EPIGRAMS and ELEGIES. By I. D. and C. M. At Middleborugh. Epigrammata prima. Ad Musam, Fly merry Muse unto that merry town, where thou mayst plays, revels, and triumphs see The house of fame, & Theatre of renown, Where all good wits & spirits love to be. Fall in between their hands, that love & praise thee and be to them a laughter and a jest: but as for them which scorning shall approve thee, Disdain their wits, and think thine own the best. But if thou find any so gross and dull, That think I do to private Taxing lean: Bid him go hang, for he is but a gull, And knows not what an Epigram does mean. Which Taxeth under a particular name, A general vice which merits public blame. Of a Gull, 2 OFt in my laughing rhymes, I name a gull, But this new term will many question's breed Therefore at first I will express at full, Who is a true and perfect gull indeed. A gull is he, who fears a velvet gown, and when a wench is brave, dares not speak to her: A gull is he which traverseth the town, and is for marriage known a common wooer. A gull is he, which while he proudly wears, a silver hilted Rapier by his side: Endures the lies, and knocks about the ears, Whilst in his sheath, his sleeping sword doth bide. A gull is he which wears good handsome clothes, And stands in presence stroking up his hair: and fills up his unperfect speech with oaths. but speaks not one wise word throughout the year But to define a gull in terms precise, A gull is he which seems, and is not wise. In Faustum 7 Faustus not lord, nor knight, nor wise, nor old, To every place about the town doth ride, He rides into the fields, Plays to behold, He rides to take boat at the water side, He rides to Paul's, he rides to th'ordinary, He rides unto the house of bawdry too. Thither his horse so often doth him carry, That shortly he will quite forget to go. In Katum 1 Kate being pleased, wished that her pleasure could, Endure as long as a buste jerkin would. Content thee Kate, although thy pleasure wasteth, Thy pleasures place like a buff jerkin lasteth: For no buste jerkin hath been oftener worn, Nor hath more scrape or more dress born. In Librum 9 Liber doth vaunt how chastely he hath lived, Since he hath been in town 7 years and more, For that he swears he hath four only swiude, A maid, a wife, a widow and a whore: Then Liber thou hast swiude all women kind, For a fift sort I know thou canst not find. In Medonem 10 Great Captain Medon wears a chain of gold, which at five hundred crowns is valued; For that it was his grandsires chain of old, when great king Henry Bulleigne conquered. and wear it Medon, for it may ensue, that thou by virtue of this Massy chain, a stronger town then Boulogne mayst subdue, If wise men's saws be not reputed vain. For what said Philip king of Macedon? There is no Castle so well fortifid, But if an Ass laden with gold comes on, The guard will stoop, and gates fly open wide. In Gellam 10 Gella, if thou dost love thyself, take heed, lest thou my rhymes, unto thy lover read, For strait thou grinst, & then thy lover reeth, Thy canker-eaten gums, and rotten teeth. In Quintum 12 Quintus his wit infused into his brain, Mislikes the place, and fled into his feet, and there it wanders up and down the streets, Dabbled in the dirt, and soaked in the rain. Doubtless his wit intends not to aspire, Which leaves his head to travel in the mire. In Severum 13 The puritan Severus oft doth read, this text that doth pronounce vain speech a sin, That thing defiles a man that doth proceed From out the mouth, not that which enters in. Hence is it, that we seldom hear him swear, and thereof like a pharisee he vaunts, but he devours more Capons in a year, Then would suffice a hundredth protestants. And soothe those sectaries are gluttons all, As well the threadbare Cobbler as the knight, For those poor slaves which have not wherewithal Feed on the rich, till they devour them quite. And so like Pharaoh's kine, they eat up clean, Those that be fat, yet still themselves be lean. In Leucam 14 Leuca in presence once a fart did let, Some laughed a little, she forsook the place: and mad with shame, did eke her glove forget, which she returned to fetch with bashful grace: And when she would have said, my glove, My fart (quoth she) which did more laughter move. In Macrum 15 Thou canst not speak yet Macer, for to speak, is to distinguish sounds significant, Thou with harsh noise the air dost rudely break, But what thou utterest common sense doth want: Half English words, with fustian terms among Much like the burden of a Northern song. In Faustum 16 That youth saith Faustus, hath a Lion seen, Who from a dicing house comes monielesse, but when he lost his hair, where had he been, I doubt me had seen a Lioness. In Cosmum 17 Cosmus hath more discoursing in his head, than love, when Pallas issued from his brain, and still he strives to be delivered, Of all his thoughts at once, but all in vain. For as we see at all the play house doors, when ended is the play. the dance, and song: A thousand townsmen, gentlemen, & whores, Porters & serving-men together throng, so thoughts of drinking, thriving, wenching, war, And borrowing money, raging in his mind, To issue all at once so forward are, As none at all can perfect passage find. In Flaccum 18 The false knave Flaccus once a bribe I gave, The more fool I to bribe so false