197 A love-knot in the larger end there was. 198 His head was bald and shone like any glass, 199 And smooth as one anointed was his face. 200 Fat was this lord,he stood in goodly case 201 His bulging eyes he rolled about,and hot 202 They gleamed and red,like fire beneath a pot; 203 His boots were soft;his horse of great estate. 204 Now certainly he was a fine prelate: 205 He was not pale as some poor wasted ghost 206 A fat swan loved he best of any roast. 207 His palfrey was as brown as is a berry. Edmund Spenser (1552--1599) The Faerie Queene Spenser's masterpiece is the epic poem The Faerie Queene.The first three books of The Faerie Oueene were published in 1590,and a second set of three books were published in 1596.Spenser originally indicated that he intended the poem to consist of twelve books,so the version of the poem we have today is incomplete.Despite this,it remains one of the longest poems in the English language.It is an allegorical work, and can be read (as Spenser presumably intended)on several levels of allegory, including as praise of Queen Elizabeth I.In a completely allegorical context,the poem follows several knights in an examination of several virtues.In Spenser's "A Letter of the Authors,"he states that the entire epic poem is "cloudily enwrapped in allegorical devises,"and that the aim behind The Faerie Queene was to "fashion a gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline." Reading before class:Allegory;Epic Reading in class: THE FAERIE QUEENE BOOKI CANTOI The Patron oftrue Holinesse foule Errour doth defeate; Hypocrisie him to entrappe doth to his home entreate. A GENTLE Knighto was pricking on the plaine
197 A love-knot in the larger end there was. 198 His head was bald and shone like any glass, 199 And smooth as one anointed was his face. 200 Fat was this lord, he stood in goodly case. 201 His bulging eyes he rolled about, and hot 202 They gleamed and red, like fire beneath a pot; 203 His boots were soft; his horse of great estate. 204 Now certainly he was a fine prelate: 205 He was not pale as some poor wasted ghost. 206 A fat swan loved he best of any roast. 207 His palfrey was as brown as is a berry. Edmund Spenser (1552--1599) The Faerie Queene Spenser's masterpiece is the epic poem The Faerie Queene. The first three books of The Faerie Queene were published in 1590, and a second set of three books were published in 1596. Spenser originally indicated that he intended the poem to consist of twelve books, so the version of the poem we have today is incomplete. Despite this, it remains one of the longest poems in the English language. It is an allegorical work, and can be read (as Spenser presumably intended) on several levels of allegory, including as praise of Queen Elizabeth I. In a completely allegorical context, the poem follows several knights in an examination of several virtues. In Spenser's "A Letter of the Authors," he states that the entire epic poem is "cloudily enwrapped in allegorical devises," and that the aim behind The Faerie Queene was to "fashion a gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline.” Reading before class: Allegory; Epic Reading in class: THE FAERIE QUEENE BOOK I CANTO I The Patron of true Holinesse foule Errour doth defeate; Hypocrisie him to entrappe doth to his home entreate. I A GENTLE Knight° was pricking on the plaine
Ycladd in mightie armes and silver shielde, Wherein old dints of deepe wounds did remaine, The cruel markes of many'a bloudy fielde; Yet armes till that time did he never wield: His angry steede did chide his foming bitt, As much disdayning to the curbe to yield: Full jolly knight he seemd,and faire did sitt, As one for knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt. 10 Ⅱ And on his brest a bloudie Crosse he bore, The deare remembrance of his dying Lord, For whose sweete sake that glorious badge he wore, And dead as living ever him ador'd: Upon his shield the like was also scor'd, 15 For soveraine hope,which in his helpe he had: Right faithfull true he was in deede and word, But of his cheere did seeme too solemne sad; Yet nothing did he dread,but ever was ydrad. Ⅲ Upon a great adventure he was bond, 20 That greatest Gloriana to him gave, That greatest Glorious Queene of Faerie lond, To winne him worship,and her grace to have, Which of all earthly things he most did crave; And ever as he rode,his hart did earne 25 To prove his puissance in battell brave Upon his foe,and his new force to learne; Upon his foe,a Dragon horrible and stearne. IV A lovely Ladie rode him faire beside, Upon a lowly Asse more white then snow, 30 Yet she much whiter,but the same did hide Under a vele,that wimpled was full low, And over all a blacke stole she did throw, As one that inly mournd:so was she sad, And heavie sat upon her palfrey slow; 35 Seemed in heart some hidden care she had, And by her in a line a milke white lambe she lad
