<h1> HERO AND LEANDER </h1>
<h3>by</h3>
<h2>Christopher Marlowe</h2>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<h3> FIRST SESTIAD </h3>
<p>On Hellespont, guilty of true-love's blood,<br/>
In view and opposite two cities stood,<br/>
Sea-borderers, disjoined by Neptune's might;<br/>
The one Abydos, the other Sestos hight.<br/>
At Sestos Hero dwelt; Hero the fair,<br/>
Whom young Apollo courted for her hair,<br/>
And offered as a dower his burning throne,<br/>
Where she should sit for men to gaze upon.<br/>
The outside of her garments were of lawn,<br/>
The lining purple silk, with gilt stars drawn;<br/>
Her wide sleeves green, and bordered with a grove,<br/>
Where Venus in her naked glory strove<br/>
To please the careless and disdainful eyes<br/>
Of proud Adonis, that before her lies.<br/>
Her kirtle blue, whereon was many a stain,<br/>
Made with the blood of wretched lovers slain.<br/>
Upon her head she ware a myrtle wreath,<br/>
From whence her veil reached to the ground beneath.<br/>
Her veil was artificial flowers and leaves<br/>
Whose workmanship both man and beast deceives.<br/>
Many would praise the sweet smell as she passed,<br/>
When 'twas the odour which her breath forth cast;<br/>
And there for honey bees have sought in vain,<br/>
And, beat from thence, have lighted there again.<br/>
About her neck hung chains of pebblestone,<br/>
Which, lightened by her neck, like diamonds shone.<br/>
She ware no gloves; for neither sun nor wind<br/>
Would burn or parch her hands, but to her mind,<br/>
Or warm or cool them, for they took delight<br/>
To play upon those hands, they were so white.<br/>
Buskins of shells, all silvered used she,<br/>
And branched with blushing coral to the knee;<br/>
Where sparrows perched of hollow pearl and gold,<br/>
Such as the world would wonder to behold.<br/>
Those with sweet water oft her handmaid fills,<br/>
Which, as she went, would chirrup through the bills.<br/>
Some say for her the fairest Cupid pined<br/>
And looking in her face was strooken blind.<br/>
But this is true: so like was one the other,<br/>
As he imagined Hero was his mother.<br/>
And oftentimes into her bosom flew,<br/>
About her naked neck his bare arms threw,<br/>
And laid his childish head upon her breast,<br/>
And, with still panting rocked, there took his rest.<br/>
So lovely fair was Hero, Venus' nun,<br/>
As Nature wept, thinking she was undone,<br/>
Because she took more from her than she left,<br/>
And of such wondrous beauty her bereft.<br/>
Therefore, in sign her treasure suffered wrack,<br/>
Since Hero's time hath half the world been black.</p>
<p>Amorous Leander, beautiful and young,<br/>
(whose tragedy divine Musaeus sung,)<br/>
Dwelt at Abydos; since him dwelt there none<br/>
For whom succeeding times make greater moan.<br/>
His dangling tresses, that were never shorn,<br/>
Had they been cut, and unto Colchos borne,<br/>
Would have allured the vent'rous youth of Greece<br/>
To hazard more than for the golden fleece.<br/>
Fair Cynthia wished his arms might be her sphere;<br/>
Grief makes her pale, because she moves not there.<br/>
His body was as straight as Circe's wand;<br/>
Jove might have sipped out nectar from his hand.<br/>
Even as delicious meat is to the taste,<br/>
So was his neck in touching, and surpassed<br/>
The white of Pelop's shoulder. I could tell ye<br/>
How smooth his breast was and how white his belly;<br/>
And whose immortal fingers did imprint<br/>
That heavenly path with many a curious dint<br/>
That runs along his back, but my rude pen<br/>
Can hardly blazon forth the loves of men,<br/>
Much less of powerful gods. Let it suffice<br/>
That my slack Muse sings of Leander's eyes,<br/>
Those orient cheeks and lips, exceeding his<br/>
That leaped into the water for a kiss<br/>
Of his own shadow and, despising many,<br/>
Died ere he could enjoy the love of any.<br/>
Had wild Hippolytus Leander seen<br/>
