Materials for a Study of Spensers Theory of Fine Art

se mens threasure. F. Q. 6. 12. 40-41. See also Poet's Audience, Decline In Worth Of Poetry. DECLINE IN WORTH OF POETRY Wee, that earst in joyance did abound, And in the bosome of all blis did sit, Like virgin queenes with laurell garlands cround, For vertues meed and ornament of wit, Sith Ignorance our kingdome did confound, Bee now become most wretched wightes on ground. And in our royall thrones, which lately stood In th' hearts of men to rule them carefully, He now hath placed his accursed brood, By him begotten of fowle Infamy; Blind Error, scornefull Folh'e, and base Spight, Who hold by wrong that wee should have by right. They to the vulgar sort now pipe and sing, And make them merrie with their fooleries; They cherelie chaunt and rymes at random fling, The fruitfull spawne of their ranke fantasies; They feede the eares of fooles with flattery, And good men blame, and losels magnify. AD places they doo with their toyes possesse, And raigne in liking of the multitude; The schooles they fill with fond newfanglenesse, And sway in court with pride and rashnes rude; Mongst simple shepheards they do boast their skill, And say their musicke matcheth Phoebus quill. The noble hearts to pleasures they allure, And tell their Prince that learning is but vaine; Faire ladies loves they spot with thoughts impure, And gentle minds with lewd delights distaine; Clerks they to loathly idlenes entice, And fill thei...