Edmund Spenser

“ ARGUMENT. In this first Æglogue Colin Clout, a shepheard’s boy, complaineth himself of his unfortunate love, being but newly (as seemeth) enamoured of a country lass called Rosalind: with which strong affection being very sore travailed, he compareth his careful case to the sad season of the year, to the frosty ground, to the frozen trees, and to his own winter-beaten flock. And lastly, finding himself robbed of all former pleasance and delight, he breaketh his pipe in pieces, and casteth himself to the ground. ”

“ Colin them gives to Rosalind again.
“I love thilk lass, (alas! why do I love?)
And am forlorn, (alas! why am I lorn?)
She deigns not my good will, but doth reprove,
And of my rural music holdeth scorn.
Shepheard’s device she hateth as the snake,
And laughs the songs that Colin Clout doth make.
“Wherefore, my pipe, albe rude Pan thou please,
Yet for thou pleasest not where most I would;
And thou, unlucky Muse, that wont’st to ease
My musing mind, yet canst not when thou should;
Both Pipe and Muse shall sore the while abye.”
So broke his oaten pipe, and down did lie. ”

“ Thou feeble flock! whose fleece is rough and rent,
Whose knees are weak through fast and evil fare,
Mayst witness well, by thy ill government,
Thy master’s mind is overcome with care:
Thou weak, I wan ”