•t "- 
 
 ii 
 
 '/ 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 \4 
 
 LIBRA 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 UJ 
 
 5-Vs 
 
 ;6&i 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 ^// 
 
 •'866: 
 
 3 
 
 : 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 
 LIBRA 
 
 /«^\ 
 
 •r^s 
 

 VIS 
 
 NIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 
 1 
 
 NIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 t^S 
 
 s >m^Sv5g^^ 
 
 i 
 
 NIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
r^ 
 
SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 AND 
 
 HIS POEMS 
 
 grejsentrti to tfje |3jjt'IosopIjtral JJaculty 
 
 OF THE 
 
 KAISER WILHELM'S UNIVERSITY AT STRASSBURG FOR 
 THE ACQUISITION OF THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR 
 OF PHILOSOPHY 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM EDWARD SIMONDS, 
 
 INSTRUCTOR IN GERMAN, CORNET. I. UNIVERSITY. 
 
 
 
 BOSTON: 
 
 D. C. HEATH AND COMPANY. 
 
 1SS9. 
 
Copyright, 1S89, 
 By William Edward Simonds. 
 
 Slmfcetsitg ^rcsss: 
 John Wilson and Son, Cambridge, U.S.A. 
 
MAIM 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 IN presenting the following Essay to the attention of 
 those for whom its subject may possess some in- 
 terest, a word of explanation regarding its character 
 and scope may not be superfluous. 
 
 As at first intended, there would have been four 
 divisions in the Essay, subordinate and introductory to 
 a concluding part, which should have formed the main 
 chapter of the thesis. These four sections were to have 
 treated of the life of Wyatt, the texts, the metre, and 
 the interpretation of the poems. The results herein 
 obtained were then to be brought together in the con- 
 cluding portion, and applied to the accomplishment of 
 the object sought, — an attempted chronology of the 
 poet's works. 
 
 As the work progressed, the preliminary chapter on 
 the life of Wyatt increased in its proportions, by reason 
 of the material recently made available, until its subor- 
 dinate character has been lost, and it now vies in impor- 
 tance with the section it precedes. The discussion of 
 the metre has been omitted, lest it might detract some- 
 what from the unity of the plan as at last adopted in its 
 
 83051 
 
iv INTRODUCTION. 
 
 modified form. This division of the subject may best 
 be treated in a separate essay. The section on the 
 texts has been made as short as possible ; the purpose 
 being to give such information merely as shall be 
 necessary to an understanding of their condition and 
 relation. Some results of importance in the prosecu- 
 tion of the work are there indicated. It is to be re- 
 gretted that the original MSS. have not been available 
 for study; without a critical examination of the MS. 
 texts a thorough handling of the subject is impossible. 
 The second division of the Essay aims to give an in- 
 terpretation of the poems, — to determine whether or 
 not the individual p'oems are so intimately related as 
 to admit of arrangement in characteristic groups, and 
 whether a line of order and of progress binds these 
 groups logically together. If such an order is discov- 
 erable, it remains to reconcile the suggestions of the 
 poems with the facts, as known, in Wyatt's life; this 
 accomplished, it is easy to set limits chronologically to 
 the various groups, and a chronological order, so far 
 as practicable, will be established. 
 
 It will be obvious, therefore, that of the two divi- 
 sions which now compose the Essay, neither is subor- 
 dinate, each contributing to the purpose of the other ; 
 Part First, on the life of the poet, seeking a supplement 
 in the portion devoted to his works, a logical intro- 
 duction to which it aims to furnish. 
 
 No one can be more sensibly aware than is the writer 
 
IXTRODUCTIOX. v 
 
 himself of the difficulties and uncertainties that char- 
 acterize the attempted solution of a problem like that 
 advanced in the pages following. The subject is one 
 of considerable interest historically, as well as to the 
 student of English literature in the particular epoch 
 concerned. The work herewith introduced is in the 
 truest sense an essay, and will attain its modest pur- 
 pose if by its statements or suggestions it throws 
 any light upon the career of a man whose life and 
 works seem charged with the romantic spirit of a 
 romantic time; if it shall aid in penetrating the ob- 
 scurity that has wrapped the poet's life ; or, possibly, 
 tend to animate a collection of dry poems with the 
 interest and personality of their author's passion. 
 
 It remains for the essayist to give expression to his 
 appreciation of the counsel and assistance so kindly 
 extended by his friends and teachers. Grateful recogni- 
 tion is due the services rendered by his fellow-students, 
 Prof. Frank R. Butler, of the Woman's College, Balti- 
 more, and Prof. Bliss Perry, of Williams College, on 
 whose kindly sympathy and aid he has always been 
 able to rely. 
 
 It would be impossible fittingly to express the obli- 
 gation and the gratitude the writer feels as he recalls 
 the encouragement and help afforded by his honored 
 instructor, Prof. Dr. Bernhard Ten Brink, of the Strass- 
 burg University. It was by his suggestion that the 
 Essay was undertaken, and it is largely to his care- 
 
vi . INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ful criticism and most valuable assistance that what- 
 ever merit it contains is due. It must be added also 
 that as the work has been completed and revised since 
 it last fell under Prof. Ten Brink's eye, it would be 
 unjust to claim his indiscriminate approval of all the 
 theories therein advanced ; he is not responsible for the 
 writer's views. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Pace 
 
 Introduction iii 
 
 Part I. Biography n 
 
 Pari- II. YVyatt's Poems 49 
 
 A. The Text 49 
 
 B. The Interpretation 64 
 
 Earliest Poems 68 
 
 Group I. of the Love- Poems 70 
 
 II. " " 82 
 
 III. " " 91 
 
 IV. " « 108 
 
 V. Occasional Poems 132 
 
 VI. Late Poems 140 
 
 Conclusion 144 
 
 A Register of the Poems 145 
 
 Index . *5 l 
 
part ifirst. 
 BIOGRAPHY. 
 
SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 |Dart IFfott, 
 
 BIOGRAPHY. 
 
 SIR THOMAS WYATT. the poet, was descended from an 
 ancient and honorable family, originally of Yorkshire, 
 where down to the time of Henry VII. the Wyatts seem to have 
 resided. Sir Henry Wyatt (1460-1538), the father of the poet, 
 had borne a part in the exciting events which terminated the 
 long struggle between the rival Houses of York and Lancaster. 
 An adherent of the Lancastrian party, he suffered imprisonment 
 at the hands of the usurper, Richard III., and according to a 
 statement in the famous letter of Sir Thomas Wyatt to his son, 
 was threatened with the rack or actually tortured in the tyrant's 
 presence. 1 With the accession of Henry VII., in 1485, Sir 
 Henry's star began to rise. He early became a member of the 
 Privy Council, and one of the most trusted and esteemed of 
 the king's advisers. He was named one of the executors of 
 the king's will, and at the death of Henry was nominated by the 
 Countess of Richmond to be one of the council for the man- 
 agement of public affairs until the young king should be able to 
 transact business of State for himself.' 2 
 
 1 This preserved him in prison from the hands of the tyrant that could 
 find in his heart to see him racked. — Wyatt" s Letter to his Son. Nott, 
 p. 269 ; Aldine ed., p. !v. 
 
 2 Herbert's Henry VIII., p. 2. 
 
12 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 At the accession of Henry VIII. Wyatt was already living in 
 Kent, having about the year 1493 purchased the castle and 
 estate of Allington, near Maidstone, which remained so long as 
 retained by them the chief residence of the family. 1 Sir Henry 
 continued in the enjoyment of his sovereign's favor. Created 
 Knight of the Bath at the coronation of the young king, in 1509, 
 he was made knight-banneret on the field after the Battle of 
 Spurs, in August, 15 13. During the same year he was ap- 
 pointed treasurer of the king's jewels, with a salary of ^o. 2 He 
 was still a member of the Privy Council, and was constantly 
 employed in positions of trust and honor by the king, who re- 
 tained him as long as possible near his person. In 15 19 he had 
 accompanied Henry to Calais, and in capacity of knight-marshal 
 attended his sovereign at the notable interview with Francis I. 
 upon the Field of the Cloth of Gold. a In 1527 he had the 
 honor of entertaining Henry at the Castle of Allington, 4 and in 
 *533 we fi n d him holding the honorable position of ewerer to 
 the king. 5 It has been stated by one or two writers that Sir 
 Henry held the office of Treasurer of the Royal Chamber during 
 the period 15 25-2 8. 6 The truth is that he was appointed to this 
 office at least two years before the date assigned ; this is abun- 
 dantly proved by the State Papers now accessible. The earliest 
 paper bearing his name and title is an indenture of date 18 
 February, 1523, in which occurs the name of " Sir Henry Wyat, 
 treasurer of the Chamber." 7 Again, under date of 24 Febru- 
 ary, 1523, is a memorandum that by the cardinal's (Wolsey) 
 
 1 Hasted's Kent, ii. 184. 
 
 2 Calendar of State Papers, Henry VIII. i. 4125. For Sir Henry 
 Wyatt, the king's councillor. To be treasurer of the king's jewels ; with 
 annuity of ^50, and appointment of two yeomen and one page. De- 
 livered Westm. 26, May 5, Hen. VIII. 
 
 3 Calendar of State Papers, hi. 241, 243. 
 
 4 Cavendish's History of Cardinal Wolsey, ch. xiii. 
 6 Calendar of State Papers, vi. 601, 701. 
 
 6 Aid. ed., p. x ; Riverside ed., p. xii. 
 
 7 Calendar of State Papers, iii. 2S35. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 15 
 
 warrant, dated 24 February, 14 Hen. VIII. , Thos. Magnus re- 
 ceived from Sir Henry Wyatt for the army on the Scotch border, 
 and to be issued for necessaries by command of the Earl of 
 Surrey, ^20,ooo. 1 Unfortunately the patent granting the office 
 to Sir Henry Wyatt does not appear to be extant. 
 
 Sir Henry Wyatt died at Allington in 1531. His character 
 and life are eloquently set forth by his son, Sir Thomas, in the 
 hitter's first letter to his own son, Thomas Wyatt the younger. 
 This tribute to the excellences of his father's character must 
 have been written almost immediately after Sir Henry's decease, 
 as Sir Thomas was at the time in Spain, whence he returned to 
 England in 1539. By his wife Anne, daughter of John Skinner, 
 of Reigate in Surrey,- Sir Henry Wyatt left three children, — a 
 daughter, Margaret, who married Sir Anthony Lee ; and two 
 sons, Thomas and Henry. Of these, the younger brother, 
 Henry, lived the life of a retired gentleman of means, presuma- 
 bly in Kent ; 3 while the elder, Thomas, is known to us not only 
 as a successful courtier and diplomat, but even better as a poet 
 of no mean fame, in connection with his friend Henry Howard, 
 Earl of Surrey, reputed for one of " the two chief lanternes of 
 light to all others that have since employed their pennes upon 
 English Poesie." 4 
 
 Thomas Wyatt the poet was born at Allington Castle in tl 
 year 1503. He was entered as student at St. John's College at 
 Cambridge in 1515, where, three years later, he took his degree 
 of B. A., and his Master's degree in 1520. 
 
 It was customary then for young men of rank to spend some 
 time at Paris immediately after leaving the university ; and there- 
 fore it has been a matter of conjecture whether or no the poet 
 visited France at this time. No record of such visit, however, 
 has as yet been discovered, and it is still uncertain whether 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, iii. 2852. Compare also Nos. 2S76, 2956, 
 3023, 3177, 3 2 S2, 3375, 3542, 3597, 3650. 
 
 2 Collins's Peerage, iii. 42S. 3 Heralds' College, Essex, c. 21, 1634. 
 4 Puttenham's Arte of English Poesie (Arber's ed ) p. 76. 
 
H 
 
 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Wyatt caught his first glimpse of Continental life at this or a 
 later period. It is certain that Wyatt's marriage must have 
 taken place about this time; i. <?., in 1520 or 1521, when he 
 was about eighteen years of age. This fact we learn from the 
 inquisition made immediately after the poet's death, in October, 
 1542, wherein his son Thomas is referred to as being "of the 
 age of twenty-one years and upwards," which would place his 
 birth in the year 15 2 1. 1 The lady whom Wyatt married was 
 Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Brooke, Lord Cobham. 
 
 Wyatt now entered upon his career of success. The esteem 
 in which his father was held at Court would naturally have served 
 him as a passport to the good-will of his sovereign, and the 
 young man's own endowments, both of mind and body, were of 
 a nature to make him popular with his associates, and to win the 
 friendship of the king. Wyatt soon became prominent among 
 Henry's courtiers, and noted as a man of influence at Court, 
 enjoying the royal favor in an unusual degree. 
 
 Very little of actual record has come down to us respecting 
 the poet's life at this period. It has been taken for granted 
 that he was engaged either in attendance at the Court or in 
 serving with the army as a volunteer. The supposition is that 
 much of his leisure time was devoted to literary pursuits and to 
 the usual employments of a gentleman of his talents and posi- 
 tion. Edward Hall, the chronicler of Henry's reign, describes 
 a feat of arms performed before the king at Greenwich on 
 ■Christmas Day of 1525, and says that Thomas Wyatt,' then an 
 esquire of the royal household, was one of the fourteen chal- 
 lengers on that occasion. 2 In 1527, as is well known, the 
 young courtier joined the company of Sir John Russell, special 
 ambassador to Rome, and with that nobleman travelled to some 
 extent in Italy. A record, likewise familiar, has come down to 
 us from the year 1533, which mentions the service performed 
 
 1 Nott, p. lxxiv. 
 
 2 A description of this feat of arms is given by Dr. Nott in the prefa- 
 tory memoir, p. ix. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. j, 
 
 by Thomas Wyatt, in place of his father. Sir Henry, at the royal 
 banquet given in honor of the coronation of Anne Boleyn. 
 With the exception of these three incidents, Wyatt's biogra- 
 phers have thrown no light hitherto on the circumstances of 
 the poet's life until the advent of the year 1536. Happily the 
 publication of recent volumes in the series of " Calendars of 
 State Papers," issued under the direction of the Master of the 
 Rolls, has made us acquainted with certain other records here- 
 tofore inaccessible, and has brought to light a few additional 
 facts in the life of the poet-statesman which add quite materi- 
 ally to the rather scant biography we have until now possessed. 
 
 The earliest mention of the poet's name occurs with no fur- 
 ther comment in a list of names of persons comprising the royal 
 household for the year 15 16. Sir Henry Wyatt was a member 
 of the household as Knight of the Body ; and Sir Henry's thir- 
 teen-year old son was at that time learning to serve his royal 
 master in the character of page. Both facts are attested by the 
 list, the name of " Th. Wyet " being placed among those of 
 the " Sewers Extraordinary " to the king. 1 
 
 From a paper, early in the series, but removed by several 
 years from the record above cited, we learn that Sir Henry 
 Wyatt, in his capacity of Treasurer of the Chamber, was em- 
 ployed in collecting and disbursing moneys destined for use in 
 the war with France. It was in connection with one of those 
 forced loans or subsidies demanded by Henry's minister which 
 brought such a storm of popular indignation about the cardi- 
 nal's head. But this record of accounts is of interest to us 
 solely from the fact that we find the name of Thomas Wyatt 
 mentioned in connection with the performance of his father's 
 duties. On several occasions it became necessary to forward 
 money " for the king's affairs in the North," requiring to be 
 delivered at the Abbey of St. Mary's in York. Twice was 
 the conveyance and delivery of this money intrusted to young 
 Wyatt, — once in October, and again in November of the year 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, ii. 2735. 
 
