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

341 To seem a shepherd then he made his choice,
342 But Sidney heard him sing, and knew his voice.

Sidney > (Sir Philip Sidney, 1554-86, poet, soldier, and statesman:
one of the Queen's favourites. Close friend and mentor of Spenser.
Killed in action at Zutphen in the Netherlands)

343
344 And, as Ulysses brought fair Thetis'