VERSES

TO THE

AUTHOR OF THE FAERIE QUEENE.

A VISION

UPON THIS CONCEIPT OF THE FAERY QUEENE.

ME thought I saw the grave where Laura lay,
Within that Temple where the vestall flame
Was wont to burne; and passing by that way
To see that buried dust of living fame,
Whose tomb faire Love, and fairer Virtue kept,
All suddenly I saw the Faery Queene:

At whose approch the soule of Petrarke wept,
And from thenceforth those Graces were not seene;
(For they this Queene attended;) in whose steed
Oblivion laid him down on Lauras herse:
Hereat the hardest stones were seene to bleed,
And grones of buried ghostes the hevens did perse:
Where Homers spright did tremble all for griefe,
And curst th' accesse of that celestiall Theife.
W. R.

ANOTHER OF THE SAME.

THE

prayse of meaner wits this Worke like profit brings,

[sings.

As doth the Cuckoes song delight when Philumena