1 6 SIX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 1523. The sum in each case amounted to ^"2000. * In addi- 
 tion to the entry in Sir Henry's own account, we find later 
 on a release to the Abbot of St. Mary's, in which reference is 
 made to both sums received by hand of Thomas Wyatt. 2 If 
 for no other reason, these entries are of interest as at least fix- 
 ing the presence of Wyatt in England, and affording a hint, if 
 no more, as to his employment at this time. 
 
 In March of the year 1526 Henry VIII. despatched a special 
 ambassador to the King of France to felicitate the latter upon 
 his escape from the hands of the Emperor Charles V. and his 
 return to his own realm. This ambassador was Sir Thomas 
 Cheney, a member of the Privy Council. 3 He arrived at Bor- 
 deaux on the 6th of April ; 4 and among the gentlemen of his 
 suite was Thomas Wyatt. In May we find the Court at Cognac ; 
 here it became necessary to transmit a message of special im- 
 portance to the king, and Wyatt was selected by the ambassa- 
 dor to fulfil this duty ; he was also charged to inform Henry 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, iv. 214. Loan for the war with France. 
 (Account of Sir Henry Wyat, treasurer of the Chamber, of the money 
 paid to him by the collectors of divers shires. 14 Henry VIII.) Among 
 the " Payments of the Loan money made by Wiat," 1 July to I April, 
 15 Henry VIII. 
 
 Sent by Thos. Wiatt, to be conveyed to St. Mary's Abbey, York, for 
 the king's affairs in the North, 26 October, ^2000, and 20 November, 
 ^2000, his costs £17 is. 
 
 2 Ibid., 2322. The Subsidy. Release to Edm. Whalley, Abbot of 
 St. Mary, York, receiver of the subsidy in the province of York, of the 
 following sums received by him : ^20,000 of Sir Hen. Wyat, treasurer of 
 the king's chamber, by the hand of Thos. Draper ; ^2000 from the same 
 by Thos. Wyet, Esq. ; another ^"2000 from and by the same. Del. 
 Westm. 16 July, 18 Hen. VIII. 
 
 3 Ibid., iv. 2037, Wolsey to Francis I. The king is rejoiced at 
 Francis's return to his realm. Sends Sir Thos. Cheyney to reside 
 as ambassador with Dr. Tailleur. Desires credence for him. (Wolsey 
 writes to the same effect to Robertet, under date — Westm., 20 March, 
 1526.) 
 
 4 Ibid., 2075. Sir Thos. Cheyne to Wolsey. "Arrived here between 
 7 and 8 a. m. yesterday." Bordeaux, 7 April, 1526. 
 
AXD HIS POEMS. 17 
 
 more at length of men and manners as he had observed them 
 at the Court of France. The letter signed by the envoy and 
 by the resident ambassador closes with a most complimentary 
 reference to the young man's sagacity and talent, — the earliest 
 comment we possess upon the characteristic qualities of the 
 future diplomat. 1 That the Wyatt here referred to is not Sir 
 Henry, as Mr. Brewer deems, but his son Thomas, is hardly to 
 be doubted. Confirmatory evidence is at hand in a note of 
 Wolsey's to the king, in which he speaks of the arrival of this 
 message from the ambassadors, and refers to despatches for 
 " young YVvat," who returns therewith to France.- Sir Henry 
 was now full five and sixty years of age ; it is incredible that he 
 be the person meant ; and we know nothing of the existence 
 of any other Wyatt at this time busy in affairs of Court. The 
 fact seems to be that the young courtier was serving what was 
 perhaps a recognized apprenticeship in the art of diplomacy. 
 It was the custom then, as it has been since, for young men of 
 rank and promise to be employed in just such service, that they 
 might acquire a practical experience in diplomatic methods, and 
 thus become qualified to discharge important missions under 
 credentials of their own. The last allusion among the papers to 
 Wyatt's present visit is under date of 2 1 May, when Cheney, writ- 
 ing to Henry, describes an interview with Francis and says : 
 
 "We told him the gentleman had returned who had been dis- 
 patched to England. He said he would be joyous to hear from 
 your Highness, his most dear and loving brother. Presented 
 Wyatt, who with good and discreet behaviour declared the same 
 accordingly]." 3 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, 2135. Cheyne and Tayler to Wolsey. 
 " Send the bearer Wyatt, who can show your Grace of a part of the 
 commodities belonging to this house, and in likewise of the n[ames] 
 and countenance of the noblemen and gentlemen hereunto . . . daily ; 
 for he hath been at the Court with us from time to [time], and as we 
 think, hath as much wit to mark and remember every thing he saith as 
 any young man hath in England." Cognac, 1 May, 1526. 
 
 2 Ibid., iv., 2163. 3 Ibid., 2194. 
 
 2 
 
1 8 S/7? THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Cheney was recalled that same month ; and as no further 
 mention is made of Wyatt's name, we presume he returned to 
 England in the ambassador's company. 
 
 It was just about one year subsequent to this that Wyatt 
 accompanied Sir John Russell on his embassy to the Pope. 
 The fact is now authenticated, and the circumstances, so far as 
 known, are so familiar as to call for no extended reference here. 
 In a letter written from Rome under date n February, 1527, 
 Russell writes to Wolsey of their arrival thus : — 
 
 " I, Russell, arrived at Civita Vecchia on the 4th. Remained 
 a day and a half before I could get horses, although Andrea Doreo • 
 did what he could, and accompanied me with certain foot and hand 
 guns. We arrived here the second day after our departure thence, 
 and the Pope sent me a Turkey horse on which he rides himself, 
 with another for Mr. Wyatt, and good horses for my company." 1 
 
 One incident of this journey deserves more prominence than 
 has hitherto been accorded it. Sir John Russell, it appears, 
 about setting forth from Rome on his way to Venice, met with 
 some slight accident, — a fall from his horse, or something of 
 the kind, — which was serious enough to hinder his proceed- 
 ing ; so while the ambassador remained at Narni, Wyatt was 
 despatched to Venice, where he arrived safely, and, with the 
 letters, waited on the Venetian Council. 2 This duty done, the 
 young Englishman, desirous of seeing the country, and " pre- 
 tending soon to come by Bologna and Florence " to Rome, 
 made a pleasure-trip to Ferrara. His excursion ended, how- 
 ever, rather disastrously in his capture by Spanish troops of 
 the emperor, who, in spite of Wyatt's safe-conduct from the 
 Duke of Ferrara, demanded a ransom of three thousand ducats. 
 The affair proved serious ; and a tedious course of negotiation 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, iv. 2875. 
 
 2 Ibid., iv. 2931. Russell, having met with an accident, remains at 
 Narni and sends Wyatt with his letters to Sir Gregory Casale at Venice, 
 who goes with Wyatt to the Venetian Council. (Letter from Casale dated 
 March 2, 1527.) 
 
AND HIS POEMS. , , 
 
 seemed inevitable, when the matter was somewhat prematurely 
 settled by the sudden appearance of the prisoner at Bol 
 
 where he seems to have arrived when least expected. 1 It is 
 not quite clear whether Wyatt escaped, or owed his rek 
 the efforts of his friends.- From the tone of the letters writ- 
 ten by Russell and Casale reporting the incident to Wolsey, it 
 
 may be gathered that the ambassadors were a trifle ex< 
 at Wyatt's escapade; the two letters which are appended tuna 
 quite a contrast to Cheney*s letter, written from France th 
 before, so commendatory in its reference to Wyatt's wit and 
 bearing. Although no blame attaches itself to the young atta- 
 che because of this incident in the Italian journey, its occur- 
 rence may nevertheless illustrate a certain daring, a heedlessness 
 of consequences, which seems to have marked his character at 
 this time, and which occasionally betrayed him into situations of 
 unjustifiable exposure. The party remained in Italy until about 
 the first of May, when they returned to England. 
 
 The next fact of importance noted occurs under date of the 
 following year ; but before proceeding to consider that, it is 
 necessary to discuss another matter which here finds its appro- 
 priate place. It has been recently suggested upon dubious 
 authority that Thomas Wyatt succeeded his father in the office 
 of treasurer of the Chamber. The assertion appears to have 
 been first made by Mr. John Payne Collier, in his edition of the 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, iv. 301 1. Russell and Casale to Wolsey. 
 Wyatt went to Venice after Russell's hurt, then to Ferrara, being desirous 
 of seeing the country, " pretending soon to come by P>ologna and Flor- 
 ence hither." Notwithstanding the Duke's safe-conduct, he was taken by 
 the Spaniards. They demanded three thousand ducats for his ransom, 
 notwithstanding Russell's protestations. He has since managed to escape. 
 Rome, April 1, r -27. 
 
 - The uncertainty is due to the existence of the following : — 
 Calendar, iv. 3023. John Casale, prothonotarv to Wolsey. The troops 
 who were collecting necessaries at Ferrara have been sent for, as he \\ ill 
 see by the enclosed letter of a servant of his, whom he had sent thither 
 to obtain the liberation of Wyatt, which he has at last effected. April 6, 
 1527. 
 
20 MX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Trevelyan Papers, where he calls attention to a certain entry 
 in which former incumbents of this office are named in order ; 
 in this list Sir Thomas Wyatt's name immediately precedes that 
 of Sir Brian Tuke. In a foot-note, Collier draws attention to 
 the entry, and announces the discovery of the supposed fact 
 that Sir Thomas had thus succeeded his father as treasurer. 1 It 
 is a singular coincidence that in the State Papers Calendar, 
 iv. 3104, under date of May 7, 1527, is a record of payments 
 made " by Sir Henry Gwildeforde, knight, and Sir Thomas Wyat, 
 knight, in building a banketing house at the King his manor of 
 Greenwich." To this entry Brewer adds a parenthesis : " In a 
 later hand." Following immediately upon this the same account 
 enumerates sums of money received by Sir Henry Guildeforde 
 " and of Sir Henry Wiat, treasurer of the Chamber." The coinci- 
 dence lies in the fact that this entry " in a later hand " occurs 
 at just the date to substantiate Mr. Collier's theory ; Sir Brian 
 Tuke having been appointed treasurer in 1528. This mention 
 of " Sir Thomas Wyat " is of course an error, and is noted as 
 such by the editor of the Calendar in the Notes and Errata, 
 P- 3535- During the year 1527, the period in question, we find 
 several entries proving conclusively that Sir Henry retained the 
 office down to April, 1528, when Sir Brian Tuke was appointed 
 to succeed him.' 2 Having thus disposed of a bit of false biog- 
 raphy, we now come to the notice of a fact which helps to throw 
 considerable light upon a period in the poet's life long involved 
 in obscurity. 
 
 1 Trevelyan Papers, part ii. ; Sir William Cavendishe's Book, p. 12. 
 
 2 Calendar of State Papers, iv. 3121. Receipt by Raphael Maruffus of 
 a certain sum of money " by the hands of Sir Henry Wyatt, treasurer." 
 May 15,1527. 
 
 Ibid., 3380. The Earl of Northumberland's Accounts. 10, ii. For a 
 loan to the king paid to Sir Harry Wyatt, £ 100. 
 
 Ibid., 3739. Wm. Kebyll. Order from Sir Henry Wyat to John Jen- 
 yns for the payment of fifty ... to Wm Kebyll, towards making New 
 Year's gifts. 
 
 Ibid., 4170. Brian Tuke. To be treasurer of the Chamber vice Sir 
 Henry Wyat. Del. Hampton Court, 13 April, 19 Hen. VIII. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 2 \ 
 
 Among the papers which the Calendar now brings into notice 
 we find an account of salaries paid to the different officers at 
 
 Calais for the year 152.S ; and in this account there is a list of 
 the various officials comprising the Council of Calais for that 
 year. One of the names enumerated is that of Thos. Wyott, 
 Esq., high marshal, with a command of sixteen men. 1 
 
 In September he is still there, and receives a license to im- 
 port Gaseony wine and Toulouse wood.' 2 In June, 1530, he 
 receives a second grant " To be marshal of the town," etc., of 
 Calais. 3 No copy of the original grant has as yet been found 
 among the papers. In November, 1530, Sir Edward Ryngely 
 is appointed " marshal of the town and marches of Calais . . . 
 vice Thomas Wyat, squire of the Body." 4 There can be no 
 question here as to identity. Contemporary writers refer to 
 Wyatt's military service, 5 and it has always been supposed that 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, iv. 5102 (2). An account of the salaries of 
 the different officers at Calais, with an estimate of the charge for one year. 
 
 I. The Council : Sir Robt. Wyngfeld, deputy . . . Thos. Wyott, Esq., 
 high marshal, at zs. a day, and 20 marks in reward by year; 5 men under 
 him, each at S</. a day, and 11 at 6d. a day. 
 
 1 Ibid., iv. 5978. Grants in September, 1529 (26). Thos. Wyat, squire 
 of the Body, and marshal of Calais. License to import 1000 tuns of Gas- 
 coigne wine or Tolles (Toulouse) woad. Del. lc More, 26 Sept. 21 Hen. 
 VIIL 
 
 d Ibid, iv. 6490. Grants in June, 1530(23). Thos Wyat, squire of 
 the Body. To be marshal of the town, etc., of Calais, with the same 
 number of soldiers as Sir John Wallop or Sir Edward Guldeforde or 
 any other marshal of the said town and marches had and with the same 
 fees. Windsor Castle, n June, 22 lien. VII I. Del. Wcstm., 3 June. 
 
 4 Ibid., iv. 6751. Grants in November, 1530 (24). Sir Edward Rynge- 
 ley. To be marshal of the town and marches of Calais; to hold the said 
 office in like manner as John Wallop and Edward Guldeford held the same, 
 
 Thos. Wyat, scpiire of the Body. York Place, 22 Nov., 22 Hen 
 VIII. /;<•/. Westm,24 Nov. 
 
 5 Lei and, Naenia, v. 52. 
 
 u Inter Coelicolas nuper certamen obortum ; 
 Dissidii vero causa Viatus erat. 
 Mars ait ; 'Est noster juvenilis fortissimus ille.' 
 Phoebus at, ' Ingenii flos ' ait ' ille meus.' " 
 
22 SIX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 it was at this period that such service was performed. If con- 
 firmatory evidence were required, it would be found in the 
 record of a grant in May of 1530, by which John Williams is 
 appointed to the office of clerk of the king's jewels, which office 
 was granted by patent, October 21, 1524, to "Thomas Wyat, 
 esquire of the Royal Body, son and heir of [Sir] Henry Wyat." 1 
 It is most unlikely that there were two Thomas Wyatts at one 
 time esquires of the Body ; and as the Thomas Wyatt, marshal 
 of Calais, and the Thomas, son of Sir Henry, were each desig- 
 nated as esquire of the Body, it is probable that they were one 
 and the same person ; it becomes pretty clearly evident, there- 
 fore, that the marshal of Calais was the Wyatt of these .memoirs. 
 As to the exact date of W r yatt's appointment, there is uncertainty, 
 owing to apparent confusion in the records cited. If Sir John 
 Wallop was promoted to the lieutenancy of Calais Castle by 
 patent of June 23, 1530, but holding the office from October 6, 
 1 5 29, 2 it is probable that Wyatt, who received his grant on the 
 same day with Wallop, entered upon his duties at about the 
 same date as the latter, whom he succeeded on the latter's pro- 
 motion. But in the grant of September, 1529, Wyatt has the 
 title of marshal, and even as early as the end of 1528 we find 
 his name upon the list of officers above referred to. Despite 
 this uncertainty, it is without doubt a fact that during the greater 
 part of the years 1529-30 Thomas Wyatt was serving the inter- 
 ests of the king in the somewhat responsible position of high 
 marshal of Calais. It must not be overlooked, either, that from 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, vol. iv. Notes and Errata, p. 3537, 6418. 
 Grants in May, 1530. (S) John Wylliams. To be clerk of the king's 
 jewels with 20 marks a year, after the death or surrender of Thomas 
 Wyat, esquire of the Royal Body, son and heir of [Sir] Henry Wyat, who 
 holds the office by patent 21 Oct., 16 Hen. VIII. Greenwich, 6 Apr., 22 
 Hen. VIII. Del. Westm., 8 May. 
 
