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The Works of Christopher Marlowe

Dido

Act: 3 Scene: 1

I understand your highnesse sent for me.

So much have I receiv'd at Didos hands,

As without blushing I can aske no more:

Yet Queene of Affricke, are my ships unrigd,

My Sailes all rent in sunder with the winde,

My Oares broken, and my Tackling lost,

Yea all my Navie split with Rockes and Shelfes:

Nor Sterne nor Anchor have our maimed Fleete,

Our Masts the furious windes strooke over bourd:

Which piteous wants if Dido will supplie,

We will account her author of our lives.

Wherefore would Dido have Aeneas stay?

I this in Greece when Paris stole fair Helen.

No Madame, but it seemes that these are Kings.

O happie shall he be whom Dido loves.

Act: 3 Scene: 3

But love and duetie led him on perhaps,

To presse beyond acceptance to your sight.

And mought I live to see him sacke rich Thebes,

And bade his speare with Grecian Princes heads,

Then would I wish me with Anchises Tombe,

And dead to honour that hath brought me up.

Stoute friend Achates, doest thou know this wood?

O how these irksome labours now delight,

And overjoy my thoughts with their escape:

Who would not undergoe all kind of toyle,

To be well stor'd with such a winters tale?

Act: 3 Scene: 4

Dido.

By chance sweete Queene, as Mars and Venus met.

Why, what is it that Dido may desire

And not obtaine, be it in humaine power?

What, hath Iarbus angred her in ought?

And will she be avenged on his life?

Who then of all so cruell may he be,

That should detaine thy eye in his defects?

What ailes my Queene, is she falne sicke of late?

What meanes faire Dido by this doubtfull speech?

Aeneas thoughts dare not ascend so high

As Didos heart, which Monarkes might not scale.

If that your majestie can looke so lowe,

As my despised worts, that shun all praise,

With this my hand I give to you my heart,

And vow by all the Gods of Hospitalitie,

By heaven and earth, and my faire others bowe,

By Paphos, Capys, and the purple Sea,

From whence my radiant mother did descend,

And by this Sword that saved me from the Greekes,

Never to leave these newe upreared walles,

Whiles Dido lives and rules in Junos towne,

Never to like or love any but her.