Prometheus did create A man of many parts from beasts deryv’d, And then stole fire from heven to animate His worke, for which he was by Jove depryv’d Of life himselfe, and hart-strings of an ægle ryv’d. That man so made, he called Elfe, to weet Quick, the first author of all Elfyn kynd; Who, wand’rin through the world with wearie feet, Did in the Gardins of Adonis find A goodly Creature, whom he deemd in mynd To be no earthly wight, but either spright Or angell, th’ author of all woman kynd; Therefore a Fay he her according hight, Of whom all Fayres spring, and fetch their lignage right. Of these a mighty people shortly grew, And puissant kinges, which all the world war-rayd, And to themselves all nations did subdew. The first and eldest, which that scepter swayd, Was Elfin; him all India obayd, And all that now America men call: Next him was noble Elfinan, who laid Cleopolis’ foundation first of all, But Elfiline enclosed it with a golden wall. His sonne was Elfinelle, who overcame The wicked Gobbelines in bloody field; But Elfant was of most renowned fame, Who all of crystal did Panthea build: Then Elfar, who two brethren gyaunts kild, The one of which had two heads, th’ other three; Then Elfinor, who was in magick skild; He built by art upon the glassy see A bridge of bras, whose sound heven’s thunder seemed to be. He left three sonnes, the which in order raynd, And all their offspring in their dew descents; Even seven hundred princes, which maintaynd With mightie deeds their sondry governments, That were too long their infinite contents Here to record, ne much materiall; Yet should they be most famous moniments, And have ensample, both of martiall And civil rule to kings and states imperiall. After all these Elficleos did rayne, The wise Elficleos! in great maiestie, Who mightily that scepter did sustayne, And with rich spoyles and famous victorie Did high advaunce the Crown of Faëry. He left two sonnes, of which fayre Elferon, The eldest brother, did untimely dy, Whose empty place the mighty Oberon Doubly supplide in spousall and dominion. Great was his power and glory over all, Which him before that sacred seate did fill, That yet remains his wide memoriall. He dying, left the fairest Tanaquill Him to succeede therein by his last will: Fairer and nobler liveth none this houre, Ne like in grace, ne like in learned skill; Therefore they Glorian call that glorious floure: Long mayst thou, Glorian! live in glory and great power. EDMUND SPENSER. THE FAERY KING.