Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–42). The Poetical Works. 1880.
OdesHe lamenteth that he had ever Cause to doubt his Ladys Faith
D
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.’
For if I thought it were not so,
Though it were so, it grieved me not;
Unto my thought it were as tho’
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.’
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.’
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.’