Page:The Faerie Queene (Books 1 to 3) - Spenser (1590).djvu/3

Fleuron from 'The Faerie Queene' by Edmund Spenser, printed in 1590

 

The first Booke of

the Faerie Queene.

Contayning

The Legend of the Knight

of the Red Crosse,

OR

Of Holinesse.

 

o I the man, whose Muse whylome did maske,As time her taught, in lowly Shephards weeds,Am now enforst a farre vnfitter taske,For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds:And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds,Whose praises hauing slept in silence long,Me, all too meane, the sacred Muse areedsTo blazon broade emongst her learned throng:Fierce warres and faithfull loues shall moralize my song.

Helpe then, O holy virgin chiefe of nyne,Thy weaker Nouice to performe thy will,Lay forth out of thine euerlasting scryneThe antique rolles, which there lye hidden still,

Of