Sonnet 29 (Spenser)
Sonnet XXIX
SEE! how the stubborne damzell doth depraue
my simple meaning with disdaynfull scorne:
and by the bay which I vnto her gaue,
accoumpts my selfe her captiue quite forlorne.
The bay (quoth she) is of the victours borne,
yielded them by the vanquisht as theyr meeds,
and they therewith doe poetes heads adorne,
to sing the glory of their famous deedes.
But sith she will the conquest challeng needs
let her accept me as her faithfull thrall,
that her great triumph which my skill exceeds,
I may in trump of fame blaze ouer all.
Then would I decke her head with glorious bayes,
and fill the world with her victorious prayse.
<Publ. 1595>
Modern spelling[edit]
SEE! how the stubborn damsel doth deprave
my simple meaning with disdainful scorn:
and by the bay which I unto her gave,
accompts my self her captive quite forlorn.
The bay (quoth she) is of the victors borne,
yielded them by the vanquished as their meeds,
and they therewith do poets' heads adorn,
to sing the glory of their famous deeds.
But sith she will the conquest challenge needs
let her accept me as her faithfull thrall,
that her great triumph which my skill exceeds,
I may in trump of fame blaze over all.
Then would I deck her head with glorious bays,
and fill the world with her victorious praise.