sorrow, in the end met with Britomartis, who succoured him, and reskewed his love.

But by occasion hereof, many other adventures are intermedled; but rather as accidents then intendments. As the love of Britomart, the overthrow of Marinell, the miserie of Florimell, the vertuousness of Belphoebe; and many the like.

Thus much, Sir, I have briefly-over-run to direct your understanding to the wel-head of the History, that from thence gathering the whole intention of the conceit, ye may as in a handfull gripe all the discourse, which otherwise may happely seem tedious and confused. So humbly craving the continuance of your honourable favour towards me, and th' eternall establishment of your happines, I humbly take leave.

Yours most humbly affectionate,

23 Januarie, 1589.

EDM. SPENSER.

BRITOMART.

I IT falls me1 here to write of chastity,
That fairest virtue far above the rest :
For which what needs me fetch from Faëry 2
Foreign ensamples it to have expressed?
Sith3 it is shrinèd in my sovereign's breast,
And formed so lively in each perfect part,
That to all ladies, which have it professed,
Need but behold the portrait of her heart;
If portrayed it might be by any living art :

2 But living art may not least part express,
Nor life-resembling pencil it can paint:
All were it Zeuxis5 or Praxiteles,"

His dædale hand would fail and greatly faint,
And her perfections with his error taint:

NOTE. Britomart is the knight of chastity. The name denotes a martial Britoness, as Spenser uses it. It is really one of the names of Diana.

Ne1 poet's wit, that passeth painter far

In picturing the parts of beauty daint,2
So hard a workmanship adventure darre,

For fear through want of words her excellence to mar.

3 How then shall I, apprentice of the skill

That whilom3 in divinest wits did reign,
Presume so high to stretch mine humble quill?
Yet now my luckless lot doth me constrain
Hereto perforce: but, O. dread sovereign,
Thus far forth pardon, sith that choicest wit
Cannot your glorious portrait figure plain,
That I in colored shows may shadow it;
And antique praises unto present persons fit.

4 But if in living colours, and right hue,
Thyself thou covet to see pictured,
Who can it do more lively, or more true,
Than that sweet verse, with nectar sprinkelèd
In which a gracious servant picturèd
His Cynthia, his heaven's fairest light?
That with his melting sweetness ravishèd,
And with the wonder of her beamës bright,
My senses lullèd are in slumber of delight.

5 But let that same delicious poet lend A little leave unto a rustic muse

1 Ne, nor.

2 Daint, dainty.

8 Whilom, formerly.

A gracious servant, i.e. Sir Walter Raleigh who wrote a

poem called "Cynthia." Queen Elizabeth, being unmarried, was often called Cynthia, - another for the virgin goddess,

name

Diana.

To sing his mistress' praise; and let him mend,

If ought amiss her liking may abuse:

Ne let his fairest Cynthia refuse

In mirrors more than one herself to see;

But either Gloriana1 let her choose,

Or in Belphoebe2 fashioned to be;

In th' one her rule, in th' other her rare chastity.

1 Gloriana, the queen of Faeryland, beloved by Prince Arthur.

2 Belphoebe, a character in books III and IV of the " Faery Queene."