Better Gutenberg
Free, beautifully formatted public-domain ebooks

A Household Book of English Poetry

by Richard Chenevix Trench

17 of 304 · Contents · Download EPUB

XVI Sonnet

Rudely thou wrongest my dear hearts desire,
In finding fault with her too portly pride:
The thing which I do most in her admire,
Is of the world unworthy most envíed;
For in those lofty looks is close implied 5
Scorn of base things and sdeign of foul dishonour,
Threatening rash eyes which gaze on her so wide,
That loosely they ne dare to look upon her.
Such pride is praise, such portliness is honour;
That boldness innocence bears in her eyes; 10
And her fair countenance, like a goodly banner,
Spreads in defiance of all enemies.
Was never in this world ought worthy tried,
Without some spark of such self-pleasing pride.
Edmund Spenser.

← Back to A Household Book of English Poetry

Scroll to Top