| 1 & 2 If you shall chance (Camillo) to visit Bohemia, on the like occasion whereon my seruices are now on foot, | Marlowe wrote this foolish fable. Coy Micaela thinks U may choose to live ouer eons – a nonni choice! 'N' C, I |
|
Micaela.Micaela Lujan, former mistress of Lope de Vega. Lujan was a premiere actress in Madrid and star of the Sanchez Theater Company working in Naples for the court of Viceroy Pedro de Castro, 7th Count of Lemos. (This letter was written Aug. 1610 from Naples.) |
|
| 3 & 4 You shall see (as I have said) great difference betwixt our Bohemia, and your Sicilia. | wish it cd be true! If I labor, uueary al day, she has excelent vagani for mi ease. I do so i– |
|
vagani. It. rambling walks. Also an English anagram. |
|
| 5 & 6 I thinke, this comming Summer, the King of Sicilia meanes to pay Bohemia the Visitation, which hee iustly owes him. | ncline to Micaela! She's the most famous singing beauty in ye theateh – mi hostes to mi hi, hi prickiwikie – mi ho-hvm wi' |
| 7 & 8 Wherein our Entertainment shall shame vs: we will be iustified in our Loues: for indeed – | rest. We run, swim alone. She feeds me. I read t' her, 'n' I tel tales of how I liued – 'n' o' U 'n' Lib. U R invi– |
|
o' U. owe you. Lib. Queen Elizabeth's private nickname. Marlowe is writing to Hen Wriothesley, Elizabeth's youngest son; together they saved Kit's life. |
|
| 9 & 10 'Beseech you – Verely I speake it in the freedom of my knowledge: we cannot with such magnificence – in so rare – | t'd t' come 'n' visit us here. Ai! A rough honest welcome – we like gypsy wine 'n' beer – no fin-fan fee! Democracy! I cheek– |
|
no fin-fan fee! They don't pay a liquor tax to Spain. fin-fan? flim-flam? The Spanish government was stealing the Neapolitans blind. Everything was taxed. See Symonds, Renaissance in Italy, vol. II, p. 530: "The rising of Masaniello in Naples was simply due to the exasperation of the common folk at having even fruit and vegetables taxed." (mid 1600s). |
|
| 11 &12 I know not what to say – Wee will giue you sleepie Drinkes, that your Sences (vn-intelligent of our insufficience) | ily offer hospitality, knowing U – U can soiourn elegantly elsewhere. O, I test, seek t' win U now – if I succeed, invent |
| 13 & 14 May, though they cannot prayse vs, as little accuse vs. You pay a great deale to deare, for what's given freely. | a way t' force U t' leaue England avvhile; you'd C that Naples possesses great charm. Ay, ay! Try to giue th' feo Rey |
| 15 & 16 'Beleeue me, I speake as my vnderstanding instructs me, and as mine honestie puts it to vtterance. | ye slip, vndaunted, 'n' come t' rest 'n' bring th' dear missus t' mi sunnie steep cove! Ae, ae! I ask ta meet ten |
|
dear missus. Hen was married to Elizabeth Vernon. |
|
| 17 & 18 Sicilia cannot shew himselfe ouer-kind to Bohemia: They were trayn'd together in their Child-hoods; | Englishmen who wdn't be o'erioyed t' take their restoratiue holiday on this shore, Hen. If I cd claim ch– |
| 19 & 20 and there rooted betwixt them then such an affection, which cannot chuse but braunch now. Since, their more | oice, I'd exit th' S. Seruice 'n' announce th' n-new iob of father, C? Worth much more then t' be a hunter 'n' catch th' bad sw– |
| 21 & 22 mature Dignities, and Royall Necessities, made seperation of their Societie, their Encounters | arms o' euil doers. None can see th' nature o' mi presence here. Instead, it's as if I lie i' d' Goy citie t'-t' tr– |
| 23 & 24 (though not Personall) hath been Royally attornyed with enter-change of Gifts, Letters, louing Embassies, | y a new life in art there, 'n' t-to ayd th' elegant Lemos. No! I'll obserue, get hys plans for hot aggression – but th' ch– |
|
Lemos. Pedro de Castro, the seventh Count of Lemos, had just come to Naples as Viceroy. He brought with him many artistic people, playwrights, poets and performers, and expected to set up an academy of arts in Naples. Lemos had been Cervantes' patron, but at the last moment Cervantes was told he could not be part of the entourage, that he was too old and ill. Possibly he was abandoned because Lemos's advisor, Quevedo, rightly suspected that Cervantes was a double agent. |