Ycladd in mightie armes and silver shielde, Wherein old dints of deepe wounds did remaine, The cruel markes of many'a bloudy fielde; 5 Yet armes till that time did he never wield: His angry steede did chide his foming bitt, As much disdayning to the curbe to yield: Full jolly knight he seemd, and faire did sitt, As one for knightly giusts and fierce encounters fitt. 10 II And on his brest a bloudie Crosse he bore, The deare remembrance of his dying Lord, For whose sweete sake that glorious badge he wore, And dead as living ever him ador'd: Upon his shield the like was also scor'd, 15 For soveraine hope,° which in his helpe he had: Right faithfull true he was in deede and word, But of his cheere did seeme too solemne sad; Yet nothing did he dread, but ever was ydrad. III Upon a great adventure he was bond, 20 That greatest Gloriana° to him gave, That greatest Glorious Queene of Faerie lond, To winne him worship, and her grace to have, Which of all earthly things he most did crave; And ever as he rode, his hart did earne 25 To prove his puissance in battell brave Upon his foe, and his new force to learne; Upon his foe, a Dragon° horrible and stearne. IV A lovely Ladie° rode him faire beside, Upon a lowly Asse more white then snow, 30 Yet she much whiter, but the same did hide Under a vele, that wimpled was full low, And over all a blacke stole she did throw, As one that inly mournd: so was she sad, And heavie sat upon her palfrey slow; 35 Seemed in heart some hidden care she had, And by her in a line a milke white lambe she lad
V So pure and innocent,as that same lambe, She was in life and every vertuous lore, And by descent from Royall lynage came 40 Of ancient Kings and Queenes,that had of yore Their scepters stretcht from East to Westerne shore, And all the world in their subjection held; Till that infernall feend with foule uprore Forwasted all their land,and them expeld: 45 Whom to avenge,she had this Knight from far compeld. VI Behind her farre away a Dwarfe did lag, That lasie seemd in being ever last, Or wearied with bearing of her bag Of needments at his backe.Thus as they past, 50 The day with cloudes was suddeine overcast, And angry Jove an hideous storme of raine Did poure into his Lemans lap so fast, That everie wight to shrowd it did constrain, And this faire couple eke to shroud themselves were fain. 55 VII Enforst to seeke some covert nigh at hand, A shadie grove not far away they spide, That promist ayde the tempest to withstand: Whose loftie trees yclad with sommers pride Did spred so broad,that heavens light did hide, 60 Not perceable with power of any starre: And all within were pathes and alleies wide, With footing worne,and leading inward farre: Faire harbour that them seemes;so in they entred arre. VIll And foorth they passe,with pleasure forward led, 65 Joying to heare the birdes sweete harmony, Which therein shrouded from the tempest dred, Seemd in their song to scorne the cruell sky. Much can they prayse the trees so straight and hy
V So pure and innocent, as that same lambe, She was in life and every vertuous lore, And by descent from Royall lynage came 40 Of ancient Kings and Queenes, that had of yore Their scepters stretcht from East to Westerne shore, And all the world in their subjection held; Till that infernall feend with foule uprore Forwasted all their land, and them expeld: 45 Whom to avenge, she had this Knight from far compeld. VI Behind her farre away a Dwarfe° did lag, That lasie seemd in being ever last, Or wearied with bearing of her bag Of needments at his backe. Thus as they past, 50 The day with cloudes was suddeine overcast, And angry Jove an hideous storme of raine Did poure into his Lemans lap so fast, That everie wight to shrowd it did constrain, And this faire couple eke to shroud themselves were fain. 55 VII Enforst to seeke some covert nigh at hand, A shadie grove° not far away they spide, That promist ayde the tempest to withstand: Whose loftie trees yclad with sommers pride Did spred so broad, that heavens light did hide, 60 Not perceable with power of any starre: And all within were pathes and alleies wide, With footing worne, and leading inward farre: Faire harbour that them seemes; so in they entred arre. VIII And foorth they passe, with pleasure forward led, 65 Joying to heare the birdes sweete harmony, Which therein shrouded from the tempest dred, Seemd in their song to scorne the cruell sky. Much can they prayse the trees so straight and hy
The sayling Pine,the Cedar proud and tall, 70 The vine-prop Elme,the Poplar never dry,o The builder Oake,sole king of forrests all, The Aspine good for staves,the Cypresse funerall. X The Laurell,meed of mightie Conquerours And Poets sage,the firre that weepeth still, 75 The Willow worne of forlorne Paramours, The Eugh obedient to the benders will, The Birch for shaftes,the Sallow for the mill, The Mirrhe sweete bleeding in the bitter wound, The warlike Beech,°the Ash for nothing ill,.° 80 The fruitfull Olive,and the Platane round, The carver Holme,the Maple seeldom inward sound. X Led with delight,they thus beguile the way, Untill the blustring storme is overblowne; When weening to returne,whence they did stray, 85 They cannot finde that path,which first was showne, But wander too and fro in wayes unknowne, Furthest from end then,when they neerest weene, That makes them doubt their wits be not their owne: So many pathes,so many turnings seene, 90 That which of them to take,in diverse doubt they been. XI At last resolving forward still to fare, Till that some end they finde or in or out, That path they take,that beaten seemd most bare, And like to lead the labyrinth about: 95 Which when by tract they hunted had throughout, At length it brought them to a hollow cave Amid the thickest woods.The Champion stout Eftsoones dismounted from his courser brave, And to the Dwarfe awhile his needlesse spere he gave. 100 XII Be well aware,quoth then that Ladie milde
