THE POEMS OF EDMUND SPENSER. THE FAERIE QUEEN: DISPOSED INTO TWELVE BOOKS, FASHIONING TWELVE MORAL VIRTUES. A LETTER OF THE AUTHOR'S, EXPOUNDING HIS WHOLE INTENTION IN THE COURSE OF THIS WORK; WHICH, FOR THAT IT GIVETH GREAT LIGHT TO THE READER, FOR THE BETTER UNDERSTANDING IS HERE UNTO ANNEXED. TO THE RIGHT NOBLE AND VALOROUS SIR WALTER RALEIGH, Knight, LORD WARDEN OF THE STANNARIES, AND HER MAJESTY'S LIEUTENANT OF THE COUNTY OF CORNWALL. SIR,-Knowing how doubtfully all allegories may be construed, and this book of mine, which I have entituled "The Faerie Queen," being a continued Allegory, or dark Conceit, I have thought good, as well for avoiding of jealous opinions and misconstructions, as also for your better light in reading thereof (being so by you commanded), to discover unto you the general intention and meaning, which in the whole course thereof I have fashioned, without expressing of any particular purposes, or by-accidents, therein occasioned. The general end, therefore, of all the book, is to fashion a gentleman or noble person in virtuous and gentle discipline which for that I conceived should be most plausible and pleasing, being coloured with an historical fiction, the which the most part of men delight to read, rather for variety of matter than for profit of the ensample, I chose the History of King Arthur, as most fit for the excellency of his person, being made famous by many men's former works, and also farthest from the danger of envy and suspicion of present time. In which I have fol1 Episodes, incidents. : lowed all the antique poets historical: first Homer, who in the persons of Agamemnon and Ulysses hath ensampled a good governor and a virtuous man, the one in his Ilias, the other in his Odysseis; then Virgil, whose like intention was to do in the person of Æneas; after him Ariosto comprised them both in his Orlando; and lately Tasso dissevered them again, and formed both parts in two persons, namely that part which they in philosophy call Ethicé, or virtues of a private man, coloured in his Rinaldo; the other, named Politicé, in his Godfredo. By ensample of which excellent poets, I labour to pourtray in Arthur, before he was king, the image of a brave knight, perfected in the twelve private Moral Virtues, as Aristotle hath devised; the which is the purpose of these first twelve books: which if I find to be well accepted, I may be perhaps encouraged to frame the other part of Political Virtues in his person, after that he came to be king. To some I know this method will seem displeasant, which had rather have good discipline delivered plainly in way of precepts, or sermoned at large, as they use, than thus cloudily enwrapped in allegorical devices. But such, me seems, should be satisfied with the use of these days, seeing all things accounted by their shows, and nothing esteemed of, that is not delightful and pleasing to common sense. For this cause is Xenophon preferred before Plato, for that the one, in the exquisite depth of his judgment, formed a commonwealth, such as it should be; but the other, in the person of Cyrus, and the Persians, fashioned a government, such as might best be; so much more profitable and gracious is doctrine by ensample, 2 Described. U on a white ass, with a dwarf behind her leading a warlike steed, that bore the arms of a knight, and his spear in the dwarf's hand. She, falling before the Queen of Faeries, complained that her father and mother, an ancient king and queen, had been by an huge dragon many years shut up in a brazen castle, who thence suffered them not to issue: and therefore besought the Faerie Queen to assign her some one of her knights, to take on him that exploit. Presently that clownish person upstarting, desired that adventure: whereat the Queen much wondering, and the lady much gainsaying, yet he earnestly importuned his desire. In the end the lady told him, that unless that armour, which she brought, would serve him (that is, the armour of a Christian man, specified by St Paul, vi. Ephes.) he could not succeed in that enterprise; which being forthwith put upon him with due furnitures thereunto, he seemed the goodliest man in all that company, and was well liked of the lady. And eftsoons3 taking on him knighthood, and mounting on that strange courser, he went forth with