Page:Hero and Leander - Marlowe and Chapman (1821).pdf/39

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PREFACE.
xxix

sed in four lines, which savour rather of the Rambler's dogmatism than the Reflector's ingenuous, good humoured quaintness. "Rape, murder, and superlatives," are indeed there, yet many, many redeeming passages may be found, containing descriptions full of a certain amorous splendour without gaudiness, and scathing threats thundered from furnace hearts without rant. Many of Eleazar's very ravings are written with prodigious gusto and relish; and it may be said of Marlow, as it has been said of Kean the actor, that "he has a devil."—"There is a good deal of the same intense passion as in Faustus, the same recklessness of purpose, and the same smouldering fire within." In support of these remarks, it is hoped, the reader will not object to a few quotations; in which he can hardly fail to observe the variety and melody of Marlow's versification, with one or two exceptions, where the text is probably corrupt. The queen endeavouring to sooth Eleazar with her sugared blandishments, says,

"Smile upon me! and these two wanton boys,
These pretty lads that do attend on me,