A bird there fleeth, and that but one, That when her days be spent and gone, And I with her may well compare The flame whereof doth aye repair My life when it is gone. HE LAMENTETH THAT HE HAD EVER CAUSE TO DOUBT HIS LADY'S FAITH. DEEM as ye list upon good cause, Lo! how my thought might make me free, Of that perchance it needs not. Perchance none doubt the dread I see; I shrink at that I bear not. But in my heart this word shall sink, I would it were not as I think; If it be not, shew no cause why I should so think, then care I not; For I shall so myself apply To be that I appear not. That is, as one that shall not shrink To be your own until I die; And if that be not as I think, Likewise to think it is not.' THE RECURED LOVER EXULTETH IN HIS FREEDOM, AND VOWETH TO REMAIN FREE UNTIL DEATH. I AM as I am, and so will I be ; But how that I am, none knoweth truly. I mean nothing but honesty; I do not rejoice, nor yet complain, And use the means since folks will feign; Yet I am as I am, be it pleasure or pain. Divers do judge as they do trow, Some of pleasure and some of woe, Yet for all that nothing they know; But I am as I am, wheresoever I go. 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. Who judgeth well, well God him send; Who judgeth evil, God them amend; To judge the best therefore intend, For I am as I am, and so will I end. Yet some there be that take delight Praying you all that this do read, And from this mind I will not flee, But to you all that misjudge me, That I am as I am, and so will be, POEMS. WYATT'S COMPLAINT UPON LOVE TO REASON, WITH LOVE'S ANSWER. MINE old dear enemy, my froward master, Afore that Queen I caused to be acited, And thus I said: Once my left foot, Madame, Thus hitherto have I my time passed So small honey, much aloes, and gall, In bitterness, my blind life have I tasted : His false semblance, that turneth as a ball, 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, Me from my rest he took, and set in error. 'God made he me regardless, than I ought, And to myself to take right little heed : And for a woman have I set at nought All other thoughts, in this only to speed: And he was only counsellor of this deed; Whetting always my youthly frail desire On cruel whetstone, tempered with fire. 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 traitor, whom I thus accuse: That bitter life hath turned in pleasant use. He hath me hasted through divers regions; Through desert woods, and sharp high mountains; Through froward people, and through bitter pas sions; Through rocky seas, and over hills and plains; In all error, and dangerous distress. |