Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–42). The Poetical Works. 1880.
OdesThat the Life of the unregarded Lover is worse than Death
W
When my delight,
My weal, my joy, my bliss,
Is from my sight
Both day and night,
My life, alas! I miss.
For though I seem alive,
My heart is hence;
Thus bootless for to strive
Out of presence
Of my defence
Toward my death I drive.
Heartless, alas! what man
May long endure!
Alas! how live I then;
Since no recure
May me assure
My life I may well ban.
Thus doth my torment grow
In deadly dread
Alas! who might live so;
Alive, as dead:
Alive, to lead
A deadly life in woe.