a knave, but he gave back my bribe, the more fool he, That for my folly, did not cousin me. In Cineam 19 Thou dogged Cineas hated like a dog, For still thou grumblest like a Mastie dogger, compar'st thyself to nothing but a dog, Thou sayst thou art as weary as a dog. As angry, sick, & hungry as a dog, As dull and melancholy as a dog: As lazy, sleepy, & as idle as a dog. But why dost thou compare thee to a dog? In that, for which all men despise a dog, I will compare thee better to a dog. Thou art as fair and comely as a dog, Thou art as true and honest as a dog, Thou art as kind and liberal as a dog, Thou art as wise and valiant as a dog. But Cineas, I have oft heard thee tell, Thou art as like thy father as may be, 'tis like enough, and faith I like it well, But I am glad thou art not like to me. In Gerontem 20 Geron whose mouldy memory corrects, Old Holinshed our famous chronicler, With moral rules, and policy collects, Out of all actions done thief fourscore year. accounts the time of every old event, not from Christ's birth, nor from the Prince's raigne, But from some other famous accident, Which in men's general notice doth remain. The siege of Boulogne, and the plaguy sweat, The going to saint Quintines and new haven. The rising in the North, The frost so great. That cartwheel prints on Thames face were seen, The fall of money, & burning of Paul's steeple, The blazing star and Spaniards overthrow: By thief events, notorious to the people, He measures times, & things forepast doth show. But most of all, he chiefly reckons by, A private chance, the death of his cursed wife: This is to him the dearest memory, And th'happiest accident of all his life. In Marcum 21 When Marcus comes from Mins, he still doth swear By, come a seven, that all is lost and gone, But that's not true, for he hath lost his hair Only for that, he came too much at one. In Ciprium 22 The fine youth Ciprius is more tierse and neat, Then the new garden of the old Temple is, And still the newest fashion he doth get, And with the time doth change from that to this, He wears a hat now of the flat crown-block, The triple ruffs, long cloak, & doublet french: He takes Tobacco, and doth wear a lock, And wastes more time in dressing then a Wench. Yet this newfangled youth, made for these times, Doth above all, praise old Gascoines rhymes. In Cineam 23. When Cineas comes amongst his friends in morning He slily looks who first his cap doth move: Him he salutes, the rest so grimly scorning, As if for ever they had lost his love. I knowing how it doth the humour sit, Of this fond gull to be saluted first: catch at my cap, but move it not a whit: Which perceiving he seems for spite to burst. But Cineas, why expect you more of me, Than I of you? I am as good a man, And better too by many a quality For vault, and dance, & fence & rhyme I can, You keep a whore at your own charge men tell me. Indeed friend (Cineas) therein you excel me. In Gallum 24 Gallus hath been this Summer time in Friesland, And now returned he speaks such warlike words As if I could their English understand, I fear me they would cut my Throat like sword He talks of counterscarps and casomates, Of parapets, of curteneys and Pallizadois, Of flankers, Ravelings, gabions he prates, And of false brayes, & sallies & scaladose: But to require such gulling terms as these, With words of my profession I reply: I tell of foorching, vouchers, and counterpleas, Of whithernames, essoins, and champartie. so neither of us understanding either, We part as wise as when we came together. In Decium 25 Audacious Painters have nine worthies made, But Poet Decius more audacious far, Making his mistress march with men of war, With title of tenth worthly doth her lade, Me thinks that gull did use his terms as fit, which termed his love a Giant for her wit. In Gellam 26 If Gellas beauty be examined she hath a dull dead eye, a saddle nose, An ill shaped face, with morpheu overspread, and rotten Teeth which she in laughing shows. Briefly she is the filthiest wench in Town, of all that do the art of whoring use: But when she hath put on her satin gown, Her out lawn apron, & her velvet shoes. Her green silk stockings, and her petticoat, Of Taffety, with golden fringe arounde: And is withal perfumed with civet hot, which doth her valiant stinking breath confound Yet she with these additions is no more, Then a sweet, filthy, fine ill favoured whore. In Sillam 27 Silla is often challenged to the field, To answer like a gentleman his foes, but when doth he his only answer yield, That he hath livings & fair lands to lose. Silla, if none but beggars valiant were, The king of spain would put us all in fear. In Sillam 28 Who dares affirm that Silla dare not fight? when I dare swear he dares adventure more, Then the most brave, most all daring wight: That ever arms with resollution bore. He that dare touch the most unwholesome whore, That ever was retired into the spittle: and dares court wenches standing at a door, The portion of his wit being passing little. He that dares give his dearest friends offences, which other valiant fools do fear to do: and when a fever doth confound his senses, dare eat raw beef, & drink strong wine thereto. He that dares take Tobacco on the stage, dares man a whore at noonday through the street dares dance in Paul's, & in this formal age, dares