lighten'd by her neck, like diamonds shone.
- She ware no gloves; for neither sun nor wind
- Would burn or parch her hands, but, to her mind.
- Or warm or cool them, for they took delight
- To play upon those hands, they were so white. 30
- Buskins of shells, all silver'd, usèd she,
- And branch'd with blushing coral to the knee;
- Where sparrows perch'd of hollow pearl and gold,
- Such as the world would wonder to behold:
- Those with sweet water oft her handmaid fills,
- Which as she went, would cherup through the bills.
- Some say, for her the fairest Cupid pin'd,
- And, looking in her face, was strooken blind.
- But this is true; so like was one the other,
- As he imagin'd Hero was his mother; 40
- And oftentimes into her bosom flew,
- About her naked neck his bare arms threw,
- And laid his childish head upon her breast,
- And, with still panting rock,[4] there took his rest.
- So lovely-fair was Hero, Venus' nun,
- As Nature wept, thinking she was undone,
- Because she took more from her than she left,
- And of such wondrous beauty her bereft:
- Therefore, in sign her treasure suffer'd wrack,
- Since Hero's time hath half the world been black. 50
- Amorous Leander, beautiful and young
- (Whose tragedy divine Musæus sung),
- Dwelt at Abydos; since him dwelt there none
- For whom succeeding times make[5] greater moan.
- His dangling tresses, that were never shorn,
- Had they been cut, and unto Colchos borne,
- Would have allur'd the venturous youth of Greece
- To hazard more than for the golden fleece.
- Fair Cynthia wished his arms might be her Sphere;
- Grief makes her pale, because she moves not there. 60
- His body was as straight as Circe's wand;
- Jove might have sipt out nectar from his hand.
- Even as delicious meat is to the tast,
- So was his neck in touching, and surpast
- The white of Pelops' shoulder: I could tell ye,
- How smooth his breast was, and how white his belly;
- And whose immortal fingers did imprint
- That heavenly path with many a curious dint
- That runs along his back; but my rude pen
- Can hardly blazon forth the loves of men, 70
- Much less of powerful gods: let it suffice
- That my slack Muse sings of Leander's eyes;
- Those orient cheeks and lips, exceeding his
- That leapt into the water for a kiss
- Of his own shadow, and, despising many,
- Died ere he could enjoy the love of any.
- Had wild Hippolytus Leander seen,
- Enamour'd of his beauty had he been:
- His presence made the rudest peasant melt,
- That in the vast uplandish country dwelt; 80
- The barbarous Thracian soldier, mov'd with nought,
- Was mov'd with him, and for his favour sought.
- Some swore he was a maid in man's attire,
- For in his looks were all that men desire,--
- A pleasant-smiling cheek, a speaking eye,
- A brow for love to banquet royally;
- And such as knew he was a man, would say,
- "Leander, thou art made for amorous play:
- Why art thou not in love, and loved of all?
- Though thou be fair, yet be not thine own thrall." 90
- The men of wealthy Sestos every year,
- For his sake whom their goddess held so dear,
- Rose-cheek'd[6] Adonis, kept a solemn feast:
- Thither resorted many a wandering guest
- To meet their loves: such as had none at all
- Came lovers home from this great festival;
- For every street, like to a firmament,
- Glister'd with breathing stars, who, where they went,
- Frighted the melancholy earth, which deem'd
- Eternal heaven to burn, for so it seem'd, 100
- As if another Phaëton had got
- The guidance of the sun's rich chariot.
- But, far above the loveliest, Hero shin'd,
- And stole away th' enchanted gazer's mind;
- For like sea-nymphs' inveigling harmony,
- So was her beauty to the standers by;
- Nor that night-wandering, pale, and watery[7] star
- (When yawning dragons draw her thirling[8] car
- From Latmus' mount up to the gloomy sky,
- Where, crown'd with blazing light and majesty, 110
- She proudly sits) more over-rules the flood
- Than she the hearts of those that near her stood.
- Even as when gaudy nymphs pursue the chase,
- Wretched Ixion's shaggy-footed race,
- Incens'd with savage heat, gallop amain
- From steep pine-bearing mountains to the plain,
- So ran the people forth to gaze upon her,
- And all that view'd her were enamour'd on her:
- And as in fury of a dreadful fight,
- Their fellows being slain or put to flight, 120
- Poor soldiers stand with fear of death dead-strooken,
- So at her presence all surpris'd and tooken,
- Await the sentence of her scornful eyes;
- He whom she favours lives; the other dies:
- There might you see one sigh; another rage;
- And some, their violent passions to assuage,
- Compile sharp satires; but, alas, too late!
- For faithful love will never turn to hate;
- And many, seeing great princes were denied,
- Pin'd as they went, and thinking on her died. 130
- On this feast-day--O cursèd day and hour!--
- Went Hero thorough Sestos, from her tower
- To Venus' temple, where unhappily,
- As after chanc'd, they did each other spy.
- So fair a church as this had Venus none:
- The walls were of discolour'd[9] jasper-stone,
- Wherein was Proteus carved; and over-head
- A lively vine of green sea-agate spread,
- Where by one hand light-headed Bacchus hung,
- And with the other wine from grapes out-wrung. 140
- Of crystal shining fair the pavement was;
- The town of Sestos call'd it Venus' glass:
- There might you see the gods, in sundry shapes,
- Committing heady riots, incests, rapes;
- For know, that underneath this radiant flour[10]
- Was Danäe's statue in a brazen tower:
- Jove slily stealing from his sister's bed,
- To dally with Idalian Ganymed,
- And for his love Europa bellowing loud,
- And tumbling with the Rainbow in a cloud; 150
- Blood-quaffing Mars heaving the iron net
- Which limping Vulcan and his Cyclops set;
- Love kindling fire, to burn such towns as Troy;
- Silvanus weeping for the lovely boy
- That now is turned into a cypress-tree,
- Under whose shade the wood-gods love to be.
- And in the midst a silver altar stood:
- There Hero, sacrificing turtles' blood,
- Vailed[11] to the ground, veiling her eyelids close;
- And modestly they opened as she rose: 160
- Thence flew Love's arrow with the golden head;
- And thus Leander was enamourèd.
- Stone-still he stood, and evermore he gaz'd,
- Till with the fire, that from his countenance blaz'd,
- Relenting Hero's gentle heart was strook:
- Such force and virtue hath an amorous look.
- It lies not in our power to love or hate,
- For will in us is over-rul'd by fate.
- When two are stript long ere the course begin,
- We wish that one should lose, the other win; 170
- And one especially do we affect
- Of two gold ingots, like in each respect:
- The reason no man knows, let it suffice,
- What we behold is censur'd by our eyes.
- Where both deliberate, the love is slight:
- Who ever lov'd, that lov'd not at first sight?[12]
- He kneel'd; but unto her devoutly prayed:
- Chaste Hero to herself thus softly said,
- "Were I the saint he worships, I would hear him;"
- And, as she spake those words, came somewhat near him. 180
- He started up; she blushed as one asham'd;
- Wherewith Leander much more was inflam'd.
- He touch'd her hand; in touching it she trembled:
- Love deeply grounded hardly is dissembled.
- These lovers parled by the touch of hands:
- True love is mute, and oft amazèd stands.
- Thus while dumb signs their yielding hearts entangled,
- The air with sparks of living fire was spangled;
- And night,[13] deep-drenched in misty Acheron,
- Heav'd up her head, and half the world upon 190
- Breath'd darkness forth (dark night is Cupid's day):
- And now begins Leander to display
- Love's holy fire, with words, with sighs, and tears;
- Which, like sweet music, enter'd Hero's ears;
- And yet at every word she turn'd aside
- And always cut him off, as he replied.
- At last, like to a bold sharp sophister,
- With cheerful hope thus he accosted her.
- "Fair creature,[14] let me speak without offence:
- I would my rude words had the influence 200
- To lead thy thoughts as thy fair looks do mine!
- Then shouldst thou be his prisoner, who is thine.
- Be not unkind and fair; mis-shapen stuff
- Are of behaviour boisterous and rough.
- O, shun me not, but hear me ere you go!
- God knows, I cannot force love as you do:
- My words shall be as spotless as my youth,
- Full of simplicity and naked truth.
- This sacrifice, whose sweet perfume descending
- From Venus' altar, to your footsteps bending, 210
- Doth testify that you exceed her far,
- To whom you offer, and whose nun you are.
- Why should you worship her? her you surpass
- As much as sparkling diamonds flaring glass.
- A diamond set in lead his worth retains;
- A heavenly nymph, belov'd of human swains,
- Receives no blemish, but ofttimes more grace;
- Which makes me hope, although I am but base,
- Base in respect of thee divine and pure,
- Dutiful service may thy love procure; 220
- And I in duty will excel all other,
- As thou in beauty dost exceed Love's mother.
- Nor heaven nor thou were made to gaze upon:
- As heaven preserves all things, so save thou one.
- A stately-builded ship, well rigg'd and tall,
- The ocean maketh more majestical;
- Why vow'st thou, then, to live in Sestos here,
- Who on Love's seas more glorious wouldst appear?
- Like untun'd golden strings all women are,
- Which long time lie untouch'd, will harshly jar. 230
- Vessels of brass, oft handled, brightly shine:
- What diffèrence betwixt[15] the richest mine
- And basest mould, but use? for both, not us'd,
- Are of like worth. Then treasure is abus'd,
- When misers keep it: being put to loan,
- In time it will return us two for one.
- Rich robes themselves and others do adorn;
- Neither themselves nor others, if not worn.
- Who builds a palace, and rams up the gate,
- Shall see it ruinous and desolate: 240
- Ah, simple Hero, learn thyself to cherish!
- Lone women, like to empty houses, perish.
- Less sins the poor rich man, that starves himself
- In heaping up a mass of drossy pelf,
- Than such as you: his golden earth remains,
- Which, after his decease some other gains;
- But this fair gem, sweet in the loss alone,
- When you fleet hence, can be bequeath'd to none;
- Or, if it could, down from th' enamell'd sky
- All heaven would come to claim this legacy, 250
- And with intestine broils the world destroy,
- And quite confound Nature's sweet harmony.
- Well therefore by the gods decreed it is,
- We human creatures should enjoy that bliss.
- One is no number;[16] maids are nothing, then,
- Without the sweet society of men.
- Wilt thou live single still? one shalt thou be,
- Though never-singling Hymen couple thee.
- Wild savages, that drink of running springs
- Think water far excels all earthly things; 260
- But they, that daily taste neat[17] wine, despise it:
- Virginity, albeit some highly prize it,
- Compar'd with marriage, had you tried them both,
- Differs as much as wine and water doth.
- Base bullion for the stamp's sake we allow:
- Even so for men's impression do we you;
- By which alone, our reverend fathers say,
- Women receive perfection every way.
- This idol, which you term virginity,
- Is neither essence subject to the eye, 270
- No, nor to any one exterior sense,
- Nor hath it any place of residence,
- Nor is't of earth or mould celestial,
- Or capable of any form at all.
- Of that which hath no being, do not boast;
- Things that are not at all, are never lost.
- Men foolishly do call it virtuous:
- What virtue is it, that is born with us?
- Much less can honour be ascrib'd thereto:
- Honour is purchas'd by the deeds we do; 280
- Believe me, Hero, honour is not won,
- Until some honourable deed be done.
- Seek you, for chastity, immortal fame,
- And know that some have wrong'd Diana's name?
- Whose name is it, if she be false or not,
- So she be fair, but some vile tongues will blot?
- But you are fair, ay me! so wondrous fair,
- So young, so gentle, and so debonair.
- As Greece will think, if thus you live alone,
- Some one or other keeps you as his own. 290
- Then, Hero, hate me not, nor from me fly,
- To follow swiftly-blasting infamy.
- Perhaps thy sacred priesthood makes thee loath:
- Tell me to whom mad'st thou that heedless oath?"
- "To Venus," answer'd she; and, as she spake,
- Forth from those two tralucent cisterns brake
- A stream of liquid pearl, which down her face
- Made milk-white paths, whereon the gods might trace
- To Jove's high court. He thus replied: "The rites
- In which Love's beauteous empress most delights, 300
- Are banquets, Doric music, midnight revel,
- Plays, masks, and all that stern age counteth evil.
- Thee as a holy idiot doth she scorn;
- For thou, in vowing chastity, hast sworn
- To rob her name and honour, and thereby
- Committ'st a sin far worse than perjury,
- Even sacrilege against her deity,
- Through regular and formal purity.
- To expiate which sin, kiss and shake hands:
- Such sacrifice as this Venus demands." 310
- Thereat she smil'd, and did deny him so,
- As put[18] thereby, yet might he hope for mo;
- Which makes him quickly reinforce his speech,
- And her in humble manner thus beseech:
- "Though neither gods nor men may thee deserve,
- Yet for her sake, whom you have vow'd to serve,
- Abandon fruitless cold virginity,
- The gentle queen of Love's sole enemy.
- Then shall you most resemble Venus' nun,
- When Venus' sweet rites are performed and done. 320
- Flint-breasted Pallas joys in single life;
- But Pallas and your mistress are at strife.
- Love, Hero, then, and be not tyrannous;
- But heal the heart that thou hast wounded thus;
- Nor stain thy youthful years with avarice:
- Fair fools delight to be accounted nice.
- The richest[19] corn dies, if it be not reapt;
- Beauty alone is lost, too warily kept."
- These arguments he us'd, and many more;
- Wherewith she yielded, that was won before. 330
- Hero's looks yielded, but her words made war:
- Women are won when they begin to jar.
- Thus, having swallow'd Cupid's golden hook,
- The more she striv'd, the deeper was she strook:
- Yet, evilly feigning anger, strove she still,
- And would be thought to grant against her will.
- So having paus'd a while, at last she said,
- "Who taught thee rhetoric to deceive a maid?
- Ay me! such words as these should I abhor,
- And yet I like them for the orator." 340
- With that, Leander stooped to have embrac'd her,
- But from his spreading arms away she cast her,
- And thus bespake him: "Gentle youth, forbear
- To touch the sacred garments which I wear.
- Upon a rock, and underneath a hill,
- Far from the town (where all is whist[20] and still,
- Save that the sea, playing on yellow sand,
- Sends forth a rattling murmur to the land,
- Whose sound allures the golden Morpheus
- In silence of the night to visit us), 350
- My turret stands; and there, God knows, I play
- With Venus' swans and sparrows all the day.
- A[21] dwarfish beldam bears me company,
- That hops about the chamber where I lie,
- And spends the night, that might be better spent,
- In vain discourse and apish merriment:--
- Come thither." As she spake this, her tongue tripp'd,
- For unawares "Come thither" from her slipp'd;
- And suddenly her former colour chang'd,
- And here and there her eyes through anger rang'd; 360
- And, like a planet moving several ways
- At one self instant, she, poor soul, assays,
- Loving, not to love at all, and every part
- Strove to resist the motions of her heart:
- And hands so pure, so innocent, nay, such
- As might have made Heaven stoop to have a touch,
- Did she uphold to Venus, and again
- Vow'd spotless chastity; but all in vain;
- Cupid beats down her prayers with his wings;
- Her vows above[22] the empty air he flings: 370
- All deep enrag'd, his sinewy bow he bent,
- And shot a shaft that burning from him went;
- Wherewith she strooken, look'd so dolefully,
- As made Love sigh to see his tyranny;
- And, as she wept, her tears to pearl he turn'd,
- And wound them on his arm, and for her mourn'd.
- Then towards the palace of the Destinies,
- Laden with languishment and grief, he flies,
- And to those stern nymphs humbly made request,
- Both might enjoy each other, and be blest. 380
- But with a ghastly dreadful countenance,
- Threatening a thousand deaths at every glance,
- They answer'd Love, nor would vouchsafe so much
- As one poor word, their hate to him was such:
- Hearken awhile, and I will tell you why.
- Heaven's wingèd herald, Jove-born Mercury,
- The self-same day that he asleep had laid
- Enchanted Argus, spied a country maid,
- Whose careless hair, instead of pearl t'adorn it,
- Glister'd with dew, as one that seemed to scorn it; 390
- Her breath as fragrant as the morning rose;
- Her mind pure, and her tongue untaught to glose:
- Yet proud she was (for lofty Pride that dwells
- In tower'd courts, is oft in shepherds' cells),
- And too-too well the fair vermillion knew
- And silver tincture of her cheeks that drew
- The love of every swain. On her this god
- Enamour'd was, and with his snaky rod
- Did charm her nimble feet, and made her stay,
- The while upon a hillock down he lay, 400
- And sweetly on his pipe began to play,
- And with smooth speech her fancy to assay,
- Till in his twining arms he lock'd her fast,
- And then he woo'd with kisses; and at last,
- As shepherds do, her on the ground he laid,
- And, tumbling in the grass, he often stray'd
- Beyond the bounds of shame, in being bold
- To eye those parts which no eye should behold;
- And, like an insolent commanding lover,
- Boasting his parentage, would needs discover 410
- The way to new Elysium. But she,
- Whose only dower was her chastity,
- Having striven in vain, was now about to cry,
- And crave the help of shepherds that were nigh.
- Herewith he stay'd his fury, and began
- To give her leave to rise: away she ran;
- After went Mercury, who used such cunning,
- As she, to hear his tale, let off her running
- (Maids are not won by brutish force and might,
- But speeches full of pleasures and delight); 420
- And, knowing Hermes courted her, was glad
- That she such loveliness and beauty had
- As could provoke his liking; yet was mute,
- And neither would deny nor grant his suit.
- Still vow'd he love: she, wanting no excuse
- To feed him with delays, as women use,
- Or thirsting after immortality,
- (All women are ambitious naturally),
- Impos'd upon her lover such a task,
- As he ought not perform, nor yet she ask; 430
- A draught of flowing nectar she requested,
- Wherewith the king of gods and men is feasted.
- He, ready to accomplish what she will'd,
- Stole some from Hebe (Hebe Jove's cup fill'd),
- And gave it to his simple rustic love:
- Which being known,--as what is hid from Jove?--
- He inly storm'd, and wax'd more furious
- Than for the fire filch'd by Prometheus;
- And thrusts him down from heaven. He, wandering here,
- In mournful terms, with sad and heavy cheer, 440
- Complain'd to Cupid: Cupid, for his sake,
- To be reveng'd on Jove did undertake;
- And those on whom heaven, earth, and hell relies,
- I mean the adamantine Destinies,
- He wounds with love, and forc'd them equally
- To dote upon deceitful Mercury.
- They offer'd him the deadly fatal knife
- That shears the slender threads[23] of human life;
- At his fair-feather'd feet the engines laid,
- Which th' earth from ugly Chaos' den upweigh'd. 450
- These he regarded not; but did entreat
- That Jove, usurper of his father's seat,
- Might presently be banish'd into hell,
- And agèd Saturn in Olympus dwell.
- They granted what he crav'd; and once again
- Saturn and Ops began their golden reign:
- Murder, rape, war, and[24] lust, and treachery,
- Were with Jove clos'd in Stygian empery.
- But long this blessèd time continu'd not:
- As soon as he his wishèd purpose got, 460
- He, reckless of his promise, did despise
- The love of th' everlasting Destinies.
- They, seeing it, both Love and him abhorr'd,
- And Jupiter unto his place restor'd:
- And, but that Learning, in despite of Fate,
- Will mount aloft, and enter heaven-gate,
- And to the seat of Jove itself advance,
- Hermes had slept in hell with Ignorance.
- Yet, as a punishment, they added this,
- That he and Poverty should always kiss; 470
- And to this day is every scholar poor:
- Gross gold from them runs headlong to the boor.
- Likewise the angry Sisters, thus deluded,
- To venge themselves on Hermes, have concluded
- That Midas' brood shall sit in Honour's chair,
- To which the Muses' sons are only heir;
- And fruitful wits, that inaspiring[25] are,
- Shall, discontent, run into regions far;
- And few great lords in virtuous deeds shall joy
- But be surpris'd with every garish toy, 480
- And still enrich the lofty servile clown,
- Who with encroaching guile keeps learning down.
- Then muse not Cupid's suit no better sped,
- Seeing in their loves the Fates were injurèd.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [1] The Arguments are by Chapman, who also divided Marlowe's portion of
- the form into the First and Second Sestiad.
- [2] Eds. 1600, 1606, 1613, "Sea-borders."--Ed. 1598, according to
- Malone, has "sea-borderers;" and so eds. 1629, 1637.
- [3] Some editions give "wore."
- [4] Some eds. have "rockt," which may be the right reading.
- [5] So ed. 1637.--The earlier editions that I have seen read "may."
- [6] Cf. _Venus and Adonis_ (l. 3)--
- "_Rose-cheek'd Adonis_ hied him to the chace."
- [7] So _Hamlet_ i. 1--
- "The _moist star_,
- Upon whose influence Neptune's empire stands."
- [8] "_Thrilling_--tremulously moving."--_Dyce._ Perhaps the meaning
- rather is _penetrating_--drilling its way through--"the gloomy sky."
- [9] Variegated (Lat. _discolor_).
- [10] Dyce quotes a passage of Harington's _Orlando Furioso_ where
- "flowre" (floor) rhymes with "towre."
- [11] Ed. 1600 and later 4tos. "Tail'd." For the coupling of "Vailed"
- with "veiling," cf. 2. _Tamb._ v. iii. 6. "pitch their pitchy tents."
- [12] This line is quoted in _As you like it_, iii. 5:--
- "Dead shepherd, now I find thy saw of might,--
- _Who ever lov'd, that lov'd not at first sight._"
- [13] "A periphrasis of Night." Marginal note in ed. 1598.
- [14] Lines 199-204, 221-222, are quoted, not quite accurately, by
- Matthew in _Every Man in his Humour_, iv. 1.
- [15] Some eds. give "between."
- [16] Cf. Shakespeare, _Sonnet_ cxxxvi.--
- "Among a number one is reckoned none."
- [17] Some eds. read "sweet."
- [18] Cf. Second Sestiad, l. 73--
- "She with a kind of granting _put_ him _by_ it."
- [19] This line is quoted in _England's Parnassus_ with the reading
- "ripest."
- [20] Hushed.
- [21] "To the 'beldam nurse' there occurs the following allusion in
- Drayton's _Heroical Epistle from Queen Mary to Charles Brandon_:--
- 'There is no beldam nurse to powt nor lower
- When wantoning we revell in my tower,
- Nor need I top my turret with a light,
- To guide thee to me as thou swim'st by night.'"--_Broughton._
- [22] So the old eds.--Dyce reads "about."
- [23] We are reminded of _Lycidas_:--
- "Comes the blind Fury with the abhorrèd shears
- And slits the thin-spun life."
- [24] Omitted in ed. 1600 and later 4tos.
- [25] This word cannot be right. Query, "high-aspiring?"
- THE SECOND SESTIAD.
- _The Argument of the Second Sestiad._
- Hero of love takes deeper sense,
- And doth her love more recompense:
- Their first night's meeting, where sweet kisses
- Are th' only crowns of both their blisses
- He swims t' Abydos, and returns:
- Cold Neptune with his beauty burns;
- Whose suit he shuns, and doth aspire
- Hero's fair tower and his desire.
- By this, sad Hero, with love unacquainted,
- Viewing Leander's face, fell down and fainted.
- He kiss'd her, and breath'd life[26] into her lips;
- Wherewith, as one displeas'd, away she trips;
- Yet, as she went, full often look'd behind,
- And many poor excuses did she find
- To linger by the way, and once she stay'd,
- And would have turn'd again, but was afraid,
- In offering parley, to be counted light:
- So on she goes, and, in her idle flight, 10
- Her painted fan of curled plumes let fall,
- Thinking to train Leander therewithal.
- He, being a novice, knew not what she meant,
- But stay'd, and after her a letter sent;
- Which joyful Hero answer'd in such sort,
- As he had hope to scale the beauteous fort
- Wherein the liberal Graces locked their wealth;
- And therefore to her tower he got by stealth.
- Wide open stood the door; he need not climb;
- And she herself, before the pointed time, 20
- Had spread the board, with roses strew'd the room,
- And oft looked out, and mused he did not come.
- At last he came: O, who can tell the greeting
- These greedy lovers had at their first meeting?
- He asked; she gave; and nothing was denied;
- Both to each other quickly were affied:
- Look how their hands, so were their hearts united,
- And what he did, she willingly requited.
- (Sweet are the kisses, the embracements sweet,
- When like desires and like[27] affections meet; 30
- For from the earth to heaven is Cupid raised,
- Where fancy is in equal balance paised.[28])
- Yet she this rashness suddenly repented,
- And turn'd aside, and to herself lamented,
- As if her name and honour had been wronged
- By being possessed of him for whom she longed;
- I, and she wished, albeit not from her heart,
- That he would leave her turret and depart.
- The mirthful god of amorous pleasure smiled
- To see how he this captive nymph beguiled; 40
- For hitherto he did but fan the fire,
- And kept it down, that it might mount the higher.
- Now wax'd she jealous lest his love abated,
- Fearing her own thoughts made her to be hated.
- Therefore unto him hastily she goes,
- And, like light Salmacis, her body throws
- Upon his bosom, where with yielding eyes
- She offers up herself a sacrifice
- To slake her anger, if he were displeased:
- O, what god would not therewith be appeased? 50
- Like Æsop's cock, this jewel he enjoyed,
- And as a brother with his sister toyed,
- Supposing nothing else was to be done,
- Now he her favour and goodwill had won.
- But know you not that creatures wanting sense,
- By nature have a mutual appetence,
- And, wanting organs to advance a step,
- Mov'd by love's force, unto each other lep?
- Much more in subjects having intellect
- Some hidden influence breeds like effect. 60
- Albeit Leander, rude in love and raw,
- Long dallying with Hero, nothing saw
- That might delight him more, yet he suspected
- Some amorous rites or other were neglected.
- Therefore unto his body hers he clung:
- She, fearing on the rushes[29] to be flung,
- Strived with redoubled strength; the more she strived,
- The more a gentle pleasing heat revived,
- Which taught him all that elder lovers know;
- And now the same gan so to scorch and glow, 70
- As in plain terms, yet cunningly, he'd crave[30] it:
- Love always makes those eloquent that have it.
- She, with a kind of granting, put him by it,
- And ever, as he thought himself most nigh it,
- Like to the tree of Tantalus, she fled,
- And, seeming lavish, saved her maidenhead.
- Ne'er king more sought to keep his diadem,
- Than Hero this inestimable gem:
- Above our life we love a steadfast friend;
- Yet when a token of great worth we send, 80
- We often kiss it, often look thereon,
- And stay the messenger that would be gone;
- No marvel, then, though Hero would not yield
- So soon to part from that she dearly held:
- Jewels being lost are found again; this never;
- 'Tis lost but once, and once lost, lost for ever.
- Now had the Morn espied her lover's steeds;
- Whereat she starts, puts on her purple weeds,
- And, red for anger that he stayed so long,
- All headlong throws herself the clouds among. 90
- And now Leander, fearing to be missed,
- Embraced her suddenly, took leave, and kissed:
- Long was he taking leave, and loath to go,
- And kissed again, as lovers use to do.
- Sad Hero wrung him by the hand, and wept,
- Saying, "Let your vows and promises be kept:"
- Then standing at the door, she turned about,
- As loath to see Leander going out.
- And now the sun, that through th' horizon peeps,
- As pitying these lovers, downward creeps; 100
- So that in silence of the cloudy night,
- Though it was morning, did he take his flight.
- But what the secret trusty night concealed,
- Leander's amorous habit soon revealed:
- With Cupid's myrtle was his bonnet crowned,
- About his arms the purple riband wound,
- Wherewith she wreath'd her largely-spreading hair;
- Nor could the youth abstain, but he must wear
- The sacred ring wherewith she was endowed,
- When first religious chastity she vowed; 110
- Which made his love through Sestos to be known,
- And thence unto Abydos sooner blown
- Than he could sail; for incorporeal Fame,
- Whose weight consists in nothing but her name,
- Is swifter than the wind, whose tardy plumes
- Are reeking water and dull earthly fumes.
- Home when he came, he seemed not to be there,
- But, like exilèd air thrust from his sphere,
- Set in a foreign place; and straight from thence,
- Alcides-like, by mighty violence, 120
- He would have chas'd away the swelling main,
- That him from her unjustly did detain.
- Like as the sun in a diameter
- Fires and inflames objects removèd far,
- And heateth kindly, shining laterally;
- So beauty sweetly quickens when 'tis nigh,
- But being separated and removed,
- Burns where it cherished, murders where it loved.
- Therefore even as an index to a book,
- So to his mind was young Leander's look. 130
- O, none but gods have power[31] their love to hide!
- Affection by the countenance is descried;
- The light of hidden fire itself discovers,
- And love that is concealed betrays poor lovers.
- His secret flame apparently was seen:
- Leander's father knew where he had been,
- And for the same mildly rebuk'd his son,
- Thinking to quench the sparkles new-begun.
- But love, resisted once, grows passionate,
- And nothing more than counsel lovers hate; 140
- For as a hot proud horse highly disdains
- To have his head controlled, but breaks the reins,
- Spits forth the ringled[32] bit, and with his hoves
- Checks the submissive ground; so he that loves,
- The more he is restrain'd, the worse he fares:
- What is it now but mad Leander dares?
- "O Hero, Hero!" thus he cried full oft;
- And then he got him to a rock aloft,
- Where having spied her tower, long star'd he on't,
- And pray'd the narrow toiling Hellespont 150
- To part in twain, that he might come and go;
- But still the rising billows answer'd, "No."
- With that, he stripp'd him to the ivory skin,
- And, crying, "Love, I come," leap'd lively in:
- Whereat the sapphire-visaged god grew proud,
- And made his capering Triton sound aloud,
- Imagining that Ganymede, displeas'd,
- Had left the heavens; therefore on him he seiz'd.
- Leander strived; the waves about him wound,
- And pull'd him to the bottom, where the ground 160
- Was strewed with pearl, and in low coral groves
- Sweet-singing mermaids sported with their loves
- On heaps of heavy gold, and took great pleasure
- To spurn in careless sort the shipwreck treasure;
- For here the stately azure palace stood,
- Where kingly Neptune and his train abode.
- The lusty god embrac'd him, called him "Love,"
- And swore he never should return to Jove:
- But when he knew it was not Ganymed,
- For under water he was almost dead, 170
- He heav'd him up, and, looking on his face,
- Beat down the bold waves with his triple mace,
- Which mounted up, intending to have kiss'd him,
- And fell in drops like tears because they miss'd him.
- Leander, being up, began to swim,
- And, looking back, saw Neptune follow him:
- Whereat aghast, the poor soul gan to cry,
- "O, let me visit Hero ere I die!"
- The god put Helle's bracelet on his arm,
- And swore the sea should never do him harm. 180
- He clapped his plump cheeks, with his tresses played,
- And, smiling wantonly, his love bewrayed;
- He watched his arms, and, as they open'd wide
- At every stroke, betwixt them would he slide,
- And steal a kiss, and then run out and dance,
- And, as he turn'd, cast many a lustful glance,
- And throw him gaudy toys to please his eye,
- And dive into the water, and there pry
- Upon his breast, his thighs, and every limb,
- And up again, and close beside him swim, 190
- And talk of love. Leander made reply,
- "You are deceiv'd; I am no woman, I."
- Thereat smil'd Neptune, and then told a tale,
- How that a shepherd, sitting in a vale,
- Play'd with a boy so lovely-fair[33] and kind,
- As for his love both earth and heaven pin'd;
- That of the cooling river durst not drink,
- Lest water-nymphs should pull him from the brink;
- And when he sported in the fragrant lawns,
- Goat-footed Satyrs and up-staring[34] Fauns 200
- Would steal him thence. Ere half this tale was done,
- "Ay me," Leander cried, "th' enamoured sun,
- That now should shine on Thetis' glassy bower,
- Descends upon my radiant Hero's tower:
- O, that these tardy arms of mine were wings!"
- And, as he spake, upon the waves he springs.
- Neptune was angry that he gave no ear,
- And in his heart revenging malice bare:
- He flung at him his mace; but, as it went,
- He call'd it in, for love made him repent: 210
- The mace, returning back, his own hand hit,
- As meaning to be venged for darting it.
- When this fresh-bleeding wound Leander viewed,
- His colour went and came, as if he rued
- The grief which Neptune felt: in gentle breasts
- Relenting thoughts, remorse, and pity rests;
- And who have hard hearts and obdurate minds,
- But vicious, hare-brained, and illiterate hinds?
- The god, seeing him with pity to be moved,
- Thereon concluded that he was beloved. 220
- (Love is too full of faith, too credulous,
- With folly and false hope deluding us);
- Wherefore, Leander's fancy to surprise,
- To the rich ocean for gifts he flies:
- Tis wisdom to give much; a gift prevails
- When deep persuading oratory fails,
- By this, Leander, being near the land,
- Cast down his weary feet, and felt the sand.
- Breathless albeit he were, he rested not
- Till to the solitary tower he got; 230
- And knocked and called: at which celestial noise
- The longing heart of Hero much more joys,
- Than nymphs and shepherds when the timbrel rings,
- Or crookèd dolphin when the sailor sings.
- She stayed not for her robes, but straight arose,
- And, drunk with gladness, to the door she goes;
- Where seeing a naked man, she screeched for fear
- (Such sights as this to tender maids are rare),
- And ran into the dark herself to hide
- (Rich jewels in the dark are soonest spied). 240
- Unto her was he led, or rather drawn,
- By those white limbs which sparkled through the lawn.
- The nearer that he came, the more she fled,
- And, seeking refuge, slipt into her bed;
- Whereon Leander sitting, thus began,
- Through numbing cold, all feeble, faint, and wan.
- "If not for love, yet, love, for pity-sake,
- Me in thy bed and maiden bosom take;
- At least vouchsafe these arms some little room,
- Who, hoping to embrace thee, cheerly swoom: 250
- This head was beat with many a churlish billow,
- And therefore let it rest upon thy pillow."
- Herewith affrighted, Hero shrunk away,
- And in her lukewarm place Leander lay;
- Whose lively heat, like fire from heaven fet,[35]
- Would animate gross clay, and higher set
- The drooping thoughts of base-declining souls,
- Than dreary-Mars-carousing nectar bowls.
- His hands he cast upon her like a snare:
- She, overcome with shame and sallow[36] fear, 260
- Like chaste Diana when Actæon spied her,
- Being suddenly betray'd, div'd down to hide her;
- And, as her silver body downward went,
- With both her hands she made the bed a tent,
- And in her own mind thought herself secure,
- O'ercast with dim and darksome coverture.
- And now she lets him whisper in her ear,
- Flatter, entreat, promise, protest, and swear:
- Yet ever, as he greedily assay'd
- To touch those dainties, she the harpy play'd, 270
- And every limb did, as a soldier stout,
- Defend the fort, and keep the foeman out;
- For though the rising ivory mount he scal'd,
- Which is with azure circling lines empal'd,
- Much like a globe (a globe may I term this,
- By which Love sails to regions full of bliss),
- Yet there with Sisyphus he toil'd in vain,
- Till gentle parley did the truce obtain
- Even[37] as a bird, which in our hands we wring,
- Forth plungeth, and oft flutters with her wing, 280
- She trembling strove: this strife of hers, like that
- Which made the world, another world begat
- Of unknown joy. Treason was in her thought,
- And cunningly to yield herself she sought.
- Seeming not won, yet won she was at length:
- In such wars women use but half their strength.
- Leander now, like Theban Hercules,
- Enter'd the orchard of th' Hesperides;
- Whose fruit none rightly can describe, but he
- That pulls or shakes it from the golden tree. 290
- Wherein Leander, on her quivering breast,
- Breathless spoke something, and sigh'd out the rest;
- Which so prevail'd, as he with small ado,
- Enclos'd her in his arms, and kiss'd her too:
- And every kiss to her was as a charm,
- And to Leander as a fresh alarm:
- So that the truce was broke, and she, alas,
- Poor silly maiden, at his mercy was.
- Love is not full of pity, as men say,
- But deaf and cruel where he means to prey. 300
- And now she wish'd this night were never done,
- And sigh'd to think upon th' approaching sun;
- For much it griev'd her that the bright day-light
- Should know the pleasure of this blessèd night,
- And them, like Mars and Erycine, display[38]
- Both in each other's arms chain'd as they lay.
- Again, she knew not how to frame her look,
- Or speak to him, who in a moment took
- That which so long, so charily she kept;
- And fain by stealth away she would have crept, 310
- And to some corner secretly have gone,
- Leaving Leander in the bed alone.
- But as her naked feet were whipping out,
- He on the sudden cling'd her so about,
- That, mermaid-like, unto the floor she slid;
- One half appear'd, the other half was hid.
- Thus near the bed she blushing stood upright,
- And from her countenance behold ye might
- A kind of twilight break, which through the air,[39]
- As from an orient cloud, glimps'd[40] here and there; 320
- And round about the chamber this false morn
- Brought forth the day before the day was born.
- So Hero's ruddy cheek Hero betray'd,
- And her all naked to his sight display'd:
- Whence his admiring eyes more pleasure took
- Than Dis,[41] on heaps of gold fixing his look.
- By this, Apollo's golden harp began
- To sound forth music to the ocean;
- Which watchful Hesperus no sooner heard,
- But he the bright Day-bearing car[42] prepar'd, 330
- And ran before, as harbinger of light,
- And with his flaring beams mock'd ugly Night,
- Till she, o'ercome with anguish, shame, and rage,
- Dang'd[43] down to hell her loathsome carriage.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [26] Cf. _Rom. and Jul._ v. 1--
- "I dreamed my lady came and found me dead,
- Strange dream that gives a dead man leave to think!--
- And _breathed such life with kisses in my lips_,
- That I revived and was an emperor."
- [27] Omitted in eds. 1600, 1606, 1613, and 1637.
- [28] Peised, weighed.
- [29] Rooms were strewed with rushes before the introduction of carpets.
- Shakespeare, like Marlowe, attributed the customs of his own day to
- ancient times. Cf. _Cymb._ ii. 2--
- "Our Tarquin thus
- Did softly press the _rushes_ ere he wakened
- The chastity he wounded."
- [30] Old eds. "crau'd."
- [31] Some eds. give "O, none have power but gods."
- [32] "In ages and countries where mechanical ingenuity has but few
- outlets it exhausts itself in the constructions of bits, each more
- peculiar in form or more torturing in effect than that which has
- preceded it. I have seen collections of these instruments of torments,
- and among them some of which Marlowe's curious adjective would have been
- highly descriptive. It may be, however, that the word is 'ring-led,' in
- which shape it would mean guided by the ring on each side like a
- snaffle."--_Cunningham._
- [33] Some eds. give "so faire and kind." Cf. _Othello_, iv. 2--
- "O thou wind
- Who art so _lovely-fair_ and smell'st so sweet."
- [34] Ed. 1613 and later eds. "upstarting."
- [35] Fetched
- [36] Some eds. give "shallow."
- [37] In the old eds. this line and the next stood after l. 300. The
- transposition was made by Singer in the edition of 1821.
- [38] Old eds.--"then ... displaid," and in the next line "laid."
- [39] Old eds. "heare" and "haire."
- [40] Old eds. "glympse."
- [41] Pluto was frequently identified by the Greeks with Plutus.
- [42] Old eds. "day bright-bearing car."
- [43] Dinged, dashed. Some eds. give "hurled."--Here Marlowe's share
- ends.
- THE EPISTLE[44] DEDICATORY
- TO MY
- BEST ESTEEMED AND WORTHILY HONOURED LADY THE
- LADY WALSINGHAM,
- ONE OF THE LADIES OF HER MAJESTY'S BED-CHAMBER.
- I present your ladyship with the last affections of the first two Lovers
- that ever Muse shrined in the Temple of Memory; being drawn by strange
- instigation to employ some of my serious time in so trifling a subject,
- which yet made the first Author, divine Musaeus, eternal. And were it
- not that we must subject our accounts of these common received conceits
- to servile custom, it goes much against my hand to sign that for a
- trifling subject on which more worthiness of soul hath been shewed, and
- weight of divine wit, than can vouchsafe residence in the leaden gravity
- of any money-monger; in whose profession all serious subjects are
- concluded. But he that shuns trifles must shun the world; out of whose
- reverend heaps of substance and austerity I can and will ere long single
- or tumble out as brainless and passionate fooleries as ever panted in
- the bosom of the most ridiculous lover. Accept it, therefore, good
- Madam, though as a trifle, yet as a serious argument of my affection;
- for to be thought thankful for all free and honourable favours is a
- great sum of that riches my whole thrift intendeth.
- Such uncourtly and silly dispositions as mine, whose contentment hath
- other objects than profit or glory, are as glad, simply for the naked
- merit of virtue, to honour such as advance her, as others that are hard
- to commend with deepliest politique bounty.
- It hath therefore adjoined much contentment to my desire of your true
- honour to hear men of desert in court add to mine own knowledge of your
- noble disposition how gladly you do your best to prefer their desires,
- and have as absolute respect to their mere good parts as if they came
- perfumed and charmed with golden incitements. And this most sweet
- inclination, that flows from the truth and eternity of Nobles[se],
- assure your Ladyship doth more suit your other ornaments, and makes more
- to the advancement of your name and happiness of your proceedings, than
- if like others you displayed ensigns of state and sourness in your
- forehead, made smooth with nothing but sensuality and presents.
- This poor Dedication (in figure of the other unity betwixt Sir Thomas
- and yourself) hath rejoined you with him, my honoured best friend; whose
- continuance of ancient kindness to my still-obscured estate, though it
- cannot increase my love to him which hath been entirely circular; yet
- shall it encourage my deserts to their utmost requital, and make my
- hearty gratitude speak; to which the unhappiness of my life hath
- hitherto been uncomfortable and painful dumbness.
- By your Ladyship's vowed in
- most wished service,
- GEORGE CHAPMAN.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [44] This Epistle is only found in the Isham copy, 1598.
- THE THIRD SESTIAD.
- _The Argument of the Third Sestiad._
- Leander to the envious light
- Resigns his night-sports with the night,
- And swims the Hellespont again.
- Thesme, the deity sovereign
- Of customs and religious rites,
- Appears, reproving[45] his delights,
- Since nuptial honours he neglected;
- Which straight he vows shall be effected.
- Fair Hero, left devirginate,
- Weighs, and with fury wails her state; 10
- But with her love and woman's wit
- She argues and approveth it.
- New light gives new directions, fortunes new,
- To fashion our endeavours that ensue.
- More harsh, at least more hard, more grave and high
- Our subject runs, and our stern Muse must fly.
- Love's edge is taken off, and that light flame,
- Those thoughts, joys, longings, that before became
- High unexperienc'd blood, and maids' sharp plights,
- Must now grow staid, and censure the delights,
- That, being enjoy'd, ask judgment; now we praise,
- As having parted: evenings crown the days. 10
- And now, ye wanton Loves, and young Desires,
- Pied Vanity, the mint of strange attires,
- Ye lisping Flatteries, and obsequious Glances,
- Relentful Musics, and attractive Dances,
- And you detested Charms constraining love!
- Shun love's stoln sports by that these lovers prove.
- By this, the sovereign of heaven's golden fires,
- And young Leander, lord of his desires,
- Together from their lovers' arms arose:
- Leander into Hellespontus throws 20
- His Hero-handled body, whose delight
- Made him disdain each other epithite.
- And as amidst th' enamour'd waves he swims,
- The god of gold[46] of purpose gilt his limbs,
- That, this word _gilt_[47] including double sense,
- The double guilt of his incontinence
- Might be express'd, that had no stay t' employ
- The treasure which the love-god let him joy
- In his dear Hero, with such sacred thrift
- As had beseem'd so sanctified a gift; 30
- But, like a greedy vulgar prodigal,
- Would on the stock dispend, and rudely fall,
- Before his time, to that unblessèd blessing
- Which, for lust's plague, doth perish with possessing:
- Joy graven in sense, like snow[48] in water, wasts:
- Without preserve of virtue, nothing lasts.
- What man is he, that with a wealthy eye
- Enjoys a beauty richer than the sky,
- Through whose white skin, softer than soundest sleep,
- With damask eyes the ruby blood doth peep, 40
- And runs in branches through her azure veins,
- Whose mixture and first fire his love attains;
- Whose both hands limit both love's deities,
- And sweeten human thoughts like Paradise;
- Whose disposition silken is and kind,
- Directed with an earth-exempted mind;--
- Who thinks not heaven with such a love is given?
- And who, like earth, would spend that dower of heaven,
- With rank desire to joy it all at first?
- What simply kills our hunger, quencheth thirst, 50
- Clothes but our nakedness, and makes us live,
- Praise doth not any of her favours give:
- But what doth plentifully minister
- Beauteous apparel and delicious cheer,
- So order'd that it still excites desire,
- And still gives pleasure freeness to aspire,
- The palm of Bounty ever moist preserving;
- To Love's sweet life this is the courtly carving.
- Thus Time and all-states-ordering Ceremony
- Had banish'd all offence: Time's golden thigh 60
- Upholds the flowery body of the earth
- In sacred harmony, and every birth
- Of men and actions[49] makes legitimate;
- Being us'd aright, the use of time is fate.
- Yet did the gentle flood transfer once more
- This prize of love home to his father's shore;
- Where he unlades himself on that false wealth
- That makes few rich,--treasures compos'd by stealth;
- And to his sister, kind Hermione
- (Who on the shore kneel'd, praying to the sea 70
- For his return), he all love's goods did show,
- In Hero seis'd for him, in him for Hero.
- His most kind sister all his secrets knew,
- And to her, singing, like a shower, he flew,
- Sprinkling the earth, that to their tombs took in
- Streams dead for love, to leave his ivory shin,
- Which yet a snowy foam did leave above,
- As soul to the dead water that did love;
- And from hence did the first white roses spring
- (For love is sweet and fair in everything), 80
- And all the sweeten'd shore, as he did go,
- Was crown'd with odorous roses, white as snow.
- Love-blest Leander was with love so fill'd,
- That love to all that touch'd him he instill'd;
- And as the colours of all things we see,
- To our sight's powers communicated be,
- So to all objects that in compass came
- Of any sense he had, his senses' flame
- Flow'd from his parts with force so virtual,
- It fir'd with sense things mere[50] insensual. 90
- Now, with warm baths and odours comforted,
- When he lay down, he kindly kiss'd his bed,
- As consecrating it to Hero's right,
- And vow'd thereafter, that whatever sight
- Put him in mind of Hero or her bliss,
- Should be her altar to prefer a kiss.
- Then laid he forth his late-enrichèd arms,
- In whose white circle Love writ all his charms,
- And made his characters sweet Hero's limbs,
- When on his breast's warm sea she sideling swims; 100
- And as those arms, held up in circle, met,
- He said, "See, sister, Hero's carquenet!
- Which she had rather wear about her neck,
- Than all the jewels that do Juno deck."
- But, as he shook with passionate desire
- To put in flame his other secret fire,
- A music so divine did pierce his ear,
- As never yet his ravish'd sense did hear;
- When suddenly a light of twenty hues
- Brake through the roof, and, like the rainbow, views, 110
- Amaz'd Leander: in whose beams came down
- The goddess Ceremony, with a crown
- Of all the stars; and Heaven with her descended:
- Her flaming hair to her bright feet extended,
- By which hung all the bench of deities;
- And in a chain, compact of ears and eyes,
- She led Religion: all her body was
- Clear and transparent as the purest glass,
- For she was all[51] presented to the sense:
- Devotion, Order, State, and Reverence, 120
- Her shadows were; Society, Memory;
- All which her sight made live, her absence die.
- A rich disparent pentacle[52] she wears,
- Drawn full of circles and strange characters.
- Her face was changeable to every eye;
- One way look'd ill, another graciously;
- Which while men view'd, they cheerful were and holy,
- But looking off, vicious and melancholy.
- The snaky paths to each observèd law
- Did Policy in her broad bosom draw. 130
- One hand a mathematic crystal sways,
- Which, gathering in one line a thousand rays
- From her bright eyes, Confusion burns to death,
- And all estates of men distinguisheth:
- By it Morality and Comeliness
- Themselves in all their sightly figures dress.
- Her other hand a laurel rod applies,
- To beat back Barbarism and Avarice,
- That follow'd, eating earth and excrement
- And human limbs; and would make proud ascent 140
- To seats of gods, were Ceremony slain.
- The Hours and Graces bore her glorious train;
- And all the sweets of our society
- Were spher'd and treasur'd in her bounteous eye.
- Thus she appear'd, and sharply did reprove
- Leander's bluntness in his violent love;
- Told him how poor was substance without rites,
- Like bills unsign'd; desires without delights;
- Like meats unseason'd; like rank corn that grows
- On cottages, that none or reaps or sows; 150
- Not being with civil forms confirm'd and bounded,
- For human dignities and comforts founded;
- But loose and secret all their glories hide;
- Fear fills the chamber, Darkness decks the bride.
- She vanish'd, leaving pierc'd Leander's heart
- With sense of his unceremonious part,
- In which, with plain neglect of nuptial rites,
- He close and flatly fell to his delights:
- And instantly he vow'd to celebrate
- All rites pertaining to his married state. 160
- So up he gets, and to his father goes,
- To whose glad ears he doth his vows disclose.
- The nuptials are resolv'd with utmost power;
- And he at night would swim to Hero's tower,
- From whence he meant to Sestos' forkèd bay
- To bring her covertly, where ships must stay,
- Sent by his[53] father, throughly rigg'd and mann'd,
- To waft her safely to Abydos' strand.
- There leave we him; and with fresh wing pursue
- Astonish'd Hero, whose most wishèd view 170
- I thus long have foreborne, because I left her
- So out of countenance, and her spirits bereft her:
- To look on one abash'd is impudence,
- When of slight faults he hath too deep a sense.
- Her blushing het[54] her chamber; she look'd out,
- And all the air she purpled round about;
- And after it a foul black day befell,
- Which ever since a red morn doth foretell,
- And still renews our woes for Hero's woe;
- And foul it prov'd because it figur'd so 180
- The next night's horror; which prepare to hear;
- I fail, if it profane your daintiest ear.
- Then, ho,[55] most strangely-intellectual fire,
- That, proper to my soul, hast power t' inspire
- Her burning faculties, and with the wings
- Of thy unspherèd flame visit'st the springs
- Of spirits immortal! Now (as swift as Time
- Doth follow Motion) find th' eternal clime
- Of his free soul, whose living subject[56] stood
- Up to the chin in the Pierian flood, 190
- And drunk to me half this Musæan story,
- Inscribing it to deathless memory:
- Confer with it, and make my pledge as deep,
- That neither's draught be consecrate to sleep;
- Tell it how much his late desires I tender
- (If yet it know not), and to light surrender
- My soul's dark offspring, willing it should die
- To loves, to passions, and society.
- Sweet Hero, left upon her bed alone,
- Her maidenhead, her vows, Leander gone, 200
- And nothing with her but a violent crew
- Of new-come thoughts, that yet she never knew,
- Even to herself a stranger, was much like
- Th' Iberian city[57] that War's hand did strike
- By English force in princely Essex' guide,
- When Peace assur'd her towers had fortified,
- And golden-finger'd India had bestow'd
- Such wealth on her, that strength and empire flow'd
- Into her turrets, and her virgin waist
- The wealthy girdle of the sea embraced; 210
- Till our Leander, that made Mars his Cupid,
- For soft love-suits, with iron thunders chid;
- Swum to her towers,[58] dissolv'd her virgin zone;
- Led in his power, and made Confusion
- Run through her streets amaz'd, that she suppos'd
- She had not been in her own walls enclos'd,
- But rapt by wonder to some foreign state,
- Seeing all her issue so disconsolate,
- And all her peaceful mansions possess'd
- With war's just spoil, and many a foreign guest 220
- From every corner driving an enjoyer,
- Supplying it with power of a destroyer.
- So far'd fair Hero in th' expugnèd fort
- Of her chaste bosom; and of every sort
- Strange thoughts possess'd her, ransacking her breast
- For that that was not there, her wonted rest.
