'Hero and Leander: The First Sestiad' by Christopher Marlowe
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1On Hellespont, guilty of true love's blood,
2In view and opposite two cities stood,
3Sea-borderers, disjoin'd by Neptune's might;
4The one Abydos, the other Sestos hight.
5At Sestos Hero dwelt; Hero the fair,
6Whom young Apollo courted for her hair,
7And offer'd as a dower his burning throne,
8Where she could sit for men to gaze upon.
9The outside of her garments were of lawn,
10The lining purple silk, with gilt stars drawn;
11Her wide sleeves green, and border'd with a grove,
12Where Venus in her naked glory strove
13To please the careless and disdainful eyes
14Of proud Adonis, that before her lies;
15Her kirtle blue, whereon was many a stain,
16Made with the blood of wretched lovers slain.
17Upon her head she ware a myrtle wreath,
18From whence her veil reach'd to the ground beneath;
19Her veil was artificial flowers and leaves,
20Whose workmanship both man and beast deceives;
21Many would praise the sweet smell as she past,
22When 'twas the odour which her breath forth cast;
23And there for honey bees have sought in vain,
24And beat from thence, have lighted there again.
25About her neck hung chains of pebble-stone,
26Which lighten'd by her neck, like diamonds shone.
27She ware no gloves; for neither sun nor wind
28Would burn or parch her hands, but, to her mind,
29Or warm or cool them, for they took delight
30To play upon those hands, they were so white.
31Buskins of shells, all silver'd, used she,
32And branch'd with blushing coral to the knee;
33Where sparrows perch'd, of hollow pearl and gold,
34Such as the world would wonder to behold:
35Those with sweet water oft her handmaid fills,
36Which as she went, would chirrup through the bills.
37Some say, for her the fairest Cupid pin'd,
38And looking in her face, was strooken blind.
39But this is true; so like was one the other,
40As he imagin'd Hero was his mother;
41And oftentimes into her bosom flew,
42About her naked neck his bare arms threw,
43And laid his childish head upon her breast,
44And with still panting rock'd there took his rest.
45So lovely-fair was Hero, Venus' nun,
46As Nature wept, thinking she was undone,
47Because she took more from her than she left,
48And of such wondrous beauty her bereft:
49Therefore, in sign her treasure suffer'd wrack,
50Since Hero's time hath half the world been black.
51Amorous Leander, beautiful and young
52(Whose tragedy divine Musæus sung),
53Dwelt at Abydos; since him dwelt there none
54For whom succeeding times make greater moan.
55His dangling tresses, that were never shorn,
56Had they been cut, and unto Colchos borne,
57Would have allur'd the vent'rous youth of Greece
58To hazard more than for the golden fleece.
59Fair Cynthia wish'd his arms might be her sphere;
60Grief makes her pale, because she moves not there.
61His body was as straight as Circe's wand;
62Jove might have sipt out nectar from his hand.
63Even as delicious meat is to the taste,
64So was his neck in touching, and surpast
65The white of Pelops' shoulder: I could tell ye,
66How smooth his breast was, and how white his belly;
67And whose immortal fingers did imprint
68That heavenly path with many a curious dint
69That runs along his back; but my rude pen
70Can hardly blazon forth the loves of men,
71Much less of powerful gods: let it suffice
72That my slack Muse sings of Leander's eyes;
73Those orient cheeks and lips, exceeding his
74That leapt into the water for a kiss
75Of his own shadow, and, despising many,
76Died ere he could enjoy the love of any.
77Had wild Hippolytus Leander seen,
78Enamour'd of his beauty had he been.
79His presence made the rudest peasant melt,
80That in the vast uplandish country dwelt;
81The barbarous Thracian soldier, mov'd with nought,
82Was mov'd with him, and for his favour sought.
83Some swore he was a maid in man's attire,
84For in his looks were all that men desire,--
85A pleasant smiling cheek, a speaking eye,
86A brow for love to banquet royally;
87And such as knew he was a man, would say,
88"Leander, thou art made for amorous play;
89Why art thou not in love, and lov'd of all?
90Though thou be fair, yet be not thine own thrall."
91The men of wealthy Sestos every year,
92For his sake whom their goddess held so dear,
93Rose-cheek'd Adonis, kept a solemn feast.
94Thither resorted many a wandering guest
95To meet their loves; such as had none at all
96Came lovers home from this great festival;
97For every street, like to a firmament,
98Glister'd with breathing stars, who, where they went,
99Frighted the melancholy earth, which deem'd
100Eternal heaven to burn, for so it seem'd
101As if another Pha{"e}ton had got
102The guidance of the sun's rich chariot.
103But far above the loveliest, Hero shin'd,
104And stole away th' enchanted gazer's mind;
105For like sea-nymphs' inveigling harmony,
106So was her beauty to the standers-by;
107Nor that night-wandering, pale, and watery star
108(When yawning dragons draw her thirling car
109From Latmus' mount up to the gloomy sky,
110Where, crown'd with blazing light and majesty,
111She proudly sits) more over-rules the flood
112Than she the hearts of those that near her stood.
