A Vision upon the Fairy Queen

Methought I saw the grave where Laura lay,

   Within that temple where the vestal flame

Was wont to burn; and, passing by that way,

   To see that buried dust of living fame,

Whose tomb fair Love and fairer Virtue kept,

   All suddenly I saw the Fairy Queen,

At whose approach the soul of Petrarch wept ;

   And from thenceforth those graces were not seen,

For they this Queen attended; in whose stead

   Oblivion laid him down on Laura's hearse.

Hereat the hardest stones were seen to bleed,

   And groans of buried ghosts the heavens did pierce :

Where Homer's spright did tremble all for grief,

   And cursed the access of that celestial thief.