her on that adventure; where beginneth the first book, viz. than by rule. So have I laboured to do in the which during that feast she might not refuse; person of Arthur: whom I conceive, after his which was that he might have the achievelong education by Timon, to whom he was by ment of any adventure, which during that Merlin delivered to be brought up, so soon as feast should happen. That being granted, he was born of the Lady Igrayne, to have seen he rested him on the floor, as unfit, through in a dream or vision the Faerie Queen, with his rusticity, for a better place. Soon after whose excellent beauty ravished, he awaking entered a fair lady in mourning weeds, riding resolved to seek her out; and so being by Merlin armed, and by Timon throughly instructed, he went to seek her forth in Faerie Land. In that Faerie Queen I mean Glory in my general intention, but in my particular I conceive the most excellent and glorious person of our Sovereign the Queen, and her kingdom in Faerie Land. And yet, in some places else, I do otherwise shadow her. For considering she beareth two persons, the one of a most royal Queen or Empress, the other of a most virtuous and beautiful lady, this latter part in some places I do express in Belphoebe, fashioning her name according to your own excellent conceit of Cynthia Phoebe and Cynthia being both names of Diana. So in the person of Prince Arthur I set forth Magnificence in particular; which Virtue, for that (according to Aristotle and the rest) it is the perfection of all the rest, and containeth in it them all, therefore in the whole I mention the deeds of Arthur applyable to that Virtue, which I write of in that book. But of the twelve other Virtues, I make twelve other knights the patterns, for the more variety of the history of which these three books contain three. The first, of the Knight of the Redcross, in whom I express Holiness: The second, of Sir Guyon, in whom I set forth Temperance: The third, of Britomartis, a lady knight, in whom I picture Chastity. But, because the beginning of the whole work seemeth abrupt and as depending upon other antecedents, it needs that ye know the occasion of these three knights' several adventures; for the method of a poet historical is not such, as of an historiographer. For an historiographer discourseth of affairs orderly as they were done, accounting as well the times as the actions; but a poet thrusteth into the midst, even where it most concerneth him, and there recoursing to the things forepast, and divining of things to come, maketh a pleasing analysis of all. The beginning therefore of my history, if it were to be told by an historiographer, should be the twelfth book, which is the last; where I devise that the Faerie Queen kept her annual feast twelve days; upon which twelve several days, the occasions of the twelve several adventures happened, which, being undertaken by twelve several knights, are in these twelve books severally handled and discoursed. The first was this. In the beginning of the feast, there presented himself a tall clownish young man, who, falling before the Queen of Faeries, desired a boon (as the manner then was) A gentle Knight was pricking on the plain, &c.4 The second day there came in a palmer, bearing an infant with bloody hands, whose parents he complained to have been slain by an enchantress called Acrasia: and therefore craved of the Faery Queen, to appoint him some knight, to perform that adventure; which being assigned to Sir Guyon, he presently went forth with that same palmer: which is the beginning of the second book and the whole subject thereof. The third day there came in a groom, who complained before the Faery Queen, that a vile enchanter, called Busirane, had in hand a most fair lady, called Amoretta, whom he kept in most grievous torment, because she would not yield him the pleasure of her body. Whereupon Sir Scudamour, the lover of that lady, presently took on him that adventure. But being unable to perform it by reason of the hard enchantments, after long sorrow, in the end he met with Britomartis, who succoured him, and rescued his love. But, by occasion hereof, many other adventures are intermedled, but rather as accidents, than intendments:6 As the love of Britomart, the overthrow of Marinell, the misery of Florimell, the virtuousness of Belphoebe, the lasciviousness of Hellenora, and many the like. This much, Sir, I have 3 Immediately. What is said here explains the fifth line of the First Book-Yet arms till that time did he never wield." 