The sayling Pine,° the Cedar proud and tall, 70 The vine-prop Elme, the Poplar never dry,° The builder Oake,° sole king of forrests all, The Aspine good for staves, the Cypresse funerall.° IX The Laurell,° meed of mightie Conquerours And Poets sage, the firre that weepeth still,° 75 The Willow° worne of forlorne Paramours, The Eugh° obedient to the benders will, The Birch for shaftes, the Sallow for the mill, The Mirrhe° sweete bleeding in the bitter wound, The warlike Beech,° the Ash for nothing ill,° 80 The fruitfull Olive, and the Platane round, The carver Holme,° the Maple seeldom inward sound. X Led with delight, they thus beguile the way, Untill the blustring storme is overblowne; When weening to returne, whence they did stray, 85 They cannot finde that path, which first was showne, But wander too and fro in wayes unknowne, Furthest from end then, when they neerest weene, That makes them doubt their wits be not their owne: So many pathes, so many turnings seene, 90 That which of them to take, in diverse doubt they been. XI At last resolving forward still to fare, Till that some end they finde or in or out, That path they take, that beaten seemd most bare, And like to lead the labyrinth about; 95 Which when by tract they hunted had throughout, At length it brought them to a hollow cave Amid the thickest woods. The Champion stout Eftsoones dismounted from his courser brave, And to the Dwarfe awhile his needlesse spere he gave. 100 XII Be well aware, quoth then that Ladie milde
Least suddaine mischiefe ye too rash provoke: The danger hid,the place unknowne and wilde. Breedes dreadfull doubts:Oft fire is without smoke, And perill without show:therefore your stroke, 105 Sir Knight,with-hold,till further triall made. Ah Ladie,(said he)shame were to revoke The forward footing for an hidden shade: Vertue gives her selfe light,through darkenesse for to wade. XIlI Yea but(quoth she)the perill of this place 110 I better wot then you,though now too late To wish you backe returne with foule disgrace, Yet wisedome warnes,whilest foot is in the gate To stay the steppe,ere forced to retrate. This is the wandring wood,this Errours den, 115 A monster vile,whom God and man does hate Therefore I read beware.Fly fly(quoth then The fearefull Dwarfe)this is no place for living men. XIV But full of fire and greedy hardiment, The youthfull knight could not for ought be staide, 120 But forth unto the darksome hole he went, And looked in:his glistring armor made A litle glooming light,much like a shade, By which he saw the ugly monster plaine, Halfe like a serpent horribly displaide, 125 But th'other halfe did womans shape retaine, Most lothsom,filthie,foule,and full of vile disdaine. XV And as she lay upon the durtie ground, Her huge long taile her den all overspred, Yet was in knots and many boughtes upwound, 130 Pointed with mortall sting.Of her there bred A thousand yong ones,which she dayly fed, Sucking upon her poisnous dugs,eachone Of sundry shapes,yet all ill favored: Soone as that uncouth light upon them shone, 135 Into her mouth they crept,and suddain all were gone
Least suddaine mischiefe ye too rash provoke: The danger hid, the place unknowne and wilde, Breedes dreadfull doubts: Oft fire is without smoke, And perill without show: therefore your stroke, 105 Sir Knight, with-hold, till further triall made. Ah Ladie, (said he) shame were to revoke° The forward footing for an hidden shade: Vertue gives her selfe light, through darkenesse for to wade. XIII Yea but (quoth she) the perill of this place 110 I better wot then you, though now too late To wish you backe returne with foule disgrace, Yet wisedome warnes, whilest foot is in the gate, To stay the steppe, ere forced to retrate. This is the wandring wood,° this Errours den, 115 A monster vile, whom God and man does hate: Therefore I read beware. Fly fly (quoth then The fearefull Dwarfe) this is no place for living men. XIV But full of fire and greedy hardiment, The youthfull knight could not for ought be staide, 120 But forth unto the darksome hole he went, And looked in: his glistring armor made A litle glooming light, much like a shade, By which he saw the ugly monster° plaine, Halfe like a serpent horribly displaide, 125 But th'other halfe did womans shape retaine, Most lothsom, filthie, foule, and full of vile disdaine.° XV And as she lay upon the durtie ground, Her huge long taile her den all overspred, Yet was in knots and many boughtes upwound, 130 Pointed with mortall sting. Of her there bred° A thousand yong ones, which she dayly fed, Sucking upon her poisnous dugs, eachone Of sundry shapes, yet all ill favored: Soone as that uncouth light upon them shone, 135 Into her mouth they crept, and suddain all were gone