The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 | Page 7

But sate long time in sencelesse sad affright, 475 Looking still, if I
might of her have sight.
Which when I missed, having looked long, My thought returned
greeved home againe, Renewing her complaint with passion strong, For
ruth of that same womans piteous paine; 480 Whose wordes recording
in my troubled braine, I felt such anguish wound my feeble heart, That
frosen horror ran through everie part.
So inlie greeving in my groning brest, And deepelie muzing at her
doubtfull speach, 485 Whose meaning much I labored foorth to wreste,
Being above my slender reasons reach, At length, by demonstration me
to teach, Before mine eies strange sights presented were, Like tragicke
pageants seeming to appeare. 490
I.
I saw an Image, all of massie gold, Placed on high upon an altare faire,
That all which did the same from farre beholde Might worship it, and
fall on lowest staire. Not that great idoll might with this compaire, 495
To which th'Assyrian tyrant would have made The holie brethren falslie
to have praid.
But th'altare on the which this image staid Was (O great pitie!) built of
brickle* clay, That shortly the foundation decaid, 500 With showres of
heaven and tempests worne away; Then downe it fell, and low in ashes
lay, Scorned of everie one which by it went; That I, it seing, dearelie
did lament. [* _Brickle_, brittle.]
II.
Next unto this a statelie Towre appeared, 505 Built all of richest stone
that might bee found, And nigh unto the heavens in height upreared,
But placed on a plot of sandie ground: Not that great towre which is so

much renownd For tongues confusion in Holie Writ, 510 King Ninus
worke, might be compar'd to it.
But, O vaine labours of terrestriall wit, That buildes so stronglie on so
frayle a soyle, As with each storme does fall away and flit, And gives
the fruit of all your travailes toyle 515 To be the pray of Tyme, and
Fortunes spoyle, I saw this towre fall sodainlie to dust, That nigh with
griefe thereof my heart was brust.
III.
Then did I see a pleasant Paradize, Full of sweete flowres and daintiest
delights, 520 Such as on earth man could not more devize, With
pleasures choyce to feed his cheereful sprights: Not that which Merlin
by his magicke slights Made for the gentle Squire, to entertaine His
fayre Belphoebe, could this gardine staine. 525
But O short pleasure bought with lasting paine! Why will hereafter anie
flesh delight In earthlie blis, and ioy in pleasures vaine? Since that I
sawe this gardine wasted quite, That where it was scarce seemed anie
sight; 530 That I, which once that beautie did beholde, Could not from
teares my melting eyes with-holde.
IV.
Soone after this a Giaunt came in place, Of wondrous power, and of
exceeding stature, That none durst vewe the horror of his face; 535 Yet
was he milde of speach, and meeke of nature. Not he which in despight
of his Creatour With railing tearmes defied the Iewish hoast, Might
with this mightie one in hugenes boast;
For from the one he could to th'other coast 540 Stretch his strong
thighes, and th'ocean overstride, And reatch his hand into his enemies
hoast. But see the end of pompe and fleshlie pride! One of his feete
unwares from him did slide, That downe hee fell into the deepe abisse,
545 Where drownd with him is all his earthlie blisse.
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
VI. I saw two Beares, as white as anie milke, Lying together in a
mightie cave, Of milde aspect, and haire as soft as silke, That salvage
nature seemed not to have, Nor after greedie spoyle of blood to crave:
565 Two fairer beasts might not elswhere be found, Although the
compast* world were sought around. [* _Compast_, rounded.]
But what can long abide above this ground In state of blis, or stedfast
happinesse? The cave in which these beares lay sleeping sound Was but
earth, and with her owne weightinesse 571 Upon them fell, and did
unwares oppresse; That, for great sorrow of their sudden fate,
Henceforth