ABC Amber Sony Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcsonylrf.html ŠThe Project Gutenberg eBook, Hero and Leander, by Christopher Marlowe
DE-text prepared by Daniel Callahan Vfrom source material generously provided by 4Classic Literature Library (Hhttp://www.classic-literature.co.uk/ )
.Title: Hero and Leander 6Author: Christopher Marlowe RRelease Date: July 7, 2006 [eBook #18781] "Language: English DCharacter set encoding: ISO-8859-1 v***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HERO AND LEANDER*** "HERO AND LEANDER by TBy this, sad Hero, with love unacquainted, \Viewing Leander's face, fell down and fainted. \He kissed her and breathed life into her lips, VWherewith as one displeased away she trips. VYet, as she went, full often looked behind, DAnd many poor excuses did she find TTo linger by the way, and once she stayed, XAnd would have turned again, but was afraid, PIn offering parley, to be counted light. JSo on she goes and in her idle flight THer painted fan of curled plumes let fall, LThinking to train Leander therewithal. VHe, being a novice, knew not what she meant PBut stayed, and after her a letter sent, PWhich joyful Hero answered in such sort, TAs he had hope to scale the beauteous fort ^Wherein the liberal Graces locked their wealth, ZAnd therefore to her tower he got by stealth. XWide open stood the door, he need not climb, NAnd she herself before the pointed time dHad spread the board, with roses strowed the room, \And oft looked out, and mused he did not come. At last he came. 6O who can tell the greeting ^These greedy lovers had at their first meeting. VHe asked, she gave, and nothing was denied. NBoth to each other quickly were affied. dLook how their hands, so were their hearts united, NAnd what he did she willingly requited. \(Sweet are the kisses, the embracements sweet, LWhen like desires and affections meet, ZFor from the earth to heaven is Cupid raised, PWhere fancy is in equal balance peised.) NYet she this rashness suddenly repented RAnd turned aside, and to herself lamented TAs if her name and honour had been wronged \By being possessed of him for whom she longed. ZAy, and she wished, albeit not from her heart
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ABC Amber Sony Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcsonylrf.html TThat he would leave her turret and depart. VThe mirthful god of amorous pleasure smiled TTo see how he this captive nymph beguiled. JFor hitherto he did but fan the fire, `And kept it down that it might mount the higher. VNow waxed she jealous lest his love abated, \Fearing her own thoughts made her to be hated. FTherefore unto him hastily she goes RAnd, like light Salmacis, her body throws NUpon his bosom where with yielding eyes BShe offers up herself a sacrifice RTo slake his anger if he were displeased. XO, what god would not therewith be appeased? NLike Aesop's cock this jewel he enjoyed LAnd as a brother with his sister toyed LSupposing nothing else was to be done, PNow he her favour and good will had won. ZBut know you not that creatures wanting sense DBy nature have a mutual appetence, LAnd, wanting organs to advance a step, TMoved by love's force unto each other lep? LMuch more in subjects having intellect RSome hidden influence breeds like effect. HAlbeit Leander rude in love and raw, HLong dallying with Hero, nothing saw ZThat might delight him more, yet he suspected VSome amorous rites or other were neglected. LTherefore unto his body hers he clung. NShe, fearing on the rushes to be flung, jStrived with redoubled strength; the more she strived PThe more a gentle pleasing heat revived, XWhich taught him all that elder lovers know. TAnd now the same gan so to scorch and glow ^As in plain terms (yet cunningly) he craved it. \Love always makes those eloquent that have it. VShe, with a kind of granting, put him by it ZAnd ever, as he thought himself most nigh it, LLike to the tree of Tantalus, she fled TAnd, seeming lavish, saved her maidenhead. TNe'er king more sought to keep his diadem, >Than Hero this inestimable gem. TAbove our life we love a steadfast friend, PYet when a token of great worth we send, JWe often kiss it, often look thereon, TAnd stay the messenger that would be gone. VNo marvel