CENTRE
for
REFORMATION
and
RENAISSANCE
STUDIES
VICTORIA
UNIVERSITY
TORONTO
THE POETICAL WORKS
OF
SIR THOSIAS WYATT.
ED IIWBUPGH "-
pRINTED BY BALLATYNE AND C01IPAN,
PAUL'S WORK.
?
EF. & RE'
THE LIFE OF SIR THOMAS WYATT.
tinued under Henry VIII. to enjoy many marks of royal
distinction. At his coronation on the 23d of July 1509,
Wyatt was created a Knight of the Bath ; and having greatly
distinguished himself at the battle of Spurs in August ].5137
he was made Knight Banneret on the spot: besides after-
wards acting at one time as Knight Marshall; at another,
as Keeper of the King's Jewels; and at a third as Ewerer to
His ]'Iajesty. In 1502 he mm'ried Anne, daughter of John
Skinner, of Reig'ate, in Surrey, and by her had three child-
ren--Thomas the elder Sir Thomas Wyatt, as he is usually
denominated Henry, and Margaret.
The year 1503 was the time, and Allington Castle the
place, sigalised by the birth of our poet. As to the first
twelve years of his life bio'aphy is silent; but it seems
probable that he enjoyed the instructions of a private tutor.
In 1515 he was entered of St John's Cambridge. He took
his de-ee of B.A. in 1518 and tllat of A.3L in 1520. In
the same year when only seventeen he married Elizabeth
daughter of Thomas Brooke, Lord Cobham. In 1525 he
took paYt in a grand feat of arms which was performed at
Greenwich at Christmas. Wyatt was one of sixteen chal-
lengers; and the enterprise began the day after St John the
Evangelist's day, and lasted till the 8th of February, when
" every man having journeyed as his course came, and many
a sword being broken and many a good stripe given and
every man having stricken his full number of twelve strokes,
the combatants were severed and disarmed, and the achieve-
ment closed." Those who have the opportunity of consulting
HaWs Chronicles, will find there a full and glowing picture
of tlfis splendid passage of marts, which the graceful and gal-
lant courtesy of the combatants the quaint titles and devices
the presence of the most beautiful and illustrious ladies
whose eyes
"Ruin influence, und decide the prize ;"
the gorgeous costumes, and the mazy dances, which alternated
with the mock fights, must have rendered enchanting
reminding us, in some points, of tle "gentle and joyous
THE LIFE OF SIR THOMAS WYATT. xi
attended thither, his quenched or quenching flame. Yet his
name does not occur in the list of the persons noticed in the
accotmt of the expenses of that voyage. He says to% in
reference to a lady--
"Graven with diamonds in letters plain,
There is written her fair neck round about,
1%1i me tangere, Ccesar" s, I am;"
words which can hardly be explained except on the supposi-
tion that the object of his passion had come into the power of a
royal lover. Anne was attended by the poet's sister ][argaret,
on the scaffold and with a smile of fm-ewell tenderness, gave to
her a little prayer-book set in gold, enamelled black which
she long preserved as a precious relic. A tradition, to% of
the attachment is said to exist in the Wyatt family. And
there is reason to believe, fi-om a half burnt passage of a
letter in the Cotton collection, that Anne Boleyn, during her
confinement in the Tower, read and admired Vyatt's songs
and poems. Still of criminal intimacy there is not the slightest
evidence ; and whatever Platonic affection there might be be-
tween the parties it seems to have faded away before, in an
evil hour, the "Anna" of Vyatt's muse became the short-
lived Queen of England.
The suspicion our poet underwent and which by his own
account had nearly proved fatal to his prospects, soon sub-
sided, and on Easter day, 16th April 1536 or 1537 we find
him created a knight although, not long after, on account of
some quarrel with the Duke of Sttffolk, he was committed to
the Tower. There he continued for only a short time, and was
then appointed to a post in the army of the Dttke of Norfolk,
who was employed in subduing a rebellion in Lincolnshire.
Before Vyatt however, reached the scene of action, the rebels
were routed. In token of the king's confidence he. was the
next year made Sheriff of Kent, and shortly after was de-
spatched to the Continent, to make up the dispute between
Henry and the Emperor who was naturally indignant at the
treatment of Catharine of Arragon, and interested in promot-
ing the claims of her daughter 3Iary. In going, whether
THE
DEFENCE OF SIR THOMAS WYATT.
SIR THOMAS WYATT'S LETTER TO THE
PRIVY COUNCIL IN 1541.*
PLEASE IT YOUR GOOD LORDSHIPS TO UNDERST_4_ND
I rAVE knowledge by Mr Lieutenant that the King's plea-
sure is and your commandment that I should write and
declare such things as have passed me whilst I was in the
Emperor's Com't by Word writing communing or receiving,
with or from any man whereby I know myself to have
offended or whereby I might run in Suspect of offence
namely in the time of that Court being at Nice and Villa
Fran.
Firstj like as I take God to record in whom I trust to be
saved and whose redemption I forsake if wittingly I li% so
to I humbly in His name besee& you all that in those
things that be not fresh in my memory no captious advantage
be taken of me: professing always that if myself can by any
means or your Lordships or any other reduce y other
thing than I shall touch to my remembranc% sincerely and
uncolotu'ably from time to time to declare fle truth in prison
or out. And for my part I declare a-mingly at all proofs
whereby a Christian man may be tried that in my life in
crime towards the Majes of the King my master or any his
issue in deed, word, writing, or wish, I never offended. I
* See page xfii. ante.
THE DEFENCE OF SIR THOMAS WYATT. XX]X
by my word there lieth the treason. In writing it is like :
in message it is like: for I may send him both letter and
message of challenge or defiance. ]3ut in any of these
the suspect is dangerous; therefore whosoever would do any
of these things I would advise him that it appear well,
And yet neither God's law nor man's law nor no equity
condemneth a man for suspects: but for such ,n suspect
such word or writing [that] may be so apparent by con-
jectures or success of things afterwards by vehement like-
lihoods by conferring of things and such lik% that it may be
a grievous matter.
But whereto do I declare this point ? it is far out of my
case: For if I ever spake word to him beyond the sca and
yet to my remembrance but once on this side; or if ever I
wrote to him or if I ever sent him word or messag% I confess
the action; let it be imputed to me tbr treason. I say not of
word messag% or writing that should be abetting aiding
comforting or advertisement; but any at all but only by his
servant Trogmorton at S. Daves in France; which was iu
refusal of a present that he would have sent me of win% and
of other gear; of which thing I advcrtised and it appcareth
by my letters the matter how it went ; and there was present
Chambers Knowles Mantell ]3lag% and zIason that heard
what pleant words I clmrished him withal.
" Here were a great matter to blear your eyes withal" say
my accusers "if you would believe Vyatt that is not ashamed
to lie so manifestly in judgment. .Didst thou not send 3Jason
nnto him at Nice? Hast thou not confessed thyself? Hath
not 3Iason confessed it ? Hath not the Bishop of London and
Haynes accused thee thereof?" Forsooth never a whit,
'either sent I 3/ason nor have confessed that nor 3Jason so
confesseth nor I suppos% neither of nay accusers do so allege.
Call for then b ]13onner and Haynes; their spirituality letteth
not them from judgment out of the King's Court. Let them
be sworn. Their saying is that 3Iason spake with Pole at
Genes. Here do not they accuse me, they accuse 3Iason.
Call forth 3[ason swear him. He is defendant his oath cannot
be taken. What saith he at the least? He saith that
XXXiV" THE DEFENCE OF SIR THOMAS WYATT.
done this but presently afore the Bishop he refused it alleg-
ing that he* had once swerved from him in such a like matter.
I had no warrant for all this gear no more had the Bishop in
this that I know of, other than of the authority and trust that
an ambassador hath and ought to have.
Besides this ye bring iu now that I should have this in-
telligence with Pole because of our opinions, that are like and
that I am papish. I think I should have more ado with a
-eat sort in Eng-land to purge myself of suspect of a Lu-
theran than of a Papist. What men judge of me abroad this
may be a ga-eat token that the King's 3Iajesty and his Council
know what hazard I was in in Spain with the Inquisition
only by speaking against .the Bishop of Rom% where perad-
ventm-e Bonnet would not have bid such a brunt. The Em-
peror had much ado to save m% and yet that made me not
hold my peae% when I might defend the King's deed against
hin b and improve his naughtiness. But in this eas% good
masters, ye shall [hear] fair evidence: [what] the King and
his Council thought in this matter when they demised
][ason at his first examination and for the small weight there
was either against him or me. And what thing hath there
happened since that was not then opened? Incluh-e and ye
shall find none.
But now to the other pm-t of my aeeusation touching my
saying, l?or the love of our Lord, weigh it substantially;
and yet withal remember the naughty handling of my
accusers in the other point; and in this you shalI see no less
lnalieiousness and a great deal more falsehood.
And first let us handle the matter, as though I had so said,
except only that same u falsely malieiously and traitorously"
vith all. Were it s% I had said the words ; yet it remaineth
unproved : (bu.t take it not that I grant them for I mean not
so), but only that I had so said. Rehearse here the law of
words ; declare, my Lords I beseech you the meaning thereof.
[['Ms includeth that vords maliciously spoken or traitorously
against the King's person should be taken for treason. It is
not meant masters of words which despise the King lightly
s The bishop.
Xxxvi THE DEFENCE OF SIR THOMAS WYATT.
would so shameful a thing to the King's Highness .9 Though
I were, I say, so naughty a knave, and not all of the wisest,
yet am I not so very a fool, though I thought so abominably,
to make them privy of it with whom I had no great acquain-
tance, and nmch less trust.
But it is far from that point. Men may not be interpreted
by as much as may be evil wrested and worse conjectured:
there must be reason and appearance in everything; but that
way there is none. ut yc know, masters it is a common
proverb, "I am left out of the cart's tail" and it is taken upolt
pacldng gear together for carriage, that it is evil taken heed
to, or negligently slips out of the cart and is lost. So upon
this blessed peace, that was handled, as partly is touche4
before, where seemed to be union of most part of Christendom,
I saw that we hung yet in suspense between the two Princes
that were at war, and that neither of them would conclude
wifl us directly against the ishop of Iom% and that we
also would not conclude else with none of them : whereby it
may appear what I meant by the proverb, whereby I doubted
they would conclude among themselves and lea'e us out.
And in communicating with some, peradventure, [fore]casting
these perils, I might say, " I fern', tbr all these men's fair pro-
nfises, the King shall be left out of the cart's tail;" and
lament that many good occasions had been let slip of conclud-
ing with.one of these Princes, and I think that I have used
the same proverb with some in talking. But that I used it]
with :Bonnet or Haynes I never remember; and if I ever did
I am sure never as they couch the tale. And if I have used
it with any other, I think it hath been with ]31age or with
:Mason. :Let their declarations be rehearsed, if they have been
in that examined, whereby it may appear what I meant by
the proverb.
]3ut consider the place and time where nay acctLners sayeth
that I should speak it, and thereby ye shall easily perceive
that either they lie and misreport the tale, or else that I can
[not.] speak English.
At Barcelona, say they, after we were come from Nic% and
Villa Franca, and Aquas-iortes; that was after the truce
THE DEFENCE OF SIR THOiIAS WYATT. xxvii
conduded, after the meeting of the Princes; yea, and afore
that, the King's [ajesty was left out of the packing indeed :
Mlereof at Aquas-Mottos I sent him the copy of the con-
clusions, and chapters of the peat% wherein lie was not men-
tioned, contrary to the Emperor's promise, and to the :French
King's letters. Since we knew all three the same, it is now
like that aftex this I would use the future tense in that was
past, and say, ' ye shall see," and then, "if he be so, by
God's blood he is well served," and then, "I wotfld he Tere
so." It is more like I should say, if it were spoken at Bea--
celona, that "lie is left out of the cart's tail, and by God's
blood lie is well served and I am glad of it." By this you
may perceiv% that either they lie in the tim% and the lolace
or else in the reporting the thing.
But because I am wont sometime to rap out an oath in an
earnest talk look how craftily they have put in an oath to the
matter to make the matter seem mine. And because they
have guaxded a naughty gm'ment of theirs with one of my
naughty guards they will swear and face me down that that
was my garment. But bring me ny gaTnent as it was. If
I said any like thing, rehem'se my tale as I said it. No man
can believe you that I meant it as you construe it or that I
speak it as you allege it or that I understand Euglish so evil
to speak so out of pro-pose. Therefore the time, the place,
and other men's saying upon the same matter, bewray yore"
craft and your falsehood. It well appeareth that you have a
toward will to lie but that you lacked in the matter practice
or wit; for they say, u He that will lie well must have a
good remembranc% that he agree in all points with himself
lest he be spied."
To you, my good masters in this pro'pose, I doubt not but
you see already, that in this saying, if I had so said, I meant
not that naughty interpretation that no devil ottld have
imagined upon me; nother is proved unto you, nor one ap-
pearance thereof alleged. Besides, how unlike it is that I
should so say as it is alleged: and finally as I do grant,
I might say, and as I think, I did say, that is no treason; for
that I should wish or will that the Kilig should be left out of
d "
THE DEFENCE OF 8IlZ THOMAS WYATT.
whereby I should be wondrously accumbered for that I was
given to a more pleasant kind of life. My cumbrance I found
again when I had great matters in hand, meddling with wise
men, had no counsel but my own foolish head, a great zeal
that the King might be well served by me, a great fear lest
anything should quail through nay fault. This solicitude,
this care troubled me. Mason, Blage, Mr Hobby, 3It Dudley
and other that were with me can testify yea, and my letters
oft-times hither that I wished a meeter man than myself in
the room ; yea., and that I had been at the plough on that
condition. But I never remember in good faith, that I should
in that matter name Newgate. But if I had so said (although
it had been foolishly spoken)what proveth this malice, to
revenging for my being in the Tower ? Would he, trow y%
that would revenge wish himself in Newgate .9 is it not like
this matter .9 _A_ man wolfld think rather, he being an ambas-
sador might do more despite toward the King. There he
might play the false knav% and discover, and make mis-rela-
tion, and such parts.
But what thing is that that these men would not wrest for
their pm'pos% that wrest such things,9 They found fault
that I did not them the honour that belonged to the King's
ambassadors. I lent not them my horse, when they went out
of :Barcelon% nor I did not accompany them on the way.
First I report me to nay servants, whereof some of them are
genflemen [and] right honest men; to their om servants;
ye% and let them answer themselves. Did ye not sit always
at the upper end of the table,9 Vv-ent ye abroad at any time
together but that either the one or the other was on nay right
hand .9 Came any man to visit me whom I made not do ye
reverence, and visit ye too,9 Had ye not in the galley the
most and best commodious places .9 Had any man a worse
than 1.9 Where ye were charged with a groat, was not I
charged with five.9 Was not I for all this first in the com-
mission .9 Was not I anabassador resident,9 A better man
than either of ye both should have gone without that honour
that I did you if he had looked for it. I know no man that
did you_ dishonotu- but your unmannerly behaviour, that
xliv THE DEFENCE OF SIR THOMAS 'YATT.
such interrogatories; yet is nothing found of me of treason.
Yea, and when there is any toward my master within this
heart, a sharp sword go thither withal.
But because I bound myself to make this malice of my
accusers to appear manifest unto you, let me come to another
point of their accusiug which was, by Bonnet's letters to the
Earl of Essex, that I lived viciously among the uns of Bar-
celona.
To the end ye be fully persuaded and informed of that
matter, there be many men in the town, and most of them
[gentlemen], which walk upon their horses, and here and there
talk with those ladies; and when they will, go and sit, com-
lzany together with them, talking in their chambers. :Earls,
Lords, Dukes, use the same, and I among them. I used not
the pastime in company of ruffiaus, but with such, or with
ambassadors of [Ferrara], of ][antua, of Venice, a man of
sixty years old, and such vicious company.
I pray you now, let me tm'n my tale to Bonnet; for this
riseth of him, yea, and so (I think) cloth all the rest: for his
crafty malice, I suppose in my conscience, abuseth the other's
simpleness.
Come on now, my Lord of London, what is my abominable
and vicious living,9 Do ye know it, or have ye heard it,9
I ga-ant I do not profess chastity; but yet I use not abomi-
nation. If ye know it, tell it here, with whom aud when. If
ye heard it, who is your author.9 Have you seen me have
any harlot in my house whilst ye were in my company,9 Did
you ever see woman so much as dine, or sup at my table,9
None, but for your pleasure, the woman that was in the galley;
which I assure you may be well seen; for, before you came,
neither she nor any other came above the mast. But because
the gentlemen took pleasure to see you entertain her, there-
fore they made her dine and sup with you; and they liked
well your looks, your carving to ]X'Iadonna, your drinking to
her, and your playing under the table. Ask Mason, ask
131age (Bowes is dead), ask Wolf, that was my steward ; they
can tell how the gentlemen marked it, and talked of it. It
was a play to them, the keeping of yore- bottles, that no man
THE DEFENCE OF SIl THOMAS WYATT. X1V
might drink of but yourself; and "That the little fat priest
were a jolly lnorsel for the Signora." This was their talk;
it is not nay devise: ask other, whether 1 do lie. But turn
to my own part.
What, think you, this man meant sincerely to accuse me of
treason, when he seeketh the eonjeetnres to prove my treason
by my moaning the first imprisonment, by not lending nay
horse (wherein also he lieth), by not accompanying him out
of town, by misliking them for Ambassadors, and by nay
vicious living with Nuns. This man thought rather to defame
me, than sincerely to accuse me. Like as, I trust, ye will
not condemn me for conjectures and likelihoods, and namely
so out of all appearance, althongh you hem" them. Likewise,
I pray you, give me leave to show you my conjecture and
likelihoods npon these things, and then guess whether I go
nearer the truth : and yet I desire not by them to be absolved
so that by the other I be not also condenmed.
The Era-1 of Essex belike desired Bonner to be a spy over
me, and to advertise him; he thinking that if he might wipe
me out of that room, that himself might come to it, as indeed
the man is desirous of honour; mad for my part I would he
had it without envy. That this might be a practice of the
Era-1 of Essex, I think, towm'd me, not meaning for any trea-
son, but to find whether it were true that I did so good ser-
vice as was reported, I know by myself; for so wonld he have
had me done for him toward my Lord of ,Vinchester, then
being mbassador in France; and I suppose my said Lord
could tell, by Bonner's means and one Barnaby, what a tra-
gedy and a suspect they stirred against him. AVell, all this
is reconciled. But yet, I say, it is the likelier that he would
take that office toward me, that used it to another; and then,
conceiving in his mind (and that as God judge me, falsely)
that I had letted him in Spain, that he had no reward of the
Emperor, conceived therewithal a malice; and by some ink-
ling that he had, that I misliked his fashion; and upon this
he hath built this ungodly work that ye see, that standeth all
by invention, conjectures, likelihoods, stretched, wrested, and
drawn out of all (God forbode) without any proof at all.
l COTETS.
PAGE
ODES.
The Lover Complaineth the
Unkindness of his Love . 24
The Lover Rejoieeth the Enjoy
ing of his Love ..... 26
The Lover Sheweth how he is
Forsaken of such as hc Some-
time Enjoyed ..... 27
The Lover to his Bed, with De-
scribing of his Unquiet State 27
The Lover Complaineth that his
Love doth not Pity him . . 28
The Lover Complaineth himself
Forsaken ....... 29
A Penouncing of Hardly Escap-
ed Love ....... 81
The Lover Taught, ][istrusteth
Allurelnents . ." .... 81
The Lover Rejoiceth against
Fortune that by Hindcring
his Suit had happily Made
him Forsake his Folly 82
The Lover's Sorrowful Sat
Maketh him Write Sorrowful
Songs, but such his Love may
Change the same .... 33
The Lover Scndeth his Com-
plaints and Tears to She for
Grace ........ 84
The Lover's Case cannot he
Hidden however he Dissemble 85
The Lover Prayeth not to be
Disdained, Refuscd, Mistrust-
ed, nor Forsaken .... 87
The Lover Lamcnteth his Estate
with Suit for Grace ____ 88
The Lover Waileth his Changed
Joys ......... 39
To his Love that hath given him
Answer of Refusal .... 40
The Lover Describeth his being
Taken with Sight of his Love 41
The Lover Excuseth him of
Words, wherewith he was Un-
justly Charged ..... 42
The Lover Curseth the Time
when first he Fell in Love . 43
The Lover Determineth to Serve
Faithfully ....... 44
To his Unkind Love .... 46
The Lover Complaincth his
Estate ........ 46
Whether Liberty by Loss of
Life or Life in rison and
Thraldom be to be Preferred 48
He Puleth not, though he Reiga
over lealms, that is Subject
to his own Lusts ..... 49
PAGE
The Faithful Lover giveth to
his Mistress his Heart, as his
Best and Only Treasure . 50
A Description of the Sorrow
True Lovers' Parting . . . 51
The ]q elected Lover Calleth on
his Stony Hearted Mistress to
Hear him Complain ere that
he Die ........ 52
Ie Rejoiceth the Obtaining the
Favour of the ]Iistress of his
Ieart ........ 53
The Lover Prayeth Venus to
Conduct him to the Desired
Haven ........