 2 Ibid., iv. 6490 (23). (Following first grant to Thos. Wyat.) Sir John 
 Walop. To be lieutenant of Calais Castle from 6 Oct. last, with 49 
 soldiers, etc. 
 
 Dated : Windsor Castle, 13 June, 22 Hen. VIII. Del. Westm., 23 June. 
 
A AD HIS POEMS. 23 
 
 October, 1524, until May, 1 53 1 , Wyatt held the office of clerk 
 of the king's jewels. We have already produced a grant under 
 date of May, 1530, in which John Williams is appointed to suc- 
 ceed Wyatt on the hitter's death, or on surrender of his patent. 
 This surrender actually took place in 153 1, when the real grant 
 of the office followed. 1 
 
 Two or three unimportant records occur during this same year. 8 
 Of greater importance is the notice of the appointment of Wyatt 
 in February, 1532, to be a commissioner of the peace for Essex. 3 
 
 This same year of 1532 was signalized by the fall of Wolsey. 
 Dr. Nott refers to the hostility of both the Wyatts, and thinks 
 that Thomas Wyatt contributed to the causes that brought 
 about the cardinal's ruin. 4 
 
 At the coronation of Queen Anne Boleyn in June of 1533, 
 Wyatt served as representative for his father in performing 
 the duties of ewerer to the king on the occasion of the royal 
 banquet. 5 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, v. 27S (10). John Williams. Grant in 
 reversion of the office of clerk of the king's jewels, with fees of 20 marks 
 a year, which office was granted hy patent 21 Oct. 16 Henry VIII. to 
 Thomas Wiat, esquire of the Royal Body, son and heir of Henry Wyat. 
 
 Westm., S May. Pat. 23 Men. VII L 
 
 2 Ibid., v. 119(71). William Bunsall, of Bloffleming, Cornw., tanner. 
 Pardon for having on the Sth Feh. 20 Hen. VIII., with others, robbed 
 Thomas Wyatt at Bloffleming of certain property. York Place, 24 Feb. 
 22 Hen. VIII. Del. Westm., 27 P^eb. 
 
 Ibid., 12S5 (5). Cromwell's " Obligations and Bills." " Inventory of 
 the desperat bills remaining in the custody of the said John Williams." 
 . . . Alen Ilawte (for Thos. Wyat's debt to the king). 
 
 8 Ibid., v. S38 (13). Commissioners of the Peace. Among the names 
 upon the list for Essex is that of "Thos. Wyott." 
 
 4 Nott, Memoirs, xxxii. 
 
 5 Calendar of State Papers, vi. 601. Coronation of Anne Boleyn. . . . 
 Order and sitting at dinner. " Thos. Wiat was chief sewer for his father, 
 Sir Henry." June S, 1533. 
 
 Ibid., 701. Anne Boleyn's Coronation . . . Officers and noblemen 
 with others who did service until the morrow after Midsummer Day, 25 
 Hen. VIII., etc. "Sir Henry Wyatt chief ewer, supplied by K#son 
 Thos. Wyatt." June 25, 1533. 
 
24 
 
 S/fi THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Under date of May 15, 1534, a letter written by John Roke- 
 wood to Lord Lisle, who was then commandant at Calais, re- 
 lates that "On Wednesday there was a great affray between 
 Mr. Wyatte and the sergeants of London, in which one of the 
 sergeants was slain. For this Mr. Wyatt is committed to the 
 Fleet." 1 Gairdner (the successor of Mr. Brewer in the editing 
 of the Calendars) indexes this letter under the name of Sir 
 Henry Wyatt ; but Sir Henry was now in his seventy-fourth 
 year, and it is rather improbable that the poet's father is the 
 Wyatt here referred to. Sir Thomas's own son, the younger 
 Thomas Wyatt, was only about thirteen years of age, and pro- 
 bably not sufficiently precocious to become involved in an 
 affray of this kind, and get himself clapped into the Fleet at 
 that early date. There is of course the possibility that some 
 other person of the name is the one to whom reference is made ; 
 but there is no reason why we should not, on the other hand, 
 refer the adventure to the poet himself. It is doubtful if any 
 other Wyatt were in a position then to create such a distur- 
 bance ; nor is the incident out of keeping with what we sup- 
 pose Wyatt's character to have been at this period, when, if 
 we may judge from his own self- arraignment in the first letter 
 to his son, a boldness in adventure and a certain amount of 
 heedlessness as to consequences brought him " into a thousand 
 dangers and hazards, enmities, hatreds, prisonments, despites, 
 and indignations." 2 Here undoubtedly the father, in his de- 
 sire to impress a useful lesson on the boy, has been too zealous 
 in charging his own youth with an over- weight of folly ; still 
 there is presumably a degree of sincerity in the self-rebuke, 
 and more or less ground in reality to warrant regret and dissat- 
 isfaction at the recollections of earlier years. To be sure, this 
 famous letter was written only four years later than the occur- 
 rence of this incident in London : but Wyatt became a changed 
 man within the limit of those four years, and we may look upon 
 
 ih J Calendar of State Papers, vii. 674. 
 
 2 Letter to his son, Nott, p. 269; Aid. ed , lvi. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 25 
 
 the events of the year 1536 as marking the turning-point in 
 his career. It may be well to note that this affray occurred in 
 the month of May ; and Wyatt, in one of his later sonnets, 
 speaks of 
 
 "th 1 haps most unhappy 
 That me betide in May most commonly." 1 
 
 Another ground for referring this affair to Wyatt is to be 
 found in the fact that the writer of this letter had been under- 
 marshal at Calais during the period of YVyatt's service there, 
 and was. it is likely, on terms of intimacy with him ; hence it 
 was natural enough for Rokewood to report the occurrence to 
 Lord Lisle as a matter of special interest, perhaps to both. 
 No serious consequences further than a short detention seem 
 to have resulted from the incident. In the month following, 
 Wyatt received an important command in the king's army, with 
 license to keep twenty men in livery. 2 
 
 In February and March of the year 1535 an interesting cor- 
 respondence appears to have taken place, traces of which are 
 found in the form of three letters still existing among the State 
 Papers. This correspondence is in regard to the bestowal of 
 the stewardship of Westmalling Abbey, then vacant through the 
 death of the former incumbent. This stewardship must have 
 been a profitable holding ; for the vacant office seems to have 
 been coveted by several gentlemen of note. Most prominent 
 among the applicants were Richard Cromwell, kinsman of 
 Henry's minister, and Thomas Wyatt, whose suit received the 
 favor and support of the king. There was, moreover, a third 
 claimant, Sir Edward Wotton, who, by right of a former pro- 
 mise made by the abbess, received, and for a short time at 
 
 1 Sonnet : " Ye that in love ..." Nott, p. 5; Aid. ed., p. 5. 
 
 2 Calendar of State Papers, vii. 922 (17). Thomas Wiatt, esquire of 
 the Royal Body. Grant for life of the conduct and command of all men 
 able for war in the seven hundreds of co. Kent, the parishes of Ten- 
 derden, Gowderst, Stapleherst, and in the Isle of Oxney, Kent ; with 
 license to have twenty men in his livery. Del. Wcstm., 23 June, 26 
 Hen. VIII. 
 
2 6 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 least held, the office ; but fearful of bringing down upon his own 
 head the displeasure of the minister, he seems to have surren- 
 dered his patent and to have joined the rest in urging Wyatt's 
 suit upon the abbess, Cromwell meanwhile having naturally 
 withdrawn that of his nephew. The abbess appears to have 
 been incorrigible, however, with fear of neither king nor min- 
 ister before her eyes ; and as to the actual result of the matter, 
 the correspondence gives no light. The first letter in the series 
 is addressed to Thos. Wyat, Esq., by Eliz. Rede, abbess of 
 Mailing. In it the abbess says: — 
 
 " I have received the King's letter for you to be high steward of 
 our house. Half a year ago I promised it to Sir Thos. Wil- 
 loughby for his son, after the death of master Fisher. I have 
 also received a letter from Mr. Secretary for a kinsman of his 
 (Ric. Cromwell), and have informed him of my promise, and also 
 that if Sir Thos. Willoughby is contented to absolve me, Mr. 
 Secretary shall have it. Sir Thos. Nevill has also written to me 
 to have the said office for himself, and I have promised that if he 
 can obtain the favor of master Secretary and Mr. Willoughby, he 
 shall have it. If I had known the King's pleasure before, you 
 should have had it." Westmallyng, Feb. 20, 1535. 1 
 
 The second letter (dated Bocton Malherbe, Saturday, Feb. 
 27, 1535 2 ) is from Sir Edw. Wotton to Cromwell. In this 
 letter Sir Edward remonstrates against Cromwell's urging him 
 by his letters to resign his patent of the stewardship of the 
 Abbey of Mailing, the king having written to the abbess in 
 favor of Master Thomas Wyatt. The grant he obtained under 
 the convent seal " was in fulfillment of a promise of the Abbess 
 many years past." 
 
 The third letter, likewise from Sir Edw. Wotton to Cromwell, 
 is of special interest, not only as throwing a side-light upon 
 men and manners of that day, but as revealing something of 
 Wyatt's position at Court, and attesting Cromwell's friendship 
 and the favor of the king. It contains the following : — 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, viii. 249. 2 Ibid , viii. 275. 
 
AXD HIS POEMS. 
 
 27 
 
 "On my return home I went to Mailing to the Abbess, and de- 
 clared your great displeasure towards her for her late demeanor 
 to the King and you touching the high stewardship of her house, 
 and that you would make shortly more plainly to appear to her. 
 1 told her I could reckon no way of help unless .she would make a 
 new patent of the office under her convent seal to Master Wyatt, 
 and send it to you with mine, that Wyat might see it was can- 
 celled. I offered to restore mine to her, on which she said that 
 if I would so do she would cancel it before my face, but she would 
 make no promise to Wyat. I told her that I only resigned on 
 condition that she would give it to Wyat, and recover your fa- 
 vour, and that she must think me of very mean wit if I would 
 relinquish my hold after this sort, — only that I saw more danger 
 to her than commodity to myself by keeping it. Not being able 
 to discover her determination, except that she would write to you, 
 I left my patent with her and departed, not a little in her displea- 
 sure. She said she might have bestowed it upon others, who 
 would ' much better have shifted therewith ' than I have done. 
 Thus I have lost an office with the thanks of neither party. Be- 
 seeching you to continue good master to me." Bocton Malherbe, 
 6 March, 1535. 1 
 
 What delicious character-painting this is ! In the background 
 looms the iron will of Cromwell, which the politic knight is 
 shrewd to see and dread. How expressive is that phrase : 
 * your displeasure . . . that you would make shortly more 
 plainly to appear to her ! " And yet, with no evidence to the 
 contrary, who knows but that this exasperating lady had her 
 way, and baffled king, minister, and all ! Wyatt himself refers 
 to the matter so late as June, 1537, in a way to indicate that the 
 affair was not even then agreed upon. The reference occurs 
 in a letter written to Cromwell just as Wyatt is on the point of 
 embarking at Hythe on his way to Spain. He says : — 
 
 ". . . I humbly recommend unto you my matter of Mallyng, in 
 which I found at the King's hands so good inclination that I am 
 glad of the hope that I have, which is, that it is in your hands." 2 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, viii. 349. 
 
 2 This letter is printed in the Aid. ed., p. xxiii. 
 
28 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 In this same letter Wyatt seems to speak as though the office 
 were really his, declaring that the value of the holding is scarcely 
 forty pounds a year to him ; but the reference is obscure, and 
 some other property may be meant. A search among the De- 
 crees of the Court of Augmentations and through both sets of 
 Conventual Leases fails to bring to light any enrolment of the 
 deed which would presumably have been made by the abbess 
 and convent, in case the office had been conferred upon the 
 poet. 
 
 In July of the same year, 1535, Wyatt leased for a term of 
 eighty years the estate in Yorkshire known as Aryngden Park. 1 
 
 The year 1536 was an important one in Wyatt's life. It was 
 the year of the trial and execution of Anne Boleyn ; it was also 
 the year of the great revolt under Lord Darcy and Lord Hussey 
 in the North. Above all, it was the year in which Cromwell's 
 policy of making the king's will absolute and supreme rapidly 
 approached consummation. When we proceed to consider the 
 life of a public man of that day, — a man of noble family, a 
 courtier, — it is in a measure necessary to give at least a glance 
 to the political history of the time. The principal events of 
 Henry's reign are tolerably familiar. The decade just completed 
 had been signalized by the long, persistent clamoring for the 
 king's divorce ; the cruel treatment of Queen Catharine had 
 been followed by the rise of the Boleyns and the brilliant exal- 
 tation of Henry's new favorite. The great cardinal had fallen, 
 and the iron power of the new minister griped harder and harder 
 every day. A certain stage in the development of Cromwell's 
 policy was noted by the death of Bishop Fisher and of Sir 
 Thomas More, who had just perished on the scaffold. These 
 were among the more conspicuous events which had marked 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, viii. 1158 (16). Thos. Wyatt. Lease 
 for 80 years of all messuages, lands, woods, etc., in Heptonstall and 
 Sourbye, in the parish of Halliffax, Yorks., which were in the time of 
 Ric. duke of York, 30 Henry VI., and long before, enclosed with hedges 
 and pales for keeping deer, and now commonly called Aryngden Park. 
 
 Riding, 9 July, 27 Hen. VIII. Del. Westm., 11 July. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 29 
 
 the years of the decade now closing ; but aside from these ex- 
 ternal facts, others, perhaps more momentous, were just tran- 
 spiring. The rise of the new learning had been inaugurated 
 and advanced by men like Erasmus, Colet, and More. The 
 new ideas which had had their birth in the work of Luther had 
 been steadily permeating the English folk. Forces partly con- 
 cealed, but long fermenting, were approaching their develop- 
 ment. It was this secret working in the hearts of men that was 
 more worthy to be, and more truly was, the germ of the English 
 Reformation than were the extreme ideas of an absolutist like 
 Cromwell, or the lust of a selfish, passionate king like Henry. 
 