5 Intermingled. 6 Deliberate parts of the plan. briefly overrun to direct your understanding to the well-head of the history, that, from thence gathering the whole intention of the conceit, ye may as in a handful gripe1 all the discourse, which otherwise may haply seem tedious and confused. So, humbly craving the continuance of your honourable favour toward me, and the eternal establishment of your happiness, I humbly take leave. Yours most humbly affectionate, Jan. 23, 1589. VERSES ADDRESSED BY THE AUTHOR OF THE FAERIE QUEEN TO SEVERAL NOBLEMEN, ETC. To the Right Honourable Sir Christopher Hatton,2 Lord High Chancellor of England, &c. THOSE prudent heads, that with their counsels wise Whilóm 3 the pillars of th' earth did sustain, And taught ambitious Rome to tyrannise And on the neck of all the world to reign, Oft from those grave affairs were wont abstain, With the sweet lady Muses for to play : So Ennius the elder Africain," So Maro oft did Cæsar's cares allay. So you, great Lord, that with your counsel sway The burden of this kingdom mightily, With like delights sometimes may eke delay 6 The rugged brow of careful Policy; And to these idle rhymes lend little space, Which for their title's sake may find more grace. E. S. To the Right Honourable the Lord Burleigh,7 To you, right noble Lord, whose careful breast The burden of this kingdom's government (As the wide compass of the firmament On Atlas' mighty shoulders is upstay'd), The labour of lost time, and wit unstay'd: And the dim veil, with which from common view Their fairer parts are hid, aside be laid, Perhaps not vain they may appear to you. Such as they be, vouchsafe them to receive, And wipe their faults out of your censure grave. E. S. 1 Grasp. 2 Made Lord Chancellor in 1587; he died in 1591. 3 Of old time. 4 Publius Cornelius Scipio, surnamed "Africanus" from his exploits in Africa. His adoptive son, Publius Emilianus Scipio-son of Paulus Æmilius-also distinguished himself in Africa, and was termed "Africanus Junior." 5 Virgil; whose full name was Publius Virgilius Maro. 6 Allay; soften. 7 William Cecil, created Baron of Burghley 1571; he was Elizabeth's most famous Minister, and died in 1598. 8 Management; French, "ménage." To the Right Honourable the Earl of Oxford, And also for the love which thou dost bear dear: Dear as thou art unto thyself, so love,- To the Right Honourable the Earl of THE sacred Muses have made always claim And registers of everlasting fame T'embrace the service of sweet Poetry, By whose endeavours they are glorified; And eke from all, of whom it is envíed,14 To patronize the author of their praise, Which gives them life that else would soon have died, And crowns their ashes with immortal bays. To thee therefore, right noble Lord, I send This present of my pains, it to defend. E. S. To the Right Honourable the Earl of Cumberland.15 REDOUBTED Lord, in whose courageous mind The flower of chivalry, now bloss'ming fair, Doth promise fruit worthy the noble kind 16 Which of their praises have you left the heir; 9 Edward de Vere, seventeenth Earl, who died in 1604; all his ancestors, except the tenth and eleventh Earls, had held the office of chamberlain, as did himself and his son, Henry. He wrote verses, among them a "Dialogue between Fancy and Desire." 10 Favour. 12 The Muses, the children of Helicon, 13 Henry Percy, nephew of Thomas Percy, who was beheaded at York in 1572; the nephew succeeded his father Henry in 1585, and he died in 1632. 11 Bite. 14 Regarded with jealousy or dislike. 15 George Clifford, third Earl; he had in 1587 done good service against the Spaniards in the West Indies; he died in 1605. 