The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 3 (of 3)Marlowe, Christopher
General
The Works of Christopher Marlowe, Vol. 3 (of 3)
Marlowe, Christopher
English poetry
[443] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "dying."
[444] The original has
"Et fuerint oculis probra videnda meis."
[445] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "yeeld not."
[446] So eds. B, C.--Isham copy and ed. A "garland."
[447] So Isham copy and eds. A, B.--Ed. C "that I."
ELEGIA XV.[448]
Ad Venerem, quod elegis finem imponat.
Tender Loves' mother[449] a new poet get,
This last end to my Elegies is set.[450]
Which I, Peligny's foster-child, have framed,
Nor am I by such wanton toys defamed.
Heir of an ancient house, if help that can,
Not only by war's rage[451] made gentleman.
In Virgil Mantua joys: in Catull Verone;
Of me Peligny's nation boasts alone;
Whom liberty to honest arms compelled,
When careful Rome in doubt their prowess held.[452] 10
And some guest viewing watery Sulmo's walls,
Where little ground to be enclosed befalls,
"How such a poet could you bring forth?" says:
"How small soe'er, I'll you for greatest praise."
Both loves, to whom my heart long time did yield,[453]
Your golden ensigns pluck[454] out of my field.
Horned Bacchus graver fury doth distil,
A greater ground with great horse is to till.
Weak Elegies, delightful Muse, farewell;
A work that, after my death, here shall dwell. 20
FOOTNOTES:
[448] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
[449] "Tenerorum mater amorum."
[450] "Marlowe's copy of Ovid had 'Traditur haec elegis ultima charta
meis.'"--Dyce. (The true reading is "Raditur hic ... meta meis.")
[451] "Non modo militiae turbine factus eques."
[452] "Cum timuit socias anxia turba manus."
[453] "Marlowe's copy of Ovid had 'Culte puer, puerique parens _mihi
tempore longo_.' (instead of what we now read 'Amathusia
culti.')"--Dyce.
[454] Old eds. "pluckt."
EPIGRAMS BY J[OHN] D[AVIES].
EPIGRAMS BY J[OHN] D[AVIES].[455]
AD MUSAM. I.
Fly, merry Muse, unto that merry town,
Where thou mayst plays, revels, and triumphs see;
The house of fame, and theatre of renown,
Where all good wits and spirits love to be.
Fall in between their hands that praise and love thee,[456]
And be to them a laughter and a jest:
But as for them which scorning shall reprove[457] thee,
Disdain their wits, and think thine own the best.
But if thou find any so gross and dull,
That thinks I do to private taxing[458] lean, 10
Bid him go hang, for he is but a gull,
And knows not what an epigram doth[459] mean,
Which taxeth,[460] under a particular name,
A general vice which merits public blame.
FOOTNOTES:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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