IV.

New yeare, forth looking out of Ianus gate,

Doth seeme to promise hope of new delight,

And, bidding th’old adieu, his passed date

Bids all old thoughts to die in dumpish* spright;

And calling forth out of sad Winters night

Fresh Love, that long hath slept in cheerlesse bower,

Wils him awake, and soone about him dight

His wanton wings and darts of deadly power.

For lusty Spring now in his timely howre

Is ready to come forth, him to receive;

And warns the Earth with divers colord flowre

To decke hir selfe, and her faire mantle weave.

Then you, faire flowre! in whom fresh youth doth raine,

Prepare your selfe new love to entertaine.

[l _Dumpish_, mournful.]

The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 · 第 191 / 327 题