V.

Then did I see a Bridge, made all of golde,

Over the sea from one to other side,

Withouten prop or pillour it t’upholde,

But like the coloured rainbowe arched wide: 550

Not that great arche which Traian edifide,

To be a wonder to all age ensuing,

Was matchable to this in equall vewing.

But ah! what bootes it to see earthlie thing

In glorie or in greatnes to excell, 555

Sith time doth greatest things to ruine bring?

This goodlie bridge, one foote not fastned well,

Gan faile, and all the rest downe shortlie fell,

Ne of so brave a building ought remained,

That griefe thereof my spirite greatly pained. 560

The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 · 第 32 / 327 题