237 238 Another of the same. 239 240 _THe prayse of meaner wits this worke like profit brings, 241 As doth the Cuckoes song delight when _Philumena_ sings. 242 If thou hast formed right true vertues face herein: 243 Vertue her selfe can best discerne, to whom they written bin. 244 If thou hast beautie praysd, let her sole lookes diuine 245 Iudge if ought therein be amis, and mend it by her eine. 246 If Chastitie want ought, or Temperaunce her dew, 247 Behold her Princely mind aright, and write thy Queene anew. 248 Meanewhile she shall perceiue, how farre her vertues sore 249 Aboue the reach of all that liue, or such as wrote of yore: 250 And thereby will excuse and fauour thy good will: 251 Whose vertue can not be exprest, but by an Angels quill. 252 Of me no lines are lou'd, nor letters are of price, 253 Of all which speake our English tongue, but those of thy deuice._ 254 255 W. R. 256 238 _Another of the same_ 239 240 The praise of meaner wits this work like profit brings, wits > minds 241 As does the cuckoo's song delight when Philomela sings. Philomela > (She was changed into a nightingale after Tereus had cut out her tongue; hence: the nightingale) 242 If you have formed right true virtue's face herein, right > aright; _perhaps also:_ very 243 Virtue herself can best discern to whom they written been. Virtue herself > [Queen Elizabeth] been > [have been, are] 244 If you have beauty praised, let her sole looks divine 245 Judge if aught therein be amiss, and mend it by her eyes. 246 If Chastity want aught, or Temperance her due, 247 Behold her princely mind aright, and write your Queen anew. 248 Meanwhile she shall perceive how far her virtues soar 249 Above the reach of all that live, or such as wrote of yore: of yore > anciently, of old 250 And thereby will excuse and favour your goodwill: 251 Whose virtue cannot be expressed, but by an angel's quill. but by > except with quill > {Pen made from swan- or goose-feather} 252 Of me no lines are loved, nor letters are of price, Of > By 253 Of all who speak our English tongue, but those of your device. device > devising 254 255 _W. R._ W. R. > (Walter Raleigh, 1552-1618, poet, soldier, explorer, scholar, statesman, and a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, who granted him, in 1584, a patent for the exploration and settlement of the Americas. Later he fell from her good graces, and after many hardships and adventures was beheaded by James I. Probably an exact contemporary of Spenser. He had a huge estate near Spenser's in southern Ireland, and under his auspices _FQ_ was published, and dedicated to Elizabeth)