Part 21

Dyce's suggestion for "thee" of the old eds. The original has "Aque sua caesum matre queruntur Ityn."

"Sed tristibus utraque causis Jactura socii sanguinis ulta virum."

An inelegant translation of "Saepe suos uteros quae necat ipse perit."

Marlowe has given a meaning the very opposite of the original--"Et clamant 'Merito' qui modo cumque vident."

ELEGIA XV.

Ad annulum, quem dono amicÊ dedit.

Thou ring that shalt my fair girl's finger bind, Wherein is seen the giver's loving mind: Be welcome to her, gladly let her take thee, And, her small joints encircling, round hoop make thee. Fit her so well, as she is fit for me, And of just compass for her knuckles be. Blest ring, thou in my mistress' hand shall lie, Myself, poor wretch, mine own gifts now envy. O would that suddenly into my gift, I could myself by secret magic shift! 10 Then would I wish thee touch my mistress' pap, And hide thy left hand underneath her lap, I would get off, though strait and sticking fast, And in her bosom strangely fall at last. Then I, that I may seal her privy leaves, Lest to the wax the hold-fast dry gem cleaves, Would first my beauteous wench's moist lips touch; Only I'll sign naught that may grieve me much. I would not out, might I in one place hit: But in less compass her small fingers knit. 20 My life! that I will shame thee never fear, Or be a load thou should'st refuse to bear. Wear me, when warmest showers thy members wash, And through the gem let thy lost waters pash, But seeing thee, I think my thing will swell, And even the ring perform a man's part well. Vain things why wish I? go, small gift, from hand; Let her my faith, with thee given, understand.

FOOTNOTES:

Not in Isham copy or ed. A.

Old eds. "by."

ELEGIA XVI.

Ad amicam, ut ad rura sua veniat.

Sulmo, Peligny's third part, me contains, A small, but wholesome soil with watery veins, Although the sun to rive the earth incline, And the Icarian froward dog-star shine; Pelignian fields with liquid rivers flow, And on the soft ground fertile green grass grow; With corn the earth abounds, with vines much more, And some few pastures Pallas' olives bore; And by the rising herbs, where clear springs slide, A grassy turf the moistened earth doth hide. 10 But absent is my fire; lies I'll tell none, My heat is here, what moves my heat is gone. Pollux and Castor, might I stand betwixt, In heaven without thee would I not be fixt. Upon the cold earth pensive let them lay, That mean to travel some long irksome way. Or else will maidens young men's mates to go, If they determine to persËver so. Then on the rough Alps should I tread aloft, My hard way with my mistress would seem soft. 20 With her I durst the Libyan Syrts break through, And raging seas in boisterous south-winds plough. No barking dogs, that Scylla's entrails bear, Nor thy gulfs, crook'd Malea, would I fear. No flowing waves with drownËd ships forth-poured By cloyed Charybdis, and again devoured. But if stern Neptune's windy power prevail, And waters' force force helping Gods to fail, With thy white arms upon my shoulders seize; So sweet a burden I will bear with ease. 30 The youth oft swimming to his Hero kind, Had then swum over, but the way was blind. But without thee, although vine-planted ground Contains me; though the streams the fields surround; Though hinds in brooks the running waters bring, And cool gales shake the tall trees' leafy spring; Healthful Peligny, I esteem naught worth, Nor do I like the country of my birth. Scythia, Cilicia, Britain are as good, And rocks dyed crimson with Prometheus' blood. 40 Elms love the vines; the vines with elms abide, Why doth my mistress from me oft divide? Thou swear'dst, division should not twixt us rise, By me, and by my stars, thy radiant eyes; Maids' words more vain and light than falling leaves, Which, as it seems, hence wind and sea bereaves. If any godly care of me thou hast, Add deeds unto thy promises at last. And with swift nags drawing thy little coach (Their reins let loose), right soon my house approach. 50 But when she comes, you swelling mounts, sink down, And falling valleys be the smooth ways' crown.

FOOTNOTES:

Not in Isham copy or ed. A.

"Findat."

Ed. B "in fields."--Ed. C "in field."

Old eds. "swearest."

Old eds. "your."

"Et faciles curvis vallibus este viÊ."

ELEGIA XVII.

Quod CorinnÊ soli sit serviturus.

To serve a wench if any think it shame, He being judge, I am convinced of blame. Let me be slandered, while my fire she hides, That Paphos, and flood-beat Cythera guides. Would I had been my mistress' gentle prey, Since some fair one I should of force obey. Beauty gives heart; Corinna's looks excell; Ay me, why is it known to her so well? But by her glass disdainful pride she learns, Nor she herself, but first trimmed up, discerns. 10 Not though thy face in all things make thee reign, (O face, most cunning mine eyes to detain!) Thou ought'st therefore to scorn me for thy mate, Small things with greater may be copulate. Love-snared Calypso is supposed to pray A mortal nymph's refusing lord to stay. Who doubts, with Peleus Thetis did consort, Egeria with just Numa had good sport. Venus with Vulcan, though, smith's tools laid by, With his stump foot he halts ill-favouredly. 20 This kind of verse is not alike; yet fit, With shorter numbers the heroic sit. And thou, my light, accept me howsoever; Lay in the mid bed, there be my lawgiver. My stay no crime, my flight no joy shall breed, Nor of our love, to be ashamed we need. For great revenues I good verses have, And many by me to get glory crave. I know a wench reports herself Corinne; What would not she give that fair name to win? 30 But sundry floods in one bank never go, Eurotas cold, and poplar-bearing Po; Nor in my books shall one but thou be writ, Thou dost alone give matter to my wit.

FOOTNOTES:

Not in Isham copy or ed. A.

Old eds. "and the."

Marlowe reads "nymphÊ" for "nymphe."

ELEGIA XVIII.