 In Germany, Henry's name was held in detestation by the 
 Lutherans, because of the transparent shallowness of his Protes- 
 tantism ; at home he had alienated the sympathies of the people 
 at large through his cruelty to Catharine and the shamelessness 
 of his relations with Anne Boleyn. All classes were disaffected. 
 During the brief period of prosperity following Anne's marriage 
 to the king it was hardly safe for the new queen to appear out- 
 side the palace-gates, so bitter was the feeling of the common 
 people towards her. On one occasion previous to the marriage, 
 she had been attacked by a mob of London women seven or 
 eight thousand strong, who would have killed her if they had 
 succeeded in the attempt to make her prisoner. This feeling 
 was as strong against the king as against his mistress, and was 
 not confined to the commons ; many of Henry's nobles were 
 ripe for treason, and there was a spirit of sullen opposition to 
 the will of the king which made rebellion probable, and even 
 encouraged a plan of invasion from abroad which was to end 
 in the establishment of a foreign power upon the English throne. 
 Such a state of affairs called for prompt and vigorous measures, 
 and the measures which Cromwell chose to wield were speedily 
 at hand. The country was filled with spies ; the gibbet gave 
 place only to the block. The historian Green characterizes the 
 years of Cromwell's administration as the one period in English 
 history which deserves the name given to the rule of Robespierre : 
 
$ • SIX THOMAS IVY ATT 
 
 "It was the English Terror." "So vigilant" was Cromwell, as 
 Cranmer pleaded afterwards to the king, " so vigilant to preserve 
 your majesty from all treasons." Treasons there were, but it is 
 surprising that they were so few. It is of such a policy that treason 
 is bred ; but, as it was, there were more rebellious thoughts than 
 found expression in open action. The nobles were for the most 
 part too firmly united in their sovereign to break their allegiance 
 to him. 1 
 
 Through all the commotion and excitement of those years 
 the Wyatts, father and son, retained the confidence of Henry, 
 and stood firm in their loyal devotion to him. That the work- 
 ing of the under-current was not without effect upon the younger 
 man, is apparent in all the productions of the years which follow ; 
 and it is for this reason that we have dealt thus at length with a 
 subject which is of great importance for understanding the devel- 
 opment of the poet's character and work. The year 1536 was 
 the turning-point in Wyatt's life. He was but thirty-three years 
 of age ; but from now on, his writings become more and more 
 deeply tinged with the sober shades born of experience and 
 reflection. It was impossible for a mind like his, — a mind so 
 responsive to the charms of the new learning, — to pass through 
 the troubled times of which we speak without profoundly realiz- 
 ing the uncertainty of fortune and the vanity of human success. 
 He was not deaf to the utterances of the still voices of the 
 time ; but their commands for him did not conflict with his 
 duty to the king. No thought of disloyalty could occur to 
 him. It was — 
 
 " My King, my country, alone for whom I live," 2 
 
 that he sang when leaving Spain for his native land, in 1539. 
 He was the zealous servant of the king, and even retained the 
 friendship of Cromwell to the end. 
 
 1 In connection with this section see Green's Short History of the 
 English People, ch. vi. sect. vi. 
 
 2 Nott's ed., p. 71. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 3] 
 
 This change in the tone of Wyatt's poems, to which reference 
 has been made above, was a perfectly natural one ; if it came 
 earlier in his life, or was more marked at that age, than is usual, 
 the reason is to be found in the impressive Lessons of the day 
 and place in which he lived. The change was not due, as some 
 of his biographers have argued, to the sombre thoughts and 
 troubled conscience aroused by the pitiful end of Anne Boleyn. 
 Regarding the relationship which had existed between the young 
 courtier-poet and Catharine's fair maid of honor, much has 
 been said and very little really known. Certain allusions in the 
 love-poems make it pretty evident that on the poet's side, at 
 least, some real affection for the lady had existed ; as to the 
 nature and reliability of these allusions, we shall be better able 
 to form a judgment in that part of our essay devoted to the 
 interpretation of the poems, which is to follow. 
 
 Wyatt's name has been connected with the record of Anne 
 Boleyn's trial and condemnation. It is well known that he was 
 a prisoner in the Tower during the period of Anne's confine- 
 ment ; he himself alludes to this imprisonment in his oration 
 before the judges at his trial in 1541. The precise nature of 
 his offence is unknown ; Wyatt, in the reference just noted, says 
 that it was a matter between himself and the Duke of Suffolk. 1 
 Whatever the charge, it is evident that the matter caused little 
 anxiety to Wyatt's father, and that the poet's innocence was 
 soon satisfactorily established. There is a letter of Henry's, di- 
 rected to Archdeacon Pate, then ambassador to the emperor, 
 bearing date of April 25, 1536, and subscribed with the words 
 " end J by Wyat" a If Wyatt, therefore, enjoyed the confidence of 
 the king sufficiently to be employed by him at that date to perform 
 the duties of a secretary, it is evident that the cause of his im- 
 prisonment must have rested upon some evidence unexpectedly 
 discovered, or on some outbreak of sudden passion at a later 
 provocation. 
 
 1 Wyatt's Defence : Nott, p. 299; Aid. ed., p. Ixxxvi. 
 
 2 Calendar of State Papers, x. 726. 
 
32 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Upon the 7th of May Sir Henry sent a letter to his son, in 
 which reference is made to the treason with which George 
 Boleyn, Norris, Weston, and the others were accused, and 
 urges his son to give the king due attendance night and day. 1 
 He does not write as though Wyatt were as yet under arrest, 
 — at least he was not then aware of it, — nor as if suspicion in 
 any way inculpated his son in the charge upon which the others 
 were arraigned. On the nth of May Sir Henry Wyatt writes 
 to Cromwell, having heard the day before by a letter from the 
 minister the news of his son's arrest. In this letter of Wyatt's 
 father's there is nothing to suggest the existence of a serious 
 charge ; Sir Henry speaks of his son's deliverance as a thing of 
 the near future, and asks Cromwell to admonish him to fly vice 
 and to serve God better. 2 Under date of June 14 there is a 
 second letter from Sir Henry to the minister, in which refer- 
 ence is made to Wyatt's release, which appears to have just oc- 
 curred. Here also his father writes as if Wyatt's offence were 
 of the nature of a quarrel, rather than aught against the king's 
 security. 3 
 
 In addition to these private notes there is a document of 
 greater historical interest, in which some reference to the poet's 
 present experience occurs. This is a paper drawn up for Crom- 
 well's benefit, in which Sir William Kyngston, Keeper of the 
 Tower, describes the speech and behavior of Anne Boleyn 
 while a prisoner under his charge. This MS. is badly mutilated, 
 and it is unfortunately impossible to say with any certainty in 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, x. 819. Sir Hen. Wiat to his son Thos. 
 Wiat. Considers himself most unfortunate that he can not go nor ride 
 without danger to his life, or do his duty to the King in this danger- 
 ous time that his Grace has suffered by false traitors. Desires his son 
 to give the King due attendance night and day. " I pray to God give 
 him grace long to be with him and about him that hath found out this 
 matter [Cromwell ?], which hath been given him of God, and the false 
 traitors to be punished according to justice to the example of others." 
 Allington, May 7, 1536. 
 
 2 Ibid., 840 (printed in Aid. ed., p. xx). 
 
 3 Ibid., x. 1131 (printed in Aid. ed , p. xxi). 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 33 
 
 what connection the references to Wyatt occur. 1 Kyngston 
 evidently informs the queen of the cause of Wyatt's imprison- 
 ment ; and the mutilation makes a provoking break in the nar- 
 rative. One is indeed tempted to complete the defective lines, 
 — perhaps to the effect that Wyatt struck "one [with] his fist the 
 other day and is here now but ma[ny think he will soon be 
 pardoned]." Anne jokes further on because the male prisoners 
 have no one to make their beds, suggesting that they might 
 make ballads at least ; and both Anne and Mistress Kyngston 
 agree that Master Wyatt is the one to do this. There is, so 
 far as we can see, no hint that the charges upon which Anne 
 and the poet were respectively arraigned were in any way 
 connected. 
 
 If we possessed no other data than the letters and the paper 
 just referred to, we might dismiss the question of Wyatt's offence 
 as settled ; but the suspicions aroused by his imprisonment at 
 just this time, and his earlier intimate relations with Anne Loleyn, 
 are strengthened by the discovery of certain letters written by a 
 courtier of the time. Again we have recourse to the correspon- 
 dence of Lord Lisle, still deputy of Calais. The writer of the 
 letters is one John Hussey, a gentleman of Henry's court ; he 
 probably reflects the impression of his associates. The first of 
 these letters, under date of London, May 12, 1536, contains the 
 following : — 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, x. 79S. Sir Wm. Kyngston to Cromwell, 
 r badly mutilated, concerning the speech and behaviour of Anne, 
 then a prisoner in the Tower.) [Extracts therefrom.] 
 
 . sent for me and sayd, I here say my Lord my • • . here; it ys 
 trowth, sayd I. I am very glad, sayd s[he] . . . bothe be so i\y to gether, 
 hyr here was . . . Weston and Prerton, and she made very 
 gud countenans ... I also sayd Mr. Page and Wyet wase mo than she 
 sayd he ha . . . one hys fyst tother day and ys here now bot ma . . . 
 I shalle desyre you to bayre a letter from me . . . [to master] Secretary 
 . . . [-h]e hathe asked my wyfe whether hony body makes theyr beddes, 
 [and m]y wyf ansured and sayd, Nay, I warant you; then she sayplj 
 [thejy myght make balettes well now, bot there ys non bot . . . de that 
 can do it. Yese sayd my wyf. Master Wyett by . . . sayd trew." [Writ- 
 ten in May, 1536.] 
 
 3 
 
34 
 
 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 "... Today Mr. Norreys, Weston, Bryerton, and Markes 
 have been arraigned, and are judged to be drawn, hanged, and 
 quartered. They shall die tomorrow or Monday. Anne the 
 queen, and her brother, shall be arraigned in the Tower, some 
 think tomorrow, but on Monday at the furthest, and that they 
 will suffer there immediately 'for divers considerations, which are 
 not yet known.' Mr. Payge and Mr. W[y]at are in the Tower, 
 but it is thought without danger of life, though Mr. Payge is ban- 
 ished the King's court for ever." 1 
 
 Upon the 1 3th May, Hussey again writes : — 
 
 "Here are so many tales I cannot tell what to write. This day, 
 some say, young Weston shall escape, and some that none shall 
 die but the Queen and her brother; others, that Wyat and Mr. 
 Payge are as like to suffer as the others. The saying now is that 
 those who shall suffer shall die when the Queen and her brother 
 go to execution ; but I think they shall all suffer. If any escape 
 it will be young Weston, for whom importunate suit is made." 2 
 
 Writing again to Lord Lisle, on the 19th May, Hussey says : 
 
 " Lord Rocheford, Mr. Norreys, Bruriton, Weston, and Markes 
 suffered with the axe on the scaffold at Tower Hill on Wednes- 
 day the 17th, and died very charitably. The Queen suffered with; 
 sword this day within the Tower, upon a new scaffold, and died 
 boldly. . . . Mr. Payge and Mr. Wyat remain in the Tower." 3 
 
 Upon the same day he writes to Lady Lisle : — 
 
 " Mr. Paige and young Wyat are in the Tower. What shall 
 become of them God best knoweth." 4 
 
 From this correspondence it will be seen that Wyatt's con- 
 nection with the other offenders was generally taken for granted 
 by the circle which Hussey represents. This supposition is stif 
 more clearly expressed in a note from Chapuis, the Austriai: 
 ambassador, to the English ambassador, resident at Vienna ( 
 wherein he says : — 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, x. 855. 3 Ibid., 919. 
 
 2 Ibid., 865. 4 ibid., 920. 
 
AND JUS POEMS. 
 
 35 
 
 "There are still two gentlemen [Wyatt and Page] detained on 
 her [Anne's] account.'* 1 
 
 This letter also bears date of 19th May. 
 
 That botli these gentlemen were in error in regard to the 
 nature of the charge upon which Wyatt was imprisoned, is not 
 beyond the limits of possibility. It was a time of excitement 
 and suspicion. There must have been a thousand rumors in the 
 air. Hussey says : "Here are so many talcs I cannot tell what 
 to write ; " and the fact of Wyatt's sudden arrest, occurring 
 simultaneously with that of the alleged conspirators, would natu- 
 rally give rise to such conjectures, whether true or false. What- 
 ever the charge or the offence, the matter was soon settled, and 
 by the 14th June, as we have already seen, Wyatt had his 
 liberty. 
 
 Here our original investigations must for the present end, as 
 the publication of the " Calendars," naturally a work of time, 
 reaches (July, 1888) only as far as vol. x. 
 
 From Wyatt's statement in the oration already cited, we learn 
 that he was appointed to a command in the army under the 
 Duke of Norfolk, and ordered into Lancashire to oppose the 
 rising under Lord Darcy. This appointment he received soon 
 after his acquittal of the charges on which he had been im- 
 prisoned, and seems designedly to attest the continuance of 
 Henry's favor and his unbroken confidence and esteem. In the 
 following year Wyatt was appointed high sheriff of Kent " for a 
 special confidence in such a busy time." 2 
 
 There is considerable uncertainty as to when Wyatt received 
 the honor of knighthood. Nott says in 1536, and quotes the 
 Cotton MS. and an entry in Heralds' College, in the following 
 note : — 
 
 ' : Sir Thomas Wyatt was dubbed Knight on Easter-day, iSth of 
 March, 1536. Cotton MS. Claudius, C. Hi. In the Heralds' Col- 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, x. 9x59 (taken from the Vienna Archives''. 
 8 Wyatt's Defence : Nott, p. 300; Aid. ed., p. lxxxvii. 
 
36 SSX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 lege is this notice : Partition of the Knights' money. Sir Thomas 
 Wyatt and Sir William Weste xxxv s. to the King at Arms v s. 
 and to the Heralds us. 6d. Anno H. VHI.xxvii. at Westminster. 
 Item, To Mr. Garter, for registring of the said Knights, Sir Thomas 
 Wyatt and Sir William Weste, iiii s." J 
 
 But the editor of the Aldine edition quotes the entry in the 
 Cotton MS. thus : — 
 
 " Sir Thomas Wyatt, dubbed on Easterday anno 28, the 18 [28] 
 day of March, 1536." 2 
 
 Now " anno 28 " would indicate the year 1537, not 1536, as 
 Henry began to reign April 22, 1509, and March of 1536 would 
 fall in cifino 27 of Henry's reign. 
 
 Moreover Easter fell on the 16th April in 1536, and not in 
 March, as the record seems to assert. It is strange, too, if 1536 
 be the correct date of this event, that Wyatt receives no title 
 other than " master " or " esquire " in any of the papers of that 
 year. The earliest writing found as yet in which the title of 
 "knight" is employed happens to be a letter of Cromwell's 
 dated 6th of June, — not the 29th of June, as the editor of the 
 Aldine edition states, — 1537. 3 It is more than probable that 
 Wyatt received the honor shortly before starting on his mission 
 to Spain, in the early part of 1537. He is still designated as 
 " esquire," even in the paper of instructions given by the king 
 immediately before his departure. 4 
 
 Sir Thomas Wyatt served his king as resident ambassador at 
 the Court of Charles V. in Spain from June in 1537 until June 
 or July of 1539. During this period of two years it is possible 
 that he made one or more journeys to England in order to lay 
 certain matters of superior importance more clearly before his 
 master. The object of his mission was to pacify the emperor, 
 who was more or less exasperated by the treatment to which his 
 aunt, Queen Catharine, had been subjected, and also to lessen, 
 
 1 Nott, p. xxviii, foot-note. 3 Nott, p 324. 
 
 2 Aid. ed., p. xxiii. 4 Ibid., p. 312. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 37 
 
 if he might, the likelihood of Charles's espousing the cause of 
 Mary, and advancing her claim to the throne of England. 
 