then, though Hero would not yield TSo soon to part from that she dearly held. \Jewels being lost are found again, this never; b'Tis lost but once, and once lost, lost forever. VNow had the morn espied her lover's steeds, ZWhereat she starts, puts on her purple weeds, PAnd red for anger that he stayed so long ZAll headlong throws herself the clouds among. LAnd now Leander, fearing to be missed, \Embraced her suddenly, took leave, and kissed. TLong was he taking leave, and loath to go, JAnd kissed again as lovers use to do. NSad Hero wrung him by the hand and wept ZSaying, "Let your vows and promises be kept." TThen standing at the door she turned about
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ABC Amber Sony Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcsonylrf.html DAs loath to see Leander going out. ^And now the sun that through th' horizon peeps, RAs pitying these lovers, downward creeps, NSo that in silence of the cloudy night, \Though it was morning, did he take his flight. TBut what the secret trusty night concealed LLeander's amorous habit soon revealed. VWith Cupid's myrtle was his bonnet crowned, LAbout his arms the purple riband wound dWherewith she wreathed her largely spreading hair. ZNor could the youth abstain, but he must wear RThe sacred ring wherewith she was endowed PWhen first religious chastity she vowed. ^Which made his love through Sestos to be known, FAnd thence unto Abydos sooner blown PThan he could sail; for incorporeal fame \Whose weight consists in nothing but her name, XIs swifter than the wind, whose tardy plumes RAre reeking water and dull earthly fumes. ZHome when he came, he seemed not to be there, XBut, like exiled air thrust from his sphere, bSet in a foreign place; and straight from thence, @Alcides like, by mighty violence VHe would have chased away the swelling main LThat him from her unjustly did detain. :Like as the sun in a diameter NFires and inflames objects removed far, LAnd heateth kindly, shining laterally, TSo beauty sweetly quickens when 'tis nigh, @But being separated and removed, bBurns where it cherished, murders where it loved. JTherefore even as an index to a book, PSo to his mind was young Leander's look. ^O, none but gods have power their love to hide, RAffection by the countenance is descried. TThe light of hidden fire itself discovers, ^And love that is concealed betrays poor lovers, JHis secret flame apparently was seen. NLeander's father knew where he had been PAnd for the same mildly rebuked his son, TThinking to quench the sparkles new begun. PBut love resisted once grows passionate, TAnd nothing more than counsel lovers hate. PFor as a hot proud horse highly disdains dTo have his head controlled, but breaks the reins, `Spits forth the ringled bit, and with his hooves ^Checks the submissive ground; so he that loves, \The more he is restrained, the worse he fares. LWhat is it now, but mad Leander dares? N"O Hero, Hero!" thus he cried full oft; HAnd then he got him to a rock aloft, dWhere having spied her tower, long stared he on't, PAnd prayed the narrow toiling Hellespont XTo part in twain, that he might come and go; XBut still the rising billows answered, "No." VWith that he stripped him to the ivory skin ZAnd, crying "Love, I come," leaped lively in. XWhereat the sapphire visaged god grew proud, RAnd made his capering Triton sound aloud, HImagining that Ganymede, displeased,
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ABC Amber Sony Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcsonylrf.html bHad left the heavens; therefore on him he seized. VLeander strived; the waves about him wound, \And pulled him to the bottom, where the ground ^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 bTo spurn in careless sort the shipwrack treasure. NFor here the stately azure palace stood RWhere kingly Neptune and his train abode. \The lusty god embraced him, called him "Love," RAnd swore he never should return to Jove. JBut when he knew it was not Ganymede, FFor under water he was almost dead, THe heaved him up and, looking on his face, \Beat down the bold waves with his triple mace, ^Which mounted up, intending to have kissed him, jAnd fell in drops like tears because they missed him. @Leander, being up, began to