The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 3 | Page 4

course begin,
We wish that one should lose, the
other win; 170 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?[12]
He kneel'd;
but unto her devoutly prayed:
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. 180 He started up; she
blushed 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 amazèd stands.
Thus while dumb
signs their yielding hearts entangled,
The air with sparks of living fire
was spangled;
And night,[13] deep-drenched in misty Acheron,

Heav'd up her head, and half the world upon 190 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,[14] let me speak without offence:
I would my rude words
had the influence 200 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!
God 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, 210 Doth
testify that you exceed her far,
To whom you offer, and whose nun
you are.
Why should you worship her? her you surpass
As much as
sparkling diamonds flaring glass.
A diamond set in lead his worth
retains;
A heavenly nymph, belov'd of human swains,
Receives no

blemish, but ofttimes 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; 220 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.
230 Vessels of brass, oft handled, brightly shine:
What diffèrence
betwixt[15] 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: 240 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 mass 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, 250 And
with intestine broils the world destroy,
And quite confound Nature's
sweet harmony.
Well therefore by the gods decreed it is,
We human
creatures should enjoy that bliss.
One is no number;[16] 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; 260 But they, that daily taste neat[17] 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, 270 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; 280 Believe me, Hero, honour is not won,
Until
some honourable deed be done.
Seek you, for chastity, 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