The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 by Edmund Spenser
page 101 of 440 (22%)
page 101 of 440 (22%)
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For everie thing that is begun with reason
Will come by readie meanes unto his end; But things miscounselled must needs miswend. [_Miswend_, go wrong.] Thus therefore I advize upon the case: That not to anie certaine trade or place, 130 Nor anie man, we should our selves applie. For why should he that is at libertie Make himselfe bond? Sith then we are free borne. Let us all servile base subiection scorne; And as we bee sonnes of the world so wide, 135 Let us our fathers heritage divide, And chalenge to our selves our portions dew Of all the patrimonie, which a few Now hold in hugger mugger in their hand, [_In hugger mugger_, in secret] And all the rest doo rob of good and land: 140 For now a few have all, and all have nought, Yet all be brethren ylike dearly bought. There is no right in this partition, Ne was it so by institution Ordained first, ne by the law of Nature, 145 But that she gave like blessing to each creture As well of worldly livelode as of life, That there might be no difference nor strife, Nor ought cald mine or thine: thrice happie then Was the condition of mortall men. 150 That was the golden age of Saturne old, But this might better be the world of gold; For without golde now nothing wilbe got. |
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