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Front Page arrow Titles (by Subject) arrow Elegia XV. Ad annulum, quem dono amicæ dedit. - The Works of Christopher Marlowe, vol. 3 (Poems)

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Elegia XV. Ad annulum, quem dono amicæ dedit. - 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 XV.3
Ad annulum, quem dono amicæ dedit.

  • Thou ring that shalt my fair girl's finger bind,
  • Wherein is seen the giver's loving mind:
  • Be welcome to her, gladly let her take thee,
  • And, her small joints encircling, round hoop make thee
  • Fit her so well, as she is fit for me,
  • And of just compass for her knuckles be.
  • Blest ring, thou in my mistress' hand shall lie.
  • Myself, poor wretch, mine own gifts now envy.
  • O would that suddenly into my gift,
  • I could myself by secret magic shift!

    10

  • Then would I wish thee touch my mistress' pap,
  • And hide thy left hand underneath her lap,
  • I would get off, though strait and sticking fast,
  • And in her bosom strangely fall at last.
  • Then I, that I may seal her privy leaves,
  • Lest to the wax the hold-fast dry gem cleaves,
  • Would first my beauteous wench's moist lips touch:
  • Only I'll sign naught that may grieve me much.
  • I would not out, might I in one place hit:
  • But in less compass her small fingers knit.

    20

  • My life! that I will shame thee never fear,
  • Or be1 a load thou should'st refuse to bear.
  • Wear me, when warmest showers thy members wash,
  • And through the gem let thy lost waters pash,
  • But seeing thee, I think my thing will swell,
  • And even the ring perform a man's part well.
  • Vain things why wish I? go, small gift, from hand,
  • Let her my faith, with thee given, understand.

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

[1]Old eds. “by.”