Poem by Edmund Spenser

Amoretti 49. Fayre Cruell! why are ye so fierce and cruell?

Fayre Cruell! why are ye so fierce and cruell?
Is it because your eyes have powre to kill?
Then know that mercy is the Mighties iewell,
And greater glory think to save then spill.
But if it be your pleasure and proud will
To shew the powre of your imperious eyes,
Then not on him that never thought you ill,
But bend your force against your enemyes.
Let them feel the utmost of your crueltyes,
And kill with looks, as cockatrices do:
But him that at your footstoole humbled lies,
With mercifull regard give mercy to.
  Such mercy shall you make admyr’d to be;
  So shall you live, by giving life to me.

1. Amoretti 46. When my abodes prefixed time is spent
2. Amoretti 59. Thrise happie she that is so well assured
3. Amoretti 32. The paynefull smith with force of fervent heat
4. Amoretti 63. After long stormes and tempests sad assay
5. Amoretti 26. Sweet is the rose, but growes upon a brere

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