The Lover Praiseth tile Beauty
of his Lady's Hand 55
That the Ey Bewraycth'ah'va
the Secret Affections of the
Heart ........ 56
The Lover Complaineth that
Faith may not Avail without
the Favour of Fantasy . .
That too much Confidencesome-
times Disappointeth Hope . 59
The Lover Bemoaneth his Un-
happiness that he cannot Oh-
tain Grace, yet cannot Cede
Loving ........ 60
The Mournhd Lover to his Heart
with Complaint that it will
not Break ....... 63
The Lover Renounces his Cruel
Love for Ever ..... 64
A Complaint of his Lady's
Cruelty ........ 65
Of the Contrary Affections of
the Lover ....... 66
That Right cannot Govern Fancy 67
That True Love Availeth not
when Fortune List to Frown 68
The Dcceived Lover Sueth only
for Liberty ...... 70
The Lover Calleth on his Lute
to Help lfim Bemoan his Hap-
less Fate ....... 71
That the Power of Love is such
he Worketh Impossibilities. 73
That the Life of the Unregarded
Lover is Worse than Dcth . 74
The Lover who cannot Prevail
must needs have Patience 75
When Fortune Smiles not, only"
Patience Comforteth . 76
That Patience alone can
the Wound Inflicted by Ad-
versity ........ 77
The Lover, Hopeless of Greater
WYATT'S POETICAL WOI KS.
SONGS AND SONNETS.
THE LOVER FOR SHAMEFASTNESS
I-IIDETH HIS DESIRE WITtIIFI HIS FAITHFUL HEART.
THE long love that in my thought I harbour,
And in my heart doth keep his residence,
Into my face presseth with bold pretence,
And there campeth displaying his banner.
She that me learns to love and to suffer,
And wills that my trust, and lust's negligence
:Be reined by reason, Shame, and reverence,
With his hardiness takes disl)leasure.
Vherewith love to the heart's forest he fleeth,
Leaving his enterprise with pain and cry,
And there him hideth, and not apI)eareth.
What may I do, when my master feareth,
]ut in the field with him to live and die .
For good is the life, ending faithfully.
10
THE LOVER WAXETH WISER.,
AND WILL NOT DIE FOI AFFECT10.N.
YET was I never of your love aggrieved,
:Nor never shall while that my life doth last;
But of hating myself, that date is last,
A
2 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
And tears continual sore have me wearied.
I vill not yet in my grave be buried;
[Nor on my tomb your name have fixed fast,
As cruel cause, that did the spirit soon haste
From th' unhappy bones, by great sighs stirred.
Then if an heart of morous faith and will
Content your mind withouten doing grief;
Please it you so, to this to do relief:
If otherwise you seek for to fulfil
Your wrath, you err, md shall not as you ween;
And you yourself the cause thereof have been.
THE ABUSED LOVER SEETH HIS FOLLY,
AND II'TENDETH TO TRUST 1O MORE.
Ws never file yet half so well yfiled,
To file a file for any smith's intent,
As I was made a filing instument,
To frame other, while that I was begnlilcd:
But reason, lo, hath at my folly smiled,
And pardoned me, since that I me repent
Of my lost years, and of my time misspent.
For youth led me, and falsehood me misguided.
Yet, this trust I have of great apparence,
Since that deceit is aye returnable,
Of very force it is agreeable,
That therewithal be done the recompense:
Then guile beguiled pluined should be never;
And the reward is little trust for ever.
SONG AN]:} SONNET.
:Let me remember my mishaps unhappy,
That me betide in May most commonly;
As one whom love list little to advance.
Stephan 1 said true, that my nativity
Misdlanced was with the ruler of May.
He guessed (I prove) of that the verity.
In May my wealth, and eke my wits, I say,
Have stond so oft in such perplexity:
Joy, let me dream of yotu" felicity.
THE LOVER
WITH PHYLLIS.
If waker care; if sudden pale colour;
If many sighs with little speech to plain:
Now joy, now woe, if they my chere a distain;
For hope of small, if much to fear therefore;
To haste or slack, my pace to less, or more,
Be sign of love, then do I love again.
If thou ask whom; sure, since I did refrain
Brunet, that set my wealth in such a roa;
Th' unfeigned cheer of Phyllis hath the place
That Brunet had; she hath, and ever shall.
She from myself now hath me in her grace;
She hath h hand my wit, my will, and all.
My heart alone well worthy she doth stay,
Without whose help scant do I lie a day.
CONFESSETH HIM IN LOVE
10
OF OTHERS' FEIGNED SOPROW,
AigD THE LOVER'S FEIGNED MIRTH.
CzESAR, when that file traitor of Egypt
With th' honoumble head did him present,
x 'Stephan:' an astrologer. -" ' Waker:' wakefuL-- ' Chore:' the ex-
pression of the countenance.
8 WYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
DESCIIPTION OF THE CONTRARIOUS
PASSIONS IN A LOVER.
I rIND no peace, and all my war is done;
I fear and hope; I burn, and freeze like ice;
I fly aloft, yet can I not arise;
And nought I have, and all the world I seize on;
That locks nor looseth, holdeth me in prison,
And holds me not, yet can I 'scape no wise:
Nor letteth me live, nor die, at my devise,
And yet of death it giveth me occasion.
Without eye I see; without tongue I plain:
I wish to perish, yet I ask for health;
I love another, and I hate myself;
I feed me in sorrow, and laugh h all my pain.
Lo, thus displeaseth me both death and life,
And my delight is causer of this strife.
10
THE LOVER COMPARETH HIS STATE TO
TO A SHIP IN PERILOUS STORM TOSSED ON TttE SEA.
hIY galley charged with forgetfulness,
Through sharp seas, in winter nights, doth pass
'Tween rock and rock; and eke my foe, alas,
That is my lord, steereth with cruehess:
And every oar, a thought in readiness,
As though that death were light in such a case;
An endless wind doth tear the sail apace
Of forced sighs and trusty fearfulness;
A rain of tears, a cloud of dark disdain,
Have done the wearied cords great hinderance:
Wreathed with error; and with ignorance;
SONGS AND SONNETS. ll
Alas! the snow black slmll it be and scMding,
The sea wterless, and fish upon the mountain,
The Thames shall back return into his fountain,
And where he rose the sun shall take lodging,
Ere I in this find peace or quietness ;
Or that Love, or my Lady, right-wisely,
Leave to consph'e against me wrongfully.
And if I have, after such bitterness,
One drop of sweet,, my mouth is out of taste,
That all my trust and travail is but waste.
OF LOVE, FORTUNE, AND THE LOVER'S
MIND.
LOVE, Fortune, and my mind which do remember
Eke that is now, and that, that once hath ben,
Torment lny heart so sore, that very often
I hate and envy them beyond all measure.
Love slayeth mine heart, while Fortune is depriver
Of all my comfort; the foolish mind then
]3urneth and plaineth, as one that very seldom
Liveth in rest. So still in displeasm'e
3Iy pleasant days they fleet and pass;
And daily doth mhe ill change to the worse: 0
While more than the half is run of my course.
Alas, not of steel, but of brittle glass,
I see that from my hand falleth my trust,
And all my thoughts are dashed hxto dust.
THE LOVEP PIAYETH HIS OFFEPED
HEART TO ]BE IECEIVED.
How oft have I, my dear and cruei foe,
With my great pain to get some peace or truce,
] WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
Given you nay heart; but you do not use
In so high things, to cast your mind so low.
If any other look for it, as you grow,
Their vain weak hope doth greatly them abuse:
And that thus I disdxha, that you refuse;
It was once mine, it can no more be so.
If you it chafe, that it in you can find,
In this exile, no manner of comfort,
:Nor live alone, nor where he is called resort;
He nay wander from his natural kind.
So shall it be ga-eat hurt unto us twain,
And yom's the loss, and mine the deadly pain.
THE LOVER'S LIFE COMPARED TO THE
ALPS.
LIKE unto these unmeasurable mountains
So is my pailfful life, the bin-den of h'e;
For high be they, and high is my desire;
And I of tears, and they be full of fountains:
Under craggy rocks they have barren plains;
Hard thoughts in me my woful mind doth tire:
Small fruit and many leaves their tops do atth-e,
With small effect great trust in me remains:
The boisterous winds oft theh- high boughs do blast;
Hot sighs in ne continually be shed: 0
Wild beasts in them, fierce love in me is fed;
Unmovable am I, and they steadfast.
Of singing birds they have the tune and note;
And I always plaints passing through my throat.
SONGS AND SONNETS. ]5
And who hath health and liberty alway,
Let him thank God, and let him not provoke,
To have the like of this my painful stroke.
THE LOVER LA?IENTS THE DEATH OF
HIS LOVE.
TIlE pillar perish'd is whereto I leant,
The strongest stay of mine unquiet mind;
The like of it no man again can find,
From east to west still seeking though he went;
To mine unhap; for hap away hath rent
Of all my joy the very bark and rind:
And I, alas! by &ante am thus assign'd
Daily to mourn, till death do it relent.
But since that thus it is by destiny,
What can I more but have a woftfl heart; 10
My pen in plaint, my voice in careful cry,
Iy mind in woe, my body full of smm;
And I myself, lnyself alwa3"s to hate,
Till dreadful death do ease my doleful state.
A RENOUNCING OF LOVE.
!:0AREWELL, Love, and all thy laws for ever;
Thy baited hooks shall tangle me no more"
Senec and Plato call me from thy lore,
To perfect wealth, my wit for to endeavour;
In blind errohr when I did pers'er,
Thy shm'p repulse, that pricketh aye so sore,
Taught me in trifles that I set no store;
]3ut 'scaped forth thence, since liberty is lever
x , Lever : ' dearer.
SONGS AND SONNETS. 1 7
And some there be that when it chanceth so
That women change, and hate where love hath been,
They call them false, and think with words to win
The hearts of them which otherwhere doth grow.
]But as for me, tlLough that by chance indeed
Change hath outworn tile favour tha.t I had,
I will not wail, hment, nor yet be sad,
Nor call her false that falsely did me feed;
But let it pass, and think it is of kind
That often chmge doth please a woman's mind.
THAT HOPE UNSATISFIED IS TO THE
LOVER'S HEART AS A PROLONGED DEATH.
I AmDE, and abide; and better abide,
After the old proverb, the happy day.
And ever my lady to me doth say,
' Let me alone, and I will provide.'
I abide, and abide, and tarry tile tide,
And with abiding speed well ye may.
Thus do I abide I wot alway,
1' other obtaining, nor yet denied.
Aye me! fills long abiding
Seemeth to me, as who sayeth
A prolonging of a dying death,
Or a refusing of a desired thing.
Much were it better for to be plain,
Than to sy, 'Abide,' and :yet not obtain.
10
HE PPAYETH HIS LADY TO ]BE TIUE;
FOR NO ON'E CAN RESTRAIN A WILLING MIND.
THOCH I myself be bridled of my mind,
leturning me backward by force express;
B
18 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS,
If thou seek honour, to keep thy promess
Who may thee hold, but thou fll)-self unbi.d
Sigh then no more, since no way man my find
Thy virtue to let, though that frowardness
Of Fortune me holdeth; and yet as I may guess
Though other be present thou art not all behind.
Suffice it then that thou be ready there
At all hours; still under the defence
Of Time, Truth, and Love to save thee from offence.
Crying I burn in a lovely desire,
Vith my dear mistress that may not follow;
Whereby mine absence turneth me to sorrow.
THE DESERTED LOVER
WISHETH THAT HIS RIVAL MIGIIT EXPERIENCE THE SAME
FORTUX'E HE ttIMSELF HAD TASTED.
To rail or jest, ye know I use it not;
Though that such cause sometime in folks I find.
And though to change 3-e list to set your mind,
Love it who list, in faith I like it not.
And if ye were to me, as ye are not,
I would be lofl to see you so unkind:
But since your fault nmst needs be so by kind;
Though I hate it I pray you love it not.
Things of great weight I never tlmught to crave,
This is but sm,ll; of right deny it not:
Your feigning ways, as yet forget them not.
Iut like rewm'd let other lovers have;
That is to say, for service true and fast,
Too long delays, and changing at the last.
10
RONDEAUX. 19
RONDEAUX.
REQUEST
HIS UNKIND LOVE.
]EHOLD, Love! thy power how she despiseth ;
My grievous pain how little she regardeth-
The solemn oath, whereof she takes no cure,
:Broken she hath, and yet she bidefh sure,
Right at her ease, and little thee she dreadeth:
Wea.poncd thou art, and she ularmSd sitteth:
To thee disdainful, all her life she leadcth ;
To me spiteful, without just cause or measure:
Behold, Love, how proudly she tdumpheth.
I am in hold, but if thee pity moveth,
Go, bend thy bow, that stony learts breaketh,
And with some stroke revenge the displeasure
Of thee, and him that sorrow doth endure,
And, as his lord, thee lowly here entreateth.
Behold, Love
TO CUPID FOR REVENGE OF
1 (|
COMPLAINT FOR TRUE LOYE
UNREQUITED.
WHAT 'vaileth truth, or by it to take pain ?
To strive by steadfastness for to attain
How to be just, and flee fl-om doubleness
Since all alike, where ruleth craftiness,
Rewarded is both crafty, false, and plain.
Soonest he speeds that most can lie and feign:
True meaning heart is had in high disdain.
Agahst deceit and cloakbd doubleness,
20 YrYATT"S POETICAL WORKS.
What 'vaileth truth, or perfect steadfastness ?
Deceived is he by false and crafty train,
That means no guile, and faithful doth remain
Within the trap, without help or redress:
]ut for to love, lo, such a stern mistress,
Where cruelty dwells, alas, it were in vain.
What' vaileth truth!
THE LOVER SENDETH SIGHS TO MOVE
HIS SUIT.
Go, burning sighs! unto the frozen heart,
To break the ice, which pity's painful dart
Might never pierce: and if that mortal prayer
in heaven be hea.rd, at least yet I desh'e
That death, or mercy, end my woful smart.
Take with thee pain, whereof I have my part,
And eke the flame from which I cannot stm't,
And leave me then iu rest, I you require.
Go, burning sighs! ftdfil that I desire,
I nmst go work, I see, by craft and art,
For trufl and faith in her is laid apart:
Alas, I cannot therefore now assail her,
With pitiful complaint and scalding fire,
That from my breast deceivably cloth start.
Go, burnhg sighs!
10
THE LOVER SEEKING FOR HiS LOST
HEART
PRAYETIt THAT IT MAY BE KLN'DLY ENTREATED
BY WttOMSOEVER FOUID.
1 HELP me to seek! for I lost it there;
And if that ye have found it, ye that be here,
' Train :' Deceit.
RONDEAUX, 21
And seek to convey it secretly,
Handle it soft, and treat it tenderly,
Or else it will plain, and then appair.'
But pray restore it mannerly,
Since that I do ask it thus honestly,
For to lose it, it sitteth me near;
Help me to seek!
Alas! and is there no remedy:
:But have I thus lost it wilfully.
I wis it was a thing all too dear
To be bestowed, and wist not where.
It was mine heart! I pray you heartily
Help me to seek.
HE DETERMIIETH TO CEASE TO LOVE.
FoR to love her for her looks lovely,
My heart was set in thought fight firmly,
Trusting by truth to have had redress;
]ut she hath made another promess,
And hath given me leave full honestly.
Yet do I not rejoice it greatly;
For on my faith I loved too surely,
:But reason will that I do cesse,
For to love her.
Since (that in love the pains been deadly,)
Methink it best that readily
I do retm to my first address;
For at this time too great is the press,
And perils appear too abundantly,
For to love her.
10
'Appair:' Decay.
RONDEAUX. 23
Though that with pain I do procure
For to forget that once was pure;
Within lny heart shall still that thiag
Unstable, unsure, and wavering,
Be in my mind without recure ?
qat no, perdie !
10
THE ABSENT LOVER PERSUADETH
HIMSELF THAT HIS MISTRESS WILL NOT ItAVE
THE POWER TO FORSAKE HIM.
:IF it be so that I forsake thee,
As banished from thy company;
Yet my hem% my mind, and my affection,
Shall still remain h thy perfection,
And right as thou list so order me.
But some would say in their opifion,
Revolted is thy good intention.
Then may I well blame thy cruelty,
If it be so.
But myself I say on this fashion;
' I have her heart in my possession,
And of itself cannot, perdie!
By no means love, an heartless body!'
And on my faith good is the reason,
If it be so.
10
THE RECUPED LOVER
RENOUNCETH ItIS FICKLE NISTRESS FOR HER NEW-
FANGLENESS.
Toc hast no faith of him that hath none,
But thou must love him needs by reason;
, WYATT'S FOETICAL WORKS.
For as saih a proverb notable,
' Each thing seeketh his semblable,'
And thou hast thine of thy condition.
Yet is it not the thing I pass on,
Nor hot nor cold is mine affection!
For since thine heart is so mutable,
Thou hast no fith.
I thought thee true without exception,
But I perceive I lacked discretion;
To faslion faitl to words mutable,
Thy thought is too light and vu-iable
To change so oft without occasion.
Thou hast no faith!
10
ODES.
THE LOVER COMPLAINETH THE UNKIND-
NESS OF HIS LOVE.
1 My lute, awake! perform the last
Labour, that thou and I shall waste;
And end that I have now begun:
And when this song is sung and past,
My lute! be still, for I have done.
As to be heard where ear is none;
As lead to grave in marble stone;
My song may pierce her heart as soon.
Should we then sigh, or sing, or moan .
No, no, my lute! for I have done.
3 The rocks do not so cruelly
:Repulse the waves continually,
As she my suit and affection:
So that I am past remedy;
Whereby my lute and I hve done.
4
Proud of the spoil that thou hast got
Of simple hearts through Love's shot,
By whom unkind thou hast them won:
Think not he hath his bow fo'ot,
Although my lute and I have done.
5
Vengeance shall fall on thy disdain,
That makest but game on earnest pain;
Think not alone under the sun
Unquit to cause thy lovers plain;
Although my lute and I have done.
6
May chance thee lie withered and old
In winter nights, that are so cold,
Plaining in vain tmto file moon;
Thy wishes then dre not be told:
Care then who list, for I have done.
7 And then may chance thee to repent
The time that thou hast lost and spent,
To cause thy lovers sigh and swoon:
Then shult thou know beauty but lent.,
And wish and want as I hve done.
8
Now cease, my lute! this is the last
Labour, that thou and I shall waste;
And ended is that we begun:
Now is this song both sung and past;
My lute! be still, for I have done.
ODES.
TH LOVER SHEWETH HOW HE IS
FORSAKEN OF SUCH AS liE SOhIETIME ENJOYED.
TtIE flee from llle, that sometime did me seek,
With naked foot stalldng withh my chamber:
Once have I seen them gentle, tame, and meek,
That now are wild, and do not once remember,
That somethne they have put flmmselves in danger
To take bread at my hand; and now they range
Busily seeking in continual change.
Thanked be Fortune, it hath been otherwise
Twenty times better; but once in special,
In thin array, after a pleasant guise,
When her loose gown did from her shoulders fall,
And she me caught in her arms long and small,
And therewithal so sweetly did me kiss,
And softly said, ' Dear heart, how like you tiffs ?'
3
It was no dream; for I lay broad awaking:
But all is turn'd now, through my gentleness,
Into a bitter fashion of forsaking;
And I have leave to go of her goodness;
And she also to use new fang'leness.
ut, since that I unkindly so am servbd,
I would fain know what she hath deserved ?
THE LOVER TO HIS BED,
WITH DESCRIBLNG OF HIS UNQUIET STATE.
THOU! restful place, renewer of my smart,
Thou! labours' salve, increasing my sorrbw,
O WYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
Thou! body's ease, and troubler of my heart,
Quieter of mind, and my unquiet foe,
Fogetter of pain, rememberer of my woe,
The place of sleep, wherein I do but wake,
Besprent with tears, my bed, I thee forsake.
The frost, tim snow may not redress my heat,
Nor heat of sun abate my fervent cold,
I know nothing to ease my pains so great;
Each cure causeth increase by twenty fold,
enewing cares upon my sorrows old,
Such overthwart effects iu me they make:
Besprent with tears, my bed for to forsake.
3 But all for nought, I find no better ease
In bed or out: this most causeth my pain,
Where I do seek how best that I may please;
My lost labohr, alas, is all in vain:
My heart once set, I cannot it refrain;
No place fi'om me my grief away can take;
Wherefore with tears, my bed, I thee forsake.
THE LOVER COIIPLAINETH THAT HIS
LOVE DOTH NOT PITY HIhI.
ESOUND lny voice, ye woods, that hear me plain;
Both hills and vales causing reflexion;
And rivers eke, record ye of my pain,
Which have oft forced ye b:}" compassion,
As judges, lo, to hear my exclamation:
Among whom ruth, I find, yet doth remain;
Where I it seek, alas, there is disdain.
ODES.
Oft, ye rivers, to hear my woful sound
Have stopp'd your course: and plinly to express
Many a tear by moisture of the ground,
The earth hath wept to hear my heaviness:
Which causeless I endure without re3ress.
The hugy oaks have roarbd in the wind-
Each thing, methought, complaining in their kind.
3 W]y then, alas, doth not she on me rue ?
Or is her heart so hard that no pity
May in it sink, my joy for to renew?
O stony heart, who hath thus framed thee
So cruel, that art cloaked with beauty!
That from thee may no greece to me proceed,
13ut as reward, deafl for to be my raced!
THE LOVER COMPLAINETH HIMSELF
FORSAKEN.
1 WHERE shall I have, at mine OWH will,
Tears to complain? where shall I fet 1
Such sighs, that I may sigh my fill,
And then again my plaints repeat ?
For, though my plaint shall have none end,
My tears cannot suffice my woe:
To moan my harm have I no friend;
For fortune's friend is mishal)'S foe.
3 Comfort, God wot, else have I none,
]3ut in the wind to waste my words;
Nought moveth you my deadly mom,
But still you turn it into hordes."
' Fet :' Fetch. ---- ' Bordes :' Jests.
30 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
4
I speak not now to move your heart,
That you should rue upon my pain,
The sentence given may not revert:
I know such labour were but win.
5
But since that I for you, my dear,
Have lost that thing, that was my best,
A right small loss it nmst appear
To lose these words, and all the rest.
6
But though they sparkle in the wind,
Yet shall they shew your falsd faith,
Which is returned unto his ldnd;
For like to like, the proverb sith.
7 Fortune and you did me advance;
Methought I swam, and could not drown:
Happiest of all; but my mischance
Did lift me up, to throw me down.
And you with her, of cruelness,
Did set your foot upon my neck,
Me, and my welfare, to oppress;
Without offence your heart to wreck.
9
Where are your pleasant words, alas!
Where is your faith? your steadfastness ?
There is no more, but all doth pass,
And I am left all comfortless.
10
But since so much it doth you grieve,
And also me my wretched life,
Have here my truth: nought shall relieve,
But death alone, my wretched strife.
ODES. 31
11
Therefore farewell, my life, my death;
My gain, my loss, my strive, my sore;
Farewell also, with you my breath;
For I am gone for evermore.
A RENOUNCING OF HARDLY
LOVE.
1 FtREWELL the heart of cruelty;
Though that with paiu my library
Dear have I bought, and wofully
Finish'd my fearful tragedy.
ESCAPED
2
Of force I nmst forsake such pleashre;
A good cause just, since I endm'e
Thereby my woe, which be ye sure,
Shall therewith go me to recm'e.
3
I fare as one escap'd that fleeth,
Glad he is gone, and yet still feareth
Spied to be caught, aud so dreadeth
That he for nought his pain lesefl.
4
In joyful pain, rejoice my heart,
Thus to sustain of each a part.
Let not this song from thee astart;
Welcome among my pleasant smart.
THE LOVER TAUGHT, MISTRUSTET-tl
ALLUREMENTS.
1 IT may be good, like it who list;
But I do doubt: who cau me bhune
For oft assured, yet have I miss'd;
Though thou bast set me for a wonder,
And seek'st by change to do me pain-
Men's minds yet mayst thou not so order;
For honesty, if it remain,
Shall shine for all thy cloudy rain.
In vain thou seek'st to have me trapp'd;
Spite of thy hap, hap hath well happ'd.
In hindering me, me didst thou further;
And made a ga.p, where was a stile:
Cruel wills been oft put under;
Weening to lout, then didst thou smile:
Lord l how thyself thou didst beguile,
That in thy eaves wouldst me have wrapp'd !
But spite of hap, hap hath well happ'd.
THE LOVER'S SORROWFUL STATE
]IAKETH HIM WRITE SORROWFUL SONGS, BUT SUCH HIS
LOVE IIAY CHANGE THE SAIIE.
1 MArVeL no more although
The songs I sing" do moan;
For other life than woe,
I never proved none.
And in my heart also
Is graven, with letters deep,
A thousand sighs and too,
A flood of tears to weep.
How may a man in smart
Find matter to rejoice ?
How may a mourning heart
Set forth a pleasant voice .
C
34 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
3
]lay, whoso can, that pal%
Needs must in me appear
How fortune ovethwar
Doth cause my mom'ning chere.
Perdie! there is no man,
If he saw never sight,
That perfectly tell can
The nature of the light.
Alas! how should I
That never taste but sore;
But do as I began,
Continually to lore'.
But yet perchance some chance
May chance to change my tune;
And when such chance doth chance,
Then shall I thank fortune.
And if I have such chance,
Perchance ere it be long,
lor such a pleasant chance,
To sing some pleasant song.
THE LOVER SERDETH HIS C05IPLAINTS
AND TE.AS TO SUE FOR GttACE.
1 PASS fob%h, my wonted cries,
Those cruel ears to perse,
lVhich in most hateful wise
Do still my plaints reverse.
Do you, my tears, also
So wet her barren heart,
That pity there may grow,
And cruelty depart.
ODS. 35
2
For though hard rocks among
She seems to hve been bred,
And of the tiger long
Been nourished and fed;
Yet shall not nature change,
If pity once win place;
Vhom as unlumwn and strange
She now away doth chase.
3 And as the water soft,
Without forchlg or strength,
Where that it falleth oft
Hard stones cloth pierce at length:
So in her stony hem't
My plaints at last sllall grave,
And, rigom- set apart,
Win grant of that I crave.
4
Wherefore, my plaints, present
Still so to her my stilt,
As ye, through her assent,
May bring to me sonle fruit.
And as she shall me prove,
So bid her me regard;
And render love for love;
Which is a just reward.
THE
LOVER'S CASE CANNOT BE HIDDEN
HOWEVER HE DISSEMBLE.
1 Yocl looks so often cast,
Your eyes so friendly roll'd,
Your sight fixed so fast,
Always one to behold;
36 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
Though hide it fain ye wold,
It p1Mnly doth declare,
Who hath your heart in hold,
And where good will ye bern'.
Fain would ye find a cloak
Your brenning 1 fire to hide,
Yet both the flame and smoke
]3teaks out on every side.
Ye cannot love so guide,
That it no issue win:
Abroad needs nmst it glide,
That brens so hot within.
3 For, 'cause yourself do wink,
Ye judge all other blind;
And secret it you think,
Which every man doth find.
In waste oft spend ye wind,
Yourself in love to qtit;
:For agues of that kind
Will shew who hath the
Your sighs you fetch from far,
And all to wry your woe;
Yet are ye ne'er the narre: a
Nen are not blinded so.
Deeply oft swear ye no;
]3ut all those oaths are vain:
So well your eye doth shew,
Who puts your heart to pain.
Think not therefore to hide,
That still itself betrays:
Brcnning :' burning.-- ' Wry :' to divert, or hide. ' lgarra :" nearer.
38 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
THE LOVER LAM:ENTETH HIS ESTATE
WITH SUIT FOR GRACE.
1 FOR want of will h woe I plain,
Under colour of soberness;
Renewing with my suit my paiu,
My wanhope with you steadfastness.
Awake therefore of gentleness;
Regard, at length, I you require,
Iy swelting pains of my desh'e.
2 ]etimes who giveth willingly,
Pedoublcd thanks ye doth deser'e;
And I that sue unfeig'nedly,
In fruitless hope, als! do sterve.
How great my cause is for to swerve,
And yet how steadfast is my suit,
Lo, here ye see: where is the fruit ?
3 As hound that hth lfis keeper lost.,
Seek I yore" presence to obtain;
In which my heart delighteth most,
And shall delight though I be slain.
You may release my band of pain;
Loose then the care that makes me cry
For want of help, or else I die.
4 I die, though not incontinent ;
By process, yet consuming-ly,
As waste of fa-e which doth relent:
If you as wilful will deny.
Wherefore cease of such cruelty,
And take me wholly in your grace;
Which lacketh will to change his place.
' Wanhopc :' despair. u ' Sterve :' perish, die. -- ' Incontinent :' im-
mmediately.
THE LOVER WAILETH HIS CHANGED JOYS.
Is ever man might him avamt
Of Fortune's friendly chere,
It was myself, I must it grant,
For I have bought it dear:
And dearly have I held also
The glory of her name,
In yielding her such tribute, lo,
As did set folth her fame.
Sometime I stood so in her grace,
That, as I would require,
Each joy I thought did me embrace,
That fulhered nly desire:
And all those pleasures, lo, had I,
That fimcy might support;
And notlfing she did me deny
That was unto my comfort.
3
I had, what wonld you more, perdie ?
Ead -ace that I did crave;
Thus Fortune's will was unto me
All thhg flat I would have:
:But all too rathe, alas the while,
She built on such a u'ound:
In little space, too great a guile
In her now have I found.
For she hath turned so her vheel,
That I, lmhappy man,
hiay vail the time that I did feel
Wherewith she fed me than:
' lthe :' soon.
40 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
5
For broken now are her behests,
And pleasant looks she gave,
And therefore now all my requests
From peril cannot save.
Yet would I well it might appear
To her my chief regard;
Though my deserts have been too dear
To merit such reward:
Shce Fortune's will is .now so bent
To plague me thus, poor man,
I must myself therewith content,
And bear it as I can.
TO HIS LOVE THAT HATtt GIVEN tIISl
ANSWER OF REFUSAL.
TIE answer that ye made to me, my deaL;
When I did sue for my poor heart's redress,
Hath so appall'd my countenance and my chere,
That in this case I am all comfo'tless,
Shce I of blame no cause cau well express.
I have no wrong', where I can claim no right,
iNought ta'en me fro, where I have nothhg had,
Yet of my woe I cannot so be quite;
Namely, since that another may be glad
With that, that thus in sorrow makes me sad.
Yet none can claim, I say, by former grant,
That knoweth not of any grant at all;
And by deset, I dare well ma.ke avaunt
Of faithful will; there is nowhere that shall
]3ear you more truth, nore ready at yore" call
4
ODES. 41
Now good then, call again that bitter word,
That touch'd your friend so near with pangs of pain;
And say, my dear, that it was said in bord:
Late, or too soon, let it not rule the gain,
Wherewith h'ee will doth true desert retain.
THE LOVER DESCRIBETH HIS BEING
TAKEN WITH SIGHT OF HIS LOVE.
UwmLY so was never no mau caught,
Wifl steadfast look upon a goodly face,
As I of late: for suddenly, methought,
My heart was torn out of his place.
Through nlhle eye the stroke from hers did slide,
And down directly to my heart it ran;
In help whereof the blood thereto did glide,
And left my face both pale and wan.
3
Then was I like a nlan for woe amazed,
Or like the fowl that fleeth hito the fire;
For while that I upon her beauty gazed,
The nlore I bm'n'd in my desire.
4
Anon the blood start in lny face again,
Inflanfd with heat, that it had at nly heart,
And brought therewith, tln'oughout hi every vehl,
A qua-king heat vith pleasant smart.
5
Then was I like the straw, when that the f]allle
Is driven thereht by force and rage of whld;
I cannot tell, alas! what 1 shall blame,
:Nor what to seek, nor what to find.
ODES. 2. 5
Though for good will I find but hate,
And cruelty, my life to waste,
And though that still a wetched state
Should phm my days unto the lst,
Yet I profess it willingly
To serve, and suflbr ptiently.
3 For since my heart is bound to serve,
And I aot ruler of mine own,
Vhatso befall, till that I sterve
]3y proof full 'ell it shall be known,
That I shall still myself apply
To serve, and suffer patiently.
Yea, though my grief find no redress,
]ut still increase before nline eyes,
Though my reward be cruelness,
With all the harm hap can devise,
Yet I profess it willingly
To serve, and suffer patiently.
5 Yea, though Fortune her pleasant face
Should show, to set me up aloft,
And straight my wealth for to deface,
Should writhe away, as she doth oft,
Yet would I still myself apply
To sel'e, and suffer patiently.
6 There is no grief, no sma% no woe,
That yet I feel, or after shall,
That from this mind may make me go;
And whatsoever me befall,
I do profess it willingly
To serve, and suffer patiently.
WYATT S POETICAL WORKS.
TO HIS UNKIND LOVE.
WHAT rage is this ? what furor ? of what "kind ?
What power ? what plague doth weary thus my mind
Within my bones to rankle is assigned,
What poison, pleasant, sweet ?
Lo! see mine eyes flow with continual tears,
The body still away sleepless it wears,
My food nothing my fahting strength repairs,
Nor doth my limbs sustain.
3
In deep wide wound, the deadly stroke dofl tm'n
To cureless scar that never shall retttrn:
Go to! trimnph! rejoice thy goodly turn,
Thy friend thou dost oppress.
4
Oppress thou dost, and hast of him no cure,
Nor yet my plaint no pity can procure,
Fierce tiger fell! hard rock without recure!
Cruel rebel to love!
5 Once may thou love, never beloved again!
So love thou still, and not thy love obtain!
So wrathful love, with spites of just disdain,
May fl"eat thy cruel heart!
THE LOVER COMPLAINETtt HIS
1 I SEE that chance hath chosen me
Thus secretly to live in pain,
And to another given the fee,
Of all my loss to have the gain:
' reat, or frete :' consume,
ESTATE.
ODES. 47
]3y chance asigned thus do I serve,
And other have that I deserve.
Unto myself sometfine lone
I do lament nay world case;
]3ut what availeth me to moan ?
Since truth and pity hath no place
In them, to whom I sue mad serve,
And other have that I deserve.
3
To seek by mean to change this mind,
Alas! I prove, it will not be;
For ha nay heart I cannot
Once to refrain, but still a.gree,
As bound by force, alway to serve,
And other have that I deserve.
Such is the fortmm that I have,
To love them most that love me least;
And to my pain to seek, and crave
The thing that other have possess'd:
So thus h vain alway I serve,
And other have theft I deserve.
5
And till I may appease the heat,
If that my hap will hap so well,
To u-all my woe my hea shall frete,
Whose pensive pain my tongue can tell;
Yet thus mflmppy must I serve,
And other have that I deserve.
8 WYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
WHETHER LIBERTY BY LOSS OF LIFE
OR LIFE IN PRISON AID THRALDOM BE TO BE PREFERRED.
1 LE as the bird within the cage inclosed,
The door unsparred, her foe the hawk without,
'Twixt death and prison piteously oppressed,
lVhether for to choose standeth in doubt;
Lo! so do I, which seek to bring about,
Which should be best by determination,
By loss of life, libe-ty; or life by prison.
mischief, by mischief to be redressed!
Where pain is best, there lieth but little pleasure,
By sho death better to be delivered,
Than bide in painful life, thraldom, and dolour:
Small is the pleasure, where much pain we surlier;
ather therefore to choose methinketh wisdom,
By loss of life libe-ty, than life by prison.
3 And yet methinks, although I live and suffer,
I do but wait on time and fo'tune's chance;
Oft many things do happen in one hour;
That which oppress'd me now :nay me advance.
In time is trust, which by death's grievance
Is wholly lost. Then were it not reason
By death to choose liberty, and not life by prison.
]ut death were deliverance, where life lengths pain,
Of these two ills let see now choose the lest,
This bird to deliver that here cloth plain:
What suy ye, lovers? which shull be the best?
In cage thraldom, or by the hawk oppress'd:
And which to choose make plain conclusion,
By loss of life libe'ty, or life by prison .
ODES.
:HE
RULETH NOT THOUGH HE REIGN
OVER REALMS,
THAT IS SUBJECT TO HIS OWN LUSTS.
IF thou wilt mighty be, flee from the rage
Of cruel will; and see thou keep thee free
From the foul yoke of sensual bondage:
:For flmugh thine empire stretch to Indian sea,
And for thy fear trembleth the frthest Thulb,
If thy desire hve over thee the power,
Subject then m't thou, and no governor.
If to be noble and high thy mind be moved,
Consider well thy ground and thy beginning;
For he that hath each star in heaven fixed,
And gives the moon her horns, and her eclil)sing,
Alike lmth made thee noble in his working;
So that wretched no way may thou be,
Except foul lust and vice do conquer thee.
3
All' were it so thou had a flood of gold
Unto thy thirst, yet should it not suffice;
And though with Indian stones, a thousand fold
More 1)recious than can thyself devise,
Ycha'ed were thy back; thy covetise,
And busy biting yet should never let
Thy wretched life, ne do thy death profet.
x ' All :' although.
D
ODES. 51
A DESCRIPTION OF THE SORROW OF
TRUE LOVERS' PARTING.
] THERE was never nothing more me pain'd,
:Nor more my pity moved,
As when my sweatheart her complain'd
That ever she me loved.
Alas! the while!
2
Vith piteous look she said, and sight,
' Alas! what aileth 111e7.
To love, and set my wealth so fight,
On hhn that loveth not me;
Alas! the while!
3 Was I not well void of all pain,
When that nothing me grieved ?
And now with sorrows I must complain,
And cannot be relieved,
Alas! the while !
My restfld nights, and joyful days,
Since I began to love
]3e take from me; all thing decays,
Yet can I not remove,
Alas! the while !'
5
She wept and wrung her hands withal,
The tears fell in my neck:
She turned her face, and let it fall;
And scarce therewith could speak:
Alas ! the while !
6
Her pains tormented nle so sore
That comfort had I none,
Sight :' sighe&
ODES. 53
For since that first I entered h this strife,
An inward death hath fret 1 my mind, my mind.
7 If I had suffered this to you unware
Mhm were the fault, and you nothing" to blame;
But since you know my woe and all my care,
Why do I die, alas! for shame! for shame!
8
I know right well my face, my look, my tears,
Miue eyes, my words, and eke my dreary chere
Have cried my death full oft unto yotu" ears;
Htrd of belief it doth appear, appear.
A better proof I see that ye would have;
How I am dead, therefore, when ye hear tell,
Believe it not, although ye see my grave;
Cruel! unkind! I say farewell! farewell!
HE REJOICETH THE OBTAINING THE
FAVOUR OF TIlE MISTRESS OF HIS HEART.
AFTER great storms the calm returns,
And pleasanter it is thereby;
:Fortune likewise that often turns,
Hath made me now the most happy.
The heaven that pitied my distress,
My just desire, and my cry,
Hath maple my la.nguor to cease,
And me also the most happy.
3 Whereto despairSd ye, my friends'.t
My trust alway in her did lic
' Fret :' wasted.
5" 'YATTS POETICAL WORKS.
That knoweth what my thought intends;
Whereby I live the most hal)py.
4 Lo! what can take hope from that heart,
That is assured steadfastly;
Hope therefore ye that live in smart,
Whereby I am the most hal)py.
5
And I that have felt of your pain
Shall pray to God continually,
To make your lmpe, your health retain,
And me also the most hapl)y.
THE LOVER PRAYETIt VENUS
TO CONDUCT ttIM TO THE DESIRED HAVEN.
1
THOUGH this the port, and I thy servant
And thou thyself dost cast thy beams from high
From thy chief house, promising to renew
Both joy and eke delight, behold )et how that
Banished from my bliss, carefully do cry.
tIelp now Cytherea! my lady dear,
My fearful trust, ' En vogant la galere.'
Alas! the doubt that dreadful absence giveth!
Without thine aid assurance is there none;
The firm faith that in the water ileteth,
Succour thou therefore, in thee it is alone.
Stay that with faith, that faithfully doth moan,
Thou also givest me both hope and fear,
Remember me then,' En vogant la galere.'
1, Chief house :' in the astrological sense.
ODES.
3
By seas, and hills elonged h'om thy sight,
Thy wonted grace reducing to my mind,
Instead of sleep thus I occupy the night;
A thousand thoughts, and many doubts I find,
And still I trust thou canst not be unkind,
Or else despair my comfort and my chere
Would she forthwith, ' En vogant la galere.'
4 Yet, on my faith! full little doth remain
Of any hope whereby I may myself uphold;
For since that only words do me retain,
I may well think the affection is but cold.
Iut since my will is nothing as I would,
And in thy hands it resteth whole and clear,
Forget me not, ' En vogant la galere.'
THE
LOVER PRAISETH THE BEAUTY
OF HIS LADY'S HAND.
10 GOODLY hand,
Whereh doth stand
:My heart distract in pain:
Dear hand, alas!
In little space
]Iy e thou dost restrain.
0 fingers slight,
Departed right,
So long, so small, so round!
Goodly begone,
And yet a bone
:Most cruel in my wound.
3 With lilies white
And roses b'ig'ht
56 WYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
Doth strain thy colour fair:
Nature did lend
Each finger's end
A pearl for to repair.
4 Consent at last,
Since that thou hast
My heart in thy demain,
For service true
On me to rue,
And reach me love again.
5 And if not so,
There with more woe
Enforce thyself to strain
This simple heart,
That suffered smart,
And rid it out of pain.
THAT THE EYE BEWPAYETH ALWAY THE
SECRET AFFECTIONS OF THE HEART.
1 AND if an eye may save or slay,
And strike more deep titan weapon long;
And if an eye by subtle play,
May move one more than any tongue;
How can ye say that I do wrong,
Thus to suspect without desert?
For the eye is traitor to the heart.
To frame all well, I am content
That it were done unweetingly;
ut yet I say, (who will assent),
To do but well, do nothing why
That men should deem the contrary;
OIES. 5 7
For it is said by men expert
That tim eye is traitor of the heart.
3
But yet, alas! that look, all sotfl,
That I do claim of right to have,
Shotfld not, met.hinkgo seek the school,
To please all folk, for who can crave
Friendlier thing than heart witsave 1
By look to give h friendly part;
For the eye is traitor of the heart.
4 And nay suspect is without blame;
For as ye say, not only I
But other mo have deem'd tim same;
Then is it not jealousy,
]3ut subtle look of reckless eye
Did range too far, to make me smart;
For the eye is traitor of the heart.
5
But I yore" friend shall take it thus,
Since you will so, as stroke of chance;
And leave further for to discuss,
Whefler the stroke did stick or glance;
But 'scuse who can let him advance
Dissembled looks, but for my part,
My eye must still betray my heart.
And of this grief ye shall be quit,
In helping Truth steadfast to go.
The time is long that Truth doth sit
Feeble and weak, and suff'reth woe;
Cherish him well, continue so;
Let him not fro' your heart astart;
Then fears not the eye to show the heart.
x ' Witsave :' vouchsafe.
58 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
THE LOVER COMPLAINETH
THAT FAITH MAY NOT AVAIL WITHOUT THE FAVOUR OF
FANTASY.
IF Fancy 1 would favour,
As nay deserving shall;
My love, my paramour,
Shottld love me best of all.
:But if I cannot attain
The grace that I desire,
Then may I well complain
h:[y service, and my hh'e.
3 Fancy doth know how
To further my true heart;
If Fancy might avow
With Faith to take pale.
:But Fancy is so frail
And flitting still so fast,
That Faith may not prevail
To help me, first nor last.
5 For Fancy at his lust,
Doth rule all but by guess;
Whereto should I then trust
In truth or steadfastness.
6 Yet g]adly would I please
The fancy of her heart,
That may me only ease
And cure my careful smart.
Fancy :' Love
ODES. 59
7 Therefore, my lady dear,
Set once your fantasy
To make some hope appear,
Of steadfast remedy.
8
For if he be my friend,
And undertake my woe,
My grief is at end
If he continue so.
9
Else Fancy doth not fight;
As I deserve and shall,
To have you day and night,
To love me best of all.
THAT TOO MUCH CONFIDENCE
SOMETIMES DISAPPOINTETH HOPE.
1 M hope, alas! hath me abused,
And vain rejoicing hath me fed:
Lust and joy have me refused,
And careful plaint is in their stead;
Too much advancing slack'd my sleed,
Mirth hath cansed my heaviness,
And I remain all comfolless.
2 Vhereto did I assure my thought
Without displeasure steadfastly;
In Fortune's forge my joy was wrought,
And is revolted readily.
I am mistaken wonderly;
For I thought not but faithfirlness;
Yet I remain all comfortless.
0 VYATT'S POETICAL VORKS.
3
In gladsome cheer I did delight,
Till that delight did cause my smart,
And all was wrong when I thought right;
For right it was, that my true heart
Should not h'om truth be set apart,
Since truth did cause my hardiness;
Yet I remain all conffortless.
Sometime delight did tune my song,
And led my heart full pleasantly;
And to myself I said among,
' My hap is comhlg hastily.'
:But it hafl happed contrary.
Assm'ance causeth my distress,
And I remain all conffortless.
5
Then if my note now do vary,
And leave his wonted pleasantness;
The heavy burthen that I carry
Hth alter'd all my joyfulness.
1o pleasure h,th still steadfastness,
:But haste hath hurt my happiness;
And I remain all conffortless.
THE LOVER :BEMOAIETH
HIS UlqHAPPIIESS THAT HE CAIIOT OBTAIII GRACE,
YET CAlqlqOW CEASE LOVIlqG.
1 ALL heavy minds
Do seek to ease their charge;
And that that most them bbds
To let t lrge.
ODES. 63
THE MOURNFUL LOVER TO HIS HEART
WITH COMPLAIIT THAT IT WILL IOT BREAK.
1 CotFOaW thysel[, my woful heart,
Or shortly on thyself thee wreak;
For length redoubleth deadly smart;
Yhy sigh'st thou, heart! and wilt not break?
To waste in sighs were piteous death;
Alas! I find thee faint and weak.
Enforce thyself to lose thy breath;
Why sigh'st thou, heart! and wilt not break
3 Thou know'st right well that no redress
Is thus to pine; and for to speak,
Perdie ! it is remediless;
Why sigh'st thou then, and wilt not break?
l It is too late for to refuse
The yoke, when it is on thy neck!
To shake it off, vaileth not to muse;
Why sigh'st thou then, and wilt not break
5 To sob and sigh it 'ere but vain,
Since there is none that doth it reck;
Alas! thou dost prolong thy pain;
Why sigh'st thou then, and wilt not breakS.
6 Then in her sight to move her heart
Seek on thyself, thyself to wreak,
That she may know thou suffered'st smart;
Sigh there thy last, and therewith break.
{4 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
THE LOVER ENOUNCES HIS CUEL LOVE
FO EVE.
1 Aas! the grief, and deadly woful smart,
The eareN1 chance, shapen afore my short,
The sorrowful tears, the sighs hot as fire,
That cruel love hath long soked from my heart!
And for reward of over great desire
Disdainftd doubleness have 1, for my hia-e.
lost service! 0 pain ill rewarded!
pitiful heart, with pain enlarged!
O faithful mind, too suddenly assented!
Beturn, alas! sithens thou art not regarded.
Too great a proof of true faith presented,
Causeth by right such faith to be repented.
3 0 cruel causer of undeserved change,
By great desire unconstantly to range,
Is this your way for proof of steadfastness ?
Perdie! you know, the thing was not so strange,
By former proof too much my faithfulness;
What needeth then such coloured doubleness ?
I have wailed thus, weeping iaa nightly pain,
In sobs, and sighs, alas! and all in vain,
In inward plaint, and heart's woful torment.
And yet, alas! lo! cruelty and disdain
tIave set at noug'ht a faithful true htent,
And price hath privilege troth to wevent.
5
:But thcugh I starve, and to my death still mourn,
And piecemeal in pieces though I be torn;
And though I die, yielding my wearied ghost,
66 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
To do yore" heart such good,
To see me bathe in blood,
For to content your cruelness.
5 Then could ye ask no more;
Then should ye euse my sore,
And the excess
Of my distress;
And you should evermore
Defamed be flerefore,
For to repent yore" cruelness.
OF THE CONTRAtY AFFECTIONS
THE LOVEIt.
Suc hap us I am happbd in,
Hud never man of truth, I ween;
At me Fortune list to begin,
To shew that never huth been seen,
A new -kind of mhapphmss;
Nor I caunot the tlfing I meun
Myself express.
Myself express my deudly pain,
That cun I well, if thut might serve:
But when I have not help again,
That know I not, uuless I sterv@
For hunger still mniddes my food
[LuckJmg the thing] that I deserve
To do me good.
3 To do me good what may prevail,
For I deserve, nd not desire,
' Stcrve :' perish.
OF
3
WYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
Therefore I play'd the fool in vain,
With pity when I first began
Your cruel heart for to constrain,
Since love regardeth no doubtful man.
4 Iut of your goodness, all your mind
Is that I should complain in vain;
This is the favour that I find;
Ye list to hear how I can plah !
5 But though I plain to please your heart,
Trust me I trust to temper it so,
Tot for to care which do revert;
All shall be one, or wealth, or woe.
For Fancy ruleth, though Right say nay,
Even as the good man kiss'd his cow:
None other reason can ye lay,
tut s who sayeth; ' I reck not how.'
THAT TRUE LOVE AVAILETH NOT WHEN
FORTUNE LIST TO FROWN.
1 To wish, and want, and not obtain;
To seek and sue ease of nay pain,
Since all that ever I do is vain,
What may it avail me!
Although I strive both day and horn"
Against the stream, with all nay power,
If Fortune list yet for to lower,
What may it avail me !
3 If willingly I suffer woe;
If from the fire me list not go;
ODES.
69
If then I burn to plain me so,
What may it avail me!
4
And if the harm that I suffer,
Be run too far out of measure,
To seek for help any further,
What may it avail me!
5
What though each heart that heareth me plain,
Pitieth aud plaineth for my pain;
If I no less iu grief remain,
What may it avail
6
Yea! flough the want of my relief
Displease the causer of my grief;
Since I renlahl still in mischief,
What may it avail
7 Such cruel chance doth so me threat
Continually iuward to freat,
Then of release for to treat;
What may it avail
8 Fortune is deaf unto my call;
My torment moveth her not at all;
And thongh she turn as doth a ball,
What may it avail me!
9
For in despair flmre is no rede ;"
To want of ear, speech is no speed;
To linger still alive as dead,
What may it avail me !
' Freat :' consume away.--- ' tlede :' counsel.
70 WYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
THE DECEIVED LOVER SUETH ONLY
FOR LIEERTY.
1
Iv dmnce assign'd,
Were to my mind,
By very kind
Of destiny;
Yet would I crave
Nought else to have,
]ut life and liberty.
Then were I sure,
I might endure
The displeasure
Of cruelty;
Where now I plaLn,
Alas! in vain,
Lacking my life, for liberty.
3
For withou th' one,
Th' other is gone,
And there can none
It remedy;
If th' one be past,
Th' otb_er doth waste,
And all for lack of libert) .
4
And so I &'ire,
As yet alive,
Although I strive
With misery;
Drawing my breath,
Looldng for death,
And loss of life for liberty.
ODES.
5
]ut thou that still,
Mayst a hy will,
Turn 11 this ill
Adversity;
l%r the repair,
Of my welfare,
Grant me but life and liberty.
6
And if not so,
Then let all go
To wretched woe,
And le me die;
For th' one or h' other,
There is none oher;
My death, or life wih liberty.
THE LOVER CALLETH ON HIS LUTE
TO HELP HIM BEMOAN HIS HAPLESS FOTE.
AT most mischief
I Stli}r grief;
For of relief
Since I have none,
My lue md I
Continually
Shall us apply
To sigh and moan.
Nought may prevail
To weep or wail;
:Pity doth fail
In you, alas!
72 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
l:ourning or moan,
Complaint or none,
It is all one,
As in this ease.
3
For cnmlty,
That most can be,
IIafl sovereignty,
Within your hearL;
Which maketh bare,
All my welfare:
Nought do ye care
How sore I smart
4
:No tiger's heart
Is so pervo%
Without desert
To 'eak his ire;
And you me kill
For my good will:
Lo! how I spill
For my desire!
There is no love
That can ye move,
And I can prove
:None other way ;
Therefore I must
:Restrain my lust,
]anish my trust,
And wealth away.
6 Thus in mischief
I suffer grief,
ODES. 73
For of relief
Since I have none;
My lute and I
Continually
Shall us apply
To sigh and moan.
THAT THE POWER OF LOVE IS SUCH
HE WORKETH IMPOSSIBILITIES.
1 To cause accord, or to agree
Two contraries in one degree,
And in one point, as seemeth me
To all man's wit it cannot be;
It is impossible!
2 Of heat and cold when I complain,
And say that heat doth cause my pain,
When cold doth shake me every vein,
And both at once! I say again,
It is impossible!
3 That man that hath his heart away,
If life liveth there, as men do say,
That he hem'tless should last one day
Alive, and not to turn to clay,
It is impossible!
4 'Twixt life and death, say what who saith,
There liveth no life that draweth breath;
They joh so near, and eke I' fairly,
To seek for life by wish of death,
1 t is impossible!
5 Yet Love, that all thing doth subdue,
Whose power there may no life eschew,
Hath wrought in me that i may rue
These mh'acles to be so trim,
That are impossible.
THAT THE LIFE OF THE UNREGARDED
LOVER IS WOISE THAN DEATH.
1 WHAT death is worse than this!
Vhen my delight,
My weal, my joy, my bliss,
Is fl-om my sight
toth day and night,
My life, alas! I miss.
For though I seem alive,
My heart is hence;
Thus bootless for to strive
Out of presence
Of my defence
Towm'd my death I drive.
3
Heartless, alas! what man
May long endure!
_A_ls ! how live I then;
Since no recure
May me assure
My life I may well bn.
4 Thus doth my torment grow
In deadly
Alas ! who might live so;
Alive, as dead:
Alive, to lead
A deadly life in woe.
1 c[lr : ' rcovry.
ODES, 75
THE LOVER WHO CANNOT PREVAIL IIUST
NEEDS HAVE PATIENCE.
1 PATIENCE for my device;
Impatience for your part!
Of contraries the guise
Must needs be overthwm't.
Ptience ! for I am tle;
The contrary for you.
Patience! good cause why!
You have no cause at all;
Trust me, that stands awry
Perchance may sometime fall.
Patience then say, and sup
A taste of Patience cup.
3 Patience! no force for that
Yet brush your gown again.
Patience ! spurn not thereat;
Lest folk perceive your pain.
Patience at my pleasure,
Vhen yom's hath no measm'e.
The t'other was for me,
This Patience is for you,
Change when ye list let see,
For I have ta'en a new.
Patience with a good will
Is easy to fulfil.
'( WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
WHEN FORTUNE SMILES NOT,
PATIENCE COMFORTETH.
1 PATIENCE! though .I have not
The thing that I require;
I must, of force, God wot,
Forbe,r my most desire,
For no ways can I find
To sail ginst file whd.
2 Patience! do what they will
To work me woe or spite;
I shall content me still
To think both day and night;
To think, and hold my peace,
Shine there is no redress.
ONLY
3
Patience! withouten blame,
For I offended nought;
I know they know the same,
Though they have changed their thought.
Was ever thoug'ht so moved,
To hate that it hath loved .
4 Patience of all my harm,
For Fortune is my foe;
Patience must be the churm
To heal me of my woe.
Patience -ithout oflhnce
Is pinftfl Ptience.
ODES. 77
THAT PATIENCE ALONE CAN HEAL THE
WOUND INFLICTED BY ADVERSITY.
PATIENCE of all my smart!
For Fortune is turned awry:
Ptiencc must case my heart,
That mourns .continually.
Patience to suffer wrong
Is a Patience too long.
Patience to have u nay,
Of that I most desire;
Patience to have alway,
And ever burn like fire.
Patience without desart
Is grounder of my smart.
3
Who can with merry heart
Set forth some pleasant song,
That always feels but snmrt,
And never hath but wrong .
Yet Patience evermore
Must heal the wound and sore.
Patience! to be content,
With frovard Forttme's train
Ptience, to the intent
Somewhat to slake my pah:
I see no remedy,
But suffer patiently.
5 To plain where is none ear,
My chance is chanced so;
78 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS,
For it doth well ppear
My friend is turn'd nay foe:
But since there is no defence,
I must take Patience.
THE LOVER,
HOPELESS OF GREATER HAPPINESS, COTETETH HIMSELF
WITH OLY PITY.
1 THOUGH I cannot yore" cruelty constrain,
For my good will to favour me again;
Though my true and faithful love
Have no power :'our heart to move,
Yet rue upon my pain!
Though I yore" thrall must evermore remain,
And for your sake my liberty restrtin ;
The greatest grace that I do crtve
Is that ye would vouchsave
To rue upon my pain!
3 Though I have not deserved to obtain
So high reward, but thus to serve in vain,
Though I shall have no redress,
Yet of right ye can no less,
But rue upon my pain!
4 But I see well, that your hig'l disdah
Will no vise grant that I shall more at.t:in ;
Yet ye must grant at the last
This my poor, and small request;
ejoice not at my pah!
ODES. 79
THAT TISIE, HUSIBLENESS, ATD PRAYER,
CAN SOFTEN EVERYTHING SAVE HIS LADY'S HEART.
1 PROCESS of thne worketh such wonder,
That water wlfich is of -ldnd so soft,
Doth pierce the marble stone asunder,
:By little drops falling from aloft.
2 And yet an heart that seems so tender,
Receiveth no drop of the stilling tears
That alway still cuse me to render,
The vah plaint that somds not i her ears.
3 So creel, alas! is nought alive,
So fierce, so froward, so out of frame,
But some way, some time my so contrive
By means the wild to temper and tme.
And I that always have sought, and seek
Each place, each time for some lucky day,
Tlis fierce tiger, less I find her meek,
And more deied the longer I pray.
5
The lion in his raging fm'otu"
Forbears that sueth, meekness for his [boot];
And thou, al,s! in extreme dolour,
The heart so low thou treads under thy foot.
6
Each fierce thing, lo! how thou dost exceed,
And hides it under so humble face!
And yet the humble to help at need
ought helpeth time, humbleness, nor place.
80 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
THAT UNKINDNESS HATH SLAIN HIS
POOR TRUE HEART.
IF in the world there be more woe
Than I have in my heart;
Whereso it is, it doth come fro',
And in my breast there doth it Tow,
For to increase my smart.
Alas! I am receipt of every care;
And of my life each sorrow claims his part.
Who list to live in quietness
By me let him beware.
For I by high disdain
Am made without redress;
And unkindness, al,s! hath slain
My poor true heart, all comfortless.
10
THE DYING LOVER COMPLAINETH
TIIAT I4IS IIISTRESS REGARDETH NOT HIS SUFFERINGS.
LIKE as the swan towards her death
Doth strain lmr voice with doleful note;
Pight so sing I with waste of breath,
die! I die! and you regard it not.
I shall enforce my fainting breath,
That all that hears this deadly note,
Shall know tlmt you dost cause my death,
die! I die! and you regard it not.
3 Your unkindness hath sworn my death,
And changed hath my pleasant note
To painful sig'hs that stop nay breath.
I die! I die! and :you regard it not.
ODES. 83
5
It was not long ere I by proof had found
That feeble bttilding is on feeble ground,
For h her heal this word did never sotmd
In eeternum.
In eeternum then from my heart I cest 1
That, I had first determhed for the best,
Now in the place another thought doth rest.
In eeternum.
THE
ABUSED LOVEBo ADIIONISHES
UNWARY TO BEWARE OF LOVE.
1 Lo! what it is to love!
Learn ye that list to prove
At me, 3 I say;
No ways that may
The gromded grief remove,
[y life alway
That doth decay;
Lo! what it is to love.
THE
2
Flee alway from the snare:
Learn by me to beware
Of such a train
Which doubles pain,
And endless woe, and care
That doth retah;
Which to refrah
Flee alway from the snare.
3 To love, and to be wise,
To rage with good advice;
a ' Cest :' for ' kest,' or cast. -- ' Another thought :' another fancy or love.
a'At me:' of me.
84 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
Now thus, now than,
Now off, now an,
Uncertain as the dice;
There is no man
At once that can
To love and to be wise.
4 Such are the divers throes,
Such that no man knows
That hath not proved
And once have loved;
Such are the raging woes
Sooner reproved
Than well removed,
Such are the divers throes.
5 Love is a fervent fire
Kindled by hot desire;
For a short pleasure
Long displeasure,
Pepentance is the hh'e;
A poor treasure,
Without measure;
Love is a fervent fire.
Lo! what it is to love!
A EPPOOF TO SUCH AS SLANDEP LOVE.
1 LAVE thus to slander love!
Though evil with such it prove,
Which often use
Love to misuse,
1 All: 012.
ODES.
And loving to reprove;
Such cannot choose
For their refuse
But thus to slander love.
Flee not so much the snare!
Love seldom causeth care.
But by deses
And crafty parts
Some lese their own welfare.
Be true of heart;
And for no smart,
Flee not so much the snare.
3
To love, and not to be wise,
Is but mad device;
Such love doth last
As sure and fast,
As chance on the dice,
A bitter taste
Comes st the last,
To love, and not to be wise.
4 Such be the pleasant days,
Such be the honest ways,
There is no man
That fully can
Know it, but he that s,nys
Loving to ban
Were folly then;
Such be the pleasant days.
5
Love is a pleasant fire
Kindled by true desire;
' Refuse :' refusal
86 WYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
6
And though the pain
Cause men to plain,
Speed well is oft the hire.
Then though some feig
And lese the gain,
Love is a pleasaut fire.
']lo most doeth slander love,
The deed must alway prove.
Tnth shall excuse
That you accuse
For slander, and reprove.
Not by refuse,
But by abuse,
You most do slander love !
7 Ye a'ant it is a snare,
And would us not beware.
Lest that your train
Should be too plah
Ye colour all the care;
Lo! how you feign
Pleasure for pain,
And ]'ant it is a sna'e.
8 To love, and to be wise,
It were a strange device:
But from that aste
Ye vow the fast,
On cinques though run your dice,
Ambsace may haste
Your pain to waste.
To love, and to be wise.
' Ambsace :' the two aces, the lowest throw of the dice; bad luck.
ODES. 87
9
10
Of all such pleasant days,
Of all such pleasant plys,
Without desart,
You have your part,
And all the world so says;
Sve that poor heu't
Theft for lore smart,
Feeleth not such pleasant days.
Such fire, and such heat,
Did never make ye sweat;
For without pain
You best obtain
Too good speed, and too great.
Whoso doeth plain
You best do feign,
Such fire, and such heat.
Who now doth slander Love ?
DESPAIR COUNSELLETH THE DESERTED
LOYEtL TO END HIS YOES BY DEATH, BUT
REASON BRIGETH COMFORT.
IOST wretched heart! most miserable,
Since thy comfort is from thee fled;
Shine all thy truth is turned to fable
Most ]'etched heart! why art thou not dead ?
2 ':No! no! I live, and must do still;
Whereof I thauk God, and no n]o;
:For I myself have at my will,
And he is wretched that weens him so
88 'YATT'S POEfICAL WORKS.
3 ut yet thou hast both had and lost
The hope, so long that hath thee fed,
And all thy trwail, and thy cost;
Most wretched healS! why art thou not dead?
4
' Some other hope must feed me new"
If I have lost, I say what tho! l
Despair shall not therewith ensue;
For he is wretched that weens him so.'
5
The sun, tlm moon dofl flown on thee;
Thou hast darkness in daylight stead:
As good in grave, as so to be;
Most wretched heart! why art thou not dead?
' Some pleasant star may show me light;
But though the heaven wotfld work me voe,
Who hath himself shall stand upright;
And he is wretched that weens him so.'
Hath he himself that is not sure ?
His trust is like as he hath sped.
Against the stream thou mayst not dure;
Most wretched hea! why art thou not dead?
' The last is worst: who fears not that
He hath himself whereso he go"
And he that knoweth what is what,
Saith he is wretched that weens him so.'
9 Seest thou not how they whet their teeth,
Which to touch thee sometime did dread?
They find comfort., for thy misdlief,
Most wretched heart! why art thou not dead?
' Tho :' although.
ODES. 89
10
11
12
' What though that curs do fall by kind
On him that hath file overthrow;
All that cannot oppress nly mind;
For lie is wretched that weens him so.'
Yet can it not be then denied,
It is as certain as thy creed,
Thy great unhap thou canst not hide;
Ufllappy then! why art thou not dead
' Unhappy; but no wretch therefore
For hap doth come again, and go,
For which I keep myself in store;
Shce unhap cannot kill me so.'
THE LOVER'S LUTE CANNOT BE BLAMED
THOUGtI IT SING OF HIS LADY'S UNKINDNESS.
1 BLAME not my Lute! for he must sotmd
Of this or that as hketh me;
For lack of wit the Lute is bound
To give such tunes as pleascth me;
Though my songs be somewhat strange,
And speak such words as touch thy change,
]3lame not my Lute[
lIy Lute, alas! doth not offend,
Though that perforce he must agTee
To sound such tunes as I hltend,
To sing to them that heareth me;
Then though my songs be somewhat plain,
And toucheth some that use to feign,
tlame not nly Lute[
90 WYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
3 My Lute and strings may not deny,
]3ut as I strike they nmst obey;
:Break not them then so wrongfully,
But n'eak thyself some oflmr way;
And though fle songs which I indite
Do quit thy change with rightful spite,
Blmnc not lay Lute!
4
Spite asketh spite, and changing dange,
And falsed faith nmst needs be knmxm;
The faults so great, the:ease so stra.nge;
Of right it nmst abroad be blown:
Then since that by thine own desert
My songs do tell how true thou art,
Blame not my Lute!
5
Blame but thyself that hast misdone,
And well deservM to have blame;
Change thou thy way, so evil begone,
And then my Lute shall sound that same;
But if till then my fingers play,
B) thy desert their wonted way,
Blame not my Lute!
6 Farewell! unknown; for though flmu break
My strings in spite with great disdain,
Yet I have found out for thy sake,
Strings for to string my Lute again:
And if, perchance, this sely rhyme
Do make thee blush, at any time,
Blame not my Lute!
ODES, 91
THE NEGLECTED LOVER
CALLETH ON HIS PEN TO RECORD THE UNGENTLE
BEHAVIOUI OF HIS UNKIND ]IISTRESS.
:5[" pen! take pain a little space
To follow that which doth me chase,
And hath in hold my heart so sore;
]3ut when thou hast this brought to pass,
My pen! I pri'thee write no more.
emember oft thou hast me eased,
And all my pains full well appeased,
But. now I know, unluown before,
For where I trust, I am deceived;
And yet, my pen! thou canst no more.
3 A time thou hadest as other have
To write which way my hope to crave;
That time is past; withdraw, therefore:
Since we do lose that others lmve,
As good leave off" and write no more.
4 In worth to use another way;
Not as we would, but as we may,
For once my loss is past restore,
And my desire is my decay;
My pen! yet 'ite a little more.
5
To love in vain, who ever shall,
Of worldly pain it passeth all,
As in like case I find; wherefore
To hold so fast, and yet to fall!
Alas! my pen, now write no more.
90= WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
6 Since thou hast taken pain tiffs space
To follow that which doth me clmce,
And hath in hold my heart so sore,
Now hast thou brought my mind to puss,
My pen! I pri'thee write no more.
THAT CAUTION SHOULD ]E USED
Ib LOVE.
1 TAKE heed by time, lest ye be spied:
Your loving eyes can it not hide,
At last the tth will sure be tried;
Therefore, take heed!
2
For some there be of crafty khd,
Though you show no part of your maid,
Sm'ely their eyes can ye not bland;
Therefore, take heed!
3
For in like case theirselves hath been,
And thought right sure none had them seen,
But it was not as they did ween,
Therefore, take heed!
Altlough they be of divers schools,
And well can use all crafty tools,
At length they prove themselves but fools.
Therefore, take heed!
5
If they might take you in that trap,
They would soon leave it in your lap;
To love unspied is but a hap;
Therefore, tuke heed!
94 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
4
But if that ye would have my death,
And that ye would none other,
Shortly then for to spend my breath,
Withdraw the one, or t'other ;
For thus your cruelness
Doth let itself doubtless;
And it is reason why!
1o man alive, nor I,
Of double death can die.
THE ABUSED LOVER PEPROACHETH
HIS FALSE MISTRESS OF DISSIMULATION.
1 To wet your eye withouten tear,
And iu good health to feign disease,
That you thereby mine eyen might blear,
Therewith your other friends to please ;
And though ye think ye need not fear,
Yet so ye can not me appease;
But as ye list fau, flatter, or glose,
Ye shall not wiu, if I do lose.
2 Prate, and paint, and spare not,
Ye know I can me wreak;
And if so be ye cau so not,
Be sure I do not reck;
And though ye swear it were not,
I can both swear and speak
Iy God, and by this cross,
If I have the mock, ye shall have the loss.
ODES. 97
God wet! that nay pretence
Was but to ease his pain;
For I had ruth to see his woe:
Alas! more fool! why did I so!
6 For he fi'om me is gone,
And makes thereat a game;
And hath left me alone,
To sufihr sorrow and shame;
Alas'. he is unkind doubtless,
To leave me thus all comfortless.
THE LOVER SUETIt THAT HIS SERVICE
MAY BE ACCEPTED.
1 ThE heart and service to you proffer'd
With right good will full honestly,
Pefuse it not since it is offer'd,
:But take it to you gentlely.
And though it be a mnall present,
Yet good, consider graciously,
The thought, the mind, and the intent
Of him that loves you faithftflly.
3 It were a thing of small effect
To work my woe thus cruelly;
For my good will to be object,
Therefore accept it lovhgly.
4 Pain, or travail; to run, or ride,
I undertake it pleasantly;
:Bid ye me go, and straight I glide,
At your commandment humbly.
O
98 WYATTS POETICAL WORKS,
5
Pain or pleasure now may you plant,
Even which it please you steadfastly;
Do which you list, I shall not want
To be your servant secretly.
6 And since so much I do desire,
To be your own assuredly;
For all my service, and my hire
Peward your servant liberally.
OF TIIE PAINS AND SORROWS CAUSED
BY LOVE.
1 WnT meanetl this! when I lie alone
I toss, I turn, I sigh, I groan;
Mv bed me seems as hard as stone:
Vhaf means this?
I sigh, I plain continually;
The clothes that on nay bed do lie,
Always naethink flaey lie awry;
Vhat means this ?
3 In slumbers oft for fear I quake;
For heat and cold I bun1 and shake;
For lack of sleep my head doth ake;
Wlmt means this?
4 A mornings then when I do rise,
I tm tmto nay wonted gse,
All day after nmse and devise;
What means this?
5 And if perchance by me there pass,
She, unto whom I sue for grace,
ODES, 99
The cold blood forsaketh my face;
What means this ?
6
]3ut if I sit near her by,
With loud voice my heart doth cry,
And yet my mouth is dumb and dry;
What means this?
7 To ask for help no heart I have;
My tongue doth fail what I should crave;
Yet inwardly I rage and rave;
What means this ?
8
Thus have I passed many a year,
And many a day, though nought appear,
But most of that that most I fear;
What means this ?
THE LOVER RECOUNTETH TIlE VARIABLE
FANCY OF IIIS FICKLE hIISTRESS.
1 Is it possible ?
That so high debate,
So sharp, so sore, and of such rate,
Should end so soon, and was begun so late.
Is it possible ?
2 Is it possibles
So cruel intent,
So hasty heat, and so soon spent,
From love to hate, and thence for to relent,
Is it possible?
3 Is it possible?
That any may find,
]00 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
Within one heart so diverse mind,
To change or turn as weather and wind,
Is it possible?
4 Is it possible ?
To spy it in an eye,
That turns as oft as chance or die,
The truth whereof can any try;
Is it possible ?
5 It is possible,
For to turn so oft;
To bring that low'st that was most aloft;
And to fall highest, yet to light soft;
It is possible!
6 All is possible!
Whoso list believe,
Trust therefore first and after preve;
As men wed ladies by license and leave;
All is possible!
TtIE ABUSED LOVEI%
BEWAILS THE TINE THAT EVER HIS EYE BEHELD HER TO
WIIOM HE HAD GIVE HIS FAITHFUL HEART.
1 ALAS! poor man, what hap have I,
That must forbear that I love best!
I trow, it be my destiny,
Never to live in quiet rest.
No wonder is though I complain;
:Not without cause ye may be sure;
I seek for that I cannot attain,
Whi& is my mortal displeasure.
ODES.
3
Alas! poor heart, as in this case
With pensive plaint thou art opprest;
Unwise thou were to desire place
Whereas another is possest.
4 Do what I can to ease thy smart,
Thou wilt not let to love her still;
Hers, and not mine I see thou art;
Let her do by thee as she will.
5
A careful carcass full of pain
Now hast thou left to mourn for thee,
The heart once gone, the body is slain;
That ever I saw her woe is me;
6
lIine eye, alas! was cause of this,
Which her to see had never his fill;
To me that sight full bitter is,
In recompense of my good will.
7 She that I serve all other above
Hath paid my hire, as ye may see;
I was unhappy, and that I prove,
To love above my poor degree.
AN EAPNEST SUIT TO HIS UNKIND
TRESS NOT TO FORSAKE HI3I.
1 AD wilt thou leave me thus ?
Say nay! say nay! for shame!
To save thee from the blame
Of all my grief and grame.
And wilt thou leave me thus!
Say ny! say nay !
1, Grame : ' sorrow.
MIS-
102 IVYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
And wilt thou leave me thus
That hath loved thee so long,
In wealth and woe among.
And is thy heart so strong
As for to leve me thus .
Say nay! say nay!
3
4
And wilt thou leave me thus?
That hath given thee my heart
:Never for to depart,
Neither for pain nor smart:
And wilt thou leave me thus :
Say nay! sy nay !
And wilt thou leave me thus,
And h,ve no more pity,
Of him that loveth thee .
Alas! thy cruelty!
And wilt thou leave me thus .
Say n,y ! say nay !
HE REMEMBERETH THE PROMISE
I:tIS LADY ONCE GAVE HIM OF AFFECTION, AND
CO.OTEm mSEL WTH OrE.
TmT time that mirth did steer my ship,
rhich now is fraught with heaviness:
And Folune beat not then the lip,
But was defence of my distress,
Then in my book wrote my mistress;
' I am yore's, you may well be sure ;
And shall be while my life doth dm'e.'
But she herself which then wrote that
Is now mine extreme enemy;
OnF, S. ] 03
3
Above all men she doth me hate,
Rejoicing of my misery.
:But though that for her sake I die,
I shall be hers, she may be sure,
As long as my life doth endure.
It is not time that can wear out
With me, that once is firmly set;
While :Nature keeps her course about
My love from her no man can let.
Though never so sore they me threat,
Yet I mn hers, she may be sure;
And shall be while that life doth dure.
And once I trust to see that day,
Renewer of my joy and wealth,
That she to me flmse woMs shall say;
"In faith! welcome to me myself !
%lcome nay joy! welcome nay health,
For I am thine, thou mayst be sure,
And shall be while that life doth dm'e.'
5
Ave me! alas! what words were these!
Incontinent e I might find them so!
I reck not what snmrt or disease
I suflbred, so that I might know
[After lily passed pain and woe]
That she were mhm; and might be sure
She should [be] while that life doth dure.
' Let :' hinder. -- ' Incontinent :' soon, immediately.
]04 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
TIIAT ALL HIS JOY DEPENDETH
LADY'S FAVOUlZ.
As power and wit will me assist,
My vill shall will even as ye list.
For as ye list my will is bent
In every thhlg to be content,
To serve in love 'till life be spent;
So you reward my love thus meant,
Even as ye list.
ON
To feign, or fable is not my mind,
Nor to refuse such as I find;
But as , lamb of hmnble kind,
Or bird in cage to be assign'd,
Eveu as ye list.
3 When all the flock is come and gone
Mine eye and heart gree'th in one,
I-Iath chosen you, only, alone,
To be my joy, or else my mon,
Even as ye list.
Joy, if pity appear in place;
Moan, if disdain do show his face;
Yet crave I not as in this ease,
But as ye lead to follow the trace,
Even as ye list.
5 Some in words much love can fei ;
And some for words give words again:
Thus words for words in words remain,
And }'et at last words do obtain
Even as ye list.
IIIS
ODES. ] 0 5
6 To crave in words I will eschew
And love in deed I will ensue;
It is my mind both whole and tree,
And for my truth I pray you rue
Even as ye list..
Dear hea ! I bid your heart farewell,
With better heart than tongue can tell;
Yet take this tale, as true as gospel,
Ye may my life save or expel
Even as ye list.
IIE PROMISETII TO REMAIN FAITIIFUL
WHATEVEI FOITUNE BETIDE.
1 SOMETIME I sigh, sometime I sing;
Sometime I laugh, sometime mourning
As one in doubt, this is my saying,
Have I displeased you in any thhg?
Alack! what aileth you to be grieved
ight sorry am I flint ye be moved.
I am your om, if truth be proved;
And by your displeasure as one mischiev'd.
3
When ye be merry then am I glad;
When ye be sorry then am I sad;
Such grace or fortune I would I had
You for to please howe'er I were bestad.
When ye be men'y why should I care
Ye are my joy, and my welfare,
I will you love, I will not spare
Into your presence, as far as I dare.
10( WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
5 All my poor heart, and my love true,
While life doth last I give it you;
And you to serve with service due,
And never to change you for no new.
TIIE FAITHFUL LOVER WISHETH ALL EVIL
MAY BEFALL tIIM IF HE FORSAKE HIS LADY.
1 THE knot which first my heart did strain,
When that your servant I became,
Doth bind me still for to rem,nin,
Always your own as now I am;
And if you find that I do feign,
With just judgment m3self I damn,
To lmve disdain.
3
4
If other thought in me do grow
But still to love you steadfastly;
If that the proof do not well show
That I am yours assuredly;
Let every wealth ttu'n me to woe,
Ald 'ou to be continually
5[y chiefest foe.
If other love, or new request,
Do seize my heart, but only this;
Or if within my wearied breast
:Be hid one thought that means amiss,
I do desire that mine unrest
My still hlcrease, and I to miss
That I love best.
If in my love there be one spot
Of false deceit or donbleness;
ODES. 107
5
6
Or if I mind to slip this knot
By want of faith or steadfastness;
Let all my service be forgot,
And when I would have chief redress,
Esteem me not.
But if that I consume in pain
Of burning sighs and fervent love;
And daily seek none other gain,
But with my deed these words to prove;
Methink of right I should obtMn
That ye would mind for to remove
Your great disdain.
And for the end of this my song,
Unto your hands I do submit
My deadly grief, and pains so strong
Which in my heart be firmly shytt,
And when ye list, redress my wrong:
Shlce well ye know this painful fit
Hath last too long.
1
OF FORTUNE, LOVE, AND FANTASY.
I was my choice; it was no chance
That brought my heart in other's hold;
Whereby it hath had sufferance
Longer, oerdie, than reason wold.
Since I it bound where it was free
Methinks, y-wis, 2 of right it should
Accepted be.
Accepted be without refnse;
Unless that Forttme have the power
' Shstt :' shut. - ' Y-wis; ' certainly.
ODES. 109
1
3
DESEITED BY HIS MISTINESS,
HE RENOUNCETH ALL JOY FOR EVER.
HEART oppress'd with desperate thouzht,
Is forcbd ever to lament;
Which now in me so far hath wrought,
That needs to it I must consent:
YVherefore all joy I do refuse,
And cruel will tlmreof accuse.
If cruel will had not been guide,
Despair in me had [found] no place;
For my true meaning she well espied;
Yet for all that would give no grace;
Wherefore all joy I do refuse,
And cruel will thereof accuse.
She might well see, and yet would not;
And may daily, if that she will;
How painful is my hapless lot;
Joined with despair me for to spill;
Wherefore all joy I do refuse,
And cruel will thereof accuse.
THAT NO WOtDS IIAY EXPRESS TIlE
CRAFTY TRAINS OF LOVE.
1 Fu well it may be seen
To such as understand,
ttow some there be that ween
They have their wealth at hand:
Through love's abused band
:But little do they see
The abuse wherein they be.
]. 10 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
2
Of love there is a kind
Which kindleth by abuse;
As in a feeble mind
Whom fancy may induce
By love's deceitful use,
To follow the fond lust
And proof of a vain trus.
3
As I myself may say,
By trial of fle sune ;
No wight can well bewray
That falsehood love can frame;
I say, 'twixt grief and game,
There is no living man
That knows the craft love can.
4
For love so well can feign
To favour for the while;
That such as seeks the gain
Are servM with the gafile;
And some can this eoncile
To gve the simple leave
Themselves for to deceive.
5 What thing may more declare
Of love the crafty kind,
Than see the Mse so ware,
In love to be so blind;
If so it be assign'd;
Let them enjoy the gain,
That thinks it worth the pain.
x Coneile : ' reconcile.
112 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
And folly framed my thought amiss,
The fault whereof now well I find;
Lo! since that so it is assi'd,
That unto each a time there is,
Then blame the lot that led my miml,
Some time to live h love's bliss.
5 :But from henceforth I do protest,
:By proof of that that I have past,
Shall never cease withh my breast
The power of love so lte outcast:
The knot thereof is knit full fast,
And I thereto so sure profess'd
For evermore with me to lst
The lower wherein I am 1)ossess'd.
THE DOUBTFUL LOVER
RESOLVETH TO BE ASSURED WHETHEK HE IS TO LIYE
IN JOY O1% WOE.
1 Lo! how I seek nd sue to have
Tl,at no man hath, a.nd nmy be had;
There is [no_] more but sink or save,
And bring this doubt to good or bad.
To live in sorrows a.lwys sad,
I like not so to linger forth;
Hap evil or good I shall be glad
To take that comes, as well in worth.
Should I sustain this great distress,
Still wandering forth tllus to and fro,
"Worth :' meekly, atientls:
ODES. 1 13
3
In dreadful hope to hold my peace,
And feed myself with secret woe ?
Nay! nay! certain, I will not so!
But sure I shall myself apply
To put in proof this doubt to know,
And rid this dang'er readily.
I shall assa.y by secret suit
To shew the mind of mine intent;
And my deserts shall give such fruit
As with my heart my words be meant;
So by the proof of this consent
Soon out of doubt I shall be sure,
For to rejoice, or to repent,
In joy, or pain for to endure.
OF THE EXTREME TOR!IENT ENDURED BY
TtlE UNHAPPY LOVER.
1 3Iv love is like tmto th' eternal fire,
And I, as those which therein do remain;
Whose grievous pains is but their great desire
To see the sight Mich they may not attain:
So in bell's heat myself I feel to be,
That am restrain'd by g'eat extremity,
The sight of her which is so dear to me.
O! puissant Love! and power of g'eat avail!
By whom hell may be felt ere death assail!
] ] WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
HE
BIDDETH FAREWELL TO HIS UNKIND
NISTRESS.
1 SINCE SO ye please to hear me plain,
And that ye do rejoice my smart;
hie list no longer to remain
To such as be so ovehwart:
But curs5d be that cruel heart
Which hath procur'd a careless mind,
For me and mhm unfeigned smart;
And forceth me such faults to fred.
3 Mot e than too much I am assured
Of thine iutent, whereto to trust;
A speedless proof I have endured;
And now I leave it to them that lust.
HE PEPENTETH THAT HE HAD EVER
LOVED.
1 Now must I learn to live at rest,
And wean me of my will;
For I repent where I was prest
Ny fancy to fulfil.
may no longer more endure
My wonted life to lead;
tut I must learn to put in ure
The change of womanhed.
3 I may not see my service long
lewarded hi such wise;
' Speedlesa ;' ineffectual.-- ' Prest :' ready.-- s ' In ure :' in prachce.
ODES. 115
Nor I may not sustain such wrong
That ye my love despise.
4 I may not sigh in sorrow deep,
Nor wail the wmt of love;
Nor I may neither crouch nor creep
Where it doth not behove.
5
But I of force nmst needs forsake
My faith so fondly set;
And fl'om henceforth nmst tmdertake
Such folly to forget.
6
Now must I seek some other ways
Myself for to withsave ;
And as I trust by mine essays
Some remedy to have.
7
I ask none other remedy
To recompense my wrong;
tut once to have the liberty
That I have lack'd so long.
THE LOVER BESEEC]KET]K ItlS MISTRESS
OT TO FORGET ttIS STEADFAST FAITH AD
TRUE INTENT.
] ORGET not et the tried intent
Of such a truth as I have meant;
My great travail so gladly spent,
Forget not yet!
Forget not yet when ih'st began
The weary life ye know, since whm
' Yithsave :' preserve.
116 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
The suit, the service none tell can;
Forget not yet!
3
Forget not yet the great ussays,
The cruel wrong, the scornful ways,
The painful patience in delays,
Forget not yet!
4
Forget not! oh! fo'ct not this,
How long ago hath been, and is
The mind that never meant amiss,
Forget not :yet!
5
Forget not flen flhe own approved,
The which so long hath thee so loved,
Whose steadfast faith 5-et never moved:
Forget not this!
HE BEWAILS THE PAIN HE ENDURES
WHEN BANISHED FROM THE IIISTRESS OF
HIS HEART.
O] HSERALE sorrow, withouten cure!
If it please thee, lo! to have me thus suffer,
At least yet let her know what I endure,
And this my last voice carry thou thither,
Where lived my hope, now dead for ever:
For as ill grievous is my banishment,
As was n]y pleasure when she was present.
ODS. 11 7
HE COMPARES HIS SUFFERINGS TO THOSE
OF TANTALUS.
THE fruit of all the service that I serve
Despair doth real) ; such ha.pless hu 1) have I.
But though he hve no power to make me swerve,
Yet by the fire for cold I feel I die.
In paradise for hunger still I sterve,
And in the flood for thirst to death I dry;
So Tantalus um I, and in worse pain,
Anfidst my help tlmt hell)less doth rema.in.
THAT NOTHING ]IAY ASSUAGE HIS PAIN
SAVE ONLY HIS LADY'S FAVOUR.
1 IF with complaint the pain naig'ht be express'd
That inwardly doth cause me sigh and groan;
Your hard hea% and yotu" cruel breast
Should sigh and plain for nay unrest;
And though it were of stone,
Yet should remorse cause it relent and moan.
9, But since it is so far out of mesttre,
That with my words I can it not contain,
My only trust! my heart's treasm'e!
Als! why do I still endure
This restless smart and pain ?
Since if ye list ye may my woe restrain.
1 18 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
THE
THAT HIS LOnG
LOVEI PRAYETH
SUFFERIIGS MAY AT LENGTH FIND
RECOMPENSE.
YE know my heart, my Lady dear!
That since the time I was your thrall
I have been yours both whole and clear,
Though nay reward hath been but small;
So am I yet, aud more than all.
And ye know well how I have served,
As if ye prove it shall appear,
How well, how long,
How faithfully!
And suffered wrong,
How patieutly !
Then since that I have never swerved,
Let not my pMns be undeserved.
Ye know also, tllough ye say nay,
That you alone are my desh-e;
And you alone it is that may
Assuage my fervent flaming fire.
Succour me then, I you require !
Ye know it were a just request,
Since ye do cause my heat, I say,
If flint I burn,
It will ye warm,
And not to turn,
All to my harm,
Lending such flame from frozen breast
Agahst nature for my tmrest.
3 And I know well how scornhdly
Ye have mista'en my true intent;
ODS. 119
And hitherto how wrongfully,
I have found cause for to repent.
:But if your heart doth not relent,
Shce I do know that this ye know,
Ye shall slay me all wilfully.
For me, and mine,
And all I have,
Ye may assign,
To spill or s,ve.
Vly are ye then so cruel foe
Unto )'our own, that loves you so ?
HE DESCPIBETH THE CEASELESS TORIENTS
OF LOVE.
1
SINCE yOll will needs that I shall sing,
Take it in worth I such as I have;
:Plenty of plaint, moan, and mourning,
In deep despair and deadly pain.
Bootless for boot, crying to crave;
To crave in vain.
Such hammers work within my head
That sound nought else unto my ears,
:But fast at board, and wake a-bed:
Such tune the temper to my song
To wail my wrong, that I want tears
To wail my wrong.
3
Death and despair afore my face,
My days decay, my -ief doth grow;
The cause thereof is in this place,
' In worth :' patiently.
17,0 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
Vhom cruelty doth still constrain
For to rejoice, though I be woe,
To hear me plain.
A broken lute, untuned strings,
With such a song may well bear part,
That neither pleaseth him that sings,
Nor them that hear, but her alone
That with her heart would strain my heart
To hear it groan.
5
If it grieve you to hear this same,
That you do feel but iH my voice,
Consider then what pleasant gmne
I do sustain in eve} T part,
To cause me sing or to rejoice
Within my heart.
THAT THE SEASON OF ENJOYMENT IS SHORT,
AND SHOULD NOT PASS BY NEGLECTED.
3 ME list no more to sing
Of love, nor of such thing,
How sore that it me wring;
For what I smlg or spake,
len did my songs mistake.
2
My songs were too diffuse;
They made folk to muse;
Therefore me to excuse,
They shall be sung more plain,
Neither of joy nor pain.
ODES. 121
3 What vaileth then to skip
At fruit over the lip
For fruit withouten taste
Doth nought but rot and waste.
4 What vaileth under kay
To keep treasure alwa:,
That never shall see day.
If it be not used,
It is but abused.
5 What vaileth the flower
To stand still and wither;
If no man it savour
It serves only for sight,
And fadeth towards night.
6 Therefore fear not to assay
To gather, ye that may,
The ilower that this day
Is fresher than the next.
Mark well I say this text:
7 Let not the fruit be lost
That is desired most;
Delight shall quite" the cost.
If it be ta'en in time
Small labom" is to climb.
8
And as for such treasm'e
That maketh thee the richer,
And no deal the poorer
' Kay :' key. --' Quite :' requite.
124 WYATTS POETICAL WORKS.
6 Fortune did smile
A right short while,
And never said me nay;
With pleasant plays,
And joyful days,
My time to pass away.
Alas ! alas !
The time so was,
So never shall it be,
Since she is gone,
And I alone
Am left as you may see.
8
Where is the oath,
Where is the troth,
That she to me did give ?
Such feigned words,
With sely bom'ds,
Let no wise man believe.
9 For even as I,
Thus wofully,
Unto myself complain:
If ye then trust,
Needs lem ye nmst,
To shag my song in vain.
10 How should I
Be so pleasant,
In my semblant,
As my fellows be ?'
' Bourds :' jests.
12 6 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
THAT
TIlE LOVER COMPLAINETH
HIS t'AITHFUL HEART AND TRUE IIEANING HAD
NEVER NET WITH JUST REWARD.
GVE place! all ye that doth rejoice,
And love's pangs hath dean forgot.
Let them draw near and hear my voice
Whom love doth force in pains to fret;
:For all of plaint my song is set,
Whid long hath served and nought can get.
2 A faitlfful heart so truly merest,
Pewarded is full slenderly;
A steadfast faith with good intent
Is recompensed craftily;
Such hal) doth ha l) unhappily
To them that mean but honestly.
3 With humble suit I have essayed
To turn her cruel hearted mind;
tut for reward I am delayed,
And to my wealth her eyes be blind.
Lo! thus by chance I am assig'd
With steadfast love to serve the unkind.
4 "What vaileth truth, or steadfastness,
Or still to serve without repreef!
What vaileth faith or gentleness,
Where cruelty doth reig as chief t
Alas! there is no greater grief
Than for to love, and lack relief.
5 Care doth constrah me to complain
Of love, and her uncertainty,
6
Which granteth nought but great disdain,
For loss of all my liberty.
Alas! this is extremity,
For love to find such cruelty.
For love to fiud su& cruelty,
Alas! it is a careful lot;
And for to void such mockery
There is no way but slip the knot!
The gain so cold, the pain so hot!
Praise it who list, I like it not.
THE FORSAKEN LOVEP
CONSOLETH ttIMSELF WITH REMEMBRANCE
ItAPPINESS.
1 SPITE hath no power to make me sad,
Nor scornftflness to make me plah.
It doth suffice that once I had,
And so to leave it is no pain.
OF PAST
2 Let them frown on that least doth gain,
Vho did rejoice must needs be glad;
And though with words thou ween'st to reign
It doth suffice that once I had.
3 Sfice that in checks thus overthwa%
And coyly looks thou dost delight;
It doth suffice that mfie thou wert,
Though change hath put thy faith to flight.
4 Alas! it is a peevish spite,
To yield thyself and then to par;
But since thou force thy faith so light,
It doth suffice that mine thou wel".
ODES. 129
3 When thou were well thou could not he!d:
To turn again, that were too bohl;
Thus to renew my sorrows old,
Ah! my heart, what iloth thee
4
Thou know'st full well that but of late,
I was turned out of Love's gate:
And now to guide me to this mate!
Ah! my hem't, what ailcth thee
5
I hoped hall well all had been done;
Ylut now my hope is ta'en and won;
To my torment to )'icld so soon,
kh! lny heart, what ailcth thee
ItE PROFESSETH INDIFFERENCE.
I{.tTE whom ye list, for I care not;
Love whom ye list, and spare not;
Do what ye list, and dread not;
Think what ye list, I fear not;
For as for me I am not,
But even as one that recks not,
Whether ye hate or hate llOt,
}'or in your love I dote not;
Wherefore I pray you forget not;
]3ut love whom ye list, for I care
10
tie REJOICETH THAT HE HAD BROKEN
THE SNARES OF LOVE.
I TAN'GLED I was ill Love's snare,
Oppress'd with pain, tOl'lnelt with care;
Of grief right sure, of joy full bare,
I
130 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
Clean in despair by cruelty;
But ha! ha! ha! full well is me,
For I am now at libely.
The woful days so full of pain,
The weakly fight all spent in vain,
The labour lost for so small gain,
To write them all it will not be;
But ha! ha! ha! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.
3
Every tlfing that fair cloth show,
When proof is made it proveth not so;
But turneth mirth to bitter woe,
Which in tiffs case full well I see;
But ha! ha! ha! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.
4 Too great desire was my guide,
And wanton will went by my side,
IIope tled still and made me bide,
Of Love's cralt the extremity.
But ha! ha! ha! fnll well is me,
For I am now at libe%y.
5 With feigned words, which were but wind,
To long delays I was assigfd;
Her wily looks my wits did blind;
Thus as she would I did ree.
But ha! ha! lla! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.
6
Was never bird tangled in lime
That brake away in better time,
Than I, that rotten boughs did climb,
ODES.
And had no hurt, but scapcd free.
Now ha! ha! ha! full well is me,
For I am now at liberty.
131
TIIE LOVEI PRAYETII
THAT IIIS LADY'S HEART MIGHT BE ESFLAMED WITII EQUAL
AFFECTIObL
I LOVE cloth again
Put me to pain,
And yet all is but lost.
I serve in vain,
And am certain,
Of all misliked most.
2 Both heat and cold
Doth so me hold,
And comber so my mind;
That whom I should
Speak and behold,
It drivcth me still behind.
3 My its be past,
My life doth waste,
My comfort is exiled;
And I in haste,
Am like to taste
How love hath me beguiled.
4 Unless that right
May in her sight
Obtain pity and grace ;
Why should a wight
Have beauty bfigqt,
If mercy hve no place
ODES. 133
10 And better fee
Than she gave me,
She shall of me attain ;
For whereas she
Showed cruelty,
Sho shall my heart obtain.
THE DISDAINFUL LADY REFUSING TO HEAR
HER LOVEleSS SUIT IIE RESOLVETH TO FORSAKE HER.
1 Now all of change
Must be my song,
And fl'om my bond now must I break;
Since she so strange,
Unto my wrong,
Doth stop her ears, to hear me speak.
2 Yet none doth know
So well as she,
My grief, which can have no restraint;
That fain would follow,
Now needs must flee,
For fault of ear mto my plaint.
3 I am not he
By false assays,
Nor feiged faith can bear in hand
Though most I see
That su& Mways
Are best for to be understand.
]3ut I, that truth
Hath always meant,
' Bear in haad :' to deceive.
13 4 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
Doth still proceed to serve in vain:
Desire pursu'th
My time misspent,
And doth not pass upon my pain.
5 Of Fortune's might
That each compels,
And me file most, it doth suflqco ;
Now for my right
To ask nought else
But to withdraw tlLis enterprise.
; And for the gain
Of that good hour,
Vhich of my woe shall be relief;
I shall refrtin
By pinful power,
The thhg theft most hath been my grief.
7 I shall not miss
To exercise
The help thereof which doth me teach,
That after this
In any Mse
To keep right within my reach.
8 And she unjust
Which feareth not
In flis her fame to be defiled,
Yet once I trust
Shall be my lot
To qttite the craft that me beguiled.
ODES. 135
THE ABSENT LOVEI FINDETH ALL IIIS
PAINS REDOUBLED.
ABSENCE, absenting causeth nm to complah,
My sorrowful complaints abiding in distress;
And departing most privy inereaseth my pain,
Thus live I uncomforted m-apped all in heaviness.
_o. In heaviness I am wrapped, devoid of all solace,
Neither pastime nor pleasure can revive my dull wit,
My spirits be all taken, and death doth me menace,
Vith his fatal knife the thread for to kit.
3 For to kit the thrctd of this wretched life,
And shortly bring me out of this case;
I see it availcth not, yet must I bc pensive,
Since Fortune from mc hath turned her ftce.
4 Her fce she hath turned with countenance contrarious,
And clean from her presence she hath exiled me,
In sorrow remaining as a nmn most dolorous,
Exempt from all pleasure and worldly felicity.
5 All worldly felicity now am I private,'
And left in desart most solitarily,
Wanderhg all about us one without mate;
My death approað what remedy!
6
What remedy, alas! to rejoice my woful heart,
With sighs susph'hg most ruefully;
Now welcome! I am ready to depart;
Farewell all pleasure! welcome pain and smart
' Private :' deprived. - ' Suspiring :' sighing.
13 G WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
lie SEEKETIt CONFORT IN PATIENCE.
PATIENCE! for I have wrong,
And dare not show wherein;
Patience shall be my song;
Since Truth can nothing win.
Patience then for tlis fit ;
Hereafter eomes not yet.
OF TItE POWER OF LOVE OVER TIlE
YIELDEN LOVER.
WILL ye see what wonders Love hath wroug'ht
Then come and look at me.
There need nowhere else to be soug'ht,
In me ye may them see.
For unto that, that men may see
Most monstrous thing of kind,
M3"self may best compared be;
Love hath me so assign'd.
3
There is a rock in the salt flood,
A rock of such nature,
That draweth the iron from the wood,
And leaveth the ship unsure.
She is the rock, the ship am I;
That reek my deadly foe,
That draweth me there where I must die,
And robbeth my hear me fro.
5 A bird there fleeth, and that but one,
Of her this thing ensueth;
ODES. 139
Yet for all that nothing they know;
But I am as I ran, wheresoever I go.
5 But since judgers do thus decay,
Let every man his judgment say ;
I will it take in sport and play,
For I am as I am, whosoever say nay.
6
Who judgeth well, well God hhn send;
Who judgeflt evil, God them mnend;
To judge fire best therefore htcnd,
For I ant as I ran, and so will I end.
7 Yet some flere be that take delight
To judge folks' thought for envy and spite i
Eut whether they judge me wrong or right,
I am as I ran, and so do I write.
8
Pnying you all theft this do read,
To trust it as you do your creed;
And not to thhk I change my weed,
For I ant as I ran, however I speed.
9
But how that is I leave to you;
Judge as ye list, false or true,
Ye know no more titan afore yc knew,
Yet I am as I ran, whatever ensue.
10
And fi'om this mind I will not flee,
But to you all that misjudge me,
I do protest as ye may see
That Imn as I am, and so will be.
1-0 WYATT'S POETICAL TORKS.
POEHS.
WYATT'S COMPLAINT UPON LOVE TO
REASON,
VITII LOVE'S ANSWER.
ME old dear enemy, my frowm'd master,
Afore that Queen I caused to be acited, 1
Y'hich holdeth the divine part of our nature;
That like as gold in fire, he might be tried:
Charged with &)lore; there I me presented,
Vith horrible fear, as one that greatly dreadeth
A wrongful death, and justice alway seeketh.
And thus I said: ' Once my left foot, Madame,
When I was 'oung, I set within his reign;
Vhereby other titan fie T bming flame
I never felt,, but many a grievous pain:
Torment I sufibr'd, anger and disdain;
That mine oppressed patience was past,
And I mine own life hated at the last.
3 Thus hitherto have I my time passed
In pain and smart: what wa3-s profitable,
ttow many pleasant days have me escaped,
In serving tlis fMse liar so deceivable!
What wit have words so west and forcible,
That may contain my g'eat mislml)piness,
And just complaints of his ungentleness!
Oh! small honey, mud aloes, and gall,
In bitterness, my blind life have I tasted:
IIis false semblance, that tm'neth as a ball,
' Acited :' aummon.
With fair and amorous dance, made me be traced;
And where I had my thought, and mind araised
From earthly frailness, and from vain pleasure,
5re from my rest he took, and set in error.
5
God made he lne regardless, tlan I ought,
And to myself to tke right little heed:
And for a wolnan have I set at nought
All other thoughts, in this only to speed:
And he was only counsellor of this deed;
Whetting always lay youthly frail desire
On cruel whetstone, tempered with fire.
6 But oh, alas, where had I ever wit,
Or other gift given to me of nature .
That sooner shall be changed my wearied sprite
Than the obstinate will, that is my ruler:
So robbeth he my freedom with displeasure;
This wicked traitog whom I fires accuse:
That bitter life hath turned h pleasant use.
7 He hath me hasted through divers regions;
Through desert woods, and sharp high mountains;
Through froward people, and through bitter passions;
Through rocky seas, and over hills and plains;
With weary travel, ,nnd with laborious pains;
Always in trouble and in tediousness,
In all error, and dangerous distress.
8 But neither he nor she, my other foe,
For all my flight did ever me forsake:
That though my timely death hath been so slo%
That me, as yet, it hath not overtake:
The heavenly gods of pity do it slake!
POEMS. lZ7
Th' uneasy life I lead doth teach me for to mete 7
The floods, the seas, the lands, the hills, that doth
them intcrmete 1
'Tween me, and thoe shene hht. that wonted for
to clear
My darked pangs of cloudy thoughts, as bright as
Phoebus' sphere.
It teacheth me also what was my pleasant state,
The more to feel, by such record, how that my wealth
cloth btte.
If such record, alas provoke the inflamed mind,
Which sprang that day that I did leave the best of
me bel;ind:
If love forget himself, by length of absence let,
Who doth me guide, 0 woful wretch, unto this
baited net
Where doth increase my care; much better were
for me,
As dumb as stone, all things forgot, still absent for
to be.
Als, the clear crystal, the bright transplendent
glass
Doth not bewray the colours hid, wlfich tmderneath
it has, 0
As doth th' accumbred sprite the thoughtflfl throes
discover,
0f fierce delight, of fervent love, that in our hearts
we cover"
Ott by these eyes it showeth, that evermore delight
In plaint and tears to seek redress, and eke both day
and night.
Those kinds of pleasure most whereh] men so rejoice,
To me they do redouble still of stormy sighs the voice.
' Intermete :' do interpose.-- ' Accumbred :' overwhelmed.
]--S WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
For I am one of them whom plaint dotli well content,
It fits me well mine absent wealth, me seems, for to
1 ament; s
And with my tears t' assay to charge mine eyes
twain,
Like as my heart above the brink is fraughted full
of pain-
And for because thereto, that those fair eyes to treat
Do me provoke; I will return, my plaint thus to
repeat-
For there is nothing else so touehcth me within;
Where they rule all, and I alone nought but the case
or skin"
Wherefore I shall return to them, as well, or spring,
From whom descends my mortal woe, above all other
thing.
So shall mine eyes in pain accompany my heart,
That were the guides, that did it lead of love to feel
the smart.
The crisped gold that dotli surmount Apollo's pride;
The lively streams of pleasant stars that under it doth
glide; o
Wherein the beams of love do still increase their heat,
\ich yet so far touch me so near, in cold to make
lne swea, t ."
The wise and pleasan talk, so rare, or else alone,
That gave to me the COUlq;eous gift, that erst had never
110116"
Be far from me, alas! and every other thing
I might forbear with better will, than this that did me
bring,
With pleasant word and there, redress of linger'd
pain,
And wonted oft in kindled will to virtue me to trah.
POEMS. 149
Thus am I forced to hear and hearken after news- 79
My eonffort scant, my large desire in doubtful trust
renews.
And yet with more delight to moan my woful case,
I must complah those hands, these arms, that firmly
do embrace
Me from myself, and rule the stern of my poor life;
The sweet disdains the pleasant wraths and eke the
lovely strife,
That wonted well to tune, in temper just and meet,
The rage, that oft did make me err, by fro'or undiscrcct.
All this is hid fro me, with shm]) md ragNed hills,
At others' will my long abode my deep despair fulfils;
And if my hope sometime rise up by some redress,
It stumbleth straight, for feeble faint, my fear hath
such excess. 0
Such is the sort of hope, the less for more desire,
And yet I trust ere that I die to see that I requh'e:
The resting-place of love, where virtue dwells and
'rows
There I desire my weary life sometime may take
repose.
My song! thou shalt attain to find that pleasant
place,
Where she doth ve, by whom I life- may chance
to have this grace,
When she hath read, and seen the grief wherein I
serve,
etween her breasts she shall thee put, flmre shall
she time reserve:
Then tell her that I come, she shall me shortly see,
And if for weight the body fail, the soul shall to her
eo. 100
150 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
THE SONG OF IOPAS, UNFINISHED.
WHEN Dido feasted the wand'ring Troian kfight,
Whom Juno's wrath with storms did force in Lybic
sands to light;
That mighty Atlas taught, the supper lasting long,
With crisped locks on golden harp Iopas sang h
song"
' That same,' quod he, ' that we the World do call
all(l llalne,
Of heaven and earth with all contents, it is the very
franle.
Or titus, of heavenly powers, by more power kept
in one;
epugnant ldnds, in raids of whom the earth hath
place alone;
Finn, round, of 1Mng things the mother, place,
and nurse;
Without the which in equal weight, this heaven doth
hold his course: lo
And it is eall'd by name the first and moving heaven.
The firmament is placed next, eontfining other seven.
Of heavenly powers that same is planted full and
thick,
As shining lights which we call stars, that therein
cleave and stick :
With great swift, sway the first, and with his restless
solu'ce,
Carrieth itself, and M1 those eight, in even continual
course.
And of this world so round within that rolling ease,
Two pohts there be that never move, but firmly keep
their place:
OES. 151
The one we see alway, tim oilmr stands object 19
Against the same, dividhg just the ground by line
direct;
Which by imagination drawen fi'om one to t'other
Toucheth the centre of the earth, for way there is
none other :
And flmse be call'd tim poles, described by stars not
bright:
Arctic the one northward we see: Antarctic t'oflmr
hight.
The lille, that we devise from the one to t'other so,
As axle is; upon the which the heavens about do go;
Which of water nor eal"fl, of air, nor fire, have kind;
Therefore the substmce of flose same were hard for
man to find:
]ut they been uncon'upt, simple and pure unnfix'd;
And so we say been all those stars, that in those
same be fix'd: a0
And eke those erring seven, in circle as they stray;
So call'd, because aghst that first they have re-
pugnant way;
And smaller by-ways too, scant sensible to m,n;
Too busy work for my poor harp; let sing titan1 he
tlmt can.
The widest save the first, of all these nine above,
One hmdl"ed year doth ask of space, for one degree to
lllove.
Of which degrees we make, hi the first moving
]leaVell
Three htmdred and threescore, in parts justly divided
evell. '
And yet there is another between those heavens two,
Vhose noviug" is so sly, so slack, I nallle it not for
llOW. 40
154 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
SONGS AND EPIGRAMS.
A DESCRIPTION OF SUCH A ONE AS
HE WOULD LOVE.
A FACE that should content me wondrous well,
Should not be fair, but lovely to behold;
Of gladsonie chere, all grief for to expel;
Vith sober looks, so would I that it should
Speak without word, such words as none can tell:
Her tress also should be of crisped gold;
With wit., and these perchance I might be tried,
Ad kfit agMn wifl knot, that should not slide.
WHY LOVE IS BLIND.
O purpose Love chose first for to be blind,
For he with sight of that, that I behold,
Yanquish'd had been, against all godly ldnd:
His bow your hand, and truss should have uIdold;
And he with me to serve had been assign'd:
But., for he blhad and re@less wotld him hold,
And still by chance his deadly strokes bestow;
With such as see, I serve, and sufibr woe.
THE LOVEI BLAMETH HIS INSTANT
DESIRE.
DESirE, alas! my master and my foe,
So sore alter'd thyself, how mayst thou see ?
Sometime thou seekest, and drives me to and fro;
Sometime thou lead'st, flint leadcth thee and me.
SONGS AND EPIGRAMS. 155
V-llat reason is to rule thy subject so,
By forced law, and mutability ?
For where by thee I doubted to have blame,
Even now by hate agahl I doubt the same.
AGAINST HOARDERS OF MONEY.
FOR shamefast harm of great aid hatefnl need,
In deep despair; as did a wretch go,
Vith ready cord out of his life to speed,
His stmnbling foot did find an hoard, lo!
Of gold, I say, where he prepar'd this deed,
And in exchange he left the cord tho.
He that had hid the gold, and found it not,
Of that he found he shap'd his neck a -knot.
DESCRIPTION OF A GUN.
VULCX begat me, Minerw me taught,
:Natm'e my mother, craft nom4sh'd me year by year;
Three bodies are my food, my strength is in no'ht;
Anger, wrath, waste, and noise are my children
dear;
Guess, friend, what I ,nm, and how I am wrought,
Monster of sea, or of land, or of elsewhere :
Know me, and use me, and I my thee defend,
And if I be thine enemy, I may fly life end.
x ' Tho :' then.
SO.N'GS AND EPIGRAMS. 15 9
OF THE SAME.
WHAT man heard such cruelty before ?
That, when my plaint remember'd her my woe,
That caused it, she, cruel more a.nd more,
Vished each stitch, as she did sit and sew,
Had prick'd my heart for to increase my sore:
Ald, a.s I think, she thought it ha.d been so:
For a.s she thought, ' this is his heart indeed,'
She pricked ha.rd, and made herself to bleed.
THE LOVER THAT FLED LOVE NOW
FOLLOWS IT WITH HIS HARM.
SOETE I fled the fire, that me so brent,
By sea, by land, by water, and by wind:
And now the coals I follow that be quent,
From Dover to Calais, with willing mind.
Lo! how desire is both forth sprung, and spent;
And lie may see, that wlrilom was so blind,
And all his lahore- laughs he now to scorn,
Meshed in the briers, that erst was oly torn.
THE LOVER CO_[PARETH HIS HEART TO
THE OVERCHARGED GUN.
THE furious gun h his raging h'e,
When that the bowl is ramm5d in too sore,
And that the flame cannot pa.rt from the fire;
Cracks in stander, and in the air do roar
The shivered pieces. So doth my desire;
Whose flame increaseth aye from more to more;
Which to let out, I dare not look, nor speak;
So hm'ard force my heart doth all-to 2 break.
1, Quet :' quenched. - ' All-to :' altogether.
SONGS AND EPIGRAMS.
OF HIS RETURN FROM: SPAIN.
T_Gcs, farewell! that westward with thy streams
Turns np the grains of gold ah'eady tried ;
For I with spur and sail go seek the Thames,
Gainward the sun that showeth her wealthy pride;
And to the town that Brutus sought by dreams,
Like bonded moon, that leans her lusty side;
My King, my Country I seek, for whom I live-
O mighty Jove, the winds for this me gvc.
WYATT BEING IN PRISON, TO BRYAN.
SmHS are my food, my drink are my tears;
Clinldng of fetters would such music crave;
Stink, and close ah" away my life it wears;
Poor innocence is all the hope I have:
ain, wind, or weather judge I by my ears:
Malice assaults, that righteousness should have.
Sure am I, Bryan, this wound shall heal again,
But yet, alas! the scar shall still remah.
T
OF SUCH AS HAD FOLSAKEN HI[.
LOOK! my fair falcon, and thy fellows all;
How well pleasant it were )'our
Ye not forsake me, that faia" might you fall.
But they that sometime liked my company,
Like lice away from dead bodies they crawl"
Lo, what a proof in light adversity!
But ye, my birds, I swear by all your bells,
Yo be my friends, and so be but few else.
L
songs AND IGIAS. 163
OF THE MEAN AND SURE ESTATE.
STAND, whoso list, upon the slipper wheel
Of high estate; and let me here rejoice,
And use my life in quietness each dele,
Unknown in Court that hath the wanton toys:
In hidden place my time shall slowly pass,
And when my years be past withouten noise,
Let me die old after the common trace;
For gripes of death doth he too hardly pass,
That. knowen is to all, but to himself, alas,
He dieth unknown, dasd with dreadfld face.
THE LOVER SUSPECTED OF CHANGE
PRAYETH THAT IT BE NOT BELIEYED AGAINST HIM.
ACCUSED though I be without desert;
Sith none can prove, believe it not for true:
For never yet., since that you had my heart,
Intended I to false, or be untrue.
Sooner I wotfld of death sustain the smart,
Than break one word of that I promised you;
Accept therefore my service in good part:
None is alive, that can ill tongues eschew:
tIold them a,s false; and let not us depa
Ore" friendship old h hope of any new:
Put not thy trust in such as use to feign,
Except thou mhd to put thy fl4end to pain.
' l)ele :' portion, diision.
10
SONGS AND EPIGRA.IS. 165
3 If it be yea, I shall be fain;
If it be nay, h'iends as before;
You shall another man obtain,
And I mine own, and yours no more.
1
3
ANSWER.
Or few words, Sir, you seem to be,
And where I doubted wha.t I would do
Your quick request hath caused me
Quickly to tell you what you shall trust to.
For he that will be called with a beck,
3Iakes hasty suit on light desire:
Is ever ready to the check,
And burneth in no wasting fire.
Therefore whether you be lief or loth,
And whether it grieve you light or sore,
I mn at a point: I have made an oath,
Content you with 'Nay ;' for you get no more.
THE LOVER PROFESSETH HIMSELF
CONSTANT.
WITHIX nly breast I never thought it gain
Of gentle minds the freedom for to lose;
Nor in my heart sank never such disdain,
To be a forger, faults for to disclose:
Nor I cannot endure the truth to glose,
To set a gloss upon an earnest pain-
Nor I am not h number one of those
That list to blow retreat to every trah.
16(] WYATT'8 POETICAL WORKS.
2
THE LOVER BLAMETI-I HIS LOVE
FOR REITLNG OF TtIE LETTER HE SENT HER.
SUICED not, Madam, that you did tear
My woful heart, but thus also to rent
The weeping paper that to you I sent,
Whereof each letter was written with a tear?
Cotfld not my present pains, alas! suffice
Yore" greedy heart ? and that my heart doth feel
Torments, that prick more shaq)cr than the steel,
But new and new must to my lot arise ?
Use then my death: so shall your cruelty,
Spite of your spite, rid me from all my smart,
And I no more such torments of the heart
Feel as I do: this shall you gain thereby.
THE
Jove.
Lady.
LOVER COMPLAINETH AND HIS
LADY COMFORTETH.
IT burneth yet, alas! my heart's desire.
Y3mt is the thing that hath hflamed thy
heart ?
A certain point as fervent as the fire.
The heat shall cease, if that thou lt
conve.
I cannot stop the fervent raging ire.
What may I do, if thyself cause
smart'i
Hear and
lVith
my request, rue my weeping
there.
right good will, say on: lo, I thee
Ileal'.
SONGS AND EPIGRAMS. 167
2 Lover. That thhg would I, flint maketl two content.
Lady. Thou seekest, perchance, of me, flat I
may not.
Lover. Would God, thou wouldst, as thou mayst
well, assent.
Lady. That I may not, tim grief is mhm, God wot.
Lover. But I it feel, whatso thy words have meant.
Lady. Suspect me not: my words be not forgot.
Lover. Then s,ny, alas, shall I have help or no ?
Lady. I see no thnc to answer yea, but no.
3 Lover.
Lady.
Love%
Lady.
LoveT:
Lady.
Love,F.
Lady.
Say yea, dear heart, and stand no more in
doubt.
I may not grant a tlfing that is so dear.
Lo, with delays thou drivest me still about.
Thou wouldst my death, it plinly cloth
appear.
First, may my heart his blood and life bleed
out.
Then for my sake, ala.s, thy will forbe,nr.
From day to day thus wastes my life away.
Yet for the best, suffer some small delay.
4 Lover.
Lady.
Love'.
Lady.
Love%
ow good ! say ye,n: do once so good a deed.
If I said yea, what should thereof ensue ?
A heart in pah- of succour so shofld speed:
'Twkxt yea and nay, my doubt shall still
renew.
My sweet, say yea; and do away this dread.
Thou wilt needs so: be it so; but then be
true.
Nought would I else, nor other treasm'e none.
Thus hem'ts be won by love, request,
lnoan.
I WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
THE LOVER SUSPECTED ]3LAMETH
ILL TONGUES.
:[ MISTRUSTFUL minds be moved
To have me in suspect,
The truth it shall be proved,
Which time shall once detect.
Though fdschood go about
Of crime me to accuse,
At length I do not doubt
]ut truth shall me excuse.
Such sauce as they have served
To me without des\rt,
Even as they have deserved,
Thereof God send them part.
OF HIS LOVE CALLED ANNA.
WUT word is that, that changeth not,
Though it be turn'd and nlade in twain ?
It is mine Ama, God it wot,
The only" cmser of my pain;
My love that meedeth with dis&in.
Yet is it loved, what will you more ?
It is my salve, and eke my sore.
A PIDDLE OF A GIFT GIVES BY A LADY.
A L.a)Y gave me a gift she had not;
And I received her gift which I took not;
She gave it me willingly, aud yet she would not;
And I received it, albeit I could not:
SONGS AND EPIGIIAMS. ]G9
If she gave it me, I force not;
And if she take it again, she cares not.
Construe what this is, and tell not;
For I am fast sworn I may not.
THAT SPEAKING OR PROFFEPdNG BPdNGS
ALWAY SPEEDING.
SPEAK thou and speed where will or power ought
help'th;
Where power doth want, will must be won bv wealth:
:For need will speed, where will works not his ldud"
And gaiu thy foes thy fl'iends shall cause thee find:
:For suit and gold, what do not they obtain ?
Of good and bad the tryers are these twain.
T. WYATT OF LOVE.
LIKE as the wind Jth raging blast
Doth cause each tree to bow and bend;
Even so do I spend my time in waste,
My life consulning unto all end.
For as the flame by force doth quench the fire,
And running streanls consume the rain;
Even so do I myself desire
To augment my grief and deadly pain.
3 Whereas I find that what is what,
And cold is cold by com'se of kind,
So shall I knit an endless knot;
Such fruit in love, alas! I find.
] ': VYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
' Peep,' quod the othm; ' Sister, I am here.'
' Peace,' quod the town-mouse, 'why speakest thou
so loud?'
And by the hand she took her fair and well.
' Welcome,' quod she, 'my Sister, by the rood.'
She feasted her, that joy it was to tell
The fare they had, they drank the whe so clear;
And as to purpose now and then it fell,
,o cheered her with, ' How, Sister, what diner?'
Amid this joy befel a son T chance,
That wellaway! the stranger bought full dear
The fare she had. For as she look'd askance,
Under a stool she spied two steaming eyes
In a round head, with sharp ears. In France
Was never mouse so fear'd, for the unwise
Had not yseen such a beast before.
Yet had nature taught her after her guise
To know her foe, and dread him evermore.
The tom1 mouse fled, she knew whither to go;
Th' other had no shift, but wonders sore;
Fear'd of her life, at home she wished her the,
And to the door, alas, as she did sldp,
Th' heaven it would, lo, and eke her chance was so
At the threshold her sely foot did trip;
And ere she might recover it again,
The traitor cat had caught her by the hip,
And made her there against her will remain,
That had forgot her powe; surety, and rest,
For seeki N wealth, wherein she thought to reign.
Alas! my Poins, how men do seek the best, 0
And find the worst, by error as they stray;
And no nmrrel; when sight is so opprest,
And blinds the gaide, anon out of the way
' The :' then.
SATIRES. 1 -'o
Goeth gatide and all in seeking qttiet life.
O wretched minds! there is no gold that may
Grant that you seek, no war, no peace, no strife:
No! no! ahhough thy head were hoop'd with gold,
Sejeant with mace, with halbert, sword, nor knife,
Cannot repulse fire care that follow should.
Each -kind of life hath with him his disease: so
Live in delights even as thy lust would,
And thou shalt find, when lust doth most thee please,
It irketh straight, and by itself cloth fade.
A small thing is it that may thy mind appease
None of you all there is, that is so mad,
To seek for grapes on brmnbles or on briers:
Nor none I trow, that hath a wit so bad,
To set his haye 1 for coneys over rivers;
:Nor ye set not a drag-net for a hare.
And yet the thing, that most is 3"our desire, o
You do mis-seek with more travail and care.
Nake plain thine heart, that it be not knotted
Wifl hope or dread, and see thy will be bare
From all afibcts, - whom vice hath never spotted.
Thyself content with that is thee assigned,
And use it well that is to thee allotted;
Then seek no more out of thyself to find
The thing that thou hast sought so long before:
For thou shalt feel it sticking in thy mind,
Nad, if ye list to continue 3-ore" sore.
Let present pass, and gape on time to come,
And deep thyself h travail more and more.
Henceforth, my Poins, this shall be all and sum
These wretched fools shall have nought else of me;
But, to the great God, and to his doom,
' Haye :' a net. -e ' Affects :' passions. - ' Deep thyself :' cuter deeply.
' All and aura :' eve-thing'.
174 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
None other pain pray I for them to be;
thit when the rage doth lead them from the right,
That, looldng backward Virtue flmy may see,
Even as she is, so goodly fair and bright:
And whilst they clasp their lusts in arms across,
Grant them, good Lord, as thou mayst of thy reigN,
To fret inward, for losing such a loss.
OF THE COUPTIEP'S LIFE,
WRITTEN TO JOHN POINS.
MtE own John Poins, since ye delight to know
The causes why that. homewm'd I me
AndS)the press of Courts, whereso they go, )
Rather than to live thrall under tlm awe
Of lordly looks wrapped within my cloak;
To will and lust learning to set a law:
It is hot.because I scorn or mock
The power of themeS'horn foltme hath lent
Chmge over us, of right to strike the stroke$
But true it is that I have always meant 0
Less to esteem them titan the common so%
Of outward tNngs that judge in their htent
Without regard what .iward l
I g'ant, somethnef gl0 t.ha the fire
Dotlt touch my heart. Me hst not to report
Blame by honour, and honom" to desire.
But how may I this honour now attah,
That emmot dye the eolom- bla& a hat
Iy Poins, I cannot frame .2 to feign,
To cloak the trutfor praise witlmut desert 0
Of them that list all qee for to reta.h.
I cannot honour tlem tlat their part
With Venu,and Bae&u a Neh" e long;
SATIRES. 1 7 7
With savotu-y sauce those delicates to feel: 20
Nor yet in Spain, where one nmst hiin incline,
atber than to be, outwardly to seem:
I neddle not with wits that be so fine
Nor Flanders' cbeer not my sight to deem
Of black_and white nor takds" my wi awa.y
With beastliness; such do those beast'esteem.
Nor I am not, whergin iH prey
For money, poison, and treasok t Ronle
A common practice used night and day.
ut I am hero in Kent and Christendom, 0
Among the Muses, where ] read and rhyme;
Where if thou list, mine ow John Poins,to come,
Tlmu shalt be judge how I do spend my tlme.
HOW TO USE THE COURT AND HIMSELF
THEREIN, WRITTEN TO SIR FRANCIS BRYAN.
A SPENDING hand that ahvay poureth out,
Had need to have a bringer-in as fast;
And on the stone that still doth turn about,
There groweth no moss: these proverbs yet do last;
Reason hath set them in so sure a place,
That length of years their force can never waste.
When I remember this, and eke the case
qmrein thou standst, I thought forthwith to write,
Bryan, to thee, who knows bow great a grace
In writing is, to counsel man the right. 0
To thee therefore, that trots still up and down,
And never rests; but running day and ifight
From reahn to reahn, from city, street, and town;
Why dost thou wear thy body to the bones ,
And mightst at ]mine sleep in thy bed of down:
1 78 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
Add drink good ale so nappy for the nones;
Feed thyself fat; and hea l) up potmd by pound.
Likest thou not this ? No. Why ? For swine so groins
In sty, and chaw dmg moulded on the ground;
And drivel on pearls, wifl head still h the manger:
So of the harp the ass doth hear the sound:
So sacks of dirt be filled up in fle cloister,
That serve for less than do these fatted swine.
Though I seem lean and dry, withouten moisture,
Yet will I serve my prhce, my lord and thine;
And let them live to feed the paunch that list;
So I may live to feed both me and mine.
By God'. well said. ]ut what and if thou wist
How to bring in, as fast as thou dost spend ?
That would I learn. And it shall not be miss'd
To tell thee how. Now hark what I intend:
Thou knowest well first, whoso can seek to please,
Shall purchase friends, where tnth shall but offend:
Flee therefore truth, it is both wealth and ease.
For though that tnIth of every man hath praise,
Full near that wind goeth truth in great misease.
Use Virtue, as it goeth now-a-days,
In word alone, to make thy langage sweet:
And of thy deed yet do not as thou says;
Else be thou sure, thou shalt be far umneet ao
To get thy bread; each thing is now so scant,
Seek still thy profit upon thy bare feet.
Lend in nowise, for fear that thou do want,
Ufless it be as to a calf , cheese:
]3ut if thou can be sure to wh a cant "
Of half at least. It is not good to leese.
Lea-n at the lad, that in a long white coat,
From mder the stall, withouten lands or fees,
' Groin :' to bore with the snout.-- u ' Cant :' a portion, or caatle.
SATIRES. 179
Hth leapt hto the shop; who knows by rote 59
Tlfis rule that I hve told thee here before.
Some time lso rich age begins to dote;
See thou when there thy gin my be the more-
Stay him by the arm vhereso he walk or go;
Be near alway, and if he cough too sore,
qmt he hath spit tread out; and please him so.
A diligent knave that picks his master's purse
Mny please him so, tint he, withouten no',
Executor is- And wha.t is he the worse?
But if so chance, thou get nought of the man,
The widow may for nll thy pain disburse; 0
A veled skin, a sthfling breath; what then?
A toothless mouth shall do thy lips no harm;
The gold is good: and though she cm'se or ban,
Yet where thee list thou mayst lie good and warm-
Let the old nmle bite upon the bridle,
Whilst there do lie a sweeter in thy arm.
In this also see that thou be not idle,
Thy fiece, thy cousin, sister, or thy daughter,
If she be fah', if handsome be her nfiddle,
If thy better hnth her love besought her, 70
Avance his cause, nnd he shall help thy need-
It is but love, tm'n thou it to a laughter.
]ut ware, I szy, so gold thee help and speed,
That in this case thou be not so undse
As Pandnr was h such a like deed;
For he, the fool of conscience, was so fice,
That he no gain would hnve for all his pnin-
]e next thyself, for friendslfip benrs no pce.
Lnughest thou nt me? why? do I speak in vain?
No, not t thee, but t thy thrifty jest: so
Wotfldst thou, I should, for nny loss or gain,
Change that for gold thnt I have ta'en for best ?
] 80 'YATT'S POETICAL rORKS.
Next godly things, to have an honest name ?
Should I leave that ? then take me for a beast.
Nay then, farewell, and if thou care for shame,
Content thee then with honest poverty;
With free tongue what thee mislikes, to blame,
And for thy truth, sometime adversity.
And therewithal this gift I shall thee give,
In this world now little prosperity;
And coin to keep, as water i a sieve.
83
9O
] 8 z WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
His pm])le pall, his sceptre lie lets fall,
And to the ground lie throweth himself withal.
7 Then pompous pride of state, and dignity
Forthwith rebates 1 repentant hmnbleness :
Thinner vile cloth than clotheth poverty
Doth seantly hide and clad his nakedness:
His fair hoar beard of reverent gravity,
With ndtled hah', knowing his wickedness:
More like was he the selfsame repentance
Than stately prince of worldly governance.
8 His harp lie taketh in hand to be his guide,
Wherewith lie oftbreth 1)laints, his soul to save,
That from his heart distills on every side,
Withdrawing himself into a dark deep cave
Within the ground, wherein he might him hide,
Flying the light, as in prison or grave;
In which, as soon as David entered had,
The dark horror did make his soul admd.
9
But he, without prolonging or delay
Of th,t which might his Lord his God appease,
Falleth on his knees, and with his harp, I say,
Afore his breast yfraughted with disease
Of stormy sighs, deep draughts of his decay,
Dressed upright, seeking to counterpoise
His song with sighs, and touching of the strings,
With tender heart, lo, thus to God lie sings.
DOMINE NE IN FURORE.
O LORD! since in mr mouth thy mighty name
Suffereth itself, my Lord, to name and call,
: 't/ebates:' abates, diminishes.-- Psalm v-;.
PEIITE.NTIAL PSALMS. 185
Here hath my heart hope taken by the same; s
That the repentance, which I have and shall,
May at thy hand seek mercy, as the thing
Of only comfort of wretched sinners all:
Whereby I dare with humble bemoaning,
By thy goodness, this thing" of thee require:
Chastise me not for my deserving
According to thy just conceived ire. 0
O Lord! I dread: and that I did not dread
I me repent; and evermore desire
Thee, Thee to dread. I open here, and spread
]l:y fault to thee: bu thou, for thy goodness,
Measure it not in lttrgcness, nor in breade :
:Punish it not as askcth the g]'eatness
Of thy furor, provoked by mine oibnce.
Temper, O Lord the harm of my excess,
Vith mending will, that I for recompense
Prepare again: and rather pity me, e0
:For I am weak, and clean without defence;
More is the need I have of remedy.
:For of the whole the leche taketh no cure;
The sheep that strayeth the shepherd seeks to see.
I, Lord, am stray'd; and, seke without recure,
Feel all my limbs, that have rebelled, for fear
Shake in despair, unless thou me assure:
Mv flesh is troubled, my heart doth fear the @ear:
That dread of death, of death that ever lasts,
Threateth of right, and draweth near and near. 80
:Much more my soul is troubled by the blasts
Of these assaults, that conm as thick as hail,
Of worldly vanities, that temptation cast;s
Against the bulwark of fhe flesh frail,
Wherein the soul in great perplexity
=' Breade :' brcadth." ' Sekc :' sick.
18 1 WYATT'S POETICAL *ORKS.
Feelefl the senses with them that assail
Conspire, corlapt by pleasure and vanity:
Whereby the va'etch doth to the shade resort
Of ]Lope in Thee, in this extremity.
:But thou, O Lord, how long after this sort
Forbearest thou to see nay miseT?
Suffer me yet, in hope of some comfort,
Fe,r, and not feel that thou forgettest me.
Return, O Lord! O Lord! I thee beseech,
Unto thy old wonted benignity.
Reduce, revNe my soul: be thou the leche;
And reconcile tile great hatred, and strife,
That it hath t'en against the flesh; the wretch
Theft sth'red hath thy wrath by filthy life.
See how my sotd doth fret it to the bones: 50
Inward remorse so shrpeth it like -knife,
That but Thou help tile citifi: theft bemoans
His ga'eat ofibnce, it turneth anon to dust.
Here hath thy mercy matter for the nones;
For if thy righteous hand, that is so just,
Suffer no sin, or strike with damn,tion,
Thy infinite mercy want needs it must
Subject matter for his operation:
For tlmt h death there is no memory
Among the damned, nor yet no mention 60
Of thy geat name, ga-ound of all glory.
Then if I die, and go whereas I fear
To thhLk thereon, how shall thy great mercy
Sound in my mouth unto file worldSs ear
For there is none, that can Thee laud, ,nd love,
For that thou wilt no loe among them there.
Suffer my cries the mercy for to move,
That wonted is a hundred years' offence
/n a moment of repentance to remove.
]8S WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
Obey the rule, that reason shall express:
Where the deceit of that your glosing bait
Made them usurp a power in all excess.
Shamed be they all, that so do lie in wait
To compass me, by missing of their prey !
Shame and rebuke redound to such deeeit
Sudden confusion, as stroke without delay,
Shall so deface their crafty suggestion, o
That they to hurt my health no more assay
Since I, O Lord, remain in thy protection.
THE AUTIIOR.
Wuoso hath seen the sick in his fever,
After truce taken with the ]mat or cold,
And that the fit is past of his fcrvom;
Draw fainthlg" sighs; let him, I say, behold
Son'owful David, after his langou',
That with his tears, that from his eyes down roll'd,
Paused his plaim, and laid adown his harp,
Faithhd record of all his sorrows sharp.
It seemed now that of his fault the horror
Did make afear'd no more his hope of grace;
The threats whereof, in horrible ten'or,
Did hold his heart as in despair a space,
Till he had will'd to seek for his succour;
Himself accusing, beknowing his case,
Thinldng so best lfis Lord to appease,
And not yet healed he feeleth his disease.
3 :Now seemeth fearful no more the dark cave,
That erst did make his soul for to tremble;
A place devout, of refige for to save
The succourless it rather doth resemble-
190 WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
As adder fresh new stripped from his skh" 19
Nor h his sprite is aught undiscover'd.
I, for because I hid it still xvithin,
Thhkhg by state h fault to be preferr'd,
Do find by hiding of my fault my h,rm;
As he that findeth his health hindered
ty secret womd concealed from the charm
Of lcech's cure, that else had had redress;
And feel my bones consmne, and wax unfirm
By daily rage, roaring in excess.
Thy hea'y hand on me was so hcreased
toth day and night, and held my heart in press, 0
VSth pricking thoughts bereaving me my rest;
That withered is my lustiness away,
As smnmer heats that have the green oppress'd.
Wherefore I did another way assay,
And sought forthwith to open h thy sight
Ny fault, my fear, my filthiness, 1 say,
And not to lride froln Thee my great mlright.
I shall, quoth I, against myself confess
Unto thee, Lord, all my shfful plight-
And Thou forthwith didst wash the wickedness 0
Of inine offence. Of truth right thus it is,
W]erefore they, that have tasted thy goodness,
At me shall take example as of tNs,
And pray, and seek in time for time of g'ace.
Then shall the stoi:ms and floods of harm him miss,
And him to reach shall never have the space.
Thou art my refuge, and only safeguard
From the troubles that compass me the place.
Such joys as he that stapes his enemies' ward
With loosed bands, hath in his liberty; 0
Such is my joy, thou hast to me prepared;
That, as the seaman in lris jeopardy
PENITENTIAL PSALhIS. 191
By sudden light perceived hath the port;
So by thy great merciflfl property
Within thy book thus read I my comfort:
' I shall thee teach, and give understandhg',
And poht to thee what way thou shalt resort
For thy address, to keep thee from wandering:
Mine eyes shall take the charge to be thy gtfide:
I ask thereto of thee only this thhg, 0
Be not like horse, or rattle, flat men do ride,
That not alone doth not his master laow,
]ut for the good thou dost hiln must be tied,
And bridled lest his guide he bite or throw.'
Oh! diverse a.re the chastisings of
In meat, in drink, in breath, that mgn doth blow,
In sleep, h watch, in fretting still withh :
That never suffer rest unto the nfind
Fill'd with offence; that new and new begin
With thousand fears the heart to strain and bind : 7o
But for all this, he that h God doth trust
With mercy shall himself defended find.
Joy and rejoice, I say, you that be just,
In Him, that maketh and holdeth you so still:
In Him your glory always set you must,
All you that be of upright heart and will.
1
THE AUTHOR.
Tins song ended, David did stint his voice;
_Md h that while he about vith his eye
Did seek the dark cave; ith which, vithouten noise,
His silence seemed to argue, and reply.
Upon his peace, this peace that did rejoice
The sotfl with mercy, thgt mercy so did cry,
"[ 3- O, WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
And found mercy at plentiful Mercy's hand,
:Never denied, but where it was withstand.
As the servant that in his nmster's face
Finding pardon of his passed oflbnce,
Considerhg his great goodness and his grace,
Glad tears distills, as gladsome recompense:
]light so David seemed in the place
A marble image of singular reverence,
Carved in the rock, with eyes and h,nd on high
Made as by craft to plain, to sob, to sigh.
3 This while a beam that Bright Sun forth sendeth,
That Sun, the whicl was never cloud could hide,
Pierceth the cave, and on the harp descendeth :
Wlose glancing light the chords did overglide,
And such lustre upon the harp extendeth,
As light of lamp upon the gold clean tried,
The lolne whereof into his eyes did start,
Surprised wifl joy by penance of the heart.
lie then, inflamed witl far more hot affect .o Of God, than he was erst of Batsab,
liis left foot did on the earth erect,
And just thereby remaineth the oher knee;
o the left side his weight he doth direct:
For hope of health his harp again taketh he;
liis ]land, his tune, his mind eke sought tkis lay,
Which to the Lord with sober voice did say.
DO]ILNE NE IN FURORE TUO. 3
O LOR! as I have thee bot.l pray'd, and pray,
(Although i1 Tlme be no alteration,
' Lome :' Oleam. ' Affect :' Affection.-- Psalm xxxviii
IENITENTIAL PALMS. ] 93
:But that we men, like as ourselves, we sa); 3
Measuring fly justice by our nmtation)
Chastise me not, O Lord! in flxy furor,
:Nor me correct in wrathful castigation:
:For flint fly arrows of fear, of terror,
Of sword, of sickness, of famine, and of fire,
Stick deep in me: I, lo! fl'om mine error,
Am phmged up, as horse out of the mire 0
With stroke of spur; such is thy hand on me,
That in my flesh, for terror of thy ire,
Is not one point of firm stability;
Nor in my bones there is no steadfastness:
Such is my dread of mutability;
:For that I know my frailful wickedness.
For why ? my sins above my head are bound,
Like heavy weight, that doth my force oppress;
Under the which I stoop and bow to the ground,
As willow plant haled by violence, e0
And of my flesh each not well cured wound,
That fester'd is by folly and negligence,
By secret lust hath rankled under sldn,
Not duly cured by my penitence.
:Perceiving thus the tyranny of sin,
That Mth his weight hath humbled and depress'd
My pride; by gnawing of the worm within,
That never dieth, I live vithouten rest.
So are mine entrails infect with fervent sore,
Feeding the harm that hath my wealth oppress'd, .0
That in my flesh is left no health therefore.
So wondrous great hath been my vex,ntion,
That it hath forced my heart to cry and roar.
O Lord! thou knowest the inward contemplation
Of my desire: thou knowest my sighs and plaints:
Thou knowest the tears of my lamentation
PENITEh'TIAL PSALMS.
195
1
3
4
THE AUTHOR.
LIKE as the pilgrim, that in a long way
Fainting for heat, provoked by some wind,
In some fresh shade lieth down at mid of day-
So doth of Dadd the wearied voice and mind
Take breath of sighs, when he lind sung this la3;
Under such shade as sorrow hath assign'd-
And as the one still minds his voya.ge end,
So doth the other to mercy still pretend.
On sonora " chords his fingers he extends,
Without hearing or judgment of the sound:
Down from his eyes a stream of tears descends,
Without feeling, that triclde on tim ga'ound.
As he that bleeds in bain e right so htends
The alter'd senses to that that they are bound.
:But sigh and weep he can none other thing,
And look up still unto the heavens' King.
Iht who had been without the cavb's mouth
And heard the tears and sighs that him did strain,
He would have sworn there had out of the south
A lukewarm wind brought forth a smoky rain.
]3ut that so close the cave was and tmcouth
That none but God was record of his pah,
Else had the wind blown h all Israel's ears
Of their King the woful plaint and tears.
Of which some part when he Ul) supped had,
Like as he, whom his own thought affrays,
He tm'ns his look; him seemeth that the shade
Of his offence again his force assays
' Sonour :' sounding. - ' Bain :' a bath.
PENITENTIAL PSALMS.
9.
And so he doth; but not expressed by word;
But in his heart lie tm'neth oft and poisefl
Each word, that erst his tips nfight forth afford:
lie pants, lie pauseth, he wonders, he praiseth
The Mercy, tliat hideth of Justice the sword:
The Justice that so his promise complisheth
:For his word's sake to worthfless desert,
That gratis his grace to men doth depart.
3 Here hath lie conlfort when lie doth measure
Measureless mercy to measureless faldt,
To prodigal sinners infinite treasure,
Treasm-e celestial, that never shall defiuflt:
Yea! when that shl shall fail, and may not dure,
Mercy shall reign, 'gahst whom shall no assmflt
Of hell prevail: by whom, lo! at this day
Of Heaven gates Remission is the key.
4 And when David had pondered well and tried,
And seeth himself not utterly deprived
:From light of Grace, that dm'k of sh did hide,
He fhtdeth his hope much theredth rmdved;
He dare importmm the Lord on every side,
For he knoweth well that to Mercy is ascribed
Iespectless labour, impomme, cry, and call;
And thus beghmeth his song therewithal-
DOMINE, EXAUDI ORATIONEM MEAM. 1
LoI! hear my prayer, and let my cry pass
Unto thee, Lord, without impediment.
Do not fl'om me tmal thy mercifld face,
Unto myself leavhg my governmen.t.
In time of trouble and adversity
Incline to me thhm ear and thine htent :
1 Psalm cii.
PENITENTIAL PSALMS. '2-05
Where he beholds the Word that should confound
The word of death, by humility to be
In mortal maid, in mortal habit made,
Etenfit.y h mortal vail to shade.
2 He seeth that Word, when fifll ripe time should
COllie,
Do away that vail by fervent affection,
Torn of with death, for death should have her doom,
And leapeth lighter front such corruption:
The glint of light, that in the air doth lomc,
Man redeemeth; death hath her destruction:
That mortal vail hath immortality;
To David assurance of his iniquity.
3 rlereby he frames this reason in his heart:
That goodness, which doth not forbear his Son
From death for me, and cm thereby convert
My death to life, my sin to salvation,
Both can and will a smaller g'ace depart
To him, that sueth by hmnblc supplication:
And since I have his larger grace assay'd,
To ask this thing why mu I then afraid?
He granteth most to them that most do crave,
And He delights in suit without respect.
Alas !. my son pursues me to the grave,
SldIbred by God Iny sin for to correct.
But of my sh, since I may pardon have,
My son's pro'suit shall shortly be reject;
Then will I crave with sured confidence.
And thus beginnetlt the stilt of his pretence :
PENITENTIAL PSALMS. _0,09
A little living gotten rightfully 4r
Passeth the riches, and eke the high power
Of that, that wretches have gather'd wickedly.
Perish shall the wicked's posterity,
And God shM1 'stablish the just assuredly.
The just man's days the Lord doth know, and see!
Their heritage shM1 last for evermore,
And of their hope beguil'd they shMI not be,
When dismold da.ys shall wrap the other sore.
They shall be full when other faint for food,
Therewhilst shall fail these wicked men therefore,
To God's enemies such end shall be allow'd,
As hath lamb's grease wasting in the fire,
That is consum'd into smoky cloud. o
Borroweth th' unjust without will or desire
To yield again; the just freely doth give,
3ere he seeth need: as mercy doth require.
Who will'th him well for right therefore shall leve;
Who banish him shall be rooted away.
His steps shall God direct still and relieve,
And please him shall what life him lust essay;
_And though he fall under foot, lie shall not he,
Catching his hand for God shall straight him stay:
Nor yet his seed foodess seen for to be. 0
The just to all men merciful hath been;
Busy to do well; therefore his seed, I sa)5
Shall have abundance alway fresh and green.
Flee ill; do good; that thou may'st last alway,
For God doth love for evermore the uD'ight.
Never his chosen doth he cast away;
For ever he them mindefl dav and night;
And wicked seed alway shall waste to nought,
The just shall wield the world as theh" own right,
O
210
WYATT'S POETICAL WORKS.
And long thereon slM1 dwell, as they have wrought.
With wisdom shall the wise man's mouth him able;
His tongue shall speak alwy even as it ought,
With God's learning" he hath his heart stable,
His foot therefore from sliding shall be sure
The wicked watcheth the just for to disable,
And for to slay him doth his busy cure.
Bu God will not subr him for to quaY;
By t.b'ranny, nor vet by fault mTure,
To be condemn'd in judgment without fail.
Await therefore the coming of the Lord 9o
Live with his laws in patience to preva,"
And He shall raise thee of thine own accord
Above the earth, in surctv to behold
The wicked's death, that thou may it record;
I have well seen the wicked sheen like gold-
Lusty and green as laurel lasting
But even anon and sean his seat was cold
When I have pss'd again the selfsame way;
Where he did reign, he was not to be found"
Vanislfd he was for all lfis fresh array. 100
Let uprightness be still th) steadfast g'round.
Follow the right: such one shall alway find
Himself in peace and plenty to abound.
All wicked folk reversed shall untwind,
And wretchedness shall be the wicked's end.
Health to the just from God shall be assign'd,
He shall them strength whom trouble should oflbnd.
The Lord shall help, I sa.y, and them dehver
From cursed hands, and health unto them send,
For that h Him they se their trust for ever. lo
' Untwind :' be weakened, dissolved.
AN EPITAPH OF SIR THOMAS GRAVEbER, KbIGHT. O] ]1
AN EPITAPH OF SIR THOMAS GRAVENER,
KNIGHT.
I UNDER this stone there lieth at rest
A friendly man, u worthy knight;
Whose heart aud mind was ever prcst
To fvour truth, to further right.
The poor's defence, his neighbour's aid,
Most kind ahvays unto his kiu;
Tha.t stiut all strife that might be stayed;
Whose gentle grace great love did
A m,nn, that was full earnest set
To sete his prince at all assays:
:No sickness could him from it let;
Which was the shortening of his days.
4 His life was good, he (lied full well;
The body here, the soul in bliss;
With length of words why should I tell,
Or further shew, that well known is;
Since that the tears of more and less,
Right well declare his -orthiness.
I ,, " " postf.era h'rt.s.
THE ED.
I Lk4TYIE A4D (OIIPA4Y PIRI/4TEI.S EDIIIrRfg.
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