say & do what ever is unmeet. Whom fear of shame could never yet affright, Who dares affirm that Silla dares not fight? In Haywodum 29 Haywood which in Epigrams did excel, Is now put down since my light muse arose: As buckets are put down into a well, Or as a schoolboy putteth down his hose. In Dacum 30 Amongst the Poets Dacus numbered is, Yet could he never make an english rhyme, but some prose speeches I have heard of his, which have been spoken many a hundredth time. The man that keeps the Elephant hath one, wherein he tells the wonders of the beast. another Banks pronounced long a go, when he his curtals qualities expressed: He first taught him that keeps the monuments, At Westminster his formal tale to say. And also him with Puppets represents, and also him which with the Ape doth play Though all his poetry be like to this, Amongst the Poets numbered is. In Priscum 31 Whhen Priscus raised from low to high estate, Road through the street in pompous jollity, Caius his poor familiar friend of late, bespoke him thus, Sir now you know not me: 'tis likely friend (quoth Priscus) to be so, For at this time myself I do not know. In Brunum 32 Brunus which thinks himself a fair sweet youth is Thirty nine years of age at least: Yet was he never to confess the truth, but a dry starveling when he was at best. This gull was sick to show his night cap fine, and his wrought Pillow overspread with lawn: but hath been well since his griefs cause hath line, At Trollups by saint Clement's church in pawn. In Francum 33 When Francus comes to solace with his whore He sends for rods and strips himself stark naked: For his lust sleeps, and will not rise before, by whipping of the wench it be awaked. I envy him not, but wish he had the power, To make myself his wench but one half hour In Castorem 34 Of speaking well, why do we learn the skill, Hoping thereby honour and wealth to gain. Sith railing Castor doth by speaking ill, Opinion of much wit, and gold obtain. In Septimum 35 Septimus lives, and is like Garlic seen, for though his head be white, his blade is green. This old mad colt deserves a Martyrs praise, For he was burned in Queen Mary's days. Of Tobacco 36 Homer of Moly, and Nepenthe sings, Moly the Gods most sovereign herb divine. Nepenthe heavens drink which gladness brings, heart's grief expels, & doth the wits refine. but this our age an other world hath found, from whence an herb of heavenvly power is brought, Moly is not so sovereign for a wound, nor hath Nepenthe so great wonders wrought. It is Tobacco, whose sweet substantial fume, The hellish torment of the Teeth doth ease By drawing down, & drying up the rheum, The mother and the nurs of each disease. it is Tobacco which doth cold expel, and clears the obstructions of the arteries, and surfeits threatening death digesteth well, decocting all the stomachs crudities. It is Tobacco which hath power to clarify, The cloudy mists before dim eyes appearing, It is Tobacco which hath power to rarefie, The thick gross humour which doth stop the hearing, The wasting Hectic and the quartain fever, which doth of Physic make a mockery: The gout it cures, & helps ill breaths for ever, Whether the cause in Teeth or stomach be. And though ill breaths, were by it but confounded Yet that Medicine it doth far excel, Which by sir Thomas Moor hath been propounded. For this is thought a gentlemanlike smell, O that I were one of these mountie banks, which praise their oils, & powders which they sell my customers would give me coin with thanks. I for this ware, together smooth a Tale would tell, Yet would I use none of these terms before, I would but say, that it the pox will cure: This were enough, without discoursing more, All our brave gallants in the town t'allure, In Crassum 37 Crassus his lies are not pernicious lies, But pleasant fictions, hurtful unto none: But to himself, for no man counts him wise, To tell for truth, that which for false is known. he swears that Gaunt is threescore miles about, and that the bridge at Parris on the Seine, is of such thickness, length & breadth, throughout that sixscore arches can it scarce sustain. He swears he saw so great a dead man's skull, At Canterbury digde out of the ground: That would contain of wheat, three bushels full And that in Kent, are twenty yeomen found, Of which the poorest every year dispendes, Five thousand pound these & v. thousand more, So oft he hath recited to his friends, that now himself, persuades himself 'tis so: But why doth Crassus tell his lies so rife, Of bridges, Towns, and things that have no life. He is a lawyer, and doth well espy, That for such lies an action will not lie. In philonem 38 Philo the lawyer and the fortune teller, The schoolmaster, the midwife & the bawd, The conjurer, the buyer and the seller, Of painting which with breathing will be thawde. doth practice Physic, & his credit grows, as doth the ballade-singers auditory. which hath at Temple bar his standing chose, and to the unlgar sings an alehouse story. First stands a Porter, than an Oyster wife, Doth stint her cry, & stay her steps to hear him, Then comes a cutpurse ready with a Knife, and then a country. Client passeth near him, There stands the Constable, there stands the whore. And hearkening to the song mark not each other. There by the Sergeant stands the debtor poor, and doth no more