Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/166

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EDMUND SPENSER

Poure out your blessing on us plentiously,

And happy influence upon us raine,

That we may raise a large posterity,

Which from the earth, which they may long possesse

With lasting happinesse,

Up to your haughty pallaces may mount,

And, for the guerdon of theyr glorious merit,

May heavenly tabernacles there inherit,

Of blessed Saints for to increase the count.

So let us rest, sweet love, in hope of this,

And cease till then our tymcly joycs to sing.

The woods no more us answer, nor our cccho ring'

Song 1 made in lieu of many ornaments ,

Wtth ZL kick my love should duly have been dect,

Which cutting of through hasty accidents^

Ye would not stay your dew time to exfect^

But fromist both to recomfens,

Be unto her a goodly ornament ,

And for short time an endlesse moniment.

��93 From 'Daphnaida?

An Elegy

SHE fell away in her first ages spring, Whil'st yet her leafe was greene, and fresh her rindc, And whil'st her braunch faire blossomes foorth did bring, She fell away against all course of kindc. For age to dye is right, but youth is wrong, She fel away like fruit blowne downc with winde. Weepe, Shepheard! weepe, to make my undersong.

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