The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 by Edmund Spenser
page 70 of 440 (15%)
page 70 of 440 (15%)
![]() | ![]() |
|
Her owne like image in a christall brooke.
[* _Bit_, bite.] [** _Stud_, stock.] O the great happines which shepheards have, Who so loathes not too much the poore estate 90 With minde that ill use doth before deprave, Ne measures all things by the costly rate Of riotise, and semblants outward brave! No such sad cares, as wont to macerate And rend the greedie mindes of covetous men, 95 Do ever creepe into the shepheards den. Ne cares he if the fleece which him arayes Be not twice steeped in Assyrian dye; Ne glistering of golde, which underlayes* The summer beames, doe blinde his gazing eye; 100 Ne pictures beautie, nor the glauncing rayes Of precious stones, whence no good commeth by; Ne yet his cup embost with imagery Of Baetus or of Alcons vanity. [* _Underlayes_, surpasses.] Ne ought the whelky* pearles esteemeth hee, 105 Which are from Indian seas brought far away: But with pure brest, from carefull sorrow free, On the soft grasse his limbs doth oft display, In sweete spring time, when flowres varietie With sundrie colours paints the sprincled lay**; 110 There, lying all at ease from guile or spight, |
|