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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


AMORETTI: 26 by EDMUND SPENSER

Poet Analysis

First Line: SWEET IS THE ROSE BUT GROWS UPON A BRERE
Last Line: THAT ENDLESSE PLEASURE SHALL UNTO ME GAINE?
Subject(s): FLOWERS; PAIN; PLPEASURE;

Sweet is the rose, but growes upon a brere;
Sweet is the junipere, but sharpe his bough;
Sweet is the eglantine, but pricketh nere;
Sweet is the firbloome, but his braunches rough;
Sweet is the cypresse, but his rynd is tough;
Sweet is the nut, but bitter is his pill;
Sweet is the broome-flowre, but yet sowre enough;
And sweet is moly, but his root is ill.
So every sweet with soure is tempred still,
That maketh it be coveted the more:
For easie things, that may be got at will,
Most sorts of men doe set but little store.
Why then should I accoumpt of little paine,
That endlesse pleasure shall unto me gaine?



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