326 Even of the fairest that the world has seen. 327 H. B.
H. B. > (Not identifiable)
328 329 330 WHen stout Achilles heard of Helens rape 331 And what reuenge the States of Greece deuisd: 332 Thinking by sleight the fatall warres to scape, 333 In womans weedes him selfe he then disguisde: 334 But this deuice Vlysses soone did spy, 335 And brought him forth, the chaunce of warre to try. 336 337 When Spencer saw the fame was spredd so large, 338 Through Faery land of their renowned Queene: 339 Loth that his Muse should take so great a charge, 340 As in such haughty matter to be seene, 341 To seeme a shepeheard then he made his choice, 342 But Sydney heard him sing, and knew his voice. 343 344 And as Vlysses brought faire Thetis sonne 345 From his retyred life to menage armes: 346 So Spencer was by Sidneys speaches wonne, 347 To blaze her fame not fearing future harmes: 348 For well he knew, his Muse would soone be tyred 349 In her high praise, that all the world admired. 350 351 Yet as Achilles in those warlike frayes, 352 Did win the palme from all the Grecian Peeres: 353 So Spencer now to his immortall prayse, 354 Hath wonne the Laurell quite from all his feres. 355 What though his taske exceed a humaine witt, 356 He is excus'd, sith Sidney thought it fitt. 357 W. L. 358 329 330 When stout Achilles heard of Helen's rape
stout > bold, brave
Achilles > (See Iliad 9.410 ff.)
331 And what revenge the states of Greece devised: 332 Thinking by sleight the fatal wars to scape,
scape > escape
333 In woman's weeds himself he then disguised:
weeds > clothing
334 But this device Ulysses soon did spy, 335 And brought him forth, the chance of war to try. 336 337 When Spenser saw the fame was spread so large, 338 Through Faery Land of their renowned Queen: 339 Loath that his Muse should take so great a charge, 340 As in such haughty matter to be seen,
haughty > noble, high-minded