Sonnet XI

Portrait of Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser 1552–1599

DAyly when I do seeke and sew for peace, And hostages doe offer for my truth: she cruell warriour doth her selfe addresse, to battell, and the weary war renew'th. Ne wilbe moou'd with reason or with rewth, to graunt small respit to my restlesse toile: but greedily her fell intent poursewth, Of my poore life to make vnpitteid spoile. Yet my poore life, all sorrowes to assoyle, I would her yield, her wrath to pacify: but then she seekes with torment and turmoyle, to force me liue and will not let me dy. All paine hath end and euery war hath peace, but mine no price nor prayer may surcease.

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.