Sonnet XLIV. When those renowned noble Peers of Greece

Edmund Spenser (1552?–1599)

WHEN those renowned noble Peers of Greece,

Through stubborn pride, amongst themselves did jar,

Forgetful of the famous golden fleece;

Then Orpheus with his harp their strife did bar.

But this continual, cruel, civil war,

The which my self against my self do make;

Whilst my weak powers of passions warréd are;

No skill can stint, nor reason can aslake.

But, when in hand my tuneless harp I take,

Then do I more augment my foes’ despite;

And grief renew, and passions do awake

To battle, fresh against my self to fight.

’Mongst whom the more I seek to settle peace,

The more I find their malice to increase.