The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 288 pages of information about The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5.

The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 288 pages of information about The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5.
Or like a pilgrime, or a lymiter, 85
     [Lymiter, I.e. a friar licensed to beg within a certain
district.]
Or like a gipsen, or a iuggeler,
     [Gipsen, gypsy.]
And so to wander to the worlds ende,
To seeke my fortune, where I may it mend: 
For worse than that I have I cannot meete. 
Wide is the world I wote, and everie streete 90
Is full of fortunes and adventures straunge,
Continuallie subiect unto chaunge. 
Say, my faire brother now, if this device
Doth like you, or may you to like entice.” 
“Surely,” said th’Ape, “it likes me wondrous well; 95
And would ye not poore fellowship expell,
My selfe would offer you t’accompanie
In this adventures chauncefull ieopardie. 
For to wexe olde at home in idlenesse
Is disadventrous, and quite fortunelesse:  100
Abroad, where change is, good may gotten bee.” 
The Foxe was glad, and quickly did agree: 
So both resolv’d, the morrow next ensuing,
So soone as day appeard to peoples vewing,
On their intended iourney to proceede; 105
And over night, whatso theretoo did neede
Each did prepare, in readines to bee. 
The morrow next, so soone as one might see
Light out of heavens windowes forth to looke,
Both their habiliments unto them tooke, 110
And put themselves, a Gods name, on their way. 
Whenas the Ape, beginning well to wey
This hard adventure, thus began t’advise: 
“Now read, Sir Reynold, as ye be right wise,
What course ye weene is best for us to take, 115
That for our selves we may a living make. 
Whether shall we professe some trade or skill? 
Or shall we varie our device at will,
Even as new occasion appeares? 
Or shall we tie our selves for certaine yeares 120
To anie service, or to anie place? 
For it behoves, ere that into the race
We enter, to resolve first hereupon.” 
“Now surely, brother,” said the Foxe anon,
“Te have this matter motioned in season:  125
For everie thing that is begun with reason
Will come by readie meanes unto his end;
But things miscounselled must needs miswend.
     [Miswend, go wrong.]
Thus therefore I advize upon the case: 
That not to anie certaine trade or place, 130
Nor anie man, we should our selves applie. 
For why should he that is at libertie
Make himselfe bond?  Sith then we are free borne. 
Let us all servile base subiection scorne;
And as we bee sonnes of the world so wide, 135
Let us our fathers heritage divide,
And chalenge to our selves our portions dew
Of all the patrimonie, which a few
Now hold in hugger mugger in their hand,
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The Poetical Works of Edmund Spenser, Volume 5 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.