Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
Sir Thomas Wyatt. 1503154238. To His Lute
MY lute, awake! perform the last | |
Labour that thou and I shall waste, | |
And end that I have now begun; | |
For when this song is said and past, | |
My lute, be still, for I have done. | 5 |
As to be heard where ear is none, | |
As lead to grave in marble stone, | |
My song may pierce her heart as soon: | |
Should we then sing, or sigh, or moan? | |
No, no, my lute! for I have done. | 10 |
The rocks do not so cruelly | |
Repulse the waves continually, | |
As she my suit and affectiòn; | |
So that I am past remedy: | |
Whereby my lute and I have done. | 15 |
Proud of the spoil that thou hast got | |
Of simple hearts thorough Love’s shot, | |
By whom, unkind, thou hast them won; | |
Think not he hath his bow forgot, | |
Although my lute and I have done. | 20 |
Vengeance shall fall on thy disdain, | |
That makest but game of earnest pain: | |
Trow not alone under the sun | |
Unquit to cause thy lover’s plain, | |
Although my lute and I have done. | 25 |
May chance thee lie wither’d and old | |
The winter nights that are so cold, | |
Plaining in vain unto the moon: | |
Thy wishes then dare not be told: | |
Care then who list! for I have done. | 30 |
And then may chance thee to repent | |
The time that thou has lost and spent | |
To cause thy lover’s sigh and swoon: | |
Then shalt thou know beauty but lent, | |
And wish and want as I have done. | 35 |
Now cease, my lute! this is the last | |
Labour that thou and I shall waste, | |
And ended is that we begun: | |
Now is this song both sung and past— | |
My lute, be still, for I have done. | 40 |