Publications of the Spenser Society (Volume 45) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1888. Excerpt: ... 7/ Epijlle of Rosamond to King Henry the second. (V) The Argument. Henry the second of that name, King of England, the son of Geffrey Plantaginet, Earle of Aniow, and Mawd the Empreffe, hauing by longsute and Princely gifts, won (to his vnlawfull desire) faire Rosamond, the daughter of the Lord Walter Clyfford, and to auoyde the danger of Ellinor his iealous Queene, had caused a Labyrinth to be made within his Pallace at Woodftocke, in the centre wherof he had lodged his beauteous paramour. Whilefl the king is absent in his warres in Normandie, this poore distreffed Lady, inclosed in this solitary place, toucht with remorce of conscience, writes to the king of her diflreffe and miserable estate, vrging him by all meanes and perfwafions, to cleere himselfe of this infamie, and her of the griefe of minde, by taking away her wretched life. IF yet thine eies (great Henry) may endure Thefe tainted lines, drawne with a hand impure, Which fain would blush, but feare keeps blushes back, And therefore/uted in difpairing black, This in loues name, O that thefe lips might craue, But that fweete name (vile I) prophaned haue, M Punish Punish my sault, or pittie mine estate, Reade it sor loue, is not sor loue, sor hate. Is with my shame thine eies thou saine wouldst seed, Heere let them surseit, on my shame to reede; This scribled paper which I send to thee, Is noted rightly, doth resemble mee; As this pure ground, whereon these letters stand, So pure was I, ere stained by thy hand; Ere I was blotted with this soule offence, So cleere and spotlesse was mine innocence, Now likethese markswhich taint this hatesul scroule, Such the blacke sinnes which spot my leprous soule. 0 Henry, why by losse thus fhouldst thou win? To get by conquest? to enrich with sinne? Why on my n..