The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth I ascended to the throne in 1558 at the age of 25. Elizabeth’s artful use of ambiguity infuses her writing. She produced the first English translation of Horace’s Art of Poetry. Her respect for learning created an atmosphere conducive to the arts and education, and cultural life flourished during her reign. Edmund Spenser wrote his classic epic poem The Faerie Queene in her honor.
More By This Poet
The Doubt of Future Foes
The doubt of future foes exiles my present joy,
And wit me warns to shun such snares as threaten mine annoy;
For falsehood now doth flow, and subjects’ faith doth ebb,
Which should not be if reason ruled or wisdom...
On Monsieur’s Departure
I grieve and dare not show my discontent,
I love and yet am forced to seem to hate,
I do, yet dare not say I ever meant,
I seem stark mute but inwardly do prate.
I am and not, I freeze and yet am...