ENGLISH POETRY. PART THE THIRD. EXTRACTS FROM THE FAERIE QUEENE.a A GENTLE knight was pricking on the plaine, And on his brest a bloodie crosse he bore, For soveraine hope, which in his helpe he had. The difference between the ancient and modern form of spelling will afford a useful exercise in orthography. b Riding. H A lovely ladie rode him faire beside, The day with cloudes was suddeine overcast, Did poure into his lemans lap so fast, That everie wight to shroud it did constrain; And this faire couple eke to shroud themselves were fain. Enforst to seek some covert nigh at hand, And all within were pathes and alleies wide, Faire harbour that them seems; so in they entered are. And foorth they passe, with pleasure forward led, This wize did they each other entertaine To passe the tedious travell of the way; Folded over. Till towards night they came unto a plaine, And nigh thereto a little chappel stoode, Deckt all the roofe, and, shadowing the roode,d Whenas these knights arrived, they wist not where nor how. They stayd not there, but streightway in did pas: That could his good to all; and well did weene And soothly it was sayd by common fame, That he had bene a man of mickle name, Of warres delight and worlds contentious toyle, From all this worlds incumbrance did himself assoyle. He thence them led into his hermitage, Letting their steedes to graze upon d Cross. the greene: • Bid, or pray. Small was his house, and, like a little cage, Not with such forged showes as fitter beene SPENSER. MINISTERING ANGELS. AND is there care in Heaven? And is there love In heavenly spirits to these creatures bace, That may compassion of their evils move? There is-else much more wretched were the cace To serve to wicked man, to serve his wicked foe! How oft do they their silver bowers leave, O, why should heavenly God to men have such regard! SPENSER. |