THE SIXTE BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QUEENE, CONTAYNING THE LEGEND OF SIR CALIDORE, OR OF COURTESIE. THE waies, through which my weary steps I guyde In this delightfull land of Faëry, Are so exceeding spacious and wyde, And sprinckled with such sweet variety That I, nigh ravisht with rare thoughts delight, And, when I gin to feele decay of might, It strength to me supplies and chears my dulled spright. 2 Such secret comfort and such heavenly pleasures, Ye, sacred Imps, that on Parnasso dwell, And there the keeping have of Learnings threasures, 1 Well, cause to flow. 2 Fury, inspiration. Guyde ye my footing, and conduct me well In these strange waies where never foote did use, Ne none can find but who was taught them by the Muse! 3 Revele to me the sacred noursery Of Vertue, which with you doth there remaine, Where it in silver bowre does hidden ly From view of men and wicked worlds disdaine ; Since it at first was by the gods with paine1 Planted in earth, being deriv'd at furst From heavenly seedes of bounty soveraine, And by them long with carefull labour nurst, Till it to ripenesse grew, and forth to honour burst. 4 Amongst them all growes not a fayrer flowre And spreds itselfe through all civilitie : Of which though present age doe plenteous seeme, Yet, being matcht with plaine antiquitie, Ye will them all but fayned showes esteeme, Which carry colours faire that feeble eies misdeeme*: 6 But, in the triall of true Curtesie, Its now so farre from that which then it was, 1 Paine, difficulty. 2 Bloosme, blossom, flower. 3 Boure, lodge. 4 Misdeeme, misjudge. |