Edmund Spenser - Faerie Queene Book I: "And all for love, and nothing for reward."

Edmund Spenser, a pivotal figure in English poetry, was born in 1552 and educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. His notable works include "The Shepheardes Calender" and the epic "The Faerie Queene," which solidified his reputation as a master poet. Spenser's experiences in Ireland, including witnessing the Siege of Smerwick, influenced his writing, leading to the publication of "Complaints" and "Amoretti." His legacy, marked by admiration from literary giants, ended with his death in 1599, honored by fellow poets at his burial in Westminster Abbey.