The Faerie Queene

Opening of the book

Dedication to the Edition of 1590

To the most mightie and magnificent Empresse Elizabeth, by the grace of God Queene of England, France and Ireland Defender of the Faith &c.

Her most humble

Servant:

Ed. Spenser.

Dedication to the Edition of 1596
ТО
THE MOST HIGH,
MIGHTIE
And
MAGNIFICENT
EMPRESSE RENOVVMED FOR PIETIE, VERTVE, AND ALL GRATIOVS
GOVERNMENT ELIZABETH BY
THE GRACE OF GOD QVEENE
OF ENGLAND FRAVNCE AND
IRELAND AND OF VIRGINIA, DEFENDOVR OF THE
FAITH, &c. HER MOST
HVMBLE SERVAVNT
EDMVND SPENSER
DOTH IN ALL HVMILITIE DEDICATE, PRESENT
AND CONSECRATE THESE
HIS LABOVRS TO LIVE
WITH THE ETERNITIE OF HER
FAME.

Dedicatory Sonnets

Sonnet I

To the Right honourable Sir Christopher Hatton, Lord high Chauncelor of England, etc.

Those prudent heads, that with their counsels wise

Whylom the pillours of th’earth did sustaine,

And taught ambitious Rome to tyrannise

And in the neck of all the world to rayne;

Oft from those grave affaires were wont abstaine,

With the sweet Lady Muses for to play:

So Ennius the elder Africane,

So Maro oft did Caesars cares allay.

So you, great Lord, that with your counsell sway

The burdeine of this kingdom mightily,

With like delightes sometimes may eke delay

The rugged brow of carefull Policy;
And to these ydle rymes lend litle space,
Which for their titles sake may find more grace.

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