16 Race, ancestry. To the most Honourable and excellent Lord the MAGNIFIC Lord, whose virtues excellent Naught is thy worth disparaged thereby. Do yet but flag and lowly learn to fly,- To the last praises of this Faery Queen ; Then shall it make most famous memory Of thine heroic parts, such as they been: 6 Till then, vouchsafe thy noble countenance To their first labour's needed furtherance. E. S. of the Noble Order of the Garter, and one of AND ye, brave Lord,-whose goodly personage E. S. To the Right Honourable the Lord of Hunsdon, 15 To the Right Honourable the Earl of Ormond That all posterity thy honour may rehearse. and Ossory.? RECEIVE, most noble Lord, a simple taste Of the wild fruit which salvage 8 soil hath bred; Which, being through long wars left almost waste, With brutish barbarism is overspread : E. S. E. S. To the most renowned and valiant Lord, the MOST noble Lord, the pillar of my life, I now do live bound yours by vassalage weave 8 In salvage soil, far from Parnassus Mount, And roughly wrought in an unlearned loom : To the Right Honourable the Lord Charles How-The which vouchsafe, dear Lord, your favourard, Lord high Admiral of England, 12 Knight 1 Essays, trials. 2 Robert Devereux, who succeeded his father Walter in the Earldom in 1576; he was Queen Elizabeth's favourite, made Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland 1599, and beheaded 1601. 3 Disdain; from Italian, "sdegnare." 4 Fleet, swift. 5 Ascend; German, "steigen," to climb, mount. 6 Are. 7 Lieutenant-General of the Army in Ireland when able doom.21 9 Read of, found. 11 As worthy of your esteem. 12 Who commanded at sea Armada in 1588. 14 With faithful resemblance. E. S. 10 Equal; rival. against the Spanish 13 Grown. To the Right Honourable the Lord of Buckhurst,1 one of her Majesty's Privy Council. IN vain I think, right honourable Lord, By this rude rhyme to memorize thy name, Whose learned Muse hath writ her own recórd In golden verse, worthy immortal fame : Thou much more fit (were leisure to the same) Thy gracious Sov'reign's praises to compile, And her imperial Majesty to frame In lofty numbers and heroic style. But, since thou may'st not so, give leave a while To baser wit his power therein to spend, Whose gross defaults thy dainty pen may file," And unadvised oversights amend. But evermore vouchsafe it to maintain Against vile Zoilus' backbitings vain. E. S. To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Walsing- THAT Mantuan poet's 4 incomparëd 5 spirit, Flies for like aid unto your patronage E. S. To the Right Noble Lord and most valiant Captain, Sir John Norris, Knight, Lord Presi dent of Munster. WHO ever gave more honourable prize To the sweet Muse, than did the martial crew, That their brave deeds she might immortalize In her shrill trump, and sound their praises due? Who then ought more to favour her than you, Most noble Lord, the honour of this age, 1 Thomas Sackville, who was created Earl of Dorset in 1603. He was in his youth a poet, but, betaking himself to politics, became Lord Treasurer and Privy Councillor to the Queen. 2 Polish. To the Right Noble and Valorous Knight, Sir And dainty Love learn'd sweetly to indite. Fitter perhaps to thunder martial stowre,13 When so thee list thy lofty Muse to raise : Yet, till that thou thy poem wilt make known, Let thy fair Cynthia's 14 praises be thus rudely shown. E. S. To the Right Honourable and most virtuous Lady, the Countess of Pembroke. REMEMBRANCE of that most heroic spirit,15— The Heaven's pride, the glory of our days, Which now triúmpheth (through immortal merit Of his brave virtues) crown'd with lasting bays Of heavenly bliss and everlasting praise; In the divine resemblance of your face; peditions abroad, and busied in affairs of State at home. 11 Queen Elizabeth's. 12 Jar on; be ill-timed to. 13 Conflict, strife. 14 In Raleigh's poem of "Cynthia," as in Spenser's Faerie Queen, the praises of his royal mistress were sung under an allegory. See the introductory letter to Raleigh. Cynthia is one of the names of Diana. 3 A rhetorician of Thrace, whose name became a proverb for a carping and envious critic, through his abusive and bitter strictures on the works of Homer, Hesiod, Demosthenes, Aristotle, Plato, and others. His great delight was to be known as "Homero-mastyx," the Homer-scourger. 4 Virgil. 15 The Countess was the sister of the chivalrous and 5 Matchless, unrivalled. 6 Praise, esteem. accomplished Sir Philip Sidney, the author of "Arca7 Follow. 8 Counsel, prudence. 9 Pledge. dia" and of the "Defence of Poetry." He was mor10 Raleigh was at this time at the height of royal tally wounded at the battle of Zutphen, in the Netherfavour and of activity; incessantly planning ex-lands, in 1586. |