Amoretti LXVII: Like as a Huntsman

By Edmund Spenser

Like as a huntsman after weary chase, a

Seeing the game from him escap'd away, b
Sits down to rest him in some shady place, a
With panting hounds beguiled of their prey: b
So after long pursuit and vain assay, b
When I all weary had the chase forsook, c
The gentle deer return'd the self-same way, b
Thinking to quench her thirst at the next brook. c
There she beholding me with milder look, c
Sought not to fly, but fearless still did bide: d
Till I in hand her yet half trembling took, c
And with her own goodwill her firmly tied. d
Strange thing, me seem'd, to see a beast so wild, e
So goodly won, with her own will beguil'd. e

Summary:
The huntsman, exhausted from his fruitless chase, finds respite in a shady spot,
accompanied by his panting hounds, who have been deprived of their prey. Similarly, the speaker
of the poem has engaged in a long and futile pursuit of his beloved, only to abandon it in
weariness. However, just as the deer that was being pursued by the huntsman unexpectedly
returns to the same location, the speaker’s love interest comes back to him, seemingly with the
intention of quenching her thirst at a nearby brook.

The deer, upon seeing the speaker, does not attempt to flee but rather remains fearless and
steadfast in his presence. The speaker then approaches the deer, who is trembling but does not
resist, and he firmly binds her at her own consent. The speaker finds it strange and remarkable to
witness a wild animal willingly and beautifully won over.

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Structure and Form
‘Amoretti LXVII: Like as a Huntsman’ by Edmund Spenser follows a structured
and formal composition. The poem consists of a single stanza comprising fourteen lines, which is
a characteristic of a sonnet. Sonnets are a popular poetic form that originated in Italy and were
later adapted into English literature.

In terms of the rhyming scheme, the poem adheres to the Spenserian sonnet form.
The rhyme scheme can be represented as ABAB BCBC CDCD EE. This pattern divides the
poem into an octave (eight lines) and a sestet (six lines). The octave presents the situation or
problem, while the sestet provides a resolution or conclusion.

The octave, in this poem, establishes the imagery of the huntsman and his weary chase,
drawing a parallel to the speaker’s pursuit of love. The rhyme scheme in the octave is ABAB
BCBC, creating a sense of symmetry and balance. It enhances the rhythmic flow and musicality
of the poem.

The sestet, following the pattern CDCD EE, shifts the focus to the encounter between the
speaker and his beloved. It explores the surprising response of the deer-like object of the
speaker’s desire, who returns and remains calm in the presence of the speaker. The sestet allows
for a resolution to the chase, as the speaker successfully captures the heart of his beloved.

Themes
In ‘Amoretti LXVII: Like as a Huntsman,’ Edmund Spenser explores several themes that
are relevant to love and human relationships. The poem delves into the themes of desire,
perseverance, the unexpected nature of love, and the power of attraction.

One prominent theme in the poem is desire. The huntsman’s pursuit of his prey and the
speaker’s pursuit of his beloved both represent intense desires. The speaker’s longing for his love
interest is evident when he describes his “weary chase” and “vain assay” in the pursuit of love.
This theme emphasizes the intensity of the speaker’s desire and his determination to win over his
beloved.

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 Another theme is perseverance. The huntsman’s decision to rest in a shady place after a
long chase mirrors the speaker’s momentary abandonment of his pursuit. However, both the deer
and the speaker’s love interest unexpectedly return. This demonstrates the importance of
perseverance in love, as the speaker’s steadfastness eventually leads to a successful capture of his
beloved’s heart.

The unexpected nature of love is another theme explored in the poem. The deer’s return
surprises the huntsman, just as the return of the speaker’s love interest astonishes him. This
theme suggests that love can be unpredictable and that it often unfolds in ways that we least
expect.

Lastly, the power of attraction is evident throughout the poem. The deer’s milder look and
fearless presence in the face of the huntsman’s pursuit reflect the speaker’s love interest’s
response to him. Despite the speaker’s weariness, his beloved remains drawn to him and
willingly allows herself to be captured. This theme highlights the irresistible force of attraction in
love.

In ‘Amoretti LXVII: Like as a Huntsman,’ Edmund Spenser employs various poetic techniques
and figurative language to convey his message and evoke imagery.

 Simile: One poetic technique utilized in the poem is a simile, which is evident in
the opening lines: “Like as a huntsman after weary chase, / Seeing the game from
him escap’d away.” The comparison between the huntsman’s pursuit and the
speaker’s pursuit of love creates a vivid image that captures the intensity of their
endeavors.
 Personification: Spenser also employs personification in the lines: “With panting
hounds beguiled of their prey.” By attributing human characteristics of being
beguiled to the hounds, the poet imbues them with emotions and intensifies the
sense of disappointment.

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 Repetition: This technique is used, as seen in the line: “The gentle deer return’d
the self-same way.” The repetition of “the self-same way” emphasizes the
unexpected nature of the deer’s return, emphasizing its significance.
 Imagery: Figurative language is used to evoke imagery throughout the poem. For
example, when the speaker describes the deer’s behavior, he states: “Sought not to
fly, but fearless still did bide.” Here, the use of the word “bide” suggests that the
deer calmly remains in the presence of the speaker, enhancing the imagery of the
encounter.
 Alliteration: Spenser also employs alliteration, such as in the line: “And with her
own goodwill her firmly tied.” The repetition of the “w” sound in “with her own
goodwill” creates a melodic effect, adding to the musicality of the poem.
 Symbolism: The poet also uses symbolism, as the huntsman and the deer
represent the speaker and his love interest, respectively. The deer’s willingness to
be captured symbolizes the speaker’s successful pursuit and conquest of love.