The term 'Spenser' is a reference to the English poet Edmund Spenser (1552-1599). He is best known for his epic poem The Faerie Queene, which was published in 1590. He also wrote several other works of poetry, including Amoretti and Epithalamion. His work is often seen as a precursor to the Romantic movement in literature. The crossword solution 'HIRE' refers to Spenser's job as a secretary to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, from 1578 to 1579.