The Works of Christopher Marlowe Volume III Part 45

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-paved 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 Parna.s.sus_, 1600, p. 480, where it is subscribed "Ch. Marlowe."

[669] The text of _England's Parna.s.sus_ 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.

d.i.c.k.[671]

Fie, l.u.s.ty 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 d.i.c.k, 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.

d.i.c.k.[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 d.i.c.k, 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?