EDMUND SPENSER

Lo, how finely the Graces can it foote

To the Instrument: They dauncen deffly, and singen soote,

In their meriment.

Wants not a fourth Grace to make the daunce even ? Let that rowme to my Lady be yeven.

She shal be a Grace,

To fyll the fourth place, And reigne with the rest in heaven.

Bring hether the Pincke and purple Cullambine,

With Gelliflowres ; Bring Coronations, and Sops-in-wine

Worne of Paramoures :

Strowe me the ground with Daffadowndillies, And Cowslips, and Kingcups, and loved Lillies:

The pretie Pawnee,

And the Chevisaunce, Shall match with the fayre flowre Delice.

Now ryse up, Elisa, decked as thou art

In royall aray ; And now ye daintie Damsells may depart

Eche one her way.

I feare I have troubled your troupes to longe: Let dame Elisa thanke you for her song:

And if you come hether

When Damsines I gether, I will part them all you among.

soote] sweet. coronations] carnations. sops-in-wine] striped pinks. pawnee] pansy. chevisaunce] wallflower. flowre delice] iris.

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