A2 THE FOVRTH FOURTH BOOKE OF THE FAERIE QVEENE QUEENE . Containing The Legend of Cambel and Telamond, OR OF FRIENDSHIP.

[1] THe The rugged forhead that with graue grave foresight Welds kingdomes causes, & and affaires of state, My looser rimes (I wote) doth sharply wite, For praising loue love , as I haue have done of late, And magnifying louers lovers deare debate; By which fraile youth is oft to follie led, Through false allurement of that pleasing baite, That better were in vertues discipled, 1596.bk4.IV.proem.1.9. Then: Than Then Than with vaine poemes weeds to haue have their fancies fed. [2] Such ones ill iudge judge of loue love , that cannot loue love , Ne in their frosen hearts feele kindly flame: For thy they ought not thing vnknowne unknowne reproue reprove , Ne naturall affection faultlesse blame, For fault of few that haue have abusd the same. For it of honor and all vertue is The roote, and brings forth glorious flowres of fame, That crowne true louers lovers with immortall blis, The meed of them that loue love , and do not liue live amisse. [3] 2 THE IIII. BOOKE OF THE CANT. Which who so list looke backe to former ages, And call to count the things that then were donne, Shall find, that all the workes of those wise sages, And braue brave exploits which great Heroes wonne, In loue love were either ended or begunne: Witnesse the father of Philosophie, Which to his Critias, shaded oft from sunne, Of loue love full manie lessons did apply, The which these Stoicke censours cannot well deny. [4] To such therefore I do not sing at all, But to that sacred Saint my soueraigne soveraigne Queene, In whose chast breast all bountie naturall, And treasures of true loue love enlocked beene, Boue Bove all her sexe that euer ever yet was seene; To her I sing of loue love , that loueth loveth best, And best is lou’d lov’d of all aliue alive I weene: To her this song most fitly is addrest, The Queene of loue love , & and Prince of peace frõ from heauen heaven blest. [5] Which that she may the better deigne to heare, Do thou dred infant, Venus dearling doue dove , From her high spirit chase imperious feare, And vse use of awfull Maiestie Majestie remoue remove : In sted thereof with drops of melting loue love , Deawd with ambrosiall kisses, by thee gotten From thy sweete smyling mother from aboue above , Sprinckle her heart, and haughtie courage soften, That she may hearke to loue love , and reade this lesson often.