Edmund Spenser - Faerie Queene Book III: "It is the mind that maketh good of ill, that maketh wretch or happy, rich or poor."

Edmund Spenser, a pivotal figure in English poetry, was born in 1552 and educated at Pembroke College, Cambridge. His significant works include "The Shepheardes Calender" and the epic "The Faerie Queene," which established his reputation as a master poet. His experiences in Ireland, including the Siege of Smerwick, influenced his later writings, such as "A View of the Present State of Ireland." Spenser's legacy is marked by his innovative contributions to poetry, earning him admiration from literary giants like Milton and Blake. He passed away in 1599, mourned by fellow poets.