- She was a mother straight, and bore with pain
- Thoughts that spake straight, and wish'd their mother slain;
- She hates their lives, and they their own and hers:
- Such strife still grows where sin the race prefers: 230
- Love is a golden bubble, full of dreams,
- That waking breaks, and fills us with extremes.
- She mus'd how she could look upon her sire,
- And not shew that without, that was intire;[59]
- For as a glass is an inanimate eye,
- And outward forms embraceth inwardly,
- So is the eye an animate glass, that shows
- In-forms without us; and as Phoebus throws
- His beams abroad, though he in clouds be clos'd,
- Still glancing by them till he find oppos'd 240
- A loose and rorid vapour that is fit
- T' event[60] his searching beams, and useth it
- To form a tender twenty-colour'd eye,
- Cast in a circle round about the sky;
- So when our fiery soul, our body's star,
- (That ever is in motion circular,)
- Conceives a form, in seeking to display it
- Through all our cloudy parts, it doth convey it
- Forth at the eye, as the most pregnant place,
- And that reflects it round about the face. 250
- And this event, uncourtly Hero thought,
- Her inward guilt would in her looks have wrought;
- For yet the world's stale cunning she resisted,
- To bear foul thoughts, yet forge what looks she listed,
- And held it for a very silly sleight,
- To make a perfect metal counterfeit,
- Glad to disclaim herself, proud of an art
- That makes the face a pandar to the heart.
- Those be the painted moons, whose lights profane
- Beauty's true Heaven, at full still in their wane; 260
- Those be the lapwing-faces that still cry,
- "Here 'tis!" when that they vow is nothing nigh:
- Base fools! when every moorish fool[61] can teach
- That which men think the height of human reach.
- But custom, that the apoplexy is
- Of bed-rid nature and lives led amiss,
- And takes away all feeling of offence,
- Yet braz'd not Hero's brow with impudence;
- And this she thought most hard to bring to pass,
- To seem in countenance other than she was, 270
- As if she had two souls, one for the face,
- One for the heart, and that they shifted place
- As either list to utter or conceal
- What they conceiv'd, or as one soul did deal
- With both affairs at once, keeps and ejects
- Both at an instant contrary effects;
- Retention and ejection in her powers
- Being acts alike; for this one vice of ours,
- That forms the thought, and sways the countenance,
- Rules both our motion and our utterance. 280
- These and more grave conceits toil'd Hero's spirits;
- For, though the light of her discoursive wits
- Perhaps might find some little hole to pass
- Through all these worldly cinctures, yet, alas!
- There was a heavenly flame encompass'd her,--
- Her goddess, in whose fane she did prefer
- Her virgin vows, from whose impulsive sight
- She knew the black shield of the darkest night
- Could not defend her, nor wit's subtlest art:
- This was the point pierc'd Hero to the heart; 290
- Who, heavy to the death, with a deep sigh,
- And hand that languished, took a robe was nigh,
- Exceeding large, and of black cypres[62] made,
- In which she sate, hid from the day in shade,
- Even over head and face, down to her feet;
- Her left hand made it at her bosom meet,
- Her right hand lean'd on her heart-bowing knee,
- Wrapp'd in unshapeful folds, 'twas death to see;
- Her knee stay'd that, and that her falling face;
- Each limb help'd other to put on disgrace: 300
- No form was seen, where form held all her sight;
- But like an embryon that saw never light,
- Or like a scorchèd statue made a coal
- With three-wing'd lightning, or a wretched soul
- Muffled with endless darkness, she did sit:
- The night had never such a heavy spirit.
- Yet might a penetrating[63] eye well see
- How fast her clear tears melted on her knee
- Through her black veil, and turn'd as black as it,
- Mourning to be her tears. Then wrought her wit 310
- With her broke vow, her goddess' wrath, her fame,--
- All tools that enginous[64] despair could frame:
- Which made her strew the floor with her torn hair,
- And spread her mantle piece-meal in the air.
- Like Jove's son's club, strong passion struck her down,
- And with a piteous shriek enforc'd her swoun:
- Her shriek made with another shriek ascend
- The frighted matron that on her did tend;
- And as with her own cry her sense was slain,
- So with the other it was called again. 320
- She rose, and to her bed made forcèd way,
- And laid her down even where Leander lay;
- And all this while the red sea of her blood
- Ebb'd with Leander: but now turn'd the flood,
- And all her fleet of spirits came swelling in,
- With child[65] of sail, and did hot fight begin
- With those severe conceits she too much marked:
- And here Leander's beauties were embarked.
- He came in swimming, painted all with joys,
- Such as might sweeten hell: his thought destroys 330
- All her destroying thoughts; she thought she felt
- His heart in hers, with her contentions melt,
- And chide her soul that it could so much err,
- To check the true joys he deserved in her.
- Her fresh-heat blood cast figures in her eyes,
- And she suppos'd she saw in Neptune's skies
- How her star wander'd, wash'd in smarting brine,
- For her love's sake, that with immortal wine
- Should be embath'd, and swim in more heart's-ease
- Than there was water in the Sestian seas. 340
- Then said her Cupid-prompted spirit, "Shall I
- Sing moans to such delightsome harmony?
- Shall slick-tongu'd Fame, patch'd up with voices rude,
- The drunken bastard of the multitude
- (Begot when father Judgment is away,
- And, gossip-like, says because others say,
- Takes news as if it were too hot to eat,
- And spits it slavering forth for dog-fees meat),
- Make me, for forging a fantastic vow,
- Presume to bear what makes grave matrons bow? 350
- Good vows are never broken with good deeds,
- For then good deeds were bad: vows are but seeds,
- And good deeds fruits; even those good deeds that grow
- From other stocks than from th' observèd vow.
- That is a good deed that prevents a bad:
- Had I not yielded, slain myself I had.
- Hero Leander is, Leander Hero;
- Such virtue love hath to make one of two.
- If, then, Leander did my maidenhead git,
- Leander being myself, I still retain it: 360
- We break chaste vows when we live loosely ever,
- But bound as we are, we live loosely never:
- Two constant lovers being join'd in one,
- Yielding to one another, yield to none.
- We know not how to vow till love unblind us,
- And vows made ignorantly never bind us.
- Too true it is, that, when 'tis gone, men hate
- The joy[66] as vain they took in love's estate:
- But that's since they have lost the heavenly light
- Should show them way to judge of all things right. 370
- When life is gone, death must implant his terror:
- As death is foe to life, so love to error.
- Before we love, how range we through this sphere,
- Searching the sundry fancies hunted here:
- Now with desire of wealth transported quite
- Beyond our free humanity's delight;
- Now with ambition climbing falling towers,
- Whose hope to scale, our fear to fall devours;
- Now rapt with pastimes, pomp, all joys impure:
- In things without us no delight is sure. 380
- But love, with all joys crowned, within doth sit:
- O goddess, pity love, and pardon it!"
- Thus spake she[67] weeping: but her goddess' ear
- Burn'd with too stern a heat, and would not hear.
- Ay me! hath heaven's strait fingers no more graces
- For such as Hero[68] than for homeliest faces?
- Yet she hoped well, and in her sweet conceit
- Weighing her arguments, she thought them weight,
- And that the logic of Leander's beauty,
- And them together, would bring proofs of duty; 390
- And if her soul, that was a skilful glance
- Of heaven's great essence, found such imperance[69]
- In her love's beauties, she had confidence
- Jove loved him too, and pardoned her offence:
- Beauty in heaven and earth this grace doth win,
- It supples rigour, and it lessens sin.
- Thus, her sharp wit, her love, her secrecy,
- Trooping together, made her wonder why
- She should not leave her bed, and to the temple;
- Her health said she must live; her sex, dissemble. 400
- She viewed Leander's place, and wished he were
- Turned to his place, so his place were Leander.
- "Ay me," said she, "that love's sweet life and sense
- Should do it harm! my love had not gone hence
- Had he been like his place: O blessèd place,
- Image of constancy! Thus my love's grace
- Parts nowhere, but it leaves something behind
- Worth observation: he renowns his kind:
- His motion is, like heaven's, orbicular,
- For where he once is, he is ever there. 410
- This place was mine; Leander, now 'tis thine;
- Thou being myself, then it is double mine,
- Mine, and Leander's mine, Leander's mine.
- O, see what wealth it yields me, nay, yields him!
- For I am in it, he for me doth swim.
- Rich, fruitful love, that, doubling self estates,
- Elixir-like contracts, though separates!
- Dear place, I kiss thee, and do welcome thee,
- As from Leander ever sent to me."
- FOOTNOTES:
- [45] Old eds. "improving."
- [46] "He calls Phoebus the god of gold, since the virtue of his beams
- creates it."--Marginal note in the Isham copy.
- [47] The reader will remember how grimly Lady Macbeth plays upon this
- word:--
- "I'll _gild_ the faces of the grooms withal:
- For it must seem their _guilt_."--ii. 2.
- [48] "It is not likely that Burns had ever read _Hero and Leander_, but
- compare _Tam o' Shanter_--
- 'But pleasures are like poppies spread,
- You seize the flower, its bloom is shed,
- Or like the snow falls in the river,
- A moment white--then melts for ever!'"
- --_Cunningham._
- [49] In _England's Parnassus_ the reading is "of men audacious."
- [50] Wholly.
- [51] Some eds. give "For as she was."
- [52] A magical figure formed of intersected triangles. It was supposed
- to preserve the wearer from the assaults of demons. "Disparent would
- seem to mean that the five points of the ornaments radiated distinctly
- one from the other."--_Cunningham._
- [53] Old eds. "her."
- [54] Heated.
- [55] Old eds. "how."
- [56] Substance, as opposed to spirit. Cf. note. Vol. i., 203.
- [57] Cadiz, which was taken in June 21, 1596, by the force under the
- joint command of Essex and Howard of Effingham.
- [58] So the Isham copy.--The other old eds. read "townes," for which
- Dyce gives "town."
- [59] Within.
- [60] Vent forth.
- [61] "Fowl" and "fool" had the same pronunciation. Cf. _3 Henry VI._ v.
- 6:--
- "Why, what a peevish _fool_ was he of Crete,
- That taught his son the office of a _fowl_!
- And yet for all his wings the _fool_ was drowned."
- The "moorish fool" is explained by the allusion to the lapwing, two
- lines above. (The lapwing was supposed to draw the searcher from her
- nest by crying in other places. "The lapwing cries most furthest from
- her nest."--_Ray's Proverbs._)
- [62] A kind of crape.
- [63] So the modern editors for an "imitating."
- [64] Ingenious. Chapman has the form "enginous" in his translation of
- the Odyssey, i. 452,
- "By open force or prospects _enginous_."
- [65] Some modern editors unnecessarily give "With _crowd_ of sail."
- [66] Old eds. "joys."
- [67] Old eds. "he."
- [68] Some eds. give "For such a Hero."
- [69] Command.
- THE FOURTH SESTIAD.
- _The Argument of the Fourth Sestiad._
- Hero, in sacred habit deckt,
- Doth private sacrifice effect.
- Her scarf's description, wrought by Fate;
- Ostents that threaten her estate;
- The strange, yet physical, events,
- Leander's counterfeit[70] presents.
- In thunder Cyprides descends,
- Presaging both the lovers' ends:
- Ecte, the goddess of remorse,
- With vocal and articulate force 10
- Inspires Leucote, Venus' swan,
- T' excuse the Beauteous Sestian.
- Venus, to wreak her rites' abuses,
- Creates the monster Eronusis,
- Inflaming Hero's sacrifice
- With lightning darted from her eyes;
- And thereof springs the painted beast
- That ever since taints every breast.
- Now from Leander's place she rose, and found
- Her hair and rent robe scatter'd on the ground;
- Which taking up, she every piece did lay
- Upon an altar, where in youth of day
- She us'd t' exhibit private sacrifice:
- Those would she offer to the deities
- Of her fair goddess and her powerful son,
- As relics of her late-felt passion;
- And in that holy sort she vow'd to end them,
- In hope her violent fancies, that did rend them, 10
- Would as quite fade in her love's holy fire,
- As they should in the flames she meant t' inspire.
- Then put she on all her religious weeds,
- That decked her in her secret sacred deeds;
- A crown of icicles, that sun nor fire
- Could ever melt, and figur'd chaste desire;
- A golden star shined in her naked breast,
- In honour of the queen-light of the east.
- In her right hand she held a silver wand,
- On whose bright top Peristera did stand. 20
- Who was a nymph, but now transformed a dove,
- And in her life was dear in Venus' love;
- And for her sake she ever since that time
- Choosed doves to draw her coach through heaven's blue clime.
- Her plenteous hair in curlèd billows swims
- On her bright shoulder: her harmonious limbs
- Sustained no more but a most subtile veil,
- That hung on them, as it durst not assail
- Their different concord; for the weakest air
- Could raise it swelling from her beauties fair; 30
- Nor did it cover, but adumbrate only
- Her most heart-piercing parts, that a blest eye
- Might see, as it did shadow, fearfully,
- All that all-love-deserving paradise:
- It was as blue as the most freezing skies;
- Near the sea's hue, for thence her goddess came:
- On it a scarf she wore of wondrous frame;
- In midst whereof she wrought a virgin's face,
- From whose each cheek a fiery blush did chase
- Two crimson flames, that did two ways extend, 40
- Spreading the ample scarf to either end;
- Which figur'd the division of her mind,
- Whiles yet she rested bashfully inclin'd,
- And stood not resolute to wed Leander;
- This serv'd her white neck for a purple sphere,
- And cast itself at full breadth down her back:
- There, since the first breath that begun the wrack
- Of her free quiet from Leander's lips,
- She wrought a sea, in one flame, full of ships;
- But that one ship where all her wealth did pass, 50
- Like simple merchants' goods, Leander was;
- For in that sea she naked figured him;
- Her diving needle taught him how to swim,
- And to each thread did such resemblance give,
- For joy to be so like him it did live:
- Things senseless live by art, and rational die
- By rude contempt of art and industry.
- Scarce could she work, but, in her strength of thought,
- She fear'd she prick'd Leander as she wrought,[71]
- And oft would shriek so, that her guardian, frighted, 60
- Would startling haste, as with some mischief cited:
- They double life that dead things' griefs sustain;
- They kill that feel not their friends' living pain.
- Sometimes she fear'd he sought her infamy;
- And then, as she was working of his eye,
- She thought to prick it out to quench her ill;
- But, as she prick'd, it grew more perfect still:
- Trifling attempts no serious acts advance;
- The fire of love is blown by dalliance.
- In working his fair neck she did so grace it, 70
- She still was working her own arms t' embrace it:
- That, and his shoulders, and his hands were seen
- Above the stream; and with a pure sea-green
- She did so quaintly shadow every limb,
- All might be seen beneath the waves to swim.
- In this conceited scarf she wrought beside
- A moon in change, and shooting stars did glide
- In number after her with bloody beams;
- Which figur'd her affects[72] in their extremes,
- Pursuing nature in her Cynthian body, 80
- And did her thoughts running on change imply;
- For maids take more delight, when they prepare,
- And think of wives' states, than when wives they are.
- Beneath all these she wrought a fisherman,[73]
- Drawing his nets from forth the ocean;
- Who drew so hard, ye might discover well
- The toughen'd sinews in his neck did swell:
- His inward strains drave out his blood-shot eyes,
- And springs of sweat did in his forehead rise;
- Yet was of naught but of a serpent sped, 90
- That in his bosom flew and stung him dead:
- And this by Fate into her mind was sent,
- Not wrought by mere instinct of her intent.
- At the scarf's other end her hand did frame,
- Near the fork'd point of the divided flame,
- A country virgin keeping of a vine,
- Who did of hollow bulrushes combine
- Snares for the stubble-loving grasshopper,
- And by her lay her scrip that nourish'd her.
- Within a myrtle shade she sate and sung; 100
- And tufts of waving reeds above her sprung,
- Where lurked two foxes, that, while she applied
- Her trifling snares, their thieveries did divide,
- One to the vine, another to her scrip,
- That she did negligently overslip;
- By which her fruitful vine and wholesome fare
- She suffered spoiled to make a childish snare.
- These ominous fancies did her soul express,
- And every finger made a prophetess,
- To show what death was hid in love's disguise, 110
- And make her judgment conquer Destinies.
- O, what sweet forms fair ladies' souls do shroud,
- Were they made seen and forcèd through their blood;
- If through their beauties, like rich work through lawn,
- They would set forth their minds with virtues drawn,
- In letting graces from their fingers fly,
- To still their eyas[74] thoughts with industry;
- That their plied wits in numbered silks might sing
- Passion's huge conquest, and their needles[75] leading
- Affection prisoner through their own-built cities, 120
- Pinioned with stones and Arachnean ditties.
- Proceed we now with Hero's sacrifice:
- She odours burned, and from their smoke did rise
- Unsavoury fumes, that air with plagues inspired;
- And then the consecrated sticks she fired.
- On whose pale flames an angry spirit flew,
- And beat it down still as it upward grew;
- The virgin tapers that on th' altar stood,
- When she inflam'd them, burned as red as blood;[76]
- All sad ostents of that too near success,[77] 130
- That made such moving beauties motionless.
- Then Hero wept; but her affrighted eyes
- She quickly wrested from the sacrifice,
- Shut them, and inwards for Leander looked,
- Search'd her soft bosom, and from thence she plucked
- His lovely picture; which when she had viewed,
- Her beauties were with all love's joys renewed;
- The odours sweeten'd, and the fires burned clear,
- Leander's form left no ill object there:
- Such was his beauty, that the force of light, 140
- Whose knowledge teacheth wonders infinite,
- The strength of number and proportion,
- Nature had placed in it to make it known,
- Art was her daughter, and what human wits
- For study lost, entombed in drossy spirits.
- After this accident (which for her glory
- Hero could not but make a history),
- Th' inhabitants of Sestos and Abydos
- Did every year, with feasts propitious,
- To fair Leander's picture sacrifice: 150
- And they were persons of especial price
- That were allowed it, as an ornament
- T' enrich their houses, for the continent
- Of the strange virtues all approved it held;
- For even the very look of it repelled
- All blastings, witchcrafts, and the strifes of nature
- In those diseases that no herbs could cure;
- The wolfy sting of avarice it would pull,
- And make the rankest miser bountiful;
- It kill'd the fear of thunder and of death; 160
- The discords that conceit engendereth
- 'Twixt man and wife, it for the time would cease;
- The flames of love it quench'd, and would increase;
- Held in a prince's hand, it would put out
- The dreadful'st comet; it would ease[78] all doubt
- Of threaten'd mischiefs; it would bring asleep
- Such as were mad; it would enforce to weep
- Most barbarous eyes; and many more effects
- This picture wrought, and sprung[79] Leandrian[80] sects;
- Of which was Hero first; for he whose form, 170
- Held in her hand, clear'd such a fatal storm,
- From hell she thought his person would defend her,
- Which night and Hellespont would quickly send her.
- With this confirm'd, she vow'd to banish quite
- All thought of any check to her delight;
- And, in contempt of silly bashfulness,
- She would the faith of her desires profess,
- Where her religion should be policy,
- To follow love with zeal her piety;
- Her chamber her cathedral-church should be, 180
- And her Leander her chief deity;
- For in her love these did the gods forego;
- And though her knowledge did not teach her so,
- Yet did it teach her this, that what her heart
- Did greatest hold in her self-greatest part,
- That she did make her god; and 'twas less naught
- To leave gods in profession and in thought,
- Than in her love and life; for therein lies
- Most of her duties and their dignities;
- And, rail the brain-bald world at what it will, 190
- That's the grand atheism that reigns in it still.
- Yet singularity she would use no more,
- For she was singular too much before;
- But she would please the world with fair pretext:
- Love would not leave her conscience perplext:
- Great men that will have less do for them, still
- Must bear them out, though th' acts be ne'er so ill;
- Meanness must pander be to Excellence;
- Pleasure atones Falsehood and Conscience:
- Dissembling was the worst, thought Hero then, 200
- And that was best, now she must live with men.
- O virtuous love, that taught her to do best
- When she did worst, and when she thought it least!
- Thus would she still proceed in works divine,
- And in her sacred state of priesthood shine,
- Handling the holy rites with hands as bold,
- As if therein she did Jove's thunder hold,
- And need not fear those menaces of error,
- Which she at others threw with greatest terror.
- O lovely Hero, nothing is thy sin, 210
- Weigh'd with those foul faults other priests are in!
- That having neither faiths, nor works, nor beauties,
- T' engender any 'scuse for slubbered[81] duties,
- With as much countenance fill their holy chairs,
- And sweat denouncements 'gainst profane affairs,
- As if their lives were cut out by their places,
- And they the only fathers of the graces.
- Now, as with settled mind she did repair
- Her thoughts to sacrifice her ravished hair
- And her torn robe, which on the altar lay, 220
- And only for religion's fire did stay,
- She heard a thunder by the Cyclops beaten,
- In such a volley as the world did threaten,
- Given Venus as she parted th' airy sphere,
- Descending now to chide with Hero here:
- When suddenly the goddess' waggoners,
- The swans and turtles that, in coupled pheres,[82]
- Through all worlds' bosoms draw her influence,
- Lighted in Hero's window, and from thence
- To her fair shoulders flew the gentle doves,-- 230
- Graceful _Ædone_[83] that sweet pleasure loves,
- And ruff-foot Chreste[84] with the tufted crown;
- Both which did kiss her, though their goddess frown.
- The swans did in the solid flood, her glass,
- Proin[85] their fair plumes; of which the fairest was
- Jove-lov'd Leucote,[86] that pure brightness is;
- The other bounty-loving Dapsilis.[87]
- All were in heaven, now they with Hero were:
- But Venus' looks brought wrath, and urgèd fear.
- Her robe was scarlet; black her head's attire: 240
- And through her naked breast shin'd streams of fire,
- As when the rarifièd air is driven
- In flashing streams, and opes the darken'd heaven.
- In her white hand a wreath of yew she bore;
- And, breaking th' icy wreath sweet Hero wore,
- She forc'd about her brows her wreath of yew,
- And said, "Now, minion, to thy fate be true,
- Though not to me; endure what this portends:
- Begin where lightness will, in shame it ends.
- Love makes thee cunning; thou art current now, 250
- By being counterfeit: thy broken vow
- Deceit with her pied garters must rejoin,
- And with her stamp thou countenances must coin;
- Coyness, and pure[88] deceits, for purities,
- And still a maid wilt seem in cozen'd eyes,
- And have an antic face to laugh within,
- While thy smooth looks make men digest thy sin.
- But since thy lips (least thought forsworn) forswore,
- Be never virgin's vow worth trusting more!"
- When Beauty's dearest did her goddess hear 260
- Breathe such rebukes 'gainst that she could not clear,
- Dumb sorrow spake aloud in tears and blood,
- That from her grief-burst veins, in piteous flood,
- From the sweet conduits of her favour fell.
- The gentle turtles did with moans make swell
- Their shining gorges; the while black-ey'd swans
- Did sing as woful epicedians,
- As they would straightways die: when Pity's queen,
- The goddess Ecte,[89] that had ever been
- Hid in a watery cloud near Hero's cries, 270
- Since the first instant of her broken eyes,
- Gave bright Leucote voice, and made her speak,
- To ease her anguish, whose swoln breast did break
- With anger at her goddess, that did touch
- Hero so near for that she us'd so much;
- And, thrusting her white neck at Venus, said:
- "Why may not amorous Hero seem a maid,
- Though she be none, as well as you suppress
- In modest cheeks your inward wantonness?
- How often have we drawn you from above, 280
- T' exchange with mortals rites for rites in love!
- Why in your priest, then, call you that offence,
- That shines in you, and is[90] your influence?"
- With this, the Furies stopp'd Leucote's lips,
- Enjoin'd by Venus; who with rosy whips
- Beat the kind bird. Fierce lightning from her eyes
- Did set on fire fair Hero's sacrifice,
- Which was her torn robe and enforcèd hair;
- And the bright flame became a maid most fair
- For her aspèct: her tresses were of wire, 290
- Knit like a net, where hearts set all on fire,
- Struggled in pants, and could not get releast;
- Her arms were all with golden pincers drest,
- And twenty-fashioned knots, pulleys, and brakes,
- And all her body girt with painted snakes;
- Her down-parts in a scorpion's tail combined,
- Freckled with twenty colours; pied wings shined
- Out of her shoulders; cloth had never dye,
- Nor sweeter colours never viewèd eye,
- In scorching Turkey, Cares, Tartary, 300
- Than shined about this spirit notorious;
- Nor was Arachne's web so glorious.
- Of lightning and of shreds she was begot;
- More hold in base dissemblers is there not.
- Her name was Eronusis.[91] Venus flew
- From Hero's sight, and at her chariot drew
- This wondrous creature to so steep a height,
- That all the world she might command with sleight
- Of her gay wings; and then she bade her haste,--
- Since Hero had dissembled, and disgraced 310
- Her rites so much,--and every breast infect
- With her deceits: she made her architect
- Of all dissimulation; and since then
- Never was any trust in maids or men.
- O, it spited
- Fair Venus' heart to see her most delighted,
- And one she choos'd, for temper of her mind
- To be the only ruler of her kind,
- So soon to let her virgin race be ended!
- Not simply for the fault a whit offended, 320
- But that in strife for chasteness with the Moon,
- Spiteful Diana bade her show but one
- That was her servant vow'd, and liv'd a maid;
- And, now she thought to answer that upbraid,
- Hero had lost her answer: who knows not
- Venus would seem as far from any spot
- Of light demeanour, as the very skin
- 'Twixt Cynthia's brows? sin is asham'd of sin.
- Up Venus flew, and scarce durst up for fear
- Of Phoebe's laughter, when she pass'd her sphere: 330
- And so most ugly-clouded was the light,
- That day was hid in day; night came ere night;
- And Venus could not through the thick air pierce,
- Till the day's king, god of undaunted verse,
- Because she was so plentiful a theme
- To such as wore his laurel anademe.
- Like to a fiery bullet made descent,
- And from her passage those fat vapours rent,
- That being not throughly rarified to rain,
- Melted like pitch, as blue as any vein; 340
- And scalding tempests made the earth to shrink
- Under their fervour, and the world did think
- In every drop a torturing spirit flew,
- It pierc'd so deeply, and it burn'd so blue.
- Betwixt all this and Hero, Hero held
- Leander's picture, as a Persian shield;
- And she was free from fear of worst success:
- The more ill threats us, we suspect the less:
- As we grow hapless, violence subtle grows,
- Dumb, deaf, and blind, and comes when no man knows. 350
- FOOTNOTES:
- [70] Picture.
- [71] "This conceit was suggested to Chapman by a passage in Skelton's
- _Phyllyp Sparowe_:
- "But whan I was sowing his beke,
- Methought, my sparow did speke,
- And opened his prety byll,
- Saynge, Mayd, ye are in wyll
- Agayne me for to kyll,
- Ye prycke me in the head.'
- --_Works_, I, 57, ed. Dyce."--_Dyce._
- [72] Affections.
- [73] "This description of the fisherman, as well as the picture which
- follows it, are borrowed (with alterations) from the first _Idyl_ of
- Theocritus."--_Dyce._
- [74] "Eyas" is the name for an unfledged hawk. "Eyas thoughts" would
- mean "thoughts not yet full-grown,--immature." Dyce thinks the meaning
- of "eyas" here may be "restless." (Old eds. "yas.")
- [75] A monosyllable.
- [76] Some eds. give "them, then they burned as blood."
- [77] Approaching catastrophe.
- [78] Some eds. "and."
- [79] Used transitively.
- [80] Some eds. "Leanders."
- [81] Shakespeare uses the verb "slubber" in the sense of "perform in a
- slovenly manner" (_Merchant of Venice_, ii. 8, "Slubber not business for
- my sake").
- [82] Companions, yoke-mates.
- [83] Gr. [Greek: hêdonê].
- [84] From Lat. _crista_?
- [85] Prune.
- [86] Gr. [Greek: leukotês].
- [87] Gr. [Greek: dapsilês].
- [88] Some eds. read "Coyne and impure."
- [89] From Gr. [Greek: oiktos]?
- [90] Some eds. "in."
- [91] "A compound, probably, from [Greek: erôs] and [Greek: nosos] or
- [Greek: nousos] _Ionice_." Ed. 1821.
- THE FIFTH SESTIAD.
- _The Argument of the Fifth Sestiad._
- Day doubles his accustom'd date,
- As loath the Night, incens'd by Fate,
- Should wreck our lovers. Hero's plight;
- Longs for Leander and the night:
- Which ere her thirsty wish recovers,
- She sends for two betrothèd lovers,
- And marries them, that, with their crew,
- Their sports, and ceremonies due,
- She covertly might celebrate,
- With secret joy her own estate. 10
- She makes a feast, at which appears
- The wild nymph Teras, that still bears
- An ivory lute, tells ominous tales,
- And sings at solemn festivals.
- Now was bright Hero weary of the day,
- Thought an Olympiad in Leander's stay.
- Sol and the soft-foot Hours hung on his arms,
- And would not let him swim, foreseeing his harms:
- That day Aurora double grace obtain'd
- Of her love Phoebus; she his horses reign'd,
- Set[92] on his golden knee, and, as she list,
- She pull'd him back; and as she pull'd she kiss'd,
- To have him turn to bed: he lov'd her more,
- To see the love Leander Hero bore: 10
- Examples profit much; ten times in one,
- In persons full of note, good deeds are done.
- Day was so long, men walking fell asleep;
- The heavy humours that their eyes did steep
- Made them fear mischiefs. The hard streets were beds
- For covetous churls and for ambitious heads,
- That, spite of Nature, would their business ply:
- All thought they had the falling epilepsy,
- Men grovell'd so upon the smother'd ground;
- And pity did the heart of Heaven confound. 20
- The Gods, the Graces, and the Muses came
- Down to the Destinies, to stay the frame
- Of the true lovers' deaths, and all world's tears:
- But Death before had stopp'd their cruel ears.
- All the celestials parted mourning then,
- Pierc'd with our human miseries more than men:
- Ah, nothing doth the world with mischief fill,
- But want of feeling one another's ill!
- With their descent the day grew something fair,
- And cast a brighter robe upon the air. 30
- Hero, to shorten time with merriment,
- For young Alcmane[93] and bright Mya sent,
- Two lovers that had long crav'd marriage-dues
- At Hero's hands: but she did still refuse;
- For lovely Mya was her consort vow'd
- In her maid state, and therefore not allow'd
- To amorous nuptials: yet fair Hero now
- Intended to dispense with her cold vow,
- Since hers was broken, and to marry her:
- The rites would pleasing matter minister 40
- To her conceits, and shorten tedious day.
- They came; sweet Music usher'd th' odorous way,
- And wanton Air in twenty sweet forms danced
- After her fingers; Beauty and Love advanced
- Their ensigns in the downless rosy faces
- Of youths and maids led after by the Graces.
- For all these Hero made a friendly feast,
- Welcom'd them kindly, did much love protest,
- Winning their hearts with all the means she might.
- That, when her fault should chance t' abide the light 50
- Their loves might cover or extenuate it,
- And high in her worst fate make pity sit.
- She married them; and in the banquet came,
- Borne by the virgins. Hero striv'd to frame
- Her thoughts to mirth: ay me! but hard it is
- To imitate a false and forcèd bliss;
- Ill may a sad mind forge a merry face,
- Nor hath constrainèd laughter any grace.
- Then laid she wine on cares to make them sink:
- Who fears the threats of Fortune, let him drink.[94] 60
- To these quick nuptials enter'd suddenly
- Admirèd Teras with the ebon thigh;
- A nymph that haunted the green Sestian groves,
- And would consort soft virgins in their loves,
- At gaysome triumphs and on solemn days,
- Singing prophetic elegies and lays,
- And fingering of a silver lute she tied
- With black and purple scarfs by her left side.
- Apollo gave it, and her skill withal,
- And she was term'd his dwarf, she was so small: 70
- Yet great in virtue, for his beams enclosed
- His virtues in her; never was proposed
- Riddle to her, or augury, strange or new,
- But she resolv'd it; never slight tale flew
- From her charm'd lips without important sense,
- Shown in some grave succeeding consequence.
- This little sylvan, with her songs and tales,
- Gave such estate to feasts and nuptials,
- That though ofttimes she forewent tragedies,
- Yet for her strangeness still she pleas'd their eyes; 80
- And for her smallness they admir'd her so,
- They thought her perfect born, and could not grow.
- All eyes were on her. Hero did command
- An altar decked with sacred state should stand
- At the feast's upper end, close by the bride,
- On which the pretty nymph might sit espied.
- Then all were silent; every one so hears,
- As all their senses climb'd into their ears:
- And first this amorous tale, that fitted well
- Fair Hero and the nuptials, she did tell. 90
- _The Tale of Teras._
- Hymen, that now is god of nuptial rites,
- And crowns with honour Love and his delights,
- Of Athens was a youth, so sweet of face,
- That many thought him of the female race;
- Such quickening brightness did his clear eyes dart,
- Warm went their beams to his beholder's heart,
- In such pure leagues his beauties were combin'd,
- That there your nuptial contracts first were signed;
- For as proportion, white and crimson, meet
- In beauty's mixture, all right clear and sweet, 100
- The eye responsible, the golden hair,
- And none is held, without the other, fair;
- All spring together, all together fade;
- Such intermix'd affections should invade
- Two perfect lovers; which being yet unseen,
- Their virtues and their comforts copied been
- In beauty's concord, subject to the eye;
- And that, in Hymen, pleased so matchlessly,
- That lovers were esteemed in their full grace,
- Like form and colour mixed in Hymen's face; 110
- And such sweet concord was thought worthy then
- Of torches, music, feasts, and greatest men:
- So Hymen look'd that even the chastest mind
- He mov'd to join in joys of sacred kind;
- For only now his chin's first down consorted
- His head's rich fleece in golden curls contorted;
- And as he was so loved, he loved so too:
- So should best beauties bound by nuptials, do.
- Bright Eucharis, who was by all men said
- The noblest, fairest, and the richest maid 120
- Of all th' Athenian damsels, Hymen lov'd
- With such transmission, that his heart remov'd
- From his white breast to hers: but her estate,
- In passing his, was so interminate
- For wealth and honour, that his love durst feed
- On naught but sight and hearing, nor could breed
- Hope of requital, the grand prize of love;
- Nor could he hear or see, but he must prove
- How his rare beauty's music would agree
- With maids in consort; therefore robbèd he 130
- His chin of those same few first fruits it bore,
- And, clad in such attire as virgins wore,
- He kept them company, and might right well,
- For he did all but Eucharis excel
- In all the fair of beauty! yet he wanted
- Virtue to make his own desires implanted
- In his dear Eucharis; for women never
- Love beauty in their sex, but envy ever.
- His judgment yet, that durst not suit address,
- Nor, past due means, presume of due success, 140
- Reason gat Fortune in the end to speed
- To his best prayers[95]: but strange it seemed, indeed,
- That Fortune should a chaste affection bless:
- Preferment seldom graceth bashfulness.
- Nor grac'd it Hymen yet; but many a dart,
- And many an amorous thought, enthralled[96] his heart,
- Ere he obtained her; and he sick became,
- Forced to abstain her sight; and then the flame
- Raged in his bosom. O, what grief did fill him!
- Sight made him sick, and want of sight did kill him. 150
- The virgins wonder'd where Diætia stay'd,
- For so did Hymen term himself, a maid.
- At length with sickly looks he greeted them:
- Tis strange to see 'gainst what an extreme stream
- A lover strives; poor Hymen look'd so ill,
- That as in merit he increasèd still
- By suffering much, so he in grace decreas'd:
- Women are most won, when men merit least:
- If Merit look not well, Love bids stand by;
- Love's special lesson is to please the eye. 160
- And Hymen soon recovering all he lost,
- Deceiving still these maids, but himself most,
- His love and he with many virgin dames,
- Noble by birth, noble by beauty's flames,
- Leaving the town with songs and hallow'd lights
- To do great Ceres Eleusina rites
- Of zealous sacrifice, were made a prey
- To barbarous rovers, that in ambush lay,
- And with rude hands enforc'd their shining spoil,
- Far from the darkened city, tired with toil: 170
- And when the yellow issue of the sky
- Came trooping forth, jealous of cruelty
- To their bright fellows of this under-heaven,
- Into a double night they saw them driven,--
- A horrid cave, the thieves' black mansion;
- Where, weary of the journey they had gone,
- Their last night's watch, and drunk with their sweet gains,
- Dull Morpheus enter'd, laden with silken chains,
- Stronger than iron, and bound the swelling veins
- And tirèd senses of these lawless swains. 180
- But when the virgin lights thus dimly burn'd,
- O, what a hell was heaven in! how they mourn'd
- And wrung their hands, and wound their gentle forms
- Into the shapes of sorrow! golden storms
- Fell from their eyes; as when the sun appears,
- And yet it rains, so show'd their eyes their tears:
- And, as when funeral dames watch a dead corse,
- Weeping about it, telling with remorse
- What pains he felt, how long in pain he lay,
- How little food he ate, what he would say; 190
- And then mix mournful tales of other's deaths,
- Smothering themselves in clouds of their own breaths;
- At length, one cheering other, call for wine;
- The golden bowl drinks tears out of their eyne,
- As they drink wine from it; and round it goes,
- Each helping other to relieve their woes;
- So cast these virgins' beauties mutual rays,
- One lights another, face the face displays;
- Lips by reflection kissed, and hands hands shook,
- Even by the whiteness each of other took. 200
- But Hymen now used friendly Morpheus' aid,
- Slew every thief, and rescued every maid:
- And now did his enamour'd passion take
- Heart from his hearty deed, whose worth did make
- His hope of bounteous Eucharis more strong;
- And now came Love with Proteus, who had long
- Juggled the little god with prayers and gifts,
- Ran through all shapes and varied all his shifts,
- To win Love's stay with him, and make him love him.
- And when he saw no strength of sleight could move him,
- To make him love or stay, he nimbly turned 211
- Into Love's self, he so extremely burned.
- And thus came Love, with Proteus and his power,
- T' encounter Eucharis: first, like the flower
- That Juno's milk did spring,[97] the silver lily,
- He fell on Hymen's hand, who straight did spy
- The bounteous godhead, and with wondrous joy
- Offer'd it Eucharis. She, wonderous coy,
- Drew back her hand: the subtle flower did woo it,
- And, drawing it near, mixed so you could not know it: 220
- As two clear tapers mix in one their light,
- So did the lily and the hand their white.
- She viewed it; and her view the form bestows
- Amongst her spirits; for, as colour flows
- From superficies of each thing we see,
- Even so with colours forms emitted be;
- And where Love's form is, Love is; Love is form:
- He entered at the eye; his sacred storm
- Rose from the hand, Love's sweetest instrument:
- It stirred her blood's sea so, that high it went, 230
- And beat in bashful waves 'gainst the white shore
- Of her divided cheeks; it raged the more,
- Because the tide went 'gainst the haughty wind
- Of her estate and birth: and, as we find,
- In fainting ebbs, the flowery Zephyr hurls
- The green-haired Hellespont, broke in silver curls,
- 'Gainst Hero's tower; but in his blast's retreat,
- The waves obeying him, they after beat,
- Leaving the chalky shore a great way pale,
- Then moist it freshly with another gale; 240
- So ebbed and flowed the blood[98] in Eucharis' face,
- Coyness and Love strived which had greatest grace;
- Virginity did fight on Coyness' side,
- Fear of her parent's frowns and female pride
- Loathing the lower place, more than it loves
- The high contents desert and virtue moves.
- With Love fought Hymen's beauty and his valure,[99]
- Which scarce could so much favour yet allure
- To come to strike, but fameless idle stood:
- Action is fiery valour's sovereign good. 250
- But Love, once entered, wished no greater aid
- Than he could find within; thought thought betray'd;
- The bribed, but incorrupted, garrison
- Sung "Io Hymen;" there those songs begun,
- And Love was grown so rich with such a gain,
- And wanton with the ease of his free reign,
- That he would turn into her roughest frowns
- To turn them out; and thus he Hymen crowns
- King of his thoughts, man's greatest empery:
- This was his first brave step to deity. 260
- Home to the mourning city they repair,
- With news as wholesome as the morning air,
- To the sad parents of each savèd maid:
- But Hymen and his Eucharis had laid
- This plat[100] to make the flame of their delight
- Round as the moon at full, and full as bright.
- Because the parents of chaste Eucharis
- Exceeding Hymen's so, might cross their bliss;
- And as the world rewards deserts, that law
- Cannot assist with force; so when they saw 270
- Their daughter safe, take vantage of their own,
- Praise Hymen's valour much, nothing bestown;
- Hymen must leave the virgins in a grove
- Far off from Athens, and go first to prove,
- If to restore them all with fame and life,
- He should enjoy his dearest as his wife.
- This told to all the maids, the most agree:
- The riper sort, knowing what 'tis to be
- The first mouth of a news so far derived,
- And that to hear and bear news brave folks lived. 280
- As being a carriage special hard to bear
- Occurrents, these occurrents being so dear,
- They did with grace protest, they were content
- T' accost their friends with all their compliment,
- For Hymen's good; but to incur their harm,
- There he must pardon them. This wit went warm
- To Adolesche's[101] brain, a nymph born high,
- Made all of voice and fire, that upwards fly:
- Her heart and all her forces' nether train
- Climb'd to her tongue, and thither fell her brain, 290
- Since it could go no higher; and it must go;
- All powers she had, even her tongue, did so:
- In spirit and quickness she much joy did take,
- And loved her tongue, only for quickness' sake;
- And she would haste and tell. The rest all stay:
- Hymen goes one, the nymph another way;
- And what became of her I'll tell at last:
- Yet take her visage now;--moist-lipped, long-faced,
- Thin like an iron wedge, so sharp and tart,
- As 'twere of purpose made to cleave Love's heart: 300
- Well were this lovely beauty rid of her.
- And Hymen did at Athens now prefer
- His welcome suit, which he with joy aspired:
- A hundred princely youths with him retired
- To fetch the nymphs; chariots and music went;
- And home they came: heaven with applauses rent.
- The nuptials straight proceed, whiles all the town,
- Fresh in their joys, might do them most renown.
- First, gold-locked Hymen did to church repair,
- Like a quick offering burned in flames of hair; 310
- And after, with a virgin firmament
- The godhead-proving bride attended went
- Before them all: she looked in her command,
- As if form-giving Cypria's silver hand
- Gripped all their beauties, and crushed out one flame;
- She blushed to see how beauty overcame
- The thoughts of all men. Next, before her went
- Five lovely children, decked with ornament
- Of her sweet colours, bearing torches by;
- For light was held a happy augury 320
- Of generation, whose efficient right
- Is nothing else but to produce to light.
- The odd disparent number they did choose,
- To show the union married loves should use,
- Since in two equal parts it will not sever,
- But the midst holds one to rejoin it ever,
- As common to both parts: men therefore deem
- That equal number gods do not esteem,
- Being authors of sweet peace and unity,
- But pleasing to th' infernal empery, 330
- Under whose ensigns Wars and Discords fight,
- Since an even number you may disunite
- In two parts equal, naught in middle left
- To reunite each part from other reft;
- And five they hold in most especial prize,[102]
- Since 'tis the first odd number that doth rise
- From the two foremost numbers' unity,
- That odd and even are; which are two and three;
- For one no number is; but thence doth flow
- The powerful race of number. Next, did go 340
- A noble matron, that did spinning bear
- A huswife's rock and spindle, and did wear
- A wether's skin, with all the snowy fleece,
- To intimate that even the daintiest piece
- And noblest-born dame should industrious be:
- That which does good disgraceth no degree.
- And now to Juno's temple they are come,
- Where her grave priest stood in the marriage-room:
- On his right arm did hang a scarlet veil,
- And from his shoulders to the ground did trail, 350
- On either side, ribands of white and blue:
- With the red veil he hid the bashful hue
- Of the chaste bride, to show the modest shame,
- In coupling with a man, should grace a dame.
- Then took he the disparent silks, and tied
- The lovers by the waists, and side to side,
- In token that thereafter they must bind
- In one self-sacred knot each other's mind.
- Before them on an altar he presented
- Both fire and water, which was first invented, 360
- Since to ingenerate every human creature
- And every other birth produc'd by Nature,
- Moisture and heat must mix; so man and wife
- For human race must join in nuptial life.
- Then one of Juno's birds, the painted jay,
- He sacrific'd and took the gall away;
- All which he did behind the altar throw,
- In sign no bitterness of hate should grow,
- 'Twixt married loves, nor any least disdain.
- Nothing they spake, for 'twas esteem'd too plain 370
- For the most silken mildness of a maid,
- To let a public audience hear it said,
- She boldly took the man; and so respected
- Was bashfulness in Athens, it erected
- To chaste Agneia,[103] which is Shamefacedness,
- A sacred temple, holding her a goddess.
- And now to feasts, masks, and triumphant shows,
- The shining troops returned, even till earth-throes
- Brought forth with joy the thickest part of night,
- When the sweet nuptial song, that used to cite 380
- All to their rest, was by Phemonöe[104] sung,
- First Delphian prophetess, whose graces sprung
- Out of the Muses' well: she sung before
- The bride into her chamber; at which door
- A matron and a torch-bearer did stand:
- A painted box of confits[105] in her hand
- The matron held, and so did other some[106]
- That compassed round the honour'd nuptial room.
- The custom was, that every maid did wear,
- During her maidenhead, a silken sphere 390
- About her waist, above her inmost weed,
- Knit with Minerva's knot, and that was freed
- By the fair bridegroom on the marriage-night,
- With many ceremonies of delight:
- And yet eternized Hymen's tender bride,
- To suffer it dissolved so, sweetly cried.
- The maids that heard, so loved and did adore her,
- They wished with all their hearts to suffer for her.
- So had the matrons, that with confits stood
- About the chamber, such affectionate blood, 400
- And so true feeling of her harmless pains,
- That every one a shower of confits rains;
- For which the bride-youths scrambling on the ground,
- In noise of that sweet hail her[107] cries were drown'd.
- And thus blest Hymen joyed his gracious bride,
- And for his joy was after deified.
- The saffron mirror by which Phoebus' love,
- Green Tellus, decks her, now he held above
- The cloudy mountains: and the noble maid,
- Sharp-visaged Adolesche, that was stray'd 410
- Out of her way, in hasting with her news,
- Not till this[108] hour th' Athenian turrets views;
- And now brought home by guides, she heard by all,
- That her long kept occurrents would be stale,
- And how fair Hymen's honours did excel
- For those rare news which she came short to tell.
- To hear her dear tongue robbed of such a joy,
- Made the well-spoken nymph take such a toy,[109]
- That down she sunk: when lightning from above
- Shrunk her lean body, and, for mere free love, 420
- Turn'd her into the pied-plum'd Psittacus,
- That now the Parrot is surnam'd by us,
- Who still with counterfeit confusion prates
- Naught but news common to the common'st mates.--
- This told, strange Teras touch'd her lute, and sung
- This ditty, that the torchy evening sprung.
- _Epithalamion Teratos._
- Come, come, dear Night! Love's mart of kisses,
- Sweet close to his ambitious line,
- The fruitful summer of his blisses!
- Love's glory doth in darkness shine. 430
- O come, soft rest of cares! come, Night!
- Come, naked Virtue's only tire,
- The reapèd harvest of the light,
- Bound up in sheaves of sacred fire!
- Love calls to war;
- Sighs his alarms,
- Lips his swords are,
- The field his arms.
- Come, Night, and lay thy velvet hand
- On glorious Day's outfacing face; 440
- And all thy crownèd flames command,
- For torches to our nuptial grace!
- Love calls to war;
- Sighs his alarms,
- Lips his swords are,
- The field his arms.
- No need have we of factious Day,
- To cast, in envy of thy peace,
- Her balls of discord in thy way:
- Here Beauty's day doth never cease; 450
- Day is abstracted here,
- And varied in a triple sphere.
- Hero, Alcmane, Mya, so outshine thee,
- Ere thou come here, let Thetis thrice refine thee.
- Love calls to war;
- Sighs his alarms,
- Lips his swords are,
- The field his arms.
- The evening star I see:
- Rise, youths! the evening star 460
- Helps Love to summon war;
- Both now embracing be.
- Rise, youths! Love's rite claims more than banquets; rise!
- Now the bright marigolds, that deck the skies,
- Phoebus' celestial flowers, that, contrary
- To his flowers here, ope when he shuts his eye,
- And shuts when he doth open, crown your sports:
- Now Love in Night, and Night in Love exhorts
- Courtship and dances: all your parts employ,
- And suit Night's rich expansure with your joy. 470
- Love paints his longings in sweet virgins' eyes:
- Rise, youths! Love's rite claims more than banquets; rise!
- Rise, virgins! let fair nuptial loves enfold
- Your fruitless breasts: the maidenheads[110] ye hold
- Are not your own alone, but parted are;
- Part in disposing them your parents share,
- And that a third part is; so must ye save
- Your loves a third, and you your thirds must have.
- Love paints his longings in sweet virgins' eyes:
- Rise, youths! Love's rite claims more than banquets; rise! 480
- Herewith the amorous spirit, that was so kind
- To Teras' hair, and comb'd it down with wind,
- Still as it, comet-like, brake from her brain,
- Would needs have Teras gone, and did refrain
- To blow it down: which, staring[111] up, dismay'd
- The timorous feast; and she no longer stay'd;
- But, bowing to the bridegroom and the bride,
- Did, like a shooting exhalation, glide
- Out of their sights: the turning of her back
- Made them all shriek, it look'd so ghastly black. 490
- O hapless Hero! that most hapless cloud
- Thy soon-succeeding tragedy foreshow'd.
- Thus all the nuptial crew to joys depart;
- But much-wronged[112] Hero stood Hell's blackest dart:
- Whose wound because I grieve so to display,
- I use digressions thus t' increase the day.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [92] Some modern editors read "sat."
- [93] Singer suggested "Alcmaeon."
- [94] "Chapman has a passage very similar to this in his _Widow's Tears_,
- Act iv.:--
- 'Wine is ordained to raise such hearts as sink:
- Whom woful stars distemper let him drink.'"
- --_Broughton._
- [95] "Old eds. 'prayes,' 'praies,' 'preies,' and 'pryes.'"--_Dyce._
- [96] Dyce reads "enthrill'd" (a word that I do not remember to have
- seen).
- [97] Did make to spring. Cf. Fourth Sestiad, l. 169.
- [98] So the Isham copy. All other editions omit the words "the blood."
- [99] "Valure" is frequently found as a form of "value;" but I suspect,
- with Dyce, that it is here put (_metri causa_) for "valour."
- [100] Plot.
- [101] Gr. [Greek: adoleschês].
- [102] Some eds. "price."
- [103] Gr. [Greek: hagneia]
- [104] Singer gives a reference to Pausan, x. 5.--Old eds. "Phemonor" and
- "Phemoner."
- [105] Comfits.
- [106] "Other some" is a not uncommon form of expression. See Halliwell's
- _Dict. of Archaic and Provincial Words_.
- [107] Old eds. "their."
- [108] Old eds. "his."
- [109] A sudden pettishness or freak of fancy. Cf. _Two Noble Kinsmen_:--
- "The hot horse hot as fire
- _Took toy_ at this."
- [110] Former editors have not noticed that Chapman is here closely
- imitating Catullus' _Carmen Nuptiale_--
- "Virginitas non tota tua est: ex parte parentum est:
- Tertia pars patri data, pars data tertia matri,
- Tertia sola tua est: noli pugnare duobus,
- Qui genero sua jura simul cum dote dederunt."
- [111] Some eds. "starting." Cf. _Julius Cæsar_, iv. 3, ll. 278-9--
- "Art thou some god, some angel, or some devil,
- That makest my blood cold and my hair to _stare_?"
- [112] "Old eds. 'much-rong,' 'much rongd,' and 'much-wrong'd.'"--_Dyce_
- (who reads "much-wrung").
