Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AMORETTI: 49, by EDMUND SPENSER Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: Fair cruel! Why are ye so fierce and cruel? Last Line: So shall you live by giving life to me. Alternate Author Name(s): Clout, Colin Subject(s): Mercy | ||||||||
Fayre cruell, why are ye so fierce and cruell? Is it because your eyes have powre to kill? Then know, that mercy is the Mighties jewell, And greater glory thinke to save then spill. But if it be your pleasure and proud will To shew the powre of your imperious eyes, Then not on him that never thought you ill, But bend your force against your enemyes. Let them feele th' utmost of your crueltyes, And kill with looks, as cockatrices doo: But him that at your footstoole humbled lies, With mercifull regard, give mercy too. Such mercy shal you make admyred to be; So shall you live by giving life to me. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MERCY SEAT by NORMAN DUBIE MUCHAS GRACIAS POR TODO by NAOMI SHIHAB NYE VILLON'S EPITAPH by FRANCOIS VILLON UNDER THE VULTURE-TREE by DAVID BOTTOMS THE FORLORN ONE by RICHARD HARRIS BARHAM MERCY PLEADS by LUCRETIA STOUT BELLOWS |
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