Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A VISION UPON [THIS CONCEIT] OF THE FAERIE QUEENE (2), by WALTER RALEIGH



Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A VISION UPON [THIS CONCEIT] OF THE FAERIE QUEENE (2), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The prayse of meaner wits this worke like profit brings
Last Line: Of all which speak our english tongue, but those of thy device
Alternate Author Name(s): Ralegh, Walter
Variant Title(s): A Vision Upon This Conceipt Of The Faery Queene
Subject(s): Poetry & Poets; Spenser, Edmund (1552-1599)


The Praise of meaner Wits this Work like Profit brings,
As doth the Cuckoo's Song delight, when Philomela sings.
If thou hast formed right true Vertue's Face herein;
Vertue her self can best discern, to whom they written bin.
If thou hast Beauty prais'd, let her sole Looks Divine
Judge if ought therein be amiss, and mend it by her eyne.
If Chastity want ought, or Temperance her due,
Behold her Princely Mind aright, and write thy Queen anew.
Mean-while she shall perceive, how far her Vertues sore
Above the reach of all that live, or such as wrote of yore;
And thereby will excuse and favour thy Good-will,
Whose Vertue cannot be exprest, but by an Angel's Quill.
Of me no Lines are lov'd, nor Letters are of Price,
Of all which speak our English Tongue, but those of thy Device.






Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...



Home: PoetryExplorer.net