|
| 25 & 26 that they haue seem'd to be together, though absent: shooke hands as ouer a Vast; and embrac'd as it were | ances o' th' Moth's o'erthrow R so great that in mad haste she takes ye bad Hebe to B a neuu dad – she gave ut– |
|
Moth. an old nickname for Kit Marlowe. she. Micaela Lujan. |
|
| 27 & 28 from the ends of opposed winds. The Heauens continue their Loues. I thinke there is not in the World, | most thot t' this known idee: U liue on in those U procreate. 'N' while I fend deeds, she pines for her Hon t' |
|
known idee. In 1591, Kit made seventeen sonnets for Hen, explaining the benefits of fatherhood. |
|
| 29 & 30 either Malice or Matter, to alter it. You have an vnspeakable comfort of your young Prince Mamillius: | greet an infant chip o' hymself – born a vvriter! O, Micaela, I'm too late – U R, too – to make ye replica! U R sly! U mu– |
| 31 & 32 it is a Gentleman of the greatest Promise, that ever came into my Note. I very well agree with you, | st see eye to eye! We R romantic, immensely unfit to rear a little one. We might grovv t' hate a phagi– |
| 33 & 34 in the hopes of him: it is a gallant Child; one that (indeed) Physicks the Subiect, | ology dictatin' sin applicable t' U! I hate cheek 'n' sh-shit hid in these methods! F– |
|
I hate. Marlowe thinks about the difficulties of rearing a Catholic family – feels that the priests are voracious, cheeky and mealy-mouthed. Does he invent the word phagiology? |
|
| 35 & 36 makes old hearts fresh: they that went on Crutches ere he was borne, desire yet their life, | ree the innocent child t' seek the mother's sweet breast, free of their hard, surly ways! A he– |
| 37 & 38 to see him a Man. Would they else be content to die? Yes; if there were no other excuse, | retic, excessiue Moth father wd be most hard on the new little ones – O! E-e-e-e! 'N' you! Eye |
|
Moth. Marlowe will always be fluttering around. |
|
| 39 & 40 why they should desire to live. If the King had no Sonne, they would desire to live on Crutches. | sh'd think o' thy safety in our love together, C? We don't need children – O, yes, we do! Sh! Sh! I'l live! U– I– U! |
| 41 & 42 (Scene 2) till he had one. Nine Changes of the Watry-Starre hath been the Shepheard's Note, | Children! 'N' her eyes shone. So I go t' B a father! Ha, ha! We need help – th' tart 'n' th' tease! 'N' |
| 43 & 44 Since we haue left our Throne Without a Burthen: Time as long againe Would be fill'd vp | danger around us – what fun! We hope th' little bug wil come before I sail, 'n' 'til then – O! U've a |
|
danger. Not only could Marlowe be exposed as a spy for England, but Micaela could be exposed as a defected Spanish spy. |
|
| 45 & 46 (my Brother) with our Thanks And yet we should for perpetuitie, Goe hence in debt: | welcome dip waiting for U here by R Kit-nest. Don't destroy R h-hope! But the heauen |
| 47 & 48 and therefore, like a Cypher (yet standing in rich place) I multiply With one we thanke you, | we feel – i-it cd appear t' you an ugly, dirty shoreline, C? Then, Hen– Hen– know mi plea: Charity! Kit |
| 49 & 50 many thousands moe, That goe before it. Stay your Thanks a while, and pay them when you part. | th'-th'-th' madman, Kit yn paradyse, says farewel to U! I hope to go by way o' the nu San Remo hauen, t' |
|
by way of the nu San Remo hauen. In May 1611 Marlowe is to sail to England from Venice, for Ambassador Carlisle, with gifts for Carlisle's friends. |
|
| 51 & 52 Sir, that's to morrow: I am question'd by my feares, of what may chance, Or breed vpon our absence, | find men t' trim ye boat. Hope my babe's a seaman who cd foray or succor, not a queer SS writer. Hov– |
| 53 & 54 that may blow No sneaping Winds at home, to make vs say, This is put forth too truly: | v t' giue youth o'er to th' pain of harsh SS? No past SS man may want to do it. Will Kyt M. be |
| 55 & 56 besides, I haue stay'd To tyre your Royaltie. We are tougher (Brother) Then you can put vs to't. | teaching hys babe uuays to waste evil doers? Noe, you'd rather rot! Yet I hope t' try our utter |