- THE SIXTH SESTIAD.
- _The Argument of the Sixth Sestiad._
- Leucote flies to all the Winds,
- And from the Fates their outrage blinds,[113]
- That Hero and her love may meet.
- Leander, with Love's complete fleet
- Manned in himself, puts forth to seas;
- When straight the ruthless Destinies,
- With, Até, stir the winds to war
- Upon the Hellespont: their jar
- Drowns poor Leander. Hero's eyes,
- Wet witnesses of his surprise, 10
- Her torch blown out, grief casts her down
- Upon her love, and both doth drown:
- In whose just ruth the god of seas
- Transforms them to th' Acanthides.
- No longer could the Day nor Destinies
- Delay the Night, who now did frowning rise
- Into her throne; and at her humorous breasts
- Visions and Dreams lay sucking: all men's rests
- Fell like the mists of death upon their eyes,
- Day's too-long darts so kill'd their faculties.
- The Winds yet, like the flowers, to cease began;
- For bright Leucote, Venus' whitest swan,
- That held sweet Hero dear, spread her fair wings,
- Like to a field of snow, and message brings 10
- From Venus to the Fates, t'entreat them lay
- Their charge upon the Winds their rage to stay,
- That the stern battle of the seas might cease,
- And guard Leander to his love in peace.
- The Fates consent;--ay me, dissembling Fates!
- They showed their favours to conceal their hates,
- And draw Leander on, lest seas too high
- Should stay his too obsequious destiny:
- Who[114] like a fleering slavish parasite,
- In warping profit or a traitorous sleight, 20
- Hoops round his rotten body with devotes,
- And pricks his descant face full of false notes;
- Praising with open throat, and oaths as foul
- As his false heart, the beauty of an owl;
- Kissing his skipping hand with charmèd skips,
- That cannot leave, but leaps upon his lips
- Like a cock-sparrow, or a shameless quean
- Sharp at a red-lipp'd youth, and naught doth mean
- Of all his antic shows, but doth repair
- More tender fawns,[115] and takes a scatter'd hair 30
- From his tame subject's shoulder; whips and calls
- For everything he lacks; creeps 'gainst the walls
- With backward humbless, to give needless way:
- Thus his false fate did with Leander play.
- First to black Eurus flies the white Leucote
- (Born 'mongst the negroes in the Levant sea,
- On whose curl'd head[s] the glowing sun doth rise),
- And shows the sovereign will of Destinies,
- To have him cease his blasts; and down he lies.
- Next, to the fenny Notus course she holds, 40
- And found him leaning, with his arms in folds,
- Upon a rock, his white hair full of showers;
- And him she chargeth by the fatal powers,
- To hold in his wet cheeks his cloudy voice.
- To Zephyr then that doth in flowers rejoice:
- To snake-foot Boreas next she did remove,
- And found him tossing of his ravished love,[116]
- To heat his frosty bosom hid in snow;
- Who with Leucote's sight did cease to blow.
- Thus all were still to Hero's heart's desire; 50
- Who with all speed did consecrate a fire
- Of flaming gums and comfortable spice,
- To light her torch, which in such curious price
- She held, being object to Leander's sight,
- That naught but fires perfumed must give it light.
- She loved it so, she griev'd to see it burn,
- Since it would waste, and soon to ashes turn:
- Yet, if it burned not, 'twere not worth her eyes;
- What made it nothing, gave it all the prize.
- Sweet torch, true glass of our society! 60
- What man does good, but he consumes thereby?
- But thou wert loved for good, held high, given show;
- Poor virtue loathed for good, obscured, held low:
- Do good, be pined,--be deedless good, disgraced;
- Unless we feed on men, we let them fast.
- Yet Hero with these thoughts her torch did spend:
- When bees make wax, Nature doth not intend
- It should be made a torch; but we, that know
- The proper virtue of it, make it so,
- And, when 'tis made, we light it: nor did Nature 70
- Propose one life to maids; but each such creature
- Makes by her soul the best of her free[117] state,
- Which without love is rude, disconsolate,
- And wants love's fire to make it mild and bright,
- Till when, maids are but torches wanting light.
- Thus 'gainst our grief, not cause of grief, we fight:
- The right of naught is glean'd, but the delight.
- Up went she: but to tell how she descended,
- Would God she were dead, or my verse ended!
- She was the rule of wishes, sum, and end, 80
- For all the parts that did on love depend:
- Yet cast the torch his brightness further forth;
- But what shines nearest best, holds truest worth.
- Leander did not through such tempests swim
- To kiss the torch, although it lighted him:
- But all his powers in her desires awakèd,
- Her love and virtues clothed him richly naked.
- Men kiss but fire that only shows pursue;
- Her torch and Hero, figure show and virtue.
- Now at opposed Abydos naught was heard 90
- But bleating flocks, and many a bellowing herd,
- Slain for the nuptials; cracks of falling woods;
- Blows of broad axes; pourings out of floods.
- The guilty Hellespont was mix'd and stained
- With bloody torrents[118] that the shambles rained;
- Not arguments of feast, but shows that bled,
- Foretelling that red night that followèd.
- More blood was spilt, more honours were addrest,
- Than could have gracèd any happy feast;
- Rich banquets, triumphs, every pomp employs 100
- His sumptuous hand; no miser's nuptial joys.
- Air felt continual thunder with the noise
- Made in the general marriage-violence;
- And no man knew the cause of this expense,
- But the two hapless lords, Leander's sire,
- And poor Leander, poorest where the fire
- Of credulous love made him most rich surmis'd:
- As short was he of that himself[119] he prized,
- As is an empty gallant full of form,
- That thinks each look an act, each drop a storm, 110
- That falls from his brave breathings; most brought up
- In our metropolis, and hath his cup
- Brought after him to feasts; and much palm bears
- For his rare judgment in th' attire he wears;
- Hath seen the hot Low-Countries, not their heat,
- Observes their rampires and their buildings yet;
- And, for your sweet discourse with mouths, is heard
- Giving instructions with his very beard;
- Hath gone with an ambassador, and been
- A great man's mate in travelling, even to Rhene; 120
- And then puts all his worth in such a face
- As he saw brave men make, and strives for grace
- To get his news forth: as when you descry
- A ship, with all her sail contends to fly
- Out of the narrow Thames with winds unapt,
- Now crosseth here, then there, then this way rapt,
- And then hath one point reach'd, then alters all,
- And to another crookèd reach doth fall
- Of half a bird-bolt's[120] shoot, keeping more coil
- Than if she danc'd upon the ocean's toil; 130
- So serious is his trifling company,
- In all his swelling ship of vacantry
- And so short of himself in his high thought
- Was our Leander in his fortunes brought,
- And in his fort of love that he thought won;
- But otherwise he scorns comparison.
- O sweet Leander, thy large worth I hide
- In a short grave! ill-favour'd storms must chide
- Thy sacred favour;[121] I in floods of ink
- Must drown thy graces, which white papers drink, 140
- Even as thy beauties did the foul black seas;
- I must describe the hell of thy decease,
- That heaven did merit: yet I needs must see
- Our painted fools and cockhorse peasantry
- Still, still usurp, with long lives, loves, and lust,
- The seats of Virtue, cutting short as dust
- Her dear-bought issue: ill to worse converts,
- And tramples in the blood of all deserts.
- Night close and silent now goes fast before
- The captains and the soldiers to the shore, 150
- On whom attended the appointed fleet
- At Sestos' bay, that should Leander meet,
- Who feigned he in another ship would pass:
- Which must not be, for no one mean there was
- To get his love home, but the course he took.
- Forth did his beauty for his beauty look,
- And saw her through her torch, as you behold
- Sometimes within the sun a face of gold,
- Formed in strong thoughts, by that tradition's force
- That says a god sits there and guides his course. 160
- His sister was with him; to whom he show'd
- His guide by sea, and said, "Oft have you view'd
- In one heaven many stars, but never yet
- In one star many heavens till now were met.
- See, lovely sister! see, now Hero shines,
- No heaven but her appears; each star repines,
- And all are clad in clouds, as if they mourned
- To be by influence of earth out-burned.
- Yet doth she shine, and teacheth Virtue's train
- Still to be constant in hell's blackest reign, 170
- Though even the gods themselves do so entreat them
- As they did hate, and earth as she would eat them."
- Off went his silken robe, and in he leapt,
- Whom the kind waves so licorously cleapt,[122]
- Thickening for haste, one in another, so,
- To kiss his skin, that he might almost go
- To Hero's tower, had that kind minute lasted.
- But now the cruel Fates with Até hasted
- To all the winds, and made them battle fight
- Upon the Hellespont, for either's right 180
- Pretended to the windy monarchy;
- And forth they brake, the seas mixed with the sky,
- And tossed distressed Leander, being in hell,
- As high as heaven: bliss not in height doth dwell.
- The Destinies sate dancing on the waves,
- To see the glorious Winds with mutual braves
- Consume each other: O, true glass, to see
- How ruinous ambitious statists be
- To their own glories! Poor Leander cried
- For help to sea-born Venus she denied; 190
- To Boreas, that, for his Atthæa's[123] sake
- He would some pity on his Hero take,
- And for his own love's sake, on his desires;
- But Glory never blows cold Pity's fires.
- Then call'd he Neptune, who, through all the noise,
- Knew with affright his wreck'd Leander's voice,
- And up he rose; for haste his forehead hit
- 'Gainst heaven's hard crystal; his proud waves he smit
- With his forked sceptre, that could not obey;
- Much greater powers than Neptune's gave them sway. 200
- They loved Leander so, in groans they brake
- When they came near him; and such space did take
- 'Twixt one another, loath to issue on,
- That in their shallow furrows earth was shown,
- And the poor lover took a little breath:
- But the curst Fates sate spinning of his death
- On every wave, and with the servile Winds
- Tumbled them on him. And now Hero finds,
- By that she felt, her dear Leander's state:
- She wept, and prayed for him to every Fate; 210
- And every Wind that whipped her with her hair
- About the face, she kissed and spake it fair,
- Kneeled to it, gave it drink out of her eyes
- To quench his thirst: but still their cruelties
- Even her poor torch envied, and rudely beat
- The baiting[124] flame from that dear food it eat;
- Dear, for it nourish'd her Leander's life;
- Which with her robe she rescued from their strife;
- But silk too soft was such hard hearts to break;
- And she, dear soul, even as her silk, faint, weak, 220
- Could not preserve it; out, O, out it went!
- Leander still call'd Neptune, that now rent
- His brackish curls, and tore his wrinkled face,
- Where tears in billows did each other chase;
- And, burst with ruth, he hurl'd his marble mace
- At the stern Fates: it wounded Lachesis
- That drew Leander's thread, and could not miss
- The thread itself, as it her hand did hit,
- But smote it full, and quite did sunder it.
- The more kind Neptune raged, the more he razed 230
- His love's life's fort, and kill'd as he embraced:
- Anger doth still his own mishap increase;
- If any comfort live, it is in peace.
- O thievish Fates, to let blood, flesh, and sense,
- Build two fair temples for their excellence,
- To robe it with a poisoned influence!
- Though souls' gifts starve, the bodies are held dear
- In ugliest things; sense-sport preserves a bear:
- But here naught serves our turns: O heaven and earth,
- How most-most wretched is our human birth! 240
- And now did all the tyrannous crew depart,
- Knowing there was a storm in Hero's heart,
- Greater than they could make, and scorn'd their smart.
- She bow'd herself so low out of her tower,
- That wonder 'twas she fell not ere her hour,
- With searching the lamenting waves for him:
- Like a poor snail, her gentle supple limb
- Hung on her turret's top, so most downright,
- As she would dive beneath the darkness quite,
- To find her jewel;--jewel!--her Leander, 250
- A name of all earth's jewels pleas'd not her
- Like his dear name: "Leander, still my choice,
- Come naught but my Leander! O my voice,
- Turn to Leander! henceforth be all sounds,
- Accents and phrases, that show all griefs' wounds,
- Analyzed in Leander! O black change!
- Trumpets, do you, with thunder of your clange,
- Drive out this change's horror! My voice faints:
- Where all joy was, now shriek out all complaints!"
- Thus cried she; for her mixèd soul could tell 260
- Her love was dead: and when the Morning fell
- Prostrate upon the weeping earth for woe,
- Blushes, that bled out of her cheeks, did show
- Leander brought by Neptune, bruis'd and torn
- With cities' ruins he to rocks had worn,
- To filthy usuring rocks, that would have blood,
- Though they could get of him no other good.
- She saw him, and the sight was much-much more
- Than might have serv'd to kill her: should her store
- Of giant sorrows speak?--Burst,--die,--bleed, 270
- And leave poor plaints to us that shall succeed.
- She fell on her love's bosom, hugged it fast,
- And with Leander's name she breathed her last.
- Neptune for pity in his arms did take them,
- Flung them into the air, and did awake them
- Like two sweet birds, surnam'd th' Acanthides,
- Which we call Thistle-warps, that near no seas
- Dare ever come, but still in couples fly,
- And feed on thistle-tops, to testify
- The hardness of their first life in their last; 280
- The first, in thorns of love, that sorrows past:
- And so most beautiful their colours show,
- As none (so little) like them; her sad brow
- A sable velvet feather covers quite,
- Even like the forehead-cloth that, in the night,
- Or when they sorrow, ladies use[125] to wear:
- Their wings, blue, red, and yellow, mixed appear:
- Colours that, as we construe colours, paint
- Their states to life;--the yellow shows their saint,
- The dainty[126] Venus, left them; blue their truth; 290
- The red and black, ensigns of death and ruth.
- And this true honour from their love-death sprung,--
- They were the first that ever poet sung.[127]
- FOOTNOTES:
- [113] It should be _binds_: _i.e._, "Leucote flies to the several winds,
- and, commissioned by the Fates, commands them to restrain their
- violence." _Broughton._
- [114] The next few lines are in Chapman's obscurest manner. "Devotes,"
- in l. 21, means, I suppose, "tokens of devotion to his patron."
- [115] Cunningham says, "I cannot perceive the meaning of 'doth repair
- more tender fawns.'" "Fawns" is equivalent to "fawnings;" and the
- meaning seems to be, "applies himself to softer blandishments."
- [116] Orithyia.--The story of the rape of Orithyia is told in a
- magnificent passage of Mr. Swinburne's _Erectheus_.
- [117] So the Isham copy. Later eds. "true."
- [118] So the Isham copy. Later eds. "torrent."
- [119] Some eds. "himselfe surpris'd." Dyce gives "himself so priz'd."
- [120] A short arrow blunted at the end; it killed birds without piercing
- them.
- [121] Countenance.
- [122] Clipt, embraced.
- [123] From Gr. [Greek: Atthis] (a woman of Attica, _i.e._, Orithyia).
- [124] "The flame taking _bait_ (refreshment), feeding." Dyce. (Old eds.
- "bating.")
- [125] Old eds. "vsde."
- [126] Isham copy "deuil."
- [127] In Chapman's day the work of the grammarian Musaeus was supposed
- to be the genuine production of the fabulous son of Eumolpus.
- OVID'S ELEGIES.
- All the old editions of Marlowe's translation of the _Amores_ are
- undated, and bear the imprint Middleburgh (in various spellings). It is
- probable that the copy which Mr. Charles Edmonds discovered at Lamport
- Hall, Northamptonshire (the seat of Sir Charles Isham, Bart.), is the
- earliest of extant editions. The title-page of this edition
- is--_Epigrammes and Elegies By I. D. and C. M. At Middleborugh_ 12mo.
- After the title-page come the _Epigrammata_, which are signed at the end
- "I. D." (the initials of Sir John Davies). Following the _Epigrammata_
- is a copy of verses headed _Ignoto_, and then comes a second
- title-page--_Certaine of Ovid's Elegies. By C. Marlowe. At
- Middleborough_. In his preface to a facsimile reprint of the little
- volume, Mr. Edmonds states his conviction that this edition,
- notwithstanding the imprint Middleborough, was issued at London from the
- press of W. Jaggard, who in 1599 printed the _Passionate Pilgrime_. He
- grounds his opinion not only on the character of the type and of the
- misprints, but on the fact that there would be no need for the book to
- be printed abroad in the first instance. It was not (he thinks) until
- after June 1599--when (with other books) it was condemned by Archbishop
- Whitgift to be burnt--that recourse was had to the expedient of
- reprinting it at Middleburgh. In the notes I refer to this edition as
- Isham copy.
- The next edition, which has the same title-pages as the Isham
- copy--_Epigrammes and Elegies by I. D. and C. M. at Middleborugh_,
- 12mo--was certainly, to judge from its general appearance, printed
- abroad, and by foreigners. The text agrees in the main with that of the
- Isham copy, but the corruptions are more numerous. I have followed Dyce
- in referring to this edition as Ed. A.
- The Isham copy and Ed. A contain only a portion of the Elegies. The
- complete translation appeared in _All Ovid's Elegies: 3 Bookes. By C. M.
- Epigrams by I. D. At Middleborugh_, 12mo. (Ed. B); and in another
- edition with the same title-page (Ed. C). The readings of Ed. C. I have
- occasionally borrowed from Dyce. It is supposed that the book "continued
- to be printed with Middleburgh on the title, and without date, as late
- as 1640" (Hazlitt).
- OVID'S ELEGIES.
- P. OVIDII NASONIS AMORUM.
- LIBER PRIMUS.
- ELEGIA I.
- Quemadmodum a Cupidine, pro bellis amoris scribere coactus sit.
- _We which were Ovid's five books, now are three,
- For these before the rest preferreth he:
- If reading five thou plain'st of tediousness,
- Two ta'en away, thy[128] labour will be less;_
- With Muse prepared,[129] I meant to sing of arms,
- Choosing a subject fit for fierce alarms:
- Both verses were alike till Love (men say)
- Began to smile and took one foot away.
- Rash boy, who gave thee power to change a line?
- We are the Muses' prophets, none of thine.
- What, if thy mother take Diana's[130] bow,
- Shall Dian fan when love begins to glow?
- In woody groves is't meet that Ceres reign,
- And quiver-bearing Dian till the plain? 10
- Who'll set the fair-tressed Sun in battle-ray
- While Mars doth take the Aonian harp to play?
- Great are thy kingdoms, over-strong and large,
- Ambitious imp, why seek'st thou further charge?
- Are all things thine? the Muses' Tempe thine?
- Then scarce can Phoebus say, "This harp is mine."
- When[131] in this work's first verse I trod aloft,
- Love slaked my muse, and made my numbers soft:
- I have no mistress nor no favourite,
- Being fittest matter for a wanton wit. 20
- Thus I complained, but Love unlocked his quiver,
- Took out the shaft, ordained my heart to shiver,
- And bent his sinewy bow upon his knee,
- Saying, "Poet, here's a work beseeming thee."
- O, woe is me! he never shoots but hits,
- I burn, love in my idle bosom sits:
- Let my first verse be six, my last five feet:
- Farewell stern war, for blunter poets meet!
- Elegian muse, that warblest amorous lays,
- Girt my shine[132] brow with seabank myrtle sprays.[133] 30
- FOOTNOTES:
- [128] So the Isham copy. Ed. A. "the."
- [129] Isham copy and ed. A. "vpreard, I meane."
- [130] The original has--
- "Quid? si præripiat flavæ Venus arma _Minervæ_
- Ventilet accensas flavæ _Minerva_ comas."
- [131]
- "Cum bene surrexit versu nova pagina, primo!
- At tenuat nervos proximus ille meos."
- [132] Sheen.
- [133] Dyce's correction for "praise" of the old eds.
- ELEGIA II.
- Quod primo amore correptus, in triumphum duci se a Cupidine patiatur.
- What makes my bed seem hard seeing it is soft?
- Or why slips down the coverlet so oft?
- Although the nights be long I sleep not tho[134]
- My sides are sore with tumbling to and fro.
- Were love the cause it's like I should descry him,
- Or lies he close and shoots where none can spy him?
- 'Twas so; he strook me with a slender dart;
- 'Tis cruel Love turmoils my captive heart.
- Yielding or striving[135] do we give him might,
- Let's yield, a burden easily borne is light. 10
- I saw a brandished fire increase in strength,
- Which being not shak'd, I saw it die at length.
- Young oxen newly yoked are beaten more,
- Than oxen which have drawn the plough before:
- And rough jades' mouths with stubborn bits are torn,
- But managed horses' heads are lightly borne.[136]
- Unwilling lovers, love doth more torment,
- Than such as in their bondage feel content.
- Lo! I confess, I am thy captive I,
- And hold my conquered hands for thee to tie. 20
- What need'st thou war? I sue to thee for grace:
- With arms to conquer armless men is base.
- Yoke Venus' Doves, put myrtle on thy hair,
- Vulcan will give thee chariots rich and fair:
- The people thee applauding, thou shalt stand,
- Guiding the harmless pigeons with thy hand.
- Young men and women shalt thou lead as thrall,
- So will thy triumph seem magnifical;
- I, lately caught, will have a new-made wound,
- And captive-like be manacled and bound: 30
- Good meaning, Shame, and such as seek Love's wrack
- Shall follow thee, their hands tied at their back.
- Thee all shall fear, and worship as a king
- Iö triumphing shall thy people sing.
- Smooth speeches, Fear and Rage shall by thee ride,
- Which troops have always been on Cupid's side;
- Thou with these soldiers conquer'st gods and men,
- Take these away, where is thine honour then?
- Thy mother shall from heaven applaud this show,
- And on their faces heaps of roses strow, 40
- With beauty of thy wings, thy fair hair gilded,[137]
- Ride golden Love in chariots richly builded!
- Unless I err, full many shalt thou burn,
- And give wounds infinite at every turn.
- In spite of thee, forth will thine arrows fly,
- A scorching flame burns all the standers by.
- So, having conquered Inde, was Bacchus' hue;
- Thee pompous birds and him two tigers drew;
- Then seeing I grace thy show in following thee,
- Forbear to hurt thyself in spoiling me. 50
- Behold thy kinsman[138] Cæsar's prosperous bands,
- Who guards the[139] conquered with his conquering hands.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [134] Then.
- [135] So the Isham copy and ed. A. Other eds. "struggling."
- [136] "_Frena minus sentit_ quisquis ad arma facit."--Marlowe's line
- strongly supports the view that "bear hard" in _Julius Cæsar_ means
- "curb, keep a tight rein over" (hence "eye with suspicion"). Cf.
- Christopher Clifford's _School of Horsemanship_ (1585):--"But the most
- part of horses takes it [a 'wil of his owne'] through the unskilfulnesse
- of the rider by _bearing too hard a hand_ upon them," p. 35.
- [137] "Our poet's copy of Ovid had 'Tu _penna pulchros gemina_ variante
- capillos.'"--_Dyce._ (The true reading "Tu pennas gemma, gemma, variante
- capillos.")
- [138] Old eds. "kinsmans."
- [139] Old eds. "thee."
- ELEGIA III.
- Ad amicam.
- I ask but right, let her that caught me late,
- Either love, or cause that I may never hate;
- I crave[140] too much--would she but let me love her;
- Jove knows with such-like prayers I daily move her.
- Accept him that shall serve thee all his youth,
- Accept him that shall love with spotless truth.
- If lofty titles cannot make[141] me thine,
- That am descended but of knightly line,
- (Soon may you plough the little land I have;
- I gladly grant my parents given to save;[142]) 10
- Apollo, Bacchus, and the Muses may;
- And Cupid who hath marked me for thy prey;
- My spotless life, which but to gods gives place,
- Naked simplicity, and modest grace.
- I love but one, and her I love change never,
- If men have faith, I'll live with thee for ever.
- The years that fatal Destiny shall give
- I'll live with thee, and die ere thou shalt grieve.
- Be thou the happy subject of my books
- That I may write things worthy thy fair looks. 20
- By verses, horned Iö got her name;
- And she to whom in shape of swan[143] Jove came;
- And she that on a feigned Bull swam to land,
- Griping his false horns with her virgin hand,
- So likewise we will through the world be rung
- And with my name shall thine be always sung.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [140] Isham copy "aske."
- [141] Ed. A. "cause me to be thine."
- [142] "Temperat et sumptus parcus uterque parens."
- [143] Isham copy and ed. A. "Bull."
- ELEGIA IV.[144]
- Amicam, qua arte quibusque nutibus in cæna, presente viro, uti debeat,
- admonet.
- Thy husband to a banquet goes with me,
- Pray God it may his latest supper be.
- Shall I sit gazing as a bashful guest,
- While others touch the damsel I love best?
- Wilt lying under him, his bosom clip?
- About thy neck shall he at pleasure skip?
- Marvel not, though the fair bride did incite
- The drunken Centaurs to a sudden fight.
- I am no half horse, nor in woods I dwell,
- Yet scarce my hands from thee contain I well. 10
- But how thou should'st behave thyself now know,
- Nor let the winds away my warnings blow.
- Before thy husband come, though I not see
- What may be done, yet there before him be.
- Lie with him gently, when his limbs he spread
- Upon the bed; but on my foot first tread.
- View me, my becks, and speaking countenance;
- Take, and return[145] each secret amorous glance.
- Words without voice shall on my eyebrows sit,
- Lines thou shalt read in wine by my hand writ. 20
- When our lascivious toys come to thy mind,
- Thy rosy cheeks be to thy thumb inclined.
- If aught of me thou speak'st in inward thought,
- Let thy soft finger to thy ear be brought.
- When I, my light, do or say aught that please thee,
- Turn round thy gold ring, as it were to ease thee.
- Strike on the board like them that pray for evil,
- When thou dost wish thy husband at the devil.[146]
- What wine he fills thee, wisely will[147] him drink;
- Ask thou the boy, what thou enough dost think. 30
- When thou hast tasted, I will take the cup,
- And where thou drink'st, on that part I will sup.
- If he gives thee what first himself did taste,
- Even in his face his offered gobbets[148] cast.
- Let not thy neck by his vile arms be prest,
- Nor lean thy soft head on his boisterous breast.
- Thy bosom's roseate buds let him not finger,
- Chiefly on thy lips let not his lips linger
- If thou givest kisses, I shall all disclose,[149]
- Say they are mine, and hands on thee impose. 40
- Yet this I'll see, but if thy gown aught cover,
- Suspicious fear in all my veins will hover.
- Mingle not thighs, nor to his leg join thine,
- Nor thy soft foot with his hard foot combine.
- I have been wanton, therefore am perplexed,
- And with mistrust of the like measure vexed.
- I and my wench oft under clothes did lurk,
- When pleasure moved us to our sweetest work.
- Do not thou so; but throw thy mantle hence,
- Lest I should think thee guilty of offence. 50
- Entreat thy husband drink, but do not kiss,
- And while he drinks, to add more do not miss;
- If he lies down with wine and sleep opprest,
- The thing and place shall counsel us the rest.
- When to go homewards we rise all along
- Have care to walk in middle of the throng.
- There will I find thee or be found by thee,
- There touch whatever thou canst touch of me.
- Ay me! I warn what profits some few hours!
- But we must part, when heaven with black night lours. 60
- At night thy husband clips[150] thee: I will weep
- And to the doors sight of thyself [will] keep:
- Then will he kiss thee, and not only kiss,
- But force thee give him my stolen honey-bliss.
- Constrained against thy will give it the peasant,
- Forbear sweet words, and be your sport unpleasant.
- To him I pray it no delight may bring,
- Or if it do, to thee no joy thence spring.
- But, though this night thy fortune be to try it,
- To me to-morrow constantly deny[151] it. 70
- FOOTNOTES:
- [144] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [145] So Dyce; old eds. "receive."
- [146] "Optabis merito cum mala multa viro."
- [147] "Bibat ipse _jubeto_."
- [148] So Dyce for "goblets" of the old eds. ("Rejice libatos illius ore
- _cibos_.")
- [149] "Fiam manifestus adulter."
- [150] The original has "Nocte vir _includet_."
- [151] "Dedisse nega."
- ELEGIA V.
- Corinnæ concubitus.
- In summer's heat, and mid-time of the day,
- To rest my limbs upon a bed I lay;
- One window shut, the other open stood,
- Which gave such light as twinkles in a wood,
- Like twilight glimpse at setting of the sun,
- Or night being past, and yet not day begun;
- Such light to shamefaced maidens must be shown
- Where they may sport, and seem to be unknown:
- Then came Corinna in a long loose gown,
- Her white neck hid with tresses hanging down, 10
- Resembling fair Semiramis going to bed,
- Or Lais of a thousand wooers sped.[152]
- I snatched her gown: being thin, the harm was small,
- Yet strived she to be covered therewithal;
- And striving thus, as one that would be cast,
- Betrayed herself, and yielded at the last.
- Stark naked as she stood before mine eye,
- Not one wen in her body could I spy.
- What arms and shoulders did I touch and see!
- How apt her breasts were to be pressed by me! 20
- How smooth a belly under her waist saw I,
- How large a leg, and what a lusty thigh!
- To leave the rest, all liked me passing well;
- I clinged her naked[153] body, down she fell:
- Judge you the rest; being tired she bade me kiss;
- Jove send me more such afternoons as this!
- FOOTNOTES:
- [152] Isham copy and ed. A. "spread."
- [153] Ed. A. "her faire white body." ("Et _nudam_ pressi corpus ad usque
- meum.")
- ELEGIA VI.[154]
- Ad Janitorem, ut fores sibi aperiat.
- Unworthy porter, bound in chains full sore,
- On movèd hooks set ope the churlish door.
- Little I ask, a little entrance make,
- The gate half-ope my bent side in will take.
- Long love my body to such use make[s] slender,
- And to get out doth like apt members render.
- He shows me how unheard to pass the watch,
- And guides my feet lest, stumbling, falls they catch:
- But in times past I feared vain shades, and night,
- Wondering if any walkèd without light. 10
- Love, hearing it, laughed with his tender mother,
- And smiling said, "Be thou as bold as other."
- Forthwith love came; no dark night-flying sprite,
- Nor hands prepared to slaughter, me affright.
- Thee fear I too much: only thee I flatter:
- Thy lightning can my life in pieces batter.
- Why enviest me? this hostile den[155] unbar;
- See how the gates with my tears watered are!
- When thou stood'st naked ready to be beat,
- For thee I did thy mistress fair entreat. 20
- But what entreats for thee sometimes[156] took place,
- (O mischief!) now for me obtain small grace.
- Gratis thou mayest be free; give like for like;
- Night goes away: the door's bar backward strike.
- Strike; so again hard chains shall bind thee never,
- Nor servile water shalt thou drink for ever.
- Hard-hearted Porter, dost and wilt not hear?
- With stiff oak propped the gate doth still appear.
- Such rampired gates besiegèd cities aid;
- In midst of peace why art of arms afraid? 30
- Exclud'st a lover, how would'st use a foe?
- Strike back the bar, night fast away doth go.
- With arms or armèd men I come not guarded;
- I am alone, were furious love discarded.
- Although I would, I cannot him cashier,
- Before I be divided from my gear.[157]
- See Love with me, wine moderate in my brain,
- And on my hairs a crown of flowers remain.
- Who fears these arms? who will not go to meet them?
- Night runs away; with open entrance greet them. 40
- Art careless? or is't sleep forbids thee hear,
- Giving the winds my words running in thine ear?
- Well I remember, when I first did hire thee,
- Watching till after midnight did not tire thee.
- But now perchance thy wench with thee doth rest,
- Ah, how thy lot is above my lot blest:
- Though it be so, shut me not out therefore;
- Night goes away: I pray thee ope the door.
- Err we? or do the turnèd hinges sound,
- And opening doors with creaking noise abound?[158] 50
- We err: a strong blast seemed the gates to ope:
- Ay me, how high that gale did lift my hope!
- If Boreas bears[159] Orithyia's rape in mind,
- Come break these deaf doors with thy boisterous wind.
- Silent the city is: night's dewy host[160]
- March fast away: the bar strike from the post.
- Or I more stern than fire or sword will turn,
- And with my brand these gorgeous houses burn.
- Night, love, and wine to all extremes persuade:
- Night, shameless wine, and love are fearless made. 60
- All have I spent: no threats or prayers move thee;
- O harder than the doors thou guard'st I prove thee,
- No pretty wench's keeper may'st thou be,
- The careful prison is more meet for thee.
- Now frosty night her flight begins to take,
- And crowing cocks poor souls to work awake.
- But thou, my crown, from sad hairs ta'en away,
- On this hard threshold till the morning lay.
- That when my mistress there beholds thee cast,
- She may perceive how we the time did waste. 70
- Whate'er thou art, farewell, be like me pained!
- Careless farewell, with my fault not distained![161]
- And farewell cruel posts, rough threshold's block,
- And doors conjoined with an hard iron lock!
- FOOTNOTES:
- [154] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [155] Old eds. "dende."
- [156] Sometime ("quondam").
- [157] "Ante vel a membris dividar ipse meis."
- [158] Qy. "rebound?"
- [159] Dyce reads, "If, Boreas, bear'st" (_i.e._, "thou bear'st"). But
- the change in the old eds. from the second to the third person is not
- very harsh.
- [160] A picturesque rendering of
- "Vitreoque madentia rore
- Tempora noctis eunt."
- [161] "Lente nec admisso turpis amante ... vale." Of course "nec" should
- be taken with "admisso."
- ELEGIA VII.[162]
- Ad pacandam amicam, quam verberaverat.
- Bind fast my hands, they have deservèd chains,
- While rage is absent, take some friend the pains.
- For rage against my wench moved my rash arm,
- My mistress weeps whom my mad hand did harm.
- I might have then my parents dear misused,
- Or holy gods with cruel strokes abused.
- Why, Ajax, master of the seven-fold shield,
- Butchered the flocks he found in spacious field.
- And he who on his mother venged his ire,
- Against the Destinies durst sharp[163] darts require. 10
- Could I therefore her comely tresses tear?
- Yet was she gracèd with her ruffled hair.
- So fair she was, Atalanta she resembled,
- Before whose bow th' Arcadian wild beasts trembled.
- Such Ariadne was, when she bewails,
- Her perjured Theseus' flying vows and sails.
- So, chaste Minerva, did Cassandra fall
- Deflowered[164] except within thy temple wall.
- That I was mad, and barbarous all men cried:
- She nothing said; pale fear her tongue had tied. 20
- But secretly her looks with checks did trounce me,
- Her tears, she silent, guilty did pronounce me.
- Would of mine arms my shoulders had been scanted:
- Better I could part of myself have wanted.
- To mine own self have I had strength so furious,
- And to myself could I be so injurious?
- Slaughter and mischiefs instruments, no better,
- Deservèd chains these cursed hands shall fetter.
- Punished I am, if I a Roman beat:
- Over my mistress is my right more great? 30
- Tydides left worst signs[165] of villainy;
- He first a goddess struck: another I.
- Yet he harmed less; whom I professed to love
- I harmed: a foe did Diomede's anger move.
- Go now, thou conqueror, glorious triumphs raise,
- Pay vows to Jove; engirt thy hairs with bays.
- And let the troops which shall thy chariot follow,
- "Iö, a strong man conquered this wench," hollow.
- Let the sad captive foremost, with locks spread
- On her white neck, but for hurt cheeks,[166] be led. 40
- Meeter it were her lips were blue with kissing,
- And on her neck a wanton's[167] mark not missing.
- But, though I like a swelling flood was driven,
- And as a prey unto blind anger given,
- Was't not enough the fearful wench to chide?
- Nor thunder, in rough threatenings, haughty pride?
- Nor shamefully her coat pull o'er her crown,
- Which to her waist her girdle still kept down?
- But cruelly her tresses having rent,
- My nails to scratch her lovely cheeks I bent. 50
- Sighing she stood, her bloodless white looks shewed,
- Like marble from the Parian mountains hewed.
- Her half-dead joints, and trembling limbs I saw,
- Like poplar leaves blown with a stormy flaw.
- Or slender ears, with gentle zephyr shaken,
- Or waters' tops with the warm south-wind taken.
- And down her cheeks, the trickling tears did flow,
- Like water gushing from consuming snow.
- Then first I did perceive I had offended;
- My blood the tears were that from her descended. 60
- Before her feet thrice prostrate down I fell,
- My fearèd hands thrice back she did repel.
- But doubt thou not (revenge doth grief appease),
- With thy sharp nails upon my face to seize;
- Bescratch mine eyes, spare not my locks to break
- (Anger will help thy hands though ne'er so weak);
- And lest the sad signs of my crime remain,
- Put in their place thy kembèd[168] hairs again.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [162] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [163] I should like to omit this word, to which there is nothing to
- correspond in the original.
- [164] Marlowe has misunderstood the original "Sic nisi vittatis quod
- erat Cassandra capillis."
- [165] "Pessima Tydides scelerum monumenta reliquit."
- [166] An awkward translation of
- "Si sinerent læsæ, candidia tota, genæ."
- [167] So ed. B.--Ed. C. "wanton."
- [168] Old eds. "keembed." ("Pone recompositas in statione comas.")
- ELEGIA VIII.[169]
- Execratur lenam quæ puellam suam meretricis arte instituebat.
- There is--whoe'er will know a bawd aright,
- Give ear--there is an old trot Dipsas hight.[170]
- Her name comes from the thing: she being wise,[171]
- Sees not the morn on rosy horses rise,
- She magic arts and Thessal charms doth know,
- And makes large streams back to their fountains flow;
- She knows with grass, with threads on wrung[172] wheels spun,
- And what with mares' rank humour[173] may be done.
- When she will, cloudes the darkened heaven obscure,
- When she will, day shines everywhere most pure. 10
- If I have faith, I saw the stars drop blood,
- The purple moon with sanguine visage stood;
- Her I suspect among night's spirits to fly,
- And her old body in birds' plumes to lie.
- Fame saith as I suspect; and in her eyes,
- Two eyeballs shine, and double light thence flies.
- Great grandsires from their ancient graves she chides,
- And with long charms the solid earth divides.
- She draws chaste women to incontinence,
- Nor doth her tongue want harmful eloquence. 20
- By chance I heard her talk; these words she said,
- While closely hid betwixt two doors I laid.
- "Mistress, thou knowest thou hast a blest youth pleased,
- He stayed and on thy looks his gazes seized.
- And why should'st not please; none thy face exceeds;
- Ay me, thy body hath no worthy weeds!
- As thou art fair, would thou wert fortunate!
- Wert thou rich, poor should not be my state.
- Th' opposèd star of Mars hath done thee harm;
- Now Mars is gone, Venus thy side doth warm, 30
- And brings good fortune; a rich lover plants
- His love on thee, and can supply thy wants.
- Such is his form as may with thine compare,
- Would he not buy thee, thou for him should'st care."[174]
- She blushed: "Red shame becomes white cheeks; but this
- If feigned, doth well; if true, it doth amiss.
- When on thy lap thine eyes thou dost deject,
- Each one according to his gifts respect.
- Perhaps the Sabines rude, when Tatius reigned
- To yield their love to more than one disdained. 40
- Now Mars doth rage abroad without all pity,
- And Venus rules in her Æneas' city.
- Fair women play; she's chaste whom none will have
- Or, but for bashfulness, herself would crave.
- Shake off these wrinkles that thy front assault;
- Wrinkles in beauty is a grievous fault.
- Penelope in bows her youths' strength tried,
- Of horn the bow was that approved[175] their side.
- Time flying slides hence closely, and deceives us,
- And with swift horses the swift year[176] soon leaves us. 50
- Brass shines with use; good garments would[177] be worn;
- Houses not dwelt in, are with filth forlorn.
- Beauty, not exercised, with age is spent,
- Nor one or two men are sufficient.
- Many to rob is more sure, and less hateful,
- From dog-kept flocks come preys to wolves most grateful.
- Behold, what gives the poet but new verses?
- And therefore many thousand he rehearses.
- The poet's god arrayed in robes of gold,
- Of his gilt harp the well-tuned strings doth hold. 60
- Let Homer yield to such as presents bring,
- (Trust me) to give, it is a witty thing.
- Nor, so thou may'st obtain a wealthy prize,
- The vain name of inferior slaves despise.
- Nor let the arms of ancient lines[178] beguile thee;
- Poor lover, with thy grandsires I exile thee.
- Who seeks, for being fair, a night to have,
- What he will give, with greater instance crave.
- Make a small price, while thou thy nets dost lay;
- Lest they should fly; being ta'en, the tyrant play. 70
- Dissemble so, as loved he may be thought,
- And take heed lest he gets that love for naught.
- Deny him oft; feign now thy head doth ache:
- And Isis now will show what 'scuse to make.
- Receive him soon, lest patient use he gain,
- Or lest his love oft beaten back should wane.
- To beggars shut, to bringers ope thy gate;
- Let him within hear barred-out lovers prate.
- And, as first wronged, the wrongèd sometimes banish;
- Thy fault with his fault so repulsed will vanish. 80
- But never give a spacious time to ire;
- Anger delayed doth oft to hate retire.
- And let thine eyes constrainèd learn to weep,
- That this or that man may thy cheeks moist keep.
- Nor, if thou cozenest one, dread to forswear,
- Venus to mocked men lends a senseless ear.
- Servants fit for thy purpose thou must hire,
- To teach thy lover what thy thoughts desire.
- Let them ask somewhat; many asking little,
- Within a while great heaps grow of a tittle. 90
- And sister, nurse, and mother spare him not;
- By many hands great wealth is quickly got.
- When causes fail thee to require a gift
- By keeping of thy birth, make but a shift.
- Beware lest he, unrivalled, loves secure;
- Take strife away, love doth not well endure.
- On all the bed men's tumbling[179] let him view,
- And thy neck with lascivious marks made blue.
- Chiefly show him the gifts, which others send:
- If he gives nothing, let him from thee wend. 100
- When thou hast so much as he gives no more,
- Pray him to lend what thou may'st ne'er restore.
- Let thy tongue flatter, while thy mind harm works;
- Under sweet honey deadly poison lurks.
- If this thou dost, to me by long use known,
- (Nor let my words be with the winds hence blown)
- Oft thou wilt say, 'live well;' thou wilt pray oft,
- That my dead bones may in their grave lie soft."
- As thus she spake, my shadow me betrayed;
- With much ado my hands I scarcely stayed; 110
- But her blear eyes, bald scalp's thin hoary fleeces,
- And rivelled[180] cheeks I would have pulled a-pieces.
- The gods send thee no house, a poor old age,
- Perpetual thirst, and winter's lasting rage.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [169] Not in Isham copy or ed A.
- [170] "Est quædam, nomine Dipsas, anus."
- [171]
- "Nigri non illa parentem
- Memnonis in roseis sobria vidit equis."
- Cunningham suggests that "wise" was "one of the thousand and one
- euphemisms for 'inebriated.'"
- [172] The spelling in old eds. is "wrong."
- [173]
- "Virus amantis equæ."
- [174] "Si te non emptam vellet emendus erat." (Marlowe's copy must have
- read "amandus.")
- [175] Proved their strength. "Qui _latus argueret_ corneus arcus erat."
- [176] The usual reading is "_Ut_ celer admissis labitur _amnis aquis_."
- [177] "Vestis bona _quaerit haberi_."
- [178] Old eds. "liues."
- [179] "Ille viri toto videat _vestigia_ lecto."
- [180] "_Rugosas_ genas."
- ELEGIA IX.[181]
- Ad Atticum, amantem non oportere desidiosum esse, sicuti nec militem.
- All lovers war, and Cupid hath his tent;
- Attic, all lovers are to war far sent,
- What age fits Mars, with Venus doth agree;
- 'Tis shame for eld in war or love to be.
- What years in soldiers captains do require,
- Those in their lovers pretty maids desire.
- Both of them watch: each on the hard earth sleeps:
- His mistress' door this, that his captain's keeps.
- Soldiers must travel far: the wench forth send,[182]
- Her valiant lover follows without end. 10
- Mounts, and rain-doubled floods he passeth over,
- And treads the desert snowy heaps do[183] cover.
- Going to sea, east winds he doth not chide,
- Nor to hoist sail attends fit time and tide.
- Who but a soldier or a lover's bold
- To suffer storm-mixed snows with night's sharp cold?
- One as a spy doth to his enemies go,
- The other eyes his rival as his foe.
- He cities great, this thresholds lies before:
- This breaks town gates, but he his mistress' door. 20
- Oft to invade the sleeping foe 'tis good,
- And armed to shed unarmèd people's blood.
- So the fierce troops of Thracian Rhesus fell,
- And captive horses bade their lord farewell.
- Sooth,[184] lovers watch till sleep the husband charms,
- Who slumbering, they rise up in swelling arms.
- The keepers' hands[185] and corps-du-gard to pass,
- The soldier's, and poor lover's work e'er was.
- Doubtful is war and love; the vanquished rise,
- And who thou never think'st should fall, down lies. 30
- Therefore whoe'er love slothfulness doth call,
- Let him surcease: love tries wit best of all.
- Achilles burned, Briseis being ta'en away;
- Trojans destroy the Greek wealth, while you may.
- Hector to arms went from his wife's embraces,
- And on Andromache[186] his helmet laces.
- Great Agamemnon was, men say, amazed,
- On Priam's loose-trest daughter when he gazed.
- Mars in the deed the blacksmith's net did stable;
- In heaven was never more notorious fable. 40
- Myself was dull and faint, to sloth inclined;
- Pleasure and ease had mollified my mind.
- A fair maid's care expelled this sluggishness,
- And to her tents willed me myself address.
- Since may'st thou see me watch and night-wars move:
- He that will not grow slothful, let him love.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [181] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [182] "Mitte puellam."
- [183] Old eds. "to."
- [184] So ed. B.--Ed. C "such."
- [185] "Custodum transire _manus_ vigilumque catervas." (For "hands" the
- poet should have written "bands.")
- [186] "Et galeam capiti quae daret uxor erat."
- ELEGIA X.[187]
- Ad puellam, ne pro amore præmia poscat.
- Such as the cause was of two husbands' war,
- Whom Trojan ships fetch'd from Europa far,
- Such as was Leda, whom the god deluded
- In snow-white plumes of a false swan included.
- Such as Amymone through the dry fields strayed,
- When on her head a water pitcher laid.
- Such wert thou, and I feared the bull and eagle,
- And whate'er Love made Jove, should thee inveigle.
- Now all fear with my mind's hot love abates:
- No more this beauty mine eyes captivates. 10
- Ask'st why I change? because thou crav'st reward;
- This cause hath thee from pleasing me debarred.
- While thou wert plain[188] I loved thy mind and face:
- Now inward faults thy outward form disgrace.
- Love is a naked boy, his years saunce[189] stain,
- And hath no clothes, but open doth remain.
- Will you for gain have Cupid sell himself?
- He hath no bosom where to hide base pelf.
- Love[190] and Love's son are with fierce arms at[191] odds;
- To serve for pay beseems not wanton gods. 20
- The whore stands to be bought for each man's money,
- And seeks vild wealth by selling of her coney.
- Yet greedy bawd's command she curseth still,
- And doth, constrained, what you do of goodwill.
- Take from irrational beasts a precedent;
- 'Tis shame their wits should be more excellent.
- The mare asks not the horse, the cow the bull,
- Nor the mild ewe gifts from the ram doth pull.
- Only a woman gets spoils from a man,
- Farms out herself on nights for what she can; 30
- And lets[192] what both delight, what both desire,
- Making her joy according to her hire.
- The sport being such, as both alike sweet try it,
- Why should one sell it and the other buy it?
- Why should I lose, and thou gain by the pleasure,
- Which man and woman reap in equal measure?
- Knights of the post[193] of perjuries make sale,
- The unjust judge for bribes becomes a stale.
- 'Tis shame sold tongues the guilty should defend,
- Or great wealth from a judgment-seat ascend. 40
- 'Tis shame to grow rich by bed-merchandise,[194]
- Or prostitute thy beauty for bad price.
- Thanks worthily are due for things unbought;
- For beds ill-hired we are indebted nought.
- The hirer payeth all; his rent discharged,
- From further duty he rests then enlarged.
- Fair dames forbear rewards for nights to crave:
- Ill-gotten goods good end will never have.
- The Sabine gauntlets were too dearly won,
- That unto death did press the holy nun. 50
- The son slew her, that forth to meet him went,
- And a rich necklace caused that punishment.
- Yet think no scorn to ask a wealthy churl;
- He wants no gifts into thy lap to hurl.
- Take clustered grapes from an o'er-laden vine,
- May[195] bounteous love[196] Alcinous' fruit resign.
- Let poor men show their service, faith and care;
- All for their mistress, what they have, prepare.
- In verse to praise kind wenches 'tis my part,
- And whom I like eternise by mine art. 60
- Garments do wear, jewels and gold do waste,
- The fame that verse gives doth for ever last.
- To give I love, but to be asked disdain;
- Leave asking, and I'll give what I refrain.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [187] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [188] "Simplex."
- [189] Sans.
- [190] "Nec _Venus_ apta," &c.
- [191] Old eds. "to."
- [192] "Vendit."
- [193] "Non bene conducti testes."
- [194] So ed. B.--ed. C "bad merchandise."
- [195] Old eds. "many."
- [196] The original has "ager."
- ELEGIA XI.[197]
- Napen alloquitur, ut paratas tabellas ad Corinnam perferat.
- In skilful gathering ruffled hairs in order,
- Napè, free-born, whose cunning hath no border,[198]
- Thy service for night's scapes is known commodious,
- And to give signs dull wit to thee is odious.[199]
- Corinna clips me oft by thy persuasion:
- Never to harm me made thy faith evasion.
- Receive these lines; them to my mistress carry;
- Be sedulous; let no stay cause thee tarry,
- Nor flint nor iron are in thy soft breast,
- But pure simplicity in thee doth rest. 10
- And 'tis supposed Love's bow hath wounded thee;
- Defend the ensigns of thy war in me.
- If what I do, she asks, say "hope for night;"
- The rest my hand doth in my letters write.
- Time passeth while I speak; give her my writ,
- But see that forthwith she peruseth it.
- I charge thee mark her eyes and front in reading:
- By speechless looks we guess at things succeeding.
- Straight being read, will her to write much back,
- I hate fair paper should writ matter lack. 20
- Let her make verses and some blotted letter
- On the last edge to stay mine eyes the better.
- What needs she tire[200] her hand to hold the quill?
- Let this word "Come," alone the tables fill.
- Then with triumphant laurel will I grace them
- And in the midst of Venus' temple place them,
- Subscribing, that to her I consecrate
- My faithful tables, being vile maple late.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [197] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [198] Bound.
- [199] "Et dandis ingeniosa notis."
- [200] So Dyce for "try" of the old eds.
- ELEGIA XII.[201]
- Tabellas quas miserat execratur quod amica noctem negabat.
- Bewail my chance: the sad book is returned,
- This day denial hath my sport adjourned.
- Presages are not vain; when she departed,
- Napè by stumbling on the threshold, started.
- Going out again, pass forth the door more wisely,
- And somewhat higher bear thy foot precisely.
- Hence luckless tables! funeral wood, be flying!
- And thou, the wax, stuffed full with notes denying!
- Which I think gathered from cold hemlock's flower,
- Wherein bad honey Corsic bees did pour: 10
- Yet as if mixed with red lead thou wert ruddy,
- That colour rightly did appear so bloody.
- As evil wood, thrown in the highways, lie,
- Be broke with wheels of chariots passing by!
- And him that hewed you out for needful uses,
- I'll prove had hands impure with all abuses.
- Poor wretches on the tree themselves did strangle:
- There sat the hangman for men's necks to angle.
- To hoarse scrich-owls foul shadows it allows;
- Vultures and Furies[202] nestled in the boughs. 20
- To these my love I foolishly committed,
- And then with sweet words to my mistress fitted.
- More fitly had they[203] wrangling bonds contained
- From barbarous lips of some attorney strained.
- Among day-books and bills they had lain better,
- In which the merchant wails his bankrupt debtor.
- Your name approves you made for such like things,
- The number two no good divining brings.
- Angry, I pray that rotten age you racks,
- And sluttish white-mould overgrow the wax. 30
- FOOTNOTES:
- [201] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [202] "Volturis in ramis et _strigis_ ova tulit."
