SIR THOMAS WYATT, Of Allington Castle, Kent, styled by Wood" the delight of "the Muses, and of Mankind," was born in 1503; educated at both universities; a great traveller; possessed all the modern languages; and was often employed by Henry VIII. in foreign missions. Though generally, and justly, in the confidence of his master, he was imprisoned by him on suspicion of a connection with Anne Boleyn, but justified himself, and was restored to favour. Being sent to conduct the ambassador of Charles V. from Falmouth, he caught a fever on the road by riding too hard in a hot day, and died at Sherborne, where he was buried in the conventual church, 1541. Besides his minor poems, sonnets, and translations, which succeed Lord Surrey's in Tottel's miscellany, he composed a poetical version of some of David's psalms, printed in 1549. Lord Surrey's character of these and their author may be seen in three of the subsequent specimens given from that nobleman. His genius was of the moral and didactic cast; and he may be considered (says Warton) as the first polished satirist : but his imagination was inferior to that of his friend Surrey; and his love-verses are often filled with conceit and antithesis. The Lady to answer directly with yea or no. MADAM, withouten many words, Once, I am sure, you will, or no : For, with a beck you shall me call; If it be yea, I shall be fain; If it be nay-friends, as before: You shall another man obtain; And I, mine own; and yours no more. The Lover's Case cannot be hidden, however he dissemble. YOUR looks so often cast, Your eyes so friendly roll'd, Your sight fixed so fast, Always one to behold; Jests, or tricks. Tho' hide it fain ye would, Who hath your heart in hold, Fain would ye find a cloak Ye cannot love so guide The Lover determineth to serve faithfully. SINCE Love will needs that I shall love, Of very force I must agree : And since no chance may it In wealth and in adversity, I shall alway myself apply remove, Though for good-will I find but hate, And cruelty my life to waste; So ed. 1.-ed. 1567, " cruelly." And though that still a wretched state Should pine my days unto the last, Yet I profess it willingly, To serve and suffer patiently. * There is no grief, no smart, no wo, That yet I feel, or after shall, And, whatsoever me befall, I do profess it willingly, To serve and suffer patiently. The Lover prayeth not to be disdained, refused, mistrusted, nor forsaken. DISDAIN me not without desert, Refuse me not without cause why: Since that by lot of fantasy This careful knot needs knit I must. Mistrust me not, though some there be ye see Forsake me not till I deserve; Nor hate me not till I offend: But since ye know what I intend, Disdain me not that am your own ; Of his Return from Spain. TAGUS farewell, that westward with thy streams Turns up the grains of gold already tried! For I with spur and sail go seek the Thames, Gainward the sun that show'th her wealthy pride, And to the town that Brutus sought by dreams, Like bended moon that leans her lusty side. My king, my country I seek, for whom I live: O, mighty Jove, the winds for this me give! |