Sir Walter Ralegh. "Another of the Same" [Spenser's 'Faerie Queene'].

ANOTHER OF THE SAME¹

[THE FAERIE QUEENE].

(1590.)

he praise of meaner wits this work like
profit brings,
As doth the cuckoo's song delight when
Philumema sings.
If thou hast formed right true virtue's face herein,
Virtue herself can best discern, to whom they written bin.
If thou hast beauty praised, let her sole looks divine
Judge if aught therein be amiss, and mend it by her eine.
If Chastity want aught, or Temperance her due,
Behold her princely mind aright, and write thy Queen anew.
Meanwhile she shall perceive how far her virtues soar
Above the reach of all that live, or such as wrote of yore:
And thereby will excuse and favour thy goodwill:
Whose virtue cannot be expressed but by an angel's quill.
Of me no lines are loved nor letters are of price,
Of all which speak our English tongue, but those of thy device.

¹ From the same; signed W. R.

Source:
Hannah, J., Ed. The Poems of Sir Walter Raleigh.
London: George Bell and Sons, 1891. 9.

to the Works of Sir Walter Ralegh