Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/152

 EDMUND SPENSER

With gifts of wit, and ornaments of nature,

Fit for so goodly stature,

That like the twins of Jove they seem'd in sight,

Which decke the Bauldricke of the Heavens bright;

They two, forth pacing to the Rivers side,

Received those two faire Brides, their Loves delight;

Which, at th' appointed tyde,

Each one did make his Bryde

Against their Brydale day, which is not long:

Sweetc Themmes' runne softly, till I end my Song.

��92 Efithalamion

YE learned sisters, which have oftentimes Beene to me ay ding, others to adorne, Whom ye thought worthy of your gracefull rymes, That even the greatest did not greatly scorne To heare theyr names sung in your simple layes, But joyed in thcyr praise;

And when ye list your owne mishaps to mournc, Which death, or love, or fortunes wreck did raysc, Your string could soone to sadder tenor turne, And teach the woods and waters to lament Your doleful 1 drcnment Now lay those sorrowfull complaints aside; And, having all your heads with girlands crownd, Helpe me mine owne loves prayses to resound; Ne let the same of any be envidc So Orpheus did for his owne bride' So I unto my selfe alone will sing, The woods shall to me answer, and mv Eccho ring.

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