from the Prologue of The Faerie Queen
Edmund Spenser
Lo I the man, whose muse whilome did mask,
(As time her taught), in lowly shepherd’s weeds,
Am now enforced a far unfitter task,
For trumpets stern, to change mine Oaten reeds,
And sing of Knights and Ladies gentle deeds;
Whose praises having slept in silence long,
Me, all too mean, the Muse areeds
To blazon broad amongst her learnéd throng:
Fierce wars and faithfull loves shall moralize my song.
What an exceptional example of the International Gothic Style!
It’s interesting to see Madonna depicted with a high forehead – very much like Queen Elizabeth’s which was of course plucked, according to the fashion of that era.
Kind of funny.
It’s a beautiful painting. The woman portrayed is the princess St. George saves from the dragon; she is given the name Una in The Faerie Queen, in which she portrays Truth.
That is a funny hairstyle. It is fascinating how wildly fashions change!
Madonna! Ah, yes! For some reason I had the strangest idea that Madonna was watching it all, ensuring the knight’s triumph. That was embarrassing. :/