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The Works of Edmund Spenser

A Variorum Edition: Edited by Edwin Greenlaw: Charles Grosvenor Osgood: Frederick Morgan Padelford: Ray Heffner
Spenser, Edmund (1552?-1599)

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VOLUME ONE THE MINOR POEMS
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THE Shepheardes Calender
  
TO HIS BOOKE.
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Ægloga prima. Januarye.
  
Colins Embleme.
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Ægloga Secunda. Februarie.
  
Thenots Embleme.
  
Cuddies Embleme.
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Ægloga Tertia. March.
  
Willyes Embleme.
  
Thomalins Embleme.
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Ægloga Quarta. Aprill.
  
Thenots Embleme.
  
Hobbinols Embleme.
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Ægloga Quinta. Maye.
  
Palinodes Embleme.
  
Piers his Embleme.
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Ægloga sexta. Iune
  
Colins Embleme.
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Ægloga septima. Iulye.
  
Thomalins Embleme.
  
Morrells Embleme.
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Ægloga octaua. August.
  
Perigot his Embleme.
  
Willyes Embleme.
  
Cuddies Embleme.
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Ægloga Nona. September.
  
Diggons Embleme.
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Ægloga decima. October.
  
Cuddies Embleme.
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Ægloga vndecima. Nouember.
  
Colins Embleme.
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Ægloga Duodecima. December.
  
Colins Embleme.
  
[Loe I have made a Calender for euery yeare]
  
Daphnaïda.
  
COLIN CLOVTS Come home againe.
  
ASTROPHEL.
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Fovvre Hymnes
  
[dedication]
  
AN HYMNE IN HONOVR OF LOVE.
  
AN HYMNE IN HONOVR OF BEAVTIE.
  
AN HYMNE OF HEAVENLY LOVE.
  
AN HYMNE OF HEAVENLY BEAVTIE.
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VOLUME TWO THE MINOR POEMS
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A THEATRE wherein be represented as wel the miseries & calamities that follow the voluptuous Worldlings, As also the greate ioyes and plesures which the faithfull do enioy.
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Epigrams.
 1. 
[1]
 2. 
[2]
 3. 
[3]
 4. 
[4]
 5. 
[5]
 6. 
[6]
 7. 
[7]
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Sonets.
 1. 
[1]
 2. 
[2]
 3. 
[3]
 4. 
[4]
 5. 
[5]
 6. 
[6]
 7. 
[7]
 8. 
[8]
 9. 
[9]
 10. 
[10]
 11. 
[11]
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[Visions from Revelation]
 1. 
[1]
 2. 
[2]
 3. 
[3]
 4. 
[4]
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Complaints.
  
[dedication]
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The Ruines of Time.
  
[section]
  
[section]
  
[section]
  
L:Envoy.
  
THE Teares of the Muses.
  
Virgils Gnat.
  
PROSOPOPOIA.
  
Ruines of Rome: by Bellay.
  
MVIOPOTMOS,
  
Visions of the worlds vanitie.
  
The Visions of Bellay.
  
The Visions of Petrarch
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AMORETTI AND Epithalamion.
  
[dedication]
  
