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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

AMORETTI: 79 by EDMUND SPENSER

Poet Analysis

First Line: MEN CALL YOU FAIR, AND YOU DO CREDIT IT
Last Line: ALL OTHER FAYRE, LYKE FLOWRES, UNTYMELY FADE.
Subject(s): BEAUTY;
Men call you fayre, and you doe credit it,
For that your selfe ye dayly such doe see:
But the trew fayre, that is the gentle wit
And vertuous mind, is much more praysd of me.
For all the rest, how ever fayre it be,
Shall turne to nought and loose that glorious hew:
But onely that is permanent, and free
From frayle corruption, that doth flesh ensew.
That is true beautie: that doth argue you
To be divine, and borne of heavenly seed,
Deriv'd from that fayre Spirit from whom al true
And perfect beauty did at first proceed.
He onely fayre, and what he fayre hath made;
All other fayre, lyke flowres, untymely fade.



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