\paperw5085 \margr0\margl0\ATXph16380 \plain \fs20 \f1 \fs22 Born in 1552, the poet Edmund Spenser was one of ShakespeareÆs great literary contemporaries. The first three books
of his major work, \i The Faerie Queene\i0 , were dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. Indeed, ôthe most excellent and glorious person of our sovereign... the most royal Queen or Empress..., the most virtuous and beautiful Ladyö was the inspiration for this a
nd many other works of the period. Spenser died in 1599, leaving \i The Faerie Queene\i0 unfinished.\par
\par
\qc \i To \par
The most high, mightie and magnificent\par
Empress,\par
Renowned for pietie, vertue, and all gratious government,\par