Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542), 'the first great English lyric poet', remains one of the most popular writers of Henry VIII's court, and the most romantic, given his entanglement with Anne Boleyn, which resulted -- legend has it -- in some of his most passionate and vulnerable poems. This book contains a representative selection of the work: all the best-loved poems and many lesser-known pieces which illuminate a complex and sophisticated sensibility. Hardiman Scott sees Wyatt as a modern poet before his time and demonstrates the impact he and his younger contemporary the Earl of Surrey had on the development of English poetry. Wyatt introduced the sonnet, terza rima and other Italian verse forms into English and invented forms and processes of his own.
  

Table of Contents

Introduction

Sonnets

1. Whoso list to hunt...

2. I find no peace...

3. My galley charged...

4. Unstable dream...

5. If waker care...

6. The pillar perished...

7. You that in love...

8. My love took scorn...

9. The flaming sighs

10. I abide and abide

11. Ever mine hap...



Epigrams

12. Who hath heart of such cruelty...

13. Th'en'my of life...

14. Tagus, farewell...

15. Sighs are my food...

16. A face that should content...

17. Lux, my fair falcon...



Songs and Lyrics

18. My lute, awake!

19. Blame not my lute...

20. All heavy minds...

21. In eternum...

22. Ah, Robin...

23. O goodly hand...

24. Perdie, I said it not...

25. Madam, withouten many words...

26. Patience, though I have not...

27. What means this...?

28. They flee from me...

29. If thou wilt mighty be...

30. Once, as me thought...

31. What death is worse than this?

32. Though I cannot your cruelty constrain

33. And wilt thou leave me thus?

34. Since you will needs...

35. There was never nothing...

36. Is it possible...?

37. Marvel no more...

38. Tangled I was in love's snare...

39. When first mine eyes...

40. To wish and want and not obtain...

41. It may be good...

42. My hope, alas, hath me abused...

43. What rage is this?

44. At most mischief...

45. If with complaint...

46. Longer to muse...

47. Mistrustful minds be moved...

48. What should I say...?

49. If chance assigned...

50. Most wretched heart...

51. Sufficed not, madam

52. Spite hath no power...

53. Ye know my heart...

54. Process of time...

55. Such hap as I am happed in...

56. Take heed betime...

57. Forget not yet the tried intent...

58. Your looks so often cast...

59. Ah, my heart...

60. To make an end...

61. If in the world there be more woe...

62. My love is like unto th'eternal fire...

63. Disdain me not without desert...



Satires and Psalms

64. Satire No.1: My own John Poyntz

65. Satire No.3: 'A spending hand...'

66. Psalm 102

67. Psalm 130





Notes