The Works of Edmund Spenser :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Works of Edmund Spenser

A Variorum Edition: Edited by Edwin Greenlaw: Charles Grosvenor Osgood: Frederick Morgan Padelford: Ray Heffner

Spenser, Edmund (1552?-1599)

VOLUME ONE THE MINOR POEMS

VOLUME TWO THE MINOR POEMS

3, 4, 5, 6.

[VOLUMES THREE–SIX]

THE FAERIE QVEENE.

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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To the right noble and valorous knight, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lo. Wardein of the Stanneryes, and lieftenaunt of Cornewaile.

To thee that are the sommers Nightingale,
Thy soueraine Goddesses most deare delight,
Why doe I send this rusticke Madrigale,
That may thy tunefull eare vnseason quite?
Thou onely fit this Argument to write,
In whose high thoughts Pleasure hath built her bowre,
And dainty loue learnd sweetly to endite.
My rimes I know vnsauory and sowre,
To tast the streames, that like a golden showre
Flow from thy fruitfull head, of thy loues praise,
Fitter perhaps to thonder Martiall stowre,
When so thee list thy lofty Muse to raise:
Yet till that thou thy Poeme wilt make knowne,
Let thy faire Cinthias praises bee thus rudely showne.

E. S.