113Even as when gaudy nymphs pursue the chase,
114Wretched Ixion's shaggy-footed race,
115Incens'd with savage heat, gallop amain
116From steep pine-bearing mountains to the plain,
117So ran the people forth to gaze upon her,
118And all that view'd her were enamour'd on her.
119And as in fury of a dreadful fight,
120Their fellows being slain or put to flight,
121Poor soldiers stand with fear of death dead-strooken,
122So at her presence all surpris'd and tooken,
123Await the sentence of her scornful eyes;
124He whom she favours lives; the other dies.
125There might you see one sigh, another rage,
126And some, their violent passions to assuage,
127Compile sharp satires; but, alas, too late,
128For faithful love will never turn to hate.
129And many, seeing great princes were denied,
130Pin'd as they went, and thinking on her, died.
131On this feast-day--O cursed day and hour!--
132Went Hero thorough Sestos, from her tower
133To Venus' temple, where unhappily,
134As after chanc'd, they did each other spy.
135So fair a church as this had Venus none:
136The walls were of discolour'd jasper-stone,
137Wherein was Proteus carved; and over-head
138A lively vine of green sea-agate spread,
139Where by one hand light-headed Bacchus hung,
140And with the other wine from grapes out-wrung.
141Of crystal shining fair the pavement was;
142The town of Sestos call'd it Venus' glass:
143There might you see the gods in sundry shapes,
144Committing heady riots, incest, rapes:
145For know, that underneath this radiant flower
146Was Danae's statue in a brazen tower,
147Jove slyly stealing from his sister's bed,
148To dally with Idalian Ganimed,
149And for his love Europa bellowing loud,
150And tumbling with the rainbow in a cloud;
151Blood-quaffing Mars heaving the iron net,
152Which limping Vulcan and his Cyclops set;
153Love kindling fire, to burn such towns as Troy,
154Sylvanus weeping for the lovely boy
155That now is turn'd into a cypress tree,
156Under whose shade the wood-gods love to be.
157And in the midst a silver altar stood:
158There Hero, sacrificing turtles' blood,
159Vail'd to the ground, veiling her eyelids close;
160And modestly they opened as she rose.
161Thence flew Love's arrow with the golden head;
162And thus Leander was enamoured.
163Stone-still he stood, and evermore he gazed,
164Till with the fire that from his count'nance blazed
165Relenting Hero's gentle heart was strook:
166Such force and virtue hath an amorous look.
167It lies not in our power to love or hate,
168For will in us is over-rul'd by fate.
169When two are stript, long ere the course begin,
170We wish that one should lose, the other win;
171And one especially do we affect
172Of two gold ingots, like in each respect:
173The reason no man knows, let it suffice,
174What we behold is censur'd by our eyes.
175Where both deliberate, the love is slight:
176Who ever lov'd, that lov'd not at first sight?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Hero and Leander: The First Sestiad by Christopher Marlowe
Christopher Marlowe's Hero and Leander: The First Sestiad is a magnificent poem that explores the depth of human emotions and desires. The poem tells the story of two lovers, Hero and Leander, who are separated by the Hellespont, a narrow strait that separates Europe and Asia. The poem is divided into six sestiads, with each sestiad exploring a different aspect of the lovers' story.
The first sestiad of the poem sets the stage for the story of Hero and Leander. It introduces the two lovers and their respective backgrounds. Hero, the daughter of a priest, is described as a beautiful and virtuous woman who is dedicated to the service of Venus, the goddess of love. Leander, on the other hand, is a young man from Abydos, who falls in love with Hero after seeing her worshiping at the temple of Venus. The first sestiad also introduces the central conflict of the poem, which is the distance that separates the two lovers.
The poem is written in Marlowe's typical style, which is characterized by its powerful imagery, rich vocabulary, and skillful use of rhyme and meter. Marlowe's use of language is particularly noteworthy in the first sestiad, where he establishes the tone and atmosphere of the poem. The first few lines of the poem are a testament to Marlowe's poetic skill:
"On Hellespont, guilty of true love's blood, In view and opposite two cities stood, Sea-borderers, disjoined by Neptune's might; The one Abydos, the other Sestos hight."
The use of words like "guilty," "true love's blood," and "disjoined by Neptune's might" immediately captures the reader's attention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
One of the most striking features of the first sestiad is the way Marlowe characterizes the two lovers. Hero is described as a virtuous and chaste woman who is devoted to the service of Venus. In contrast, Leander is portrayed as a passionate and impulsive young man who is consumed by his desire for Hero. Marlowe's characterization of the two lovers is reflective of the cultural norms of the time, where women were expected to be virtuous and chaste, while men were allowed to express their desires openly.
Another notable aspect of the first sestiad is the way Marlowe uses imagery to convey the theme of distance. The Hellespont, which separates the two lovers, is described in vivid detail, with Marlowe using words like "watery shore," "foaming waves," and "raging floods" to emphasize the vastness of the distance between the two cities. The image of Hero standing at the temple of Venus, looking out at the sea, is also a powerful one, as it conveys the sense of longing and yearning that the two lovers feel for each other.
