arts; sister of Sir Philip Sidney)

671
672 Remembrance of that most heroic spirit,

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

673 The heavens' pride, the glory of our days,
674 Which now triumphs through immortal merit
675 Of his brave virtues, crowned with lasting bays

brave > splendid; courageous
bays > (Leaves or sprigs of the laurel, used to make a wreath for
conquerors or poets)

676 Of heavenly bliss and everlasting praise;
677 Who first my Muse did lift out of the floor,
678 To sing his sweet delights in lowly lays;

lays > songs, poems

679 Bids me, most noble lady, to adore
680 His goodly image living evermore,

goodly > well-favoured; gracious

681 In the divine resemblance of your face;
682 Which with your virtues you embellish more,
683 And native beauty deck with heavenly grace:
684 For his, and for your own especial sake,
685 Vouchsafe from him this token in good worth to take.

in good worth > at its true value; in good part

686 _E. S._
687
688
689 To the most vertuous, and beautifull Lady,
690 _the Lady Carew_.
691
692 NE may I, without blot of endlesse blame,
693 You fairest Lady leaue out of this place,
694 But with remembraunce of your gracious name,
695 Wherewith that courtly garlond most ye grace,
696 And deck the world, adorne these verses base:
697 Not that these few lines can in them comprise
698 Those glorious ornaments of heuenly grace,
699 Wherewith ye triumph ouer feeble eyes,
700 And in subdued harts do tyranyse:
701 For thereunto doth need a golden quill,
702 And siluer leaues, them rightly to deuise,
703 But to make humble present of good will:
704 Which whenas timely meanes it purchase may,
705 In ampler wise it selfe will forth display.
706 E. S.
707
688
689 _To the Most Virtuous and Beautiful Lady,
690 the Lady Carey_

Lady Carey > (Lady Elizabeth Spencer Carey (or Carew), the Elder (fl.
1590), patroness of poets; dedicatee of Spenser's _Muiopotmos_
(1590))

691
692 Nor may I, without blot of endless blame,
693