MISCELLANEOUS POEMS.

Page

263

TAE SHEPHEARDS CALENDER...

MUIOPOTMOS: OR THE FATE OF THE BUTTERFLIE

381

THE SIXTH BOOKE

OF

THE FAERIE QUEENE

CONTAYNING

THE LEGEND OF SIR CALIDORF, oŘ OF COURTESIE.

I.

THE waies, through which my wearý steps 1 guyde
In this delightfull land of Faëry; i.
Are so exceeding spacious and wyde,
And sprinckled with such sweet varfety.
Of all that pleasant is to eare or eye,
That I, nigh ravisht with rare thoughts delight,
My tedious travell doe forget thereby;

And, when I gint to feele decay of might,
It strength to me supplies and chears my. dulled spright.

II.

Such secret comfort and such heavenly pleasures,
. Ye sacred Imps, that on Parnasso dwell,
And there the keeping have of Learnings threasures
Which doe all worldly riches farre excell,
Into the mindes of mortall men doe well,
And goodly fury 2 into them infuse;
Guyde ye my footing, and conduct me well

1

Well, cause to flow.

: Fury, inspiration.

In these strange wajes where never footë did use,
Ne none can find but who was taught them by the Muse:

HII.
Revele to me, the sacred noursery
QF Vertue, which with you doth there remaine,

Where it in siłyed bowre does hidden ly
- From View of men and wicked worlds disdaine ;
Since it at first was by the Gods with painel
Planted in earth, being deriv'd at furst
From heavenly seedes of bounty -soveraine,

And by them long with carefull Jabour nurst,
Till it to ripenosse gfew, and forth to honour barst.

IV..
Amongst them all growes not a fayrer flowre
Then 2 is the bloosme of Comely Courtesie;
Which thợugh it gn a'lowly stalke doe-boyre,
Yet brancheth. forth in brave nobilitie,'.
And spreds itselfe through all eivilítie:*
Of which though present age doe płenteous soepe,
Yet, being matchts with plaine antiquitie,

Ye will them all but fayned Showes esteeme,
Which carry colours faire that feeble eies misdeenie

V:
But, in the trial of tree Curtéste,
Its now, so farfe from that which then it was,
That'it indeed is rought but forgerie,
Fashion d to please the eies of them that pas,
Which see not perfect things, but in a glas:
Yet is that glasse so gay that it can. Blynd:
The wisdot sights to thinke gold that is brás":

Paine, difficulty • Then, thải..

3. Bowit, lodge, grow.

Misdeemė, judge wrongly of