Sonnet [Wherefore Doth Vaine Antiquitie So Vaunt]
by
III*
Upon the Historie of George Castriot, alias Scanderbeg, King of the Epirots, translated into English.
Wherefore doth vaine Antiquitie so vaunt
Her ancient monuments of mightie peeres,
And old heroees, which their world did daunt
With their great deedes and fild their childrens eares?
Who, rapt with wonder of their famous praise,
Admire their statues, their colossoes great,
Their rich triumphall arcks which they did raise,
Their huge pyramids, which do heaven threat.
Lo! one, whom later age hath brought to light,
Matchable to the greatest of those great;
Great both by name, and great in power and might,
And meriting a meere** triumphant seate.
The scourge of Turkes, and plague of infidels,
Thy acts, O Scanderbeg, this volume tels.
ED. SPENSER.
[* Prefixed to the “Historie of George Castriot, alias Scanderbeg, King of Albanie: Containing his famous actes, etc. Newly translated out of French into English by Z.I. Gentleman.” 1596. TODD.]
[** Meere, absolute, decided.]