Enamoured of his beauty had he been.<br/>
His presence made the rudest peasant melt<br/>
That in the vast uplandish country dwelt.<br/>
The barbarous Thracian soldier, moved with nought,<br/>
Was moved with him and for his favour sought.<br/>
Some swore he was a maid in man's attire,<br/>
For in his looks were all that men desire,<br/>
A pleasant smiling cheek, a speaking eye,<br/>
A brow for love to banquet royally;<br/>
And such as knew he was a man, would say,<br/>
"Leander, thou art made for amorous play.<br/>
Why art thou not in love, and loved of all?<br/>
Though thou be fair, yet be not thine own thrall."</p>
<p>The men of wealthy Sestos every year,<br/>
(For his sake whom their goddess held so dear,<br/>
Rose-cheeked Adonis) kept a solemn feast.<br/>
Thither resorted many a wandering guest<br/>
To meet their loves.<br/>
Such as had none at all,<br/>
Came lovers home from this great festival.<br/>
For every street like to a firmament<br/>
Glistered with breathing stars who, where they went,<br/>
Frighted the melancholy earth which deemed<br/>
Eternal heaven to burn, for so it seemed,<br/>
As if another Phaeton had got<br/>
The guidance of the sun's rich chariot.<br/>
But far above the loveliest Hero shined<br/>
And stole away th' enchanted gazer's mind,<br/>
For like sea nymphs' enveigling Harmony,<br/>
So was her beauty to the standers by.<br/>
Nor that night-wandering, pale, and wat'ry star<br/>
(When yawning dragons draw her thirling car<br/>
From Latmus' mount up to the gloomy sky<br/>
Where, crowned with blazing light and majesty,<br/>
She proudly sits) more overrules the flood<br/>
Than she the hearts of those that near her stood.<br/>
Even as, when gaudy nymphs pursue the chase,<br/>
Wretched Ixion's shaggy footed race,<br/>
Incensed with savage heat, gallop amain<br/>
From steep pine-bearing mountains to the plain.<br/>
So ran the people forth to gaze upon her,<br/>
And all that viewed her were enamoured on her.<br/>
And as in fury of a dreadful fight,<br/>
Their fellows being slain or put to flight,<br/>
Poor soldiers stand with fear of death dead strooken,<br/>
So at her presence all surprised and tooken,<br/>
Await the sentence of her scornful eyes.<br/>
He whom she favours lives, the other dies.<br/>
There might you see one sigh, another rage;<br/>
And some, (their violent passions to assuage)<br/>
Compile sharp satires, but alas too late,<br/>
For faithful love will never turn to hate.<br/>
And many seeing great princes were denied<br/>
Pin'd as they went, and thinking on her died.<br/>
On this feast day, O cursed day and hour,<br/>
Went Hero thorough Sestos from her tower<br/>
To Venus' temple, where unhappily<br/>
As after chanced, they did each other spy.</p>
<p>So fair a church as this had Venus none.<br/>
The walls were of discoloured jasper stone<br/>
Wherein was Proteus carved, and o'erhead<br/>
A lively vine of green sea agate spread,<br/>
Where by one hand lightheaded Bacchus hung,<br/>
And, with the other, wine from grapes out wrung.<br/>
Of crystal shining fair the pavement was.<br/>
The town of Sestos called it Venus' glass.<br/>
There might you see the gods in sundry shapes<br/>
Committing heady riots, incest, rapes.<br/>
For know, that underneath this radiant floor<br/>
Was Danae's statue in a brazen tower,<br/>
Jove slyly stealing from his sister's bed,<br/>
To dally with Idalian Ganymede,<br/>
And for his love Europa bellowing loud,<br/>
And tumbling with the Rainbow in a cloud;<br/>
Blood quaffing Mars heaving the iron net<br/>
Which limping Vulcan and his Cyclops set;<br/>
Love kindling fire to burn such towns as Troy;<br/>
Sylvanus weeping for the lovely boy<br/>
That now is turned into a cypress tree,<br/>
Under whose shade the wood gods love to be.<br/>
And in the midst a silver altar stood.<br/>
There Hero, sacrificing turtle's blood,<br/>
Vailed to the ground, vailing her eyelids close,<br/>
