The Works of Edmund Spenser/The Shepheards Calender
THE
SHEPHEARDS CALENDER:
CONTEYNING
TWELVE AEGLOGUES,
PROPORTIONABLE TO THE TWELVE MONETHES,
Entitled to the noble and vertuous Gentleman, most worthie of all titles both of learning and chivalry,
MAISTER PHILIP SIDNEY.
TO HIS BOOKE.
Goe, little Booke! thy selfe present,
As childe whose parent is unkent,
To him that is the president
Of noblenesse and chevalree:
And if that Envie barke at thee,
As sure it will, for succour flee
Under the shadow of his wing,
And, asked who thee forth did bring,
A shepheards swaine, say, did thee sing,
All as his straying flocke he fedde:
And, when his honour has thee redde,
Crave pardon for thy hardy-hedde.
But, if that any aske thy name,
Say, thou wert base-begot with blame:
Forthy thereof thou takest shame.
And, when thou art past ieopardee,
Come tell me what was said of mee,
And I will send more after thee.
Immerito.