That when her days be spent and gone,
With fire she reneweth.

6 And I with her may well compare
My love, that is alone;

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.

1 DEEM as ye list upon good cause,
I may or think of this, or that ;
But what, or why myself best knows
Whereby I think and fear not.

But thereunto I may well think
The doubtful sentence of this clause;
'I would it were not as I think
I would I thought it were not.'

2 For if I thought it were not so,

Though it were so, it griev'd me not;
Unto my thought it were as though
I hearkened though I hear not.
At that I see I cannot wink,
Nor from my thought so let it go;

'I would it were not as I think;
I would I thought it were not.'

3 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, Until the proof may better be;

'I would it were not as I think; I would I thought it were not.

4 If it be not, show 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.

1 I AM as I am, and so will I be;

But how that I am, none knoweth truly.
Be it evil, be it well, be I bond, be I free,
I am as I am, and so will I be.

2 I lead my life indifferently;
I mean nothing but honesty;
And though folks judge full diversely,
I am as I am, and so will I die.

3 I do not rejoice, nor yet complain,
Both mirth and sadness I do refrain,
And use the means since folks will feign;
Yet I am as I am, be it pleasure or pain.

4 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.

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 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.

7 Yet some there be that take delight
To judge folks' thought for envy and spite;
But whether they judge me wrong or right,
I am as I am, and so do I write.

8 Praying you all that this do read,
To trust it as you do your creed;
And not to think I change my weed,
For I am as I am, however I speed.

9 But how that is I leave to you;
Judge as ye list, false or true,
ye knew,
Yet I am as I am, whatever ensue.

Ye know no more than afore

10 And from this mind I will not flee,
But to you all that misjudge me,
I do protest as ye may see

That I am as I am, and so will be.

POEMS.

WYATT'S COMPLAINT UPON LOVE TO

REASON,

WITH LOVE'S ANSWER.

1 MINE old dear enemy, my froward master, Afore that Queen I caus'd to be acited,1 Which holdeth the divine part of our nature; That like as gold in fire, he might be tried: Charged with dolour, there I me presented, With horrible fear, as one that greatly dreadeth A wrongful death, and justice alway seeketh.

2 And thus I said: 'Once my left foot, Madame, When I was young, I set within his reign; Whereby other than fiery burning flame

I never felt, but many a grievous pain: Torment I suffer'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 ways profitable, How many pleasant days have me escaped, In serving this false liar so deceivable!

What wit have words so prest and forcible,
That may contain my great mishappiness,
And just complaints of his ungentleness!

4 Oh! small honey, much aloes, and gall,
In bitterness, my blind life have I tasted:
His false semblance, that turneth as a ball,

1 'Acited:' summoned.

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.

5 God made he me regardless, than I ought,
And to myself to take right little heed:
And for a woman have I set at naught

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.

6 But oh, alas, where had I ever wit,

Or other gift given to me of nature?

That sooner shall be chang d 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 turn'd in 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, and 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 slow,
That me, as yet, it hath not overtake :

The heavenly gods of pity do it slake!