- [203] Old eds. "thy."
- ELEGIA XIII.
- Ad Auroram ne properet.
- Now o'er the sea from her old love comes she
- That draws the day from heaven's cold axletree.
- Aurora, whither slid'st thou? down again!
- And birds for[204] Memnon yearly shall be slain.
- Now in her tender arms I sweetly bide,
- If ever, now well lies she by my side.
- The air is cold, and sleep is sweetest now,
- And birds send forth shrill notes from every bough.
- Whither runn'st thou, that men and women love not?
- Hold in thy rosy horses that they move not. 10
- Ere thou rise, stars teach seamen where to sail,
- But when thou com'st, they of their courses fail.
- Poor travellers though tired, rise at thy sight,
- And[205] soldiers make them ready to the fight.
- The painful hind by thee to field is sent;
- Slow oxen early in the yoke are pent.
- Thou coz'nest boys of sleep, and dost betray them
- To pedants that with cruel lashes pay them.
- Thou mak'st the surety to the lawyer run,
- That with one word hath nigh himself undone. 20
- The lawyer and the client hate thy view,
- Both whom thou raisest up to toil anew.
- By thy means women of their rest are barred,
- Thou settst their labouring hands to spin and card.
- All[206] could I bear; but that the wench should rise,
- Who can endure, save him with whom none lies?
- How oft wished I night would not give thee place,
- Nor morning stars shun thy uprising face.
- How oft that either wind would break thy coach,
- Or steeds might fall, forced with thick clouds' approach. 30
- Whither go'st thou, hateful nymph? Memnon the elf
- Received his coal-black colour from thyself.
- Say that thy love with Cephalus were not known,
- Then thinkest thou thy loose life is not shown?
- Would Tithon might but talk of thee awhile!
- Not one in heaven should be more base and vile.
- Thou leav'st his bed, because he's faint through age,
- And early mount'st thy hateful carriage:
- But held'st[207] thou in thy arms some Cephalus,
- Then would'st thou cry, "Stay night, and run not thus." 40
- Dost punish[208] me because years make him wane?
- I did not bid thee wed an agèd swain.
- The moon sleeps with Endymion every day;
- Thou art as fair as she, then kiss and play.
- Jove, that thou should'st not haste but wait his leisure,
- Made two nights one to finish up his pleasure.
- I chid[209] no more; she blushed, and therefore heard me,
- Yet lingered not the day, but morning scared me.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [204] So Dyce for "from" of the old eds.
- [205] This line is omitted in ed. A.
- [206] Isham copy and ed. A "This."
- [207] Isham copy and ed. A "had'st."
- [208] Isham copy and ed. A "Punish ye me."
- [209] So the Isham copy. The other old eds. "chide."
- ELEGIA XIV.[210]
- Puellam consolatur cui præ nimia cura comæ deciderant.
- Leave colouring thy tresses, I did cry;
- Now hast thou left no hairs at all to dye.
- But what had been more fair had they been kept?
- Beyond thy robes thy dangling locks had swept.
- Fear'dst thou to dress them being fine and thin,
- Like to the silk the curious[211] Seres spin.
- Or threads which spider's slender foot draws out,
- Fastening her light web some old beam about?
- Not black nor golden were they to our view,
- Yet although [n]either, mixed of either's hue; 10
- Such as in hilly Ida's watery plains,
- The cedar tall, spoiled of his bark, retains.
- Add[212] they were apt to curl a hundred ways,
- And did to thee no cause of dolour raise.
- Nor hath the needle, or the comb's teeth reft them,
- The maid that kembed them ever safely left them.
- Oft was she dressed before mine eyes, yet never,
- Snatching the comb to beat the wench, outdrive her.
- Oft in the morn, her hairs not yet digested,
- Half-sleeping on a purple bed she rested; 20
- Yet seemly like a Thracian Bacchanal,
- That tired doth rashly[213] on the green grass fall.
- When they were slender and like downy moss,
- Thy[214] troubled hairs, alas, endured great loss.
- How patiently hot irons they did take,
- In crookèd trannels[215] crispy curls to make.
- I cried, "'Tis sin, 'tis sin, these hairs to burn,
- They well become thee, then to spare them turn.
- Far off be force, no fire to them may reach,
- Thy very hairs will the hot bodkin teach." 30
- Lost are the goodly locks, which from their crown,
- Phoebus and Bacchus wished were hanging down.
- Such were they as Diana[216] painted stands,
- All naked holding in her wave-moist hands.
- Why dost thy ill-kembed tresses' loss lament?
- Why in thy glass dost look, being discontent?
- Be not to see with wonted eyes inclined;
- To please thyself, thyself put out of mind.
- No charmèd herbs of any harlot scathed thee,
- No faithless witch in Thessal waters bathed thee. 40
- No sickness harmed thee (far be that away!),
- No envious tongue wrought thy thick locks' decay.
- By thine own hand and fault thy hurt doth grow,
- Thou mad'st thy head with compound poison flow.
- Now Germany shall captive hair-tires send thee,
- And vanquished people curious dressings lend thee.
- Which some admiring, O thou oft wilt blush!
- And say, "He likes me for my borrowed bush.
- Praising for me some unknown Guelder[217] dame,
- But I remember when it was my fame." 50
- Alas she almost weeps, and her white cheeks,
- Dyed red with shame to hide from shame she seeks.
- She holds, and views her old locks in her lap;
- Ay me! rare gifts unworthy such a hap!
- Cheer up thyself, thy loss thou may'st repair,
- And be hereafter seen with native hair.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [210] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [211] The original has "colorati Seres."
- [212] So ed. B.--Ed. C "And."
- [213] "Temere."
- [214] Old eds. "They."
- [215] Cunningham and the editor of 1826 may be right in reading
- "trammels" (_i.e._ ringlets). "Trannel" was the name for a bodkin. (The
- original has "Ut fieret torto flexilis orbe sinus.")
- [216] "Nuda _Dione_."
- [217] "Nescio quam pro me laudat nunc iste _Sygambram_."
- ELEGIA XV.
- Ad invidos, quod fama poetarum sit perennis.
- Envy, why carp'st thou my time's spent so ill?
- And term'st[218] my works fruits of an idle quill?
- Or that unlike the line from whence I sprung[219]
- War's dusty honours are refused being young?
- Nor that I study not the brawling laws,
- Nor set my voice to sail in every cause?
- Thy scope is mortal; mine, eternal fame.
- That all the world may[220] ever chant my name.
- Homer shall live while Tenedos stands and Ide,
- Or to[221] the sea swift Simois shall[222] slide. 10
- Ascræus lives while grapes with new wine swell,
- Or men with crookèd sickles corn down fell.
- The[223] world shall of Callimachus ever speak;
- His art excelled, although his wit was weak.
- For ever lasts high Sophocles' proud vein,
- With sun and moon Aratus shall remain.
- While bondmen cheat, fathers [be] hard,[224] bawds whorish,
- And strumpets flatter, shall Menander flourish.
- Rude Ennius, and Plautus[225] full of wit,
- Are both in Fame's eternal legend writ. 20
- What age of Varro's name shall not be told,
- And Jason's Argo,[226] and the fleece of gold?
- Lofty Lucretius shall live that hour,
- That nature shall dissolve this earthly bower.
- Æneas' war and Tityrus shall be read,
- While Rome of all the conquered[227] world is head.
- Till Cupid's bow, and fiery shafts be broken,
- Thy verses, sweet Tibullus, shall be spoken.
- And Gallus shall be known from East to West,
- So shall Lycoris whom he lovèd best. 30
- Therefore when flint and iron wear away,
- Verse is immortal and shall ne'er decay.
- To[228] verse let kings give place and kingly shows,
- And banks o'er which gold-bearing Tagus flows.
- Let base-conceited wits admire vild things;
- Fair Phoebus lead me to the Muses' springs.
- About my head be quivering myrtle wound,
- And in sad lovers' heads let me be found.
- The living, not the dead, can envy bite,
- For after death all men receive their right. 40
- Then though death racks[229] my bones in funeral fire,
- I'll live, and as he pulls me down mount higher.
- The same, by B. I.[230]
- Envy, why twitt'st thou me, my time's spent ill?
- And call'st my verse fruits of an idle quill?
- Or that (unlike the line from whence I sprung)
- War's dusty honours I pursue not young?
- Or that I study not the tedious laws;
- And prostitute my voice in every cause?
- Thy scope is mortal; mine eternal fame,
- Which through the world shall ever chant my name.
- Homer will live, whilst Tenedos stands, and Ide,
- Or to the sea, fleet Symois doth slide: 10
- And so shall Hesiod too, while vines do bear,
- Or crookèd sickles crop the ripened ear.
- Callimachus, though in invention low,
- Shall still be sung, since he in art doth flow;
- No loss shall come to Sophocles' proud vein;
- With sun and moon Aratus shall remain.
- Whilst slaves be false, fathers hard, and bawds be whorish,
- Whilst harlots flatter, shall Meander flourish.
- Ennius, though rude, and Accius' high-reared strain,
- A fresh applause in every age shall gain. 20
- Of Varro's name, what ear shall not be told?
- Of Jason's Argo and the fleece of gold?
- Then, shall Lucretius' lofty numbers die,
- When earth, and seas in fire and flames shall fry.
- Tityrus, Tillage, Æney shall be read,[231]
- Whilst Rome of all the conquered world is head.
- Till Cupid's fires be out, and his bow broken,
- Thy verses, neat Tibulus, shall be spoken.
- Our Gallus shall be known from East to West,
- So shall Lycoris, whom he now loves best. 30
- The suffering ploughshare or the flint may wear,
- But heavenly poesy no death can fear.
- Kings shall give place to it, and kingly shows,
- The banks o'er which gold-bearing Tagus flows.
- Kneel hinds to trash: me let bright Phoebus swell,
- With cups full flowing from the Muses' well.
- The frost-drad[232] myrtle shall impale my head,
- And of sad lovers I'll be often read.
- Envy the living, not the dead doth bite,
- For after death all men receive their right. 40
- Then when this body falls in funeral fire,
- My name shall live, and my best part aspire.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [218] Isham copy and ed. A "tearmes our."
- [219] Dyce's correction for "come" of the old eds.
- [220] Isham copy and ed. A "might."
- [221] So Isham copy and ed. A.--Dyce follows ed. B, "Or into sea."
- [222] So old eds.--Dyce "doth."
- [223] Isham copy and ed. A omit this line and the next.
- [224] So Dyce.--Old eds. "fathers hoord." ("_Durus_ pater.")
- [225] The poet must have read "animosi _Maccius_ oris." The true reading
- is "animosique _Accius_ oris."
- [226] Old eds. "Argos."
- [227] Isham copy and ed. A "conquering."
- [228] Isham copy and ed. A "Let kings give place to verse."
- [229] So the Isham copy.--Ed. A (followed by Dyce) gives "rocks."--Eds.
- B and C "rakes" (and so Cunningham).
- [230] _I.e._ Ben Jonson, who afterwards introduced it into the
- _Poetaster_ (I. 1). This version is merely a revision of the preceding,
- which must also have been written by Ben Jonson.
- [231] "Tityrus et fruges Æneïaque arma legentur."
- [232] "Metuentem frigora myrtum."
- P. OVIDII NASONIS AMORUM.
- LIBER SECUNDUS.
- ELEGIA I.[233]
- Quod pro gigantomachia amores scribere sit coactus.
- I, Ovid, poet, of my[234] wantonness,
- Born at Peligny, to write more address.
- So Cupid wills. Far hence be the severe!
- You are unapt my looser lines to hear.
- Let maids whom hot desire to husbands lead,[235]
- And rude boys, touched with unknown love, me read:
- That some youth hurt, as I am, with Love's bow,
- His own flame's best-acquainted signs may know.
- And long admiring say, "By what means learned,
- Hath this same poet my sad chance discern'd?" 10
- I durst the great celestial battles tell,
- Hundred-hand Gyges, and had done it well;
- With Earth's revenge, and how Olympus top
- High Ossa bore, Mount Pelion up to prop;
- Jove and Jove's thunderbolts I had in hand,
- Which for[236] his heaven fell on the giants' band.
- My wench her door shut, Jove's affairs I left,
- Even Jove himself out of my wit was reft.
- Pardon me, Jove! thy weapons aid me nought,
- Her shut gates greater lightning than thine brought. 20
- Toys, and light elegies, my darts I took,
- Quickly soft words hard doors wide-open strook.
- Verses reduce the hornèd bloody moon,
- And call the sun's white horses back[237] at noon.
- Snakes leap by verse from caves of broken mountains,[238]
- And turnèd streams run backward to their fountains.
- Verses ope doors; and locks put in the post,
- Although of oak, to yield to verses boast.
- What helps it me of fierce Achill to sing?
- What good to me will either Ajax bring? 30
- Or he who warred and wandered twenty year?
- Or woful Hector whom wild jades did tear?
- But when I praise a pretty wench's face,
- She in requital doth me oft embrace.
- A great reward! Heroes of[239] famous names
- Farewell! your favour nought my mind inflames.
- Wenches apply your fair looks to my verse,
- Which golden Love doth unto me rehearse.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [233] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [234] Old eds. "thy."
- [235] A clear instance of a plural verb following a singular subject.
- [236] "Quod bene pro coelo mitteret ille suo."
- [237] Old eds. "blacke."
- [238] "Carmine dissiliunt, _abruptis faucibus_, angues." ("Fauces" means
- both "jaw" and "mountain-gorge." Marlowe has gone desperately wrong.)
- [239] Old eds. "O."
- ELEGIA II.[240]
- Ad Bagoum, ut custodiam puellæ sibi commissæ laxiorem habeat.
- Bagous, whose care doth thy[241] mistress bridle,
- While I speak some few, yet fit words, be idle.
- I saw the damsel walking yesterday,
- There, where the porch doth Danaus' fact[242] display:
- She pleased me soon; I sent, and did her woo;
- Her trembling hand writ back she might not do.
- And asking why, this answer she redoubled,
- Because thy care too much thy mistress troubled.
- Keeper, if thou be wise, cease hate to cherish,
- Believe me, whom we fear, we wish to perish. 10
- Nor is her husband wise: what needs defence,
- When unprotected[243] there is no expense?
- But furiously he follow[244] his love's fire,
- And thinks her chaste whom many do desire:
- Stolen liberty she may by thee obtain,
- Which giving her, she may give thee again:
- Wilt thou her fault learn? she may make thee tremble.
- Fear to be guilty, then thou may'st dissemble.
- Think when she reads, her mother letters sent her:
- Let him go forth known, that unknown did enter. 20
- Let him go see her though she do not languish,
- And then report her sick and full of anguish.
- If long she stays, to think the time more short,
- Lay down thy forehead in thy lap to snort.
- Inquire not what with Isis may be done,
- Nor fear lest she to the theàtres run.
- Knowing her scapes, thine honour shall increase;
- And what less labour than to hold thy peace?
- Let him please, haunt the house, be kindly used,
- Enjoy the wench; let all else be refused. 30
- Vain causes feign of him, the true to hide,
- And what she likes, let both hold ratified.
- When most her husband bends the brows and frowns,
- His fawning wench with her desire he crowns.
- But yet sometimes to chide thee let her fall
- Counterfeit tears: and thee lewd hangman call.
- Object thou then, what she may well excuse,
- To stain all faith in truth, by false crimes' use.
- Of wealth and honour so shall grow thy heap:
- Do this, and soon thou shalt thy freedom reap. 40
- On tell-tales' necks thou seest the link-knit chains,
- The filthy prison faithless breasts restrains.
- Water in waters, and fruit, flying touch,
- Tantalus seeks, his long tongue's gain is such.
- While Juno's watchman Iö too much eyed,
- Him timeless[245] death took, she was deified.
- I saw one's legs with fetters black and blue,
- By whom the husband his wife's incest[246] knew:
- More he deserved; to both great harm he framed,
- The man did grieve, the woman was defamed. 50
- Trust me all husbands for such faults are sad,
- Nor make they any man that hears them glad.
- If he loves not, deaf ears thou dost importune,
- Or if he loves, thy tale breeds his misfortune.
- Nor is it easy proved though manifest;
- She safe by favour of her judge doth rest.
- Though himself see, he'll credit her denial,
- Condemn his eyes, and say there is no trial.
- Spying his mistress' tears he will lament
- And say "This blab shall suffer punishment." 60
- Why fight'st 'gainst odds? to thee, being cast, do hap
- Sharp stripes; she sitteth in the judge's lap.
- To meet for poison or vild facts[247] we crave not;
- My hands an unsheathed shining weapon have not.
- We seek that, through thee, safely love we may;
- What can be easier than the thing we pray?
- FOOTNOTES:
- [240] Not in Isham copy or ed. "A."
- [241] So ed. B.--Ed. C "my."
- [242] The original has "agmen." Cunningham suggests "pack." If we retain
- "fact" the meaning is "Danaus' guilt."
- [243] Old eds. "vn-protested." ("Unde nihil, quamvis non tueare,
- perit.")
- [244] So ed. B.--Ed. C "follows." (The sense wanted is "Furiously let
- him follow" &c.)
- [245] "Ante suos annos occidit."
- [246] "Unde vir incestum scire coactus erat." (Here "incestum" is
- "adultery.")
- [247] "Scelus."
- ELEGIA III.[248]
- Ad Eunuchum servantem dominam.
- Ay me, an eunuch keeps my mistress chaste,
- That cannot Venus' mutual pleasure taste.
- Who first deprived young boys of their best part,
- With self-same wounds he gave, he ought to smart.
- To kind requests thou would'st more gentle prove,
- If ever wench had made lukewarm thy love:
- Thou wert not born to ride, or arms to bear,
- Thy hands agree not with the warlike spear.
- Men handle those; all manly hopes resign,
- Thy mistress' ensigns must be likewise thine. 10
- Please her--her hate makes others thee abhor;
- If she discards thee, what use serv'st thou for?
- Good form there is, years apt to play together:
- Unmeet is beauty without use to wither.
- She may deceive thee, though thou her protect;
- What two determine never wants effect.
- Our prayers move thee to assist our drift,
- While thou hast time yet to bestow that gift.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [248] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- ELEGIA IV.
- Quod amet mulieres, cujuscunque formæ sint.
- I mean not to defend the scapes[249] of any,
- Or justify my vices being many;
- For I confess, if that might merit favour,
- Here I display my lewd and loose behaviour.
- I loathe, yet after that I loathe I run:
- Oh, how the burthen irks, that we should[250] shun.
- I cannot rule myself but where Love please;
- Am[251] driven like a ship upon rough seas.
- No one face likes me best, all faces move,
- A hundred reasons make me ever love. 10
- If any eye me with a modest look,
- I burn,[252] and by that blushful glance am took;
- And she that's coy I like, for being no clown,
- Methinks she would be nimble when she's down.
- Though her sour looks a Sabine's brow resemble,
- I think she'll do, but deeply can dissemble.
- If she be learned, then for her skill I crave her;
- If not, because she's simple I would have her.
- Before Callimachus one prefers me far;
- Seeing she likes my books, why should we jar? 20
- Another rails at me, and that I write,
- Yet would I lie with her, if that I might:
- Trips she, it likes me well; plods she, what than[253]?
- She would be nimbler lying with a man.
- And when one sweetly sings, then straight I long,
- To quaver on her lips even in her song;
- Or if one touch the lute with art and cunning,
- Who would not love those hands[254] for their swift running?
- And her I like that with a majesty,
- Folds up her arms, and makes low courtesy. 30
- To[255] leave myself, that am in love with all,
- Some one of these might make the chastest fall.
- If she be tall, she's like an Amazon,
- And therefore fills the bed she lies upon:
- If short, she lies the rounder: to speak[256] troth,
- Both short and long please me, for I love both.
- I[257] think what one undecked would be, being drest;
- Is she attired? then show her graces best.
- A white wench thralls me, so doth golden yellow:
- And nut-brown girls in doing have no fellow. 40
- If her white neck be shadowed with black hair,
- Why so was Leda's, yet was Leda fair.
- Amber-tress'd[258] is she? then on the morn think I:
- My love alludes to every history:
- A young wench pleaseth, and an old is good,
- This for her looks, that for her womanhood:
- Nay what is she, that any Roman loves,
- But my ambitious ranging mind approves?
- FOOTNOTES:
- [249] "Mendosos ... mores."
- [250] "Heu quam, quae studeas ponere, ferre grave est."
- [251] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "And."
- [252] This is Dyce's certain correction for the old eds. "blush." (The
- originals has "uror.")
- [253] Then.
- [254] Ed. A "those _nimble_ hands."
- [255]
- "Ut taceam de me, qui causa tangor ab omni,
- Illic Hippolytum pone, Priapus erit."
- [256] So Isham copy and ed. A.--Eds. B, C "say."
- [257] This and the next three lines are omitted in Isham copy and ed. A.
- [258] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "yellow trest."
- ELEGIA V.[259]
- Ad amicam corruptam.
- No love is so dear,--quivered Cupid, fly!--
- That my chief wish should be so oft to die.
- Minding thy fault, with death I wish to revel;
- Alas! a wench is a perpetual evil.
- No intercepted lines thy deeds display,
- No gifts given secretly thy crime bewray.
- O would my proofs as vain might be withstood!
- Ay me, poor soul, why is my cause so good?
- He's happy, that his love dares boldly credit;
- To whom his wench can say, "I never did it." 10
- He's cruel, and too much his grief doth favour,
- That seeks the conquest by her loose behaviour.
- Poor wretch,[260] I saw when thou didst think I slumbered;
- Not drunk, your faults on the spilt wine I numbered.
- I saw your nodding eyebrows much to speak,
- Even from your cheeks, part of a voice did break.
- Not silent were thine eyes, the board with wine
- Was scribbled, and thy fingers writ a line.
- I knew your speech (what do not lovers see?)
- And words that seemed for certain marks to be. 20
- Now many guests were gone, the feast being done,
- The youthful sort to divers pastimes run.
- I saw you then unlawful kisses join;
- (Such with my tongue it likes me to purloin);
- None such the sister gives her brother grave,
- But such kind wenches let their lovers have.
- Phoebus gave not Diana such, 'tis thought,
- But Venus often to her Mars such brought.
- "What dost?" I cried; "transport'st thou my delight?
- My lordly hands I'll throw upon my right. 30
- Such bliss is only common to us two,
- In this sweet good why hath a third to do?"
- This, and what grief enforced me say, I said:
- A scarlet blush her guilty face arrayed;
- Even such as by Aurora hath the sky,
- Or maids that their betrothèd husbands spy;
- Such as a rose mixed with a lily breeds,
- Or when the moon travails with charmèd steeds.
- Or such as, lest long years should turn the dye,
- Arachne[261] stains Assyrian ivory. 40
- To these, or some of these, like was her colour:
- By chance her beauty never shinèd fuller.
- She viewed the earth; the earth to view, beseemed her.
- She lookèd sad; sad, comely I esteemed her.
- Even kembèd as they were, her locks to rend,
- And scratch her fair soft cheeks I did intend.
- Seeing her face, mine upreared arms descended,
- With her own armour was my wench defended.
- I, that erewhile was fierce, now humbly sue,
- Lest with worse kisses she should me endue. 50
- She laughed, and kissed so sweetly as might make
- Wrath-kindled Jove away his thunder shake.
- I grieve lest others should such good perceive,
- And wish hereby them all unknown[262] to leave.
- Also much better were they than I tell,
- And ever seemed as some new sweet befell.
- 'Tis ill they pleased so much, for in my lips
- Lay her whole tongue hid, mine in hers she dips.
- This grieves me not; no joinèd kisses spent,
- Bewail I only, though I them lament. 60
- Nowhere can they be taught but in the bed;
- I know no master of so great hire sped.[263]
- FOOTNOTES:
- [259] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [260] So Dyce for "Poor _wench_" of the old eds.--The original has "Ipse
- miser vidi."
- [261] "Maeonis Assyrium femina tinxit opus." Dyce remarks that Marlowe
- "was induced to give this extraordinary version of the line by
- recollecting that in the sixth book of Ovid's _Metamorphoses_ Arachne is
- termed 'Maeonis,' while her father is mentioned as a dyer."
- [262] A bad mistranslation of "Et volo non ex hac illa fuisse nota."
- [263] Far from the original "Nescio quis pretium grande magister habet."
- ELEGIA VI.[264]
- In mortem psittaci.
- The parrot, from East India to me sent,[265]
- Is dead; all fowls her exequies frequent!
- Go godly[266] birds, striking your breasts, bewail,
- And with rough claws your tender cheeks assail.
- For woful hairs let piece-torn plumes abound,
- For long shrild[267] trumpets let your notes resound.
- Why Philomel dost Tereus' lewdness mourn?
- All wasting years have that complaint now[268] worn.
- Thy tunes let this rare bird's sad funeral borrow;
- Itys[269] a great, but ancient cause of sorrow. 10
- All you whose pinions in the clear air soar,
- But most, thou friendly turtle-dove, deplore.
- Full concord all your lives was you betwixt,
- And to the end your constant faith stood fixt.
- What Pylades did to Orestes prove,
- Such to the parrot was the turtle-dove.
- But what availed this faith? her rarest hue?
- Or voice that how to change the wild notes knew?
- What helps it thou wert given to please my wench?
- Birds' hapless glory, death thy life doth quench. 20
- Thou with thy quills might'st make green emeralds dark,
- And pass our scarlet of red saffron's mark.
- No such voice-feigning bird was on the ground,
- Thou spok'st thy words so well with stammering sound.
- Envy hath rapt thee, no fierce wars thou mov'dst;
- Vain-babbling speech, and pleasant peace thou lov'dst.
- Behold how quails among their battles live,
- Which do perchance old age unto them give.
- A little filled thee, and for love of talk,
- Thy mouth to taste of many meats did balk. 30
- Nuts were thy food, and poppy caused thee sleep,
- Pure water's moisture thirst away did keep.
- The ravenous vulture lives, the puttock[270] hovers
- Around the air, the cadess[271] rain discovers.
- And crow[272] survives arms-bearing Pallas' hate,
- Whose life nine ages scarce bring out of date.
- Dead is that speaking image of man's voice,
- The parrot given me, the far world's[273] best choice.
- The greedy spirits[274] take the best things first,
- Supplying their void places with the worst. 40
- Thersites did Protesilaus survive;
- And Hector died, his brothers yet alive.
- My wench's vows for thee what should I show,
- Which stormy south winds into sea did blow?
- The seventh day came, none following might'st thou see,
- And the Fate's distaff empty stood to thee:
- Yet words in thy benumbèd palate rung;
- "Farewell, Corinna," cried thy dying tongue.
- Elysium hath a wood of holm-trees black,
- Whose earth doth not perpetual green grass lack. 50
- There good birds rest (if we believe things hidden),
- Whence unclean fowls are said to be forbidden.
- There harmless swans feed all abroad the river;
- There lives the phoenix, one alone bird ever;
- There Juno's bird displays his gorgeous feather,
- And loving doves kiss eagerly together.
- The parrot into wood received with these,
- Turns all the godly[275] birds to what she please.
- A grave her bones hides: on her corps' great grave,
- The little stones these little verses have. 60
- _This tomb approves I pleased my mistress well
- My mouth in speaking did all birds excell._
- FOOTNOTES:
- [264] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [265] Dyce remarks that Marlowe's copy had "ales mihi missus" for
- "imitatrix ales."
- [266] So Dyce for "goodly" of the old eds. ("piæ volucres").
- [267] Shrill.
- [268] So Dyce for "not" of the old eds.
- [269] So Dyce for "It is as great."
- [270] "Miluus."
- [271] "Graculus."
- [272] Old eds. "crowes."
- [273] Old eds. "words."
- [274] Marlowe was very weak in Latin prosedy. The original has "manibus
- rapiuntur avaris."
- [275] Old eds. "goodly" ("_pias_ volueres").
- ELEGIA VII.[276]
- Amicæ se purgat, quod ancillam non amet.
- Dost me of new crimes always guilty frame?
- To overcome, so oft to fight I shame.
- If on the marble theatre I look,
- One among many is, to grieve thee, took.
- If some fair wench me secretly behold,
- Thou arguest she doth secret marks unfold.
- If I praise any, thy poor hairs thou tearest;
- If blame, dissembling of my fault thou fearest.
- If I look well, thou think'st thou dost not move,
- If ill, thou say'st I die for others' love. 10
- Would I were culpable of some offence,
- They that deserve pain, bear't with patience.
- Now rash accusing, and thy vain belief,
- Forbid thine anger to procure my grief.
- Lo, how the miserable great-eared ass,
- Dulled with much beating, slowly forth doth pass!
- Behold Cypassis, wont to dress thy head,
- Is charged to violate her mistress' bed!
- The gods from this sin rid me of suspicion,
- To like a base wench of despised condition. 20
- With Venus' game who will a servant grace?
- Or any back, made rough with stripes, embrace?
- Add she was diligent thy locks to braid,
- And, for her skill, to thee a grateful maid.
- Should I solicit her that is so just,--
- To take repulse, and cause her show my lust?
- I swear by Venus, and the winged boy's bow,
- Myself unguilty of this crime I know.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [276] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- ELEGIA VIII.[277]
- Ad Cypassim ancillam Corinnæ.
- Cypassis, that a thousand ways trim'st hair,
- Worthy to kemb none but a goddess fair,
- Our pleasant scapes show thee no clown to be,
- Apt to thy mistress, but more apt to me.
- Who that our bodies were comprest bewrayed?
- Whence knows Corinna that with thee I played?
- Yet blushed I not, nor used I any saying,
- That might be urged to witness our false playing.
- What if a man with bondwomen offend,
- To prove him foolish did I e'er contend? 10
- Achilles burnt with face of captive Brisèis,
- Great Agamemnon loved his servant Chrysèis.[278]
- Greater than these myself I not esteem:
- What gracèd kings, in me no shame I deem.
- But when on thee her angry eyes did rush,
- In both thy[279] cheeks she did perceive thee[280] blush.
- But being present,[281] might that work the best,
- By Venus deity how did I protest!
- Thou goddess dost command a warm south blast,
- My self oaths in Carpathian seas to cast. 20
- For which good turn my sweet reward repay,
- Let me lie with thee, brown Cypass, to-day.
- Ungrate, why feign'st new fears, and dost refuse?
- Well may'st thou one thing for thy mistress use.[282]
- If thou deniest, fool, I'll our deeds express,
- And as a traitor mine own faults confess;
- Telling thy mistress where I was with thee,
- How oft, and by what means, we did agree.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [277] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [278] "Serva Phoebas" (_i.e._ Cassandra).
- [279] Old eds. "my."
- [280] So ed. B.--Ed. C "the."
- [281]
- "At quanto, si forte refers, _præsentior_ ipse,
- Per Veneris feci numina magna fidem."
- [282] The original has "Unum est e dominis emeruisse satis."
- ELEGIA IX.[283]
- Ad Cupidinem.
- O Cupid, that dost never cease my smart!
- O boy, that liest so slothful in my heart!
- Why me that always was the soldier found,
- Dost harm, and in thy[284] tents why dost me wound?
- Why burns thy brand, why strikes thy bow thy friends?
- More glory by thy vanquished foes ascends.
- Did not Pelides whom his spear did grieve,
- Being required, with speedy help relieve?
- Hunters leave taken beasts, pursue the chase,
- And than things found do ever further pace. 10
- We people wholly given thee, feel thine-arms,
- Thy dull hand stays thy striving enemies' harms.
- Dost joy to have thy hookèd arrows shaked
- In naked bones? love hath my bones left naked.
- So many men and maidens without love,
- Hence with great laud thou may'st a triumph move.
- Rome, if her strength the huge world had not filled,
- With strawy cabins now her courts should build.
- The weary soldier hath the conquered fields,
- His sword, laid by, safe, tho' rude places yields;[285] 20
- The dock inharbours ships drawn from the floods,
- Horse freed from service range abroad the woods.
- And time it was for me to live in quiet,
- That have so oft served pretty wenches' diet.
- Yet should I curse a God, if he but said,
- "Live without love," so sweet ill is a maid.
- For when my loathing it of heat deprives me,
- I know not whither my mind's whirlwind drives me.
- Even as a headstrong courser bears away
- His rider, vainly striving him to stay; 30
- Or as a sudden gale thrusts into sea
- The haven-touching bark, now near the lea;
- So wavering Cupid brings me back amain,
- And purple Love resumes his darts again.
- Strike, boy, I offer thee my naked breast,
- Here thou hast strength, here thy right hand doth rest.
- Here of themselves thy shafts come, as if shot;
- Better than I their quiver knows them not:
- Hapless is he that all the night lies quiet.
- And slumbering, thinks himself much blessèd by it. 40
- Fool, what is sleep but image of cold death,
- Long shalt thou rest when Fates expire thy breath.
- But me let crafty damsel's words deceive,
- Great joys by hope I inly shall conceive.
- Now let her flatter me, now chide me hard,
- Let me[286] enjoy her oft, oft be debarred.
- Cupid, by thee, Mars in great doubt doth trample,
- And thy stepfather fights by thy example.
- Light art thou, and more windy than thy wings;
- Joys with uncertain faith thou tak'st and brings: 50
- Yet Love, if thou with thy fair mother hear,
- Within my breast no desert empire bear;
- Subdue the wandering wenches to thy reign,
- So of both people shalt thou homage gain.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [283] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [284] So ed. B.--Ed. C "my."
- [285] In some strange fashion Marlowe has mistaken the substantive
- "rudis" (the staff received by the gladiator on his discharge) with the
- adjective "rudis" (rude). The original has "Tutaque deposito poscitur
- ense rudis."
- [286] Old eds. "Let her enjoy me;" but the original has "Saepe fruar
- domina."
- ELEGIA X.
- Ad Græcinum quod eodem tempore duas amet.
- Græcinus (well I wot) thou told'st me once,
- I could not be in love with two at once;
- By thee deceived, by thee surprised am I,
- For now I love two women equally:
- Both are well favoured, both rich in array,
- Which is the loveliest[287] it is hard to say:
- This seems the fairest, so doth that to me;
- And[288] this doth please me most, and so doth she;
- Even as a boat tossed by contràry wind,
- So with this love and that wavers my mind. 10
- Venus, why doublest thou my endless smart?
- Was not one wench enough to grieve my heart?
- Why add'st thou stars to heaven, leaves to green woods,
- And to the deep[289] vast sea fresh water-floods?
- Yet this is better far than lie alone:
- Let such as be mine enemies have none;
- Yea, let my foes sleep in an empty bed,
- And in the midst their bodies largely spread:
- But may soft[290] love rouse up my drowsy eyes,
- And from my mistress' bosom let me rise! 20
- Let one wench cloy me with sweet love's delight,
- If one can do't; if not, two every night.
- Though I am slender, I have store of pith,
- Nor want I strength, but weight, to press her with:
- Pleasure adds fuel to my lustful fire,
- I pay them home with that they most desire:
- Oft have I spent the night in wantonness,
- And in the morn been lively ne'ertheless,
- He's happy who Love's mutual skirmish slays;
- And to the gods for that death Ovid prays. 30
- Let soldiers[291] chase their enemies amain,
- And with their blood eternal honour gain,
- Let merchants seek wealth and[292] with perjured lips,
- Being wrecked, carouse the sea tired by their ships;
- But when I die, would I might droop with doing,
- And in the midst thereof, set[293] my soul going,
- That at my funerals some may weeping cry,
- "Even as he led his life, so did he die."
- FOOTNOTES:
- [287] "Artibus in dubio est haec sit an illa prior." Dyce suggests that
- Marlowe read "Artubus."
- [288] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [289] Eds. B, C, "vast deep sea."
- [290] The original has "saevus" (for which Marlowe seems to have read
- "suavis").
- [291] Isham copy and ed. A "souldiour ... his," and in the next line
- "his blood."
- [292] So Cunningham for--
- "Let merchants seek wealth with perjured lips
- _And_ being wrecked," &c.
- [293] So Isham copy and eds. B, C--Ed. A "let."
- ELEGIA XI.[294]
- Ad amicam navigantem.
- The lofty pine, from high Mount Pelion raught,[295]
- Ill ways by rough seas wondering waves first taught;
- Which rashly 'twixt the sharp rocks in the deep,
- Carried the famous golden-fleecèd sheep.
- O would that no oars might in seas have sunk!
- The Argo[296] wrecked had deadly waters drunk.
- Lo, country gods and know[n] bed to forsake
- Corinna means, and dangerous ways to take.
- For thee the East and West winds make me pale,
- With icy Boreas, and the Southern gale. 10
- Thou shalt admire no woods or cities there,
- The unjust seas all bluish do appear.
- The ocean hath no painted stones or shells,
- The sucking[297] shore with their abundance swells.
- Maids on the shore, with marble-white feet tread,
- So far 'tis safe; but to go farther, dread.
- Let others tell how winds fierce battles wage,
- How Scylla's and Charybdis' waters rage;
- And with what rock[s] the feared Ceraunia threat;
- In what gulf either Syrtes have their seat. 20
- Let others tell this, and what each one speaks
- Believe; no tempest the believer wreaks.[298]
- Too late you look back, when with anchors weighed,
- The crookèd bark hath her swift sails displayed.
- The careful shipman now fears angry gusts,
- And with the waters sees death near him thrusts.
- But if that Triton toss the troubled flood,
- In all thy face will be no crimson blood.
- Then wilt thou Leda's noble twin-stars pray,
- And, he is happy whom the earth holds, say. 30
- It is more safe to sleep, to read a book,
- The Thracian harp with cunning to have strook.
- But if my words with wingèd storm hence slip,
- Yet, Galatea, favour thou her ship.
- The loss of such a wench much blame will gather,
- Both to the sea-nymphs and the sea-nymphs' father.
- Go, minding to return with prosperous wind,
- Whose blast may hither strongly be inclined.
- Let Nereus bend the waves unto this shore,
- Hither the winds blow, here the spring-tide roar. 40
- Request mild Zephyr's help for thy avail,
- And with thy hand assist thy swelling sail.
- I from the shore thy known ship first will see,
- And say it brings her that preserveth me.
- I'll clip[299] and kiss thee with all contentation;
- For thy return shall fall the vowed oblation;
- And in the form of beds we'll strew soft sand;
- Each little hill shall for a table stand:
- There, wine being filled, thou many things shalt tell,
- How, almost wrecked, thy ship in main seas fell. 50
- And hasting to me, neither darksome night,
- Nor violent south-winds did thee aught affright,
- I'll think all true, though it be feignèd matter!
- Mine own desires why should myself not flatter?
- Let the bright day-star cause in heaven this day be,
- To bring that happy time so soon as may be.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [294] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [295] "Cæsa."
- [296] Old eds. "Argos."
- [297] "Bibuli litoris illa mora est."
- [298] Dyce was doubtless right in supposing "wreaks" to be used _metri
- causa_ for "wrecks." Cunningham wanted to give the meaning "recks;" but
- that meaning does not suit the context. The original has "credenti nulla
- procella nocet."
- [299] "Excipiamque humeris."
- ELEGIA XII.[300]
- Exultat, quod amica potitus sit.
- About my temples go, triumphant bays!
- Conquered Corinna in my bosom lays.
- She whom her husband, guard, and gate, as foes,
- Lest art should win her, firmly did enclose:
- That victory doth chiefly triumph merit,
- Which without bloodshed doth the prey inherit.
- No little ditchèd towns, no lowly walls,
- But to my share a captive damsel falls.
- When Troy by ten years' battle tumbled down,
- With the Atrides many gained renown: 10
- But I no partner of my glory brook,
- Nor can another say his help I took.
- I, guide and soldier, won the field and wear her,
- I was both horseman, footman, standard-bearer.
- Nor in my act hath fortune mingled chance:
- O care-got[301] triumph hitherwards advance!
- Nor is my war's cause new; but for a queen,
- Europe and Asia in firm peace had been;
- The Lapiths and the Centaurs, for a woman,
- To cruel arms their drunken selves did summon; 20
- A woman forced the Trojans new to enter
- Wars, just Latinus, in thy kingdom's centre;
- A woman against late-built Rome did send
- The Sabine fathers, who sharp wars intend.
- I saw how bulls for a white heifer strive,
- She looking on them did more courage give.
- And me with many, but me[302] without murther,
- Cupid commands to move his ensigns further.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [300] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [301] "Cura parte triumphe mea."
- [302] Ed. B "but yet me."--Ed. C "but yet without."
- ELEGIA XIII.[303]
- Ad Isidem, ut parientem Corinnam servet.
- While rashly her womb's burden she casts out,
- Weary Corinna hath her life in doubt.
- She, secretly from[304] me, such harm attempted,
- Angry I was, but fear my wrath exempted.
- But she conceived of me; or I am sure
- I oft have done what might as much procure.
- Thou that frequent'st Canopus' pleasant fields,
- Memphis, and Pharos that sweet date-trees yields,
- And where swift Nile in his large channel skipping,[305]
- By seven huge mouths into the sea is slipping. 10
- By feared Anubis' visage I thee pray,--
- So in thy temples shall Osiris stay,
- And the dull snake about thy offerings creep,
- And in thy pomp horned Apis with thee keep,--
- Turn thy looks hither, and in one spare twain:
- Thou givest my mistress life, she mine again.
- She oft hath served thee upon certain days,
- Where the French[306] rout engirt themselves with bays.
- On labouring women thou dost pity take,
- Whose bodies with their heavy burdens ache; 20
- My wench, Lucina, I entreat thee favour;
- Worthy she is, thou should'st in mercy save her.
- In white, with incense, I'll thine altars greet,
- Myself will bring vowed gifts before thy feet,
- Subscribing _Naso with Corinna saved_:
- Do but deserve gifts with this title graved.
- But, if in so great fear I may advise thee,
- To have this skirmish fought let it suffice thee.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [303] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [304] Old eds. "with," which must be a printer's error. (The original
- has "clam me.")
- [305] Old eds. "slipping."
- [306] "Gallica turma" (_i.e._ the company of _Galli_, the priests of
- Isis).
- ELEGIA XIV.[307]
- In amicam, quod abortivum ipsa fecerit.
- What helps it woman to be free from war,
- Nor, being armed, fierce troops to follow far,
- If without battle self-wrought wounds annoy them.
- And their own privy-weaponed hands destroy them
- Who unborn infants first to slay invented,
- Deserved thereby with death to be tormented.
- Because thy belly should rough wrinkles lack,
- Wilt thou thy womb-inclosèd offspring wrack?
- Had ancient mothers this vile custom cherished,
- All human kind by their default[308] had perished; 10
- Or[309] stones, our stock's original should be hurled,
- Again, by some, in this unpeopled world.
- Who should have Priam's wealthy substance won,
- If watery Thetis had her child fordone?
- In swelling womb her twins had Ilia killed,
- He had not been that conquering Rome bid build.
- Had Venus spoiled her belly's Trojan fruit,
- The earth of Cæsars had been destitute.
- Thou also that wert born fair, had'st decayed,
- If such a work thy mother had assayed. 20
- Myself, that better die with loving may,
- Had seen, my mother killing me, no[310] day.
- Why tak'st increasing grapes from vinetrees full?
- With cruel hand why dost green apples pull?
- Fruits ripe will fall; let springing things increase;
- Life is no light price of a small surcease.[311]
- Why with hid irons are your bowels torn?
- And why dire poison give you babes unborn?
- At Colchis, stained with children's blood, men rail,
- And mother-murdered Itys they[312] bewail. 30
- Both unkind parents; but, for causes sad,
- Their wedlocks' pledges[313] venged their husbands bad.
- What Tereus, what Iäson you provokes,
- To plague your bodies with such harmful strokes?
- Armenian tigers never did so ill,
- Nor dares the lioness her young whelps kill.
- But tender damsels do it, though with pain;
- Oft dies she that her paunch-wrapt[314] child hath slain:
- She dies, and with loose hairs to grave is sent,
- And whoe'er see her, worthily[315] lament. 40
- But in the air let these words come to naught,
- And my presages of no weight be thought.
- Forgive her, gracious gods, this one delict,
- And on the next fault punishment inflict.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [307] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [308] "Vitio."
- [309] Old eds. "On."
- [310] Old eds. "to-day."
- [311] "Est pretium parvæ non leve vita moræ."
- [312] Dyce's suggestion for "thee" of the old eds. The original has
- "Aque sua caesum matre queruntur Ityn."
- [313]
- "Sed tristibus utraque causis
- Jactura socii sanguinis ulta virum."
- [314] An inelegant translation of "Saepe suos uteros quae necat ipse
- perit."
- [315] Marlowe has given a meaning the very opposite of the original--"Et
- clamant 'Merito' qui modo cumque vident."
- ELEGIA XV.[316]
- Ad annulum, quem dono amicæ dedit.
- Thou ring that shalt my fair girl's finger bind,
- Wherein is seen the giver's loving mind:
- Be welcome to her, gladly let her take thee,
- And, her small joints encircling, round hoop make thee.
- Fit her so well, as she is fit for me,
- And of just compass for her knuckles be.
- Blest ring, thou in my mistress' hand shall lie,
- Myself, poor wretch, mine own gifts now envy.
- O would that suddenly into my gift,
- I could myself by secret magic shift! 10
- Then would I wish thee touch my mistress' pap,
- And hide thy left hand underneath her lap,
- I would get off, though strait and sticking fast,
- And in her bosom strangely fall at last.
- Then I, that I may seal her privy leaves,
- Lest to the wax the hold-fast dry gem cleaves,
- Would first my beauteous wench's moist lips touch;
- Only I'll sign naught that may grieve me much.
- I would not out, might I in one place hit:
- But in less compass her small fingers knit. 20
- My life! that I will shame thee never fear,
- Or be[317] a load thou should'st refuse to bear.
- Wear me, when warmest showers thy members wash,
- And through the gem let thy lost waters pash,
- But seeing thee, I think my thing will swell,
- And even the ring perform a man's part well.
- Vain things why wish I? go, small gift, from hand;
- Let her my faith, with thee given, understand.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [316] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [317] Old eds. "by."
- ELEGIA XVI.[318]
- Ad amicam, ut ad rura sua veniat.
- Sulmo, Peligny's third part, me contains,
- A small, but wholesome soil with watery veins,
- Although the sun to rive[319] the earth incline,
- And the Icarian froward dog-star shine;
- Pelignian fields with liquid rivers flow,
- And on the soft ground fertile green grass grow;
- With corn the earth abounds, with vines much more,
- And some few pastures Pallas' olives bore;
- And by the rising herbs, where clear springs slide,
- A grassy turf the moistened earth doth hide. 10
- But absent is my fire; lies I'll tell none,
- My heat is here, what moves my heat is gone.
- Pollux and Castor, might I stand betwixt,
- In heaven without thee would I not be fixt.
- Upon the cold earth pensive let them lay,
- That mean to travel some long irksome way.
- Or else will maidens young men's mates to go,
- If they determine to persèver so.
- Then on the rough Alps should I tread aloft,
- My hard way with my mistress would seem soft. 20
- With her I durst the Libyan Syrts break through,
- And raging seas in boisterous south-winds plough.
- No barking dogs, that Scylla's entrails bear,
- Nor thy gulfs, crook'd Malea, would I fear.
- No flowing waves with drownèd ships forth-poured
- By cloyed Charybdis, and again devoured.
- But if stern Neptune's windy power prevail,
- And waters' force force helping Gods to fail,
- With thy white arms upon my shoulders seize;
- So sweet a burden I will bear with ease. 30
- The youth oft swimming to his Hero kind,
- Had then swum over, but the way was blind.
- But without thee, although vine-planted ground
- Contains me; though the streams the[320] fields surround;
- Though hinds in brooks the running waters bring,
- And cool gales shake the tall trees' leafy spring;
- Healthful Peligny, I esteem naught worth,
- Nor do I like the country of my birth.
- Scythia, Cilicia, Britain are as good,
- And rocks dyed crimson with Prometheus' blood. 40
- Elms love the vines; the vines with elms abide,
- Why doth my mistress from me oft divide?
- Thou swear'dst,[321] division should not twixt us rise,
- By me, and by my stars, thy radiant eyes;
- Maids' words more vain and light than falling leaves,
- Which, as it seems, hence wind and sea bereaves.
- If any godly care of me thou hast,
- Add deeds unto thy promises at last.
- And with swift nags drawing thy little coach
- (Their reins let loose), right soon my house approach. 50
- But when she comes, you[322] swelling mounts, sink down,
- And falling valleys be the smooth ways' crown.[323]
- FOOTNOTES:
- [318] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [319] "Findat."
- [320] Ed. B "in fields."--Ed. C "in field."
- [321] Old eds. "swearest."
- [322] Old eds. "your."
- [323] "Et faciles curvis vallibus este viæ."
- ELEGIA XVII.[324]
- Quod Corinnæ soli sit serviturus.
- To serve a wench if any think it shame,
- He being judge, I am convinced of blame.
- Let me be slandered, while my fire she hides,
- That Paphos, and[325] flood-beat Cythera guides.
- Would I had been my mistress' gentle prey,
- Since some fair one I should of force obey.
- Beauty gives heart; Corinna's looks excell;
- Ay me, why is it known to her so well?
- But by her glass disdainful pride she learns,
- Nor she herself, but first trimmed up, discerns. 10
- Not though thy face in all things make thee reign,
- (O face, most cunning mine eyes to detain!)
- Thou ought'st therefore to scorn me for thy mate,
- Small things with greater may be copulate.
- Love-snared Calypso is supposed to pray
- A mortal nymph's[326] refusing lord to stay.
- Who doubts, with Peleus Thetis did consort,
- Egeria with just Numa had good sport.
- Venus with Vulcan, though, smith's tools laid by,
- With his stump foot he halts ill-favouredly. 20
- This kind of verse is not alike; yet fit,
- With shorter numbers the heroic sit.
- And thou, my light, accept me howsoever;
- Lay in the mid bed, there be my lawgiver.
- My stay no crime, my flight no joy shall breed,
- Nor of our love, to be ashamed we need.
- For great revenues I good verses have,
- And many by me to get glory crave.
- I know a wench reports herself Corinne;
- What would not she give that fair name to win? 30
- But sundry floods in one bank never go,
- Eurotas cold, and poplar-bearing Po;
- Nor in my books shall one but thou be writ,
- Thou dost alone give matter to my wit.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [324] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [325] Old eds. "and the."
- [326] Marlowe reads "nymphæ" for "nymphe."
- ELEGIA XVIII.[327]
- Ad Macrum, quod de amoribus scribat.
- To tragic verse while thou Achilles train'st,
- And new sworn soldiers' maiden arms retain'st,
- We, Macer, sit in Venus' slothful shade,
- And tender love hath great things hateful made.
- Often at length, my wench depart I bid,
- She in my lap sits still as erst she did.
- I said, "It irks me:" half to weeping framed,
- "Ay me!" she cries, "to love why art ashamed?"
- Then wreathes about my neck her winding arms,
- And thousand kisses gives, that work my harms: 10
- I yield, and back my wit from battles bring,
- Domestic acts, and mine own wars to sing.
- Yet tragedies, and sceptres fill'd my lines,
- But though I apt were for such high designs,
- Love laughèd at my cloak, and buskins painted,
- And rule, so soon with private hands acquainted.
- My mistress' deity also drew me fro it,
- And love triumpheth o'er his buskined poet.
- What lawful is, or we profess love's art:
- (Alas, my precepts turn myself to smart!) 20
- We write, or what Penelope sends Ulysses,
- Or Phillis' tears that her Demophoon misses.
- What thankless Jason, Macareus, and Paris,
- Phedra, and Hippolyte may read, my care is.
- And what poor Dido, with her drawn sword sharp,
- Doth say, with her that loved the Aonian harp.
- As[328] soon as from strange lands Sabinus came,
- And writings did from divers places frame,
- White-cheeked Penelope knew Ulysses' sign,
- The step-dame read Hippolytus' lustless line. 30
- Æneas to Elisa answer gives,
- And Phillis hath to read, if now she lives.
