Volume III Part 3 (1/2)
[32] ”In ages and countries where mechanical ingenuity has but few outlets it exhausts itself in the constructions of bits, each more peculiar in form or more torturing in effect than that which has preceded it. I have seen collections of these instruments of torments, and among them some of which Marlowe's curious adjective would have been highly descriptive. It may be, however, that the word is 'ring-led,' in which shape it would mean guided by the ring on each side like a snaffle.”--_Cunningham._
[33] Some eds. give ”so faire and kind.” Cf. _Oth.e.l.lo_, iv. 2--
”O thou wind Who art so _lovely-fair_ and smell'st so sweet.”
[34] Ed. 1613 and later eds. ”upstarting.”
[35] Fetched
[36] Some eds. give ”shallow.”
[37] In the old eds. this line and the next stood after l. 300. The transposition was made by Singer in the edition of 1821.
[38] Old eds.--”then ... displaid,” and in the next line ”laid.”
[39] Old eds. ”heare” and ”haire.”
[40] Old eds. ”glympse.”
[41] Pluto was frequently identified by the Greeks with Plutus.
[42] Old eds. ”day bright-bearing car.”
[43] Dinged, dashed. Some eds. give ”hurled.”--Here Marlowe's share ends.
THE EPISTLE[44] DEDICATORY
TO MY
BEST ESTEEMED AND WORTHILY HONOURED LADY THE
LADY WALSINGHAM,
ONE OF THE LADIES OF HER MAJESTY'S BED-CHAMBER.
I present your ladys.h.i.+p with the last affections of the first two Lovers that ever Muse shrined in the Temple of Memory; being drawn by strange instigation to employ some of my serious time in so trifling a subject, which yet made the first Author, divine Musaeus, eternal. And were it not that we must subject our accounts of these common received conceits to servile custom, it goes much against my hand to sign that for a trifling subject on which more worthiness of soul hath been shewed, and weight of divine wit, than can vouchsafe residence in the leaden gravity of any money-monger; in whose profession all serious subjects are concluded. But he that shuns trifles must shun the world; out of whose reverend heaps of substance and austerity I can and will ere long single or tumble out as brainless and pa.s.sionate fooleries as ever panted in the bosom of the most ridiculous lover. Accept it, therefore, good Madam, though as a trifle, yet as a serious argument of my affection; for to be thought thankful for all free and honourable favours is a great sum of that riches my whole thrift intendeth.
Such uncourtly and silly dispositions as mine, whose contentment hath other objects than profit or glory, are as glad, simply for the naked merit of virtue, to honour such as advance her, as others that are hard to commend with deepliest politique bounty.
It hath therefore adjoined much contentment to my desire of your true honour to hear men of desert in court add to mine own knowledge of your n.o.ble disposition how gladly you do your best to prefer their desires, and have as absolute respect to their mere good parts as if they came perfumed and charmed with golden incitements. And this most sweet inclination, that flows from the truth and eternity of n.o.bles[se], a.s.sure your Ladys.h.i.+p doth more suit your other ornaments, and makes more to the advancement of your name and happiness of your proceedings, than if like others you displayed ensigns of state and sourness in your forehead, made smooth with nothing but sensuality and presents.
This poor Dedication (in figure of the other unity betwixt Sir Thomas and yourself) hath rejoined you with him, my honoured best friend; whose continuance of ancient kindness to my still-obscured estate, though it cannot increase my love to him which hath been entirely circular; yet shall it encourage my deserts to their utmost requital, and make my hearty grat.i.tude speak; to which the unhappiness of my life hath hitherto been uncomfortable and painful dumbness.
By your Ladys.h.i.+p's vowed in
most wished service,
GEORGE CHAPMAN.
FOOTNOTES:
[44] This Epistle is only found in the Isham copy, 1598.
THE THIRD SESTIAD.
_The Argument of the Third Sestiad._
Leander to the envious light Resigns his night-sports with the night, And swims the h.e.l.lespont again.
Thesme, the deity sovereign Of customs and religious rites, Appears, reproving[45] his delights, Since nuptial honours he neglected; Which straight he vows shall be effected.