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Ill can he rule the great that cannot reach the small.

Edmund Spenser

But angels come to lead frail minds to rest in chaste desires, on heavenly beauty bound. You frame my thoughts, and fashion me within; you stop my tongue, and teach my heart to speak.
EDMUND SPENSER

Angel Desire Fashion Heart Leadership Stop Talk Teaching
For if good were not praised more than ill, None would choose goodness of his own free will.
EDMUND SPENSER

Choice Freedom Goodness Praise Sick Willing
How many perils doe enfold The righteous man to make him daily fall.
EDMUND SPENSER

Adversity Fall Flower Right
For deeds to die, however nobly done, And thoughts of men to as themselves decay, But wise words taught in numbers for to run, Recorded by the Muses, live for ay.
EDMUND SPENSER

Action Death Live Man Thinking Wisdom Word
For evil deeds may better than bad words be borne.
EDMUND SPENSER

Action Bad Evil Home Word
Bright as does the morning star appear, Out of the east with flaming locks bedight, To tell the dawning day is drawing near.
EDMUND SPENSER

Appearance Bed Bright Flame Light Morning Stars
In vain he seeketh others to suppress, Who hath not learn’d himself first to subdue.
EDMUND SPENSER

Himself Learning Wasted
Good is no good, but if it be spend, God giveth good for none other end.
EDMUND SPENSER

End God Goodness
What more felicity can fall to creature, than to enjoy delight with liberty?
EDMUND SPENSER

Creature Enjoyment Fall Liberty
Beauty is not, as fond men misdeem, an outward show of things that only seem.
EDMUND SPENSER

Appearance Beautiful Man Philosophy
Ah! when will this long weary day have end, And lende me leave to come unto my love? – Epithalamion
EDMUND SPENSER

Leaving Love Myself
Ill can he rule the great that cannot reach the small.
EDMUND SPENSER

Greatness Myself Reach Rule
No dainty flower or herbs that grows on ground, No arborett with painted blossoms drest And smelling sweet, but there it might be found To bud out fair, and throw her sweet smells all around.
EDMUND SPENSER

Flower Growth Herself Sweet
Who would ever care to do brave deed, Or strive in virtue others to excel, If none should yield him his deserved meed Due praise, that is the spur of doing well? For if good were not praised more than ill, None would choose goodness of his own free will.
EDMUND SPENSER

Action Brave Care Deserve Excellence Freedom Goodness Praise Virtue Willing
Her angel’s face, As the great eye of heaven shined bright, And made a sunshine in the shady place.
EDMUND SPENSER

Angel Eyes Face Greatness Place Sunshine
Sluggish idleness–the nurse of sin.
EDMUND SPENSER

Freedom Sin Wasted Time

Ill can he rule the great that cannot reach the small.

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Ill can he rule the great that cannot reach the small.

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