TO THE MOST HIGH, MIGHTIE And MAGNIFICENT EMPRESSE RENOVVMED FOR PIETIE, VERTVE, AND ALL GRATIOVS GOVERNMENT ELIZABETH BY THE GRACE OF GOD QVEENE OF ENGLAND FRAVNCE AND IRELAND AND OF VIRGINIA, DEFENDOVR OF THE FAITH, &c. HER MOST HVMBLE SERVAVNT EDMVND SPENSER DOTH IN ALL HVMILITIE DEDICATE, PRESENT AND CONSECRATE THESE HIS LABOVRS TO LIVE VVITH THE ETERNITIE OF HER FAME. [Illustration] THE FIRST BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE. _Contayning_ THE LEGENDE OF THE KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSSE, _OR_ OF HOLINESSE. Lo I the man, whose Muse whilome did maske, i As time her taught[14], in lowly Shepheards weeds, Am now enforst a far vnfitter taske, For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds, And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds; Whose prayses hauing slept in silence long, Me, all too meane, the sacred Muse areeds To blazon broad emongst[15] her learned throng: Fierce warres and faithfull loues shall moralize my song. Helpe then, O[16] holy Virgin chiefe of nine, ii Thy weaker Nouice to performe thy will, Lay forth out of thine everlasting scryne The antique rolles, which there lye hidden still, Of Faerie knights and fairest _Tanaquill_, Whom that most noble Briton Prince so long Sought through the world, and suffered so much ill, That I must rue his vndeserued wrong: O helpe thou my weake wit, and sharpen my dull tong. And thou most dreaded impe of highest _Ioue_, iii Faire _Venus_ sonne, that with thy cruell dart At that good knight so cunningly didst roue, That glorious fire it kindled in his hart, Lay now thy deadly Heben bow apart, And with thy mother milde come to mine ayde: Come both, and with you bring triumphant _Mart_, In loues and gentle iollities arrayd, After his murdrous spoiles and bloudy rage allayd. And with them eke, O Goddesse heauenly bright, iv Mirrour of grace and Maiestie diuine, Great Lady of the greatest Isle, whose light Like _Phœbus_ lampe throughout the world doth shine, Shed thy faire beames into my[17] feeble eyne, And raise my thoughts too humble and too vile, To thinke of that true glorious type of thine, The argument of mine afflicted stile: The which to heare, vouchsafe, O dearest dred a-while. FOOTNOTES: [14] i 2 taught _1596_ [15] 8 ’broad, amongst _1609_ [16] ii 1 O] ô _1596_, _1609 passim_ [17] iv 5 my] mine _1590_ _Canto I._ [Illustration: _The Patron of true Holinesse, Foule Errour doth defeate: Hypocrisie him to entrapp’[18], Doth to his home entreate._ ]