Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenserwas an English poet best known for The Faerie Queene, an epic poem and fantastical allegory celebrating the Tudor dynasty and Elizabeth I. He is recognized as one of the premier craftsmen of nascent Modern English verse, and is often considered one of the greatest poets in the English language...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionPoet
taste
There is no disputing about taste.
discord lays
Discord oft in music makes the sweeter lay.
men may littles
For easy things, that may be got at will, Most sorts of men do set but little store.
hope mercy having-hope
Who will not mercy unto others show, How can he mercy ever hope to have?
justice lasts domes
But Justice, though her dome doom she doe prolong,Yet at the last she will her owne cause right.
hardest
Each goodly thing is hardest to begin.
change moving
But times do change and move continually.
fate heaven might
For we by conquest, of our soveraine might,And by eternall doome of Fate's decree,Have wonne the Empire of the Heavens bright.
stranger courtesy should
Ill seemes (sayd he) if he so valiant be, That he should be so sterne to stranger wight; For seldom yet did living creature see That courtesie and manhood ever disagree.
knights gentle faerie
A Gentle Knight was pricking on the plaine.
mistake flesh frailty
All flesh doth frailty breed!
free-will praise goodness
For if good were not praised more than ill, None would chuse goodness of his own free will.
yield brave spurs
Who would ever care to do brave deed, Or strive in virtue others to excel, If none should yield him his deserved meed Due praise, that is the spur of doing well? For if good were not praised more than ill, None would choose goodness of his own free will.
war sight wrath
Fly from wrath; sad be the sights and bitter fruits of war; a thousand furies wait on wrathful swords.