 The leading events in Wyatt's life while on this embassy are 
 so well known as to call for little remark here. For Wyatt per- 
 sonally, the coming of the two special envoys, Haynes and Bon- 
 ner, in May of 1538, was destined to affect in an unexpected 
 and troublesome manner the circumstances of his later life. 
 Not only did their conduct there embarrass him in the accom- 
 plishment of his mission, but, instigated by spite or envy, certain 
 charges were perpetrated by P>onner against the poet, criticising 
 severely Wyatt's conduct, and reflecting upon his honor and his 
 loyalty. The negotiations with the emperor, while unsuccessful 
 in the main, were nevertheless so conducted by Wyatt as to win 
 Henry's approbation and substantial expression of his approval. 
 From the correspondence still preserved we gather that Crom- 
 well was at this time the best friend that Wyatt had. He looked 
 with considerable care after the property of the absent ambas- 
 sador, who seems to have left his private affairs in some con- 
 fusion, and at the same time he assisted Wyatt very materially 
 by his recommendations to the king. In February of 1539 
 Cromwell writes to him that he has procured for the poet grant 
 of the Friary of Alresford, 1 — this occurring on the dissolution of 
 the monasteries. One of Cromwell's letters, written in January 
 of the same year, 1539, permits a new glimpse of Wyatt's char- 
 acter too important to be overlooked. Promising to remit 
 money as he may need, the minister accompanies his promise 
 with a mild rebuke, advising him " nevertheless, that I think 
 your gentle frank heart doth much impoverish you. When you 
 have money you are content to depart with it and lend it, as you 
 did lately two hundred ducats to Mr. Plobby, the which I think 
 had no need of them ; for he had large furnishment of money 
 at his departure hence, and likewise at his return." a 
 
 A certain remark of Wyatt's own, with a bearing on his ex- 
 perience in Spain, is also of sufficient importance to demand a 
 
 1 Nott, p. 345. 2 Ibid., p. 344 ; Aid. cd., p. xxix. 
 
33 
 
 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 place. At a later time, defending himself against the imputation 
 cast by Bonner upon the sincerity of his religious professions, 
 Wyatt says : — ■ 
 
 "What men judge of me abroad, this may be a great token, that 
 the King's Majesty and his Council know what hazard I was in in 
 Spain with the Inquisition, only by speaking against the Bishop of 
 Rome, where peradventure Bonner would not have bid such a 
 brunt. The Emperor had much ado to save me, and yet that made 
 me not to hold my peace, when I might defend the King's deed 
 against him, and improve his naughtiness." 1 
 
 It must be noted, too, that during the latter part of his stay 
 abroad Wyatt was full of longing to return to England. He 
 realized the futility of his efforts with the emperor, was per- 
 plexed by complications in his private affairs, and was fully con- 
 scious of the ill-will of Bonner, and of the existence of the latter's 
 charges, which might prove of great annoyance and peril to him. 
 In addition to these embarrassments, Wyatt was called upon to 
 mourn the loss of his father ; and the impression made upon the 
 poet by his death we have already seen reflected in the letter to 
 his son. 
 
 Upon Wyatt's return to England in July of 1539 he at once 
 demanded an investigation of the charges preferred against him. 
 Cromwell, however, assured him that such an investigation had 
 been already made, and the whole matter dismissed as trivial 
 and without foundation. Sir Thomas was now permitted to 
 return to his home at Arlington, where he busied himself with 
 family concerns and the improvement of his estate. But he was 
 not permitted long to enjoy the seclusion of domestic life. 
 Towards the end of 1539 Charles V. made a journey to the 
 Netherlands, passing through France upon his way. To Henry 
 it was a matter of prime importance to be informed of all that 
 might occur upon this progress, for he was suspicious of the 
 emperor's designs, and more or less in fear of his future move- 
 ments. It became necessary, therefore, to appoint some person 
 
 1 Wyatt's Defence : Nott, p. 294 ; Aid. ed., p. lxxx. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 39 
 
 of unusual foresight and experience, who. in the character of 
 special envoy, should carefully watch the progress of events 
 and report to Henry even' fact of interest that might happen. 
 For a mission of this character no one among Henry's courtiers 
 was better qualified than Sir Thomas Wyatt Admirably equipped 
 with the insight into Charles's character gained by him when res- 
 ident at the Spanish Court, and with the additional advantage of 
 possessing the esteem and friendship of the emperor, Wyatt was 
 appointed to this new post of honor and of difficulty, and entered 
 immediately upon the fulfilment of its duties. 
 
 He arrived at Paris in November. Thence he proceeded to 
 Blois. where he obtained an interview with Francis, and then 
 hastened to join the emperor, December ioth, at Chaterault. 
 In January the Imperial Court was at Paris ; thence it removed 
 to Brussels. In March and April Wyatt was with the emperor 
 at Client. In May, after having repeatedly solicited his own 
 recall, he was allowed to return to England. Again Sir Thomas 
 was received with tokens of royal approbation, and we have no 
 cause for doubting that the king was satisfied with the way in 
 which the mission had been performed. Wyatt's correspon- 
 dence while absent on this embassy has been preserved, 1 and 
 his official letters to Cromwell and to Henry afford unusually 
 interesting reading. He describes minutely his interviews with 
 king and emperor, remarks with sagacity upon the political 
 situation, and tells his story withal in a way which adds the 
 charm of personality to the value which the papers would other- 
 wise possess historically. A study of this correspondence leaves 
 no doubt as to Wyatt's eminent qualifications for this mission, 
 and e>tal>lishes his unusual ability in diplomatic service. 
 
 It was in May of the year 1540 that Wyatt arrived once more 
 in England. In about a month came the downfall of the pow- 
 erful minister, Wyatt's good friend, Cromwell. It was not un- 
 expected. It is a singular fact that Cromwell had himself 
 warned his friends of the ruin which he, as clearly as any one, 
 
 1 Printed by Nott in his appendix. 
 
4 q SIX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 saw approaching ; and it is not at all unlikely that this foreboding 
 of a coming danger was one reason for Wyatt's persistency in 
 pressing for his recall from France. There was indeed ground 
 for disquietude, for the party which had overthrown the minister 
 would naturally direct their hostility further, and perhaps attack 
 the fallen statesman's friends, among whom Wyatt was con- 
 spicuous. We have already had occasion to note the friendly 
 services which Cromwell had often tendered him. His letters 
 to the absent ambassador are always full of kindly feeling, which 
 finds expression in spite of the official nature of the papers. 
 It is to " my very loving friend " that these documents are 
 addressed, and in like fashion subscribed. In fact Cromwell 
 had ever been "good lord" to Wyatt, as the expression ran, 
 and it was not improbable that the ruin of his powerful patron 
 might involve his own. 
 
 Whether Wyatt anticipated it or not, he was now exposed to 
 real and serious danger. His old enemy Bonner had been 
 made bishop of London, and was therefore in a position to 
 renew the old animosity and to prosecute his revengeful plans. 
 This he did ; and the former allegations against Wyatt's loyalty 
 were once more trumped forth. In spite of the complete 
 acquittal in which the previous investigation had resulted, 
 Henry, ever suspicious of the faithfulness of any subject, lent 
 his ear to the bishop's representations and had the knight 
 arrested and imprisoned in the Tower. Such undeserved treat- 
 ment and apparent ingratitude on his sovereign's part were not 
 without effect on Wyatt's spirit. As he wrote in the verses 
 addressed to Sir Francis Bryan, 1 and as he declared in his 
 speech before the judges, 2 though the wound might in time be 
 healed, a cruel scar would always remain to show the depth of 
 his hurt. 
 
 Wyatt was thrown into the Tower about the beginning of 
 1 541, but it was several months before he was brought to trial. 
 
 1 Nott, p. 72; Aid. ed., p. 174. 
 
 2 Nott, p. 292 ; Aid. ed., p. lxxvii. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 4I 
 
 The charges lodged by Bonner two or three years before had 
 been originally presented in a letter to Cromwell written while 
 Bonner was at Blois, and bearing date of 2d September, 153N. 1 
 Herein were set forth ten articles, comprising various trivial 
 attacks upon the ambassador's character both in private life and 
 in the discharge of public- duty ; certain remarks were quoted, 
 construed to imply disloyalty to the king; moreover com- 
 plaints were made of the mistreatment which Bonner fancied 
 he himself had experienced at Wyatt's hands. In addition to 
 this collection of insinuations, VVyatt was alleged to have carried 
 on a treasonable correspondence with Reginald Pole, an English- 
 man of the highest family, a grandson of the Duke of Clarence, 
 who, because of his hostility to the project of Henry's divorce, 
 had been obliged to flee from England and take refuge in Rome, 
 where he had been made cardinal by the pope. 
 
 In accordance with the custom of that day, the accused was 
 requested by the Privy Council to draw up in writing a de- 
 fence, setting forth and explaining, for the establishment of his 
 own innocence, all the incidents occurring while on his embassy 
 in Spain which might be construed as evidence of treason. He 
 remained in ignorance of the specific charges lodged against 
 him ; he must answer blindfolded, in a sense, yet so clearly and 
 so conclusively, and with such exactness, as to remove all doubt 
 of innocence. This dubious command Wyatt obeyed at once, 
 skilfully, and apparently with success. 2 The formal trial fol- 
 lowed, and Wyatt was brought before his judges. He was 
 allowed neither counsel nor witnesses, nor permitted to cross- 
 examine his accusers. In a single speech he was obliged to 
 refute all allegations and to remove from the minds of the 
 council the misconception and prejudice which Bonner might 
 have succeeded in arousing. Wyatt was in a difficult case ; but 
 he was equal to the occasion. Never did a man under accu- 
 sation of high crimes plead his cause with greater vigor or more 
 successfully. Not content with a complete refutation of Bonner's 
 
 1 Aid. ed.. p. xxxv. - Nott, p. 277 ; Aid. ed., p. lxi. 
 
42 SIX THOMAS IVY ATT 
 
 scandalous charges, he proceeded further to unmask his ac- 
 cuser's character, and attacked him in turn with such keenness 
 and such humor that he not only procured a triumphant ac- 
 quittal by his masterly defence, but heaped confusion on his 
 adversary, and at the same time won new fame as a man of 
 letters. 1 
 
 The trial took place probably in June ; in the course of the 
 following month the king bestowed upon the poet a grant of 
 lands in Lambeth, and in the early part of 1542 made him high 
 steward of the manor of Maidstone, also granting him estates 
 in Dorsetshire and Somersetshire in exchange for others of less 
 value in Kent. 2 
 
 Wyatt was now once more living in retirement at his pleasant 
 home of Allington ; and here he evidently hoped to spend the 
 remainder of his days in the enjoyment of those quiet delights 
 which he pictures in the Satires. He had had enough of the 
 life at Court, and could rightly estimate the doubtful happiness 
 and vain security of those who — 
 
 " Stand . . . upon the slipper top 
 Of high estate." 
 
 Of his occupation during this period of his life he writes 
 thus to his friend John Poins : — 
 
 " This maketh me at home to hunt and hawk ; 
 And in foul weather at my book to sit ; 
 In frost and snow, then with my bow to stalk : 
 No man doth mark whereso I ride or go : 
 In lusty leas at liberty I walk; 
 And of these news I feel nor weal, nor woe. 1 ' 3 
 
 Part of the poet's leisure was devoted to the education of his 
 sister's son, Henry Lee. This was also the period of the para- 
 phrase of the Penitential Psalms, which seems to Dr. Nott's mind 
 
 1 Nott, p. 284 ; Aid. ed., p. lxix. 
 
 2 Hutchins's Dorsetshire, i. 189 ; Aid. ed , p. xliv. 
 
 3 Nott's ed., p. 90; Aid. ed., p. 193. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. ^ 
 
 " written not as an exercise of his skill as a poet, but to express 
 a Christian's sorrow for the levities and errors of his youth," ' 
 — a surmise far-fete lied, to say the least. That Wyatt's mind 
 should be sobered and deeply impressed by the circumstances 
 of the years in which he lived, was to be expected ; and that, 
 with these impressions quickened by the recent peril from which 
 he had but just emerged, he should derive comfort and satis- 
 faction from a work like this, need not seem surprising, lint 
 it was no act of penitence, or of penance, any more than in the 
 case of Surrey, who paraphrased Ecclesiastes and several of the 
 Psalms of David; or of those French poets — almost, if not 
 quite, contemporaries — who turned their talents in the same 
 direction. 
 
 In the autumn of 1542 ambassadors from Charles V. arrived 
 in England, and Wyatt was at once commissioned by the king 
 to meet the envoys at Falmouth for the purpose of conducting 
 them to London. The performance of this honorable service 
 cost the poet his life. The weather was bad, and Wyatt, in his 
 zeal, had overheated himself by rapid riding. He fell sick of 
 a fever while resting at Sherborne ; the fever took a malignant 
 turn, and after a few days' illness Wyatt died. A friend of the 
 poet's, by the name of Horsey, who lived in the neighborhood 
 of Sherborne, had hastened to his bedside at the first news of 
 Wyatt's sickness, and it was by the hands of this friend that the 
 last offices for the dead knight were performed. On the nth 
 October, 1542, Wyatt's remains were laid in the vault of the 
 Horsey family, in the great church at Sherborne ; but no in- 
 scription remains to tell us precisely where the poet lies. 
 
 Numerous epitaphs from the pens of contemporary writers 
 give proof of the general esteem and appreciation with which 
 Wyatt's character and services were regarded. Most notable 
 of these, perhaps, were a short poetic tribute from the poet 
 Surrey, and a Latin elegy from the hand of Sir John Mason, — 
 the latter a friend of the poet, and himself a noted scholar and 
 
 1 Nutt, p. lxviii. 
 
 
 calii- 
 
4 4 SIX THOMAS IVY ATT 
 
 writer. Without attempting even a brief summary of these ex- 
 pressions of commendation and regret, it may suffice to say 
 that all unite especially in praise of Wyatt's frank and generous 
 spirit, and of the strong integrity of his manly character. 
 
 In his person Wyatt was tall and handsome, with a com- 
 manding presence. From his boyhood he was noted for cour- 
 age and coolness, — two qualities which not only characterized 
 his after career abroad, but stood him in good stead when a 
 defendant at the bar of the Privy Council. He was a success- 
 ful courtier at a time when to retain the royal favor was a more 
 delicate business than the capture of it • but Wyatt's continu- 
 ance in the king's good grace was due rather to the transparent 
 honesty and marked ability of the man than to a succession 
 of lucky hits or to a course of systematic cunning. Wyatt was 
 sagacious and far-seeing in matters of public policy. He had 
 a keen wit, and many are the anecdotes remaining. of what 
 "Wyatt told to the king." Of special interest is it to note that 
 Sir Thomas was a man of letters ; and if little has thus far been 
 said touching this side of his career, it is because it seemed better 
 to treat of that apart, in a portion of our essay entirely devoted 
 to a consideration of the poet's work. Wyatt was remarkable for 
 linguistic attainment among the scholars of that day ; not only 
 familiar with the languages and literatures of France, Italy, and 
 Spain, he was thoroughly at home among the classic writers, and 
 was spoken of as splcndide doctus by an eminent scholar of his 
 time. That in Wyatt's character worthy of most emphatic re- 
 cognition, however, is the high ideal of life presented in all his 
 later works, and, so far as we may judge, exemplified in his own 
 career. No indecency mars his poetry ; no word of his sug- 
 gests the tolerance or the condoning of a vicious thing. He 
 honored virtue ; he loved sincerity. " If you will seem honest, 
 be honest; or else seem as you are," is the counsel he gave his 
 son ; and what he urged upon the boy, that quality his contem- 
 poraries unite in attributing to him. 
 