And modestly they opened as she rose.<br/>
Thence flew Love's arrow with the golden head,<br/>
And thus Leander was enamoured.<br/>
Stone still he stood, and evermore he gazed<br/>
Till with the fire that from his countenance blazed<br/>
Relenting Hero's gentle heart was strook.<br/>
Such force and virtue hath an amorous look.</p>
<p>It lies not in our power to love or hate,<br/>
For will in us is overruled by fate.<br/>
When two are stripped, long ere the course begin<br/>
We wish that one should lose, the other win.<br/>
And one especially do we affect<br/>
Of two gold ingots like in each respect.<br/>
The reason no man knows; let it suffice<br/>
What we behold is censured by our eyes.<br/>
Where both deliberate, the love is slight:<br/>
Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?</p>
<p>He kneeled, but unto her devoutly prayed.<br/>
Chaste Hero to herself thus softly said,<br/>
"Were I the saint he worships, I would hear him;"<br/>
And, as she spake those words, came somewhat near him.<br/>
He started up, she blushed as one ashamed,<br/>
Wherewith Leander much more was inflamed.<br/>
He touched her hand; in touching it she trembled.<br/>
Love deeply grounded, hardly is dissembled.<br/>
These lovers parleyed by the touch of hands;<br/>
True love is mute, and oft amazed stands.<br/>
Thus while dumb signs their yielding hearts entangled,<br/>
The air with sparks of living fire was spangled,<br/>
And night, deep drenched in misty Acheron,<br/>
Heaved up her head, and half the world upon<br/>
Breathed darkness forth (dark night is Cupid's day).<br/>
And now begins Leander to display<br/>
Love's holy fire, with words, with sighs, and tears,<br/>
Which like sweet music entered Hero's ears,<br/>
And yet at every word she turned aside,<br/>
And always cut him off as he replied.<br/>
At last, like to a bold sharp sophister,<br/>
With cheerful hope thus he accosted her.<br/>
"Fair creature, let me speak without offence.<br/>
I would my rude words had the influence<br/>
To lead thy thoughts as thy fair looks do mine,<br/>
Then shouldst thou be his prisoner, who is thine.<br/>
Be not unkind and fair; misshapen stuff<br/>
Are of behaviour boisterous and rough.<br/>
O shun me not, but hear me ere you go.<br/>
God knows I cannot force love as you do.<br/>
My words shall be as spotless as my youth,<br/>
Full of simplicity and naked truth.<br/>
This sacrifice, (whose sweet perfume descending<br/>
From Venus' altar, to your footsteps bending)<br/>
Doth testify that you exceed her far,<br/>
To whom you offer, and whose nun you are.<br/>
Why should you worship her? Her you surpass<br/>
As much as sparkling diamonds flaring glass.<br/>
A diamond set in lead his worth retains;<br/>
A heavenly nymph, beloved of human swains,<br/>
Receives no blemish, but ofttimes more grace;<br/>
Which makes me hope, although I am but base:<br/>
Base in respect of thee, divine and pure,<br/>
Dutiful service may thy love procure.<br/>
And I in duty will excel all other,<br/>
As thou in beauty dost exceed Love's mother.<br/>
Nor heaven, nor thou, were made to gaze upon,<br/>
As heaven preserves all things, so save thou one.<br/>
A stately builded ship, well rigged and tall,<br/>
The ocean maketh more majestical.<br/>
Why vowest thou then to live in Sestos here<br/>
Who on Love's seas more glorious wouldst appear?<br/>
Like untuned golden strings all women are,<br/>
Which long time lie untouched, will harshly jar.<br/>
Vessels of brass, oft handled, brightly shine.<br/>
What difference betwixt the richest mine<br/>
And basest mould, but use? For both, not used,<br/>
Are of like worth. Then treasure is abused<br/>
When misers keep it; being put to loan,<br/>
In time it will return us two for one.<br/>
Rich robes themselves and others do adorn;<br/>
Neither themselves nor others, if not worn.<br/>
Who builds a palace and rams up the gate<br/>
