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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow Elegia XIII. Ad Isidem, ut parientem Corinnam servet - The Works of Christopher Marlowe, vol. 3 (Poems)

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Elegia XIII. Ad Isidem, ut parientem Corinnam servet - Christopher Marlowe, The Works of Christopher Marlowe, vol. 3 (Poems) [1598]

Edition used:

The Works of Christopher Marlowe, ed. A.H. Bullen (London: John C. Nimmo, 1885). Vol. 3.

Part of: The Works of Christopher Marlowe, 3 vols.

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Elegia XIII.2
Ad Isidem, ut parientem Corinnam servet

  • While rashly her womb's burden she casts out,
  • Weary Corinna hath her life in doubt.
  • She, secretly from3 me, such harm attempted,
  • Angry I was, but fear my wrath exempted.
  • But she conceived of me; or I am sure
  • I oft have done what might as much procure.
  • Thou that frequent'st Canopus' pleasant fields,
  • Memphis, and Pharos that sweet date-trees yields,
  • And where swift Nile in his large channel skipping,4
  • By seven huge mouths into the sea is slipping.

    10

  • By feared Anubis' visage I thee pray,—
  • So in thy temples shall Osiris stay,
  • And the dull snake about thy offerings creep,
  • And in thy pomp horned Apis with thee keep,—
  • Turn thy looks hither, and in one spare twain:
  • Thou givest my mistress life, she mine again.
  • She oft hath served thee upon certain days,
  • Where the French1 rout engirt themselves with bays.
  • On labouring women thou dost pity take,
  • Whose bodies with their heavy burdens ache;

    20

  • My wench, Lucina, I entreat thee favour;
  • Worthy she is, thou should'st in mercy save her.
  • In white, with incense, I'll thine altars greet,
  • Myself will bring vowed gifts before thy feet,
  • Subscribing Naso with Corinna saved:
  • Do but deserve gifts with this title graved.
  • But, if in so great fear I may advise thee,
  • To have this skirmish fought let it suffice thee.

[2]Not in Isham copy or ed. A.

[3]Old eds, “with,” which must be a printer's error. (The original has “clam me”)

[4]Old eds. “slipping.”

[1]“Gallica turma” (i.e., the company of Galh, the priests of Isis).