swim TAnd, looking back, saw Neptune follow him, RWhereat aghast, the poor soul 'gan to cry B"O, let me visit Hero ere I die!" PThe god put Helle's bracelet on his arm, VAnd swore the sea should never do him harm. hHe clapped his plump cheeks, with his tresses played RAnd, smiling wantonly, his love bewrayed. XHe watched his arms and, as they opened wide XAt every stroke, betwixt them would he slide ZAnd steal a kiss, and then run out and dance, \And, as he turned, cast many a lustful glance, VAnd threw him gaudy toys to please his eye, LAnd dive into the water, and there pry XUpon his breast, his thighs, and every limb, PAnd up again, and close beside him swim, "And talk of love. &Leander made reply, J"You are deceived; I am no woman, I." ZThereat smiled Neptune, and then told a tale, NHow that a shepherd, sitting in a vale, FPlayed with a boy so fair and kind, XAs for his love both earth and heaven pined; TThat of the cooling river durst not drink, bLest water nymphs should pull him from the brink. TAnd when he sported in the fragrant lawns, LGoat footed satyrs and upstaring fauns hWould steal him thence. Ere half this tale was done, T"Ay me," Leander cried, "th' enamoured sun \That now should shine on Thetis' glassy bower, LDescends upon my radiant Hero's tower. ZO, that these tardy arms of mine were wings!" XAnd, as he spake, upon the waves he springs. LNeptune was angry that he gave no ear, NAnd in his heart revenging malice bare. RHe flung at him his mace but, as it went, THe called it in, for love made him repent. TThe mace, returning back, his own hand hit NAs meaning to be venged for darting it. \When this fresh bleeding wound Leander viewed, NHis colour went and came, as if he rued ^The grief which Neptune felt. In gentle breasts XRelenting thoughts, remorse, and pity rests.
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ABC Amber Sony Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcsonylrf.html XAnd who have hard hearts and obdurate minds, ^But vicious, harebrained, and illiterate hinds? TThe god, seeing him with pity to be moved, LThereon concluded that he was beloved. T(Love is too full of faith, too credulous, NWith folly and false hope deluding us.) NWherefore, Leander's fancy to surprise, JTo the rich Ocean for gifts he flies. R'tis wisdom to give much; a gift prevails HWhen deep persuading oratory fails. JBy this Leander, being near the land, VCast down his weary feet and felt the sand. NBreathless albeit he were he rested not DTill to the solitary tower he got, `And knocked and called. At which celestial noise PThe longing heart of Hero much more joys bThan nymphs and shepherds when the timbrel rings, ROr crooked 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) LAnd ran into the dark herself to hide. X(Rich jewels in the dark are soonest spied). HUnto her was he led, or rather drawn jBy those white limbs which sparkled through the lawn. VThe nearer that he came, the more she fled, TAnd, seeking refuge, slipped into her bed. FWhereon Leander sitting thus began, bThrough numbing cold, all feeble, faint, and wan. V"If not for love, yet, love, for pity sake, HMe in thy bed and maiden bosom take. ^At least vouchsafe these arms some little room, TWho, hoping to embrace thee, cheerly swum. ^This head was beat with many a churlish billow, VAnd therefore let it rest upon thy pillow." LHerewith affrighted, Hero shrunk away, LAnd in her lukewarm place Leander lay, ZWhose lively heat, like fire from heaven fet, NWould animate gross clay and higher set ZThe drooping thoughts of base declining souls PThan dreary Mars carousing nectar bowls. PHis hands he cast upon her like a snare. RShe, overcome with shame and sallow fear, RLike chaste Diana when Actaeon spied her, `Being suddenly betrayed, dived down to hide her. LAnd, as her silver body downward went, XWith both her hands she made the bed a tent, VAnd in her own mind thought herself secure, RO'ercast with dim and darksome coverture. PAnd now she lets him whisper in her ear, ZFlatter, entreat, promise, protest and swear; @Yet ever, as he greedily assayed \To touch those dainties, she the harpy played, NAnd every limb did, as a soldier stout, RDefend the fort, and keep the foeman out. XFor though the rising ivory mount he scaled, VWhich is with azure circling lines empaled, VMuch like a globe (a globe may I term this, ZBy which love sails to regions full of bliss)
