Spenser's The Faerie Queene, Book I

by Edmund Spenser

THE FAERIE QUEENE

CONTAINING

THE LEGENDE OF THE KNIGHT OF THE RED CROSSE,
OR OF HOLINESSE

I

Lo I the man,[°] whose Muse whilome did maske,

As time her taught, in lowly Shepheards weeds,

Am now enforst a far unfitter taske,

For trumpets sterne to chaunge mine Oaten reeds,

And sing of Knights and Ladies[°] gentle deeds;