HERO AND LEANDER AND OTHER POEMS BY CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE CONTENTS Hero and Leander, by Christopher Marlowe and George Chapman Minor poems by Christopher Marlowe - The Passionate Shepherd To His Love - Fragment, first printed in "England's Parnassus," 1600 - In obitum honoratissimi viri, Rogeri Manwood, militis, Quaestorii Reginalis Capitalis Baronis - Dialogue in Verse HERO AND LEANDER By Christopher Marlowe and George Chapman TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL SIR THOMAS WALSINGHAM, KNIGHT. Sir, we think not ourselves discharged of the duty we owe to our friend when we have brought the breathless body to the earth; for, albeit the eye there taketh his ever-farewell of that beloved object, yet the impression of the man that hath been dear unto us, living an after-life in our memory, there putteth us in mind of farther obsequies due unto the deceased; and namely of the performance of whatsoever we may judge shall make to his living credit and to the effecting of his determinations prevented by the stroke of death. By these meditations (as by an intellectual will) I suppose myself executor to the unhappily deceased author of this poem; upon whom knowing that in his lifetime you bestowed many kind favours, entertaining the parts of reckoning and worth which you found in him with good countenance and liberal affection, I cannot but see so far into the will of him dead, that whatsoever issue of his brain should chance to come abroad, that the first breath it should take might be the gentle air of your liking; for, since his self had been accustomed thereunto, it would prove more agreeable and thriving to his right children than any other foster counten- ance whatsoever. At this time seeing that this unfinished tragedy happens under my hands to be imprinted, of a double duty, the one to yourself, the other to the deceased, I present the same to your most favourable allowance, offering my utmost self now and ever to be ready at your worship's disposing. EDWARD BLUNT. Note: The first two Sestiads were written by Marlowe; the last four by Chapman, who supplied also the Arguments for the six Sestiads. THE FIRST SESTIAD THE ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST SESTIAD Hero's description and her love's; The fane of Venus where he moves His worthy love-suit, and attains; Whose bliss the wrath of Fates restrains For Cupid's grace to Mercury: Which tale the author doth imply.