G: W. senior, to the Author
  
[Ah Colin, whether on the lowly plaine]
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Amoretti.
 I. 
SONNET. I.
 II. 
SONNET. II.
 III. 
SONNET. III.
 IIII. 
SONNET. IIII.
 V. 
SONNET. V.
 VI. 
SONNET. VI.
 VII. 
SONNET. VII.
 VIII. 
SONNET. VIII.
 IX. 
SONNET. IX.
 X. 
SONNET. X.
 XI. 
SONNET. XI.
 XII. 
SONNET. XII.
 XIII. 
SONNET. XIII.
 XIIII. 
SONNET. XIIII.
 XV. 
SONNET. XV.
 XVI. 
SONNET. XVI.
 XVII. 
SONNET. XVII.
 XVIII. 
SONNET. XVIII.
 XIX. 
SONNET. XIX.
 XX. 
SONNET. XX.
 XXI. 
SONNET. XXI.
 XXII. 
SONNET. XXII.
 XXIII. 
SONNET. XXIII.
 XXIIII. 
SONNET. XXIIII.
 XXV. 
SONNET. XXV.
 XXVI. 
SONNET. XXVI.
 XXVII. 
SONNET. XXVII.
 XXVIII. 
SONNET. XXVIII.
 XXIX. 
SONNET. XXIX.
 XXX. 
SONNET. XXX.
 XXXI. 
SONNET. XXXI.
 XXXII. 
SONNET. XXXII.
 XXXIII. 
SONNET. XXXIII.
 XXXIIII. 
SONNET. XXXIIII.
 XXXV. 
SONNET. XXXV.
 XXXVI. 
SONNET. XXXVI.
 XXXVII. 
SONNET. XXXVII.
 XXXVIII. 
SONNET. XXXVIII.
 XXXIX. 
SONNET. XXXIX.
 XL. 
SONNET. XL.
 XLI. 
SONNET. XLI.
 XLII. 
SONNET. XLII.
 XLIII. 
SONNET. XLIII.
 XLIIII. 
SONNET. XLIIII.
 XLV. 
SONNET. XLV.
 XLVI. 
SONNET. XLVI.
 XLVII. 
SONNET. XLVII.
 XLVIII. 
SONNET. XLVIII.
 XLIX. 
SONNET. XLIX.
 L. 
SONNET. L.
 LI. 
SONNET. LI.
 LII. 
SONNET. LII.
 LIII. 
SONNET. LIII.
 LIIII. 
SONNET. LIIII.
 LV. 
SONNET. LV.
 LVI. 
SONNET. LVI.
 LVII. 
SONNET. LVII.
 LVIII. 
SONNET. LVIII. By her that is most assured to her selfe.
 LIX. 
SONNET. LIX.
 LX. 
SONNET. LX.
 LXI. 
SONNET. LXI.
 LXII. 
SONNET. LXII.
 LXIII. 
SONNET. LXIII.
 LXIIII. 
SONNET. LXIIII.
 LXV. 
SONNET. LXV.
 LXVI. 
SONNET. LXVI.
 LXVII. 
SONNET. LXVII.
 LXVIII. 
SONNET. LXVIII.
 LXIX. 
SONNET. LXIX.
 LXX. 
SONNET. LXX.
 LXXI. 
SONNET. LXXI.
 LXXII. 
SONNET. LXXII.
 LXXIII. 
SONNET. LXXIII.
 LXXIIII. 
SONNET. LXXIIII.
 LXXV. 
SONNET. LXXV.
 LXXVI. 
SONNET. LXXVI.
 LXXVII. 
SONNET. LXXVII.
 LXXVIII. 
SONNET. LXXVIII.
 LXXIX. 
SONNET. LXXIX.
 LXXX. 
SONNET. LXXX.
 LXXXI. 
SONNET. LXXXI.
 LXXXII. 
SONNET. LXXXII.
 LXXXIII. 
SONNET. LXXXIII.
 LXXXIIII. 
SONNET. LXXXIIII.
 LXXXV. 
SONNET. LXXXV.
 LXXXVI. 
SONNET. LXXXVI.
 LXXXVII. 
SONNET. LXXXVII.
 LXXXVIII. 
SONNET. LXXXVIII.
 LXXXIX. 
SONNET. LXXXIX.
  
[Anacreontics]
  
Epithalamion.
  
Prothalamion
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Commendatory Sonnets.
 1. 
1 To the right worshipfull, my singular good frend, M. Gabriell Haruey, Doctor of the Lawes.
 2. 
2 [Prefixed to Nennio, or A Treatise of Nobility, &c.]
 3. 
3 [Prefixed to The Historie of George Castriot, surnamed Scanderbeg.]
 4. 
4 [Prefixed to The Commonwealth and Gouernment of Venice.]
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Fragments.
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From Two other very commendable Letters, 1580.
  
Iambicum Trimetrum
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From Three proper and wittie, familiar Letters, 1580.
  
[See yee the blindefoulded pretie God, that feathered Archer]
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From E. K.'s note on S. C. June 25, Minor Poems 1. 64.
  
[An hundred Graces on her eyeledde satte.]
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From E. K.'s note on S. C. Oct. 90, Minor Poems 1. 102.
  
[The siluer swanne doth sing before her dying day]
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From Sir James Ware's The Historie of Ireland, 1633.
  
A translation made ex tempore by Mr Edm. Spenser upon this distich, written on a Booke belonging to the right honorable Richard Earle of Corke, &c.
  
