Edmund Spenser, The Fowre Hymnes

Tamsin Theresa Badcoe (University of Bristol)
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The volume containing Edmund Spenser’s

Fowre Hymnes

was first printed in quarto in 1596, and included within it a second edition of the poet’s elegy

Daphnaïda

, which was first published separately in 1591. If we are to believe the dedicatory letter addressed by Spenser to Lady Margaret, Countess of Cumberland, and Lady Mary, Countess of Warwick, the first two hymns, written in praise of “naturall loue and beautie” respectively, were made in “the greener times” of the poet’s youth; the second two hymns, of “heauenly and celestiall” matters, were intended “by way of retraction” to “reforme” the poet’s earlier, more earthly work. The dedication raises questions concerning the dates of composition and possible revision of the first two hymns, for which there are…

2263 words

Citation: Badcoe, Tamsin Theresa. "The Fowre Hymnes". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 29 September 2014 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=16048, accessed 28 March 2024.]

16048 The Fowre Hymnes 3 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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