Whatever is rung on that noisy bell- The dove in the belfry must hear it well. When the tongue swings out to the midnight moon, When the clock strikes clear at morning light, He broods on his folded feet unstirred, LADY UNA AND THE LION. EDMUND SPENSER. EDMUND SPENSER was a famous English poet who lived in the time of Queen Elizabeth. He was born in London in 1553 and received his education at Cambridge, where he was a sizar. There is a mulberry tree, which Spenser is said to have planted, still standing in the garden of the college. His early boyhood was passed in London, with frequent visits among the glens of northern England. Spenser left Cambridge when he was twenty-four years old, and spent several years with his relations in the north of England. On his return to London, he published a series of twelve poems named after the months, and called "The Shephearde's Calender." This gained him a name as the first poet of the day. The next summer he went to Ireland as secretary to Lord Grey. Several years later he was awarded the Castle of Kilcolman 20 for his services. Here he was visited by Sir Walter Raleigh. Spenser had written three books of "The Faerie Queene," his greatest poem, and Raleigh listened to them as the two poets sat beneath the alder trees beside the River Mulla, which flowed through the castle grounds. Raleigh was delighted with the 25 poem, and persuaded Spenser to accompany him to England, where he was presented to the Queen. The first three books of "The Faerie Queene" were dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. It was the first great allegorical poem that England had produced, and it has never lost its power. 30 10 Spenser possessed a wonderful imagination, and had but to close his eyes and he was in an enchanted land. "The Faerie Queene" is the story of noble knights fighting against wrong, and a beautiful lady rescued from danger. 5 Only six books of the twelve which Spenser planned were published. The last years of Spenser's life were filled with sadness. During a rebellion his castle was burnt, and he and his family fled to England. He died in London in 1599, at the age of forty-six, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. NOUGHT is there under heaven's wide hallowness Which I do owe unto all womankind, Feel my heart pierced with so great agony, When such I see, that all for pity I could die. And now it is empassionèd so deep, For fairest Una's sake, of whom I sing, Is from her Knight divorced in despair, And her due loves derived to that vile Witch's share. Yet she, most faithful Lady all this while, Far from all people's press, as in exile, Through that late vision which th' Enchanter wrought, Through woods and wasteness wide him daily sought; Yet wished tidings none of him unto her brought. One day, nigh weary of the irksome way, It fortunèd, out of the thickest wood Hunting full greedy after savage blood: And, with the sight amazed, forgat his furious force. Instead thereof, he kiss'd her weary feet, O, how can beauty master the most strong, "The lion, lord of every beast in field," Her that him loved, and ever most adored As the god of my life? why hath he me abhorr'd?" Redounding tears did choke th' end of her plaint, To seek her strayèd Champion if she might attain. |