Edmund Spenser

Edmund Spenser

The Faerie Queene — Canto IV

Summary

Quotes from The Faerie Queene — Canto IV (Edmund Spenser)

Portrait of Edmund Spenser Edmund Spenser,  The Faerie Queene — Canto IV

“ Ah dearest Dame, (quoth then the Paynim bold,)
⁠Pardon the error of enraged wight,
⁠Whom great griefe made forget the raines to hold
⁠Of reasons rule, to see this recreant knight,
⁠No knight, but treachour full of false despight
⁠And shamefull treason, who through guile hath slayn
⁠The prowest knight that ever field did fight,
⁠Even stout Sansfoy (O who can then refrayn?)
Whose shield he beares renverst, the more to heape disdayn. ”
Source: Wikisource

Portrait of Edmund Spenser Edmund Spenser,  The Faerie Queene — Canto IV

“ Dead sculs and bones of men, whose life had gone astray.
XXXVII
So forth they marchen in this goodly sort,
⁠To take the solace of the open aire,
⁠And in fresh flowring fields themselves to sport;
⁠Emongst the rest rode that false Lady faire,
⁠The foule Duessa, next unto the chaire
⁠Of proud Lucifera, as one of the traine:
⁠But that good knight would not so nigh repaire,
⁠Him selfe estraunging from their joyaunce vaine,
Whose fellowship seemd far unfit for warlike swaine. ”
Source: Wikisource

Portrait of Edmund Spenser Edmund Spenser,  The Faerie Queene — Canto IV

“ By them they passe, all gazing on them round,
⁠And to the Presence mount; whose glorious vew
⁠Their frayle amazed senses did confound:
⁠In living Princes court none ever knew
⁠Such endlesse richesse, and so sumptuous shew;
⁠Ne Persia selfe, the nourse of pompous pride
⁠Like ever saw. And there a noble crew
⁠Of Lordes and Ladies stood on every side,
Which with their presence faire the place much beautifide. ”
Source: Wikisource

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