 Wyatt's wife, Elizabeth, survived him, and afterwards married 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 45 
 
 Sir Edward Warner. Sir Thomas left a son, known as Sir 
 Thomas Wyatt the younger. At fifteen years of age he married 
 the daughter of Sir William Hawte ; and it was at this period 
 that the two remarkable letters already quoted were addressed 
 him by his father. He became a friend and intimate of the 
 poet Surrey, and followed with distinction under his command in 
 the war with France. He evidently inherited the same bold spirit 
 and carelessness of danger which had marked his father's earlier 
 years. After the death of Edward VI. he remained an uncom- 
 promising Protestant, and during Mary's reign engaged in the 
 rash attempt to raise the Lady Jane Grey to the throne. The 
 rebellion failing, Wyatt was made prisoner, and on the nth 
 April, 1554, paid the penalty of treason at the block. With this 
 event the Wyatt family lost, for the most part, their wealth and 
 their position ; although in the reign of Elizabeth they were 
 restored to favor, and a portion of their old possessions at last 
 came back to them. 
 
paw £>econD. 
 WYATT'S POEMS. 
 
WYATT'S POEMS. 
 
 A. The Text. 
 
 IN passing from the record of Wyatt's life to a consideration 
 of his poetry it is. desirable and even necessary to glance 
 for a moment at the history and condition of the text. 
 
 With the latter part of Queen Mary's reign there came an 
 innovation into English literary circles. The poetical mis- 
 cellany arrived. These volumes of selected poems at once 
 achieved a great popularity, and edition after edition fell from 
 the press. First in point of date and of importance is the 
 collection known as Tottel's Miscellany; the first edition ap- 
 peared in June of 1557, was followed by another in the fol- 
 lowing month, and that by a third and. a fourth, and so on 
 until the book had reached its eighth edition in 15S7. This 
 volume has reappeared in the series of English Reprints edited 
 by Edward Arber. Arber's reprint of Tottel's Miscellany 
 (Birmingham, 1870) reproduces the original edition of 5th 
 June, 1557, collated with the second of 31st July, same year. 
 The Miscellany contains forty poems by Henry Howard. Marl 
 of Surrey, ninety-six by Sir Thomas Wyatt, forty from the hand 
 of Nicholas Grimald, and one hundred and thirty-four .by un- 
 certain authors. Wyatt's translation of the Penitential Psalms 
 had been published in December of 1549; but Tottel's Mis- 
 
 4 
 
50 SIX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 cellany, appearing fifteen years -subsequent to the poet's death, 
 formed the first edition of Wyatt's miscellaneous poems that 
 we possess ; and it is for this reason that Tottel's publication 
 is of special interest here. 
 
 Of the various editions of Wyatt's works appearing since 
 that day, by far the most important is that edited by the Rev. 
 G. F. Nott, D. D., forming the second volume of The Works of 
 Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, and Sir Thomas Wyatt the 
 Elder, London, iS 15-16. Dr. Nott's bulky quarto volume 
 contains an enormous mass of material zealously collected by 
 the editor, who seems to have exhausted all sources of infor- 
 mation in his day accessible. One finds here extensive extracts 
 from historical papers of special interest ; long quotations from 
 other writers contemporary with the poet ; copies of letters 
 and State documents important and necessary in the study of 
 Wyatt's life and works. The labor expended and the con- 
 scientious care exhibited are really remarkable, and call for 
 more generous recognition than has frequently been accorded. 
 Nott's work must always remain a standard book of reference 
 for those who busy themselves with the study of this poet. The 
 text which Dr. Nott has followed in his edition of Wyatt's 
 poems differs materially from that found in the Miscellany. 
 It is a text based upon the reading of certain MSS. which 
 Nott first brought to public notice, and which are especially 
 valuable in that they bring for the first time to our acquaintance a 
 considerable number of Wyatt's poems never before published. 
 
 First in importance is the so-called Harington MS., found in 
 the possession of a certain Dr. Harmgton, of Bath. " It is 
 a small folio, consisting originally of about 270 pages, some of 
 which have been torn away, and some mutilated. It was Sir 
 Thomas Wyatt's own MS., and, with the exception of a few 
 pieces, . . . contains his poems exclusively. The first part of 
 the volume, as far as page 121, was written evidently by an 
 amanuensis ; but Wyatt himself seems to have corrected care- 
 fully the whole of what had been transcribed, inserting such 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 51 
 
 lines and words as had been omitted, and frequently making 
 alterations. He has added also his name in the margin of 
 almost every page j sometimes at full length, sometimes giving 
 his Christian name, Tho : or his initials, T. V. only. The 
 pieces which follow after page 121, as far as page 207, are in 
 Sir Thomas Wyatt's own handwriting throughout, the two 
 letters from Spain excepted, which are copied into the book 
 in the handwriting of Sir Thomas Wyatt the son." l 
 
 '• All the poems are marked with numbers at the top, with 
 the word 'Enter' subjoined; as thus, ' 1. Enter.' '2. Enter,' 
 etc. The numbers go as for as six, which includes the two 
 letters from Spain. No. 5 comprehends the Satires ; and No. 
 4 the Paraphrase of the Seven Penitential Psalms, with that 
 of the 37th Psalm. The smaller pieces seem to have been 
 classed under No. 1 ; No. 2 contains the Sonnets ; and No. 3 
 the larger Odes. Such appears to have been the general prin- 
 ciple of the arrangement, which being thus systematical, was 
 made probably with a view to publication." 2 
 
 This valuable MS. came into the possession of the Harington 
 family as early as the time of Queen Elizabeth, as is proved 
 by the handwriting of Sir John Harington, which occurs fre- 
 quently in it. The MS. has had a varying history. - 
 
 A second MS. text, found in the library of the Duke of 
 Devonshire, was used by Dr. Nott in preparing his. edition. 
 This MS. is a small folio of 225 pages, containing Wyatt's poems 
 almost exclusively, and is written for the most part in one 
 handwriting with considerable care and neatness. 8 Nott con- 
 jectures that this second Wyatt MS. was the property of Wyatt's 
 sister, Margaret Lee, or of the Duchess of Richmond, the sister 
 of Surrey ; for the names of both these ladies occur in the 
 book. This MS. is of special value as containing several poems 
 found nowhere else. 4 A third MS. is obscurely referred to by 
 Dr. Nott under the title of Harington MS. No. 2 ; but he 
 specifies nothing as to its character or value. 
 
 1 Nott, Preface, i. a Ibid., iv. 3 Ibid., vii. 4 Ibid., ix. 
 
52 
 
 SIR THOMAS IVY ATT 
 
 Since the publication of Nott's quarto, in 1816, several edi- 
 tions of less note have appeared, sometimes published in con- 
 nection with the works of Surrey, sometimes forming a single 
 volume of themselves. In nearly every case the editor has 
 followed Tottel's reading, and ignored, so far as possible, the 
 text given by Dr. Nott. Among these editions are found the 
 following : — 
 
 Poetical Works of Sir Thomas Wyatt, edited by Robert Bell. 
 London, 1854. 
 
 The Aldine Edition of Wyatt's Works, edited by James 
 Yeowell. London (no date). 
 
 The Riverside Edition, published by Houghton, Mifflin, & 
 Co., Cambridge (U. S. A.), 1880. 
 
 The editions mentioned are all of the same type, and while 
 not the only ones that have appeared, have been selected as 
 more generally accessible. Bell occasionally adopts a reading 
 found in Nott, while usually preferring Tottel's text. He says : 
 
 " The general superiority of Tottel's edition consists in the 
 presentation of a more perfect metre ; and it is on that account 
 principally followed throughout." 1 
 
 The Aldine follows Tottel without variation. The Riverside 
 is practically a reprint of the Aldine. 
 
 It may be asked with reason why preference has so generally 
 been accorded by the editors to Tottel's reading when that of 
 the Harington MS. would seem to possess the superior au- 
 thority of Wyatt's ownership and correction. The answer 
 given in the remark of Bell's, which has been quoted, is insuf- 
 ficient. Smoothness of rhythm is no absolute criterion in 
 critically selecting an authoritative text. The two texts must 
 be more carefully examined and compared. 
 
 Tottel gives no information regarding the origin of his text ; 
 but from the character of its variations from the Harington, it 
 
 1 Bell's ed , p. 80 (foot-note). 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 53 
 
 may unhesitatingly be pronounced younger than the M.S. This 
 point will be again referred to further on. The differences in 
 the reading of the Miscellany and the manuscript may be clas- 
 sified as follows : — 
 
 I. Changes made for metrical purposes. Such are re-arrange- 
 ment in the order ; the addition or the omission of a syllable or 
 syllables ; the exchange of a word or words for others which fit 
 the measure better. 
 
 II. Variations in the phraseology necessitated by a change in 
 the thought interpreted. 
 
 III. The substitution of one unimportant word for another, — 
 often to be explained as an error of the copyist or printer. 
 
 In cases I. and II. the variations may prove to be the later 
 critical work of the poet himself, or they may be the result of 
 editorial revision at the time that Tottel's Miscellany was pre- 
 pared ; a third possibility remains, — that the original text became 
 corrupt while in MS. circulation before the publisher obtained 
 possession of it. Dr. Nott believes that Tottel's editor wilfully 
 falsified the text. 1 Later editors and commentators find it in- 
 credible that the poet should not himself have employed the 
 means to secure a smoother verse, if the faults were so appa- 
 rent and the remedy so easily at hand that an ordinary book- 
 publisher, fifteen years after the poet's death, should deem it 
 necessary to correct his lines, and then succeed in accomplish- 
 ing the task so well.' 2 
 
 But the matter is not so easily to be disposed of. In the first 
 place, it should not be forgotten that Wvatt fills a peculiar posi- 
 
 1 Xott, p. 537 (notes to Sonnets I., II., III.). 
 
 - Kann man sich mit Nott der Ansicht zuneigen, dass cin Dichter wic 
 Wvatt seine Verse in einer oftmals dem rhythmischen Gefiihle Hohn 
 sprechenden Form fur wiirdig erachtet habe, ihren Lauf unter der vor- 
 nehmsten Gesellschaft anzutreten, w'ahrend schon fiinfzehn Jahre nachher 
 ein gewohnlicher Buchhandler dieselben Verse so diirftig fand, dass er sie 
 nicht In unveranderter Gestalt, sondern nur iiberarbcitet und iiberpolirt 
 in seinen Band vermischtcr Gedichte aufnahm ? ! — RUDOLF Alscher: 
 Sir Thomas IVyatt, etc. ( Wiener Beitrage zur Jcut. u. eng. Philologie, 
 Heft /.), p. 49. 
 
54 
 
 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 tion in the history of the development of English poetry, which 
 none of the other prominent writers of his day can share. He 
 / was practically the first of the modern English poets ; and 
 although versed in the methods of Petrarch's art, and familiar 
 with the laws of the French and Italian schools, Wyatt was by 
 no means so exact a versemaker as other poets of his age. 
 In his earlier work: his versification is crude enough, and his 
 verses resemble those of his predecessor, S teub en Hawes, much 
 more closely than they do the smoother lines of Surrey. Even 
 in his later poems, notably in the Paraphrase of the Seven Peni- 
 tential Psalms, there is at times a rawness in his treatment of 
 metre that is positively harsh and inharmonious. Wyatt should 
 not be judged in the category with the later members of a school 
 J which he himself had in a sense founded. Any one of them, 
 perhaps, — and there was a numerous company, — possessed a 
 more delicate sense of the laws of rhythm than did he ; and 
 they were better qualified to avoid his errors, and to improve 
 upon his methods, because he had preceded them and prepared 
 the way before them. 
 
 Again, between the writing of Wyatt's love-poems and the 
 publication of Tottel's Miscellany a longer period than fifteen 
 , years had intervened. At least twenty-five years, if not more, 
 had elapsed since Wyatt wrote the earlier of his songs and son- 
 nets, in which the greater part of the variations are to be found. 
 Moreover, following Wyatt's lead, a whole company of " courtly 
 makers " had arisen, with the Earl of Surrey at their head, and 
 the average of public taste and criticism was measurably higher. 
 The pronunciation of many words, not absolutely fixed when 
 Wyatt began to write, had become settled in a generally ac- 
 cepted form, — possibly during the poet's lifetime, certainly by 
 the end of the quarter century. For example, we find in the 
 Harington MS., occurring in one of the poems preserved to us 
 in Wyatt's own handwriting, the verse, — 
 
 " You ! that in love find luck and abundance" x 
 1 Nott, p. 5. 
 
AXD HIS POEMS. 
 
 55 
 
 It is evident here that the poet accented the closing word in the 
 
 old, familiar style of Chaucer, tibial Jan \\\ with a noticeable sec- 
 ondary accent on the final syllable ; and so we have the rhyme, 
 abundance, mischance, observance, advdnce. But in TottePs 
 Miscellany we find the verse running, — 
 
 " Ye that in love find luck and sweet abundance'' l 
 
 No change was then thought necessary, however, in the accent 
 of observance. 
 
 Secondly, respecting the editorship of Tottel's Miscellany. 
 We are by no means certain that this collection of miscellaneous 
 poetry was prepared for the printer by an ordinary book-pub- 
 lisher. More than one fact points forcibly to the surmise that 
 in the editor of that volume we have to recognize a well-known 
 poet of Mary's reign ; namely, Nicholas Grimald, who was born 
 about the year 1519, and who died previous to 1562. He was 
 a contributor to the pages of the Miscellany, forty of his poems 
 appearing in the first edition. The grounds for this surmise 
 in reference to- his editing the book are, briefly, these : - — 
 
 I. Grimald had been in business relations with Tottel pre- 
 viously. In 1556 Tottel printed Grimald's translation of 
 Cicero's De Ojficiis. 
 
 II. It is probably due to the fact that Grimald was chaplain 
 to the Bishop of Ely that Tottel was able to put cum privilegio 
 on that book. 
 
 III. The only poems suppressed in the second edition of the 
 Miscellany are Grimald's own. 
 
 IV. The name Nicholas Grimald disappears after the first 
 revision, and is represented by : ' N. G." 
 
 V. Thirty poems by Grimald of a personal nature are removed, 
 to make place for thirty-nine by uncertain authors. 
 
 Nicholas Grimald was not a great poet, but he was a clever 
 versifier. He was, judging from his poems in the Miscellany, a 
 
 Tottel, p. 36; Aid. ed., p. 5. 
 
 Tottel's Miscellany : Arbcr's Introduction, p. xv, 
 
56 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 rigid follower of the ancient classic style in versification as in 
 allusion. He adheres with unvarying strictness to the iambic 
 verse, and allows few freedoms. If Grimald were the editor of 
 Tottel's, it is not improbable that he might consider as a part of 
 his editorial duty the moulding of the dead poet's verses into 
 what he regarded, and what, by that time, his contemporary 
 critics would regard, their proper form, in obedience to the 
 rules which he and they so carefully observed. What has here 
 been said, however, is not so much for the purpose of establish- 
 ing a theory respecting the editorship of Tottel's Miscellany as 
 to prepare the way for a fairer discussion of the merits of the 
 respective texts than has hitherto been accorded ; and this 
 much by way of establishing a possibility that has been over- 
 looked by some of the editors and critics who have spoken 
 authoritatively upon the case. 
 
 A word is necessary now regarding the condition of the Har- 
 ington text. Dr. Nott has described the MS. as follows : — 
 
 "The pieces which follow after page 121, as far as page 207 
 [viz., those in Wyatt's own handwriting], . . . are written care- 
 lessly, and have frequent erasures and alterations, which prove 
 that Wyatt made use of the book latterly for the rough draughts 
 only of his compositions. This will account for the imperfect state 
 in which many of them appear." 1 
 
 Thus, according to Nott's own admission, there is doubt as to 
 the reliability of the text in cases which he thus specifies, — doubt 
 not of the genuineness of the MS. reading, but as to the pro- 
 priety of following that reading ; for if the " carelessly writ- 
 ten " poems between pages 121 and 207 are merely "rough 
 draughts" afterwards completed and put in circulation in a 
 form quite different, we should do best implicitly to follow 
 Tottel's reading, and discard the text which Dr. Nott has 
 offered us. The matter can be settled only by a critical exam- 
 ination of the variations ; and no decision can be given until 
 
 1 Nott, Preface, ii. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 57 
 
 the two MSS. employed by Xott, and especially the Harington, 
 shall have been seen and studied. The writer regrets tu say 
 that lie has been unable to gain access to the original tcxt>. and 
 therefore confines himself to a brief examination of one or more 
 poems, which may furnish an illustration of some of the points 
 asserted. 
 
