EDMUND SPENSER. 1552-1599. HIS LADY'S PRIDE. RUDELY thou wrongest my dear heart's desire, In finding fault with her too portly pride; The thing which I do most in her admire, For in those lofty looks is close implied Such pride is praise, such portliness is honour; That boldness innocence bears in her eyes; And her fair countenance, like a goodly banner, Spreads in defiance of all enemies. Was never in this world ought worthy tried Without some spark of such self-pleasing pride. EDMUND 1552-1599. HIS LADY'S EYES. ONE day as I unwarily did gaze On those fair eyes, my Love's immortal light, The whiles my 'stonished heart stood in amaze, I might perceive how in her glancing sight, One of those archers closely I did spy, When suddenly with twinkle of her eye Had she not so done, sure I had been slain, Yet as it was I hardly 'scaped with pain. EDMUND 1552-1599. HIS LADY'S FACE. THE glorious portrait of that Angel's face Made to amaze weak men's confused skill, And this world's worthless glory to embase; The sweet eye-glances that like arrows glide ; The lovely pleasance, and the lofty pride Cannot expressèd be by any art. A greater craftsman's hand thereto doth need That can express the life of things indeed. EDMUND SPENSER. 1552 -159. HIS LADY'S HAIR. WHAT guile is this, that those her golden tresses She doth attire under a net of gold; And with sly skill so cunningly them dresses, And being caught may craftily enfold Their weaker hearts which are not well aware? Take heed therefore mine eyes how ye do stare Henceforth too rashly on that guileful net, In which if ever ye entrappèd are, Out of her bands ye by no means shall get. To covet fetters, though they golden be! HIS LADY'S SCORN OF BASE THINGS. EDMUND THE glorious image of the Maker's beauty, SPENSER 1552-1599. My sovereign saint, the idol of my thought, Dare not henceforth above the bounds of duty T'accuse of pride or rashly blame for aught. And of the brood of Angels heavenly born, Base things, that to her love too bold aspire! Than dare be loved by men of mean degree. |