The Works of Christopher Marlowe Volume III Part 26

Why stay I? men point at me for a wh.o.r.e, 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 liked 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 n.o.ble 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 Achelous, 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 d.a.m.na movent."

[378] "Demens."

[379] Old eds. "Ile."

[380] Marlowe read "nunc candide" for "non candide."

ELEGIA VII.

Quod ab amica receptus, c.u.m 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 mocked 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 l.u.s.ty, 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 gra.s.s 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 t.i.thon 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 G.o.ds 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 G.o.ds and men, But neither was I man nor lived then. 60 Can deaf ears[396] take delight when Phaemius 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:--