"Roses Red And Violets Blue"
In a fresh fountaine, far from all mens vew,
She bath'd her brest the boyling heat t'allay;
She bath'd with roses red and violets blew,
And all the sweetest flowres that in the forrest grew.
This passage from Edmund Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" illustrates a moment of serene beauty and natural purity, highlighting the sanctity of Chrysogonee's conception of Belphoebe. The imagery of Chrysogonee bathing "far from all mens vew" underscores her isolation and the divine nature of the act, removed from human corruption. The flowers—roses and violets—are not just ornamental but serve to symbolize purity and the melding of natural beauty with the supernatural. The use of "boyling heat t'allay" suggests a calming influence, as if the natural elements themselves participate in this miraculous event. This scene not only sets the stage for the chaste birth of Belphoebe but also allegorically celebrates the virtues of Queen Elizabeth I, who is represented by the character. The lush, vivid description reinforces the inherent sanctity and elevated status of both the mother and her offspring.
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