For this act she stands in history like Lady Macbeth, ever rubbing her hands, but "the damned spot" will not out at her bidding.

Granted all that is charged against Mary, never was woman so meanly, basely, cruelly treated as she.
What has been said is only in partial illustration of the plan and manner of Spenser's great poem: the student is invited and encouraged to make an analysis of the other portions himself.

To the careless reader the poem is harmonious, the pictures beautiful, and the imagery gorgeous; to the careful student it is equally charming, and also discloses historic pictures of great value.
It is so attractive that the critic lingers unconsciously upon it.
Spenser's tributes to the character of woman are original, beautiful, and just, and the fame of his great work, originally popular and designed for a contemporary purpose only, has steadily increased.

Next to Milton, he is the most learned of the British poets.

Warton calls him the _serious Spenser_.