Sonnet LVIII By Her That Is Most Assured To Her Selfe

Portrait of Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser 1552–1599

WEake is th'assurance that weake flesh reposeth, In her owne powre and scorneth others ayde: that soonest fals when as she most supposeth, her selfe assurd, and is of nought affrayd. All flesh is frayle, and all her strength vnstayd, like a vaine bubble blowen vp with ayre: deuouring tyme & changeful chance haue prayd, her glories pride that none may it repayre. Ne none so rich or wise, so strong or fayre, but fayleth trusting on his owne assurance: and he that standeth on the hyghest stayre fals lowest: for on earth nought hath endurance. Why then doe ye proud fayre, misdeeme so farre, that to your selfe ye most assured arre.

Keep reading

Discover more of Edmund Spenser’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.