Sonnet XXXVI

Portrait of Edmund Spenser
Edmund Spenser 1552–1599

TEll me when shall these wearie woes haue end, Or shall their ruthlesse torment neuer cease: but al my dayes in pining languor spend, without hope of aswagement or release. Is there no meanes for me to purchace peace, or make agreement with her thrilling eyes: but that their cruelty doth still increace, and dayly more augment my miseryes. But when ye haue shewed all extremityes, then thinke how litle glory ye haue gayned: by slaying him, whose lyfe though ye despyse, mote haue your life in honour long maintayned. But by his death which some perhaps will mone, ye shall condemned be of many a one.

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.