The Faerie Queene

Canto III

The battell twixt three brethren, with

Cambell for Canacee.

Cambina with true friendships bond

doth their long strife agree.

O Why doe wretched men so much desire,

To draw their dayes vnto the vtmost date,

And doe not rather wish them soone expire,

Knowing the miserie of their estate,

And thousand perills which them still awate,

Tossing them like a boate amid the mayne,

That euery houre they knocke at deathes gate?

And he that happie seemes and least in payne,

Yet is as nigh his end, as he that most doth playne.

Therefore this Fay I hold but fond and vaine,

The which in seeking for her children three

Long life, thereby did more prolong their paine.

Yet whilest they liued none did euer see

More happie creatures, then they seem'd to bee,

Nor more ennobled for their courte