mistrust him then his brother: Thus Orpheus to such hearers giveth Music, And Philo to such Patients giveth physic. In Fuscum 39 Fuscus is free, and hath the world at will, Yet in the course of life that he doth lead: he's like a horse which turning round a mill, doth always in the self same circle tread: First he doth rise at X. and at eleven He goes to Gilles, where he doth eat till one, Then sees he a play till six, & sups at seven, and after supper, strait to bed is gone. and there till ten next day he doth remain, and then he dines, then sees a comedy: and then he sups, & goes to bed again, Thus round he runs without variety: Save that sometimes he comes not to the play, But falls into a whore house by the way. In Afrum 40 The smell feast Afer, Travails to the Burse Twice every day the flying news to hear, which when he hath no money in his purse, To rich men's Tables he doth often bear: He tells how Gronigen is taken in, by the brave conduct of illustrious Vere: and how the spanish forces Breast would win, but that they do Victorious Norris fear. No sooner is a ship at Sea Surprised, but strait he learns the news & doth disclose it, fair written in a scroll he hath the names, of all the widows which the plague hath made. and persons, Times & places, still he frames, To every Tale, the better to persuade: We call him Fame, for that the wide-mouth slave, will eat as fast as he will utter lies For Fame is said an hundredth mouths to have, And he eats more than would five score suffice. In paulum 41 By lawful mart, & by unlawful stealth, Paul's in spite of envy fortunate: Derives out of the Oceans so much wealth, as he may well maintain a lords estate. But on the land a little gulf there is, wherein he drowneth all the wealth of his. In Licum 42 Lycus which lately is to Venice gone, shall if he do return, gain 3 for one: But x to one, his knowledge and his wit, will not be bettered or increased a whit. In Publium 43 Publius student at the common la, oft leaves his books, & for his recreation: To Paris garden doth himself Withdraw, Where he is ravished with such delectation as down amongst the Bears & dogs he goes, were whilst he skipping cries To head, To head. His Satin doublet & his velvet hose, Are all with spittle from above be-spread. When he is like his Father's country hall, stinking with dogs, & muted all with hawks, and rightly too on him this filth doth fall, Which for such filthy sports his books forsake, Leaving old Ployden, Dier & Brooke alone, To see old Harry Hunkes & Sakersone. In Sillam 44 When I this proposition had defended, A coward cannot be an honest man, Thou Silla seemest forthwith to be offended: And holds the contrary & sweres he can. But when I tell thee that he will forsake his dearest friend, in peril of his life, Thou than art changed & sayst thou didst mistake, and so we end our argument & strife. Yet I think oft, & think I think a right, Thy argument argues thou wilt not fight. In Dacum 45 Dacus with some good colour & pretence, Terms his loves beauty silent eloquence: For she doth lay more colours on her face, Then ever Tully used his speech to grace. In Marcum 46 Why dost thou Marcus in thy misery, rail & blaspheme, & call the heavens unkind, The heavens draw no Kindness unto thee, Thou hast the heavens so little in thy mind for in thy life thou never usest prayer, But at primero, to encounter fair. Meditations of a Gull. 47 See yonder melancholy gentleman, Which hoode-winked with his hat, alone doth sit, think what he thinks & tell me if you can, What great affairs troubles his little wit. he thinks not of the war twixt France & spain Whether it be for Europa's good or ill, Nor whether the Empire can itself maintain Against the Turkish power encroaching stil. Nor what great Town in all the neither lands, The states determine to besiege this spring Nor how the scottish policy now stands, Nor what becomes of this Irish mutining. But he doth seriously bethink him whether Of the gulled people he be more esteemed, For his long cloak, or his great black Feather, By which each gull is now a gallant deemed. Or of a journey he deliberates, To Paris garden cockpit or the play: Or how to steal a dog he meditates, Or what he he shall unto his mistress say: Yet with these Thoughts he thinks himself most fit To be of Counsel with a King for wit. Ad Musam 48. Peace idle muse,, have done, for it is time, Since lousy Ponticus ensues my fame, And swears the better sort are much to blame To make me so well known in so ill rhyme Yet Banks his horse is better known than he, so are the Camels & the western hog, And so is Lepidus high printed dog. why doth not Ponticus their fame's envy. Besides this muse of mine, & the black feather. grew both together fresh in estimation, and both grown stolen, were cast away together: What fame is this that scarce lasts out a fashion. Only this last in credit doth remain, That from henceforth, each bastard cast forth rhyme which doth but savour of a Libel vain. shall call me father, and be thought my crime, so dull & with so little sense endued, is my gross headed judge the multitude. FINIS. I, D. IGNOTO. I Love thee not for sacred chastity, who loves for that? nor for thy sprightly wit: I love thee not for thy sweet modesty, Which makes thee in perfections throne to sit. I love thee not for thy enchanting eye, Thy