As sentinels to warn th’ immortal souls
To entertain divine Zenocrate: etc.
This is not Spenser’s movement, but the influence of Spenser must be present. There had been no great blank verse before Marlowe; but there was the powerful presence of this great master of melody immediately precedent; and the combination produced results which could not be repeated. I do not think that it can be claimed that Peele had any influence here.
The passage quoted from Spenser has a further interest. It will be noted that the fourth line:
With blooms more white than Erycina’s brows
is Marlowe’s contribution. Compare this with these other lines of Marlowe:
So looks my love, shadowing in her brows
(Tamburlaine)
Like to the shadows of Pyramides
(Tamburlaine)