Page:Hero and Leander - Marlowe and Chapman (1821).pdf/96

 A stream of liquid pearl, which down her face Made milk-white paths, whereon the gods might trace To Jove's high court. He thus replied: "The rites In which Love's beauteous empress most delights, Are banquets, Doric music, midnight revel, Plays, masks, and all that stern age counteth evil. Thee as a holy idiot doth she scorn; For thou, in vowing chastity, hast sworn To rob her name and honour, and thereby Committ'st a sin far worse than perjury, Even sacrilege against her deity, Through regular and formal purity. To expiate which sin, kiss, and shake hands: Such sacrifice as this Venus demands."

Thereat she smil'd and did deny him so, As but thereby, yet might he hope for mo; Which makes him quickly reinforce his speech, And her in humble manner thus beseech:

"Though neither gods nor men may thee deserve, Yet for her sake, whom you have vow'd to serve, Abandon fruitless cold virginity, The gentle Queen of Love's sole enemy.