- Jason's sad letter doth Hypsipyle greet;
- Sappho her vowed harp lays at Phoebus' feet.
- Nor of thee, Macer, that resound'st forth arms,
- Is golden love hid in Mars' mid alarms.
- There Paris is, and Helen's crimes record,
- With Laodamia, mate to her dead lord,
- Unless I err to these thou more incline,
- Than wars, and from thy tents wilt come to mine. 40
- FOOTNOTES:
- [327] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [328] The original has "Quam cito de toto rediit meus orbe Sabinus," &c.
- ELEGIA XIX.[329]
- Ad rivalem cui uxor curæ non erat.
- Fool, if to keep thy wife thou hast no need,
- Keep her from me, my more desire to breed;
- We scorn things lawful; stolen sweets we affect;
- Cruel is he that loves whom none protect.
- Let us, both lovers, hope and fear alike,
- And may repulse place for our wishes strike.[330]
- What should I do with fortune that ne'er fails me?
- Nothing I love that at all times avails me.
- Wily Corinna saw this blemish in me,
- And craftily knows by what means to win me. 10
- Ah, often, that her hale[331] head ached, she lying,
- Willed me, whose slow feet sought delay, be flying!
- Ah, oft, how much she might, she feigned offence;
- And, doing wrong, made show of innocence.
- So, having vexed, she nourished my warm fire,
- And was again most apt to my desire.
- To please me, what fair terms and sweet words has she!
- Great gods! what kisses, and how many ga'[332] she!
- Thou also that late took'st mine eyes away,
- Oft cozen[333] me, oft, being wooed, say nay; 20
- And on thy threshold let me lie dispread,
- Suff'ring much cold by hoary night's frost bred.
- So shall my love continue many years;
- This doth delight me, this my courage cheers.
- Fat love, and too much fulsome, me annoys,
- Even as sweet meat a glutted stomach cloys.
- In brazen tower had not Danäe dwelt,
- A mother's joy by Jove she had not felt.
- While Juno Iö keeps, when horns she wore,
- Jove liked her better than he did before. 30
- Who covets lawful things takes leaves from woods,
- And drinks stolen waters in surrounding floods.
- Her lover let her mock that long will reign:
- Ay me, let not my warnings cause my pain!
- Whatever haps, by sufferance harm is done,
- What flies I follow, what follows me I shun.
- But thou, of thy fair damsel too secure,
- Begin to shut thy house at evening sure.
- Search at the door who knocks oft in the dark,
- In night's deep silence why the ban-dogs[334] bark. 40
- Whither[335] the subtle maid lines[336] brings and carries,
- Why she alone in empty bed oft tarries.
- Let this care sometimes bite thee to the quick,
- That to deceits it may me forward prick.
- To steal sands from the shore he loves a-life[337]
- That can affect[338] a foolish wittol's wife.
- Now I forewarn, unless to keep her stronger
- Thou dost begin, she shall be mine no longer.
- Long have I borne much, hoping time would beat thee
- To guard her well, that well I might entreat thee.[339] 50
- Thou suffer'st what no husband can endure,
- But of my love it will an end procure.
- Shall I, poor soul, be never interdicted?
- Nor never with night's sharp revenge afflicted.
- In sleeping shall I fearless draw my breath?
- Wilt nothing do, why I should wish thy death?
- Can I but loathe a husband grown a bawd?
- By thy default thou dost our joys defraud.
- Some other seek that may in patience strive with thee,
- To pleasure me, forbid me to corrive with thee.[340] 60
- FOOTNOTES:
- [329] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [330] "Et faciat voto rara repulsa locum."
- [331] Old eds, "haole"--The construction is not plain without a
- reference to the original:--
- "Ah, quotiens sani capitis mentita dolores,
- Cunctantem tardo jussit abire pede."
- [332] So Dyce for "gave" of the old eds.
- [333] The reading of the original is "Saepe time insidias."
- [334] Dogs tied up on account of their fierceness.
- [335] Old eds. "Whether" (a common form of "whither").
- [336] "Tabellas."
- [337] As dearly as life.
- [338] Old eds. "effect."
- [339]
- "Multa diuque tuli; speravi saepe futurum
- Cum bene servasses ut bene verba darem."
- [340] "Me tibi rivalem si juvat esse, veta."
- P. OVIDII MASONIS AMORUM.
- LIBER TERTIUS.
- ELEGIA I.[341]
- Deliberatio poetæ, utrum elegos pergat scribere an potius tragoedias.
- An old wood stands, uncut of long years' space,
- 'Tis credible some godhead[342] haunts the place.
- In midst thereof a stone-paved sacred spring,
- Where round about small birds most sweetly sing.
- Here while I walk, hid close in shady grove,
- To find what work my muse might move, I strove,
- Elegia came with hairs perfumèd sweet,
- And one, I think, was longer, of her feet:
- A decent form, thin robe, a lover's look,
- By her foot's blemish greater grace she took. 10
- Then with huge steps came violent Tragedy,
- Stern was her front, her cloak[343] on ground did lie.
- Her left hand held abroad a regal sceptre,
- The Lydian buskin [in] fit paces kept her.
- And first she[344] said, "When will thy love be spent,
- O poet careless of thy argument?
- Wine-bibbing banquets tell thy naughtiness,
- Each cross-way's corner doth as much express.
- Oft some points at the prophet passing by,
- And, 'This is he whom fierce love burns,' they cry. 20
- A laughing-stock thou art to all the city;
- While without shame thou sing'st thy lewdness' ditty.
- 'Tis time to move great things in lofty style,
- Long hast thou loitered; greater works compile.
- The subject hides thy wit; men's acts resound;
- This thou wilt say to be a worthy ground.
- Thy muse hath played what may mild girls content,
- And by those numbers is thy first youth spent.
- Now give the Roman Tragedy a name,
- To fill my laws thy wanton spirit frame." 30
- This said, she moved her buskins gaily varnished,
- And seven times shook her head with thick locks garnished.
- The other smiled (I wot), with wanton eyes:
- Err I, or myrtle in her right hand lies?
- "With lofty words stout Tragedy," she said,
- "Why tread'st me down? art thou aye gravely play'd?
- Thou deign'st unequal lines should thee rehearse;
- Thou fight'st against me using mine own verse.
- Thy lofty style with mine I not compare,
- Small doors unfitting for large houses are. 40
- Light am I, and with me, my care, light Love;
- Not stronger am I, than the thing I move.
- Venus without me should be rustical:
- This goddess' company doth to me befal.
- What gate thy stately words cannot unlock,
- My flattering speeches soon wide open knock.
- And I deserve more than thou canst in verity,
- By suffering much not borne by thy severity.
- By me Corinna learns, cozening her guard,
- To get the door with little noise unbarred; 50
- And slipped from bed, clothed in a loose nightgown,
- To move her feet unheard in setting[345] down.
- Ah, how oft on hard doors hung I engraved,
- From no man's reading fearing to be saved!
- But, till the keeper[346] went forth, I forget not,
- The maid to hide me in her bosom let not.
- What gift with me was on her birthday sent,
- But cruelly by her was drowned and rent.
- First of thy mind the happy seeds I knew;[347]
- Thou hast my gift, which she would from thee sue." 60
- She left;[348] I said, "You both I must beseech,
- To empty air[349] may go my fearful speech.
- With sceptres and high buskins th' one would dress me,
- So through the world should bright renown express me.
- The other gives my love a conquering name;
- Come, therefore, and to long verse shorter frame.
- Grant, Tragedy, thy poet time's least tittle:
- Thy labour ever lasts; she asks but little."
- She gave me leave; soft loves, in time make haste;
- Some greater work will urge me on at last. 70
- FOOTNOTES:
- [341] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [342] Old eds. "good head."
- [343] So Dyce--Old eds. "looke." ("Palla jacebat humi.")
- [344] Old eds. "he."
- [345] Old eds. "sitting." ("Atque impercussos nocte movere pedes.")
- [346] Ed. B "keepes;" ed. C "keepers." This line and the next are a
- translation of:--
- "Quin ego me memini, dum custos saevus abiret,
- Ancillae missam delituisse sinu."
- [347] The original has
- "Prima tuae _movi_ felicia semina mentis."
- (Marlowe's copy read "novi.")
- [348] "Desierat."
- [349] "In vacuas _auras_." (The true reading is "aures.")
- ELEGIA II.[350]
- Ad amicam cursum equorum spectantem.
- I sit not here the noble horse to see;
- Yet whom thou favour'st, pray may conqueror be.
- To sit and talk with thee I hither came,
- That thou may'st know with love thou mak'st me flame.
- Thou view'st the course; I thee: let either heed
- What please them, and their eyes let either feed.
- What horse-driver thou favour'st most is best,
- Because on him thy care doth hap to rest.
- Such chance let me have: I would bravely run,
- On swift steeds mounted till the race were done. 10
- Now would I slack the reins, now lash their hide,
- With wheels bent inward now the ring-turn ride,
- In running if I see thee, I shall stay,
- And from my hands the reins will slip away.
- Ah, Pelops from his coach was almost felled,
- Hippodamia's looks while he beheld!
- Yet he attained, by her support, to have her:
- Let us all conquer by our mistress' favour.
- In vain, why fly'st back? force conjoins us now:
- The place's laws this benefit allow. 20
- But spare my wench, thou at her right hand seated;
- By thy sides touching ill she is entreated.[351]
- And sit thou rounder,[352] that behind us see;
- For shame press not her back with thy hard knee.
- But on the ground thy clothes too loosely lie:
- Gather them up, or lift them, lo, will I.
- Envious[353] garments, so good legs to hide!
- The more thou look'st, the more the gown's envìed.
- Swift Atalanta's flying legs, like these,
- Wish in his hands grasped did Hippomenes. 30
- Coat-tucked Diana's legs are painted like them,
- When strong wild beasts, she, stronger, hunts to strike them.
- Ere these were seen, I burnt: what will these do?
- Flames into flame, floods thou pour'st seas into,
- By these I judge; delight me may the rest,
- Which lie hid, under her thin veil supprest.
- Yet in the meantime wilt small winds bestow,
- That from thy fan, moved by my hand, may blow?
- Or is my heat of mind, not of the sky?
- Is't women's love my captive breast doth fry? 40
- While thus I speak, black dust her white robes ray;[354]
- Foul dust, from her fair body go away!
- Now comes the pomp; themselves let all men cheer;[355]
- The shout is nigh; the golden pomp comes here.
- First, Victory is brought with large spread wing:
- Goddess, come here; make my love conquering.
- Applaud you Neptune, that dare trust his wave,
- The sea I use not: me my earth must have.
- Soldier applaud thy Mars, no wars we move,
- Peace pleaseth me, and in mid peace is love. 50
- With augurs Phoebus, Phoebe with hunters stands.
- To thee Minerva turn the craftsmen's hands.
- Ceres and Bacchus countrymen adore,
- Champions please[356] Pollux, Castor loves horsemen more.
- Thee, gentle Venus, and the boy that flies,
- We praise: great goddess aid my enterprise.
- Let my new mistress grant to be beloved;
- She becked, and prosperous signs gave as she moved.
- What Venus promised, promise thou we pray
- Greater than her, by her leave, thou'rt, I'll say. 60
- The gods, and their rich pomp witness with me,
- For evermore thou shalt my mistress be.
- Thy legs hang down, thou may'st, if that be best,
- Awhile[357] thy tiptoes on the footstool[358] rest.
- Now greatest spectacles the Prætor sends,
- Four chariot-horses from the lists' even ends.
- I see whom thou affect'st: he shall subdue;
- The horses seem as thy[359] desire they knew.
- Alas, he runs too far about the ring;
- What dost? thy waggon in less compass bring. 70
- What dost, unhappy? her good wishes fade:
- Let with strong hand the rein to bend be made.
- One slow we favour, Romans, him revoke:
- And each give signs by casting up his cloak.
- They call him back; lest their gowns toss thy hair,
- To hide thee in my bosom straight repair.
- But now again the barriers open lie,
- And forth the gay troops on swift horses fly.
- At least now conquer, and outrun the rest:
- My mistress' wish confirm with my request. 80
- My mistress hath her wish; my wish remain:
- He holds the palm: my palm is yet to gain.
- She smiled, and with quick eyes behight[360] some grace:
- Pay it not here, but in another place.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [350] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [351] "Contactu lateris laeditur ista tui."
- [352] "Tua contraha crura."
- [353]
- "Invida vestis eras quod tam bona crura tegebas!
- Quoque magis spectes ... invida vestis eras."
- [354] Defile.
- [355] A strange rendering of "linguis animisque favete."
- [356] Ed. B "pleace;" ed. C "place."
- [357] Old eds. "Or while."
- [358] "Cancellis" (_i.e._ the rails).
- [359] Old eds. "they."
- [360] "Promisit."
- ELEGIA III.[361]
- De amica quæ perjuraverat.
- What, are there gods? herself she hath forswore,
- And yet remains the face she had before.
- How long her locks were ere her oath she took,
- So long they be since she her faith forsook.
- Fair white with rose-red was before commixt;
- Now shine her looks pure white and red betwixt.
- Her foot was small: her foot's form is most fit:
- Comely tall was she, comely tall she's yet.
- Sharp eyes she had: radiant like stars they be,
- By which she, perjured oft, hath lied to[362] me. 10
- In sooth, th' eternal powers grant maids society
- Falsely to swear; their beauty hath some deity.
- By her eyes, I remember, late she swore,
- And by mine eyes, and mine were painèd sore.
- Say gods: if she unpunished you deceive,
- For other faults why do I loss receive.
- But did you not so envy[363] Cepheus' daughter,
- For her ill-beauteous mother judged to slaughter.
- 'Tis not enough, she shakes your record off,
- And, unrevenged, mocked gods with me doth scoff. 20
- But by my pain to purge her perjuries,
- Cozened, I am the cozener's sacrifice.
- God is a name, no substance, feared in vain,
- And doth the world in fond belief detain.
- Or if there be a God, he loves fine wenches,
- And all things too much in their sole power drenches.
- Mars girts his deadly sword on for my harm;
- Pallas' lance strikes me with unconquered arm;
- At me Apollo bends his pliant bow;
- At me Jove's right hand lightning hath to throw. 30
- The wrongèd gods dread fair ones to offend,
- And fear those, that to fear them least intend.
- Who now will care the altars to perfume?
- Tut, men should not their courage so consume.
- Jove throws down woods and castles with his fire,
- But bids his darts from perjured girls retire.
- Poor Semele among so many burned,
- Her own request to her own torment turned.
- But when her lover came, had she drawn back,
- The father's thigh should unborn Bacchus lack. 40
- Why grieve I? and of heaven reproaches pen?
- The gods have eyes, and breasts as well as men.
- Were I a god, I should give women leave,
- With lying lips my godhead to deceive.
- Myself would swear the wenches true did swear,
- And I would be none of the gods severe.
- But yet their gift more moderately use,
- Or in mine eyes, good wench, no pain transfuse.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [361] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [362] Old eds. "by."
- [363]
- "At non invidiæ vobis Cephëia virgo est,
- Pro male formosa jussa parente mori?"
- ("Invidiæ" here means "discredit, odium.")
- ELEGIA IV.[364]
- Ad virum servantem conjugem.
- Rude man, 'tis vain thy damsel to commend
- To keeper's trust: their wits should them defend.
- Who, without fear, is chaste, is chaste in sooth:
- Who, because means want, doeth not, she doth.
- Though thou her body guard, her mind is stained;
- Nor, 'less[365] she will, can any be restrained.
- Nor can'st by watching keep her mind from sin,
- All being shut out, the adulterer is within.
- Who may offend, sins least; power to do ill
- The fainting seeds of naughtiness doth kill. 10
- Forbear to kindle vice by prohibition;
- Sooner shall kindness gain thy will's fruition.
- I saw a horse against the bit stiff-necked,
- Like lightning go, his struggling mouth being checked:
- When he perceived the reins let slack, he stayed,
- And on his loose mane the loose bridle laid.
- How to attain what is denied we think,
- Even as the sick desire forbidden drink.
- Argus had either way an hundred eyes,
- Yet by deceit Love did them all surprise. 20
- In stone and iron walls Danäe shut,
- Came forth a mother, though a maid there put.
- Penelope, though no watch looked unto her,
- Was not defiled by any gallant wooer.
- What's kept, we covet more: the care makes theft,
- Few love what others have unguarded left.
- Nor doth her face please, but her husband's love:
- I know not what men think should thee so move[366]
- She is not chaste that's kept, but a dear whore:[367]
- Thy fear is than her body valued more. 30
- Although thou chafe, stolen pleasure is sweet play;
- She pleaseth best, "I fear," if any say.
- A free-born wench, no right 'tis up to lock,
- So use we women of strange nations' stock.
- Because the keeper may come say, "I did it,"
- She must be honest to thy servant's credit.
- He is too clownish whom a lewd wife grieves,
- And this town's well-known custom not believes;
- Where Mars his sons not without fault did breed,
- Remus and Romulus, Ilia's twin-born seed. 40
- Cannot a fair one, if not chaste, please thee?
- Never can these by any means agree.
- Kindly thy mistress use, if thou be wise;
- Look gently, and rough husbands' laws despise.
- Honour what friends thy wife gives, she'll give many,
- Least labour so shall win great grace of any.
- So shalt thou go with youths to feasts together,
- And see at home much that thou ne'er brought'st thither.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [364] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [365] Old eds. "least." ("Nec custodiri, ni velit, ulla potest.")
- [366] The original has "Nescio quid, quod te ceperit, esse putant."
- [367] Dyce calls this line an "erroneous version of 'Non proba sit quam
- vir servat, sed adultera; cara est.'" But Merkel's reading is "Non proba
- fit quam vir servat, sed adultera cara"--which is accurately rendered by
- Marlowe.
- ELEGIA VI.[368]
- Ad amnem dum iter faceret ad amicam.
- Flood with reed-grown[369] slime banks, till I be past
- Thy waters stay: I to my mistress haste.
- Thou hast no bridge, nor boat with ropes to throw,
- That may transport me, without oars to row.
- Thee I have passed, and knew thy stream none such,
- When thy wave's brim did scarce my ankles touch.
- With snow thawed from the next hill now thou gushest,[370]
- And in thy foul deep waters thick thou rushest.
- What helps my haste? what to have ta'en small rest?
- What day and night to travel in her quest? 10
- If standing here I can by no means get
- My foot upon the further bank to set.
- Now wish I those wings noble Perseus had,
- Bearing the head with dreadful adders[371] clad;
- Now wish the chariot, whence corn fields were found,
- First to be thrown upon the untilled ground:
- I speak old poet's wonderful inventions,
- Ne'er was, nor [e'er] shall be, what my verse mentions.
- Rather, thou large bank-overflowing river,
- Slide in thy bounds; so shalt thou run for ever. 20
- Trust me, land-stream, thou shalt no envy lack,
- If I a lover be by thee held back.
- Great floods ought to assist young men in love,
- Great floods the force of it do often prove.
- In mid Bithynia,[372] 'tis said, Inachus
- Grew pale, and, in cold fords, hot lecherous.
- Troy had not yet been ten years' siege out stander,
- When nymph Neæra rapt thy looks, Scamander.
- What, not Alpheus in strange lands to run,
- The Arcadian virgin's constant love hath won? 30
- And Creusa unto Xanthus first affied,
- They say Peneus near Phthia's town did hide.
- What should I name Asop,[373] that Thebe loved,
- Thebe who mother of five daughters proved,
- If, Achelöus, I ask where thy horns stand,
- Thou say'st, broke with Alcides' angry hand.
- Not Calydon, nor Ætolia did please;
- One Deianira was more worth than these.
- Rich Nile by seven mouths to the vast sea flowing,
- Who so well keeps his water's head from knowing, 40
- Is by Evadne thought to take such flame,
- As his deep whirlpools could not quench the same.
- Dry Enipeus, Tyro to embrace,
- Fly back his stream[374] charged; the stream charged, gave place.
- Nor pass I thee, who hollow rocks down tumbling,
- In Tibur's field with watery foam art rumbling.
- Whom Ilia pleased, though in her looks grief revelled,
- Her cheeks were scratched, her goodly hairs dishevelled.
- She, wailing Mar's sin and her uncle's crime,
- Strayed barefoot through sole places[375] on a time. 50
- Her, from his swift waves, the bold flood perceived,
- And from the mid ford his hoarse voice upheaved,
- Saying, "Why sadly tread'st my banks upon,
- Ilia sprung from Idæan Laomedon?
- Where's thy attire? why wanderest here alone?
- To stay thy tresses white veil hast thou none?
- Why weep'st and spoil'st with tears thy watery eyes?
- And fiercely knock'st thy breast that open lies?
- His heart consists of flint and hardest steel,
- That seeing thy tears can any joy then feel. 60
- Fear not: to thee our court stands open wide,
- There shalt be loved: Ilia, lay fear aside.
- Thou o'er a hundred nymphs or more shalt reign,
- For five score nymphs or more our floods contain.
- Nor, Roman stock, scorn me so much I crave,
- Gifts than my promise greater thou shalt have."[376]
- This said he: she her modest eyes held down.
- Her woful bosom a warm shower did drown.
- Thrice she prepared to fly, thrice she did stay,
- By fear deprived of strength to run away. 70
- Yet rending with enragèd thumb her tresses,
- Her trembling mouth these unmeet sounds expresses:
- "O would in my forefathers' tomb deep laid,
- My bones had been while yet I was a maid:
- Why being a vestal am I wooed to wed,
- Deflowered and stainèd in unlawful bed.
- Why stay I? men point at me for a whore,
- Shame, that should make me blush, I have no more."
- This said; her coat hoodwinked her fearful eyes,
- And into water desperately she flies. 80
- 'Tis said the slippery stream held up her breast,
- And kindly gave her what she likèd best.
- And I believe some wench thou hast affected,
- But woods and groves keep your faults undetected.
- While thus I speak the waters more abounded,
- And from the channel all abroad surrounded.
- Mad stream, why dost our mutual joys defer?
- Clown, from my journey why dost me deter?
- How would'st thou flow wert thou a noble flood?
- If thy great fame in every region stood? 90
- Thou hast no name, but com'st from snowy mountains;
- No certain house thou hast, nor any fountains;
- Thy springs are nought but rain and melted snow,
- Which wealth cold winter doth on thee bestow.
- Either thou art muddy in mid-winter tide,
- Or full of dust dost on the dry earth slide.
- What thirsty traveller ever drunk of thee?
- Who said with grateful voice, "Perpetual be!"
- Harmful to beasts, and to the fields thou proves,
- Perchance these[377] others, me mine own loss moves. 100
- To this I fondly[378] loves of floods told plainly,
- I shame so great names to have used so vainly.
- I know not what expecting, I ere while,
- Named Achelöus, Inachus, and Nile.[379]
- But for thy merits I wish thee, white stream,[380]
- Dry winters aye, and suns in heat extreme.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [368] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.--In the old copies this elegy is
- marked "Elegia v." The fifth elegy (beginning "Nox erat et somnus," &c.)
- was not contained in Marlowe's copy.
- [369] Old eds. "redde-growne."
- [370] So Dyce for "rushest" of the old eds.
- [371] So Dyce for "arrowes" of the old eds.
- [372] The original has "Inachus in Melie Bithynide pallidus isse."
- &c.--Dyce suggests that Marlowe's copy had "in _media_ Bithynide."
- [373] Old eds. "Aesope."
- [374] Old eds. "shame."
- [375] "Loca sola."
- [376] The original has "Desit famosus qui notet ora pudor" (or "Desint
- ... quae," &c.)
- [377] "Forsitan haec alios, me mea damna movent."
- [378] "Demens."
- [379] Old eds. "Ile."
- [380] Marlowe read "nunc candide" for "non candide."
- ELEGIA VII.
- Quod ab amica receptus, cum ea coire non potuit, conqueritur.
- Either she was foul, or her attire was bad,
- Or she was not the wench I wished to have had.
- Idly I lay with her, as if I loved not,
- And like a burden grieved the bed that moved not.
- Though both of us performed our true intent,
- Yet could I not cast anchor where I meant.
- She on my neck her ivory arms did throw,
- Her[381] arms far whiter than the Scythian snow.
- And eagerly she kissed me with her tongue,
- And under mine her wanton thigh she flung, 10
- Yea, and she soothed me up, and called me "Sir,"[382]
- And used all speech that might provoke and stir.
- Yet like as if cold hemlock I had drunk,
- It mockèd me, hung down the head and sunk.
- Like a dull cipher, or rude block I lay,
- Or shade, or body was I, who can say?
- What will my age do, age I cannot shun,
- Seeing[383] in my prime my force is spent and done?
- I blush, that being youthful, hot, and lusty,
- I prove neither youth nor man, but old and rusty. 20
- Pure rose she, like a nun to sacrifice,
- Or one that with her tender brother lies.
- Yet boarded I the golden Chie[384] twice,
- And Libas, and the white-cheeked Pitho thrice.
- Corinna craved it in a summer's night,
- And nine sweet bouts had we[385] before daylight.
- What, waste my limbs through some Thessalian charms?
- May spells and drugs do silly souls such harms?
- With virgin wax hath some imbast[386] my joints?
- And pierced my liver with sharp needle-points?[387] 30
- Charms change corn to grass and make it die:
- By charms are running springs and fountains dry.
- By charms mast drops from oaks, from vines grapes fall,
- And fruit from trees when there's no wind at all.
- Why might not then my sinews be enchanted?
- And I grow faint as with some spirit haunted?
- To this, add shame: shame to perform it quailed me,
- And was the second cause why vigour failed me.
- My idle thoughts delighted her no more,
- Than did the robe or garment which she wore. 40
- Yet might her touch make youthful Pylius fire,
- And Tithon livelier than his years require.
- Even her I had, and she had me in vain,
- What might I crave more, if I ask again?
- I think the great gods grieved they had bestowed,
- This[388] benefit: which lewdly[389] I foreslowed.[390]
- I wished to be received in, in[391] I get me.
- To kiss, I kiss;[392] to lie with her, she let me.
- Why was I blest? why made king to refuse[393] it?
- Chuff-like had I not gold and could not use it? 50
- So in a spring thrives he that told so much,[394]
- And looks upon the fruits he cannot touch.
- Hath any rose so from a fresh young maid,
- As she might straight have gone to church and prayed?
- Well, I believe, she kissed not as she should,
- Nor used the sleight and[395] cunning which she could.
- Huge oaks, hard adamants might she have moved,
- And with sweet words caus[ed] deaf rocks to have loved.
- Worthy she was to move both gods and men,
- But neither was I man nor livèd then. 60
- Can deaf ears[396] take delight when Phæmius sings?
- Or Thamyris in curious painted things?
- What sweet thought is there but I had the same?
- And one gave place still as another came.
- Yet notwithstanding, like one dead it lay,
- Drooping more than a rose pulled yesterday.
- Now, when he should not jet, he bolts upright,
- And craves his task, and seeks to be at fight.
- Lie down with shame, and see thou stir no more.
- Seeing thou[397] would'st deceive me as before. 70
- Thou cozenest me: by thee surprised am I,
- And bide sore loss[398] with endless infamy.
- Nay more, the wench did not disdain a whit
- To take it in her hand, and play with it.
- But when she saw it would by no means stand,
- But still drooped down, regarding not her hand,
- "Why mock'st thou me," she cried, "or being ill,
- Who bade thee lie down here against thy will?
- Either thou art witched with blood of frogs[399] new dead,
- Or jaded cam'st thou from some other's bed." 80
- With that, her loose gown on, from me she cast her;
- In skipping out her naked feet much graced her.
- And lest her maid should know of this disgrace,
- To cover it, spilt water in the place.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [381] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A:--
- "That were as white as is the Scithian snow."
- [382] "Dominumque vocavit."
- [383] So Isham copy and ed. A.--Eds. B, C "When."
- [384] "Flava Chlide."
- [385] So Isham copy and ed. A.--Eds. B, C "we had."
- [386] The verb "embase" or "imbase" is frequently found in the sense of
- "abase." Here the meaning seems to be "weakened, enfeebled." (Ovid's
- words are "Sagave poenicea defixit nomina cera.")
- [387] So Isham copy and ed. A ("needle points").--Eds. B, C "needles'
- points."
- [388] So Isham copy and ed. A.--Eds. B, C "The."
- [389] "Turpiter."
- [390] Neglected.
- [391] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy "received in, _and_ in I _got_ me."
- [392] So old eds.--Dyce reads "kiss'd."
- [393] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "and refusde it."
- [394] "Sic aret mediis taciti vulgator in undis."
- [395] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "nor."
- [396] Isham copy "yeares;" ed. A "yeres;" eds. B, C "eare."
- [397] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "Seeing now thou."
- [398] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "great hurt."
- [399] The original has "Aut te trajectis Aeaea venefica _lanis_," &c.
- (As Dyce remarks, Marlowe read "ranis.")
- ELEGIA VIII.[400]
- Quod ad amica non recipiatur, dolet.
- What man will now take liberal arts in hand,
- Or think soft verse in any stead to stand?
- Wit was sometimes more precious than gold;
- Now poverty great barbarism we hold.
- When our books did my mistress fair content,
- I might not go whither my papers went.
- She praised me, yet the gate shut fast upon her,
- I here and there go, witty with dishonour.
- See a rich chuff, whose wounds great wealth inferred,
- For bloodshed knighted, before me preferred. 10
- Fool, can'st thou him in thy white arms embrace?
- Fool, can'st thou lie in his enfolding space?
- Know'st not this head[401] a helm was wont to bear?
- This side that serves thee, a sharp sword did wear.
- His left hand, whereon gold doth ill alight,
- A target bore: blood-sprinkled was his right.
- Can'st touch that hand wherewith some one lies dead?
- Ah, whither is thy breast's soft nature fled?
- Behold the signs of ancient fight, his scars!
- Whate'er he hath, his body gained in wars. 20
- Perhaps he'll tell how oft he slew a man,
- Confessing this, why dost thou touch him than?[402]
- I, the pure priest of Phoebus and the Muses,
- At thy deaf doors in verse sing my abuses.
- Not what we slothful know,[403] let wise men learn,
- But follow trembling camps and battles stern.
- And for a good verse draw the first dart forth:[404]
- Homer without this shall be nothing worth.
- Jove, being admonished gold had sovereign power,
- To win the maid came in a golden shower. 30
- Till then, rough was her father, she severe,
- The posts of brass, the walls of iron were.
- But when in gifts the wise adulterer came,
- She held her lap ope to receive the same.
- Yet when old Saturn heaven's rule possest,
- All gain in darkness the deep earth supprest.
- Gold, silver, iron's heavy weight, and brass,
- In hell were harboured; here was found no mass.
- But better things it gave, corn without ploughs,
- Apples, and honey in oaks' hollow boughs. 40
- With strong ploughshares no man the earth did cleave,
- The ditcher no marks on the ground did leave.
- Nor hanging oars the troubled seas did sweep,
- Men kept the shore and sailed not into deep.
- Against thyself, man's nature, thou wert cunning,
- And to thine own loss was thy wit swift running.
- Why gird'st thy cities with a towerèd wall,
- Why let'st discordant hands to armour fall?
- What dost with seas? with th' earth thou wert content;
- Why seek'st not heaven, the third realm, to frequent? 50
- Heaven thou affects: with Romulus, temples brave,
- Bacchus, Alcides, and now Cæsar have.
- Gold from the earth instead of fruits we pluck;
- Soldiers by blood to be enriched have luck.
- Courts shut the poor out; wealth gives estimation.
- Thence grows the judge, and knight of reputation.
- All,[405] they possess: they govern fields and laws,
- They manage peace and raw war's bloody jaws.
- Only our loves let not such rich churls gain:
- 'Tis well if some wench for the poor remain. 60
- Now, Sabine-like, though chaste she seems to live,
- One her[406] commands, who many things can give.
- For me, she doth keeper[407] and husband fear,
- If I should give, both would the house forbear.
- If of scorned lovers god be venger just,
- O let him change goods so ill-got to dust.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [400] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [401] So ed. B.--Ed. C "his." ("Caput _hoc_ galeam portare solebat.")
- [402] Then.
- [403] Old eds. knew.
- [404] Marlowe has quite mistaken the meaning of the original "Proque
- bono versu primum deducite pilum."
- [405] A very loose rendering of Ovid's couplet--
- "Omnia possideant; illis Campusque Forumque
- Serviat; hi pacem crudaque bella gerant."
- [406] So Dyce for "she" of the old eds. ("Imperat ut captae qui dare
- multa potest.")
- [407] The original has "Me prohibet custos: in me timet illa maritum."
- ELEGIA IX.[408]
- Tibulli mortem deflet.
- If Thetis and the Morn their sons did wail,
- And envious Fates great goddesses assail;
- Sad Elegy,[409] thy woful hairs unbind:
- Ah, now a name too true thou hast I find.
- Tibullus, thy work's poet, and thy fame,
- Burns his dead body in the funeral flame.
- Lo, Cupid brings his quiver spoilèd quite,
- His broken bow, his firebrand without light!
- How piteously with drooping wings he stands,
- And knocks his bare breast with self-angry hands. 10
- The locks spread on his neck receive his tears,
- And shaking sobs his mouth for speeches bears.
- So[410] at Æneas' burial, men report,
- Fair-faced Ilus, he went forth thy court.
- And Venus grieves, Tibullus' life being spent,
- As when the wild boar Adon's groin had rent.
- The gods' care we are called, and men of piety,
- And some there be that think we have a deity.
- Outrageous death profanes all holy things,
- And on all creatures obscure darkness brings. 20
- To Thracian Orpheus what did parents good?
- Or songs amazing wild beasts of the wood?
- Where[411] Linus by his father Phoebus laid,
- To sing with his unequalled harp is said.
- See Homer from whose fountain ever filled
- Pierian dew to poets is distilled:
- Him the last day in black Avern hath drowned:
- Verses alone are with continuance crowned.
- The work of poets lasts: Troy's labour's fame,
- And that slow web night's falsehood did unframe. 30
- So Nemesis, so Delia famous are,
- The one his first love, th' other his new care.
- What profit to us hath our pure life bred?
- What to have lain alone in empty bed?
- When bad Fates take good men, I am forbod
- By secret thoughts to think there is a God.
- Live godly, thou shalt die; though honour heaven,
- Yet shall thy life be forcibly bereaven.
- Trust in good verse, Tibullus feels death's pains,
- Scarce rests of all what a small urn contains. 40
- Thee, sacred poet, could sad flames destroy?
- Nor fearèd they thy body to annoy?
- The holy gods' gilt temples they might fire,
- That durst to so great wickedness aspire.
- Eryx' bright empress turned her looks aside,
- And some, that she refrained tears, have denied.
- Yet better is't, than if Corcyra's Isle,
- Had thee unknown interred in ground most vile.
- Thy dying eyes here did thy mother close,
- Nor did thy ashes her last offerings lose. 50
- Part of her sorrow here thy sister bearing,
- Comes forth, her unkembed[412] locks asunder tearing.
- Nemesis and thy first wench join their kisses
- With thine, nor this last fire their presence misses.
- Delia departing, "Happier loved," she saith,
- "Was I: thou liv'dst, while thou esteem'dst my faith."
- Nemesis answers, "What's my loss to thee?
- His fainting hand in death engraspèd me."
- If aught remains of us but name and spirit,
- Tibullus doth Elysium's joy inherit. 60
- Their youthful brows with ivy girt to meet him,
- With Calvus learned Catullus comes, and greet him;
- And thou, if falsely charged to wrong thy friend,
- Callus, that car'dst[413] not blood and life to spend,
- With these thy soul walks: souls if death release,
- The godly[414] sweet Tibullus doth increase.
- Thy bones, I pray, may in the urn safe rest,
- And may th' earth's weight thy ashes naught molest.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [408] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [409] Ed. B "Eeliga"--Ed. C "Elegia."
- [410]
- "Fratris in Aeneae sic illum funere dicunt
- Egressum tectis, pulcher Iule, tuis."
- [411] The original has--
- "Aelinon in silvis idem pater, aelinon, altis
- Dicitur invita concinuisse lyra."
- In Marlowe's copy the couplet must have been very different.
- [412] Old eds. "vnkeembe" and "unkeemb'd."
- [413] Old eds. "carst."
- [414] "Auxisti numeros, culte Tibulle, pios."
- ELEGIA X.[415]
- Ad Cererem, conquerens quod ejus sacris cum amica concumbere non
- permittatur.
- Come were the times of Ceres' sacrifice;
- In empty bed alone my mistress lies.
- Golden-haired Ceres crowned with ears of corn,
- Why are our pleasures by thy means forborne?
- Thee, goddess, bountiful all nations judge,
- Nor less at man's prosperity any grudge.
- Rude husbandmen baked not their corn before,
- Nor on the earth was known the name of floor.[416]
- On mast of oaks, first oracles, men fed;
- This was their meat, the soft grass was their bed. 10
- First Ceres taught the seed in fields to swell,
- And ripe-eared corn with sharp-edged scythes to fell.
- She first constrained bulls' necks to bear the yoke,
- And untilled ground with crooked ploughshares broke.
- Who thinks her to be glad at lovers' smart,
- And worshipped by their pain and lying apart?
- Nor is she, though she loves the fertile fields,
- A clown, nor no love from her warm breast yields:
- Be witness Crete (nor Crete doth all things feign)
- Crete proud that Jove her nursery maintain. 20
- There, he who rules the world's star-spangled towers,
- A little boy drunk teat-distilling showers.
- Faith to the witness Jove's praise doth apply;
- Ceres, I think, no known fault will deny.
- The goddess saw Iasion on Candian Ide,
- With strong hand striking wild beasts' bristled hide.
- She saw, and as her marrow took the flame,
- Was divers ways distract with love and shame.
- Love conquered shame, the furrows dry were burned,
- And corn with least part of itself returned. 30
- When well-tossed mattocks did the ground prepare,
- Being fit-broken with the crooked share,
- And seeds were equally in large fields cast,
- The ploughman's hopes were frustrate at the last.
- The grain-rich goddess in high woods did stray,
- Her long hair's ear-wrought garland fell away.
- Only was Crete fruitful that plenteous year;
- Where Ceres went, each place was harvest there.
- Ida, the seat of groves, did sing[417] with corn,
- Which by the wild boar in the woods was shorn. 40
- Law-giving Minos did such years desire,
- And wished the goddess long might feel love's fire.
- Ceres, what sports[418] to thee so grievous were,
- As in thy sacrifice we them forbear?
- Why am I sad, when Proserpine is found,
- And Juno-like with Dis reigns under ground?
- Festival days ask Venus, songs, and wine,
- These gifts are meet to please the powers divine.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [415] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [416] Threshing-floor ("area").
- [417] Marlowe has made the school-boy's mistake of confusing "caneo" and
- "cano."
- [418] The original has
- "Quod tibi secubitus tristes, dea flava, fuissent,
- Hoc cogor sacris nunc ego ferre tuis."
- Marlowe appears to have read "Qui tibi concubitus," &c.
- ELEGIA XI.[419]
- Ad amicam a cujus amore discedere non potest.
- Long have I borne much, mad thy faults me make;
- Dishonest love, my wearied breast forsake!
- Now have I freed myself, and fled the chain,
- And what I have borne, shame to bear again.
- We vanquish, and tread tamed love under feet,
- Victorious wreaths[420] at length my temples greet.
- Suffer, and harden: good grows by this grief,
- Oft bitter juice brings to the sick relief.
- I have sustained, so oft thrust from the door,
- To lay my body on the hard moist floor. 10
- I know not whom thou lewdly didst embrace,
- When I to watch supplied a servant's place.
- I saw when forth a tirèd lover went.
- His side past service, and his courage spent,
- Yet this is less than if he had seen me;
- May that shame fall mine enemies' chance to be.
- When have not I, fixed to thy side, close laid?
- I have thy husband, guard, and fellow played.
- The people by my company she pleased;
- My love was cause that more men's love she seized. 20
- What, should I tell her vain tongue's filthy lies,
- And, to my loss, god-wronging perjuries?
- What secret becks in banquets with her youths,
- With privy signs, and talk dissembling truths?
- Hearing her to be sick, I thither ran,
- But with my rival sick she was not than.
- These hardened me, with what I keep obscure:[421]
- Some other seek, who will these things endure.
- Now my ship in the wishèd haven crowned,
- With joy hears Neptune's swelling waters sound. 30
- Leave thy once-powerful words, and flatteries,
- I am not as I was before, unwise.
- Now love and hate my light breast each way move,
- But victory, I think, will hap to love.
- I'll hate, if I can; if not, love 'gainst my will,
- Bulls hate the yoke, yet what they hate have still.
- I fly her lust, but follow beauty's creature,
- I loathe her manners, love her body's feature.
- Nor with thee, nor without thee can I live,
- And doubt to which desire the palm to give. 40
- Or less fair, or less lewd would thou might'st be:
- Beauty with lewdness doth right ill agree.
- Her deeds gain hate, her face entreateth love;
- Ah, she doth more worth than her vices prove!
- Spare me, oh, by our fellow bed, by all
- The gods, who by thee, to be perjured fall.[422]
- And by thy face to me a power divine,
- And by thine eyes, whose radiance burns out mine!
- Whate'er thou art, mine art thou: choose this course,
- Wilt have me willing, or to love by force. 50
- Rather I'll hoist up sail, and use the wind,
- That I may love yet, though against my mind.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [419] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [420] The original has "Venerunt capiti cornua sera meo."
- [421] "Et que taceo."
- [422] "Qui dant fallendos se tibi saepe, deos."
- ELEGIA XII.[423]
- Dolet amicam suam ita suis carminibus innotuisse ut rivales multos sibi
- pararit.
- What day was that, which all sad haps to bring,
- White birds to lovers did not[424] always sing?
- Or is I think my wish against the stars?
- Or shall I plain some god against me wars?
- Who mine was called, whom I loved more than any,
- I fear with me is common now to many.
- Err I? or by my books[425] is she so known?
- 'Tis so: by my wit her abuse is grown.
- And justly: for her praise why did I tell?
- The wench by my fault is set forth to sell. 10
- The bawd I play, lovers to her I guide:
- Her gate by my hands is set open wide.
- 'Tis doubtful whether verse avail or harm,
- Against my good they were an envious charm.
- When Thebes, when Troy, when Cæsar should be writ,
- Alone Corinna moves my wanton wit.
- With Muse opposed, would I my lines had done,
- And Phoebus had forsook my work begun!
- Nor, as use will not poets' record hear,
- Would I my words would any credit bear. 20
- Scylla by us her father's rich hair steals,
- And Scylla's womb mad raging dogs conceals.
- We cause feet fly, we mingle hares with snakes,
- Victorious Perseus a winged steed's back takes.
- Our verse great Tityus a huge space outspreads,
- And gives the viper-curlèd dog three heads.
- We make Enceladus use a thousand arms,
- And men enthralled by mermaid's[426] singing charms.
- The east winds in Ulysses' bags we shut,
- And blabbing Tantalus in mid-waters put. 30
- Niobe flint, Callist we make a bear,
- Bird-changèd Progne doth her Itys tear.[427]
- Jove turns himself into a swan, or gold,
- Or his bull's horns Europa's hand doth hold.
- Proteus what should I name? teeth, Thebes' first seed?
- Oxen in whose mouths burning flames did breed?
- Heaven-star, Electra,[428] that bewailed her sisters?
- The ships, whose godhead in the sea now glisters?
- The sun turned back from Atreus' cursed table? 39
- And sweet-touched harp that to move stones was able?
- Poets' large power is boundless and immense,
- Nor have their words true history's pretence.
- And my wench ought to have seemed falsely praised,
- Now your credulity harm to me hath raised.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [423] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [424] Marlowe has put his negative in the wrong place and made nonsense
- of the couplet:--
- "Quis fuit ille dies quo tristia semper amanti
- Omina non albae concinuistis aves?"
- [425] Old eds. "lookes."
- [426] "Ambiguae captos virginis ore viros." ("Ambigua virgo" is the
- sphinx.)
- [427] The original has "_Concinit_ Odrysium Cecropis ales Ityn."
- [428] Marlowe's copy must have been very corrupt here. The true reading
- is
- "Flere genis electra tuas, auriga, sorores?"
- ELEGIA XIII.[429]
- De Junonis festo.
- When fruit-filled Tuscia should a wife give me,
- We touched the walls, Camillus, won by thee.
- The priests to Juno did prepare chaste feasts,
- With famous pageants, and their home-bred beasts.
- To know their rites well recompensed my stay,
- Though thither leads a rough steep hilly way.
- There stands an old wood with thick trees dark clouded:
- Who sees it grants some deity there is shrouded.
- An altar takes men's incense and oblation,
- An altar made after the ancient fashion. 10
- Here, when the pipe with solemn tunes doth sound,
- The annual pomp goes on the covered[430] ground.
- White heifers by glad people forth are led,
- Which with the grass of Tuscan fields are fed,
- And calves from whose feared front no threatening flies,
- And little pigs, base hogsties' sacrifice,
- And rams with horns their hard heads wreathèd back;
- Only the goddess-hated goat did lack,
- By whom disclosed, she in the high woods took,
- Is said to have attempted flight forsook. 20
- Now[431] is the goat brought through the boys with darts,
- And give[n] to him that the first wound imparts.
- Where Juno comes, each youth and pretty maid,
- Show[432] large ways, with their garments there displayed.
- Jewels and gold their virgin tresses crown,
- And stately robes to their gilt feet hang down.
- As is the use, the nuns in white veils clad,
- Upon their heads the holy mysteries had.
- When the chief pomp comes, loud[433] the people hollow;
- And she her vestal virgin priests doth follow. 30
- Such was the Greek pomp, Agamemnon dead;
- Which fact[434] and country wealth, Halesus fled.
- And having wandered now through sea and land,
- Built walls high towered with a prosperous hand.
- He to th' Hetrurians Juno's feast commended:
- Let me and them by it be aye befriended.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [429] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [430] "It per velatas annua pompa vias."
- [431]
- "Nunc quoque per pueros jaculis incessitur index
- Et pretium auctori vulneris ipsa datur."
- [432] "Praeverrunt latas veste jacente vias."--Dyce remarks that Marlowe
- read "Praebuerant."
- [433] "Ore favent populi." (In Henry's monumental edition of Virgil's
- Æneid, vol. iii. pp. 25-27, there is a very interesting note on the
- meaning of the formula "ore favete." He denies the correctness of the
- ordinary interpretation "be silent.")
- [434] "Et _scelus_ et patrias fugit Halæsus opes."
- ELEGIA XIV.
- Ad amicam, si peccatura est, ut occulte peccet.
- Seeing thou art fair, I bar not thy false playing,
- But let not me, poor soul, know[435] of thy straying.
- Nor do I give thee counsel to live chaste,
- But that thou would'st dissemble, when 'tis past.
- She hath not trod awry, that doth deny it.
- Such as confess have lost their good names by it.
- What madness is't to tell night-pranks[436] by day?
- And[437] hidden secrets openly to bewray?
- The strumpet with the stranger will not do,
- Before the room be clear and door put-to. 10
- Will you make shipwreck of your honest name,
- And let the world be witness of the same?
- Be more advised, walk as a puritan,
- And I shall think you chaste, do what you can.
- Slip still, only deny it when 'tis done,
- And, before folk,[438] immodest speeches shun.
- The bed is for lascivious toyings meet,
- There use all tricks,[439] and tread shame under feet.
- When you are up and dressed, be sage and grave,
- And in the bed hide all the faults you have. 20
- Be not ashamed to strip you, being there,
- And mingle thighs, yours ever mine to bear.[440]
- There in your rosy lips my tongue entomb,
- Practise a thousand sports when there you come.
- Forbear no wanton words you there would speak,
- And with your pastime let the bedstead creak;
- But with your robes put on an honest face,
- And blush, and seem as you were full of grace.
- Deceive all; let me err; and think I'm right,
- And like a wittol think thee void of slight. 30
- Why see I lines so oft received and given?
- This bed and that by tumbling made uneven?
- Like one start up your hair tost and displaced,
- And with a wanton's tooth your neck new-rased.
- Grant this, that what you do I may not see;
- If you weigh not ill speeches, yet weigh me.
- My soul fleets[441] when I think what you have done,
- And thorough[442] every vein doth cold blood run.
- Then thee whom I must love, I hate in vain,
- And would be dead, but dead[443] with thee remain. 40
- I'll not sift much, but hold thee soon excused.
- Say but thou wert injuriously accused.
- Though while the deed be doing you be took,
- And I see when you ope the two-leaved book,[444]
- Swear I was blind; deny[445] if you be wise,
- And I will trust your words more than mine eyes.
- From him that yields, the palm[446] is quickly got,
- Teach but your tongue to say, "I did it not,"
- And being justified by two words, think
- The cause acquits you not, but I[447] that wink. 50
- FOOTNOTES:
- [435] So Isham copy and eds. B, C.--Ed. A "wit."
- [436] So Isham copy.--Ed. A "night-sports."
- [437] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "Or."
- [438] So Isham copy.--Ed. A "people."
- [439] So Isham copy.--Ed. A "toyes."
- [440] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "mine ever yours."
- [441] "Mens abit."
- [442] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "through."
- [443] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "dying."
- [444] The original has
- "Et fuerint oculis probra videnda meis."
- [445] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "yeeld not."
- [446] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "garland."
- [447] So Isham copy and eds. A, B.--Ed. C "that I."
- ELEGIA XV.[448]
- Ad Venerem, quod elegis finem imponat.
- Tender Loves' mother[449] a new poet get,
- This last end to my Elegies is set.[450]
- Which I, Peligny's foster-child, have framed,
- Nor am I by such wanton toys defamed.
- Heir of an ancient house, if help that can,
- Not only by war's rage[451] made gentleman.
- In Virgil Mantua joys: in Catull Verone;
- Of me Peligny's nation boasts alone;
- Whom liberty to honest arms compelled,
- When careful Rome in doubt their prowess held.[452] 10
- And some guest viewing watery Sulmo's walls,
- Where little ground to be enclosed befalls,
- "How such a poet could you bring forth?" says:
- "How small soe'er, I'll you for greatest praise."
- Both loves, to whom my heart long time did yield,[453]
- Your golden ensigns pluck[454] out of my field.
- Horned Bacchus graver fury doth distil,
- A greater ground with great horse is to till.
- Weak Elegies, delightful Muse, farewell;
- A work that, after my death, here shall dwell. 20
- FOOTNOTES:
- [448] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [449] "Tenerorum mater amorum."
- [450] "Marlowe's copy of Ovid had 'Traditur haec elegis ultima charta
- meis.'"--Dyce. (The true reading is "Raditur hic ... meta meis.")
- [451] "Non modo militiae turbine factus eques."
- [452] "Cum timuit socias anxia turba manus."
- [453] "Marlowe's copy of Ovid had 'Culte puer, puerique parens _mihi
- tempore longo_.' (instead of what we now read 'Amathusia
- culti.')"--Dyce.
- [454] Old eds. "pluckt."
- EPIGRAMS BY J[OHN] D[AVIES].
- EPIGRAMS BY J[OHN] D[AVIES].[455]
- AD MUSAM. I.
- Fly, merry Muse, unto that merry town,
- Where thou mayst plays, revels, and triumphs see;
- The house of fame, and theatre of renown,
- Where all good wits and spirits love to be.
- Fall in between their hands that praise and love thee,[456]
- And be to them a laughter and a jest:
- But as for them which scorning shall reprove[457] thee,
- Disdain their wits, and think thine own the best.
- But if thou find any so gross and dull,
- That thinks I do to private taxing[458] lean, 10
- Bid him go hang, for he is but a gull,
- And knows not what an epigram doth[459] mean,
- Which taxeth,[460] under a particular name,
- A general vice which merits public blame.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [455] Dyce has carefully recorded the readings of a MS. copy (_Harl.