 For this purpose we turn to the Song of Iopas (Xott, p. 60 ; 
 Tottel (Arber's reprint), p. 93 ; Aid. cd.. p. 159). We examine 
 first the variations which correct a metrical irregulaiity in the 
 MS. text. Such is that found in verse 3, where Nott gives the 
 MS. reading : — 
 
 "That mighty Atlas did teach, the supper lasting long." 
 
 Tottel rids the verse of the superfluous syllable thus : — 
 
 " That mighty Atlas taught the supper lasting long." 
 
 The use of the form with did is common with Wyatt. In the 
 Complaint of the Absence of his Love (N. 56 ; T. 73 ; A. 154), 
 we find several instances all retained by Tottel ; these are as 
 follows : did lose (v. 35) ; did leave (v. 44) ; did lead (v. 68) ; 
 did bring (v. 76) ; did make (v. 86). The same form occurs in 
 the preceding verse of the Iopas poem, did force (v. 2). It 
 seems apparent therefore that the alteration was made to avoid 
 the roughness in the verse. But when originally written, an 
 elision must have been intended of mighty Atlas, which brings 
 the line within proper bounds. A similar change occurs in the 
 verse which follows ; the MS. reading : — 
 
 - With crisped locks, on golden harp, Iopas sang in his song." 
 
 Tottel drops the possessive, although the elision in his is by no 
 means difficult. In neither of these cases have we as yet any 
 right to refer the alteration to Tottel's editor; assuming that 
 Nott here gives us the correct reading of Wyatt's autograph text, 
 
58 SIR THOMAS IVY ATT 
 
 the possibility that Wyatt himself corrected that text at a later 
 period is always before us. Verse 1 1 stands thus in the MS. : 
 
 " And it is called by name the first moving heaven." 
 
 Tottel inserts a syllable and reads : — 
 
 "And it is called by name the first and moving heaven." 
 
 It seems improbable that this insertion was made by the poet. 
 It is not what he means to say. All the " heavens " of which 
 he speaks are moving heavens ; he merely designates this as the 
 first of the series. In verse 37 we find the expression repeated, 
 " in the first moving heaven ; " and so " the first moving sky," 
 in verse 73 ; and again "the first moving heaven" in verse 76. 
 In all these cases the connective is superfluous, and spoils the 
 sense; verse 11, although it lacks a syllable of the regular num- 
 ber, is not disagreeable to the ear, and hardly calls for such an 
 emendation at the cost of clearness. It may well be doubted 
 that the poet is here responsible for the change. The reading 
 of verse 12, as given us by Nott, is lacking by a complete meas- 
 ure ; the verse is an alexandrine instead of a septinar, which is 
 to be expected in accordance with the form adopted. Where 
 Nott reads : — 
 
 " The firmament is next, containing other seven," 
 
 Tottel gives us the verse corrected thus : — 
 
 "The firmament is ft/deed next containing other seven." 
 
 It is possible that the missing word has been accidentally 
 omitted in transcribing ; at any rate we must look to Tottel for 
 the proper reading. Verse 58 has also been changed to avoid 
 a roughness in the metre of the original. The MS. reading is 
 this : — 
 
 " And so doth the next to the same that second is in order." 
 
 In the text of the Miscellany, the verse reads : — 
 
 " So doth the next unto the same that second is in order." 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 59 
 
 The verse as it stands in Tottel lias rather an artificial tone ; it 
 is not so characteristic of Wvatt as the former reading. The 
 change is more suggestive of an editorial emendation than it is 
 of a correction by the poet's own hand. The same may be 
 said in regard to the alteration in verse 76, which the MS. 
 gives : — 
 
 •• Be* not "bout that axletree of the first moving heaven." 
 
 Tottel reads : — 
 
 11 Be ndt about 
 
 thus ridding the verse of the freedom known as initial truncation. 
 It must be admitted that this freedom is not a frequent one with 
 Wvatt j still, it does occur : e. g. t in the Second Satire, — 
 
 " Praise Sir Topas for a noble tale." — N. 89; T. 89; A. 192. 
 
 We come now to a second class of variations, which may be 
 due to a simple error of the pen, or to a misunderstanding of 
 the sense. Verse 20 in the MS. text stands thus : — 
 
 "Against the same dividing just the roundhy line direct." 
 
 In the Miscellany we find the word ground substituted for the 
 word italicized. The poet is speaking of the vast sphere of 
 the universe, and imagines a "line direct" extending from the 
 North Pole star to its correspondent in the southern hemisphere. 
 This direct line of course penetrates our own sphere, passes 
 through its centre, and forms the earth's diameter. It therefore 
 just divides the "round," which may be either the great sphere 
 of the universe, or the globe itself. It will thus be seen that 
 the word round has a significance here that is wanting in the 
 word which Tottel uses to displace it. Somewhat similar is the 
 case in verse 31, which is given in the MS. text, — 
 
 '• And eke those erring seven in circles as they stray," 
 
 where Tottel substitutes the singular in place of the plural form. 
 As the poet here refers to the heavens of verse 26, and has in 
 
60 S/fi THOMAS WYATT 
 
 mind a series of parallel circles, seven in number, revolving on 
 a common axis, it is manifestly more appropriate that he should 
 in thinking of this complex revolution of the heavens, each in a 
 plane of its own, employ the plural circles in speaking of them 
 collectively. Bell here follows Nott ; the other editions pre- 
 serve Totters reading. The editor of the Miscellany has badly 
 twisted the proper sense of verse 54. In the MS. the line 
 stands, — 
 
 "And in the same the day his eye, the sun, therein he sticks." 
 
 The thought, robbed of its poetic figure, is clearly this. In this 
 fourth circle the day has set his eye, — the sun. Tottel regards 
 " the day his eye " as a possessive ; the subject of the sentence 
 to be circle ; he then alters the pronoun to an ethical dative, her, 
 which he makes refer to circle. We then have the remarkable 
 line :. — 
 
 "And in the same the dayes eye the sun, therein her sticks." 
 
 This is so manifest a blunder that all the editions mentioned 
 adopt the MS. reading. Tottel has another manifest error in 
 verse 61, where the MS. reads : — ■ 
 
 " That sky is last, and first next us those ways hath gone." 
 
 Tottel alters the line to read : — 
 
 " That sky is last, andyfo-/ next us • . . . " 
 
 In addition to the variations here cited, a third group will be 
 noticed, but less significant for our purpose, as not containing 
 any clew to their origin, or any characteristic whereby to judge 
 of their respective values. These variations are the following : 
 
 In verse 18, Nott reads " There be two points " 
 
 Tottel, " Two points there be " 
 
 " " 23, Nott, "And these been called the poles, de- 
 
 scribed ..." 
 Tottel, " And these be called the poles, descried . . ." 
 
HIS POEMS, 
 
 
 doth : Tottc 
 bear'th; 
 
 Ado. 
 
 bears. 
 
 governcth ; " 
 hi in selves j " 
 been ; " 
 that; 
 
 governs. 
 
 themselves. 
 
 be. 
 
 the. 
 
 AND HIS POEMS. £ r 
 
 In verse 26, Nott has doth ; 
 " " 51, " 
 
 M II 3^ .< 
 
 « „ 67i .. 
 
 « « 76, " 
 
 What shall our decision be then respecting the comparative 
 merits of the texts? We have noted two classes of significant 
 variations : I. Those made on metrical grounds. In one of 
 these cases (v. 11) the sense of the passage seems to prove the 
 alteration unjustifiable, and makes us doubt the possibility of 
 its being the poet's work. In two other cases (v. 58, 76) the 
 mechanical quality of the variation, and the fact that the MS. 
 reading is not uncharacteristic of the poet's handiwork, leads 
 us to the same conclusion. In two instances (v. 3, 4) an un- 
 necessary alteration has been made to avoid a possible super- 
 fluity of syllables already provided against by an easy elision in 
 both places. The only case (v. 12) in which we give Tottel's read- 
 ing preference is of such a character as to suggest a very simple 
 oversight on the part of the original writer (unless the omission 
 be a transcriber's error), and does not throw discredit upon the 
 general authority of the MS. IT. The variations which are 
 based on apparent misinterpretation, or else on carelessness in 
 copying, speak strongly for the superiority of the MS. text. 
 
 It must now be borne in mind that the MS. text of this poem 
 is in Wyatt's autograph; it is one of the number designated by 
 Nott as " carelessly written," possibly a " rough draught," after- 
 wards copied and corrected by the poet's own direction. It 
 cannot be denied that some of the variations might have origi- 
 nated in this way ; but the occurrence of others of a character 
 forbidding such an assumption compels us to assert the authority 
 of the Harington text, and to accept its reading. 
 
 Let us turn now to another poem in which material and sig- 
 nificant variations may be found. We will take the sonnet, 
 How oft have I (N. 13; T. 69; A. 14). The two versions 
 run as follows : — 
 
J 
 
 62 SIR THOMAS IVYATT 
 
 Harington MS. Tottel 
 How oft have I, my dear and cruel foe, 
 
 With those your eyes for to get With my great pain to get some 
 
 peace and truce, peace or truce, 
 
 Proffered you mine heart; but Given you my heart? but you do 
 
 you do not use, not use, 
 
 Among so high things, to cast In so high things, to cast your 
 
 your mind so low. mind so low. 
 
 If any other look for it, as ye If any other look for it, as you 
 
 trow, trow, 
 
 Their vain weak hope doth greatly them abuse : 
 
 And thus I disdain that that ye And that thus I disdain, that 
 
 refuse. you refuse. 
 
 It was once mine, it can no more be so. 
 If I then it chase, nor it in you If you it chase, that it in you 
 can find, can find, 
 
 In this exile, no manner of comfort, 
 
 Nor- live alone, nor where he is called resort; 
 
 He may wander from his natural kind. 
 
 So shall it be great hurt unto us twain, 
 
 And yours the loss, and mine the deadly pain. 
 
 It happens that this particular poem is a translation of one of 
 Petrarch's sonnets, — the 19th. Milk fate, dolce mia guerrera, 
 and a comparison with the original is quite instructive. We 
 give only those passages in which the principal variations 
 occur : — 
 
 v. 2. " Per aver cc? begli occhi vostri pace" Petrarch. 
 
 "With those your eyes for to get peace and truce." Har. MS. 
 
 " With my great pain to get some peace or truce." Tottel. 
 v. 3. " V aggio proferto il cor ; trC a voi non piace." 
 
 " Proffered you mine heart ; but you do not use." 
 
 " Given . . . my " 
 
 v. 9. " Or, s" 1 io lo scaccio, ed e 1 non trova in voi" 
 
 " If I then it chase, nor it in you can find." 
 
 " . you ( A ) . . . that " 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 63 
 
 We see at a glance that Tottel's version is the younger of the 
 
 two. In v. 2, 9, where the thought lias been completely (hanged, 
 the text of the MS. is a literal translation of the original. The 
 word proffered oi v. 3 was evidently suggested to the translator 
 by the presence of the Italian proferto in the line before him. 
 
 Iii certain cases where two versions of a foreign original are pre- 
 served, we might be led to suppose the freer version of the two 
 a first unsatisfactory attempt which had suggested a second trial, 
 resulting in a closer imitation of the work translated. It is evi- 
 dent that we have no case of this kind here. Of the two ver- 
 sions, the former is more poetical ; the latter more in earnest. 
 Tottel's version is more exact in its expression. " To get some 
 peace or truce " is more correctly put than " to get peace and 
 truce." " Given you my heart " is far more forcible than "prof- 
 fered" u If you it chase, that it in you can find," better serves 
 the unity of the poem than the repetition of the idea of a two- 
 sided persecution implied in " If /then it chase," etc. 
 
 Moreover, the version given in the Miscellany corrects certain 
 obvious faults in the other. The change made in v. 4 is solely 
 for the purpose of ridding the line of a superfluous syllable. 
 With the alteration from / to you in v. 9, a similar omission of 
 a superfluous syllable occurs. In no instance do we notice a 
 variation which suggests a blunder in the interpretation or the 
 copying. The order in v. 7 has been changed apparently for no 
 other reason than to avoid the " that that " of the MS. version. 
 With the exception of the omission of a word in v. 4, 9, respec- 
 tively, all the changes have been made solely as a matter of 
 taste ; nor are they such as would suggest themselves readily to 
 any person other than the poet himself. It is not necessary to 
 suppose that the two versions represent the work of one and the 
 same period ; on the contrary, an interval of several years may 
 have elapsed, and the Italian original of the poem have passed 
 quite out of the writer's mind. 
 
 This brief presentation of these two poems may be sufficient to 
 illustrate the possible results of a critical examination of the two 
 
64 SfX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 texts. In some instances Tottel's reading will be found cor- 
 rupt ; in other cases, to all appearance, a later version from the 
 poet's own hand. From a comparison of the texts as they are 
 available in the editions named, it is unmistakably evident that 
 the Harington text precedes that on which Tottel's reading is 
 based. It remains to be discovered, in the case of each varia- 
 tion for itself, whether the responsibility for the change rests 
 with the poet or with some other. 
 
 B. The Interpretation. 
 
 In the opening portion of our essay we considered, in so far 
 as we are acquainted with them, the leading events in Wyatt's 
 life. We allowed ourselves, in that 'discussion, to be confined 
 for our sources of information almost entirely to such records 
 of the time as have come down to us. Scarcely any reference 
 was made to Wyatt as a poet, and almost no attempt to draw 
 further information from his works. It is our purpose now to 
 turn to Wyatt's poems for assistance ; and in their interpreta- 
 tion to seek for some additional light upon the poet's history. 
 The writer hopes to establish the fact that Wyatt's poetry is 
 more completely than supposed the suggestion and expression 
 of his own experience ; and further, that the possibility exists of 
 tracing the development of that experience, and thus arriving at 
 a definite criterion for determining the order, and approximately 
 the date of groups, at least, of the poet's compositions. 
 
 It is an easy matter to arrange the activity of the poet in two 
 grand divisions. Alscher, in his work on Wyatt, before referred 
 to, regards the line as falling coincident with the poet's impris- 
 onment on Bonner's charges about the beginning of 1541. For 
 reasons stated in our biographical sketch, an earlier date ap- 
 pears more satisfactory, and we prefer to regard the year 1536 
 as marking the turning-point in the poet's career. The disturb- 
 ance in the political world at that time, the events following 
 upon the arraignment of Anne Boleyn, Wyatt's own critical 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 65 
 
 position, appear to have worked profoundly on his mind, and 
 have left an evident impress on his work. 
 
 The earlier of the two grand divisions indicated may be 
 called the Court Period of Wyatt's life. It includes the years 
 from 1521 or 1522 to the year 1536, beginning with Wyatt's 
 entrance into public life at seventeen or eighteen years of age. 
 During this period, as we have seen, he visited France with Sir 
 Thomas Cheney in 1526; accompanied Sir John Russell to 
 Italy in 1527; and during the greater part of i52C)-i53owas 
 employed as high marshal of Calais. With these interrup- 
 tions, so far as we can gather from the sources available, Wyatt 
 was prominent among the distinguished gentlemen of Henry's 
 Court, finding leisure now and then to indulge his taste and 
 talent for poetic composition. To this period belong almost 
 all the love-poems, — the sonnets, the rondeaux, many of the 
 epigrams, and nearly all that varied collection of appeals and 
 plaints which he has left us to interpret and to puzzle over, won- 
 dering if the poet is to be taken at his word ; not always able 
 to discover what he really means. 
 
