both by Arifto and Taffo, but improved by Spenfer, with the addition of a line more in the clofe, of the length of our alexandrines. The defect of it, in long or narrative poems is apparent. The fame measure, clofed always by a full ftop, in the fame place, by which every ftanza is made as it were a diftinct paragraph, grows tiresom by continual repetition, and frequently breaks the fenfe, when it ought to be carryed on without interruption. With this exception, the reader will however find it harmonious, full of well-founding epithets, and of fuch elegant turns on the thought and words, that Dryden himself owns he learned thefe graces of verse chiefly from our author; and does not fcruple to say, that in this particular only Virgil furpaffed him among the Romans, and only Waller among the English. Dedication to Juvenal, THE FIRST BOOK OF THE FAIRY QUEEN: CONTAINING, The legend of the Knight of the RED CROSS, or of HOLINESS. L I. OI the man, whofe mufe whylome did mafk, For trumpets ftern to change mine oaten reeds, To blazon 'broad, amongst her learned throng: Fierce wars, and faithful loves, fhall moralize my fong. II. Help then, O holy Virgin, chief of nine, O! help thou my weak wit, and fharpen my dull tong. B III. And thou moft dreaded imp of higheft Jove, After his murdrous fpoils and bloody rage allayd. And with them eke, O Goddess heavenly bright, Great Lady of the greatest ifle, whose light Like Phabus lamp throughout the world doth fhine, Shed thy fair beams into my feeble eyne, And raife my thoughts, too humble, and too vile, To think of that true glorious type of thine, The argument of mine afflicted ftile: The which to hear, vouchsafe, O dearest dread a-while. A gentle Knight was pricking on the plain, Yclad in mighty arms and filver shield, |