English Poetry I: From Chaucer to Gray.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| 80. Rudely Thou Wrongest My Dear Heart’s Desire |
| | | Edmund Spenser (1552–1599) |
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| RUDELY thou wrongest my dear heart’s desire, | |
| In finding fault with her too portly pride: | |
| The thing which I do most in her admire, | |
| Is of the world unworthy most envied; | |
| For in those lofty looks is close implied | 5 |
| Scorn of base things, and ’sdain of foul dishonour, | |
| Threatening rash eyes which gaze on her so wide, | |
| That loosely they ne dare to look upon her. | |
| Such pride is praise, such portliness is honour, | |
| That boldened innocence bears in her eyes; | 10 |
| And her fair countenance, like a goodly banner, | |
| Spreads in defiance of all enemies. | |
| Was never in this world aught worthy tried, | |
| Without some spark of such self-pleasing pride. | |
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