- MS._ 1836) of the present epigrams. As in most cases the variations are
- unimportant, I have not thought it necessary to reproduce Dyce's
- elaborate collation. Where the MS. readings are distinctly preferable I
- have adopted them; but in such cases I have been careful to record the
- readings of the printed copies.
- [456] So Dyce.--Old eds. "loue and praise thee;" MS. "Seeme to love
- thee."
- [457] So Isham copy and MS. Ed. A "approve."
- [458] Censuring. Dyce compares the Induction to the _Knight of the
- Burning Pestle_:--
- "Fly far from hence
- All _private taxes_."
- [459] So MS.--Old eds. "does."
- [460] MS. "Which carrieth under a peculiar name."
- OF A GULL. II.
- Oft in my laughing rhymes I name a gull;
- But this new term will many questions breed;
- Therefore at first I will express at full,
- Who is a true and perfect gull indeed.
- A gull is he who fears a velvet gown,
- And, when a wench is brave, dares not speak to her;
- A gull is he which traverseth the town,
- And is for marriage known a common wooer;
- A gull is he which, while he proudly wears
- A silver-hilted rapier by his side, 10
- Endures the lie[461] and knocks about the ears,
- Whilst in his sheath his sleeping sword doth bide;
- A gull is he which wears good handsome clothes,
- And stands in presence stroking up his hair,
- And fills up his unperfect speech with oaths,
- But speaks not one wise word throughout the year:
- But, to define a gull in terms precise,--
- A gull is he which seems and is not wise.[462]
- FOOTNOTES:
- [461] So MS.--Old eds. "lies."
- [462] "To this epigram there is an evident allusion in the following one
- 'TO CANDIDUS.
- Friend Candidus, thou often doost demaund
- What humours men by gulling understand.
- Our English Martiall hath full pleasantly
- In his close nips describde a gull to thee:
- I'le follow him, and set downe my conceit
- What a gull is--oh, word of much receit!
- He is a gull whose indiscretion
- Cracks his purse-strings to be in fashion;
- He is a gull who is long in taking roote
- In barraine soyle where can be but small fruite;
- He is a gull who runnes himselfe in debt
- For twelue dayes' wonder, hoping so to get;
- He is a gull whose conscience is a block,
- Not to take interest, but wastes his stock;
- He is a gull who cannot haue a whore,
- But brags how much he spends upon her score;
- He is a gull that for commoditie
- Payes tenne times ten, and sells the same for three;
- He is a gull who, passing finicall,
- Peiseth each word to be rhetoricall;
- And, to conclude, who selfe-conceitedly
- Thinks al men guls, ther's none more gull then he.'
- Guilpin's _Skialetheia, &c._ 1598, _Epig._ 20."
- --_Dyce._
- IN REFUM. III.
- Rufus the courtier, at the theatre,
- Leaving the best and most conspicuous place,
- Doth either to the stage[463] himself transfer,
- Or through a grate[464] doth show his double face,
- For that the clamorous fry of Inns of Court
- Fill up the private rooms of greater price,
- And such a place where all may have resort
- He in his singularity doth despise.
- Yet doth not his particular humour shun
- The common stews and brothels of the town, 10
- Though all the world in troops do thither run,
- Clean and unclean, the gentle and the clown:
- Then why should Rufus in his pride abhor
- A common seat, that loves a common whore?
- FOOTNOTES:
- [463] It was a common practice for gallants to sit upon hired stools in
- the stage, especially at the private theatres. From the _Induction_ to
- Marston's _Malcontent_ it appears that the custom was not tolerated at
- some of the public theatres. The ordinary charge for the use of a stool
- was sixpence.
- [464] Malone was no doubt right in supposing that there is here an
- allusion to the "private boxes" placed at each side of the balcony at
- the back of the stage. They must have been very dark and uncomfortable.
- In the _Gull's Horn-Book_ Dekker says that "much new Satin was there
- dampned by being smothered to death in darkness."
- IN QUINTUM. IV.
- Quintus the dancer useth evermore
- His feet in measure and in rule to move:
- Yet on a time he call'd his mistress _whore_,
- And thought with that sweet word to win her love.
- O, had his tongue like to his feet been taught,
- It never would have utter'd such a thought!
- IN PLURIMOS. V.[465]
- Faustinus, Sextus, Cinna, Ponticus,
- With Gella, Lesbia, Thais, Rhodope,
- Rode all to Staines,[466] for no cause serious,
- But for their mirth and for their lechery.
- Scarce were they settled in their lodging, when
- Wenches with wenches, men with men fell out,
- Men with their wenches, wenches with their men;
- Which straight dissolves[467] this ill-assembled rout.
- But since the devil brought them thus together,
- To my discoursing thoughts it is a wonder, 10
- Why presently as soon as they came thither,
- The self-same devil did them part asunder.
- Doubtless, it seems, it was a foolish devil,
- That thus did part them ere they did some evil.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [465] MS. "In meritriculas Londinensis."
- [466] MS. "Ware."
- [467] MS. "dissolv'd"
- IN TITUM. VI.
- Titus, the brave and valorous young gallant,
- Three years together in his town hath been;
- Yet my Lord Chancellor's[468] tomb he hath not seen,
- Nor the new water-work,[469] nor the elephant.
- I cannot tell the cause without a smile,--
- He hath been in the Counter all this while.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [468] Sir Christopher Hatton's tomb. See Dugdale's _History of St.
- Paul's Cathedral_, ed. 1658, p. 83.
- [469] "The new water-work was at London Bridge. The elephant was an
- object of great wonder and long remembered. A curious illustration of
- this is found in the _Metamorphosis of the Walnut Tree of Borestall_,
- written about 1645, when the poet [William Basse] brings trees of all
- descriptions to the funeral, particularly a gigantic oak--
- "The youth of these our times that did behold
- This motion strange of this unwieldy plant
- Now boldly brag with us that are men old,
- That of our age they no advantage want,
- Though in our youth we saw an elephant."
- --_Cunningham_.
- IN FAUSTUM. VII.
- Faustus, nor lord nor knight, nor wise nor old,
- To every place about the town doth ride;
- He rides into the fields[470] plays to behold,
- He rides to take boat at the water-side,
- He rides to Paul's, he rides to th' ordinary,
- He rides unto the house of bawdry too,--
- Thither his horse so often doth him carry,
- That shortly he will quite forget to go.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [470] See the admirable account of "The Theatre and Curtain" in Mr.
- Halliwell-Phillipps' _Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare_, ed. 3, pp.
- 385-433. It is there shown that the access to the _Theatre_ play-house
- was through Finsbury Fields to the west of the western boundary-wall of
- the grounds of the dissolved Holywell Priory.
- IN KATAM.[471] VIII.
- Kate, being pleas'd, wish'd that her pleasure could
- Endure as long as a buff-jerkin would.
- Content thee, Kate; although thy pleasure wasteth,
- Thy pleasure's place like a buff-jerkin lasteth,
- For no buff-jerkin hath been oftener worn,
- Nor hath more scrapings or more dressings borne.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [471] Not in MS.
- IN LIBRUM. IX.
- Liber doth vaunt how chastely he hath liv'd
- Since he hath been in town, seven years[472] and more,
- For that he swears he hath four only swiv'd,
- A maid, a wife, a widow, and a whore:
- Then, Liber, thou hast swiv'd all womenkind,
- For a fifth sort, I know, thou canst not find.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [472] MS. "knowen this towne 7 yeares."
- IN MEDONTEM. X.
- Great Captain Medon wears a chain of gold
- Which at five hundred crowns is valuèd,
- For that it was his grandsire's chain of old,
- When great King Henry Boulogne conquerèd.
- And wear it, Medon, for it may ensue,
- That thou, by virtue of this massy chain,
- A stronger town than Boulogne mayst subdue,
- If wise men's saws be not reputed vain;
- For what said Philip, king of Macedon?
- "There is no castle so well fortified, 10
- But if an ass laden with gold comes on,
- The guard will stoop, and gates fly open wide."
- IN GELAM. XI.
- Gella, if thou dost love thyself, take heed
- Lest thou my rhymes unto thy lover read;
- For straight thou grinn'st, and then thy lover seeth
- Thy canker-eaten gums and rotten teeth.
- IN QUINTUM.[473] XII.
- Quintus his wit, infus'd into his brain,
- Mislikes the place, and fled into his feet;
- And there it wanders up and down the street,[474]
- Dabbled in the dirt, and soakèd in the rain.
- Doubtless his wit intends not to aspire,
- Which leaves his head, to travel in the mire.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [473] Not in MS.
- [474] Old eds. "streets."
- IN SEVERUM. XIII.
- The puritan Severus oft doth read
- This text, that doth pronounce vain speech a sin,--
- "That thing defiles a man, that doth proceed
- From out the mouth, not that which enters in."
- Hence is it that we seldom hear him swear;
- And therefore like a Pharisee, he vaunts:
- But he devours more capons in a year
- Than would suffice a hundred protestants.
- And, sooth, those sectaries are gluttons all,
- As well the thread-bare cobbler as the knight; 10
- For those poor slaves which have not wherewithal,
- Feed on the rich, till they devour them quite;
- And so, like Pharaoh's kine, they eat up clean
- Those that be fat, yet still themselves be lean.
- IN LEUCAM. XIV.[475]
- Leuca in presence once a fart did let:
- Some laugh'd a little; she forsook the place;
- And, mad with shame, did eke her glove forget,
- Which she return'd to fetch with bashful grace;
- And when she would have said "this is[476] my glove,"
- "My fart," quod she; which did more laughter move.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [475] Not in MS.
- [476] So Isham copy.--Other eds. omit the words "this is."
- IN MACRUM. XV.
- Thou canst not speak yet, Macer; for to speak,
- Is to distinguish sounds significant:
- Thou with harsh noise the air dost rudely break;
- But what thou utter'st common sense doth want,--
- Half-English words, with fustian terms among,
- Much like the burden of a northern song.
- IN FAUSTUM. XVI.
- "That youth," said Faustus, "hath a lion seen,
- Who from a dicing-house comes moneyless."
- But when he lost his hair, where had he been?
- I doubt me, he[477] had seen a lioness.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [477] So MS. and eds. B, C. Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- IN COSMUM. XVII.
- Cosmus hath more discoursing in his head
- Than Jove when Pallas issu'd from his brain;
- And still he strives to be deliverèd
- Of all his thoughts at once; but all in vain;
- For, as we see at all the playhouse-doors,
- When ended is the play, the dance, and song,
- A thousand townsmen, gentlemen, and whores,
- Porters, and serving-men, together throng,--
- So thoughts of drinking, thriving, wenching, war,
- And borrowing money, ranging in his mind, 10
- To issue all at once so forward are,
- As none at all can perfect passage find.
- IN FLACCUM. XVIII.
- The false knave Flaccus once a bribe I gave;
- The more fool I to bribe so false a knave:
- But he gave back my bribe; the more fool he,
- That for my folly did not cozen me.
- IN CINEAM. XIX.
- Thou, doggèd Cineas, hated like a dog,
- For still thou grumblest like a masty[478] dog,
- Compar'st thyself to nothing but a dog;
- Thou say'st thou art as weary as a dog,
- As angry, sick, and hungry as a dog,
- As dull and melancholy as a dog,
- As lazy, sleepy, idle[479] as a dog.
- But why dost thou compare thee to a dog
- In that for which all men despise a dog?
- I will compare thee better to a dog; 10
- Thou art as fair and comely as a dog,
- Thou art as true and honest as a dog,
- Thou art as kind and liberal as a dog,
- Thou art as wise and valiant as a dog.
- But, Cineas, I have often[480] heard thee tell,
- Thou art as like thy father as may be:
- 'Tis like enough; and, faith, I like it well;
- But I am glad thou art not like to me.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [478] Mastiff.
- [479] So Isham copy and MS.--Eds. A, B, C "and as idle."
- [480] So MS.--Isham copy and ed. A "oft."
- IN GERONTEM.[481] XX.
- Geron, whose[482] mouldy memory corrects
- Old Holinshed our famous chronicler
- With moral rules, and policy collects
- Out of all actions done these fourscore year;
- Accounts the time of every odd[483] event,
- Not from Christ's birth, nor from the prince's reign,
- But from some other famous accident,
- Which in men's general notice doth remain,--
- The siege of Boulogne,[484] and the plaguy sweat,[485]
- The going to Saint Quintin's[486] and New-Haven,[487] 10
- The rising[488] in the north, the frost so great,
- That cart-wheel prints on Thamis' face were graven,[489]
- The fall of money,[490] and burning of Paul's steeple,[491]
- The blazing star,[492] and Spaniards' overthrow:[493]
- By these events, notorious to the people,
- He measures times, and things forepast doth show:
- But most of all, he chiefly reckons by
- A private chance,--the death of his curst[494] wife;
- This is to him the dearest memory,
- And th' happiest accident of all his life. 20
- FOOTNOTES:
- [481] Not in MS.
- [482] So Isham copy.--Omitted in ed. A.
- [483] So Isham copy.--Eds. A, B, C "old."
- [484] Boulogne was captured by Henry VIII. in 1544.
- [485] The reference probably is to the visitation of 1551.
- [486] In 1557 an English corps under the Earl of Pembroke took part in
- the war against France. "The English did not share in the glory of the
- battle, for they were not present; but they arrived two days after to
- take part in the storming of St. Quentin, and to share, to their shame,
- in the sack and spoiling of the town."--Froude, VI. 52.
- [487] Havre.--The expedition was despatched in 1562.
- [488] Led by the Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland in 1569.
- [489] The reference is to the frost of 1564.--"There was one great frost
- in England in our memory, and that was in the 7th year of Queen
- Elizabeth: which began upon the 21st of December and held in so
- extremely that, upon New Year's eve following, people in multitudes went
- upon the Thames from London Bridge to Westminster; some, as you tell me,
- sir, they do now--playing at football, others shooting at pricks."--"The
- Great Frost," 1608 (Arber's "English Garner," Vol. I.)
- [490] "This yeare [1560] in the end of September the copper monies which
- had been coyned under King Henry the Eight and once before abased by
- King Edward the Sixth, were again brought to a lower
- valuacion."--Hayward's _Annals of Queen Elizabeth_, p. 73.
- [491] On the 4th June 1561, the steeple of St. Paul's was struck by
- lightning.
- [492] "On the 10th of October (some say on the 7th) appeared a blazing
- star in the north, bushing towards the east, which was nightly seen
- diminishing of his brightness until the 21st of the same month."--Stow's
- _Annales_, under the year 1580 (ed. 1615, p. 687).
- [493] The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588.
- [494] Vixenish.
- IN MARCUM. XXI.
- When Marcus comes from Mins',[495] he still doth swear,
- By "come[496] on seven," that all is lost and gone:
- But that's not true; for he hath lost his hair,
- Only for that he came too much on[497] one.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [495] Dyce conjectures that this was the name of some person who kept an
- ordinary where gaming was practised. (MS. "for newes.")
- [496] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "a seaven."
- [497] So MS. with some eccentricities of spelling ("to much one
- one").--Old eds. "at."
- IN CYPRIUM. XXII.
- The fine youth Cyprius is more terse and neat
- Than the new garden of the Old Temple is;
- And still the newest fashion he doth get,
- And with the time doth change from that to this;
- He wears a hat now of the flat-crown block,[498]
- The treble ruff,[499] long coat, and doublet French:
- He takes tobacco, and doth wear a lock,[500]
- And wastes more time in dressing than a wench.
- Yet this new-fangled youth, made for these times,
- Doth, above all, praise old George[501] Gascoigne's rhymes.[502] 10
- FOOTNOTES:
- [498] Shape or fashion; properly the wooden mould on which the crown of
- a hat is shaped.
- [499] So MS.--Old eds. "ruffes."
- [500] Love-lock; a lock of hair hanging down the shoulder in the left
- side. It was usually plaited with ribands.
- [501] So MS. and eds. B, C.--Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
- [502] Gascoigne's "rhymes" have been edited in two thick volumes by Mr.
- Carew Hazlitt. He died on 7th October 1577. In Gabriel Harvey's _Letter
- Book_ (recently edited by Mr. Edward Scott for the Camden Society) there
- are some elegies on him.
- IN CINEAM. XXIII.
- When Cineas comes amongst his friends in morning,
- He slyly looks[503] who first his cap doth move:
- Him he salutes, the rest so grimly scorning,
- As if for ever they had lost his love.
- I, knowing how it doth the humour fit
- Of this fond gull to be saluted first,
- Catch at my cap, but move it not a whit:
- Which he perceiving,[504] seems for spite to burst.
- But, Cineas, why expect you more of me
- Than I of you? I am as good a man, 10
- And better too by many a quality,
- For vault, and dance, and fence, and rhyme I can:
- You keep a whore at your own charge, men tell me;
- Indeed, friend Cineas, therein you excel me.[505]
- FOOTNOTES:
- [503] So Isham copy and ed. A.--Eds. B, C "spies."--MS. "notes."
- [504] So the MS.--Isham copy and ed. A "Which perceiving he."--Eds. B, C
- "Which to perceiving he."
- [505] The MS. adds--
- "You keepe a whore att your [own] charge in towne;
- Indeede, frend Ceneas, there you put me downe."
- IN GALLUM. XXIV.
- Gallus hath been this summer-time in Friesland,
- And now, return'd, he speaks such warlike words,
- As, if I could their English understand,
- I fear me they would cut my throat like swords;
- He talks of counter-scarfs,[506] and casamates,[507]
- Of parapets, curtains, and palisadoes;[508]
- Of flankers, ravelins, gabions he prates,
- And of false-brays,[509] and sallies, and scaladoes.[510]
- But, to requite such gulling terms as these,
- With words to my profession I reply; 10
- I tell of fourching, vouchers, and counterpleas,
- Of withernams, essoins, and champarty.
- So, neither of us understanding either,
- We part as wise as when we came together.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [506] Counter-scarps.
- [507] Old eds. "Casomates."
- [508] Old eds. "Of parapets, of curteneys, and pallizadois."--MS. "Of
- parapelets, curtens and passadoes."--Cunningham prints "Of curtains,
- parapets," &c.
- [509] "A term in fortification, exactly from the French _fausse-braie_,
- which means, say the dictionaries, a counter-breast-work, or, in fact, a
- mound thrown up to mask some part of the works.
- 'And made those strange approaches by false-brays,
- Reduits, half-moons, horn-works, and such close ways.'
- _B. Jons. Underwoods._"--Nares.
- [510] Dyce points out that this passage is imitated in Fitzgeoffrey's
- _Notes from Black-Fryers_, Sig. E. 7, ed. 1620.
- IN DECIUM.[511] XXV.
- Audacious painters have Nine Worthies made;
- But poet Decius, more audacious far,
- Making his mistress march with men of war,
- With title of "Tenth Worthy" doth her lade.
- Methinks that gull did use his terms as fit,
- Which term'd his love "a giant for her wit."
- FOOTNOTES:
- [511] In this epigram, as Dyce showed, Davies is glancing at a sonnet of
- Drayton's "To the Celestiall Numbers" in _Idea_. Jonson told Drummond
- that "S. J. Davies played in ane Epigrame on Draton's, who in a sonnet
- concluded his mistress might been the Ninth [sic] Worthy; and said he
- used a phrase like Dametas in Arcadia, who said, For wit his Mistresse
- might be a Gyant."--_Notes of Ben Jonson's Conversations with Drummond_,
- p. 15. (ed. Shakesp. Soc.)
- IN GELLAM. XXVI.
- If Gella's beauty be examinèd,
- She hath a dull dead eye, a saddle nose,
- An ill-shap'd face, with morphew overspread,
- And rotten teeth, which she in laughing shows;
- Briefly, she is the filthiest wench in town,
- Of all that do the art of whoring use:
- But when she hath put on her satin gown,
- Her cut[512] lawn apron, and her velvet shoes,
- Her green silk stockings, and her petticoat
- Of taffeta, with golden fringe around, 10
- And is withal perfum'd with civet hot,
- Which doth her valiant stinking breath confound,--
- Yet she with these additions is no more
- Than a sweet, filthy, fine, ill-favour'd whore.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [512] So MS.--Old eds. "out."
- IN SYLLAM. XXVII.
- Sylla is often challeng'd to the field,
- To answer, like a gentleman, his foes:
- But then doth he this[513] only answer yield,
- That he hath livings and fair lands to lose.
- Sylla, if none but beggars valiant were,
- The king of Spain would put us all in fear.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [513] So Isham copy.--Ed. A "when doth he his."
- IN SYLLAM. XXVIII.
- Who dares affirm that Sylla dare not fight?
- When I dare swear he dares adventure more
- Than the most brave and most[514] all-daring wight
- That ever arms with resolution bore;
- He that dare touch the most unwholesome whore
- That ever was retir'd into the spittle,
- And dares court wenches standing at a door
- (The portion of his wit being passing little);
- He that dares give his dearest friends offences,
- Which other valiant fools do fear to do, 10
- And, when a fever doth confound his senses,
- Dare eat raw beef, and drink strong wine thereto:
- He that dares take tobacco on the stage,[515]
- Dares man a whore at noon-day through the street,
- Dares dance in Paul's, and in this formal age
- Dares say and do whatever is unmeet;
- Whom fear of shame could never yet affright,
- Who dares affirm that Sylla dares not fight?
- FOOTNOTES:
- [514] So Isham copy.--Ed. A "most brave, most all daring."--Eds. B, C
- "most brave and all daring."--MS. "most valiant and all-daring."
- [515] There are frequent allusions to this practice. Cf. Induction to
- _Cynthia's Revels_:--"I have my three sorts of tobacco in my pocket; my
- light by me."
- IN HEYWODUM. XXIX.
- Heywood,[516] that did in epigrams excel,
- Is now put down since my light Muse arose;[517]
- As buckets are put down into a well,
- Or as a schoolboy putteth down his hose.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [516] John Heywood, the well-known epigrammatist and interlude-writer.
- His Proverbs were edited in 1874, with a pleasantly-written Introduction
- and useful notes, by Mr. Julian Sharman.
- [517] Dyce refers to a passage of Sir John Harington's _Metamorphosis of
- Ajax_, 1596:--"This Haywood for his proverbs and epigrams is not yet put
- down by any of our country, though one [marginal note, M. Davies] doth
- indeed come near him, that graces him the more in saying he puts him
- down." He quotes also from Bastard's _Chrestoleros_, 1598 (Lib. ii. Ep.
- 15); Lib. iii. Ep. 3, and Freeman's _Rubbe and a Great Cast_ ( Pt. ii.,
- Ep. 100), allusions to the present epigram.
- IN DACUM.[518] XXX.
- Amongst the poets Dacus number'd is,
- Yet could he never make an English rhyme:
- But some prose speeches I have heard of his,
- Which have been spoken many a hundred time;
- The man that keeps the elephant hath one,
- Wherein he tells the wonders of the beast;
- Another Banks pronouncèd long agone,
- When he his curtal's[519] qualities express'd:
- He first taught him that keeps the monuments
- At Westminster, his formal tale to say, 10
- And also him which puppets represents,
- And also him which with the ape doth play.
- Though all his poetry be like to this,
- Amongst the poets Dacus number'd is.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [518] Samuel Daniel. See Ep. xlv.
- [519] All the information about Banks' wonderful horse Moroccus ("the
- little horse that ambled on the top of Paul's") is collected in Mr.
- Halliwell-Phillips' _Memoranda on Love's Labour Lost_.
- IN PRISCUM. XXXI.
- When Priscus, rais'd from low to high estate,
- Rode through the street in pompous jollity,
- Caius, his poor familiar friend of late,
- Bespake him thus, "Sir, now you know not me,"
- "'Tis likely, friend," quoth Priscus, "to be so,
- For at this time myself I do not know."
- IN BRUNUM. XXXII.
- Brunus, which deems[520] himself a fair sweet youth,
- Is nine and thirty[521] year of age at least;
- Yet was he never, to confess the truth,
- But a dry starveling when he was at best.
- This gull was sick to show his nightcap fine,
- And his wrought pillow overspread with lawn;
- But hath been well since his grief's cause hath line[522]
- At Trollop's by Saint Clement's Church in pawn.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [520] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "thinks."
- [521] Old eds. "thirtie nine." MS. "nine and thirtith."
- [522] Lain.
- IN FRANCUM. XXXIII.
- When Francus comes to solace with his whore,
- He sends for rods, and strips himself stark naked;
- For his lust sleeps, and will not rise before,
- By whipping of the wench, it be awakèd.
- I envy him not, but wish I[523] had the power
- To make myself his wench but one half-hour.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [523] So Isham copy.--Ed. A "he."
- IN CASTOREM. XXXIV.
- Of speaking well why do we learn the skill,
- Hoping thereby honour and wealth to gain?
- Sith railing Castor doth, by speaking ill,
- Opinion of much wit, and gold obtain.
- IN SEPTIMIUM. XXXV.
- Septimius[524] lives, and is like garlic seen,
- For though his head be white, his blade is green.
- This old mad colt deserves a martyr's praise,
- For he was burnèd[525] in Queen Mary's days.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [524] So ed. B.--Isham copy, ed. A, and MS. "Septimus."
- [525] "Burn" is often used with an indelicate _double entendre_. Cf.
- _Lear_ iii. 2, "No heretics _burned_ but wenchers' suitors;" _Troilus
- and Cressida_, v. 2, "A _burning_ devil take them."
- OF TOBACCO. XXXVI.
- Homer of Moly and Nepenthe sings;
- Moly, the gods' most sovereign herb divine,
- Nepenthe, Helen's[526] drink, which gladness brings,
- Heart's grief expels, and doth the wit refine.
- But this our age another world hath found,
- From whence an herb of heavenly power is brought;
- Moly is not so sovereign for a wound,
- Nor hath nepenthe so great wonders wrought.
- It is tobacco, whose sweet subtle[527] fume
- The hellish torment of the teeth doth ease, 10
- By drawing down and drying up the rheum,
- The mother and the nurse of each disease;
- It is tobacco, which doth cold expel,
- And clears th' obstructions of the arteries,
- And surfeits threatening death digesteth well,
- Decocting all the stomach's crudities;[528]
- It is tobacco, which hath power to clarify
- The cloudy mists before dim eyes appearing;
- It is tobacco, which hath power to rarify
- The thick gross humour which doth stop the hearing; 20
- The wasting hectic, and the quartan fever,
- Which doth of physic make a mockery,
- The gout it cures, and helps ill breaths for ever,
- Whether the cause in teeth or stomach be;
- And though ill breaths were by it but confounded,
- Yet that vild[529] medicine it doth far excel,
- Which by Sir Thomas More[530] hath been propounded,
- For this is thought a gentleman-like smell.
- O, that I were one of these mountebanks
- Which praise their oils and powders which they sell! 30
- My customers would give me coin with thanks;
- I for this ware, forsooth,[531] a tale would tell:
- Yet would I use none of these terms before;
- I would but say, that it the pox will cure;
- This were enough, without discoursing more,
- All our brave gallants in the town t'allure.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [526] Isham copy, "Heuens;" and eds. B, C "Heauens."--MS.
- "helevs."--Davies alludes to _Odyssey_ iv., 219, &c.
- [527] So MS.--Old eds. "substantiall."
- [528] We are reminded of Bobadil's encomium of tobacco:--"I could say
- what I know of the virtue of it, for the expulsion of rheums, raw
- humours, crudities, obstructions, with a thousand of this kind; but I
- profess myself no quacksalver. Only this much: by Hercules I do hold it
- and will affirm it before any prince in Europe to be the most sovereign
- and precious weed that ever the earth tendered to the use of man."
- [529] So MS.--Not in old eds.
- [530] Dyce quotes from More's _Lucubrationes_ (ed. 1563, p. 261), an
- epigram headed "Medicinæ ad tollendos foetores anhelitus, provenientes
- a cibis quibusdam."
- [531] So eds. A, B, C.--Isham copy "so smooth."--MS. "so faire."
- IN CRASSUM. XXXVII.
- Crassus his lies are no[532] pernicious lies,
- But pleasant fictions, hurtful unto none
- But to himself; for no man counts him wise
- To tell for truth that which for false is known.
- He swears that Gaunt[533] is three-score miles about,
- And that the bridge at Paris[534] on the Seine
- Is of such thickness, length, and breadth throughout,
- That six-score arches can it scarce sustain;
- He swears he saw so great a dead man's skull
- At Canterbury digg'd out of the ground, 10
- As[535] would contain of wheat three bushels full;
- And that in Kent are twenty yeomen found,
- Of which the poorest every year[536] dispends
- Five thousand pound: these and five thousand mo
- So oft he hath recited to his friends,
- That now himself persuades himself 'tis so.
- But why doth Crassus tell his lies so rife,
- Of bridges, towns, and things that have no life?
- He is a lawyer, and doth well espy
- That for such lies an action will not lie. 20
- FOOTNOTES:
- [532] So MS.--Eds. "not."
- [533] Ghent.
- [534] The reference probably is to the Pont Neuf, begun by Henry III.
- and finished by Henry IV.
- [535] So MS.--Old eds. "That."
- [536] MS. "day!"
- IN PHILONEM. XXXVIII.
- Philo, the lawyer,[537] and the fortune-teller,
- The school-master, the midwife,[538] and the bawd,
- The conjurer, the buyer and the seller
- Of painting which with breathing will be thaw'd,
- Doth practise physic; and his credit grows,
- As doth the ballad-singer's auditory,
- Which hath at Temple-Bar his standing chose,
- And to the vulgar sings an ale-house story:
- First stands a porter; then an oyster-wife
- Doth stint her cry and stay her steps to hear him; 10
- Then comes a cutpurse ready with his[539] knife,
- And then a country client presseth[540] near him;
- There stands the constable, there stands the whore,
- And, hearkening[541] to the song, mark[542] not each other;
- There by the serjeant stands the debitor,[543]
- And doth no more mistrust him than his brother:
- This[544] Orpheus to such hearers giveth music,
- And Philo to such patients giveth physic.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [537] Isham copy and MS. "gentleman."
- [538] MS. "widdow."
- [539] So Isham copy and MS.--Other eds. "a."
- [540] So Isham copy.--Other eds. "passeth."--MS. "presses."
- [541] So Isham copy, ed. A, and MS.--Eds. B, C "listening."
- [542] So Isham copy, ed. A, and MS.--Eds. B, C "heed."
- [543] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy, MS., and ed. A, "debtor poor."--With
- the foregoing description of the "ballad-singer's auditory" compare
- Wordsworth's lines _On the power of Music_, and Vincent Bourne's
- charming Latin verses (entitled _Cantatrices_) on the Ballad Singers of
- the Seven Dials.
- [544] So MS.--Eds. "Thus."
- IN FUSCUM. XXXIX.
- Fuscus is free, and hath the world at will;
- Yet, in the course of life that he doth lead,
- He's like a horse which, turning round a mill,
- Doth always in the self-same circle tread:
- First, he doth rise at ten;[545] and at eleven
- He goes to Gill's, where he doth eat till one;
- Then sees a play till six;[546] and sups at seven;
- And, after supper, straight to bed is gone;
- And there till ten next day he doth remain;
- And then he dines; then sees a comedy; 10
- And then he sups, and goes to bed again:
- Thus round he runs without variety,
- Save that sometimes he comes not to the play,
- But falls into a whore-house by the way.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [545] Cf. a somewhat similar description in Guilpin's _Skialetheia_ (Ep.
- 25):--
- "My lord most court-like lies abed till noon,
- Then all high-stomacht riseth to his dinner;
- Falls straight to dice before his meat be down,
- Or to digest walks to some female sinner;
- Perhaps fore-tired he gets him to a play,
- Comes home to supper and then falls to dice;
- Then his devotion wakes till it be day,
- And so to bed where unto noon he lies."
- [546] If the play ended at six, it could hardly have begun before three.
- From numerous passages it appears that performances frequently began at
- three, or even later. Probably the curtain rose at one in the winter and
- three in the summer.
- IN AFRUM. XL.
- The smell-feast[547] Afer travels to the Burse
- Twice every day, the flying news to hear;
- Which, when he hath no money in his purse,
- To rich men's tables he doth ever[548] bear.
- He tells how Groni[n]gen[549] is taken in[550]
- By the brave conduct of illustrious Vere,
- And how the Spanish forces Brest would win,
- But that they do victorious Norris[551] fear.
- No sooner is a ship at sea surpris'd,
- But straight he learns the news, and doth disclose it;
- No[552] sooner hath the Turk a plot devis'd
- To conquer Christendom, but straight he knows it.
- Fair-written in a scroll he hath the names
- Of all the widows which the plague hath made;
- And persons, times, and places, still he frames
- To every tale, the better to persuade.
- We call him Fame, for that the wide-mouth slave
- Will eat as fast as he will utter lies; 20
- For fame is said an hundred mouths to have,
- And he eats more than would five-score suffice.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [547] This word is found in Chapman, Harrington, and others.
- [548] So MS.--Old eds. "often."
- [549] Groningen was taken by Maurice of Nassau. Vere was present at the
- siege.
- [550] The expression "take in" (in the sense of "conquer, capture") is
- very common.
- [551] An English expedition, under Sir John Norris, was sent to Brittany
- in 1594.
- [552] This line and the next are found only in Isham copy and MS.
- IN PAULUM. XLI.
- By lawful mart, and by unlawful stealth,
- Paulus, in spite of envy, fortunate,
- Derives out of the ocean so much wealth,
- As he may well maintain a lord's estate:
- But on the land a little gulf there is,
- Wherein he drowneth all this[553] wealth of his.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [553] So Isham copy--Eds. A, B, C "the."--MS. "ye."
- IN LYCUM. XLII.
- Lycus, which lately is to Venice gone,
- Shall, if he do return, gain three for one;[554]
- But, ten to one, his knowledge and his wit
- Will not be better'd or increas'd a whit.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [554] When a person started on a long or dangerous voyage it was
- customary to deposit--or, as it was called, "put out"--a sum of money,
- on condition of receiving at his return a high rate of interest. If he
- failed to return the money was lost. There are frequent allusions in old
- authors to this practice.
- IN PUBLIUM. XLIII.
- Publius, a[555] student at the Common-Law,
- Oft leaves his books, and, for his recreation,
- To Paris-garden[556] doth himself withdraw;
- Where he is ravish'd with such delectation,
- As down amongst the bears and dogs he goes;
- Where, whilst he skipping cries, "To head, to head,"[557]
- His satin doublet and his velvet hose
- Are all with spittle from above be-spread;
- Then is he like his father's country hall,
- Stinking of dogs, and muted[558] all with hawks; 10
- And rightly too on him this filth doth fall,
- Which for such filthy sports his books forsakes,
- Leaving old Ployden, Dyer, and Brooke alone,
- To see old Harry Hunkes and Sacarson.[559]
- FOOTNOTES:
- [555] So MS.--Not in old eds.
- [556] The Bear-Garden in the Bankside, Southwark.
- [557] In _Titus Andronicus_, v. 1, we have the expression "to fight at
- head" ("As true a dog as ever fought _at head_"). "To fly at the head"
- was equivalent to "attack;" and in Nares' _Glossary_ (ed. Halliwell) the
- expression "run on head," in the sense of incite, is quoted from
- Heywood's _Spider and Flie_, 1556.
- [558] Covered with hawks' dung.
- [559] "Harry Hunkes" and "Sacarson" were the names of two famous bears
- (probably named after their keepers). Slender boasted to Anne Page, "I
- have seen Sackarson loose twenty times and have taken him by the chain."
- IN SYLLAM. XLIV.
- When I this proposition had defended,
- "A coward cannot be an honest man,"
- Thou, Sylla, seem'st forthwith to be offended,
- And hold'st[560] the contrary, and swear'st[561] he can.
- But when I tell thee that he will forsake
- His dearest friend in peril of his life,
- Thou then art chang'd, and say'st thou didst mistake;
- And so we end our argument and strife:
- Yet I think oft, and think I think aright,
- Thy argument argues thou wilt not fight. 10
- FOOTNOTES:
- [560] So MS.--Old eds. "holds."
- [561] So MS.--Old eds. "swears."
- IN DACUM. XLV.
- Dacus,[562] with some good colour and pretence,
- Terms his love's beauty "silent eloquence;"
- For she doth lay more colours on her face
- Than ever Tully us'd his speech to grace.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [562] Dyce shows that Samuel Daniel is meant by Dacus (who has already
- been ridiculed in _Ep._ xxx.). In Daniel's _Complaint of Rosamond_
- (1592) are the lines:--
- "Ah, beauty, syren, faire enchanting good,
- Sweet _silent rhetorique_ of perswading eyes,
- _Dumb eloquence_, whose power doth move the blood
- More than the words or wisedome of the wise," &c.
- Perhaps there is an allusion to this epigram in Marston's fourth
- satire:--
- "What, shall not Rosamond or Gaveston
- Ope their sweet lips without detraction?
- But must our modern critticks envious eye
- Seeme thus to quote some grosse deformity,
- Where art not error shineth in their stile,
- But error and no art doth thee beguile?"
- IN MARCUM. XLVI.
- Why dost thou, Marcus, in thy misery
- Rail and blaspheme, and call the heavens unkind?
- The heavens do owe[563] no kindness unto thee,
- Thou hast the heavens so little in thy mind;
- For in thy life thou never usest prayer
- But at primero, to encounter fair.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [563] So eds. B, C.--Ed. A "draw" (Epigram xlv.-xlviii. are not in the
- MS.)
- MEDITATIONS OF A GULL. XLVII.
- See, yonder melancholy gentleman,
- Which, hood-wink'd with his hat, alone doth sit!
- Think what he thinks, and tell me, if you can,
- What great affairs trouble his little wit.
- He thinks not of the war 'twixt France and Spain,[564]
- Whether it be for Europe's good or ill,
- Nor whether the Empire can itself maintain
- Against the Turkish power encroaching still;[565]
- Nor what great town in all the Netherlands
- The States determine to besiege this spring, 10
- Nor how the Scottish policy now stands,
- Nor what becomes of the Irish mutining.[566]
- But he doth seriously bethink him whether
- Of the gull'd people he be more esteem'd
- For his long cloak or for[567] his great black feather
- By which each gull is now a gallant deem'd;
- Or of a journey he deliberates
- To Paris-garden, Cock-pit, or the play;
- Or how to steal a dog he meditates,
- Or what he shall unto his mistress say.
- Yet with these thoughts he thinks himself most fit
- To be of counsel with a king for wit.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [564] Ended in 1598 by the peace of Vervins.
- [565] The war between Austria and Turkey was brought to a close in 1606.
- [566] A reference to Tyrone's insurrection, 1595-1602.
- [567] So Isham copy.--Not in other eds.
- AD MUSAM. XLVIII.
- Peace, idle Muse, have done! for it is time,
- Since lousy Ponticus envies my fame,
- And swears the better sort are much to blame
- To make me so well known for my ill rhyme.
- Yet Banks his horse[568] is better known than he;
- So are the camels and the western hog,
- And so is Lepidus his printed dog[569]:
- Why doth not Ponticus their fames envy?
- Besides, this Muse of mine and the black feather
- Grew both together fresh in estimation; 10
- And both, grown stale, were cast away together:
- What fame is this that scarce lasts out a fashion?
- Only this last in credit doth remain,
- That from henceforth each bastard cast-forth rhyme,
- Which doth but savour of a libel vein,
- Shall call me father, and be thought my crime;
- So dull, and with so little sense endued,
- Is my gross-headed judge the multitude.
- J. D.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [568] See note, p. 232.
- [569] Dyce points out that by Lepidus is meant Sir John Harington, whose
- dog Bungey is represented in a compartment of the engraved title-page of
- the translation of _Orlando Furioso_, 1591. In his epigrams (Book III.
- Ep. 21) Harington refers to this epigram of Davies, and expresses
- himself greatly pleased at the compliment paid to his dog.
- IGNOTO.
- I[570] love thee not for sacred chastity,--
- Who loves for that?--nor for thy sprightly wit;
- I love thee not for thy sweet modesty,
- Which makes thee in perfection's throne to sit;
- I love thee not for thy enchanting eye,
- Thy beauty['s] ravishing perfection;
- I love thee not for unchaste luxury,
- Nor for thy body's fair proportion;
- I love thee not for that my soul doth dance
- And leap with pleasure, when those lips of thine
- Give musical and graceful utterance
- To some (by thee made happy) poet's line;
- I love thee not for voice or slender small:
- But wilt thou know wherefore? fair sweet, for all.
- Faith, wench, I cannot court thy sprightly eyes,
- With the base-viol plac'd between my thighs;
- I cannot lisp, nor to some fiddle sing,
- Nor run upon a high-stretch'd minikin;
- I cannot whine in puling elegies,
- Entombing Cupid with sad obsequies;
- I am not fashion'd for these amorous times,
- To court thy beauty with lascivious rhymes;
- I cannot dally, caper, dance, and sing,
- Oiling my saint with supple sonneting;
- I cannot cross my arms, or sigh "Ay me,
- Ay me, forlorn!" egregious foppery!
- I cannot buss thy fist,[571] play with thy hair,
- Swearing by Jove, "thou art most debonair!"
- Not I, by cock! but [I] shall tell thee roundly,--
- Hark in thine ear,--zounds, I can (----) thee soundly.
- Sweet wench, I love thee: yet I will not sue,
- Or show my love as musky courtiers do;
- I'll not carouse a health to honour thee,
- In this same bezzling[572] drunken courtesy,
- And, when all's quaff'd, eat up my bousing-glass[573]
- In glory that I am thy servile ass;
- Nor will I wear a rotten Bourbon lock,[574]
- As some sworn peasant to a female smock.
- Well-featur'd lass, thou know'st I love thee dear:
- Yet for thy sake I will not bore mine ear,
- To hang thy dirty silken shoe-tires there;
- Nor for thy love will I once gnash a brick,
- Or some pied colours in my bonnet stick:[575]
- But, by the chaps of hell, to do thee good,
- I'll freely spend my thrice-decocted blood.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [570] This sonnet and the two following pieces are only found in Isham
- copy and ed. A.
- [571] So Isham copy.--Ed. A "fill."
- [572] Tippling.
- [573] "Bouse" was a cant term for "drink."
- [574] See note v. p. 226.
- [575] It was a common practice for gallants to wear their mistresses'
- garters in their hats.
- THE FIRST BOOK OF LUCAN.
- _Lucans First Booke Translated Line for Line, By Chr. Marlow. At London,
- Printed by P. Short, and are to be sold by Walter Burre at the Signe of
- the Flower de Luce in Paules Churchyard_, 1600, 4_to._
- This is the only early edition. The title-page of the 1600 4to. of _Hero
- and Leander_ has the words, "Whereunto is added the first booke of
- Lucan;" but the two pieces are not found in conjunction.
- TO HIS KIND AND TRUE FRIEND, EDWARD BLUNT.[576]
- Blunt,[577] I propose to be blunt with you, and, out of my dulness, to
- encounter you with a Dedication in memory of that pure elemental wit,
- Chr. Marlowe, whose ghost or genius is to be seen walk the
- Churchyard,[578] in, at the least, three or four sheets. Methinks you
- should presently look wild now, and grow humorously frantic upon the
- taste of it. Well, lest you should, let me tell you, this spirit was
- sometime a familiar of your own, _Lucan's First Book translated_; which,
- in regard of your old right in it, I have raised in the circle of your
- patronage. But stay now, Edward: if I mistake not, you are to
- accommodate yourself with some few instructions, touching the property
- of a patron, that you are not yet possessed of; and to study them for
- your better grace, as our gallants do fashions. First, you must be
- proud, and think you have merit enough in you, though you are ne'er so
- empty; then, when I bring you the book, take physic, and keep state;
- assign me a time by your man to come again; and, afore the day, be sure
- to have changed your lodging; in the meantime sleep little, and sweat
- with the invention of some pitiful dry jest or two, which you may happen
- to utter with some little, or not at all, marking of your friends, when
- you have found a place for them to come in at; or, if by chance
- something has dropped from you worth the taking up, weary all that come
- to you with the often repetition of it; censure, scornfully enough, and
- somewhat like a traveller; commend nothing, lest you discredit your
- (that which you would seem to have) judgment. These things, if you can
- mould yourself to them, Ned, I make no question that they will not
- become you. One special virtue in our patrons of these days I have
- promised myself you shall fit excellently, which is, to give nothing;
- yes, thy love I will challenge as my peculiar object, both in this, and,
- I hope, many more succeeding offices. Farewell: I affect not the world
- should measure my thoughts to thee by a scale of this nature: leave to
- think good of me when I fall from thee.
- Thine in all rights of perfect friendship,
- THOMAS THORPE.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [576] A well-known bookseller.
- [577] Old ed. "Blount."
- [578] Paul's churchyard, the Elizabethan "Booksellers' Row."
- THE FIRST BOOK OF LUCAN.
- Wars worse than civil on Thessalian plains,
- And outrage strangling law, and people strong,
- We sing, whose conquering swords their own breasts lancht,[579]
- Armies allied, the kingdom's league uprooted,
- Th' affrighted world's force bent on public spoil,
- Trumpets and drums, like[580] deadly, threatening other,
- Eagles alike display'd, darts answering darts,
- Romans, what madness, what huge lust of war,
- Hath made barbarians drunk with Latin blood?
- Now Babylon, proud through our spoil, should stoop, 10
- While slaughter'd Crassus' ghost walks unreveng'd,
- Will ye wage war, for which you shall not triumph?
- Ay me! O, what a world of land and sea
- Might they have won whom civil broils have slain!
- As far as Titan springs, where night dims heaven,
- I, to the torrid zone where mid-day burns,
- And where stiff winter, whom no spring resolves,
- Fetters the Euxine Sea with chains of ice;
- Scythia and wild Armenia had been yok'd,
- And they of Nilus' mouth, if there live any. 20
- Rome, if thou take delight in impious war,
- First conquer all the earth, then turn thy force
- Against thyself: as yet thou wants not foes.
- That now the walls of houses half-reared totter,
- That, rampires fallen down, huge heaps of stone
- Lie in our towns, that houses are abandon'd,
- And few live that behold their ancient seats;
- Italy many years hath lien untill'd
- And chok'd with thorns; that greedy earth wants hinds;--
- Fierce Pyrrhus, neither thou nor Hannibal 30
- Art cause; no foreign foe could so afflict us:
- These plagues arise from wreak of civil power.
- But if for Nero, then unborn, the Fates
- Would find no other means, and gods not slightly
- Purchase immortal thrones, nor Jove joy'd heaven
- Until the cruel giants' war was done;
- We plain not, heavens, but gladly bear these evils
- For Nero's sake: Pharsalia groan with slaughter,
- And Carthage souls be glutted with our bloods!
- At Munda let the dreadful battles join; 40
- Add, Cæsar, to these ills, Perusian famine,
- The Mutin toils, the fleet at Luca[s] sunk,
- And cruel[581] field near burning Ætna fought!
- Yet Rome is much bound to these civil arms,
- Which made thee emperor. Thee (seeing thou, being old,
- Must shine a star) shall heaven (whom thou lovest)
- Receive with shouts; where thou wilt reign as king,
- Or mount the Sun's flame-bearing chariot,
- And with bright restless fire compass the earth,
- Undaunted though her former guide be chang'd; 50
- Nature and every power shall give thee place,
- What god it please thee be, or where to sway.
- But neither choose the north t'erect thy seat,
- Nor yet the adverse reeking[582] southern pole,
- Whence thou shouldst view thy Rome with squinting[583] beams.
- If any one part of vast heaven thou swayest,
- The burden'd axes[584] with thy force will bend:
- The midst is best; that place is pure and bright;
- There, Cæsar, mayst thou shine, and no cloud dim thee.
- Then men from war shall bide in league and ease, 60
- Peace through the world from Janus' face shall fly,
- And bolt the brazen gates with bars of iron.
- Thou, Cæsar, at this instant art my god;
- Thee if I invocate, I shall not need
- To crave Apollo's aid or Bacchus' help;
- Thy power inspires the Muse that sings this war.
- The causes first I purpose to unfold
- Of these garboils,[585] whence springs a long discourse;
- And what made madding people shake off peace.
- The Fates are envious, high seats[586] quickly perish, 70
- Under great burdens falls are ever grievous;
- Rome was so great it could not bear itself.
- So when this world's compounded union breaks,
- Time ends, and to old Chaos all things turn,
- Confused stars shall meet, celestial fire
- Fleet on the floods, the earth shoulder the sea,
- Affording it no shore, and Phoebe's wain
- Chase Phoebus, and enrag'd affect his place,
- And strive to shine by day and full of strife
- Dissolve the engines of the broken world. 80
- All great things crush themselves; such end the gods
- Allot the height of honour; men so strong
- By land and sea, no foreign force could ruin.
- O Rome, thyself art cause of all these evils,
- Thyself thus shiver'd out to three men's shares!
- Dire league of partners in a kingdom last not.
- O faintly-join'd friends, with ambition blind,
- Why join you force to share the world betwixt you?
- While th' earth the sea, and air the earth sustains,
- While Titan strives against the world's swift course, 90
- Or Cynthia, night's queen, waits upon the day,
- Shall never faith be found in fellow kings:
- Dominion cannot suffer partnership.
- This need[s] no foreign proof nor far-fet[587] story:
- Rome's infant walls were steep'd in brother's blood;
- Nor then was land or sea, to breed such hate;
- A town with one poor church set them at odds.[588]
- Cæsar's and Pompey's jarring love soon ended,
- 'Twas peace against their wills; betwixt them both
- Stepp'd Crassus in. Even as the slender isthmos, 100
- Betwixt the Ægæan,[589] and the Ionian sea,
- Keeps each from other, but being worn away,
- They both burst out, and each encounter other;
- So whenas Crassus' wretched death, who stay'd them,
- Had fill'd Assyrian Carra's[590] walls with blood,
- His loss made way for Roman outrages.
- Parthians, y'afflict us more than ye suppose;
- Being conquer'd, we are plagu'd with civil war.
- Swords share our empire: Fortune, that made Rome
- Govern the earth, the sea, the world itself, 110
- Would not admit two lords; for Julia,
- Snatch'd hence by cruel Fates, with ominous howls
- Bare down to hell her son, the pledge of peace,
- And all bands of that death-presaging alliànce.
- Julia, had heaven given thee longer life,
- Thou hadst restrain'd thy headstrong husband's rage,
- Yea, and thy father too, and, swords thrown down,
- Made all shake hands, as once the Sabines did:
- Thy death broke amity, and train'd to war
- These captains emulous of each other's glory. 120
- Thou fear'd'st, great Pompey, that late deeds would dim
- Old triumphs, and that Cæsar's conquering France
- Would dash the wreath thou war'st for pirates' wreck:
- Thee war's use stirr'd, and thoughts that always scorn'd
- A second place. Pompey could bide no equal,
- Nor Cæsar no superior: which of both
- Had justest cause, unlawful 'tis to judge:
- Each side had great partakers; Cæsar's cause
- The gods abetted, Cato lik'd the other.[591]
- Both differ'd much. Pompey was struck in years, 130
- And by long rest forgot to manage arms,
- And, being popular, sought by liberal gifts
- To gain the light unstable commons' love,
- And joy'd to hear his theatre's applause:
- He lived secure, boasting his former deeds,
- And thought his name sufficient to uphold him:
- Like to a tall oak in a fruitful field,
- Bearing old spoils and conquerors' monuments,
- Who, though his root be weak, and his own weight
- Keep him within the ground, his arms all bare, 140
- His body, not his boughs, send forth a shade;
- Though every blast it nod,[592] and seem to fall,
- When all the woods about stand bolt upright,
- Yet he alone is held in reverence.
- Cæsar's renown for war was loss; he restless,
- Shaming to strive but where he did subdue;
- When ire or hope provok'd, heady and bold;
- At all times charging home, and making havoc;
- Urging his fortune, trusting in the gods,
- Destroying what withstood his proud desires, 150
- And glad when blood and ruin made him way:
- So thunder, which the wind tears from the clouds,
- With crack of riven air and hideous sound
- Filling the world, leaps out and throws forth fire,
- Affrights poor fearful men, and blasts their eyes
- With overthwarting flames, and raging shoots
- Alongst the air, and, not resisting it,
- Falls, and returns, and shivers where it lights.
