And in his hand a sickle he did holde

Quote byEdmund Spenser · 1552–1599

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: Book VII, Canto 7, stanza 30.

English (original)

And in his hand a sickle he did holde, To reape the ripened fruits the which the earth had yold.

— Edmund Spenser

I was promised on a time To have reason for my rhyme; From that time unto this season, I received nor rhyme nor reason.

So love is Lord of all the world by right.

Death slue not him, but he made death his ladder to the skies.

I trow that countenance cannot lie, Whose thoughts are legible in the eie.

I hate the day, because it lendeth light To see all things, but not my love to see.

Uncouthe, unkiste, sayde the olde famous poete Chaucer.