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ABC Amber Sony Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcsonylrf.html TYet there with Sisyphus he toiled in vain, PTill gentle parley did the truce obtain. NWherein Leander on her quivering breast hBreathless spoke something, and sighed out the rest; PWhich so prevailed, as he with small ado XEnclosed her in his arms and kissed her too. JAnd every kiss to her was as a charm, @And to Leander as a fresh alarm, TSo that the truce was broke and she, alas, J(Poor silly maiden) at his mercy was. JLove is not full of pity (as men say) TBut deaf and cruel where he means to prey. XEven as a bird, which in our hands we wring, \Forth plungeth and oft flutters with her wing, ,She trembling strove. To dally with Idalian Ganymede, NAnd for his love Europa bellowing loud, RAnd tumbling with the Rainbow in a cloud; PBlood quaffing Mars heaving the iron net RWhich limping Vulcan and his Cyclops set; \Love kindling fire to burn such towns as Troy; FSylvanus weeping for the lovely boy NThat now is turned into a cypress tree, VUnder whose shade the wood gods love to be. LAnd in the midst a silver altar stood. NThere Hero, sacrificing turtle's blood, `Vailed to the ground, vailing her eyelids close, JAnd modestly they opened as she rose. \Thence flew Love's arrow with the golden head, >And thus Leander was enamoured. VStone still he stood, and evermore he gazed fTill with the fire that from his countenance blazed RRelenting Hero's gentle heart was strook. XSuch force and virtue hath an amorous look. RIt lies not in our power to love or hate, HFor will in us is overruled by fate. `When two are stripped, long ere the course begin XWe wish that one should lose, the other win. >And one especially do we affect POf two gold ingots like in each respect.
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ABC Amber Sony Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcsonylrf.html NThe reason no man knows; let it suffice NWhat we behold is censured by our eyes. TWhere both deliberate, the love is slight: ^Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight? RHe kneeled, but unto her devoutly prayed. PChaste Hero to herself thus softly said, b"Were I the saint he worships, I would hear him;" lAnd, as she spake those words, came somewhat near him. THe started up, she blushed as one ashamed, RWherewith Leander much more was inflamed. bHe touched her hand; in touching it she trembled. VLove deeply grounded, hardly is dissembled. XThese lovers parleyed by the touch of hands; RTrue love is mute, and oft amazed stands. lThus while dumb signs their yielding hearts entangled, `The air with sparks of living fire was spangled, TAnd night, deep drenched in misty Acheron, VHeaved up her head, and half the world upon hBreathed darkness forth (dark night is Cupid's day). BAnd now begins Leander to display hLove's holy fire, with words, with sighs, and tears, VWhich like sweet music entered Hero's ears, NAnd yet at every word she turned aside, JAnd always cut him off as he replied. PAt last, like to a bold sharp sophister, PWith cheerful hope thus he accosted her. Z"Fair creature, let me speak without offence. NI would my rude words had the influence ^To lead thy thoughts as thy fair looks do mine, bThen shouldst thou be his prisoner, who is thine. NBe not unkind and fair; misshapen stuff LAre of behaviour boisterous and rough. LO shun me not, but hear me ere you go. PGod knows I cannot force love as you do. TMy words shall be as spotless as my youth, FFull of simplicity and naked truth. ^This sacrifice, (whose sweet perfume descending ZFrom Venus' altar, to your footsteps bending) JDoth testify that you exceed her far, RTo whom you offer, and whose nun you are. VWhy should you worship her? Her you surpass XAs much as sparkling diamonds flaring glass. PA diamond set in lead his worth retains; TA heavenly nymph, beloved of human swains, ZReceives no blemish, but ofttimes more grace; XWhich makes me hope, although I am but base: RBase in respect of thee, divine and pure, JDutiful service may thy love procure. FAnd I in duty will excel all other, XAs thou in beauty dost exceed Love's mother. ZNor heaven, nor thou, were made to gaze upon, bAs heaven preserves all things, so save thou one. ZA stately builded ship, well rigged and tall, BThe ocean maketh more majestical. VWhy vowest thou then to live in Sestos here `Who on Love's seas more glorious wouldst appear? TLike untuned golden strings all women are, `Which long time lie untouched, will harshly jar. \Vessels of brass, oft handled, brightly shine. PWhat difference betwixt the richest mine
