Hero and Leander and Other Poems Part 1

Hero and Leander and Other Poems.

by Christopher Marlowe and George Chapman.

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 the 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 counten- ance 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.

Note: The first two Sestiads were written by Marlowe; the last four by Chapman, who supplied also the Arguments for the six Sestiads.

THE FIRST SESTIAD

THE ARGUMENT 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 h.e.l.lespont, guilty of true love's blood, In view and opposite two cities stood, Sea-borderers, 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; 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 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: 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.

Buskins of sh.e.l.l, all silver'd, used 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; 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, 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.

Amorous Leander, beautiful and young, (Whose tragedy divine Musaeus sung,) Dwelt at Abydos; since him dwelt there none For whom succeeding times make 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 wish'd his arms might be her sphere; Grief makes her pale, because she moves not there.

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, Much less of powerful G.o.ds: 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; 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 lov'd of all?

Though thou be fair, yet be not thine own thrall."

The men of wealthy Sestos every year, For his sake whom their G.o.ddess held so dear, Rose-cheek'd 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, As if another Phaeton 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 star (When yawning dragons draw her thirling car From Latmus' mount up to the gloomy sky, Where, crown'd with blazing light and majesty, 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 s.h.a.ggy-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, 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 pa.s.sions to a.s.suage 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.

On this feast-day,--O cursed 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 jasper-stone, Wherein was Proteus carv'd; 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.

Of crystal shining fair the pavement was; The town of Sestos call'd it Venus' gla.s.s: There might you see the G.o.ds, in sundry shapes, Committing heady riots, incest, rapes; For know, that underneath this radiant flour Was Danae'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; Blood-quaffing Mars heaving the iron net Which limping Vulcan and his Cyclops set; Love kindling fire, to burn such towns as Troy; Silva.n.u.s weeping for the lovely boy That now is turn'd into a cypress-tree, Under whose shade the wood-G.o.ds love to be.

And in the midst a silver altar stood: There Hero, sacrificing turtle's blood, Vail'd to the ground, veiling her eyelids close; And modestly they open'd as she rose: Thence flew Love's arrow with the golden head; And thus Leander was enamoured.

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; 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?

He kneel'd; but unto her devoutly pray'd: 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.

He started up; she blush'd 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 amazed stands.

Thus while dumb signs their yielding hearts entangled, The air with sparks of living fire was spangled; And Night, deep-drench'd in misty Acheron, Heav'd up her head, and half the world upon 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, let me speak without offence: I would my rude words had the influence 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!

G.o.d 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, Doth testify that you exceed her far, To whom you offer, and whose nun you are.

Why should you worship her? her you surpa.s.s As much as sparkling diamons flaring gla.s.s.

A diamond set in lead his worth retains; A heavenly nymph, belov'd of human swains, Receives no blemish, but oftimes 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; 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.

Vessels of bra.s.s, oft handed, brightly shine: What difference betwixt 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: 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 ma.s.s 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, And with intestine broils the world destroy, And quite confound Nature's sweet harmony.

Well therefore by the G.o.ds decreed it is, We human creatures should enjoy that bliss.

One is no number; 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; But they, that daily taste neat 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, 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 Believe me, Hero, honour is not won, Until some honourable deed be done.

Seek you, for chast.i.ty, 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.

Then, Hero, hate me not, nor from me fly, To follow swiftly blasting imfamy.

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 G.o.ds might trace To Jove's high court. He thus replied: "The rites In which love's beauteous empress most delights, 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 chast.i.ty, 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."

Thereat she smil'd, and did deny him so, As put thereby, yet might he hope for mo; Which makes him quickly reinforce his speech, And her in humble manner thus beseech: "Though neither G.o.ds 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 perform'd and done.

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 corn dies, if it be not reapt; Beauty alone is lost, too warily kept."