Sonnet XXII

Portrait of Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser 1552–1599

THis holy season fit to fast and pray, Men to deuotion ought to be inclynd: therefore, I lykewise on so holy day, for my sweet Saynt some seruice fit will find. Her temple fayre is built within my mind, in which her glorious ymage placed is, on which my thoughts doo day and night attend lyke sacred priests that neuer thinke amisse. There I to her as th'author of my blisse, will builde an altar to appease her yre: and on the same my hart will sacrifise, burning in flames of pure and chast desyre: The which vouchsafe O goddesse to accept, amongst thy deerest relicks to be kept.

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