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ABC Amber Sony Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcsonylrf.html \And basest mould, but use? For both, not used, TAre of like worth. Then treasure is abused NWhen misers keep it; being put to loan, LIn time it will return us two for one. TRich robes themselves and others do adorn; VNeither themselves nor others, if not worn. PWho builds a palace and rams up the gate DShall see it ruinous and desolate. TAh, simple Hero, learn thyself to cherish. NLone women like to empty houses perish. `Less sins the poor rich man that starves himself HIn heaping up a mass of drossy pelf, TThan such as you. His golden earth remains VWhich, after his decease, some other gains. VBut this fair gem, sweet in the loss alone, `When you fleet hence, can be bequeathed to none. TOr, if it could, down from th'enameled sky VAll heaven would come to claim this legacy, XAnd with intestine broils the world destroy, TAnd quite confound nature's sweet harmony. PWell therefore by the gods decreed it is VWe human creatures should enjoy that bliss. POne is no number; maids are nothing then BWithout the sweet society of men. ^Wilt thou live single still? One shalt thou be, PThough never singling Hymen couple thee. XWild savages, that drink of running springs, TThink water far excels all earthly things, ^But they that daily taste neat wine despise it. NVirginity, albeit some highly prize it, `Compared with marriage, had you tried them both, NDiffers as much as wine and water doth. VBase bullion for the stamp's sake we allow; NEven so for men's impression do we you, RBy which alone, our reverend fathers say, FWomen receive perfection every way. DThis idol which you term virginity JIs neither essence subject to the eye DNo, nor to any one exterior sense, FNor hath it any place of residence, JNor is't of earth or mould celestial, To dote upon deceitful Mercury. NThey offered him the deadly fatal knife \That shears the slender threads of human life. VAt his fair feathered feet the engines laid ^Which th' earth from ugly Chaos' den upweighed. JThese he regarded not but did entreat PThat Jove, usurper of his father's seat, LMight presently be banished into hell, BAnd aged Saturn in Olympus dwell. VThey granted what he craved, and once again PSaturn and Ops began their golden reign. NMurder, rape, war, lust, and treachery, PWere with Jove closed in Stygian empery. RBut long this blessed time continued not. HAs soon as he his wished purpose got LHe reckless of his promise did despise LThe love of th' everlasting Destinies. RThey seeing it both love and him abhorred HAnd Jupiter unto his place restored. PAnd but that Learning in despite of Fate LWill mount aloft and enter heaven gate NAnd to the seat of Jove itself advance, PHermes had slept in hell with Ignorance. HYet as a punishment they added this, NThat he and Poverty should always kiss. LAnd to this day is every scholar poor;
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ABC Amber Sony Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcsonylrf.html ^Gross gold from them runs headlong to the boor. PLikewise the angry Sisters thus deluded, ZTo venge themselves on Hermes, have concluded \That Midas' brood shall sit in honour's chair, NTo which the Muses' sons are only heir; PAnd fruitful wits, that in aspiring are, LShall discontent run into regions far; ^And few great lords in virtuous deeds shall joy NBut be surprised with every garish toy, RAnd still enrich the lofty servile clown, ^Who with encroaching guile keeps learning down. TThen Muse not Cupid's suit no better sped, \Seeing in their loves the Fates were injured. >(The end of the First Sestiad)
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