The LIFE of EDMUND SPENSER. A S the reign of Queen Elizabeth is one of the moft fhining parts of our history, and an age of which Englishmen are accustomed to speak with a particular pride and delight; it is remarkable for having been fruitful in eminent genius's of very different kinds. Among the Romans the age of Auguftus is obferved to have produced the finest Wits, but the preceding one the greatest men. But this was a period of time diftinguished for both; and by a wonderful conjunction, we find learning and arms, wifdom and polite arts arifing to the greateft heights together. ๆ In this happy reign flourished Edmund Spenfer, the moft eminent of our poets till that time, unless we except Chaucer, who was in fome refpects his mafter and original. The accounts of his birth and family are but obfcure and imperfect; and it has happened to him, as to many other men of wit and learning, to be much better known by his works than by the hiftory of his life. He was born in London, and had his education at Pembroke Hall in Cambridge. Though in the dedications of one or two of his poems, we find him claiming affinity with fome perfons of diftinction, yet his fortune and intereft feem at his firft fetting out to have been very inconfiderable: For after he had continued in the college for fome time, and laid that foundation of learning, which joined to his natural genius, qualified him for rifing to fo great an excellency afterwards, he stood for a fellowship in competition with Mr. Andrews, afterwards bilhop of Winchester, but without fuccefs. This difappointment, together with the narrowness of his circumftances, forced him from the univerfity. And we find him next taking up his refidence with fome friends in the North, where he fell in love with his Rofalind, whom he fo finely celebrates in his paftoral poems, and of whofe cruelty he has written fuch pathetical complaints. As poetry is frequently the offspring of Love and retirement, it is probable his genius began firft to dif tinguish it felf about this time; for the Shepherd's Calender, which is fo full of his unprofperous paflion for RoJalind, was the first of his works of any note. This he addreffed, by a fhort dedication in verfe, to Sir Philip Sidney; concealing himself under the humble title of Immerito. Sir Philip was then in the highest reputation for his wit, gallantry, and polite accomplishments; and indeed feems to have been the most universally admired and beloved of any one gentleman of the age in which he lived. As he was himself a very good writer, and efpecially excelled in the fabulous or inventive part of poetry, it is no wonder he foon became fenfible of our author's |