Shall see it ruinous and desolate.<br/>
Ah, simple Hero, learn thyself to cherish.<br/>
Lone women like to empty houses perish.<br/>
Less sins the poor rich man that starves himself<br/>
In heaping up a mass of drossy pelf,<br/>
Than such as you. His golden earth remains<br/>
Which, after his decease, some other gains.<br/>
But this fair gem, sweet in the loss alone,<br/>
When you fleet hence, can be bequeathed to none.<br/>
Or, if it could, down from th'enameled sky<br/>
All heaven would come to claim this legacy,<br/>
And with intestine broils the world destroy,<br/>
And quite confound nature's sweet harmony.<br/>
Well therefore by the gods decreed it is<br/>
We human creatures should enjoy that bliss.<br/>
One is no number; maids are nothing then<br/>
Without the sweet society of men.<br/>
Wilt thou live single still? One shalt thou be,<br/>
Though never singling Hymen couple thee.<br/>
Wild savages, that drink of running springs,<br/>
Think water far excels all earthly things,<br/>
But they that daily taste neat wine despise it.<br/>
Virginity, albeit some highly prize it,<br/>
Compared with marriage, had you tried them both,<br/>
Differs as much as wine and water doth.<br/>
Base bullion for the stamp's sake we allow;<br/>
Even so for men's impression do we you,<br/>
By which alone, our reverend fathers say,<br/>
Women receive perfection every way.<br/>
This idol which you term virginity<br/>
Is neither essence subject to the eye<br/>
No, nor to any one exterior sense,<br/>
Nor hath it any place of residence,<br/>
Nor is't of earth or mould celestial,<br/>
Or capable of any form at all.<br/>
Of that which hath no being do not boast;<br/>
Things that are not at all are never lost.<br/>
Men foolishly do call it virtuous;<br/>
What virtue is it that is born with us?<br/>
Much less can honour be ascribed thereto;<br/>
Honour is purchased by the deeds we do.<br/>
Believe me, Hero, honour is not won<br/>
Until some honourable deed be done.<br/>
Seek you for chastity, immortal fame,<br/>
And know that some have wronged Diana's name?<br/>
Whose name is it, if she be false or not<br/>
So she be fair, but some vile tongues will blot?<br/>
But you are fair, (ay me) so wondrous fair,<br/>
So young, so gentle, and so debonair,<br/>
As Greece will think if thus you live alone<br/>
Some one or other keeps you as his own.<br/>
Then, Hero, hate me not nor from me fly<br/>
To follow swiftly blasting infamy.<br/>
Perhaps thy sacred priesthood makes thee loath.<br/>
Tell me, to whom mad'st thou that heedless oath?"</p>
<p>"To Venus," answered she and, as she spake,<br/>
Forth from those two tralucent cisterns brake<br/>
A stream of liquid pearl, which down her face<br/>
Made milk-white paths, whereon the gods might trace<br/>
To Jove's high court.<br/>
He thus replied: "The rites<br/>
In which love's beauteous empress most delights<br/>
Are banquets, Doric music, midnight revel,<br/>
Plays, masks, and all that stern age counteth evil.<br/>
Thee as a holy idiot doth she scorn<br/>
For thou in vowing chastity hast sworn<br/>
To rob her name and honour, and thereby<br/>
Committ'st a sin far worse than perjury,<br/>
Even sacrilege against her deity,<br/>
Through regular and formal purity.<br/>
To expiate which sin, kiss and shake hands.<br/>
Such sacrifice as this Venus demands."</p>
<p>Thereat she smiled and did deny him so,<br/>
As put thereby, yet might he hope for moe.<br/>
Which makes him quickly re-enforce his speech,<br/>
And her in humble manner thus beseech.<br/>
"Though neither gods nor men may thee deserve,<br/>
Yet for her sake, whom you have vowed to serve,<br/>
Abandon fruitless cold virginity,<br/>
The gentle queen of love's sole enemy.<br/>
Then shall you most resemble Venus' nun,<br/>
When Venus' sweet rites are performed and done.<br/>
Flint-breasted Pallas joys in single life,<br/>
But Pallas and your mistress are at strife.<br/>
