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Home  »  The Poetical Works by Sir Thomas Wyatt  »  The doubtful Lover resolveth to be assured whether he is to live in joy or woe

Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–42). The Poetical Works. 1880.

Odes

The doubtful Lover resolveth to be assured whether he is to live in joy or woe

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 myself with secret woe?

Nay! nay! certain, I will not so!

But sure I shall myself apply

To put in proof this doubt to know,

And rid this danger readily.

I shall assay by secret suit

To shew 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.