beauty ravishing perfection: I love thee not for unchaste luxury, Nor for thy bodies fair proportion. I love thee not for that my soul doth dance, And leap with pleasure when those lips of thine: give Musical and graceful utterance, To some (by thee made happy) poet's line. I love thee not for voice or slender small, But wilt thou know wherefore-faire sweet for all. Faith (wench) I cannot court thy sprightly eyes, with the base Vial placed between my thighs I cannot lisp, nor to some Fiddle sing, Nor run upon a high stretched Minikin. I cannot whine in puling Elegies, Intombing Cupid with sad obsequies. I am not fashioned for these amorous times, To court thy beauty with lascivious rhymes. I cannot dally, caper, dance and sing, Oiling my saint with supple sonneting. I cannot cross my arms, or sigh ay me, Ay me Forlorn egregious Foppery. I cannot buss thy fist, play with thy hair, Swearing by love, Thou art most debonair. not I by Cock, but shall tell thee roundly, hark in thine ear, zounds I can () thee sound. Sweet wench I love thee, yet I will not sue, Or show my love as musky Courtiers do, I'll not carovie a health to honour thee, In this same bezzling drunken courtesy. and when als quafde, eat up my bousing glass. In glory that I am thy servile ass. nor will I wear a rotten bourbon lock. as some sworn peasant to a female smock. well featured lass, Thou knowest I love the dear Yet for thy sake I will not boar mine ear. To hang thy dirty silken shootires there. nor for thy love will I once gnash a brick, Or some pied colours in my bonnet stick. but by the chaps of hell to do thee good, I'll freely spend my Thrice decocted blood. FINIS. CERTAIN OF OVID'S ELEGIES. Bianca C Marlowe, At Middleborugh Amorum lib. 1. Elegia 1. Quemadmodum a Cupidine, pro bell. amoris scribere coactus sit. WE which were Ovid's five books, now are three For these before the rest preferreth he; If reading five thou plainst of tediousness, Two ta'en away the labour will be less: With muse upreard I mean to sing of arms, Choosing a subject fit for fierce alarms Both verses were a like till love (men say) Began to smile and take one foot away Rash boy, who gave thee power to change a line? We are the Muse's prophets, none of thine. That if thy Mother take Diana's bow? Shall Diana fan when love gins to glow. In woody groves be't meet that Ceres' reign, And quiver bearing Diana till the plain: Whole set the fair treste son in battle ray, While Mars doth take the Aonion harp to play, Great are thy kingdoms over strong and large, Ambitious Imp, why seekest thou further charge? Are all things thine? the Muses tempe thine? then scarce can Phoebus say, this harp is mine. When in this work, first verse I trod aloft. I slacked my muse, and made my number soft. I have no Mistress, nor no favourite, Being fittest matter for a wanton wit. thus I complained, but love unlocked his quiver, took out the shaft, ordained my heart to shiver. and bend his sinewy bow upon his knee, Saying, Poet here's a work beseeming thee. Oh woe is me, he never shoots but hits, I burn, love in my idle bosom sits. Let my first verse be six, my last five feet, Farewell stern war, for blunter poets meet, Elegian muse, that warblest amorous lays, Gyrt my shine brow, with seabanke myrtle praise. C Marlowe Amorum. Lib 1. Elegia 3 Ad amicam. I ask but right let her that caught me late, Either love, or cause that I may hate. I crave too much, would she but let me love her love knows with such like prayers I daily move her Accept him that will serve thee all his youth, Accept him that will love thee with spotless truth. If lofty titles cannot cause me to be Thine. that am descended but of Knightly line. Soon may you blow the little lands I have, I gladly grant my parents given, to save Apollo, Bacchus, and the Muses may, and Cupid who hath marked me for thy prey, My spotless life, which but to gods give place, Naked simplicity, & modest grace. I love but one, and her I love change never, If men have faith, i'll live with thee for ever. The years that fatal destiny shall give, i'll live with thee, and die, or thou shalt grieve. Be thou the the happy subject of my books That I may write things worthy thy fair looks. By verses horned Io got her name, and she to whom in shape of Bull jove came. And she that on a feigned Bull swum to land, gripping his false horns with her virgin hand. So likewise we will through the world be rung, And with my name shall thine be always sung. Amorum. lib. 1. Elegia. 5. Corinnae concubjtus. IN Summer's heat, and mid-time of the day. To rest my limbs, upon a bed I lay. One window shut, the other open stood, Which gave such light, as twincles in a wood, like twilight glimpse at setting of the sun Or night being past, and yet not day begun. Such light to shamefast maidens must be shown, Where they may sport, & seem to be unknown. Then came Corinna in a long lose gown, Her white neck hid with tresses hanging down, Resembling fair Semiramis going to bed, Or Layis of a thousand lovers spread. I snatched her gown being thin, the harm was small, Yet striude she to be covered therewithal. And striving thus as one that would be cast, betrayed herself, and yielded at the last. Stark naked as she stood before mine eye, Not one wen in here body could I spy. What arms & shoulders did I touch and see, How apt her breasts