Sir Thomas Wyatt

I find no peace, and all my war is done. I fear and hope. I burn and freeze like ice. I fly above the wind, yet can I not arise; And nought I have, and all the world I season. That loseth nor locketh holdeth me in prison And holdeth me not—yet can I scape no wise— Nor letteth me live nor die at my device, And yet of death it giveth me occasion. Without eyen I see, and without tongue I plain. I desire to perish, and yet I ask health. I love another, and thus I hate myself. I feed me in sorrow and laugh in all my pain; Likewise displeaseth me both life and death, And my delight is causer of this strife.

I abide and abide and better abide, And 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 the tide, And with abiding speed well ye may. Thus do I abide I wot alway, Nother obtaining nor yet denied. Ay me! this long abiding Seemeth to me, as who sayeth, A prolonging of a dying death, Or a refusing of a desir'd thing. Much were it better for to be plain Than to say "abide" and yet shall not obtain.

The heart and service to you proffer'd With right good will full honestly, Refuse it not, since it is offer'd, But take it to you gentlely. And though it be a small present, Yet good, consider graciously The thought, the mind, and the intent Of him that loves you faithfully. It were a thing of small effect To work my woe thus cruelly, For my good will to be abject: Therefore accept it lovingly. Pain or travel, to run or ride, I undertake it pleasantly; Bid ye me go, and straight I glide At your commandement humbly. 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. And since so much I do desire To be your own assuredly, For all my service and my hire Reward your servant liberally.

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 whan 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.

Farewell love and all thy laws forever; 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 error when I did persever, Thy sharp repulse, that pricketh aye so sore, Hath taught me to set in trifles no store And scape forth, since liberty is lever. Therefore farewell; go trouble younger hearts And in me claim no more authority. With idle youth go use thy property And thereon spend thy many brittle darts, For hitherto though I have lost all my time, Me lusteth no lenger rotten boughs to climb.

A face that should content me wondrous well Should not be fair but lovely to behold, With gladsome cheer all grief for to expel; With sober looks so would I that it should Speak without words such words as none can tell; Her tress also should be of crisped gold; With wit; and thus might chance I might be tied, And knit again the knot that should not slide.

Avising the bright beams of these fair eyes Where he is that mine oft moisteth and washeth, The wearied mind straight from the heart departeth For to rest in his worldly paradise And find the sweet bitter under this guise. What webs he hath wrought well he perceiveth Whereby with himself on love he plaineth That spurreth with fire and bridleth with ice. Thus is it in such extremity brought, In frozen thought, now and now it standeth in flame. Twixt misery and wealth, twixt earnest and game, But few glad, and many diverse thought With sore repentance of his hardiness. Of such a root cometh fruit fruitless.

And 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 nay, say nay! 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 leave me thus? Say nay, say nay! And wilt thou leave me thus, That hath given thee my heart Never for to depart, Nother for pain nor smart; And wilt thou leave me thus? Say nay, say nay! And wilt thou leave me thus And have no more pity Of him that loveth thee? Hélas, thy cruelty! And wilt thou leave me thus? Say nay, say nay!

Alas, madam, for stealing of a kiss Have I so much your mind there offended? Have I then done so grievously amiss That by no means it may be amended? Then revenge you, and the next way is this: Another kiss shall have my life ended, For to my mouth the first my heart did suck; The next shall clean out of my breast it pluck.