| 57 & 58 No longer stay. One Seue'night longer. Very sooth, to morrow. Wee'le part the time betweene's then: | nonnee soon, so R little one's here by May, when I, lost tramp, go north. We've got t' get U wet here ere 'e |
| 59 & 60 and in that Ile no gaine-saying. Presse me not ('beseech you) so: There is no Tongue that moves; | 's born. No hitch! Suuimming neat-o here in al seasons, e'en at night! Aee! O, God! Steep test!! Oy vey! |
| 61 & 62 none, none i' th' World( e) So soone as yours, could win me: so it should now, | Ooo! So nouu, due t' sea-swels 'n' declines in slow-ooo rhythm – no drownin'! |
| 63 & 64 Were there necessitie in your request, although 'Twere needful I deny'd it. My Affaires | I hear Queuedo advises Lemos t' try t' fry free Venice 'n' win ye reward. If the English let te– |
| 65 & 66 Doe even drag me home-ward: which to hinder, Were (in your Love) a whip to me; my stay | nder aid to a weary Ve-Veneto, who'd help? "Who? I – me – G. Monti!" "Who? My Chris, ye dreamer?" "U |
| 67 & 68 To you a charge, and Trouble: to save both, Farewell (our Brother.) Tongue-tyed our queene? Speake you. | knouu ye treachery?" "O?" "Our queere hore fled to Naples." "O!" "But he'l bust a gut to brew yer advantage!" "O-o-o!" |
| 69 & 70 I had thought (Sir) to have held my peace, vntill You had drawne Oathes from him, not to stay: you (Sir) | Micaela 'n' I wait as my-my hidden plan evolves: th'-th'-th'-th'-th-th' h-hot idea, too gros for your ears! Do yu, u– |
| 71 & 72 Charge him too coldly. Tell him, you are sure All in 'Bohemia's well: this satisfaction | ndah oath, agree to B still? I'l say t' Lemos, "I'l fire mi city arsenal – I'l choose how much U'l |
| 73 & 74 The by-gone-day proclaym'd, say this to him, He's beat from his best ward. Well said, Hermione. | pay my bad men who'l aid me as doers – t' B in de city t' blow a great fire! Sh-sh-shhh! Yer tool is me!" |
| 75 & 76 To tell, he longs to see his Sonne, were strong: But let him say so then, and let him goe; | But no – I'll need to h-hire honest Englishmen – yes, SSS! To go to th' arsenal. We'l meet to g– |
| 77 & 78 But let him sweare so, and he shall not stay, Wee'l thwack him hence with Distaffes, | o as bad seamen – without Italian friends, see? What'l check them? Sh-sh! We-we'l fly t' th' |
| 79 & 80 Yet of your Royall presence, Ile adventure The borrow of a Weeke. When at Bohemia | city! O, wee'l warn Duke 'n' al before U Hebe enemy arrive! Try to float ashore! Whoopee! |
| 81 & 82 You take my Lord, Ile give him my Commission, To let him there a Moneth, behind the Gest | Ye elegant Viceroy Lemos is held mum. Months go by! Do it! Think a thot – hire me! (hi time, me– |
| 83 & 84 Prefix'd for's parting: yet (good-deed) Leontes, I love thee not a Iarre o' th' Clock, behind | ntor pooba!) He decided to send ye gallies to fight th' Tvrk or Dane – for experience! I lo– |
| 85 & 86 What Lady she her Lord. You'le stay? No, Madame. Nay, but you will? I may not verely. | se my mad idea: R Veneto may not B all threaten'd. So why wil all o' yu yu yu royal h– |
| 87 & 88 Verely? You put me off with limber Vowes: but I, Though you would seek t' vnsphere the Stars with Oaths, | ighs help my bibulous hope o' futvre defense re ivst a wet mystery threat? Wow! Who'l shoot Kit? U, U, U! Th' V-eneto |
| 89 & 90 Should yet say, Sir, no going. Verely You shall not goe; a Ladyes Verely is | land-hold allouus very slo going o'er Rhaetia. Y-yes, give sly SS y-y– |
|
very slo going. The Spanish troops, brought by sea to Venice, could (if the Veneto were captured) take their time crossing the Hapsburg Alps. They could even carry heavy equipment on their way to the Netherlands and across to England. |
|
| 91 & 92 As potent as a Lords. Will you goe yet? Force me to keepe you as a Prisoner, | our trust, for England's at risk, Cee? O-o-o-o! Please say yea to my pleee, wi' op– |
| 93 & 94 Not like a Guest: so you shall pay your Fees When you depart, and save your Thanks. How say you? | portune ayd. Look: you'l saue ye shy Veneto to disgust ye sharks, 'n' uue'l away, away, h-Ho! for Span– |
