VII.

When I behold this tickle* trustles state

Of vaine worlds glorie, flitting too and fro,

And mortall men tossed by troublous fate

In restles seas of wretchednes and woe,

I wish I might this wearie life forgoe,

And shortly turne unto my happie rest,

Where my free spirite might not anie moe

Be vest with sights that doo her peace molest.

And ye, faire Ladie, in whose bounteous brest

All heavenly grace and vertue shrined is,

When ye these rythmes doo read, and vew the rest,

Loath this base world, and thinke of heavens blis:

And though ye be the fairest of Gods creatures,

Yet thinke that death shall spoyle your goodly features.

[* _Tickle_, uncertain.]

The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 · 第 160 / 327 题