- Such humours stirr'd them up; but this war's seed
- Was even the same that wrecks all great dominions. 160
- When Fortune made us lords of all, wealth flow'd,
- And then we grew licentious and rude;
- The soldiers' prey and rapine brought in riot;
- Men took delight in jewels, houses, plate,
- And scorn'd old sparing diet, and ware robes
- Too light for women; Poverty, who hatch'd
- Rome's greatest wits,[593] was loath'd, and all the world
- Ransack'd for gold, which breeds the world['s] decay;
- And then large limits had their butting lands;
- The ground, which Curius and Camillus till'd, 170
- Was stretched unto the fields of hinds unknown.
- Again, this people could not brook calm peace;
- Them freedom without war might not suffice:
- Quarrels were rife; greedy desire, still poor,
- Did vild deeds; then 'twas worth the price of blood,
- And deem'd renown, to spoil their native town;
- Force mastered right, the strongest govern'd all;
- Hence came it that th' edicts were over-rul'd,
- That laws were broke, tribunes with consuls strove,
- Sale made of offices, and people's voices 180
- Bought by themselves and sold, and every year
- Frauds and corruption in the Field of Mars;
- Hence interest and devouring usury sprang,
- Faith's breach, and hence came war, to most men welcome.
- Now Cæsar overpass'd the snowy Alps;
- His mind was troubled, and he aim'd at war:
- And coming to the ford of Rubicon,
- At night in dreadful vision fearful[594] Rome
- Mourning appear'd, whose hoary hairs were torn,
- And on her turret-bearing head dispers'd, 190
- And arms all naked; who, with broken sighs,
- And staring, thus bespoke: "What mean'st thou, Cæsar?
- Whither goes my standard? Romans if ye be,
- And bear true hearts, stay here!" This spectacle
- Struck Cæsar's heart with fear; his hair stood up,
- And faintness numb'd his steps there on the brink.
- He thus cried out: "Thou thunderer that guard'st
- Rome's mighty walls, built on Tarpeian rock!
- Ye gods of Phrygia and Ilus' line,
- Quirinus' rites, and Latian Jove advanc'd 200
- On Alba hill! O vestal flames! O Rome,
- My thoughts sole goddess, aid mine enterprise!
- I hate thee not, to thee my conquests stoop:
- Cæsar is thine, so please it thee, thy soldier.
- He, he afflicts Rome that made me Rome's foe."
- This said, he, laying aside all lets[595] of war,
- Approach'd the swelling stream with drum and ensign:
- Like to a lion of scorch'd desert Afric,
- Who, seeing hunters, pauseth till fell wrath
- And kingly rage increase, then, having whisk'd 210
- His tail athwart his back, and crest heav'd up,
- With jaws wide-open ghastly roaring out,
- Albeit the Moor's light javelin or his spear
- Sticks in his side, yet runs upon the hunter.
- In summer-time the purple Rubicon,
- Which issues from a small spring, is but shallow,
- And creeps along the vales, dividing just
- The bounds of Italy from Cisalpine France.
- But now the winter's wrath, and watery moon
- Being three days old, enforc'd the flood to swell, 220
- And frozen Alps thaw'd with resolving winds.
- The thunder-hoof'd[596] horse, in a crookèd line,
- To scape the violence of the stream, first waded;
- Which being broke, the foot had easy passage.
- As soon as Cæsar got unto the bank
- And bounds of Italy, "Here, here," saith he,
- "An end of peace; here end polluted laws!
- Hence leagues and covenants! Fortune, thee I follow!
- War and the Destinies shall try my cause."
- This said, the restless general through the dark, 230
- Swifter than bullets thrown from Spanish slings,
- Or darts which Parthians backward shoot, march'd on;
- And then, when Lucifer did shine alone,
- And some dim stars, he Ariminum enter'd.
- Day rose, and view'd these tumults of the war:
- Whether the gods or blustering south were cause
- I know not, but the cloudy air did frown.
- The soldiers having won the market-place,
- There spread the colours with confusèd noise
- Of trumpets' clang, shrill cornets, whistling fifes. 240
- The people started; young men left their beds,
- And snatch'd arms near their household-gods hung up,
- Such as peace yields; worm-eaten leathern targets,
- Through which the wood peer'd,[597] headless darts, old swords
- With ugly teeth of black rust foully scarr'd.
- But seeing white eagles, and Rome's flags well known,
- And lofty Cæsar in the thickest throng,
- They shook for fear, and cold benumb'd their limbs,
- And muttering much, thus to themselves complain'd:
- "O walls unfortunate, too near to France! 250
- Predestinate to ruin! all lands else
- Have stable peace: here war's rage first begins;
- We bide the first brunt. Safer might we dwell
- Under the frosty bear, or parching east,
- Waggons or tents, than in this frontier town.
- We first sustain'd the uproars of the Gauls
- And furious Cimbrians, and of Carthage Moors:
- As oft as Rome was sack'd, here gan the spoil."
- Thus sighing whisper'd they, and none durst speak,
- And show their fear or grief; but as the fields 260
- When birds are silent thorough winter's rage,
- Or sea far from the land, so all were whist,[598]
- Now light had quite dissolv'd the misty night,
- And Cæsar's mind unsettled musing stood;
- But gods and fortune pricked him to this war,
- Infringing all excuse of modest shame,
- And labouring to approve[599] his quarrel good.
- The angry senate, urging Gracchus'[600] deeds,
- From doubtful Rome wrongly expell'd the tribunes
- That cross'd them: both which now approach'd the camp, 270
- And with them Curio, sometime tribune too,
- One that was fee'd for Cæsar, and whose tongue
- Could tune the people to the nobles' mind.[601]
- "Cæsar," said he, "while eloquence prevail'd,
- And I might plead and draw the commons' minds
- To favour thee, against the senate's will,
- Five years I lengthen'd thy command in France;
- But law being put to silence by the wars,
- We, from her houses driven, most willingly
- Suffer'd exile: let thy sword bring us home, 280
- Now, while their part is weak and fears, march hence:
- Where men are ready lingering ever hurts.[602]
- In ten years wonn'st thou France: Rome may be won
- With far less toil, and yet the honour's more;
- Few battles fought with prosperous success
- May bring her down, and with her all the world.
- Nor shalt thou triumph when thou com'st to Rome,
- Nor Capitol be adorn'd with sacred bays;
- Envy denies all; with thy blood must thou
- Aby thy conquest past:[603] the son decrees 290
- To expel the father: share the world thou canst not;
- Enjoy it all thou mayst." Thus Curio spake;
- And therewith Cæsar, prone enough to war,
- Was so incens'd as are Elean[604] steeds.
- With clamours, who, though lock'd and chain'd in stalls,[605]
- Souse[606] down the walls, and make a passage forth.
- Straight summon'd he his several companies
- Unto the standard: his grave look appeas'd
- The wrestling tumult, and right hand made silence;
- And thus he spake: "You that with me have borne 300
- A thousand brunts, and tried me full ten years,
- See how they quit our bloodshed in the north,
- Our friends' death, and our wounds, our wintering
- Under the Alps! Rome rageth now in arms
- As if the Carthage Hannibal were near;
- Cornets of horse are muster'd for the field;
- Woods turn'd to ships; both land and sea against us.
- Had foreign wars ill-thriv'd, or wrathful France
- Pursu'd us hither, how were we bested,
- When, coming conqueror, Rome afflicts me thus? 310
- Let come their leader[607] whom long peace hath quail'd,
- Raw soldiers lately press'd, and troops of gowns,
- Babbling[608] Marcellus, Cato whom fools reverence!
- Must Pompey's followers, with strangers' aid
- (Whom from his youth he brib'd), needs make him king?
- And shall he triumph long before his time,
- And, having once got head, still shall he reign?
- What should I talk of men's corn reap'd by force,
- And by him kept of purpose for a dearth?
- Who sees not war sit by the quivering judge, 320
- And sentence given in rings of naked swords,
- And laws assail'd, and arm'd men in the senate?
- 'Twas his troop hemm'd in Milo being accus'd;
- And now, lest age might wane his state, he casts
- For civil war, wherein through use he's known
- To exceed his master, that arch-traitor Sylla.
- A[s] brood of barbarous tigers, having lapp'd
- The blood of many a herd, whilst with their dams
- They kennell'd in Hyrcania, evermore
- Will rage and prey; so, Pompey, thou, having lick'd 330
- Warm gore from Sylla's sword, art yet athirst:
- Jaws flesh[ed] with blood continue murderous.
- Speak, when shall this thy long-usurped power end?
- What end of mischief? Sylla teaching thee,
- At last learn, wretch, to leave thy monarchy!
- What, now Sicilian[609] pirates are suppress'd,
- And jaded[610] king of Pontus poison'd slain,
- Must Pompey as his last foe plume on me,
- Because at his command I wound not up
- My conquering eagles? say I merit naught,[611] 340
- Yet, for long service done, reward these men,
- And so they triumph, be't with whom ye will.
- Whither now shall these old bloodless souls repair?
- What seats for their deserts? what store of ground
- For servitors to till? what colonies
- To rest their bones? say, Pompey, are these worse
- Than pirates of Sicilia?[612] they had houses.
- Spread, spread these flags that ten years' space have conquer'd!
- Let's use our tried force: they that now thwart right,
- In wars will yield to wrong:[613] the gods are with us; 350
- Neither spoil nor kingdom seek we by these arms,
- But Rome, at thraldom's feet, to rid from tyrants."
- This spoke, none answer'd, but a murmuring buzz
- Th' unstable people made: their household-gods
- And love to Rome (though slaughter steel'd their hearts,
- And minds were prone) restrain'd them; but war's love
- And Cæsar's awe dash'd all. Then Lælius,[614]
- The chief centurion, crown'd with oaken leaves
- For saving of a Roman citizen,
- Stepp'd forth, and cried: "Chief leader of Rome's force,
- So be I may be bold to speak a truth, 361
- We grieve at this thy patience and delay.
- What, doubt'st thou us? even now when youthful blood
- Pricks forth our lively bodies, and strong arms
- Can mainly throw the dart, wilt thou endure
- These purple grooms, that senate's tyranny?
- Is conquest got by civil war so heinous?
- Well, lead us, then, to Syrtes' desert shore,
- Or Scythia, or hot Libya's thirsty sands.
- This band, that all behind us might be quail'd, 370
- Hath with thee pass'd the swelling ocean,
- And swept the foaming breast of Arctic[615] Rhene.
- Love over-rules my will; I must obey thee,
- Cæsar: he whom I hear thy trumpets charge,
- I hold no Roman; by these ten blest ensigns
- And all thy several triumphs, shouldst thou bid me
- Entomb my sword within my brother's bowels,
- Or father's throat, or women's groaning[616] womb,
- This hand, albeit unwilling, should perform it?
- Or rob the gods, or sacred temples fire, 380
- These troops should soon pull down the church of Jove;[617]
- If to encamp on Tuscan Tiber's streams,
- I'll boldly quarter out the fields of Rome;
- What walls thou wilt be levell'd with the ground,
- These hands shall thrust the ram, and make them fly,
- Albeit the city thou wouldst have so raz'd
- Be Rome itself." Here every band applauded,
- And, with their hands held up, all jointly cried
- They'll follow where he please. The shouts rent heaven,
- As when against pine-bearing Ossa's rocks 390
- Beats Thracian Boreas, or when trees bow[618] down
- And rustling swing up as the wind fets[619] breath.
- When Cæsar saw his army prone to war,
- And Fates so bent, lest sloth and long delay
- Might cross him, he withdrew his troops from France,
- And in all quarters musters men for Rome.
- They by Lemannus' nook forsook their tents;
- They whom[620] the Lingones foil'd with painted spears,
- Under the rocks by crookèd Vogesus;
- And many came from shallow Isara, 400
- Who, running long, falls in a greater flood,
- And, ere he sees the sea, loseth his name;
- The yellow Ruthens left their garrisons;
- Mild Atax glad it bears not Roman boats,[621]
- And frontier Varus that the camp is far,
- Sent aid; so did Alcides' port, whose seas
- Eat hollow rocks, and where the north-west wind
- Nor zephyr rules not, but the north alone
- Turmoils the coast, and enterance forbids;
- And others came from that uncertain shore 410
- Which is nor sea nor land, but ofttimes both,
- And changeth as the ocean ebbs and flows;
- Whether the sea roll'd always from that point
- Whence the wind blows, still forcèd to and fro;
- Or that the wandering main follow the moon;
- Or flaming Titan, feeding on the deep,
- Pulls them aloft, and makes the surge kiss heaven;
- Philosophers, look you; for unto me,
- Thou cause, whate'er thou be, whom God assigns
- This great effect, art hid. They came that dwell 420
- By Nemes' fields and banks of Satirus,[622]
- Where Tarbell's winding shores embrace the sea;
- The Santons that rejoice in Cæsar's love;[623]
- Those of Bituriges,[624] and light Axon[625] pikes;
- And they of Rhene and Leuca,[626] cunning darters,
- And Sequana that well could manage steeds;
- The Belgians apt to govern British cars;
- Th' A[r]verni, too, which boldly feign themselves
- The Roman's brethren, sprung of Ilian race;
- The stubborn Nervians stain'd with Cotta's blood; 430
- And Vangions who, like those of Sarmata,
- Wear open slops;[627] and fierce Batavians,
- Whom trumpet's clang incites; and those that dwell
- By Cinga's stream, and where swift Rhodanus
- Drives Araris to sea; they near the hills,
- Under whose hoary rocks Gebenna hangs;
- And, Trevier, thou being glad that wars are past thee;
- And you, late-shorn Ligurians, who were wont
- In large-spread hair to exceed the rest of France;
- And where to Hesus and fell Mercury[628] 440
- They offer human flesh, and where Jove seems
- Bloody like Dian, whom the Scythians serve.
- And you, French Bardi, whose immortal pens
- Renown the valiant souls slain in your wars,
- Sit safe at home and chant sweet poesy.
- And, Druides, you now in peace renew
- Your barbarous customs and sinister rites:
- In unfell'd woods and sacred groves you dwell;
- And only gods and heavenly powers you know,
- Or only know you nothing; for you hold 450
- That souls pass not to silent Erebus
- Or Pluto's bloodless kingdom, but elsewhere
- Resume a body; so (if truth you sing)
- Death brings long life. Doubtless these northern men,
- Whom death, the greatest of all fears, affright not,
- Are blest by such sweet error; this makes them
- Run on the sword's point, and desire to die,
- And shame to spare life which being lost is won.
- You likewise that repuls'd the Caÿc foe,
- March towards Rome; and you, fierce men of Rhene, 460
- Leaving your country open to the spoil.
- These being come, their huge power made him bold
- To manage greater deeds; the bordering towns
- He garrison'd; and Italy he fill'd with soldiers.
- Vain fame increased true fear, and did invade
- The people's minds, and laid before their eyes
- Slaughter to come, and, swiftly bringing news
- Of present war, made many lies and tales:
- One swears his troops of daring horsemen fought
- Upon Mevania's plain, where bulls are graz'd; 470
- Other that Cæsar's barbarous bands were spread
- Along Nar flood that into Tiber falls,
- And that his own ten ensigns and the rest
- March'd not entirely, and yet hide the ground;
- And that he's much chang'd, looking wild and big,
- And far more barbarous than the French, his vassals;
- And that he lags[629] behind with them, of purpose,
- Borne 'twixt the Alps and Rhene, which he hath brought
- From out their northern parts,[630] and that Rome,
- He looking on, by these men should be sack'd. 480
- Thus in his fright did each man strengthen fame,
- And, without ground, fear'd what themselves had feign'd.
- Nor were the commons only struck to heart
- With this vain terror; but the court, the senate,
- The fathers selves leap'd from their seats, and, flying,
- Left hateful war decreed to both the consuls.
- Then, with their fear and danger all-distract,
- Their sway of flight carries the heady rout,[631]
- That in chain'd[632] troops break forth at every port:
- You would have thought their houses had been fir'd, 490
- Or, dropping-ripe, ready to fall with ruin.
- So rush'd the inconsiderate multitude
- Thorough the city, hurried headlong on,
- As if the only hope that did remain
- To their afflictions were t' abandon Rome.
- Look how, when stormy Auster from the breach
- Of Libyan Syrtes rolls a monstrous wave,
- Which makes the main-sail fall with hideous sound,
- The pilot from the helm leaps in the sea,
- And mariners, albeit the keel be sound, 500
- Shipwreck themselves; even so, the city left,
- All rise in arms; nor could the bed-rid parents
- Keep back their sons, or women's tears their husbands:
- They stayed not either to pray or sacrifice;
- Their household-gods restrain them not; none lingered,
- As loath to leave Rome whom they held so dear:
- Th' irrevocable people fly in troops.
- O gods, that easy grant men great estates,
- But hardly grace to keep them! Rome, that flows
- With citizens and captives,[633] and would hold 510
- The world, were it together, is by cowards
- Left as a prey, now Cæsar doth approach.
- When Romans are besieged by foreign foes,
- With slender trench they escape night-stratagems,
- And sudden rampire rais'd of turf snatched up,
- Would make them sleep securely in their tents.
- Thou, Rome, at name of war runn'st from thyself,
- And wilt not trust thy city-walls one night:
- Well might these fear, when Pompey feared and fled.
- Now evermore, lest some one hope might ease 520
- The commons' jangling minds, apparent signs arose,
- Strange sights appeared; the angry threatening gods
- Filled both the earth and seas with prodigies.
- Great store of strange and unknown stars were seen
- Wandering about the north, and rings of fire
- Fly in the air, and dreadful bearded stars,
- And comets that presage the fall of kingdoms;
- The flattering[634] sky glittered in often flames,
- And sundry fiery meteors blazed in heaven,
- Now spear-like long, now like a spreading torch; 530
- Lightning in silence stole forth without clouds,
- And, from the northern climate snatching fire,
- Blasted the Capitol; the lesser stars,
- Which wont to run their course through empty night,
- At noon-day mustered; Phoebe, having filled
- Her meeting horns to match her brother's light,
- Struck with th' earth's sudden shadow, waxèd pale;
- Titan himself, throned in the midst of heaven,
- His burning chariot plunged in sable clouds,
- And whelmed the world in darkness, making men 540
- Despair of day; as did Thyestes' town,
- Mycenæ, Phoebus flying through the east.
- Fierce Mulciber unbarrèd Ætna's gate,
- Which flamèd not on high, but headlong pitched
- Her burning head on bending Hespery.
- Coal-black Charybdis whirled a sea of blood.
- Fierce mastives howled. The vestal fires went out;
- The flame in Alba, consecrate to Jove,
- Parted in twain, and with a double point
- Rose, like the Theban brothers' funeral fire. 550
- The earth went off her hinges; and the Alps
- Shook the old snow from off their trembling laps.[635]
- The ocean swelled as high as Spanish Calpe
- Or Atlas' head. Their saints and household-gods
- Sweat tears, to show the travails of their city:
- Crowns fell from holy statues. Ominous birds
- Defiled the day; and wild beasts were seen,[636]
- Leaving the woods, lodge in the streets of Rome.
- Cattle were seen that muttered human speech;
- Prodigious births with more and ugly joints 560
- Than nature gives, whose sight appals the mother;
- And dismal prophecies were spread abroad:
- And they, whom fierce Bellona's fury moves
- To wound their arms, sing vengeance; Cybel's[637] priests,
- Curling their bloody locks, howl dreadful things.
- Souls quiet and appeas'd sighed from their graves;
- Clashing of arms was heard; in untrod woods
- Shrill voices schright;[638] and ghosts encounter men.
- Those that inhabited the suburb-fields
- Fled: foul Erinnys stalked about the walls, 570
- Shaking her snaky hair and crookèd pine
- With flaming top; much like that hellish fiend
- Which made the stern Lycurgus wound his thigh,
- Or fierce Agave mad; or like Megæra
- That scar'd Alcides, when by Juno's task
- He had before look'd Pluto in the face.
- Trumpets were heard to sound; and with what noise
- An armèd battle joins, such and more strange
- Black night brought forth in secret. Sylla's ghost
- Was seen to walk, singing sad oracles; 580
- And Marius' head above cold Tav'ron[639] peering,
- His grave broke open, did affright the boors.
- To these ostents, as their old custom was,
- They call th' Etrurian augurs: amongst whom
- The gravest, Arruns, dwelt in forsaken Leuca[640]
- Well-skill'd in pyromancy; one that knew
- The hearts of beasts, and flight of wandering fowls.
- First he commands such monsters Nature hatch'd
- Against her kind, the barren mule's loath'd issue,
- To be cut forth[641] and cast in dismal fires; 590
- Then, that the trembling citizens should walk
- About the city; then, the sacred priests
- That with divine lustration purg'd the walls,
- And went the round, in and without the town;
- Next, an inferior troop, in tuck'd-up vestures,
- After the Gabine manner; then, the nuns
- And their veil'd matron, who alone might view
- Minerva's statue; then, they that kept and read
- Sibylla's secret works, and wash[642] their saint
- In Almo's flood; next learnèd augurs follow; 600
- Apollo's soothsayers, and Jove's feasting priests;
- The skipping Salii with shields like wedges;
- And Flamens last, with net-work woollen veils.
- While these thus in and out had circled Rome,
- Look, what the lightning blasted, Arruns takes,
- And it inters with murmurs dolorous,
- And calls the place Bidental. On the altar
- He lays a ne'er-yok'd bull, and pours down wine,
- Then crams salt leaven on his crookèd knife:
- The beast long struggled, as being like to prove 610
- An awkward sacrifice; but by the horns
- The quick priest pulled him on his knees, and slew him.
- No vein sprung out, but from the yawning gash,
- Instead of red blood, wallow'd venomous gore.
- These direful signs made Arruns stand amazed,
- And searching farther for the gods' displeasure,
- The very colour scared him; a dead blackness
- Ran through the blood, that turned it all to jelly,
- And stained the bowels with dark loathsome spots;
- The liver swelled with filth; and every vein 620
- Did threaten horror from the host of Cæsar
- A small thin skin contained the vital parts;
- The heart stirred not; and from the gaping liver
- Squeezed matter through the caul; the entrails peered;
- And which (ay me!) ever pretendeth[643] ill,
- At that bunch where the liver is, appear'd
- A knob of flesh, whereof one half did look
- Dead and discolour'd, th' other lean and thin.[644]
- By these he seeing what mischiefs must ensue,
- Cried out, "O gods, I tremble to unfold 630
- What you intend! great Jove is now displeas'd;
- And in the breast of this slain bull are crept
- Th' infernal powers. My fear transcends my words;
- Yet more will happen than I can unfold:
- Turn all to good, be augury vain, and Tages,
- Th' art's master, false!" Thus, in ambiguous terms
- Involving all, did Arruns darkly sing.
- But Figulus, more seen in heavenly mysteries,
- Whose like Ægyptian Memphis never had
- For skill in stars and tuneful planeting,[645] 640
- In this sort spake: "The world's swift course is lawless
- And casual; all the stars at random range;[646]
- Or if fate rule them, Rome, thy citizens
- Are near some plague. What mischief shall ensue?
- Shall towns be swallow'd? shall the thicken'd air
- Become intemperate? shall the earth be barren?
- Shall water be congeal'd and turn'd to ice?[647]
- O gods, what death prepare ye? with what plague
- Mean ye to rage? the death of many men
- Meets in one period. If cold noisome Saturn 650
- Were now exalted, and with blue beams shin'd,
- Then Ganymede[648] would renew Deucalion's flood,
- And in the fleeting sea the earth be drench'd.
- O Phoebus, shouldst thou with thy rays now singe
- The fell Nemæan beast, th' earth would be fir'd,
- And heaven tormented with thy chafing heat:
- But thy fires hurt not. Mars, 'tis thou inflam'st
- The threatening Scorpion with the burning tail,
- And fir'st his cleys:[649] why art thou thus enrag'd?
- Kind Jupiter hath low declin'd himself; 660
- Venus is faint; swift Hermes retrograde;
- Mars only rules the heaven. Why do the planets
- Alter their course, and vainly dim their virtue?
- Sword-girt Orion's side glisters too bright:
- War's rage draws near; and to the sword's strong hand
- Let all laws yield, sin bears the name of virtue:
- Many a year these furious broils let last:
- Why should we wish the gods should ever end them?
- War only gives us peace. O Rome, continue
- The course of mischief, and stretch out the date 670
- Of slaughter! only civil broils make peace."
- These sad presages were enough to scare
- The quivering Romans; but worse things affright them.
- As Mænas[650] full of wine on Pindus raves,
- So runs a matron through th' amazèd streets,
- Disclosing Phoebus' fury in this sort;
- "Pæan, whither am I haled? where shall I fall,
- Thus borne aloft? I seen Pangæus' hill
- With hoary top, and, under Hæmus' mount,
- Philippi plains. Phoebus, what rage is this? 680
- Why grapples Rome, and makes war, having no foes?
- Whither turn I now? thou lead'st me toward th' east,
- Where Nile augmenteth the Pelusian sea:
- This headless trunk that lies on Nilus' sand
- I know. Now th[o]roughout the air I fly
- To doubtful Syrtes and dry Afric, where
- A Fury leads the Emathian bands. From thence
- To the pine-bearing[651] hills; thence[652] to the mounts
- Pyrene; and so back to Rome again.
- See, impious war defiles the senate-house! 690
- New factions rise. Now through the world again
- I go. O Phoebus, show me Neptune's shore,
- And other regions! I have seen Philippi."
- This said, being tir'd with fury, she sunk down.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [579] Old ed. "launcht."--The forms "lanch" and "lance" are used
- indifferently.
- [580] Alike.
- [581] "Et ardenti _servilia_ bella sub Ætna."
- [582] "Nec polus adversi _calidus_ qua vergitur Austri."
- [583] "_Obliquo_ sidere."
- [584] Axis.
- [585] Tumults.
- [586]
- "Summisque negatum,
- Stare diu."
- [587] Far-fetched.
- [588] "Exiguum dominos commisit asylum."
- [589] "So old ed. in some copies which had been corrected at press;
- other copies 'Aezean.'"--_Dyce_.
- [590] Carræ's.
- [591] A somewhat weak translation of Lucan's most famous line:--"Victrix
- causa diis placuit, sed victa Catoni."
- [592] As the line stands we must take "nod" and "fall" transitively
- ("though every blast make it nod and seem to make it fall"). The
- original has "At quamvis primo nutet casura sub Euro."
- [593] "Fecunda virorum / Paupertas."
- [594] "Ingens visa duci patriae _trepidantis_ imago."
- [595] "Inde _moras_ solvit belli."
- [596] "Sonipes."
- [597] "Nuda jam crate fluentes / Invadunt clypeos."
- [598] Silent.
- [599] Prove.
- [600] "Jactatis ... _Gracchis_."
- [601] Marlowe omits to translate the words that follow in the
- original:--
- "Utque ducem varias volventem pectore curas
- Conspexit."
- [602] A line (omitted by Marlowe) follows in the original:--"Par labor
- atque metus pretio majore petuntur."
- [603] An obscure rendering of
- "Gentesque subactas
- Vix impune feres."
- [604] Old ed. "Eleius." It is hardly possible to suppose (as Dyce
- suggests) that Marlowe took the adjective "Eleus" for a substantive.
- [605] A mistranslation of "carcere clauso." ("Carcer" is the barrier or
- starting-place in the circus.)
- [606] "Immineat foribus." "Souse" is a north-country word meaning to
- bang or dash. It is also applied to the swooping-down of a hawk.
- [607] Old ed. "leaders."
- [608] So Dyce for the old ed's. "Brabbling." The original has
- "Marcellusque _loquax_." ("Brabbling" means "wrangling.")
- [609] A mistake (or perhaps merely a misprint) for "Cilician."
- [610] Old ed. has "Jaded, king of Pontus!"
- [611] "Unless we understand this in the sense of--say I receive no
- reward (--and in Fletcher's _Woman-Hater_, 'merit' means--derive profit,
- B. and F.'s _Works_, i. 91, ed. Dyce,--), it is a wrong translation of
- 'mihi si merces erepta laborum est.'"--_Dyce_.
- [612] "Sicilia" should be "Cilicia."
- [613] A free translation of the frigid original--
- "Arma tenenti
- Omnia dat qui justa negat."
- [614] Old ed. "Lalius."
- [615] Old ed. "_Articks_ Rhene." ("Rhene" is the old form of "Rhine.")
- [616] So old ed. Dyce's correction "or groaning woman's womb" seems
- hardly necessary. (The original has "plenaeque in viscera partu
- conjugis.")
- [617] "Numina miscebit castrensis flamma _Monetae_."
- [618] Old ed. "bowde."
- [619] Fetches.
- [620] The original has--
- "Castraque quae, Vogesi curvam super ardua rupem,
- Pugnaces pictis cohibebant _Lingonas_ armis."
- Dyce conjectures that Marlowe's copy read _Lingones_.
- [621] Old ed. "bloats."
- [622]
- "Tunc rura Nemossi
- Qui tenet et ripas Aturi."
- [623] Marlowe seems to have read here very ridiculously, "gaudetque
- amato [instead of amoto] Santonus hoste."--_Dyce_.
- [624] Marlowe has converted the name of a tribe into that of a country.
- [625] The approved reading is "longisque leves _Suessones_ in armis."
- [626] "Optimus excusso _Leucus Rhemusque_ lacerto."
- [627] "Et qui te _laxis_ imitantur, Sarmata, _bracchis_ Vangiones."
- Marlowe has mistaken "Sarmata," a _Sarmatian_, for the country
- _Sarmatia_.
- [628] The old ed. gives "fell Mercury (Joue)," and in the next line
- "where it seems." "Jove" written, as a correction, in the MS. above "it"
- was supposed by the printer to belong to the previous line.
- [629] The original has--
- "Hunc inter Rhenum populos Alpesque jacentes, / Finibus Arctois
- patriaque a sede revulsos, / Pone sequi."/ ("Populos" is the subject and
- "Hunc" the object of "sequi." For "Hunc" the best editions give "Tunc.")
- [630] "Parts" must be pronounced as a dissyllable.
- [631] "Praecipitem populum."
- [632] "Serieque haerentia longa / Agmina prorumpunt."
- [633] "Urbem populis, _victisque_ frequentem Gentibus."--Old ed.
- "captaines."
- [634] "Fulgura _fallaci_ micuerunt crebra sereno."
- [635] The original has, "_jugis_ nutantibus." Dyce reads "tops,"--an
- emendation against which Cunningham loudly protests. "Laps" is certainly
- more emphatic.
- [636] The line is imperfect. We should have expected "_at night_ wild
- beasts were seen" ("silvisque feras _sub nocte_ relictis").
- [637] Old ed. "Sibils."
- [638] Shrieked.
- [639] "Gelidas _Anienis_ ad undas."
- [640] "Or Lunæ"--marginal note in old ed.
- [641] The original has "rapi."
- [642] Old ed. "wash'd."
- [643] Portendeth.
- [644] Here Marlowe quite deserts the original--
- "pars ægra et marcida pendet,
- _Pars micat, et celeri venas movet improba pulsu_."
- [645] "Numerisque moventibus astra."--The word "planeting" was, I
- suppose, coined by Marlowe. I have never met it elsewhere.
- [646] So Dyce.--Old ed. "radge." (The original has "et incerto
- _discurrunt_ sidera motu.")
- [647] "Omnis an effusis miscebitur unda _venenis_."--Dyce suggests that
- Marlowe's copy read "pruinis."
- [648] The original has "Aquarius."--Ganymede was changed into the sign
- Aquarius: see Hyginus' _Poeticon Astron._ II. 29.
- [649] Claws.
- [650] A Mænad.--Old ed. "Mænus."
- [651] The original has "Nubiferæ."
- [652] Old ed. "hence."
- THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD TO HIS LOVE.
- THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD TO HIS LOVE.[653]
- Come[654] live with me and be my love,
- And we will all the pleasures prove
- That hills and vallies, dales and fields,[655]
- Woods or steepy mountain yields.[656]
- And we will[657] sit upon the rocks,
- Seeing[658] the shepherds feed their[659] flocks
- By shallow rivers to whose falls
- Melodious birds sing[660] madrigals.
- And I will make thee beds of roses[661]
- And[662] a thousand fragrant posies,
- A cup of flowers and a kirtle
- Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle.
- A gown[663] made of the finest wooll
- Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
- Fair-linèd[664] slippers for the cold,
- With buckles of the purest gold.
- A belt of straw and ivy-buds,
- With coral clasps and amber studs;
- An if these pleasures may thee move,
- Come[665] live with me, and be my love.
- The shepherd-swains[666] shall dance and sing
- For thy delight each May-morning:
- If these delights thy mind may move,
- Then live with me, and be my love.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [653] This delightful pastoral song was first published, without the
- fourth and sixth stanzas, in _The Passionate Pilgrim_, 1599. It appeared
- complete in _England's Helicon_, 1600, with Marlowe's name subscribed.
- By quoting it in the _Complete Angler_, 1653, Izaak Walton has made it
- known to a world of readers.
- [654] Omitted in P. P.
- [655] So P. P.--E. H. "That vallies, groves, hills and fieldes."--Walton
- "That vallies, groves, or hils or fields."
- [656] So E. H.--P. P. "And the craggy mountain yields."--Walton "Or,
- woods and steepie mountains yeelds."
- [657] So E. H.--P. P. "There will we."--Walton "Where we will."
- [658] So E. H.--P. P. and Walton "And see."
- [659] So E. H. and P. P.--Walton "our."
- [660] So P. P. and Walton.--E. H. "sings."
- [661] So E. H. and Walton.--P. P. "There will I make thee a bed of
- roses."
- [662] So E. H.--P. P. "With."--Walton "And then."
- [663] This stanza is omitted in P. P.
- [664] So E. H.--Walton "Slippers lin'd choicely."
- [665] So E. H. and Walton.--P. P. "Then."--After this stanza there
- follows in the second edition of the _Complete Angler_, 1655, an
- additional stanza:--
- "Thy silver dishes for thy meat
- As precious as the gods do eat,
- Shall on an ivory table be
- Prepar'd each day for thee and me."
- [666] This stanza is omitted in P. P.--E. H. and Walton "The
- sheep-heards swaines."
- [In _England's Helicon_ Marlowe's song is followed by the "Nymph's
- Reply to the Shepherd" and "Another of the same Nature made since."
- Both are signed _Ignoto_, but the first of these pieces has been
- usually ascribed to Sir Walter Raleigh[667]--on no very substantial
- grounds.]
- THE NYMPH'S REPLY TO THE SHEPHERD.
- If all the world and love were young,
- And truth in every Shepherd's tongue,
- These pretty pleasures might me move
- To live with thee, and be thy love.
- Times drives the flocks from field to fold,
- When rivers rage and rocks grow cold,
- And Philomel becometh dumb,
- The rest complains of cares to come.
- The flowers do fade and wanton fields
- To wayward winter reckoning yields;
- A honey tongue, a heart of gall,
- Is fancy's spring, but sorrow's fall.
- Thy gowns, thy shoes, thy beds of roses,
- Thy cap, thy kirtle, and thy posies,
- Soon break, soon wither, soon forgotten;
- In folly ripe, in reason rotten.
- Thy belt of straw and ivy buds,
- Thy coral clasps and amber studs,
- All these to me no means can move
- To come to thee, and be thy love.
- But could youth last and love still breed,
- Had joys no date nor age no need,
- Then these delights my mind might move
- To live with thee, and be thy love.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [667] Oldys in his annotated copy (preserved in the British Museum) of
- Langbaine's _Engl. Dram. Poets_, under the article _Marlowe_
- remarks:--"Sir Walter Raleigh was an encourager of his [_i.e._
- Marlowe's] Muse; and he wrote an answer to a Pastoral Sonnet of Sir
- Walter's [_sic_], printed by Isaac Walton in his book of fishing." It
- would be pleasant to think that Marlowe enjoyed Raleigh's patronage; but
- Oldys gives no authority for his statement.
- ANOTHER OF THE SAME NATURE MADE SINCE.
- Come live with me, and be my dear,
- And we will revel all the year,
- In plains and groves, on hills and dales,
- Where fragrant air breathes sweetest gales.
- There shall you have the beauteous pine,
- The cedar, and the spreading vine;
- And all the woods to be a screen,
- Lest Phoebus kiss my Summer's Queen.
- The seat for your disport shall be
- Over some river in a tree,
- Where silver sands and pebbles sing
- Eternal ditties to the spring.
- There shall you see the nymphs at play,
- And how the satyrs spend the day;
- The fishes gliding on the sands,
- Offering their bellies to your hands.
- The birds with heavenly tunèd throats
- Possess woods' echoes with sweet notes,
- Which to your senses will impart
- A music to enflame the heart.
- Upon the bare and leafless oak
- The ring-doves' wooings will provoke
- A colder blood than you possess
- To play with me and do no less.
- In bowers of laurel trimly dight
- We will out-wear the silent night,
- While Flora busy is to spread
- Her richest treasure on our bed.
- Ten thousand glow-worms shall attend,
- And all these sparkling lights shall spend
- All to adorn and beautify
- Your lodging with most majesty.
- Then in mine arms will I enclose
- Lilies' fair mixture with the rose,
- Whose nice perfection in love's play
- Shall tune me to the highest key.
- Thus as we pass the welcome night
- In sportful pleasures and delight,
- The nimble fairies on the grounds,
- Shall dance and sing melodious sounds.
- If these may serve for to entice
- Your presence to Love's Paradise,
- Then come with me, and be my dear,
- And we will then begin the year.
- The following verses in imitation of Marlowe are by Donne:--
- THE BAIT.
- Come live with me, and be my love,
- And we will some new pleasure prove
- Of golden sands and christal brooks
- With silken lines and silver hooks.
- There will the river whispering run,
- Warm'd by thine eyes more than the sun;
- And there th' enamoured fish will stay
- Begging themselves they may betray.
- When thou wilt swim in that live bath,
- Each fish which every channel hath
- Will amorously to thee swim,
- Gladder to catch thee than thou him.
- If thou to be so seen beest loath
- By sun or moon, thou darkenest both;
- And if my self have leave to see,
- I heed not their light, having thee.
- Let others freeze with angling reeds
- And cut their legs with shells and weeds,
- Or treacherously poor fish beset
- With strangling snare or winding net.
- Let coarse bold hands from slimy nest
- The bedded fish in banks outwrest,
- Or curious traitors, sleave-silk flies,
- Bewitch poor fishes' wandering eyes.
- For thee, thou need'st no such deceit,
- For thou thyself art thine own bait:
- That fish that is not catched thereby,
- Alas, is wiser far than I.
- Herrick has a pastoral invitation
- TO PHILLIS TO LOVE AND LIVE WITH HIM.
- Live, live with me, and thou shalt see
- The pleasures I'll prepare for thee;
- What sweets the country can afford
- Shall bless thy bed and bless thy board.
- The soft sweet moss shall be thy bed
- With crawling woodbine overspread:
- By which the silver-shedding streams
- Shall gently melt thee into dreams.
- Thy clothing next shall be a gown
- Made of the fleeces' purest down.
- The tongues of kids shall be thy meat;
- Their milk thy drink; and thou shall eat
- The paste of filberts for thy bread,
- With cream of cowslips buttered.
- Thy feasting-tables shall be hills
- With daisies spread and daffodils;
- Where thou shalt sit, and red-breast by
- For meat shall give thee melody.
- I'll give thee chains and carcanets
- Of primroses and violets.
- A bag and bottle thou shalt have,
- That richly wrought and this as brave,
- So that as either shall express
- The wearer's no mean shepherdess.
- At shearing-times and yearly wakes,
- When Themilis his pastime makes,
- There thou shalt be; and be the wit,
- Nay more, the feast and grace of it.
- On holidays when virgins meet
- To dance the hays with nimble feet,
- Thou shalt come forth and then appear
- The queen of roses for that year;
- And having danced ('bove all the best)
- Carry the garland from the rest.
- In wicker-baskets maids shall bring
- To thee, my dearest shepherdling,
- The blushing apple, bashful pear,
- And shame-faced plum all simp'ring there:
- Walk in the groves and thou shalt find
- The name of Phillis in the rind
- Of every straight and smooth-skin tree,
- Where kissing that I'll twice kiss thee.
- To thee a sheep-hook I will send
- Be-prankt with ribands to this end,
- This, this alluring hook might be
- Less for to catch a sheep than me.
- Thou shalt have possets, wassails fine,
- Not made of ale but spiced wine;
- To make thy maids and self free mirth,
- All sitting near the glittering hearth.
- Thou shalt have ribbands, roses, rings,
- Gloves, garters, stockings, shoes and strings,
- Of winning colours that shall move
- Others to lust but me to love.
- These, nay, and more, thine own shall be
- If thou wilt love and live with me.
- FRAGMENT.[668]
- I walk'd along a stream, for pureness rare,
- Brighter than sun-shine; for it did acquaint
- The dullest sight with all the glorious prey
- That in the pebble-pavèd channel lay.
- No molten crystal, but a richer mine,
- Even Nature's rarest alchymy ran there,--
- Diamonds resolv'd, and substance more divine,
- Through whose bright-gliding current might appear
- A thousand naked nymphs, whose ivory shine,
- Enamelling the banks, made them more dear
- Than ever was that glorious palace' gate
- Where the day-shining Sun in triumph sate.
- Upon this brim the eglantine and rose,
- The tamarisk, olive, and the almond tree,
- As kind companions, in one union grows,
- Folding their twining[669] arms, as oft we see
- Turtle-taught lovers either other close,
- Lending to dulness feeling sympathy;
- And as a costly valance o'er a bed,
- So did their garland-tops the brook o'erspread.
- Their leaves, that differ'd both in shape and show,
- Though all were green, yet difference such in green,
- Like to the checker'd bent of Iris' bow,
- Prided the running main, as it had been--
- FOOTNOTES:
- [668] From _England's Parnassus_, 1600, p. 480, where it is subscribed
- "Ch. Marlowe."
- [669] The text of _England's Parnassus_ has "twindring," which is
- corrected in the _Errata_, to "twining."
- DIALOGUE IN VERSE.[670]
- JACK.
- Seest thou not yon farmer's son?
- He hath stoln my love from me, alas!
- What shall I do? I am undone;
- My heart will ne'er be as it was.
- O, but he gives her gay gold rings,
- And tufted gloves [for] holiday,
- And many other goodly things,
- That hath stolen my love away.
- FRIEND.
- Let him give her gay gold rings
- Or tufted gloves, were they ne'er so [gay]; 10
- [F]or were her lovers lords or kings,
- They should not carry the wench away.
- [JACK.]
- But 'a dances wonders well,
- And with his dances stole her love from me:
- Yet she wont to say I bore the bell
- For dancing and for courtesy.
- DICK.[671]
- Fie, lusty younker, what do you here,
- Not dancing on the green to-day?
- For Pierce, the farmer's son, I fear,
- Is like to carry your wench away. 20
- [JACK.]
- Good Dick, bid them all come hither,
- And tell Pierce from me beside,
- That, if he thinks to have the wench,
- Here he stands shall lie with the bride.
- DICK.[672]
- Fie, Nan, why use thy old lover so,
- For any other new-come guest?
- Thou long time his love did know;
- Why shouldst thou not use him best?
- [NAN.]
- Bonny Dick, I will not forsake
- My bonny Rowland for any gold: 30
- If he can dance as well as Pierce,
- He shall have my heart in hold.
- PIERCE.
- Why, then, my hearts, let's to this gear;
- And by dancing I may won
- My Nan, whose love I hold so dear
- As any realm under the sun.
- GENTLEMAN.[673]
- Then, gentles, ere I speed from hence
- I will be so bold to dance
- A turn or two without offence;
- For, as I was walking along by chance, 40
- I was told you did agree.
- [FRIEND.]
- 'Tis true, good sir; and this is she
- Hopes your worship comes not to crave her;
- For she hath lovers two or three,
- And he that dances best must have her.
- GENTLEMAN.
- How say you, sweet, will you dance with me?
- And you [shall] have both land and [hill];
- My love shall want nor gold nor fee.
- [NAN.]
- I thank you, sir, for your good will;
- But one of these my love must be: 50
- I'm but a homely country maid,
- And far unfit for your degree;
- [To dance with you I am afraid.]
- FRIEND.
- Take her, good sir, by the hand,
- As she is fairest; were she fairer,
- By this dance, you shall understand,
- He that can win her is like to wear her.
- FOOL.
- And saw you not [my] Nan to-day,
- My mother's maid have you not seen?
- My pretty Nan is gone away 60
- To seek her love upon the green.
- [I cannot see her 'mong so many:]
- She shall have me, if she have any.
- NAN.[674]
- Welcome, sweet-heart, and welcome here,
- Welcome, my [true] love, now to me.
- This is my love [and my darling dear],
- And that my husband [soon] must be.
- And, boy, when thou com'st home thou'lt see
- Thou art as welcome home as he.
- GENTLEMAN.
- Why, how now, sweet Nan! I hope you jest. 70
- NAN.[675]
- No, by my troth, I love the fool the best:
- And, if you be jealous, God give you good-night!
- I fear you're a gelding, you caper so light.
- GENTLEMAN.
- I thought she had jested and meant but a fable,
- But now do I see she hath play'[d] with his bable.[676]
- I wish all my friends by me to take heed,
- That a fool come not near you when you mean to speed.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [670] First printed in _The Alleyn Papers_ (for the Shakespeare
- Society), p. 8, by Collier, who remarks:--"In the original MS. this
- dramatic dialogue in verse is written as prose, on one side of a sheet
- of paper, at the back of which, in a more modern hand, is the name 'Kitt
- Marlowe.' What connection, if any, he may have had with it, it is
- impossible to determine, but it was obviously worthy of preservation, as
- a curious stage-relic of an early date, and unlike anything else of the
- kind that has come down to us. In consequence of haste or ignorance on
- the part of the writer of the manuscript, it has been necessary to
- supply some portions, which are printed within brackets. There are also
- some obvious errors in the distribution of the dialogue, which it was
- not easy to correct. The probability is that, when performed, it was
- accompanied with music."
- [671] MS. "Jack."
- [672] MS. "W. Fre."--which Dyce supposed to be an abbreviation for
- _Wench's Friend_.
- [673] MS. "Frend."
- [674] MS. "Wen" (_i.e._ Wench).
- [675] MS. "Wen."
- [676] Bauble.
- APPENDICES.
- APPENDICES.
- No. I.
- THE ATHEIST'S TRAGEDIE.[677]
- All you that have got eares to heare,
- Now listen unto mee;
- Whilst I do tell a tale of feare;
- A true one it shall bee:
- A truer storie nere was told,
- As some alive can showe;
- 'Tis of a man in crime grown olde,
- Though age he did not know.
- This man did his owne God denie
- And Christ his onelie son,
- And did all punishment defie,
- So he his course might run.
- Both day and night would he blaspheme,
- And day and night would sweare,
- As if his life was but a dreame,
- Not ending in dispaire.
- A poet was he of repute,
- And wrote full many a playe,
- Now strutting in a silken sute,
- Then begging by the way.
- He had alsoe a player beene
- Upon the Curtaine-stage,
- But brake his leg in one lewd scene,
- When in his early age.
- He was a fellow to all those
- That did God's laws reject,
- Consorting with the Christians' foes
- And men of ill aspect.
- Ruffians and cutpurses hee
- Had ever at his backe,
- And led a life most foule and free,
- To his eternall wracke.
- He now is gone to his account,
- And gone before his time,
- Did not his wicked deedes surmount
- All precedent of crime.
- But he no warning ever tooke
- From others' wofull fate,
- And never gave his life a looke
- Untill it was too late.
- He had a friend, once gay and greene.[678]
- Who died not long before,
- The wofull'st wretch was ever seen,
- The worst ere woman bore,
- Unlesse this Wormall[679] did exceede
- Even him in wickednesse,
- Who died in the extreemest neede
- And terror's bitternesse.
- Yet Wormall ever kept his course,
- Since nought could him dismay;
- He knew not what thing was remorse
- Unto his dying day.
- Then had he no time to repent
- The crimes he did commit,
- And no man ever did lament
- For him, to dye unfitt.
- Ah, how is knowledge wasted quite
- On such want wisedome true,
- And that which should be guiding light
- But leades to errors newe!
- Well might learnd Cambridge oft regret
- He ever there was bred:
- The tree she in his mind had set
- Brought poison forth instead.
- His lust was lawlesse as his life,
- And brought about his death;
- For, in a deadlie mortall strife,
- Striving to stop the breath
- Of one who was his rivall foe,
- With his owne dagger slaine,
- He groand, and word spoke never moe,
- Pierc'd through the eye and braine.
- Thus did he come to suddaine ende
- That was a foe to all,
- And least unto himselfe a friend,
- And raging passion's thrall.
- Had he been brought up to the trade
- His father follow'd still,
- This exit he had never made,
- Nor played a part soe ill.
- Take warning ye that playes doe make,
- And ye that doe them act;
- Desist in time for Wormall's sake,
- And thinke upon his fact.
- Blaspheming Tambolin must die,
- And Faustus meete his ende;
- Repent, repent, or presentlie
- To hell ye must discend.
- What is there, in this world, of worth,
- That we should prize it soe?
- Life is but trouble from our birth,
- The wise do say and know.
- Our lives, then, let us mend with speed,
- Or we shall suerly rue
- The end of everie hainous deede,
- In life that shall insue.
- _Finis. Ign._
- FOOTNOTES:
- [677] In the Introduction I have expressed my opinion that this ballad
- is a forgery.
- [678] We are to suppose an allusion to Robert Greene.
- [679] The anagram of Marlowe.
- No. II.
- In a copy of _Hero and Leander_ Collier found, together with other
- questionable matter, the following MS. notes:--"Feb. 10, 1640. Mr. [two
- words follow in cipher], that Marloe was an atheist, and wrot a booke
- against [two words in cipher,] how that it was all one man's making, and
- would have printed it, but it would not be suffred to be printed. Hee
- was a rare scholar, and made excellent verses in Latine. He died aged
- about 30."--"Marloe was an acquaintance of Mr. [a name follows in
- cipher] of Douer, whom hee made become an atheist; so that he was faine
- to make a recantation vppon this text, 'The foole hath said in his heart
- there is no God.'"--"This [the name in cipher] learned all Marloe by
- heart."--"Marloe was stabd with a dagger and dyed swearing."
- No. III.
- A NOTE[680]
- CONTAYNINGE THE OPINION OF ONE CHRISTOFER MARYLE, CONCERNYNGE HIS
- DAMNABLE OPINIONS AND JUDGMENT OF RELYGION AND SCORNE OF GODS WORDE.
- FROM MS. HARL. 6853, FOL. 320.
- That the Indians and many Authors of Antiquitei have assuredly written
- of aboue 16 thowsande yeers agone, wher Adam is proved to have leyved
- within 6 thowsande yeers.
- _He affirmeth_[681] That Moyses was but a Juggler, and that one Heriots
- can do more then hee.
- That Moyses made the Jewes to travell fortie yeers in the wildernes
- (which iorny might have ben don in lesse then one yeer) er they came to
- the promised lande, to the intente that those whoe wer privei to most of
- his subtileteis might perish, and so an everlastinge supersticion
- remayne in the hartes of the people.
- That the firste beginnynge of Religion was only to keep men in awe.
- That it was an easye matter for Moyses, beinge brought up in all the
- artes of the Egiptians, to abvse the Jewes, being a rvde and grosse
- people.
- * * * * * * * * * *
- * * *[682]
- That he [Christ] was the sonne of a carpenter, and that, yf the Jewes
- amonge whome he was born did crvcifye him, thei best knew him and whence
- he came.
- That Christ deserved better to dye than Barrabas, and that the Jewes
- made a good choyce, though Barrabas were both a theife and a murtherer.
