Spenser’s Elizabethan-era allegorical poem was originally intended to run to 12 books, depicting 12 moral virtues that would fashion a virtuous man. He published the first three books, depicting Holiness, Temperance and Chastity, in 1590. They were republished along with the next three books, depicting Friendship, Justice and Courtesy, in 1596. Two fragments of a seventh book, known as the “Cantos of Mutabilitie”, were published after his death.

This second volume, of two of the Books, illustrates scenes from Book 3 - “The Legend of Britomartis or Of Chastity” and from Book 4 - “The Legend of Cambel and Telamond or Of Friendship”.

A key event from each of the twelve Cantos of each book is illustrated by one oil painting (the originals are on a 10”x8” canvas, and the reproductions are just slightly smaller than this). Selected stanzas most closely related to the depicted event are quoted from the poem.

An appendix includes some design notes, a short description and thumbnail images of the development of each painting.