Edmund Spenser (c. 1552-1599)

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Know that there's a Spenserian stanza AND a Spenserian sonnet; and that he kinda writes like a Chaucer fraud, i.e., he tries to sound a lot like Chaucer - but if you're familiar with Chaucer's works it won't be a problem distinguishing one from the other based on the content of the work


The Faerie Queene

• a long allegory of Christian virtues tied to King Arthur mythology
• advocation of Protestant virtues
• the Faerie Queene, Gloriana, refers to Queen Elizabeth 1 - Spenser connects her with King Arthur's line
• characters: Britomart, Duessa, Redcrosse, Una (Redcrosse's companion)
• Redcrosse is the knight of Holiness who is eager to serve the Lord but who often gets into unforeseen trouble. He is misled by the witch Duessa and suffers, but with Faith, Hope and Charity, he manages to recover and slays the dragon which represents all the evil in the world
• Britomart learns how to control her lust and love with moderation
• written in Spenserian stanza

The poem begins:

Lo I the man, whose Muse whilome did maske,

As time her taught in lowly Shepheards wees,

Am now enforst a far unfitter taske,

For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds,

And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds;

Whose prayses having slept in silence long,

Me, all too meane, the sacred Muse areeds

To blazon broad amongst her learned throng:

Fierce warres and faithful loves shall moralize my song.

The Shepheard's Calendar

• collection of eclogues
• a pastoral allegory
• written from the point of view of various shepherds throughout the months of the year
• characters include Colin Clout, Hobbinol, Rosalind

The Amoretti and "Epithalamium" 

• sonnet cycle of 89 sonnets
• written in Spenserian sonnet form
• describes his courtship and eventual marriage to Elizabeth Boyle

Sonnet no. LXX - "Whilst it is Prime"

Fresh spring, the herald of love's mighty king,

IN whose coat-armour richrly are displayd

All sorts of flowers, the which on earth do spring,

In goodly colors gloriously arrayd-

Goe to my love, where she is careless layd,

Yet in her winters bowre not well awake;

Tell her the joyous time wil not be staid,

Unlesse she doe him by the forelock take;

Bid her therfore her seife soone ready make,

To wayt on Love amongst his lovely crew;

Where every one, that misseth then her make,

Shall be by him amearst with penance dew.

Make hast, therefore, sweet love, whilst it is prime;

For none can call againe the passed time.

• includes "Epithalamium":

"Epithalamium" (first stanza)

Ye learned sisters, which have oftentimes

Beene to me ayding, others to adorne,

Whom ye thought worthy for your gracefull rymes,

That even the greatest did not greatly scorne

To heare theyr names sung in your simple layes,

     But joyed in theyr praise;

And when ye list your owne mishaps to mourne,

Which death, or love, or fortunes wreck did rayse,

Your string could soone to sadder tenor turne,

And teach the woods and waters to lament

      Your doleful dreriment:

Now lay those sorrowfull complaints aside,

And having all your heads with girland crownd,

Helpe me mine owne loves prayses to resound;

Ne let the same of any be envide:

So Orpheus did for his owne bride:

So I unto my selfe alone will sing;

The woods shall to me answer, and my eccho ring.