Verses upon the said Earles Lute.
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[VOLUMES THREE–SIX]
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THE FAERIE QVEENE.
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THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
Cant. I.
 II. 
Cant. II.
 III. 
Cant. III.
 IIII. 
Cant. IIII.
 V. 
Cant. V.
 VI. 
Cant. VI.
 VII. 
Cant. VII.
 VIII. 
Cant. VIII.
 IX. 
Cant. IX.
 X. 
Cant. X.
 XI. 
Cant. XI.
 XII. 
Cant. XII.
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THE SECOND BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
Cant. I.
 II. 
Cant. II.
 III. 
Cant. III.
 IIII. 
Cant. IIII.
 V. 
Cant. V.
 VI. 
Cant. VI.
 VII. 
Cant. VII.
 VIII. 
Cant. VIII.
 IX. 
Cant. IX.
 X. 
Cant. X.
 XI. 
Cant. XI.
 XII. 
Cant. XII.
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THE THIRD BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
Cant. I.
 II. 
Cant. II.
 III. 
Cant. III.
 IIII. 
Cant. IIII.
 V. 
Cant. V.
 VI. 
Cant. VI.
 VII. 
Cant. VII.
 VIII. 
Cant. VIII.
 IX. 
Cant. IX.
 X. 
Cant. X.
 XI. 
Cant. XI.
 XII. 
Cant. XII.
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THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
Cant. I.
 II. 
Cant. II.
 III. 
Cant. III.
 IIII. 
Cant. IIII.
 V. 
Cant. V.
 VI. 
Cant. VI.
 VII. 
Cant. VII.
 VIII. 
Cant. VIII.
 IX. 
Cant. IX.
 X. 
Cant. X.
 XI. 
Cant. XI.
 XII. 
Cant. XII.
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THE FIFTH BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
Cant. I.
 II. 
Cant. II.
 III. 
Cant. III.
 IIII. 
Cant. IIII.
 V. 
Cant. V.
 VI. 
Cant. VI.
 VII. 
Cant. VII.
 VIII. 
Cant. VIII.
 IX. 
Cant. IX.
 X. 
Cant. X.
 XI. 
Cant. XI.
 XII. 
Cant. XII.
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THE SIXTH BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE.
  
[prologue]
 I. 
Cant. I.
 II. 
Cant. II.
 III. 
Cant. III.
 IIII. 
Cant. IIII.
 V. 
Cant. V.
 VI. 
Cant. VI.
 VII. 
Cant. VII.
 VIII. 
Cant. VIII.
 IX. 
Cant. IX.
 X. 
Cant. X.
 XI. 
Cant. XI.
 XII. 
Cant. XII.
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[THE SEVENTH BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE.]
 VI. 
Canto VI.
 VII. 
Canto VII.
 VIII. 
The VIII. Canto, vnperfite.
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COMMENDATORY VERSES AND DEDICATORY SONNETS
  
A Vision vpon this conceipt of the Faery Queene.
  
Another of the same.
  
To the learned Shepheard.
  
[Fayre Thamis streame, that from Ludds stately towne]
  
[Graue Muses march in triumph and with prayses]
  
[When stout Achilles heard of Helens rape]
  
[To looke vpon a worke of rare deuise]
  
To the right honourable Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord high Chauncelor of England. &c.
  
To the right honourable the Lo. Burleigh Lo. high Threasurer of England.
  
To the right Honourable the Earle of Oxenford, Lord high Chamberlayne of England. &c.
  
To the right honourable the Earle of Northumberland.
  
To the right honourable the Earle of Cumberland.
  
To the most honourable and excellent Lo. the Earle of Essex. Great Maister of the Horse to her Highnesse, and knight of the Noble order of the Garter. &c.
  
To the right Honourable the Earle of Ormond and Ossory.
  
To the right honourable the Lo. Ch. Howard, Lo. high Admiral of England, knight of the noble order of the Garter, and one of her Maiesties priuie Counsel. &c.
  
To the right honourable the Lord of Hunsdon, high Chamberlaine to her Maiesty.
  
To the most renowmed and valiant Lord, the Lord Grey of Wilton, knight of the Noble order of the Garter, &c.
  
To the right honourable the Lord of Buckhurst, one of her Maiesties priuie Counsell.
  
To the right honourable Sir Fr. Walsingham knight, principall Secretary to her Maiesty, and of her honourable priuy Counsell.
  
To the right noble Lord and most valiaunt Captaine, Sir Iohn Norris knight, Lord president of Mounster.
  
To the right noble and valorous knight, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lo. Wardein of the Stanneryes, and lieftenaunt of Cornewaile.
  
To the right honourable and most vertuous Lady, the Countesse of Penbroke.
  
To the most vertuous, and beautifull Lady, the Lady Carew.
  
To all the gratious and beautifull Ladies in the Court.

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218

SONNET. LV.

[So oft as I her beauty doe behold]

So oft as I her beauty doe behold,
And therewith doe her cruelty compare:
I maruaile of what substance was the mould
the which her made attonce so cruell faire.
Not earth; for her high thoghts more heauenly are,
not water; for her loue doth burne like fyre:
not ayre; for she is not so light or rare,
not fyre; for she doth friese with faint desire.
Then needs another Element inquire
whereof she mote be made; that is the skye.
for to the heauen her haughty lookes aspire:
and eke her mind is pure immortall hye.
Then sith to heauen ye lykened are the best,
be lyke in mercy as in all the rest.
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