| 95 & 96 My Prisoner? or my Guest? by your dread Verely, One of them you shall be. Your Guest then, Madame: | ish tourneys out on ye deep green sea – BUUMMM! May they flee ovr broad gold shore! U'l try my yar– |
| 97 & 98 To be your Prisoner, should be to import offending; Which is for me, lesse easie to commit, | e ship! We'l hound 'm to Naples for I! but mi SSS R goin' home too, free i' secret by rode, C? If mi too– |
| 99 & 100 Then you to punish. / Not your Gaoler then, But your kind Hostesse. Come, Ile question you | too plan seems quite noony to you – shh!! C th' uirtue: no one gets kilt or euen bruis'd! You hy |
| 101 & 102 Of my Lords Tricks, and yours when you were Boyes: You were pretty Lordings then? / We were (faire Queene) | ...ones'l send your fit men – where? Here! Yu know – y-ye few actors I'ue requested t' play ye wrongdoers. B worri– |
| 103 & 104 Two Lads, that thought there was no more behind, But such a day to morrow, as to day, | ed re Eng. Wonder, but B cautious. Do th' wash too smoothly t' start a mad, hy-oath war. H– |
| 105 & 106 And to be Boy eternall. / Was not my Lord The veryer Wag o' th' two? / We were as twyn'd Lambs, | ow else wd we send 'em to an yl retreat? Ay may B wrong, bvt stay low – we'l both trade on R h– |
| 107 & 108 that did frisk i' th' Sun, / And bleat th( e) one at the other: / what we chang'd, / Was Innocence, for Innocence: | earin' new accounts of change in their condition. We'd beck al th' hated fat ass' who'd enter th' net, 'n' h– |
| 109 & 110 We knew not / The Doctrine of ill-doing, nor dream'd / That any did: Had we pursu'd that life, | hundreds'l come, for they're planning the dark deed now. Do hold –wait tu win it at a fit d– |
| 111 & 112 And our weake Spirits, ne're been higher rear'd With stronger blood, we should have answer'd Heaven | ate when – aha! We'd shovv their own egregious, brainless plan – shredded, ruin'd! O, brother, ere we are kn– |
| 113 & 114 Boldly, not guilty: the imposition clear'd, Hereditarie ours. / By this we gather | own t' B spoilers, their ill charade uud go smoothly. Then– I, yi! B ready t' get rite i– |
| 115 & 116 You have tript since. / O my most sacred Lady. Temptations have since then been borne to's: for | nto th' act: mercenaries slip avvay – no fires – enemy ships can B booted out. Others deem yt not |
| 117 & 118 In those vnfledg'd dayes, was my Wife a Girle; Your precious selfe had then not cross'd the eyes | suffycient pay fur their evil scheme – th' doers al goin' away – no gorey deeds t' show. D' less seen, d' |
| 119 & 120 Of my young Play-fellow. / Grace to boot: Of this make no conclusion, least you say | best cart 'em off 'n' let 'em go, now. Spain'l soon kil al yu yu yu yoo yoo fools! Th' ca-ca G– |
| 121 & 122 Your Queene and I are Devils: yet goe on, Th' offences we have made you doe, wee'le answere, | ery fools'l get dead now, for sure. U ce-hee-eee-eee! Hey, U! We'd wave a nonny, qviet, "Adios." Amen. |
| 123 & 124 If you first sinn'd with vs: and that with vs You did continue fault; and that you slip't not | I C th' day is finisht. Adio, until U hunt 'n' find a way t' shoot down to Naples. Du try! Svvift, utt– |
| 125 & 126 With any, but with vs. / Is he woon yet? Hee'le stay (my Lord.) / At my request, he would not. | er ruin's ye only way t' quell those ydiots, who must B met at the end wi' th' Yaweh ov |
| 127 & 128 Hermione (my dearest) thou never spoak'st To better purpose. / Never? / Never, but once. | Iustyce on rum breaks 'n' retreat. He votes; vve don't rub pepper on the sore – ee! Monte |
| 129 & 130 What? Haue I twice said well? when was't before? I prethee tell me; cram's with prayse, and make's | No M-T ciphers, C? Fie! Let me eat 'n' sleep
awhile! W-where's my shawl t' wear–" wea-ah!" Die, U bastard! Kit |
|
wea-ah. He makes fun of Hen's accent. |
|
The Winters Tale. First Folio of Shakespeare. Comedies. p. 277 (only lines of dialogue are counted.)
Translations copyright© 2000 R. Ballantine.
All rights reserved.
The Home page of Roberta Ballantine's site dedicated to Christopher Marlowe
Contents of Roberta Ballantine's site dedicated to Christopher Marlowe