University of Virginia Library

Search this document 
The Works of Edmund Spenser

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

expand section1. 
VOLUME ONE THE MINOR POEMS
expand section2. 
VOLUME TWO THE MINOR POEMS
collapse section3, 4, 5, 6. 
[VOLUMES THREE–SIX]
expand section 
THE FAERIE QVEENE.
collapse section 
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.

collapse section Collapse All | Expand All expand section
previous section The Works of Edmund Spenser
next section

Another of the same.

The prayse of meaner wits this worke like profit brings,
As doth the Cuckoes song delight when Philumena sings.
If thou hast formed right true vertues face herein:
Vertue her selfe can best discerne, to whom they written bin.
If thou hast beautie praysd, let her sole lookes diuine
Iudge if ought therein be amis, and mend it by her eine.
If Chastitie want ought, or Temperance her dew,
Behold her Princely mind aright, and write thy Queene anew.
Meane while she shall perceiue, how farre her vertues sore
Aboue the reach of all that liue, or such as wrote of yore:
And thereby will excuse and fauour thy good will:
Whose vertue can not be exprest, but by an Angels quill.
Of me no lines are lou'd, nor letters are of price,
Of all which speake our English tongue, but those of thy deuice.
W. R.
previous section The Works of Edmund Spenser
next section