And not kings only, but the wisest men:
The Roman Tully loved Octavius,
Grave Socrates wild Alcibiades.
Then let his Grace, whose youth is flexible,
Freely enjoy that vain, light-headed earl,
Fer riper years will wean him from such toys."
Marlowe's genius, unpruned and rugged, was part of a personality licentious, unrestrained and intemperate. His death, as we know, came in a vulgar brawl. Was he homosexual? Suggestive is not only his choice of subject in "Edward II"; but such descriptions of a beautiful young man as occur in his poem, "Hero and Leander"; and in the opening scene of his "Dido". Young Leander is thus painted:
"His body was as straight as Circe's Wand,
Jove might have sipped out nectar from his hand.
Even as delicious meat is to the taste,
So was his neck in touching, and surpast
The white of Pelops shoulder: I could tell ye
How smooth his breast was, and how white his belly,
And whose immortal fingers did imprint
That heavenly path, with many a curious dint,
That ran along his back. But my rude pen
Can hardly blazon forth the loves of men,
Much less of powerful gods: let it suffice
That my slack muse sings of Leander's eyes.—
Those orient cheeks and lips, exceeding his
That leaped into the water for a kiss
Of his own shadow, and despising many
Died ere he could enjoy the love of any.
Had wild Hippolytus Leander seen,
Enamoured of his beauty he had been.
His presence made the rudest peasant melt,
That in that vast, uplandish country dwelt.
The barbarous Thracian soldier, moved with naught,
Was moved with him, and for his favour sought.
Some swore he was a maid in man's attire,
For in his looks were all that men desire—
A pleasant-smiling cheek, a speaking eye,
A brow for love to banquet royally;
And such as knew he was a man would say,
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