'74 humous publication of this translation, is in no need of it to complete his fame, and a later writer deems 'it is a spirited translation though the inaccuracies are manifold; in licentiousness, it is a match for the original.' The version was evidently that of a young man, and, even if when written intended for publication, it was kept out of sight in Marlowe's more mature life, and probably was never intended for the publicity it ultimately obtained. It may be asserted, however, that this translation is highly spirited and fluent, and far in advance, as regards poetic power, of almost every, if not all, previous versified English translations from foreign languages. In those days the licentiousness' would scarcely cause surprise or invoke literary animadversion. It has been a matter of much speculation as to how Marlowe was employed after taking his bachelor's degree. It is utterly useless to picture him, as Colonel Cunningham does, trailing a pike in the wars, or, as with equal probability might be suggested, sailing about the Indian seas with his worthy namesake and possible kinsman, Captain Edmund Marlowe, who was so well spoken of by his contemporaries. All such theories are idle imaginings, and there is not an iota of evidence to prove or even suggest that Kit ever left his native land. 75 That Marlowe was ever an actor, as suggested by a pseudo-antique ballad, is quite as unlikely. The name of probably every grown actor of his epoch has been preserved and printed, and had he ever trod the stage it may be assumed as a certainty that those who sneered at him living, and slandered him dead, would have gleefully referred to the fact. His two scholarships would have provided him with the wherewithal to live whilst he continued in residence at the University, and during the seven years or so that he was on the college books, it is equally certain that in case of need his income could have been supplemented by the Chapter at Canterbury, the members of which would not have hesitated to help a pupil from the King's School needing assistance and showing deserts. If he had still wanted any addition to his slender income, and always admitting that none of his relatives was able or willing to aid him, he could have followed the example of some of his college contemporaries, such as George Peele, and have taught the younger students; but there is little probability that such an addition to his income was sought or needed. Marlowe's academic studies would necessarily occupy a fair amount of his time during the three years he was expected to remain in residence between the attainment of his B.A. degree and his proceeding in 1587 to the higher distinction of M.A. Before the attainment of this latter degree, which could not have been acquired even in those days without much hard study, Marlowe had undoubtedly devoted some of his time to poesy. He must also have visited and mingled with the literary society of London. Rare as his journeys to the metropolis may have been, and to Canterbury still rarer, there is no doubt that by 1587 the young poet had visited London more than once, and renewed or made acquaintance with several of its leading literati, and must have been introduced into the coteries to which they belonged. There is no doubt that the Universities, both of them, were at this period hotbeds of seditious doctrines. Freethought was becoming prevalent, especially amongst the educated classes, and therefore particularly in the Universities. As long as such opinions were regarded as mere philosophical problems they were held as harmless, but directly they impugned anything theological or political that was State established, there was no mercy for their holder. To think but not to speak was the only plan of avoiding the axe, the brand, or, at best, years of imprisonment. Thomas Harriott, the great mathematician and astronomer, writing to Kepler, deplores having to live at a period in which it is impossible to express one's views freely. Francis Kett, who left Corpus Christi College in 1580, about the time Kit entered, having acquired some fantastic notions regarding the Trinity," and being evidently insane, was mad enough to state his views publicly. He was arrested, accused of heresy, tried, condemned for his unorthodox doctrine, and burned to death; a fate shared by many others of that era. That Marlowe, a man of illimitable imagination and of the clearest intellect, would be bound by the rules and tenets of a creed defined by human law could not be expected. That he eventually condemned and denied the dogmas of contemporary theologians is more than probable, but that he so far committed himself as to put his views into print, otherwise than as the opinions of his dramatic characters-as those of people of a different clime and race-there is no proof. At this period of his career it is scarcely likely that the seeds of freethought, sown by the discussions around him, had as yet germinated deeply in his mind. Poetry more than theology would doubtless sway his thoughts in those days. Marlowe worked so well that by 1587 he commenced Master of Arts, as shown by the University records: Chrōs. Marley (and so spelt in his supplicat), 'ex coll. corp. chri., was admitted ad incipiendum in artibus.' Signed by Robert Norgate, Master, and Henry Ruse, Prelector." Judging from his position in the list of honours, Marlowe did well, and in later days would have come out among the Wranglers. It may be safely assumed, however, that by this time he had determined to give up the idea of taking Holy Orders; and the mental conflict portrayed in Faustus may be deemed representative of the young man's thoughts at this Sturm und Drang epoch in his career. 'Settle thy studies,' stands for Marlowe's own reflection, and begin to sound the depth of that thou wilt profess.' In this self-questioning it is readily comprehended that the young poet, having been |