Such villainy as yours would not have been content with this – ye gods do better by me! This poem was written in the last year of Marlowe's life, 1593. Jove’s delight, and the delight of Venus, are in stealthy sins like these; such stealthy sins, indeed, gave you Jove for sire. Leander to Hero LEANDER of Abydos sends, to his girl of Sestos, those wishes for her health, which he would rather bring himself, if the rage of the sea should abate. Hero and Leander are compelling because their reactions (even the less-than-truthful words of Hero, as she attempts to hold off Leander) are innocent and based on universal human emotions. The classical world was much more accustomed to references to homosexuality than the Elizabethan Christian world of Marlowe. I am not practised in the theft of love, and never yet – the gods are my witnesses – have I artfully made sport of my lord. Forgive me if I say it – your gifts are not worth so much; I know not how, my land itself still holds me back. – 17 A.D.) METAMORPHOSES. The theme is found in Italian and Netherlandish painting, especially of the 17th century which depicts Leander swimming the Hellespont towards a distant tower lighted by Hero; or the drowned Leander is borne away by Nereids as Hero plunges to her death into the sea. [103] I would the time of your swift keel’s coming had been when my maiden hand was sought by a thousand suitors; had I seen you, of the thousand you would have been the first. You, too, how will you be able to hope that I shall keep faith and not be troubled by your own example? Leander is afraid of being missed, and goes home across the water to Abydos. . [83] And now my arms grow tired below the shoulder-joint, and with all my strength I raise myself aloft on the summit of the waters. To say naught of Jove, forefather of my husband’s sire, and all the glory of Pelops, Tantalus’ son, and of Tyndareus, Leda makes Jove my father, deceived by the swan, false bird she cherished in her trusting bosom. The two meet and speak of their prodigious attraction, but Hero has made a vow to the goddess Venus, no less, to keep her chastity. Marlowe's poem is thought to be unfinished, because the story of Musaeus goes on to tell of the lovers' tragic demise. My father and my brothers and my sisters, with their mother, and all the daughters of Ilion, and Troy entire, will bring you gifts. Have mercy on me, I pray; be mild, and stir a more gentle breeze – so may the child of Hippotes2 lay upon thee no harsh command. Yet I am not angered – for who grows offended with a lover? He cannot bear to be parted from Hero any longer, so he takes off his clothes and dives into the water to swim back to her. [37] But thou, most ungentle of the sweeping winds, why art thou bent on waging war with me? Hero and Leander are crazy in love. And would that they were known to you alone! I could not believe you, none the less, and signified it with my eyes – ah me, already I have learned that thus one may speak! The blame were mine, had I been lured away; but seized, as I was, what could I do, more than refuse my will? The glory that is my delight, just now is a bane as well, and it were better I had cheated fame. With her for pilot, from the Sigean strand I have sailed in Phereclean stern the dubious paths of the far-stretching flood. The oak is bent to make the frame for the speedy ship, and the curving keel is woven wit the ribbèd sides. The poem has been termed "mock-epic" because it is so full of humor. My fame, too, is a burden to me; for, the more you men persist in your praise of me, the more justly does he fear. Copyright © 1999 - 2021 GradeSaver LLC. that you will not allow my hopes to fall to earth. Helen, Jove ; Paris, Priam, Laomedon, Ilus, Tros, Erichthonius, Dardanus, Jove. Yet why should you desist? Of winning all were worthy, and I who was to judge lamented that not all could win. Nor yet do you yourself deny it; and, if you do not know, to inquire into all concerning you has been my greatest care. What wouldst thou do, were it not that love is known to thee? [143] I envy Phrixus, whom the ram with gold in its woolly fleece bore safely over the stormy seas; yet I ask not the office of ram or ship, if only I may have the waters to cleave with my body. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Either I know not how rash I am weary of all of them,,! Goes on to this – for I recall, were Cytherea ’ s aid regain own. Not deceiving you ; brighter than mid of day will that night be you ; brighter than mid day... 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