EDMUND SPENSER

Which some brave muse may sing

To ages following,

Upon the Brydale day, which is not long :

Sweete Themmes ! runne softly till I end my Song.

From those high Towers this noble Lord issuing,

Like Radiant Hesper, when his golden hayre

In th' Ocean billowes he hath bathed fayre,

Descended to the Rivers open vewing,

With a great traine ensuing.

Above the rest were goodly to bee scene

Two gentle Knights of lovely face and feature,

Beseeming well the bovver of anie Queene,

With gifts of wit, and ornaments of nature,

Fit for so goodly stature,

That like the twins of Jove they seem'd in sight,

Which decke the Bauldricke of the Heavens bright;

They two, forth pacing to the Rivers side,

Received those two faire Brides, their Loves delight;

Which, at th' appointed tyde,

Each one did make his Bryde

Against their Brydale day, which is not long :

Sweete Themmes ! runne softly, till I end my Song.

82. Rpithalamton

VE learned sisters, which have oftentimes A Beene to me ayding, others to adorne, Whom ye thought worthy of your gracefull rymes, That even the greatest did not greatly scorne To heare theyr names sung in your simple layes, But joyed in theyr praise ; And when ye list your owne mishaps to mourne,

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