were to be priest by me. How smooth a belly, under her waste saw I, How large a leg, and what a lusty thigh. To leave the rest, all pleased me passing well, I clingde her fair white body, down she fell. judge you the rest, being tired she bade me Kiss, jove send me more such afternoon's as this. C Marlowe Amorum lib. 3 Elegia 13. ad amicam si pecatura est, ut occult peccet. SEeing thou art fair, I bar not thy false playing, But let not me poor soul wit of thy straying. Nor do I give thee counsel to live chaste, But that thou wouldst dissemble when 'tis past. she hath not trodden awry that doth deny it, such as confess have lost their good names by it. What madness be't to tell night-sports by day, Or hidden secrets openly to bewray, The strumpet with the stranger will not do, before the room be clear, and door put too. Will you make shipwreck of your honest name, and let the world be witness of the same. Be more advised, walk as a Puritan, and I shall think you chaste do what you can. slip still, only deny it when 'tis done, and before people immodest speeches shun, The bed is for lascivious toyings meet, There use all toys, and tread shame under feet, When you are up and dressed, be sage and grave, and in the bed hide all the faults you have Be not a shamed to strip you being there, and mingle thighs, mine ever yours to bear, There in your rosy lips my tongue entomb, Practise a thousand sports when there you come. Forbore no wanton words you there would speak, And with your pastime let the bedstead creak. But with your robes, put on an honest face, And blush and seem as you were full of grace. Deceive all, let me err, and think I am right, and like a wittol, think thee void of slight. Why see I lines? so oft received and given, This bed, and that by tumbling made un-even. Like one start up, your hair tossed and displaced. And with a wantoness tooth, your neck new razed. Grant this, that what you do I may not see If you weigh not ill speeches, yet weigh me: My soule fleets when I think what you have done, and through every vein doth cold blood run Then thee whom I must love I hate in vain, and would be dead, but dying with thee remain, I'll not sift much, but hold thee soon excused, Say but thou wert injuriously accused. though while the deeds be doing you be took, and I see when you open the 2 lewd book. Swear I was blind, yield not if you be wise, and I will trust your words more than mine eyes. From him that yields, the garland is quickly got, teach but your tongue to say, I did it not, and being justified by two words think, The cause acquits you not, but I that wink. C Marlowe: Amorum lib. 2. Elegia 15. Ad invidos, quod fama Poetarum sit perennis. Envy, why carpest thou my time is spent so ill? And terms our works fruits of an idle quill, Or that unlike the line from whence I come, Wars dusty honours are refused being young, Nor that I study not the brawling laws, Nor set my voice to sale in every cause. Thy scope is mortal, mine eternal fame, That all the world might ever chant my name, Homer shall live while Tenedos stands and Ide, Or to the sea swift Simois shall slide. Ascreus lines, while grapes with new wine swell, Or men with crooked sickles corn down fell, For ever lasts high Sophocles proud vain: With sun and moon Eratus shall remain. While bondmen cheat, father's hoard, bawds hoorish And strumpets flatter, shall Menander flourish. Rude Ennius, and Plautus full of wit, Are both in Fame's eternal legend writ. What age of Varro's name shall not be told, And jasons Argos, and the fleece of gold, Lofty Lucresius shall live that hour, That Nature shall dissolve this earthly bower. Aeneas' war, and Titerius shall be read, While Rome of all the conquering world is head. Till Cupid's bow, and fiery shafts be broken. Thy verses sweet Tibullus shall be spoken. And Gallus shall be known from East to West, So shall Licorus whom he loved best. Therefore when Flint and Iron wear away. Verse is immortal and shall decay. Let kings give place to verse and Kingly shows, The banks o'er which gold bearing Tagus flows. Let base conceited wits admire wild things, Fair Phoebus lead me to the Muse's springs. About my head be quivering Myrtle wound. and in sad lovers heads let me be found. The living not the dead can envy bite, For after death all men receive their right. Then though death racks my bones in funeral fire, I'll live, and as he pulls me down, mount higher. Amorum. lib. 1. Elegia. 13. Ad auroram ne properet. NOw on the sea from her old love comes she. That draws the day from heavens cold axle-tree. Aurora whither slidest thou down again, And birds from Memnon yearly shall be slain. Now in her tender arms I sweetly bide, If ever, now wellies lies she by my side, The air is cold, and sleep is sweetest now, And birds send forth shrill notes from every bow. Whither run'st thou, that men & Women love not Hold in thy rosy horses that they move not. Ere thou rise stars teach seamen where to sail, But when thou comest, they of their courses fail. Poor travailers though tired, rise at thy sight, The painful Hind by thee to filled is sent, Slow Oxen early in the yoke are penned. Thou cousnest boys of sleep, & dost betray them. To Pedants that with cruel lashes pay them. Thou makest the surety to the lawyer run, That with one word hath nigh himself undone, The lawyer & the Client both do hate thy view, Both whom thou raisest up to toil anew. By thy means Women of their rest are bard, Thou seest their labouring hands to spin and Card. This could I bear, but that the Wench should rise, Who can endure, save him with whom none lies? How oft wished I night would not give thee place, Nor morning stars shun thy uprising face. How oft, that either wind would break thy coach Or steeds might fall, forced with thick clouds approach whither goest thou hateful nymph? Mennon the elf. Received his coal-black colour from thyself. Say that thy love with Shafalus were not known Than thinkest thou thy lose life is not shown. Would Tithon might but talk of thee a while, Not one in heanuen should be more base and Vile. Thou leav'st his bed, because he's faint through age, And early mountest thy hateful carriage: But hadst thou in thine arms some Caephalus, Then wouldst thou cry, stay night & run not thus. Punish ye me, because years make him wain, I did not bid thee wed an aged swain. The Moon sleeps, and Endymion every day, Thou art as fair as she, than kiss and play. jove that thou shouldst not hast but wait his leisure Made two nights one to finish up his pleasure. I chide no more, she blushed, and therefore heard me, Yet lingered not the day, but morning scared me: Amorum. lib. 2 Elegia 4, Quod amet mulieres, Cuiuscunque form sint. I Mean not to defend the escapes of any, Or justify my vices being many, For I confess, if that might merit favour Here I display my lewd and lose behaviour, I loathe, yet after that I loathe I run: Oh, how the burden irks, that we should shun. I cannot rule myself but where love please, And driven like a ship upon rough seas, No one face likes me best, all faces move, A hundred reasons makes me ever Love. If any eye me with a modest Look, I blush, & by that blushful glass am took And she that's coy I like, for being no clown, Me thinks she should be quick when she is down. Though her sower Looks a sabines brow resemble, I think she'll do, but deeply can dissemble If she be Learned, then for her skill I crave her, If not, because she's simple I would have her, Before Calimecus one prefers me far, Seeing she likes my books, why should we jar? Another rails at me, and that I writ, Yet would I be with her, if that I might Trips she, it likes me well, plods she, what than? She would be nimbler Lying with a man. And when one sweetly sings, then strait I long, To quaver on her lips even in her song, Or if one touch the lute with art and cunning. Who would not love those nimble hands for their swift running. And she I like that with a majesty, Folds up her arms, and makes low courtesy, To leave myself, that am in love withal, Some one of these might make the chastest fall, If she be tall, she's like an amazon, And therefore fills the bed she lies upon: If short. she lies the rounder to speak troth, Both short & long please me, for I love both: If her white neck be shadowed with black hair, Why so was Leda's, yet was Leda fair. Yellow trest is she, then on the morn think I, My love alludes to every history: A young wench pleaseth, and an old is good, This for her looks, that for her womanhood, Nay what is she, that any Roman loves, But my ambitious ranging mind approves? Amorum. Lib. 2 Elegia 10 Ad Grecinum quod eodem tempore duas amet. GRecinus (well I wots) thou toldst me once. I could not be in love with two at once. By thee deceived, by thee surprised am I. For now I love two women equally: both are well favoured, both rich in array, Which is the louliest it is hard to say: This seems the fairest, so doth that to me, This doth please me most, and so doth she, Even as a boat, tossed by contrary wind, So with this love and that wavers my mind, Venus why doublest thou my endless smart? Was not one wench enough to grieve my heart? Why addst thou stars to heaven, leaves to green woods And to the deep vast sea fresh water floods? Yet this is better far than lie alone, let such as be mine enemies have none, Yea, let my foes sleep in an empty bed, And in the mids their bodies largely spread: But may soft love rouse up my drowsy eyes. And from my mistress bosom let me rise: Let one wench cloy me with sweet loves delight If one can dov, if not, two every night, Though I am slender, I have store of pitch, Nor want I strength, but weight to press her with: Pleasure adds fuel to my lustful fire, I pay them home with that they most desire: Oft have I spent the night in wantonness, And in the morn been lively ne'ertheless, he's happy who loves mutual skirmish slays, And to the Gods for that death Ovid prays, Let soldier chase his enemies amain, And with his blood eternal honour gain, Let merchants seek wealth with perjured lips, And being wracked, carouse the sea tired by their ships But when I die, would I might droop with doing, And in the mids thereof, let my soul going, That at my funerals some may weeping cry, Even as he led his life, so did he die. Amorum lib. 3. Elegia 6. Quod ab amica receptus cum ea coire non potuit conqueritur. EIther she was foul, or her attire was bad, Or she was not the wench I wished t'have had, Idly I lay with her, as if I lovede her 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. That were as white as is the Scythian snow. And eager she kissed me with her tongue. And under mine, her wanton thigh