The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Works of Christopher Marlowe, by A. H. Bullen (Ed.).

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]

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.

Elegia VIII.[277]

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 Phœbas" (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]

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.

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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 envỳ.

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]

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]