- That yf ther be any God or good Religion, then it is in the Papistes,
- becavse the service of God is performed with more ceremonyes, as
- elevacion of the masse, organs, singinge men, _shaven crownes_, &c. That
- all protestantes ar hipocriticall Asses.
- That, yf he wer put to write a new religion, he wolde vndertake both a
- more excellent and more admirable methode, and that all the new
- testament is filthely written.
- * * * * * * * * * *
- * * * * *
- * * * * * * * * * *
- * * * * * * * * * *
- * * * * * *
- * * * * * * * * * *
- * *
- That all the Appostels wer fishermen and base fellowes, nether of witt
- nor worth, that Pawle only had witt, that he was a timerous fellow in
- biddinge men to be subiect to magistrates against his conscience.
- _That he had as good right to coyne as the Queen of Englande, and that
- he was acquainted with one Poole, a prisoner in newgate, whoe hath great
- skill in mixture of mettalls, and havinge learned such thinges of him,
- he ment, thorough help of a cvnnynge stampe-maker, to coyne french
- crownes, pistolettes, and englishe shillinges._
- That, yf Christ had instituted the Sacramentes with more cerymonyall
- reverence, it would have ben had in more admiracion, that it wolde have
- ben much better beinge administred in a Tobacco pype.
- * * * * * * * * * *
- * * * * * * * * * *
- That one Richard Cholmelei[683] hath confessed that he was perswaded by
- Marloes reason to become an Athieste.
- _Theis thinges, with many other, shall by good and honest men be proved
- to be his opinions and common speeches, and that this Marloe doth not
- only holde them himself, but almost in every company he commeth,
- perswadeth men to Athiesme, willinge them not to be afrayed of bugbeares
- and hobgoblins, and vtterly scornynge both God and his ministers, as I
- Richard Bome_ [sic] _will justify bothe by my othe and the testimony of
- many honest men, and almost all men with whome he hath conversed any
- tyme will testefy the same:_ _and, as I thincke, all men in
- christianitei ought to endevor that the mouth of so dangerous a member
- may be stopped._
- _He sayeth moreover that he hath coated[684] a number of contrarieties
- out of the scriptures, which he hath geeven to some great men, who in
- convenient tyme shalbe named. When theis thinges shalbe called in
- question, the witnesses shalbe produced._
- RYCHARD BAME.
- (Endorsed)
- _Copye of Marloes blasphemyes
- as sent to her H[ighness]._
- [Now-a-days inquiries as to the age of the earth are of interest only to
- Geologists; and all may criticise with impunity the career of
- Moses--provided that they do not employ the shafts of ridicule too
- freely. Marlowe's strictures on the New Testament--grossly exaggerated
- by the creature who penned the charges--were made from the literary
- point of view. We should blame nobody to-day for saying that the
- language of Revelations is poor and thin when compared with the language
- of Isaiah. Again, as to the statement that Romanism alone is logical,
- and that Protestantism has no _locus standi_,--has not the doctrine been
- proclaimed again and again in our own day by writers whom we all
- respect? The charge that Marlowe had announced his intention of coining
- French crowns is so utterly absurd as to throw discredit upon all the
- other statements. It must be remembered that the testimony was not upon
- oath, and that the deponent was a ruffian.]
- FOOTNOTES:
- [680] This is the original title, which has been partly scored through
- to make way for the following title:--_A Note delivered on Whitson eve
- last of the most horrible blasphemes utteryd by Christofer Marly who
- within iii dayes after came to a soden and fearfull end of his life._
- [681] Words printed in italics are scored through in the MS.
- [682] Where _lacunæ_ occur the clauses are unfit for publication.
- [683] In the margin are the words "he is layd for,"--_i.e._, steps are
- being taken for his apprehension.
- [684] Quoted.
- No. IV.
- An edition of Marlowe cannot be more fitly concluded than by a reprint
- of Mr. R. H. Horne's noble and pathetic tragedy, _The Death of Marlowe_
- (originally published in 1837), one of the few dramatic pieces of the
- present century that will have any interest for posterity. For
- permission to reprint this tragedy I am indebted to Mr. Horne's literary
- executor, Mr. H. Buxton Forman.
- THE DEATH OF MARLOWE.
- _DRAMATIS PERSONÆ._
- CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE, } _Dramatists and Actors._
- THOMAS HEYWOOD, }
- THOMAS MIDDLETON, _Dramatist._
- CECILIA } _Runaway Wife of the drunkard,
- } Bengough._
- JACCONOT, _alias_ } _A Tavern Pander and Swashbuckler._
- JACK-O'-NIGHT }
- _Gentlemen, Officers, Servants, &c._
- SCENE I.
- _Public Gardens--Liberty of the Clink, Southwark._
- _Enter_ MARLOWE _and_ HEYWOOD.
- HEYWOOD.
- Be sure of it.
- MARLOWE.
- I am; but not by your light.
- HEYWOOD.
- I speak it not in malice, nor in envy
- Of your good fortune with so bright a beauty;
- But I have heard such things!
- MARLOWE.
- Good Master Heywood,
- I prithee plague me not with what thou'st heard;
- I've seen, and I do love her--and, for hearing,
- The music of her voice is in my soul,
- And holds a rapturous jubilee 'midst dreams
- That melt the day and night into one bliss.
- HEYWOOD.
- Beware the waking hour!
- MARLOWE.
- In lovely radiance,
- Like all that's fabled of Olympus' queen,
- She moves--as if the earth were undulant clouds,
- And all its flowers her subject stars.
- HEYWOOD.
- Proceed.
- MARLOWE.
- Smile not; for 'tis most true: the very air
- With her sweet presence is impregnate richly.
- As in a mead, that's fresh with youngest green,
- Some fragrant shrub, some secret herb, exhales
- Ambrosial odours; or in lonely bower,
- Where one may find the musk plant, heliotrope,
- Geranium, or grape hyacinth, confers
- A ruling influence, charming present sense
- And sure of memory; so, her person bears
- A natural balm, obedient to the rays
- Of heaven--or to her own, which glow within,
- Distilling incense by their own sweet power.
- The dew at sunrise on a ripened peach
- Was never more delicious than her neck.
- Such forms are Nature's favourites.
- HEYWOOD.
- Come, come--
- Pygmalion and Prometheus dwell within you!
- You poetise her rarely, and exalt
- With goddess-attributes, and chastity
- Beyond most goddesses: be not thus serious!
- If for a passing paramour thou'dst love her,
- Why, so, so it may be well; but never place
- Thy full heart in her hand.
- MARLOWE.
- I have--I do--
- And I will lay it bleeding at her feet.
- Reason no more, for I do love this woman:
- To me she's chaste, whatever thou hast heard.
- Whatever I may know, hear, find, or fancy,
- I must possess her constantly, or die.
- HEYWOOD.
- Nay, if't be thus, I'll fret thine ear no more
- With raven voice; but aid thee all I can.
- MARLOWE.
- Cecilia!--Go, dear friend--good Master Heywood,
- Leave me alone--I see her coming thither!
- HEYWOOD.
- Bliss wait thy wooing; peace of mind its end!
- (_aside_) His knees shake, and his face and hands are wet,
- As with a sudden fall of dew--God speed him!
- This is a desperate fancy! _Exit._
- _Enter_ CECILIA.
- CECILIA.
- Thoughtful sir,
- How fare you? Thou'st been reading much of late,
- By the moon's light, I fear me?
- MARLOWE.
- Why so, lady?
- CECILIA.
- The reflex of the page is on thy face.
- MARLOWE.
- But in my heart the spirit of a shrine
- Burns, with immortal radiation crown'd.
- CECILIA.
- Nay, primrose gentleman, think'st me a saint?
- MARLOWE.
- I feel thy power.
- CECILIA.
- I exercise no arts--
- Whence is my influence?
- MARLOWE.
- From heaven, I think.
- Madam, I love you--ere to-day you've seen it,
- Although my lips ne'er breathed the word before;
- And seldom as we've met and briefly spoken,
- There are such spiritual passings to and fro
- 'Twixt thee and me--though I alone may suffer--
- As make me know this love blends with my life;
- Must branch with it, bud, blossom, put forth fruit,
- Nor end e'en when its last husks strew the grave,
- Whence we together shall ascend to bliss.
- CECILIA.
- Continued from this world?
- MARLOWE.
- Thy hand, both hands;
- I kiss them from my soul!
- CECILIA.
- Nay, sir, you burn me--
- Let loose my hands!
- MARLOWE.
- I loose them--half my life has thus gone from me!--
- That which is left can scarce contain my heart,
- Now grown too full with the high tide of joy,
- Whose ebb, retiring, fills the caves of sorrow,
- Where Syrens sing beneath their dripping hair,
- And raise the mirror'd fate.
- CECILIA.
- Then, gaze not in it,
- Lest thou should'st see thy passing funeral.
- I would not--I might chance to see far worse.
- MARLOWE.
- Thou art too beautiful ever to die!
- I look upon thee, and can ne'er believe it.
- CECILIA.
- O, sir--but passion, circumstance, and fate,
- Can do far worse than kill: they can dig graves,
- And make the future owners dance above them,
- Well knowing how 'twill end. Why look you sad?
- 'Tis not your case; you are a man in love--
- At least, you say so--and should therefore feel
- A constant sunshine, wheresoe'er you tread,
- Nor think of what's beneath. But speak no more:
- I see a volume gathering in your eye
- Which you would fain have printed in my heart;
- But you were better cast it in the fire.
- Enough you've said, and I enough have listened.
- MARLOWE.
- I have said naught.
- CECILIA.
- You have spoken very plain--
- So, Master Marlowe, please you, break we off;
- And, since your mind is now relieved--good day!
- MARLOWE.
- Leave me not thus!--forgive me!
- CECILIA.
- For what offence
- MARLOWE.
- The expression of my love.
- CECILIA.
- Tut! that's a trifle.
- Think'st thou I ne'er saw men in love before?
- Unto the summer of beauty they are common
- As grasshoppers.
- MARLOWE.
- And to its winter, lady?
- CECILIA.
- There is no winter in my thoughts--adieu!
- _Exit._
- MARLOWE.
- She's gone!--How leafless is my life!--My strength
- Seems melted--my breast vacant--and in my brain
- I hear the sound of a retiring sea.
- _Exit._
- SCENE II.
- _Gravel Lane; Bankside._
- _Enter_ HEYWOOD _and_ MIDDLETON.
- MIDDLETON.
- And yet it may end well, after his fit is over.
- HEYWOOD.
- But he is earnest in it.
- MIDDLETON.
- 'Tis his habit; a little thunder clears the atmosphere. At present he is
- spell-bound, and smouldereth in a hot cloud of passion; but when he once
- makes his way, he will soon disperse his free spirit abroad over the
- inspired heavens.
- HEYWOOD.
- I fear me she will sow quick seed of feverish fancies in his mind that
- may go near to drive him mad.
- MIDDLETON.
- How so? He knoweth her for what she is, as well as for what she
- was;--the high-spirited and once virtuous wife of the drunkard Bengough.
- You remember him?
- HEYWOOD.
- I have seen him i' the mire. 'Twas his accustomed bed o' nights--and
- morning, too--many a time. He preferred _that_ to the angel he left at
- home. Some men do. 'Tis a sorrow to think upon.
- MIDDLETON.
- And one that tears cannot wash! Master Marlowe hath too deep a reading
- i' the books of nature to nail his heart upon a gilded weathercock. He
- is only desperate after the fashion of a pearl diver. When he hath
- enough he will desist--breathe freely, polish the shells, and build
- grottoes.
- HEYWOOD.
- Nay, he persisteth in _not_ knowing her for a courtesan--talks of her
- purity in burning words, that seem to glow and enhance his love from his
- convictions of her virtue; then suddenly falls into silent abstraction,
- looking like a man whose eyes are filled with visions of Paradise. No
- pains takes she to deceive him; for he supersedes the chance by
- deceiving himself beyond measure. He either listens not at all to
- intimation, or insists the contrary.
- MIDDLETON.
- This is his passionate aggravation or self will: he _must_ know it.
- HEYWOOD.
- 'Tis my belief; but her beauty blinds him with its beams, and drives his
- exiled reason into darkness.
- MIDDLETON.
- Here comes one that could enlighten his perception, methinks.
- HEYWOOD.
- Who's he? Jack-o'-night, the tavern pander and swashbuckler.
- _Enter_ JACCONOT.
- JACCONOT.
- Save ye, my masters; lusty thoughts go with ye, and a jovial full cup
- wait on your steps: so shall your blood rise, and honest women pledge ye
- in their dreams!
- MIDDLETON.
- Your weighty-pursed knowledge of women, balanced against your squinting
- knowledge of honesty, Master Jack-o'-night, would come down to earth,
- methinks, as rapid as a fall from a gallows-tree.
- JACCONOT.
- Well said, Master Middleton--a merry devil and a long-lived one run
- monkey-wise up your back-bone! May your days be as happy as they're
- sober, and your nights full of applause! May no brawling mob pelt you,
- or your friends, when throned, nor hoot down your plays when your soul's
- pinned like a cockchafer on public opinion! May no learned or unlearned
- calf write against your knowledge and wit, and no brother paper-stainer
- pilfer your pages, and then call you a general thief! Am I the only
- rogue and vagabond in the world?
- MIDDLETON.
- I' faith, not: nay, an' thou wert, there would be no lack of them i' the
- next generation. Thou might'st be the father of the race, being now the
- bodily type of it. The phases of thy villany are so numerous that, were
- they embodied they would break down the fatal tree which is thine
- inheritance, and cause a lack of cords for the Thames shipping!
- JACCONOT.
- Don't choke me with compliments!
- HEYWOOD (_to_ MIDDLETON).
- He seems right proud of this multiplied idea of his latter end.
- JACCONOT.
- Ay; hanging's of high antiquity, and, thereto, of broad modern repute.
- The flag, the sign, the fruit, the felon, and other high and mighty
- game, all hang; though the sons of ink and sawdust try to stand apart,
- smelling civet, as one should say,--faugh! Jewelled caps, ermined
- cloaks, powdered wigs, church bells, _bona-roba_ bed-gowns, gilded
- bridles, spurs, shields, swords, harness, holy relics, and salted hogs,
- all hang in glory! Pictures, too, of rare value! Also music's
- ministrants,--the lute, the horn, the fiddle, the pipe, the gong, the
- viol, the salt-box, the tambourine and the triangle, make a dead-wall
- dream of festive harmonies!
- MIDDLETON.
- Infernal discords, thou would'st say!
- JACCONOT (_rapidly_).
- These are but few things among many! for 'scutcheons, scarecrows,
- proclamations, the bird in a cage, the target for fools' wit, _hic
- jacet_ tablets (that is, lying ones), the King's Head and the Queen's
- Arms, ropes of onions, dried herbs, smoked fish, holly boughs, hall
- lanthorns, framed piety texts, and adored frights of family portraits,
- all hang! Likewise corkscrews, cat-skins, glittering trophies, sausage
- links, shining icicles, the crucifix, and the skeleton in chains. There,
- we all swing, my masters! Tut! hanging's a high Act of Parliament
- privilege!--a Star-Chamber Garter-right!
- MIDDLETON (_to_ Heywood _laughingly_).
- The devil's seed germinates with reptile rapidity, and blossoms and
- fructifies in the vinous fallows of this bully's brain!
- JACCONOT.
- I tell thee what----(_looking off_) another time!
- _Exit_ JACCONOT _hastily._
- HEYWOOD.
- I breathe fresh air!
- MIDDLETON.
- Look!--said I not so? See whom 'tis he meets;
- And with a lounging, loose, familiar air,
- Cocking his cap and setting his hand on's hip,
- Salutes with such free language as his action
- And attitude explain!
- HEYWOOD.
- I grieve for Marlowe:
- The more, since 'tis as certain he must have
- Full course of passion, as that its object's full
- Of most unworthy elements.
- MIDDLETON.
- Unworthy,
- Indeed, of such a form, if all be base.
- But Nature, methinks, doth seldom so belie
- The inward by the outward; seldom frame
- A cheat so finish'd to ensnare the senses,
- And break our faith in all substantial truth. _Exeunt._
- _Enter_ CECILIA, _followed by_ JACCONOT.
- JACCONOT.
- Well, well, Mistress St. Cecil; the money is all well enough--I object
- nothing to the money.
- CECILIA.
- Then, go your ways.
- JACCONOT.
- My ways are your ways--a murrain on your beauties!--has your brain shot
- forth skylarks as your eyes do sparks?
- CECILIA.
- Go!--here is my purse.
- JACCONOT.
- I'll no more of't!--I have a mind to fling back what thou'st already
- given me for my services.
- CECILIA.
- Master Jacconot, I would have no further services from thee. If thou art
- not yet satisfied, fetch the weight and scales, and I will cast my gold
- into it, and my dross besides--so shall I be doubly relieved.
- JACCONOT.
- I say again--and the devil bear me fierce witness!--it is not gold I
- want, but rightful favour; not silver, but sweet civility; not dross,
- but the due respect to my non-pareil value! Bethink thee, Cecil--bethink
- thee of many things! Ay! am not I the true gallant of my time? the great
- Glow-worm and Will-o'-the-wisp--the life, the fortune, and the favourite
- of the brightest among ye!
- CECILIA.
- Away!
- JACCONOT.
- Whither?
- CECILIA.
- Anywhere, so it be distant.
- JACCONOT.
- What mean'st by discarding me, and why is it? 'Slud! is this the right
- sort of return for all my skilful activities, my adroit fascinations of
- young lords in drink, my tricks at dice, cards, and dagger-play, not to
- speak too loudly of bets on bear-baits, soap-bubbles, and Shrovetide
- cocks; or my lies about your beauty and temper? Have I not brought dukes
- and earls and reverend seniors, on tip-toe, and softly whispering for
- fear of "the world," right under the balcony of your window?--O, don't
- beat the dust with your fine foot! These be good services, I think!
- CECILIA (_half aside_).
- Alas! alas!--the world sees us only as bright, though baleful stars,
- little knowing our painful punishments in the dark--our anguish in
- secret.
- JACCONOT.
- Are you thinking of me?
- CECILIA.
- Go!
- JACCONOT.
- Go!--a death's-head crown your pillow! May you dream of love, and wake
- and see that!
- CECILIA.
- I had rather see't than you.
- JACCONOT.
- What's i' the wind,--nobleman, or gentleman, or a brain fancy--am not I
- at hand? Are you mad?
- CECILIA (_overcome_).
- I'd gladly believe I have been so.
- JACCONOT.
- Good. I'm content you see me aright once more, and acknowledge yourself
- wrong.
- CECILIA (_half aside, and tearfully_).
- O, wrong indeed--very wrong--to my better nature--my better nature.
- JACCONOT.
- And to me, too! Bethink thee, I say, when last year, after the dance at
- Hampton, thou wert enraged against the noble that slighted thee; and,
- flushed with wine, thou took'st me by the ear, and mad'st me hand thee
- into thy coach, and get in beside thee, with a drawn sword in my hand
- and a dripping trencher on my head, singing such songs, until----
- CECILIA.
- Earthworms and stone walls!
- JACCONOT.
- Hey! what of them?
- CECILIA.
- I would that as the corporal Past they cover,
- They would, at earnest bidding of the will,
- Entomb in walls of darkness and devour
- The hated retrospections of the mind.
- JACCONOT (_aside_).
- Oho!--the lamps and saw-dust!--Here's foul play
- And mischief in the market. Preaching varlet!
- I'll find him out--I'll dog him! _Exit_.
- CECILIA.
- Self disgust
- Gnaws at the root of being, and doth hang
- A heavy sickness on the beams of day,
- Making the atmosphere, which should exalt
- Our contemplations, press us down to earth,
- As though our breath had made it thick with plague.
- Cursed! accursed be the freaks of Nature,
- That mar us from ourselves, and make our acts
- The scorn and loathing of our afterthoughts--
- The finger mark of Conscience, who, most treacherous,
- Wakes to accuse, but slumber'd o'er the sin.
- _Exit._
- SCENE III.
- _A Room in the Triple Tun, Blackfriars._
- MARLOWE, MIDDLETON, _and_ GENTLEMEN.
- GENTLEMAN.
- I do rejoice to find myself among
- The choicest spirits of the age: health, sirs!
- I would commend your fame to future years,
- But that I know ere this ye must be old
- In the conviction, and that ye full oft
- With sure posterity have shaken hands
- Over the unstable bridge of present time.
- MARLOWE.
- Not so: we write from the full heart within,
- And leave posterity to find her own.
- Health, sir!--your good deeds laurel you in heaven.
- MIDDLETON.
- 'Twere best men left their fame to chance and fashion,
- As birds bequeath their eggs to the sun's hatching,
- Since Genius can make no will.
- MARLOWE.
- Troth, can it!
- But for the consequences of the deed,
- What fires of blind fatality may catch them!
- Say, you do love a woman--do adore her--
- You may embalm the memory of her worth
- And chronicle her beauty to all time,
- In words whereat great Jove himself might flush,
- And feel Olympus tremble at his thoughts;
- Yet where is your security? Some clerk
- Wanting a foolscap, or some boy a kite,
- Some housewife fuel, or some sportsman wadding
- To wrap a ball (which hits the poet's brain
- By merest accident) seizes your record,
- And to the wind thus scatters all your will,
- Or, rather, your will's object. Thus, our pride
- Swings like a planet by a single hair,
- Obedient to God's breath. More wine! more wine!
- I preach--and I grow melancholy--wine!
- _Enter_ DRAWER _with a tankard_.
- A GENTLEMAN (_rising_).
- We're wending homeward--gentlemen, good night!
- MARLOWE.
- Not yet--not yet--the night has scarce begun--
- Nay, Master Heywood--Middleton, you'll stay!
- Bright skies to those who go--high thoughts go with ye,
- And constant youth!
- GENTLEMEN.
- We thank you, sir--good night! _Exeunt_ GENTLEMEN.
- HEYWOOD.
- Let's follow--'tis near morning.
- MARLOWE.
- Do not go.
- I'm ill at ease, touching a certain matter
- I've taken to heart--don't speak of't--and besides
- I have a sort of horror of my bed.
- Last night a squadron charged me in a dream,
- With Isis and Osiris at the flanks,
- Towering and waving their colossal arms,
- While in the van a fiery chariot roll'd,
- Wherein a woman stood--I knew her well--
- Who seem'd but newly risen from the grave!
- She whirl'd a javelin at me, and methought
- I woke; when, slowly at the foot o' the bed
- The mist-like curtains parted, and upon me
- Did learned Faustus look! He shook his head
- With grave reproof, but more of sympathy,
- As though his past humanity came o'er him--
- Then went away with a low, gushing sigh,
- That startled his own death-cold breast, and seem'd
- As from a marble urn where passion's ashes
- Their sleepless vigil keep. Well--perhaps they do.
- (_after a pause_)
- Lived he not greatly? Think what was his power!
- All knowledge at his beck--the very Devil
- His common slave. And, O, brought he not back,
- Through the thick-million'd catacombs of ages,
- Helen's unsullied loveliness to his arms?
- MIDDLETON.
- So--let us have more wine, then!
- HEYWOOD.
- Spirit enough
- Springs from thee, Master Marlowe--what need more.
- MARLOWE.
- Drawer! lift up thy leaden poppy-head!
- Up man!--where art? The night seems wondrous hot!
- (MARLOWE _throws open a side window that reaches
- down to the floor, and stands there, looking out._)
- HEYWOOD (_to_ MIDDLETON).
- The air flows in upon his heated face,
- And he grows pale with looking at the stars;
- Thinking the while of many things in heaven.
- MIDDLETON.
- And some one on the earth--as fair to him--
- For, lo you!--is't not she?
- (_Pointing towards the open window_.)
- HEYWOOD.
- The lady, folded
- In the long mantle, coming down the street?
- MIDDLETON.
- Let be; we cannot help him.
- (HEYWOOD _and_ MIDDLETON _retire apart_--CECILIA
- _is passing by the open window_.)
- MARLOWE.
- Stay awhile!--
- One moment stay!
- CECILIA (_pausing_).
- That is not much to ask.
- (_She steps in through the window_.)
- MARLOWE.
- Nor much for you to grant; but O, to me
- That moment is a circle without bounds,--
- Because I see no end to my delight!
- CECILIA.
- O, sir, you make me very sad at heart;
- Let's speak no more of this. I am on my way
- To walk beside the river.
- MARLOWE.
- May I come?
- CECILIA.
- Ah, no; I'll go alone.
- MARLOWE.
- 'Tis dark and dismal;
- Nor do I deem it safe!
- CECILIA.
- What can harm _me_?
- If not above, at least I am beyond
- All common dangers. No, you shall not come.
- I have some questions I would ask myself;
- And in the sullen, melancholy flow
- O' the unromantic Thames, that has been witness
- Of many tragical realities,
- Bare of adornment as its cold stone stairs,
- I may find sympathy, if not response.
- MARLOWE.
- You find both here. I know thy real life;
- We do not see the truth--or, O, how little!
- Pure light sometimes through painted windows streams;
- And, when all's dark around thee, thou art fair!
- Thou bear'st within an ever-burning lamp,
- To me more sacred than a vestal's shrine;
- For she may be of heartless chastity,
- False in all else, and proud of her poor ice,
- As though 'twere fire suppress'd; but thou art good
- For goodness' sake;--true-hearted, lovable,
- For truth and honour's sake; and such a woman,
- That man who wins, the gods themselves may envy.
- CECILIA (_going_).
- Considering all things, this is bitter sweet.
- MARLOWE.
- And I may come? (_following her_)
- CECILIA (_firmly_).
- You shall not.
- MARLOWE.
- I obey you.
- CECILIA (_tenderly_).
- Ah! Kit Marlowe,--
- You think too much of me--and of yourself
- Too little!
- MARLOWE.
- Then I may----(_advancing_)
- CECILIA (_firmly_).
- No--no!
- MARLOWE.
- Wilt promise
- To see me for one "good night" ere you sleep?
- CECILIA.
- On my way home I will.
- (_She turns to look at him--then steps through the
- Window--Exit_.)
- MARLOWE.
- Be sure--be sure!
- (HEYWOOD _and_ MIDDLETON _approach_.)
- HEYWOOD.
- Now, Marlowe!--you desert us!
- MARLOWE.
- Say not so;--
- Or, saying so, add--that I have lost myself!
- Nay, but I _have_; yonder I go in the dark!
- (_pointing after_ CECILIA)
- _Street Music._--JACCONOT, _singing outside._
- Ram out the link, boys; ho, boys![685]
- There's daylight in the sky!
- While the trenchers strew the floor,
- And the worn-out grey beards snore,
- Jolly throats continue dry!
- Ram out the link, boys, &c.
- MIDDLETON.
- What voice is that?
- MARLOWE (_through his teeth_).
- From one of the hells.
- HEYWOOD.
- The roystering singer approaches.
- _Enter_ JACCONOT, _with a full tankard._
- JACCONOT.
- Ever awake and shining, my masters! and here am I, your twin lustre,
- always ready to herald and anoint your pleasures, like a true Master of
- the Revels. I ha' just stepped over the drawer's body, laid nose and
- heels together on the door-mat, asleep, and here's wherewith to continue
- the glory!
- MIDDLETON.
- We need not your help.
- HEYWOOD.
- We thank you, Jack-o'-night: we would be alone.
- JACCONOT.
- What say _you_, Master Marlowe? you look as grim as a sign-painters'
- first sketch on a tavern bill, after his ninth tankard.
- MIDDLETON.
- Cease your death-rattle, night-hawk!
- MARLOWE.
- That's well said.
- JACCONOT.
- Is it? So 'tis my gallants--a night-bird like yourselves, am I.
- MARLOWE.
- Beast!--we know you.
- JACCONOT.
- Your merry health, Master Kit Marlowe! I'll bring a loud pair of palms
- to cheer your soul the next time you strut in red paint with a wooden
- weapon at your thigh.
- MARLOWE.
- Who sent for _you_, dorr-hawk?--go!
- JACCONOT.
- Go! Aha!--I remember the word--same tone, same gesture--or as like as
- the two profiles of a monkey, or as two squeaks for one pinch. Go!--not
- I--here's to all your healths! One pull more! There, I've done--take it,
- Master Marlowe; and pledge me as the true knight of London's rarest
- beauties!
- MARLOWE.
- I will! (_Dashes the tankard at his head_.)
- JACCONOT (_stooping quickly_).
- A miss, 'fore-gad!--the wall has got it! See where it trickles down like
- the long robe of some dainty fair one! And look you here--and there
- again, look you!--what make you of the picture he hath presented?
- MARLOWE (_staggers as he stares at the wall_).
- O subtle Nature! who hath so compounded
- Our senses, playing into each other's wheels,
- That feeling oft acts substitute for sight,
- As sight becomes obedient to the thought--
- How canst thou place such wonders at the mercy
- Of every wretch that crawls? I feel--I see!
- (_Street Music as before, but farther off._)
- JACCONOT (_singing_).
- Ram out the link, boys; ho, boys!
- The blear-eyed morning's here;
- Let us wander through the streets,
- And kiss whoe'er one meets;
- St. Cecil is my dear!
- Ram out the link, boys, &c.
- MARLOWE (_drawing_).
- Lightning come up from hell and strangle thee!
- MIDDLETON _and_ HEYWOOD.
- Nay, Marlowe! Marlowe! (_they hold him back_).
- MIDDLETON (_to_ JACCONOT).
- Away, thou bestial villain!
- JACCONOT (_singing at_ MARLOWE).
- St. Cecil is my dear!
- MARLOWE (_furiously_).
- Blast! blast and scatter
- Thy body to ashes! Off! I'll have his ghost!
- (_rushes at_ JACCONOT--_they fight--Marlowe disarms him; but_ JACCONOT
- _wrests_ MARLOWE'S _own sword from his hand, and stabs him_--MARLOWE
- _falls_)
- MIDDLETON.
- See! see!
- MARLOWE (_clasping his forehead_).
- Who's down?--answer me, friends--is't I?--
- Or in the maze of some delirious trance,
- Some realm unknown, or passion newly born--
- Ne'er felt before--am I transported thus?
- My fingers paddle, too, in blood--is't mine?
- JACCONOT.
- O, content you, Master Marplot--it's you that's down, drunk or sober;
- and that's your own blood on your fingers, running from a three-inch
- groove in your ribs for the devil's imps to slide into you. Ugh! cry
- gramercy! for it's all over with your rhyming!
- HEYWOOD.
- O, heartless mischief!
- MIDDLETON.
- Hence, thou rabid cur!
- MARLOWE.
- What demon in the air with unseen arm
- Hath turn'd my unchain'd fury against myself?
- Recoiling dragon! thy resistless force
- Scatters thy mortal master in his pride,
- To teach him, with self-knowledge, to fear thee.
- Forgetful of all corporal conditions,
- My passion hath destroy'd me!
- JACCONOT.
- No such matter; it was _my_ doing. You shouldn't ha' ran at me in that
- fashion with a real sword--I thought it had been one o' your sham ones.
- MIDDLETON.
- Away!
- HEYWOOD.
- See! his face changes--lift him up!
- (_they raise and support him_)
- Here--place your hand upon his side--here, here--
- Close over mine, and staunch the flowing wound!
- MARLOWE (_delirious_.)
- Bright is the day--the air with glory teems--
- And eagles wanton in the smile of Jove:
- Can these things be, and Marlowe live no more!
- O Heywood! Heywood! I had a world of hopes
- About that woman--now in my heart they rise
- Confused, as flames from my life's coloured map,
- That burns until with wrinkling agony
- Its ashes flatten, separate, and drift
- Through gusty darkness. Hold me fast by the arm!
- A little aid will save me:--See! she's here!
- I clasp thy form--I feel thy breath, my love--
- And know thee for a sweet saint come to save me!
- Save!--is it death I feel--it cannot be death?
- JACCONOT (_half aside_.)
- Marry, but it can!--or else your sword's a foolish dog that dar'n't bite
- his owner.
- MARLOWE.
- O friends--dear friends--this is a sorry end--
- A most unworthy end! To think--O God!--
- To think that I should fall by the hand of one
- Whose office, like his nature, is all baseness,
- Gives Death ten thousand stings, and to the Grave
- A damning victory! Fame sinks with life!
- A galling--shameful--ignominious end! (_sinks down_).
- O mighty heart! O full and orbed heart,
- Flee to thy kindred sun, rolling on high!
- Or let the hoary and eternal sea
- Sweep me away, and swallow body and soul!
- JACCONOT.
- There'll be no "encore" to either, I wot; for thou'st led an ill life,
- Master Marlowe; and so the sweet Saint thou spok'st of, will remain my
- fair game--behind the scenes.
- MARLOWE.
- Liar! slave! sla---- Kind Master Heywood,
- You will not see me die thus!--thus by the hand
- And maddening tongue of such a beast as that!
- Haste, if you love me--fetch a leech to help me--
- Here--Middleton--sweet friend--a bandage here--
- I cannot die by such a hand--I will not--
- I say I will not die by that vile hand!
- Go bring Cecilia to me--bring the leech--
- Close--close this wound--you know I did it myself--
- Bring sweet Cecilia--haste--haste--instantly--
- Bring life and time--bring heaven!--Oh, I am dying!--
- Some water--stay beside me--maddening death,
- By such a hand! O villain! from the grave
- I constantly will rise--to curse! curse! curse thee!
- (_Rises_--_and falls dead_.)
- MIDDLETON.
- Terrible end!
- HEYWOOD.
- O God!--he is quite gone!
- JACCONOT (_aghast_.)
- 'Twas dreadful--'twas! Christ help us! and lull him to sleep in's grave.
- I stand up for mine own nature none the less. (_Voices without_) What
- noise is that?
- _Enter_ OFFICERS.
- CHIEF OFFICER.
- This is our man--ha! murder has been here! You are our prisoner--the
- gallows waits you!
- JACCONOT.
- What have I done to be hung up like a miracle? The hemp's not sown nor
- the ladder-wood grown, that shall help fools to finish me! He did it
- himself! He said so with his last words!--there stands his friends and
- brother players--put them to their Testament if he said not he did it
- himself?
- CHIEF OFFICER.
- Who is it lies here?--methinks that I should know him,
- But for the fierce distortion of his face!
- MIDDLETON.
- He who erewhile wrote with a brand of fire,
- Now, in his passionate blood, floats tow'rds the grave!
- The present time is ever ignorant--
- We lack clear vision in our self-love's maze;
- But Marlowe in the future will stand great,
- Whom this--the lowest caitiff in the world--
- A nothing, save in grossness, hath destroy'd.
- JACCONOT.
- "Caitiff" back again in your throat! and "gross nothing" to boot--may
- you have it to live upon for a month, and die mad and starving! Would'st
- swear my life away so lightly? Tut! who was he? I could always find the
- soundings of a quart tankard, or empty a pasty in half his time, and
- swear as rare oaths between whiles--who was he? I too ha' write my odes
- and Pindar jigs with the twinkling of a bedpost, to the sound of the
- harp and hurdygurdy, while Capricornus wagged his fiery beard; I ha'
- sung songs to the faint moon's echoes at daybreak and danced here away
- and there away, like the lightning through a forest! As to your sword
- and dagger play, I've got the trick o' the eye and wrist--who was he?
- What's all his gods--his goddesses and lies?--the first a'nt worth a
- word; and for the two last, I was always a prince of both! "Caitiff!"
- and "beast!" and "nothing!"--who was he?
- CHIEF OFFICER.
- You're ours, for sundry villanies committed,
- Sufficient each to bring your vice to an end;
- The law hath got you safely in its grasp!
- JACCONOT (_after a pause_).
- Then may Vice and I sit crown'd in heaven, while Law and Honesty stalk
- damned through hell! Now do I see the thing very
- plain!--treachery--treachery, my masters! I know the jade that hath
- betrayed me--I know her. 'Slud! who cares? She was a fine woman, too--a
- rare person--and a good spirit; but there's an end of all now--she's
- turned foolish and virtuous, and a tell-tale, and I am to be turned to
- dust through it--long, long before my time: and these princely limbs
- must go make a dirt-pie--build up a mud hut--or fatten an alderman's
- garden! There! calf-heads--there's a lemon for your mouths! Heard'st
- ever such a last dying speech and confession! Write it in red ochre on a
- sheet of Irish, and send it to Mistress Cecily for a death-winder. I
- know what you've got against me--and I know you all deserve just the
- same yourselves--but lead on, my masters!
- _Exeunt_ JACCONOT _and_ OFFICERS.
- MIDDLETON.
- O Marlowe! canst thou rise with power no more?
- Can greatness die thus?
- HEYWOOD (_bending over the body.)_
- Miserable sight!
- (_A shriek outside the house_).
- MIDDLETON.
- That cry!--what may that mean?
- HEYWOOD (_as if awaking_).
- I hear no cry.
- MIDDLETON.
- What is't comes hither, like a gust of wind?
- CECILIA _rushes in_.
- CECILIA.
- Where--where? O, then, 'tis true--and he is dead!
- All's over now--there's nothing in the world--
- For he who raised my heart up from the dust,
- And show'd me noble lights in mine own soul,
- Has fled my gratitude and growing love--
- I never knew how deep it was till now!
- Through me, too!--do not curse me!--I was the cause--
- Yet do not curse me--No! no! not the cause,
- But that it happen'd so. This is the reward
- Of Marlowe's love!--why, why did I delay?
- O, gentlemen, pray for me! I have been
- Lifted in heavenly air--and suddenly
- The arm that placed me, and with strength sustain'd me,
- Is snatch'd up, starward: I can neither follow,
- Nor can I touch the gross earth any more!
- Pray for me, gentlemen!--but breathe no blessings--
- Let not a blessing sweeten your dread prayers--
- I wish no blessings--nor could bear their weight;
- For I am left, I know not where or how:
- But, pray for me--my soul is buried here.
- (_Sinks down upon the body._)
- MIDDLETON.
- "Cut is the branch that might have grown full straight,
- And burned is Apollo's laurel bough!"
- (_Solemn music._)
- Dark Curtain.
- FOOTNOTES:
- [685] The inverted iron horns or tubes, a few of which still remain on
- lamp-posts and gates, were formerly used as extinguishers to the torches
- which were thrust into them.
- INDEX TO THE NOTES.
- affects, iii. 60
- again, ii. 161
- a-good, ii. 49
- air of life, ii. 217
- Albertus, i. 220.
- Alcides' post, i. 105
- a-life, iii. 175
- Alleyn, Edward, ii. 6
- Almain rutters, i. 112
- amorous, i. 121
- Antwerp, blockade of, i. 217
- aphorisms, i. 213
- appointed, ii. 190
- approve, iii. 263
- Aquarius, iii. 279
- _Arden of Feversham_, quoted, ii. 89
- argins, i. 149
- Ariosto, incident taken from, i. 177
- artier, i. 45
- axes, iii. 255
- azur'd, i. 276
- bable, iii. 299
- Badgeth, i. 115
- baiting, iii. 99
- ballace, ii. 335
- bandy, ii. 125
- Banks' horse, iii. 232
- Barabas' nose, ii. 47
- basilisks, i. 67
- bassoes, i. 48
- bastones, i. 57
- bevers, i. 246
- bezzling, iii. 247
- bid a base, ii. 191
- bill, i. 213
- bird-bolt, iii. 96
- blazing star, iii. 225
- block, iii. 226
- blubbered, i. 85
- bombards, ii. 105
- border, iii. 129
- boss, i. 62
- Boulogne, taking of, iii. 224
- Bourne, Vincent, his _Cantatrices_, iii. 238
- bousing-glass, iii. 247
- brave, i. 21
- braves, ii. 175
- Brest, expedition against, iii. 239
- Britainy, ii. 10
- bugs, i. 164
- bullets wrapt in fire, ii. 40
- burn, iii. 234
- by, ii. 14
- Cadiz, expedition against, iii. 48
- carbonadoes, i. 79
- case, i. 246
- cast, ii. 165
- Catullus imitated, iii. 89
- catzery, ii. 89
- cavaliero, i. 141
- cazzo, ii. 75
- centronel, ii. 328
- champion, i. 32
- channel (collar-bone), i. 125
- channel (gutter), ii. 127
- cleapt, iii. 98
- cleys, iii. 279
- clift, i. 206
- clout, i. 37
- coated, iii. 314
- coll, ii. 354
- colts, i. 180
- competitor, i. 25
- confits, iii. 85
- convertite, ii. 22
- counterfeit, i. 51
- counterscarfs, iii. 228
- covent, ii. 78
- covered way, i. 149
- Creusa's crown, allusion to, ii. 207
- cross, ii. 52
- cross-biting, ii. 89
- cullions, ii. 148
- curst, iii. 225
- custom, ii. 13
- cypress, iii. 51
- Damasco, i. 84
- Damascus walls, i. 87
- damned, i. 204
- dang'd, iii. 37
- Daniel, Samuel, allusions to, iii. 232, 242
- debasement of coinage, iii. 225
- defend, ii. 272
- deserved, ii. 190
- Devil (he that eats with the Devil had need of a long spoon), ii. 67
- die, ii. 119
- Dis, iii. 36
- discoloured, iii. 10
- dittany, ii. 205
- double cannons, i. 252
- Drayton, Michael, allusion to, iii. 228
- earns, ii. 202
- ecues, ii. 244
- elephant, object of wonder, iii. 217
- Elze, Dr. Karl, emendation by, ii. 364
- enginous, iii. 52
- entrance, ii. 252
- erring, i. 223
- exercise, ii. 84
- exhibition, ii. 280
- exocoetus, ii. 154
- eyas, iii. 62
- eye, by the, ii. 68
- eyelids of the day, ii. 38
- falc'nets, i. 152
- false-brays, iii. 228
- fancy, ii. 339
- far-fet, ii. 344
- favour, iii. 97
- fawns, iii. 92
- fet, iii. 268
- few, in, ii. 68
- fleering, ii. 161
- fleet, i. 61
- flour, iii. 11
- flying-fish, ii. 154
- foil (check), i. 64
- foil (stain), i. 170
- foreslow, ii. 167
- frost of 1564, iii. 224
- gabions, i. 154
- garboils, iii. 255
- Gascoigne, George, iii. 226
- gaunt, iii. 236
- gear, i. 31
- give arms, i. 164
- glorious, i. 70
- gobbets, iii. 111
- grate, iii. 215
- guess, i. 313
- Guilpin's _Skialetheia_ quoted, iii. 214, 238
- Guise, the, ii. 9
- had I wist, ii. 172
- halcyon's bill, ii. 12
- Hammon, Master Thomas, ii. 4
- Harington, Sir John, his _Ajax_, iii. 231;
- his dog Bungey, iii. 245
- harness, ii. 324
- Hatton, Sir Christopher, his monument, iii. 217
- haught, ii. 176
- Havre, expedition against, iii. 224
- hay, ii. 122
- head (to head, to head!), iii. 241
- hebon, ii. 68
- held in hand, ii. 61
- Hermoso piarer, etc., ii. 38
- het, iii. 47
- hey-pass, i. 266
- Heywood, John, iii. 231
- hold a wolf by the ears, ii. 212
- horsebread, i. 257
- horse-courser, i. 264
- hugy, i. 59
- Hunkes, Harry, iii. 242
- I, old spelling for _ay_, i. 78. (The form _I_ has been retained,
- perhaps unnecessarily, throughout.)
- imbast, iii. 192
- impartial, ii. 60
- imperance, iii. 55
- imprecations, i. 85
- incontinent, i. 11
- incony, ii. 93
- injury (verb), i. 16
- intire, iii. 49
- investion, i. 16
- ippocras, i. 256
- Irish kerns, ii. 160
- jesses, ii. 155
- jig, ii. 161
- John the Great, i. 128
- Jubalter, i. 128
- Judas, ii. 95
- keend, ii. 372
- keep, ii. 245
- Knave's acre, i. 229
- knights of the post, iii. 128
- known of, i. 266
- lake, ii. 226
- lanch, i. 22
- Lantchidol, i. 114
- lawnds, ii. 312
- leaguer, i. 127
- leave, ii. 327
- Lepidus, his printed dog, iii. 245
- let, i. 80
- liefest, ii. 373
- lightly borne, iii. 107
- linstock, ii. 107
- Lopez, Doctor, i. 266
- love-lock, iii. 226
- lown, ii. 135
- mails, i. 22
- malgrado, ii. 169
- malice (verb), i. 15
- mandrake juice, ii. 99
- March beer, i. 247
- Martlemas beef, i. 247
- mate, i. 13, 211
- measures, i. 188
- merchants, i. 24
- mere, iii. 44
- merit, iii. 266
- Milton quoted, ii. 38; iii. 22
- minions, i. 152
- miss, i. 173
- Mithridate, i. 89
- moorish fool, iii. 50
- More, Sir Thomas, allusion to a Latin epigram by, iii. 235
- Moroccus, i. 58
- mottoes at the end of plays, i. 283
- Mount Falcon, ii. 253
- mounted his chariot, i. 183
- muschatoes, ii. 84
- Muse (masculine), i. 211
- muted, iii. 241
- neck-verse, ii. 83
- need, i. 119
- nepenthe, iii. 234
- nephew, ii. 329
- no way but one, i. 92
- nymph, ii. 360
- old Edward, ii. 218
- on cai me on, i. 213
- ostry, i. 267
- other some, iii. 85
- Ovid imitated, i. 25
- packed, ii. 359
- paised, iii. 25
- parbreak, i. 95
- Paris-Garden, iii. 241
- pash, i. 59
- pass, i. 13
- Paul's churchyard, iii. 251
- Paul's steeple struck by lightning, iii. 225
- pentacle, iii. 45
- Perkins, Richard, ii. 6.
- Petrarch's _Itinerarium Syriacum_ quoted, i. 250
- pheres, iii. 66
- pickadevaunts, i. 228
- pilling, i. 65
- pin, i. 37
- pioners, i. 50
- pitch, i. 28
- places, ii. 258
- plage, i. 83
- plat, iii. 81
- plates, ii. 44
- platform, ii. 363
- Plato's year, i. 74
- play the man, i. 159
- play-houses, hours of performance at, iii. 238.
- Pont Neuf, iii. 236
- porcupine darting her quills, ii. 121
- port, i. 30
- portagues, ii. 28
- prest, i. 116
- pretend (_i.e._ portend), ii. 64
- pretend (_i.e._ intend), ii. 104
- prevail, i. 141
- prize played, ii. 7
- proin, iii. 66
- prorex, i. 12
- purchase, i. 42
- put by, iii. 17
- quenchless, ii. 323
- qui mihi discipulus, i. 229
- quit, ii. 367
- quite, ii. 282
- quod tumeraris, i. 224
- racking, i. 179
- ray, iii. 180
- ream, ii. 88
- rebated, i. 177
- reflex, i. 50
- regiment, i. 13
- renied, Christians, i. 48
- renowned, i. 24
- resolve, i. 13
- respect, ii. 142
- retorqued, i. 94
- Rhamnus, i. 35
- Rhodes, i. 212
- ringled, iii. 29
- rising in the North, iii. 224
- rivelled, ii. 334; iii. 124
- Rivo-Castiliano, ii. 92
- road, ii. 160
- rod, i. 122
- rombelow, with a, ii. 161
- ruinate, ii. 244
- run division, ii. 88
- running banquet, ii. 86
- rushes, rooms strewed with, iii. 27
- Sabans, ii. 11
- Sackarson, iii. 242
- St. Quentin, storming of, iii. 224
- sakers, i. 152
- sarell, i. 58
- saunce, iii. 127
- saying, ii. 44
- scald, i. 31
- scambled, ii. 16
- scenes, i. 215
- scholarism, i. 212
- schright, iii. 275
- sciomancy, i. 218
- sect, ii. 28
- set, ii. 249
- Seven deadly Sins, i. 245
- shadow, ii. 175
- Shakespeare quoted, i. 16, 18, 25, 29, 31, 46, 92, 97, 167, 254, 266,
- 275; ii. 12, 16, 36, 37, 40, 41, 44, 60, 68, 84, 86, 99, 128, 142,
- 158, 193, 218, 228, 304, 326; iii. 9, 12, 15, 24, 27, 31, 41, 50, 65,
- 89, 234
- shaver, ii. 45
- Shelley quoted, i. 155, 206
- shine, iii. 106
- silverlings, ii. 11
- Skelton imitated, iii. 59
- slick, i. 265
- slop, i. 230
- slubber, iii. 65
- smell-feast, iii. 239
- snicle, ii. 92
- soil, ii. 343
- sollars, ii. 76
- sometimes, ii. 31
- sonnet, i. 253
- sort, ii. 288
- souse, iii. 264
- Spenser quoted in _Tamburlaine_, i. 183. (I neglected to point out
- that in i. 173, "As when an herd of lusty Cymbrian bulls," &c., there
- is an imitation of a passage of the _Faerie Queene_, Book I. canto
- viii.--
- "As great a noyse, as when in Cymbrian plaine
- An heard of Bulles, whom kindly rage doth sting
- Do for the milkie mothers want complaine,
- And fill the fields with troublous bellowing,
- The neighbour woods around with hollow murmur ring.")
- spials, i. 32
- sprung, iii. 64
- staring up, hair, iii. 89
- stated, ii. 39
- states, i. 14
- statua, i. 142
- stature, i. 74
- staves acre, i. 229
- stems, i. 24
- stern, ii. 365
- stomach, ii. 129
- stools on the stage, iii. 215
- stoops, i. 169
- strain, i. 155
- subject, i. 203
- supprised, ii. 306
- sure, made, ii. 50
- sweating sickness, iii. 224
- taint, i. 122
- take in, iii. 239
- talents, i. 46
- tall, i. 167
- _tanti_, ii. 120
- taxing private, iii. 213
- Theatre and Curtain playhouses, iii. 218
- Theocritus imitated, iii. 61
- thirling, iii. 9
- tho, iii. 107
- three for one, iii. 240
- timeless, ii. 128
- tires, i. 47
- to, ii. 74
- tobacco, Bobadil's encomium of, iii. 235
- tobacco smoked on the stage, iii. 231
- topless, i. 275
- tottered, ii. 89
- toy, iii. 86
- train, ii. 183
- trannels, iii. 134
- Trier, i. 250
- true, true, ii. 127
- Turk of tenpence, ii. 84
- twigger, ii. 362
- Tyrone's insurrection, iii. 244
- unresisted, ii. 339
- unvalued, i. 18
- ure, ii. 48
- vail, ii. 39
- valure, iii. 80
- valurous, i. 20
- Vanity, Lady, ii. 45
- vaut, i. 23
- villainese, i. 95
- villainy, i. 52
- Vulcan's dancing, ii. 304
- wagers laid about actors, ii. 7
- wall'd in, ii. 304
- water-work at London Bridge, iii. 217
- watery star, iii. 9
- when? ii. 63
- when? can you tell? ii. 171
- while, i. 80
- whist, ii. 349
- Wigmore, ii. 162
- will, i. 136
- winter's tale, ii. 36
- Wordsworth, his _Power of Music_, iii. 238
- wreaks, iii. 160
- Zoacum, i. 135
- PRINTED BY BALLANTYNE, HANSON AND CO.
- EDINBURGH AND LONDON.
- Transcriber's Notes:
- Page 164:
- In amicam, quod abortivum ipsa fecrrit.
- Typo for fecerit. Changed.
- Footnote 350: Not in Islam.
- Typo for 'Isham' as elsewhere. Changed.
- Footnote 381: So eds. B, C.--Islam.
- Typo for 'Isham'. Changed.
- Footnote 462: In his close nips describde a gull to thee:
- Possible typo 'describde for described'. Unchanged.
- Page 272:
- Or, dropping-ripe, ready to fall with urin.
- Probable typo for ruin. Changed.
- Page 351:
- a'nt for ain't. Unchanged.
- Various:
- u and v may be reversed.
- i and j may be reversed.
- The index applies to all three volumes.
- Elegia V missing. See Footnote 368.
- End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol.
- 3 (of 3), by Christopher Marlowe
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