Love, Hero, then, and be not tyrannous,<br/>
But heal the heart that thou hast wounded thus,<br/>
Nor stain thy youthful years with avarice.<br/>
Fair fools delight to be accounted nice.<br/>
The richest corn dies, if it be not reaped;<br/>
Beauty alone is lost, too warily kept."</p>
<p>These arguments he used, and many more,<br/>
Wherewith she yielded, that was won before.<br/>
Hero's looks yielded but her words made war.<br/>
Women are won when they begin to jar.<br/>
Thus, having swallowed Cupid's golden hook,<br/>
The more she strived, the deeper was she strook.<br/>
Yet, evilly feigning anger, strove she still<br/>
And would be thought to grant against her will.<br/>
So having paused a while at last she said,<br/>
"Who taught thee rhetoric to deceive a maid?<br/>
Ay me, such words as these should I abhor<br/>
And yet I like them for the orator."</p>
<p>With that Leander stooped to have embraced her<br/>
But from his spreading arms away she cast her,<br/>
And thus bespake him: "Gentle youth, forbear<br/>
To touch the sacred garments which I wear.<br/>
Upon a rock and underneath a hill<br/>
Far from the town (where all is whist and still,<br/>
Save that the sea, playing on yellow sand,<br/>
Sends forth a rattling murmur to the land,<br/>
Whose sound allures the golden Morpheus<br/>
In silence of the night to visit us)<br/>
My turret stands and there, God knows, I play.<br/>
With Venus' swans and sparrows all the day.<br/>
A dwarfish beldam bears me company,<br/>
That hops about the chamber where I lie,<br/>
And spends the night (that might be better spent)<br/>
In vain discourse and apish merriment.<br/>
Come thither." As she spake this, her tongue tripped,<br/>
For unawares "come thither" from her slipped.<br/>
And suddenly her former colour changed,<br/>
And here and there her eyes through anger ranged.<br/>
And like a planet, moving several ways,<br/>
At one self instant she, poor soul, assays,<br/>
Loving, not to love at all, and every part<br/>
Strove to resist the motions of her heart.<br/>
And hands so pure, so innocent, nay, such<br/>
As might have made heaven stoop to have a touch,<br/>
Did she uphold to Venus, and again<br/>
Vowed spotless chastity, but all in vain.<br/>
Cupid beats down her prayers with his wings,<br/>
Her vows above the empty air he flings,<br/>
All deep enraged, his sinewy bow he bent,<br/>
And shot a shaft that burning from him went,<br/>
Wherewith she strooken, looked so dolefully,<br/>
As made love sigh to see his tyranny.<br/>
And as she wept her tears to pearl he turned,<br/>
And wound them on his arm and for her mourned.<br/>
Then towards the palace of the destinies<br/>
Laden with languishment and grief he flies,<br/>
And to those stern nymphs humbly made request<br/>
Both might enjoy each other, and be blest.<br/>
But with a ghastly dreadful countenance,<br/>
Threatening a thousand deaths at every glance,<br/>
They answered Love, nor would vouchsafe so much<br/>
As one poor word, their hate to him was such.<br/>
Hearken a while and I will tell you why.<br/>
Heaven's winged herald, Jove-borne Mercury,<br/>
The selfsame day that he asleep had laid<br/>
Enchanted Argus, spied a country maid<br/>
Whose careless hair instead of pearl t'adorn it<br/>
Glistered with dew, as one that seemed to scorn it;<br/>
Her breath as fragrant as the morning rose,<br/>
Her mind pure, and her tongue untaught to gloze.<br/>
Yet proud she was (for lofty pride that dwells<br/>
In towered courts is oft in shepherds' cells.)<br/>
And too too well the fair vermilion knew,<br/>
And silver tincture of her cheeks, that drew<br/>
The love of every swain. On her this god<br/>
Enamoured was, and with his snaky rod<br/>
Did charm her nimble feet, and made her stay,<br/>
The while upon a hillock down he lay<br/>
And sweetly on his pipe began to play,<br/>
And with smooth speech her fancy to assay,<br/>
Till in his twining arms he locked her fast<br/>