Overall, the first sestiad of Hero and Leander is a masterful piece of poetry that sets the stage for the rest of the poem. Marlowe's use of language, imagery, and characterization all come together to create a rich and immersive world that draws the reader in and leaves them wanting more.
Interpretation
The first sestiad of Hero and Leander is a complex and multi-layered poem that explores a range of themes and issues. At its core, however, the poem is about the nature of love and desire, and the ways in which these emotions can both unite and separate people. Marlowe's portrayal of Hero and Leander as two people who are bound together by their love for each other, but separated by the vast distance of the Hellespont, is a powerful metaphor for the ways in which love can both bring people together and keep them apart.
One of the key themes of the first sestiad is the tension between virtue and desire. Hero is presented as a virtuous and chaste woman who is dedicated to the service of Venus, the goddess of love. Leander, on the other hand, is portrayed as a passionate and impulsive young man who is consumed by his desire for Hero. This tension between virtue and desire is reflective of the cultural norms of the time, where women were expected to be chaste and virtuous, while men were allowed to express their desires more openly. Marlowe's portrayal of the two lovers raises questions about the nature of desire and the role it plays in human relationships.
Another important theme of the first sestiad is the idea of distance and separation. The Hellespont, which separates Hero and Leander, is a powerful metaphor for the ways in which distance can separate people, both physically and emotionally. Marlowe's use of imagery to convey the vastness of the distance between the two lovers, and the sense of longing and yearning that they feel for each other, is a testament to his poetic skill. The poem raises questions about the nature of distance and the ways in which it affects human relationships.
Finally, the first sestiad of Hero and Leander is a poem about the power of love. Despite the vast distance that separates them, Hero and Leander are united by their love for each other. Their love is a powerful force that transcends physical distance and brings them together in spirit. Marlowe's portrayal of their love is a testament to the enduring power of the human heart, and a celebration of the ways in which love can overcome even the greatest obstacles.
Conclusion
The first sestiad of Hero and Leander is a magnificent poem that explores the depth of human emotions and desires. Marlowe's use of language, imagery, and characterization all come together to create a rich and immersive world that draws the reader in and leaves them wanting more. The poem raises important questions about the nature of love, desire, distance, and the power of the human heart. Overall, Hero and Leander: The First Sestiad is a masterpiece of poetry that stands the test of time and continues to captivate readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Hero and Leander: The First Sestiad by Christopher Marlowe is a classic tale of love and tragedy that has captivated readers for centuries. This epic poem tells the story of Hero, a beautiful priestess of Aphrodite, and Leander, a young man from Abydos who falls deeply in love with her. The poem is divided into six sestiads, or six-line stanzas, each of which tells a different part of the story.
The first sestiad sets the stage for the rest of the poem, introducing the two main characters and their respective cities. Hero is described as a chaste and virtuous priestess who lives in Sestos, a city on the European side of the Hellespont. Leander, on the other hand, is a young man from Abydos, a city on the opposite side of the Hellespont in Asia. Despite the distance between them, Leander is smitten with Hero and resolves to swim across the Hellespont every night to be with her.
Marlowe's use of language in this first sestiad is particularly striking. He employs vivid imagery to describe the setting, painting a picture of the Hellespont as a treacherous and unpredictable sea that poses a constant threat to Leander's life. The sea is personified as a "jealous god" who "would not be forded, he swelled so much." This personification serves to heighten the tension and drama of the poem, as it suggests that Leander's nightly swim across the Hellespont is a perilous and daring feat.
Marlowe also uses language to create a sense of contrast between Hero and Leander. Hero is described as a "virgin pure" who is "enamoured of a man unknown." She is chaste and virtuous, and her devotion to Aphrodite is evident in her role as a priestess. Leander, on the other hand, is described as a "youthful knight" who is "bold in battle." He is impulsive and passionate, and his love for Hero is all-consuming. This contrast between the two characters serves to highlight the intensity of their love and the obstacles that stand in their way.
The first sestiad also introduces the theme of fate, which is a recurring motif throughout the poem. Marlowe suggests that the love between Hero and Leander is predestined, and that their fate is sealed from the moment they first lay eyes on each other. This is evident in the lines "For fate with jealous eye / Does see her fair perfection in my love / And like a tyrant, with his bolded eye / Commands my service." This theme of fate adds a sense of inevitability to the poem, as it suggests that no matter what obstacles Hero and Leander face, their love will ultimately triumph.
Overall, the first sestiad of Poetry Hero and Leander sets the stage for a sweeping and epic tale of love and tragedy. Marlowe's use of vivid imagery, contrasting characters, and themes of fate all serve to create a sense of drama and tension that draws the reader in. As the poem unfolds, we are left to wonder whether Hero and Leander's love will be enough to overcome the obstacles that stand in their way, or whether fate will ultimately conspire against them.
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