she flung, Yea, and she soothde me up, and called me sir 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 shed, Or body was lo? who can say, What will my age do? age I cannot shun, Seeing in my prime, my force is spent and done, I blush, and being youthful, hot, and lusty, I prove neither youth nor man, but old and rusty, Pure Rose she, like a Nun to sacrifice, Or one that with her tender brother lies, Yet boarded I the golden Chietwise. And Libas and the white cheek'de Pitho thrice. Corinna craved it in a summer's night, And nine sweet bouts had we before day light, What waste my limbs through some Thesalia charms May spells and droughts do silly souls such harms? With virgin wax hath some imbast my joints, Had pierced my Liver which sharp needle points, Charms change corn to grass and make it die, By charms are running springs & founntaines dry By charms Mast drops from oaks from vines grapes fall And fruit from trees, when there's no wound at al. Why might not then my sinews be enchanted, And I grow faint, as with some spirit haunted. To this and shame, shame to perform it quailed me, And was the second cause why rigour failed me: My idle thoughts delighted her no more, Then did the rob or garment which she wore, Yet might her touch make youthful pilius fire, And Tithon 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 gods grieved they had bestowed, This benefit, which lewdlie I forslowde: I wished to be restored in, and in I got me, To kiss, I kiss. to lie with her she let me. Why was I blest? why made king? & refused it, Chuf-like had I not gold, & could not use it? So in a spring thrives he that told so much, And looks upon the fruits he cannot touch, Hath any Rose so from a fresh young maid, As she might strait have gone to church & prayed. Well, I believe she kissed not as she should, Nor used the slight nor cunning which she could Huge Okes, hard adamants might she have moved & with sweet words, cause deaf rocks to have loved Worthy she was to move both gods & men But neither was I man, ne lived then, Can deaf years take delit, when Phemius sings, Or Thamaris in curious painted things. What sweet thought is there but I had the same, And one gave Place still as an other came. Yet notwithstanding, like one dead it lay, Drooping more than a rose pulled yesterday: Now when he should not jest, he bolts upright, And craves his task, & seeks to be at fight, Lie down with shame, & see thou stir no more, Seeing now thou wouldst deceive me as before: Thou cousendst me, by thee surprised am I, And bide great hurt 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 dropped down regarding not her hand Why mok'st thou me she cried, or being ill, Who bade thee lie down here against thy will? Either thou'rt witched with blood of frogs new dead Or jaded camest thou from some others bed. With that her lose 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, spilled water in the place. Amorum Lib. 1 Elegia 2. Quod primo amore coreptus, in triumphum duci se a Cupidine Patiatur. WHat makes my bed seem hard seeing it is so soft? Or why slips down the Coverlet so oft? Although the night's be long, I sleep not tho, My sides are sore with tumbling to and fro. Were love the cause, it's like I should descry him Or lies he close, and shoots where none can spy him. T'was so he struck me with a tender dart, 'tis cruel love turmoils my captive heart. yielding or striving do we give him might, Let's yield, a burden easily borne is light. I saw a brandished fire increase in strength, which being not shaked, I saw it die at length. young oxen newly yoked are beaten more, Then Oxen which have drawn the plough before: & rough jades mouths with stuburn bits are torn But managed horses heads are lightly borne. Unwilling lovers, love doth more torment, Then such as in their bondage feel content. Lo I confess, I am thy captive I, And hold my conquered hands for thee to tie. What need it thou war, I sue to thee for grace With arms to conquer armles men is base, Yoke Venus' Doves, put myrtle on thy hair, Vuscan will give thee Chariots rich and fair: The people thee applauding thou shalt stand Guiding the harmless Pigeons with hand. Young men and Women, shalt thou lead as thrall So will thy triumphs seem magnifical, I lately caught, will have a new made Wound, And captive like be manacled and bound, Good meaning shame, & such as seek loves wrack Shall follow thee, their hands tied at their back. Thee all shall fear and worship as a king Io. triumphing shall thy people sing. Smooth speeches, fear & rage shall by thee ride, Which troops have always been on Cupid's side: thou with these soldiers conquerst gods & men. take these away where is thy honour then? Thy mother shall from heaven applaud this show, And on their faces, heaps of Roses strew. With beauty of thy wings, thy fair hair guilded Ride golden love in Chariots richly builded. Unless I err, full many shalt thou qurne, And give words infinite at every turn. In spite of thee, forth will thy Arrows fly, A scorching flame burns all the standers by. So having conquered Ind, was Bacchushew hew, Thee Pompous birds & him two Tigers drew, Then seeing I grace thy show in following thee. Forbear to hurt thyself in spoiling me- Behold thy kinsman's Caesar's prosperous hands, Who guards thee conquered with his conquering hands. FINIS.