And then he wooed with kisses; and at last,<br/>
As shepherds do, her on the ground he laid<br/>
And, tumbling in the grass, he often strayed<br/>
Beyond the bounds of shame, in being bold<br/>
To eye those parts which no eye should behold.<br/>
And, like an insolent commanding lover<br/>
Boasting his parentage, would needs discover<br/>
The way to new Elysium, but she,<br/>
Whose only dower was her chastity,<br/>
Having striv'n in vain was now about to cry<br/>
And crave the help of shepherds that were nigh.<br/>
Herewith he stayed his fury, and began<br/>
To give her leave to rise. Away she ran;<br/>
After went Mercury who used such cunning<br/>
As she, to hear his tale, left off her running.<br/>
Maids are not won by brutish force and might,<br/>
But speeches full of pleasure, and delight.<br/>
And, knowing Hermes courted her, was glad<br/>
That she such loveliness and beauty had<br/>
As could provoke his liking, yet was mute<br/>
And neither would deny nor grant his suit.<br/>
Still vowed he love. She, wanting no excuse<br/>
To feed him with delays, as women use,<br/>
Or thirsting after immortality, -<br/>
All women are ambitious naturally -<br/>
Imposed upon her lover such a task<br/>
As he ought not perform nor yet she ask.<br/>
A draught of flowing nectar she requested,<br/>
Wherewith the king of gods and men is feasted.<br/>
He, ready to accomplish what she willed,<br/>
Stole some from Hebe (Hebe Jove's cup filled)<br/>
And gave it to his simple rustic love.<br/>
Which being known (as what is hid from Jove?)<br/>
He inly stormed and waxed more furious<br/>
Than for the fire filched by Prometheus,<br/>
And thrusts him down from heaven. He, wandering here,<br/>
In mournful terms, with sad and heavy cheer,<br/>
Complained to Cupid. Cupid for his sake,<br/>
To be revenged on Jove did undertake.<br/>
And those on whom heaven, earth, and hell relies,<br/>
I mean the adamantine Destinies,<br/>
He wounds with love, and forced them equally<br/>
To dote upon deceitful Mercury.<br/>
They offered him the deadly fatal knife<br/>
That shears the slender threads of human life.<br/>
At his fair feathered feet the engines laid<br/>
Which th' earth from ugly Chaos' den upweighed.<br/>
These he regarded not but did entreat<br/>
That Jove, usurper of his father's seat,<br/>
Might presently be banished into hell,<br/>
And aged Saturn in Olympus dwell.<br/>
They granted what he craved, and once again<br/>
Saturn and Ops began their golden reign.<br/>
Murder, rape, war, lust, and treachery,<br/>
Were with Jove closed in Stygian empery.<br/>
But long this blessed time continued not.<br/>
As soon as he his wished purpose got<br/>
He reckless of his promise did despise<br/>
The love of th' everlasting Destinies.<br/>
They seeing it both love and him abhorred<br/>
And Jupiter unto his place restored.<br/>
And but that Learning in despite of Fate<br/>
Will mount aloft and enter heaven gate<br/>
And to the seat of Jove itself advance,<br/>
Hermes had slept in hell with Ignorance.<br/>
Yet as a punishment they added this,<br/>
That he and Poverty should always kiss.<br/>
And to this day is every scholar poor;<br/>
Gross gold from them runs headlong to the boor.<br/>
Likewise the angry Sisters thus deluded,<br/>
To venge themselves on Hermes, have concluded<br/>
That Midas' brood shall sit in honour's chair,<br/>
To which the Muses' sons are only heir;<br/>
And fruitful wits, that in aspiring are,<br/>
Shall discontent run into regions far;<br/>
And few great lords in virtuous deeds shall joy<br/>
But be surprised with every garish toy,<br/>
And still enrich the lofty servile clown,<br/>
Who with encroaching guile keeps learning down.<br/>
Then Muse not Cupid's suit no better sped,<br/>
Seeing in their loves the Fates were injured.</p>
<p>(The end of the First Sestiad)</p>
<br/>
<br/>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />