Thomas Wyatt, Poems From the Devonshire manuscript, Part Ib

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, Thomas Wyatt, poems, from the Devonshire manuscript, 17-29.

Lady Borow, after Holbein.

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IR THOMAS WYATT

POEMS            (From the Devonshire manuscript. Part Ib.)

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Views of London
as it was in 1616. London Bridge
As it was in Shakespeare's day, circa 1600.

The text of this edition is taken from The Poems of Sir Thomas Wiat edited by A.K. Foxwell, London 1913. The modern spelling version and the notes are provided by the Webmaster of this site. The notes are not intended to be exhaustive, but to provide the minimum assistance to students for whom the poems are new.

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17, In faith methinks it is no right

18, The knot which first my heart did strain,

19, It was my choice it was no chance

20, So unwarely was never no man caught

21, How should I

22, Full well it may be seen

23, Since love is such, that as ye wot,

24, Lo how I seek and sow to have

25, Since ye so please to here me plain,

26, Now must I learn to live at rest

27, Forget not yet the tried intent

28, O miserable sorrow withouten cure

29, Blame not my lute for he must sound,

17

In faythe methynkes yt ys no ryght
    To hate me thus for lovyng ye,
    So fayre a face, so full of spyght,
   Who wold have thowght suche crueltye ;
   But syns ther is no remedye,
   That by no meanes ye can me love,
   I shall you leve and other prove.

Ffor yff I have for my good wyll
    No reward eles but cruelltye,
    In faythe thereoff I can no skyll
   Sythe that I lovyd ye honestlye ;
   But take hede I wyll tyll I dye
   Or that I love so well agayn,
   Syns women use so muche to fayn.

In faith methinks it is no right
    To hate me thus for loving ye,
    So fair a face, so full of spite,
   Who would have thought such cruelty?
   But since there is no remedy,
   That by no means ye can me love,
   I shall you leave and other prove.

For if I have for my good will
    No reward else but cruelty,
    In faith thereof I can no skill
   Sith that I loved ye honestly.
   But take heed I will till I die
   Or that I love so well again,
   Since women use so much to feign.

NOTES

other prove = try someone else.

I can no skill = I do not have the art or skill (to counteract your cruelty).

Sith = since.

take heed = exercise care.

Or that I = to ensure that I do not.

use so much = are so much accustomed.

18

The knot which fyrst my hert did strayn,
  When that your servant I becam,
  Doth bynd me still for to remain
  Allwayes your owne, as now I am ;
  And if you fynd that I do fayne,
  With just jugement my selfe I dam
                                        To have dysdain.


If other thought in me do groo
  But styl to love you stedfastlye,
  If that the proff do not well shoo
  That I am yours asurydly,
  Let every wellth turne me to woo,
  And you to me continually
                                        My chefest foo.

If other love or new Request
  Doo ese my hart, but only this,
  Or if within my weryd brest
  Be hyd on thought that mene amys,
  I do desyer that myn unrest
  May styll increse, and I to mys
                                        What I love best.

If in my love ther be oon spott
  Of false desayyt or dobylnes,
  Or if I mynd to slyp thys knot
  By want of faithe or stedfastnes,
  Let all my sarvyes be for nott
  And when I wold have chef redres
                                        Estem me nott.

But if that I consume in paine
  Of burning syghes, and fervent love,
  And daly seke no nother gayne
  But with my ded these wordes to prove,
  Methink of ryght I shuld obtayn
  That ye wold mynd for to remove
                                        Your gret disdayn.

And for the end of this my song
  Unto your handes I do submit
  My dedly greffe, and payns so strong,
  Whych in my hert be fermly shytt ;
  And when ye lyst, redres me wrong,
  Sens well ye know this paynfull ffytt
                                        Hath last tto long.


The knot which first my heart did strain,
  When that your servant I became,
  Doth bind me still for to remain
  Always your own, as now I am.
  And if you find that I do feign,
  With just judgement my self I damn
                                        To have disdain.


If other thought in me do grow
  But still to love you stedfastly,
  If that the proof do not well show
  That I am yours assuredly,
  Let every wealth turn me to woe,
  And you to me continually
                                        My chiefest foe.

If other love or new request
  Do ease my heart, but only this,
  Or if within my wearied breast
  Be hid one thought that mean amiss,
  I do desire that mine unrest
  May still increase, and I to miss
                                        What I love best.

If in my love there be one spot
  Of false deceit or doubleness,
  Or if I mind to slip this knot
  By want of faith or steadfastness,
  Let all my service be for nought
  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 no nother gain
  But with my deed these words to prove,
  Methink of right I should obtain
  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 shut.
  And when ye list, redress my wrong,
  Since well ye know this painful fit
                                        Hath last too long.


NOTES

strain = tie tightly.

To have disdain = to be disdained (by you).

but still to love you = other than that of continually loving you.

turn me to woe = turn in me to pain and sorrow.

but only this = except this i.e. loving you.

to miss = to lose

What I love best = you, (my only true love).

I would have chief redress = I most desire the satisfaction (of being with you).

no nother = no other.

ye would mind for = you would show some intention or desire.

ye list = you wish.

19


It was my choyse it was no chance
  That browght my hart in others holde
  Wherby ytt hath had sufferaunce
  Lenger perde then Reason wold
  Syns I ytt bownd where ytt was free
  Me thinkes ywys of ryght yt shald
                                              Acceptyd be.

Accepted be withowte refuse,
  Unles that fortune have the power,
  All ryght of love for to abuse ;
  For, as they say : one happy howre
  May more prevayle than Ryght or Myght.
  Yf fortune then list for to lowre
                                              What vaylyth Ryght !

What vaylyth Ryght yff this be true ?
  Then trust to chaunce and go by gesse
  Then who so lovyth may well go sew
  Uncerten Hope for hys redresse.
  Yett some wold say, assuredly :
  Thou mayest appele for thy relesse
                                              To Fantasy.

To Fantasy pertaynys to chose :
  All thys I knowe, for fantasy
  Ffurst unto love dyd me induse ;
  But yet I knowe as stedefastly
  That yff love have no faster knott,
  So nyce a choyse slippes sodenly,
                                              Yt lastyth not.

Ytt lastyth not that stondes by change ;
  Fansy doth change : fortune ys frayle :
  Both thes to ples the way ys strange ;
  Therfore me thynkes best to prevayle,
  There ys no way that ys so just,
  As trowgh to lede, tho tother fayle,
                                              And therto trust.

It was my choice it was no chance
  That brought my heart in other's hold
  Whereby it hath had sufferance
  Longer perdy than reason would
  Since I it bound where it was free
  Me thinks I wis of right it should
                                              Accepted be.

Accepted be without refuse,
  Unless that fortune have the power
  All right of love for to abuse.
  For, as they say: one happy hour
  May more prevail than right or might.
  If fortune then list for to lour
                                              What vaileth right.

What vaileth right if this be true?
  Then trust to chance and go by guess
  Then who so loveth may well go sue
  Uncertain hope for his redress.
  Yet some would say, assuredly,
  Thou mayest appeal for thy release
                                              To fantasy.

To fantasy pertains to choose.
  All this I know, for fantasy
  First unto love did me induce.
  But yet I know as steadfastly
  That if love have no faster knot,
  So nice a choice slips suddenly,
                                              It lasteth not.

It lasteth not that stands by change:
  Fancy doth change; fortune is frail;
  Both these to please the way is strange.
  Therefore me thinks best to prevail,
  There is no way that is so just,
  As truth to lead, though tother fail,
                                              And thereto trust.

NOTES

in other's hold = under the rule of another, sc. the one he loves.

sufferance = suffering.

perdy = par Dieu (by God).

than reason would = than is reasonable.

I wis (or iwis) = surely.

refuse = refusal.

abuse = deceive; misuse.

For as they say etc. - The meaning of these three lines seems to be "For, as it is said, an hour of good fortune is worth more than all the rights and obligations in the world. Hence when fortune is bad (lours) one's rights count for nothing".

go by guess = play it by ear.

go sue / Uncertain hope = rely on hope.

redress = success.

fantasy = fancy, whim, imagination.

To fantasy pertains = fantasy is free to.

no faster knot = no tie more secure (than that provided by fantasy).

So nice a choice = so delicate and whimsical a choice (of lover), i.e. one that is based only on fantasy.

slips = undoes itself (continuing the metaphor of the knot).

that stands by change = whose nature it is to change.

the way is strange = the means (of satisfying both fortune and fancy) is irrational and fickle.

best to prevail = (?) the best way to succeed.

As truth to lead = as to lead by truth.

tother = the other, i.e. the loved one.

thereto = in addition.

20

So unwarely was never no man cawght
  With stedefast loke apon a goodly face
  As I of late ; for sodenly, me thowght,
  My hart was torne owte of hys place.

Thorow myn Iye the strock frome hers did slyde
  Dyrectly downe unto my hert it ranne ;
  In helpe wherof the blood therto did glyde,
  And left my face boeth pale and wann.

Then was I like a man for woo amasyd,
  Or like the byrde that flyeth into the fyer ;
  For whyll that I on her beaulte gasyd,
  The more I burnt in my desyre.

Anon the blowd stert in my face agayn,
  Enflamed with hete that yt had att my hert,
  And browght therwith therowt in every vayne
  A quakynd hete with plesaunt smert.

Then was I like the strawe, when that the flame
  Ys drevyn therin by force and rage of wynd ;
  I can nott tell alas what I shall blame,
  Nor what to seke nor what to fynd.

But well I wote the greffe holdes me so sore
  In hete and cold betwyxt hope and drede,
  That but her helpe to helth doeth me restore
  Thys restles lyff I may nott lede.

So unwarely was never no man caught
  With steadfast look upon a goodly face
  As I of late; for suddenly, me thought,
  My heart was torn out of his place.

Thorough mine eye the stroke from hers did slide
  Directly down unto my heart it ran.
  In help whereof the blood thereto did glide,
  And left my face both pale and wan.

Then was I like a man for woe amazed,
  Or like the bird that flyeth into the fire;
  For while that I on her beauty gazed,
  The more I burnt in my desire.

Anon the blood start in my face again,
  Enflamed with heat that it had at my heart,
  And brought therewith throughout in every vein
  A quickened heat with pleasant smart.

Then was I like the straw, when that the flame
  Is driven therein by force and rage of wind.
  I can not tell, alas, what I shall blame,
  Nor what to seek nor what to find.

But well I wot the grief holds me so sore
  In heat and cold betwixt hope and dread,
  That but her help to health doth me restore
  This restless life I may not lead.

NOTES

unwarely = unawares.

With steadfast look etc. = by looking disinterestedly at (her) beautiful face.

In help whereof = in order to give help in that situation.

start = started up, arose to.

Nor what to seek, nor what to find - i.e. I am at a loss to know what to do.

well I wot = I know full well.

21

How shuld I
  Be so pleasaunt
  In my semblaunt
  As my fellowes be.

Not long agoo
  It chaunced soo
  As I ded walk alone
  I herd a man
  That now and then
  Himself did thus bemone :

"Alas," he saide
  "I am betrayde
  "And utterly undone,
  "Whom I did trust
  "And think so just
  "Another man hath wone.

"My servise due
  "And hert so true
  "On her I did bestow,
  "I never ment
  "Ffor to repente
  "In welth nor yet in woo."

Love did assyn
  Her to be myn
  And not to love no nue
  But who can bynd
  Their feckell kynd
  That never wyll be tru.

Eche westerne winde
  Hath torned his minde
  And blowen it clene away,
  Therby my welth
  My mirth and helth
  Are dryven to grete dekay.

Fortune did smyle
  A right shorte while
  And never saide me naye ;
  With pleasaunt plaes
  And joyful dayes
  My tyme to passe awaye.

Alas, ah las
  The tyme so was
  So never shall it be,
  Sins she is gone
  And I alone
  Armeles as ye may see.

Where is the oth
  Where is the troth
  That she to me did gyve ?
  Such fayned wordes
  With selie boordes
  Let no wise man beleve.

For even as I
  Thus wofully
  Unto myself complaine,
  If ye then truste
  Nedes lerne ye muste
  To sing my song in vayne.

How shuld I
  Be so pleasaunt
  In my semblaunt
  As my fellowes be.


How should I
  Be so pleasant
  In my semblant
  As my fellows be?

Not long ago
  It chanced so
  As I did walk alone
  I heard a man
  That now and then
  Himself did thus bemoan:

"Alas," he said
  "I am betrayed
  And utterly undone,
  Whom I did trust
  And think so just
  Another man hath won".

"My service due
  And heart so true
  On her I did bestow.
  I never meant
  For to repent
  In wealth nor yet in woe."

"Love did assign
  Her to be mine
  And not to love no new,
  But who can bind
  Their fickle kind
  That never will be true."

"Each western wind
  Hath turned her mind
  And blown it clean away,
  Thereby my wealth
  My mirth and health
  Are driven to great decay."

"Fortune did smile
  A right short while
  And never said me nay,
  With pleasant plays
  And joyful days
  My time to pass away."

"Alas, ah las
  The time so was
  So never shall it be,
  Since she is gone
  And I alone
  Armless as ye may see."

"Where is the oath
  Where is the troth
  That she to me did give?
  Such feigned words
  With silly bourds
  Let no wise man believe."

"For even as I
  Thus woefully
  Unto myself complain,
  If ye then trust
  Needs learn ye must
  To sing my song in vain."

"How should I
  Be so pleasant
  In my semblant
  As my fellows be?"


NOTES

semblant = appearance.

Their fickle kind - i.e. the race of women, womankind.

Each western wind - (? ) a metaphor for every chance encounter.

turned her mind - the MS 'his' is probably an error.

pleasant plays = delightful amusements.

ah las = alas.

armless = helpless. Other eds give 'am left'.

bourds = jokes, mockeries.

If ye then trust etc. = If you put your trust in a lover, as I did, you will end up singing the same woeful song.

22

Full well yt maye be sene
  To suche as understand,
  How some there be that wene
  They have theyre welth at hand,
  Thoruhe loves abusyd band ;
  But lytell do they see
  Th'abuse wherin they bee.

Of love there ys a kynd
  Which kyndlythe by abuse,
  As in a feble mynd,
  Whome fansy may enduce
  By loves dysceatefull use,
  To folowe the fond lust,
  And prove of a vayn trust.

As I myself may saye
  By tryall of the same,
  No wyght can well bewray
  The falsyed love can frame ;
  I saye, twyxt grefe and game,
  There is no lyvyng man
  That knows the crafte love can.

For love so well can fayn
  To favour for the whyle,
  That suche as sekes the gayn
  Ar servyd with the gyle ;
  And some can thys concyle,
  To gyve the symple leave
  Them selfes for to dysceave.

What thing may more declare
  Of love the craftye kynd,
  Than see the wyse, so ware,
  In love to be so blynd.
  If so yt be assynd,
  Let them enjoye the gayn,
  That thynkes yt worth the payne.

Full well it may be seen
  To such as understand,
  How some there be that ween
  They have their wealth at hand,
  Thorough love's abused band.
  But little do they see
  Th'abuse wherein they be.

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 trust.

As I myself may say
  By trial of the same,
  No wight can well bewray
  The falsehood love can frame.
  I say, twixt grief and game,
  There is no living man
  That knows the craft love can.

For love so well can feign
  To favour for the while,
  That such as seeks the gain
  Are served with the guile.
  And some can this conceal,
  To give the simple leave
  Themselves for to deceive.

What thing may more declare
  Of love the crafty kind,
  Than see the wise, so ware,
  In love to be so blind.
  If so it be assigned,
  Let them enjoy the gain,
  That thinks it worth the pain.

NOTES

ween = think.

thorough = through.

love's abused band = the ties of love (which deceive the lover into thinking all is well). abused = deceived. band = bond.

kindleth by abuse = is kindled by being deceived.

fond lust = foolish desire.

proof = trial.

wight = man.

bewray = reveal, show.

frame = make, create.

love can = that love is capable of.

such as seek the gain = those who seek profit and success (from love).

Are served with the guile = are tricked.

Some can this conceal etc. - Uncertain meaning to these three lines. Perhaps "Some (women) can conceal their treachery, and are happy to allow the simple minded lover to go on deceiving himself.

Of love the crafty kind = the crafty nature of Love.

ware = wary.

If so it be assigned = if that is how things are.

23

Syns love ys suche, that as ye wott,
  Cannot always be wysely usyd
  I say therfore then blame me nott,
  Tho I therin have ben abusyd ;
  Ffor as with cause I ame accusyd,
  Gyllty I graunt, suche was my lott
  And tho yt cannot be excusyd
  Yet let suche folye be forgott

Ffor in my yeres of rekles youthe
  Me thought the power of love so gret
  That to her lawes I bound my trouthe
  And to my wyll there was no lett.
  Me lyst no more so far to fett
  Suche frutte lo as of love ensewthe
  The gayn was small that was to gett
  And of the losse the lesse the reuthe

And few there ys but fyrst or last
  A tyme in love ones shall they have ;
  And glad I am my tyme ys past
  Henceforthe my fredome to withsave.
  Now in my hart there shall I grave
  The groundyd grace that now I tast ;
  Thankyd be fortune that me gave
  So fayre a gyfft, so sure and fast.

Now suche as have me sene ere thys
  When youthe in me sett forthe hys kynd,
  And foly framd my thought amys,
  The fawte wherof now well I ffynde,
  Loo, syns that so yt ys assynd
  That unto eche a tyme there ys,
  Then blame the lott that led my mynd
  Sometyme to lyve in loves blys.

But frome henceforthe I do protest,
  By presse of that that I have past,
  Shall never ceace within my brest
  The power of love so late owtcast.
  The knott thereof ys knytt ffull fast,
  And I therto so sure proffest,
  Ffor evermore with me to last
  The power wherin I am possest.

Since love is such, that as ye wot,
  Cannot always be wisely used
  I say therefore then blame me not,
  Though I therein have been abused.
  For as with cause I am accused,
  Guilty I grant, such was my lot,
  And though it cannot be excused
  Yet let such folly be forgot.

For in my years of reckless youth
  Me thought the power of love so great
  That to her laws I bound my troth
  And to my will there was no let.
  Me list no more so far to fet
  Such fruit lo as of love ensueth.
  The gain was small that was to get
  And of the loss the less the ruth.

And few there is but first or last
  A time in love once shall they have.
  And glad I am my time is past,
  Henceforth my freedom to withsave.
  Now in my heart there shall I grave
  The grounded grace that now I taste.
  Thanked be fortune that me gave
  So fair a gift, so sure and fast.

Now such as have me seen ere this
  When youth in me set forth his kind,
  And folly framed my thought amiss,
  The fault whereof now well I find,
  Lo, since that so it is assigned
  That unto each a time there is,
  Then blame the lot that led my mind
  Sometime to live in love's bliss.

But from henceforth I do protest,
  By press of that that I have past,
  Shall never cease within my breast
  The power of love so late outcast.
  The knot thereof is knit full fast,
  And I thereto so sure professed,
  For evermore with me to last
  The power wherin I am possessed.

NOTES

ye wot = you know.

abused = deceived; maltreated.

as with cause = as if in due process of law.

Guilty I grant = I plead guilty.

I bound my troth = I pledged myself.

no let = no hindrance or holding back.

Me list no more = I no longer desire.

so far to fet = (to trudge) such a long way to fetch (obtain).

Such fruit lo as of love ensueth = the delights apertaining to love. Lo signifies 'Behold, you know about it!'.

that was to get = that was obtainable.

And of the loss etc. = (?) Regarding love's failures, there is less sorrow for me now (since I have renounced love).

but first or last = willy-nilly.

once = at some time.

24

Lo how I seke and sew to have
  That no man hathe, and may be had !
  There ys more but synk or save
  And bring thys doute to good or bad.
  To lyve in sorrows, allways sad,
  I lyke not so to linger fforthe,
  Hap evyll or good I shallbe glad
  To take that comes as well in worthe.

Shold I sustayn this great dystres,
  Styll wandryng forthe thus to and froo
  In dredfull hope to hold my pese,
  And fede my sellf with secret woo ?
  Nay, nay, certayne I wyll not soo
  But sure I shall my selfe aply
  To put in profe this doute to knoo
  And rydd thys daunger redely.

I shall assay by secret sute
  To show the mynd of myn entent,
  And my desertes shall gyve suche frute
  As with my hart my wordes be ment.
  So by the profe of thys consent
  Sone, out of doute, I shall be sure,
  For to rejoyce or to repent
  In joye or payn for to endure.

Lo how I seek and sue to have
  That no man hath, and may be had!
  There is no more but sink or save
  And bring this doubt to good or bad.
  To live in sorrows, always 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 thus to and fro
  In dreadful hope to hold my peace,
  And feed my self with secret woe?
  Nay, nay, certain I will not so
  But sure I shall my self apply
  To put in proof this doubt to know
  And rid this danger readily.

I shall assay by secret suit
  To show 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.

NOTES

That no man hath = that which no man has.

may be had = (?) yet is there for the taking.

no more but sink or save = it is either sink or swim.

bring this doubt to good or bad = resolve my doubt one way or the other.

to linger forth = to continue (in such a plight).

Hap evil or good = Let evil or good be my lot, or, whether evil or good fortune awaits me.

that comes = whatever comes.

well in worth = of good value.

Should I sustain = Ought I to continue to endure?

Still wandering forth = always wandering about.

dreadful = full of dread.

to hold my peace = whether I will keep silence.

put in proof = put to the test.

this doubt to know = in order to resolve this uncertainty.

rid this danger = get rid of this danger (of being self-deceived, of being unloved).

assay = try.     secret suit = (?) in a secret rendezvous.

the mind of mine intent = what my intentions are.

As with my heart etc. = (?) as if my words were a true statement of what is in my heart.

proof of this consent = trial of her agreement (to a mutual love).

For to rejoice etc. = so that I may either rejoice or repent, being evermore condemned to joy or sorrow with certainty.

25

Syns ye so please to here me playn,
  And that ye do rejoyce my smart,
  Me lyst no lenger to remayn
  To such as be so overthwart.

But cursyd be that cruell hart
  Whyche hathe procuryd a careles mynd
  For me, and myn unfaynyd smart,
  And forcythe me suche fautes to fynd.

More than to muche I am assuryd
  Of thyn entent, wherto to trust ;
  A spedles proffe I have enduryd,
  And now I leve yt to them that lust.


Since ye so please to here me plain,
  And that ye do rejoice my smart,
  Me list no longer to remain
  To such as be so overthwart.

But cursed be that cruel heart
  Which hath procured a careless mind
  For me, and mine unfeigned smart,
  And forceth me such faults to find.

More than too much I am assured
  Of thine intent, whereto to trust.
  A speedless proof I have endured,
  And now I leave it to them that lust.


NOTES

ye so please = you take such pleasure

to hear me plain = to listen to me complaining.

rejoice my smart = take delight at my pain.

Me list no longer = I no longer wish.

to remain / To such = to continue to be devoted to such.

overthwart = perverse, contrary.

procured a careless mind = produced a mind (in her) free of all care for him.

More than too much = absolutely and with more proof than I need.

whereto to trust = and the extent to which I may trust (you).

A speedless proof = an experience without advantage to me.

I leave it = I leave this experience (?), I abandon you (?).

to them that lust = to those who wish to repeat my experience; to those who lust after you.

26

Now must I lerne to lyve at rest
  And weyne me of my wyll,
  For I repent where I was prest
  My fansy to fullfyll.

I may no lenger more endure
  My wonted lyf to lede,
  But I must lerne to put in ure
  The change of Womanhede.

I may not see my servys long
  Rewardyd in suche wyse,
  Nor I may not sustayn suche wrong
  That ye my love dyspyse

I may not sighe in sorows depe
  Nor wayle the want of love,
  Nor I may nother cruche nor crepe
  Wher hyt dothe not behove.

But I of force must nedes forsake
  My faythe so fondly sett,
  And frome henceforthe must undertake
  Such foly to fforgett

Now must I seke som other ways
  My self for to withsave,
  And as I trust by myn assays
  Some remedy to have.

I aske none other remedy
  To recompense my wronge
  But ons to have the lyberty
  That I have lakt so long.

Now must I learn to live at rest
  And wean me of my will,
  For I repent where I was pressed
  My fancy to fulfil.

I may no longer more endure
  My wonted life to lead,
  But I must learn to put in ure
  The change of womanhood.

I may not see my service long
  Rewarded in such wise,
  Nor I may not sustain such wrong
  That ye my love despise.

I may not sigh in sorrows deep
  Nor wail the want of love,
  Nor I may neither crouch nor creep
  Where it doth not behove.

But I of force must needs forsake
  My faith so fondly set,
  And from henceforth must undertake
  Such folly to forget.

Now must I seek some other ways
  My self for to withsave,
  And as I trust by mine assays
  Some remedy to have.

I ask none other remedy
  To recompense my wrong
  But once to have the liberty
  That I have lacked so long.

NOTES

at rest = in peace, free of love's turmoil.

wean me of my will = break away from dependence on my whims, fancies, carnal desires.

pressed = compelled.

My fancy to fulfil = to follow the dictates of my desires.

My wonted life = my customary way of existence.

to put in ure = to set down as experience, to become accustomed to.

The change of womanhood = the fickleness of women.

I may not = I do not intend to; I reject the idea that I must.

crouch nor creep - i.e. as the subservient lover.

so fondly set = so foolishly devoted to you.

withsave = preserve, save.

assays = efforts.

once = here and now; once and for all.

27

Fforget not yet the tryde entent,
  Of suche a truthe as I have ment,
  My great travayle so gladly spent,
                                              Fforget not yet.

Fforget not yet when fyrst began,
  The wery lyffe ye know syns when,
  The sute, the servys, none tell can,
                                              Fforget not yet.

Fforget not yet the gret assays,
  The cruell wrong, the skornfull ways,
  The paynfull pacyence in denays,
                                              Fforget not yet.

Fforget not yet, forget not thys,
  How long ago hathe ben, and ys
  The mynd, that never ment amys,
                                              Fforget not yet.

Fforget not then thyn owne aprovyd,
  The whyche so long hathe thee so lovyd,
  Whose stedfast faythe yet never movyd,
                                              Fforget not thys.

Forget not yet the tried intent
  Of such a truth as I have meant,
  My great travail so gladly spent,
                                              Forget not yet.

Forget not yet when first began,
  The weary life ye know, since when,
  The suit, the service, none tell can,
                                              Forget not yet.

Forget not yet the great assays,
  The cruel wrong, the scornful ways,
  The painful patience in denays,
                                              Forget not yet.

Forget not yet, forget not this,
  How long ago hath been, and is
  The mind, that never meant amiss,
                                              Forget not yet.

Forget not then thine own approved,
  The which so long hath thee so loved,
  Whose steadfast faith yet never moved,
                                              Forget not this.

NOTES

tried intent = willingness which you have put to the test (tried).

as I have meant = as I have purposed and demonstrated.

assays = toils, efforts, trials.

denays = denials (by you towards me and my love for you).

meant amiss = intended harm (to you).

28


O myserable sorow withowten cure
  Yf it plese the lo to have me thus suffir,
  At lest yet let her know what I endure,
  And this my last voyse cary thow thether
  Wher lyved my hope now ded for ever ;
  For as ill grevus is my banyshement
  As was my plesure whan she was present.

O miserable 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 banishement
  As was my pleasure, when she was present.

NOTES

last voice = final word.

29


Blame not my lute for he must sound,
  Of thes and that as lyketh me,
  For lake of wit the lute is bownd
  To geve such tunes as plesithe me ;
  Tho my songes be sumwhat strange,
  And spekes suche wordes as toche thy change
                                          Blame not my lute.

My lute alas doeth not ofend,
  Tho that perforce he must agre
  To sownd suche tunes as I entend,
  To sing to them that hereth me ;
  Then tho my songes be somewhat plain,
  And tochethe some that use to fain,
                                          Blame not my lute.

My lute and stringes may not deny
  But as I strike they must obey
  Brake not them then so wrongfully
  But wreke thyself som wyser way
  And tho the songes whiche I endight
  To qwytt thy change with rightful spight
                                          Blame not my lute.

Spyght askyth spyght and changing change,
  And falsyd faith must nedes be knowne,
  The faute so grett, the case so strange
  Of ryght it must abrode be blown ;
  Then sins that by thyn own desartt
  My songes do tell how trew thou artt
                                          Blame not my lute.

Blame but the selffe that hast mysdone,
  And well desarvid to have blame ;
  Change thou thy way so evyll begone
  And then my lute shall sownd that same ;
  But if tyll then my fyngeres play
  By thy desartt, ther wontyd way
                                          Blame not my lute.

Farewell, unknown, for tho thou brake
  My strynges in spight, with grett desdayn,
  Yet have I fownd owtt for thy sake
  Stringes for to stringe my lute agayne.
  And if perchance this sely rhyme
  Do make thee blushe at any tyme,
                                          Blame not my lute.

Blame not my lute for he must sound,
  Of this and that as liketh me,
  For lack of wit the lute is bound
  To give such tunes as pleaseth me,
  Though my songs be somewhat strange,
  And speaks such words as touch thy change
                                          Blame not my lute.

My lute alas doth not offend,
  Though that perforce he must agree
  To sound such tunes as I intend,
  To sing to them that heareth me.
  Then though my songs be somewhat plain,
  And toucheth some that use to feign,
                                          Blame not my lute.

My lute and strings may not deny
  But as I strike they must obey.
  Break not them then so wrongfully
  But wreak thyself some wiser way.
  And though the songs which I indite
  Do quit thy change with rightful spite
                                          Blame not my lute.

Spite asketh spite and changing change,
  And falsed faith must needs be known,
  The fault so great, the case so strange
  Of right it must abroad be blown.
  Then since that by thine own desert
  My songs do tell how true thou art,
                                          Blame not my lute.

Blame but the self that hast misdone,
  And well deserved 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
  By thy desert, their wonted way
                                          Blame not my lute.

Farewell, unknown, for though thou break
  My strings in spite, with great disdain,
  Yet have I found out for thy sake
  Strings for to string my lute again.
  And if perchance this silly rhyme
  Do make thee blush at any time,
                                          Blame not my lute.

NOTES

for he must sound = because it brings forth sounds.

as liketh me = according to what I wish.

wit = intelligence, mind.

thy change, your fickleness, unfaithfulness.

may not deny - i.e. the lute cannot deny to do his bidding when he plays it.

Break not them - i.e. do not break the strings (in a fit of temper).

wreak thyself = show your anger.

Do quit thy change = pay you back for your infidelity. (The D ms. gives 'to quit').

changing change = fickleness requires fickleness in return.

so evil begone = so that you absent yourself from evil.

Thomas Wyatt

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Portrait of The Lady Borow, by Holbein. In His Majesty's Collection.

From a print published by J. Chamberlain 1st. Jan. 1812. TOP

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	Portrait of The Lady Borow, by Holbein. In His Majesty's Collection.
	From a print published by J. Chamberlain 1st. Jan. 1812.	TOP