 The characteristics of the works which follow in the second 
 period of Wyatt's activity are especially a deeper insight, a 
 more earnest view of life ; the expression of religious feeling ; 
 an inclination to philosophize. It is the period of the Satires 
 and the Paraphrase of the Penitential Psalms. We are able also 
 to assign a few scattered sonnets, epigrams, and other poems 
 to this later period; in a few cases to fix the date more 
 accurately. 
 
 A word in regard to the principle of interpretation followed. 
 Most of Wyatt's love-poems are nominally addressed to a dis- 
 tinct personality ; they pretend to record the poet's own expe- 
 riences and fortunes. Our only test as to the reliability of this 
 appearance lies in a comparison of the poems among them- 
 selves. If we are able to discern resemblances and peculiarities 
 of thought and form, to arrange in groups distinguished by a 
 characteristic principle of treatment, and then to trace a line of 
 
 5 
 
/ 
 
 66 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 unity and an order of development running through them all, 
 we may then seek to reconcile the results of our theoretical 
 arrangement with the known facts in Wyatt's biography, and try 
 to determine the personality of his heroine. 
 
 Wyatt's earlier versification was materially different from that 
 which he subsequently adopted ; and this fact makes it com- 
 paratively easy to select some among his poems which must 
 have been produced at a very early date. Nott, in his essay 
 on the versification of Wyatt, also in his dissertation contained 
 in the volume devoted to Surrey, calls it " rhythmical," " differ- 
 ing in no respect from that of either Hawes or Barclay, or the 
 other writers who preceded him." x By the term " rhythmical," 
 Nott means a verse cast not in the regular iambic decasyllabic 
 form, but one read with a strongly marked caesura in the middle 
 of the line, containing more, or fewer, syllables than the verses 
 which precede and follow, but agreeing with them in the num- 
 ber of principal accents, generally four, and depending on the 
 use of the pause, and the swing of the verse, for its conformity 
 to the general rhythm. It might happen, and indeed does, 
 that the line is decasyllabic without necessarily becoming iambic 
 also ; and here it is necessary to read the verse, not with the 
 accent bestowed as in an iambic line, but in the older style with 
 the caesura strongly marked and the stress placed on those syl- 
 lables where it would most naturally fall. The following verses 
 may serve to illustrate the meaning of the paragraph : — 
 
 " But death were deliverance | and life length of pain. 
 Of two ills, let see, | now choose the le'st. 
 This bird to deliver, | you that hear her plain ; 
 Your advice, you lovers, | which shall be best ? " 
 
 N. 48; T. 225; A. 55. 
 
 We have given Nott's reading of the lines, Tottel's version hav- 
 ing been altered so as to conform much more closely to the 
 normal type. Whether the change proceeded from the editor, 
 
 1 Essay in the vol. of Wyatt's poems, p. cxlviii ; also in the disserta- 
 tion preceding Surrey's poems, p. clxxxiv. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 67 
 
 or from the poet, it is evident that we have the original form 
 before us. An intermediate stage followed this earliest period, 
 characterized by an accurate observance of the French rule 
 regulating the number of syllables in the line. It is for his ele- (/ 
 vation of this principle, so important in the development of 
 English metre, that Wyatt deserves the highest recognition. 
 But while methodically observant of this rule, Wyatt often 
 failed to reconcile the, at times antagonistic, word-accent and 
 verse-stress. This task fell rather on Surrey's shoulders; whilel/ 
 elaborating the principle which Wyatt had established, he suc- 
 ceeded in adapting the foreign verse to English pronunciation, 
 and demonstrated the principle of agreement between the two. 
 The following verses will serve as illustration : — 
 
 •o 
 
 " The long love that in my thought doth harbour, 
 And in mine heart doth keep his rdsideiice, 
 Into my face press&h with bold pretdnce, 
 And therein campeth spreading his banner." l 
 
 N. 1; T. 33; A. 1. 
 
 It is interesting to compare Surrey's treatment of the metre in 
 his translation of this same sonnet : — 
 
 " Love that lfveth, and refgneth in my thought, 
 That built his seat within my cdptive breast, 
 Clad in the arms, wherein with me he fought, 
 Oft in my face he doth his banner rest." 
 
 Tottel's Misc., p. 8. 
 
 From the comparative fewness in examples of the earliest 
 type of verse construction, it is evident that W r yatt very soon 
 passed to this second stage, and that the poems cast in the 
 style of The long love are still among the early compositions. 
 The development of Wyatt's system was of course gradual ; 
 hence we find verses characteristic of either period intruding 
 among those which represent another. Having recognized then 
 the gradual development of Wyatt's skill in his progress from 
 
 1 Compare Alscher, Sir Thomas Wyatt, etc., Wiener Beitrage, i. 77. 
 
68 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 the rougher work of the earliest period to that of the third, the 
 period of his best and most harmonious work, we are provided 
 with a means for deciding which among his poems we may call 
 his earliest ; we then pass on to the comparison of the others, 
 relying on our interpretation of the poems and any chance pe- 
 culiarity of metre or of form that may distinguish them. As the 
 poems are arranged in groups, they will be classified according 
 to their stanza form ; this plan will enable us to avoid some con- 
 fusion in determining the relation of the poems to one another 
 within the groups, and at the same time help us to trace the 
 prevalence of special forms at particular periods. 
 
 EARLIEST POEMS. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 Avising the bright beams 10 40 11 
 
 Ever mine hap is slack 12 68 13 
 
 Sonnets. \ T , „ . , ,. 
 
 Love and Fortune and my .... 12 69 13 
 
 Like to these unmeasurable .... 13 70 15 
 
 Ottava ( For shamefast harm 6$ 82 165 
 
 Rima. \ Vulcan begat me 6$ 82 r66 
 
 Rhyme 
 
 Royal. 
 
 abab Absence absenting 258 — 142 
 
 [• Like as the bird 47 225 54 
 
 It is probable that Wyatt had written poems earlier than those 
 which compose this group, but these bear all the marks of 
 apprenticeship, and are to be designated as his earliest work 
 that has come down to us. The metre here employed is that 
 which has been already described as characteristic of the earliest 
 compositions. The pieces may be characterized collectively as 
 crude. They are almost without exception drawn from foreign 
 sources. Avising the bright beams is probably a translation, 
 \/ the first word of the sonnet being used evidently in the sense 
 of the Italian avvissare, "to look at attentively." 1 It seems 
 likely that the word was suggested to the poet by the presence 
 
 1 Nott, Notes, p. 541. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. $g 
 
 of the Italian word in the original of what we here conjecture to 
 be a translation merely. We find another example similar to 
 this in the sonnet If amorous faith} V. 5 reads in Nott's ver- 
 sion, " If in my visage each thought depainted" Depainted is 
 
 not a common word; and in the Miscellany the word distained 
 is substituted ; but the MS. reading is correct, and was suggested 
 by the Italian word dipinto, which occurs in the original. Ever 
 mine hap is slack is a translation of Petrarch's 44th sonnet : 
 Mie venture at venirson tarde e pigre* lore and Fortune is 
 from Petrarch's 99th sonnet : Amor, Fortuna, e la mia mente 
 schiva. like to these, was stated by Puttenham to be a trans- 
 lation of one of Petrarch's sonnets also ; Nott believes this to 
 be a mistake, but thinks it was probably borrowed from some 
 Italian writer of the school of Tibaldeo or Accolti.- For 
 shamefast harm is paraphrased from the epigram of Ausonius : 
 Thesauro invento qui limina mortis i nib at. 2 Vulcan begat 
 me occurs in the MS. with this title : "A riddle ex Fandulpho" 
 The original begins, Vulcan us genuit; peperit Natural Like 
 as the bird, and Absence absenting, are, so far as we know, 
 original poems. As regards the interpretation of these early 
 poems, little need be said. The sonnets are translations, and 
 probably nothing more. Avising the bright beams may be 
 addressed to some particular lady ; the others probably not. 
 Like as the bird and the two epigrams are of course mere 
 exercises of skill or pleasure. Absence absenting perhaps refers 
 to some period of absence from Court, but is to be regarded 
 as a message of gallantry rather than the utterance of a real 
 passion. It is to be~ noted that among what seem to be the 
 earliest of Wyatt's compositions, we find the sonnet, the rhyme 
 royal stanza, familiar through the use made of it by Chaucer, the 
 ottava rima, like the sonnet, borrowed from his Italian masters, 
 and the simple cross rhyme aba b. We find no example of 
 the single rhyme stanza in the group. \ 
 
 1 N. 14; T. 70; A. 15. « Nott, p. 554. 
 
 2 Nott, Notes, p. 543. 4 Nott, p. 555. 
 
JO SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 GROUP I. OF THE LOVE-POEMS, 
 a. Sonnets. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 The long love i 33 1 
 
 " The lively sparks 3 34 3 
 
 - Such vain thought 4 35 4 
 
 Unstable dream 4 35 4 
 
 [Caesar, when that 6 37 6] 
 
 [Each man tells me 7 37 7] 
 
 Some fowls there be 7 38 8 
 
 Because I have 8 38 8 
 
 I find no peace 9 39 9 
 
 My galley charged . 9 39 10 
 
 Such is the course 11 62 12 
 
 If amorous faith 14 70 15 
 
 The two sonnets in brackets are placed rather doubtfully in 
 this group ; perhaps they might with equal, or better, propriety 
 be assigned to the earliest period. Aside from this there is 
 apparent connection between the poems of the set. The fol- 
 lowing are from Petrarch : — 
 
 1. The long love. Amor, che net fiensier. 
 
 2. Such vain thought. Pien d'un vago pensier. 
 
 3. Caesar, when that. Cesare, poi che V traditor. 
 
 4. Some fowls there be. Son animali al mondo. 
 
 5. Because I have thee. Perch' io fabbia guai'dato. 
 
 6. I find no peace. Pace non trovo. 
 
 7. My galley charged. Passa la nave mia. 
 
 8. If amorous faith. S'unafede amorosa. 
 
 All of these Italian originals may be found in the notes to 
 Nott's edition, No. 5 excepted. It is seen that a large propor- 
 tion of this group also is translation ; and it must be added that 
 the opening verse of The lively sparks is borrowed from 
 Petrarch as well, the original being found in Petrarch's 220th 
 sonnet, Vive favi lie uscian de 1 duo bei lumi. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. j X 
 
 In versification these poems are about on a level. The verses 
 arc pretty generally in the style of what in a preceding paragraph 
 we termed the second stage of Wyatt's art ; still, the quicker- 
 moving four-stress verse recurs often, and almost every sonnet 
 of the number contains examples. Let it be said in this con- 
 nection that it is to the reading as given by the Harington MS. 
 text that we must look for the original form in which these 
 poems appeared ; and it is naturally the original appearance of 
 the poem only that can be of any value here. Not only do we 
 note an improvement in versification in passing from the last 
 group to that now before us, but we notice also that there is 
 more of poetry in the thought, and greater ease and vigor in 
 expression. The facility and regularity of a later period are still 
 wanting, but it is evident that we here have other than mere be- 
 ginnings. The sentiment is the same in all ; and the question 
 of the interpretation of the poems naturally arises. Perhaps it 
 will be best to leave this question until we have examined the 
 remaining poems to be assigned to the group. 
 
 b. Rhyme-royal Stanza. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 Thou restful place 24 45 33 
 
 Resound my voice 25 43 34 
 
 For want of will 36 59 44 
 
 What word is that 80 223 1S3 
 
 The reader will not fail to note the strong resemblance in 
 the poems here presented ; not only in stanza form, and in the 
 thought embodied in that form, but in the style of expression 
 and the general effect of the individual poems, there is unanimity 
 so marked as to indicate the work of a single period. 
 
 Thou restful place and Resound my voice are very closely re- 
 lated, and both are suggestive of the sonnet Unstable dream} 
 In the concluding stanza of Resound my voice we find these 
 verses : — 
 
 1 N.4; T.35; A. 4. 
 
72 
 
 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 " Why then, alas, doth not she on me rue ? 
 Or is her heart so hard that no pity 
 May in it sink, my joy for to renew? " 
 
 This is helpful in a double way : it sustains the correctness of 
 Nott's reading in his version of the sonnet Unstable dream, 
 v. 6, 7 : — 
 
 " By tasted sweetness make me not to rue 
 
 \ 
 
 Thou broughtest not her into this tossing mew; 
 But madest my sprite live my care to renew." 
 
 Wyatt was somewhat restricted in his rhymes, and the same 
 
 (/ rhyme frequently recurs in his poems, especially in those of a 
 
 Vsingle period. The occurrence of this rhyme here, therefore, 
 
 not only attests the accuracy of the MS. text ; it also emphasizes 
 
 the probability that both poems are productions of about the 
 
 same date. 
 
 For want of will introduces an eight-syllable iambic verse 
 which is employed with great perfection throughout ; not a 
 single irregularity occurring within its lines. This poem is 
 found in Tottel only ; hence we are not certain that it is the 
 original form of the poem which we now have before us. It 
 has all the appearance of a real love-poem ; it is not a transla- 
 tion nor an imitation, so far as known, but an original produc- 
 tion, inspired by genuine feeling. 
 
 What word is that ? also in eight-syllable verse ; and here 
 again the measure is employed with complete success. The 
 MS. text varies somewhat from that used by Tottel, and in 
 this case the reading of the latter version seems more charac- 
 teristic of the poet than does the former. The closing verse, 
 
 "It is my salve and eke my sore" 
 
 has its parallel in the two following lines : — 
 
 " Why dost thou stick to salve that thou madest sore ? " x 
 " My gain, my loss, my salve, my sore." 2 
 
 1 N. 71, 4 ; A. 172, 12 ; T. 66, 18. 2 N. 27, 22 ; A. 36, 15 ; T. 52, 18. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 73 
 
 There can be no doubt that in this case the poet is addressing 
 his lines to a particular lady. The epigram is introduced among 
 the poems of this group, not for the purpose of giving a personal 
 color to the romance developing, but because, as will be seen 
 with our progress, there is no appropriate place for it among 
 the groups which follow. » 
 
 c. O'tava Rima. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 The furious gun 70 54 171 
 
 This epigram naturally belongs with the early poems of this 
 group, — with the sonnets which are marked by the same irreg- 
 ularity in metre. It is like most of them, a translation or imi- 
 tation of an Italian original, being borrowed from the poet 
 Serafino. 
 
 d. a b a b Stanza. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 So unwarely 39 65 47 
 
 Comfort thyself 166 — 70 
 
 Heaven and earth 154 — 58 
 
 Process of time 185 — 86 
 
 Like as the swan 187 — 87 
 
 Like as the wind — — 184 
 
 So unwarely contains suggestions of both Petrarch and 
 Chaucer ; v. 5, for instance, is perhaps a repetition of — 
 
 " But I was hurt right now thorough mine eye 
 Into mine heart." 1 
 
 And the line Down unto my heart it ran, was perhaps suggested 
 by the verse in one of Petrarch's sonnets : — 
 
 " Ed aperta la via per gli occhi at core" 2 
 
 The third stanza of this poem repeats the thought of the son- 
 
 1 Cant. Tales, 1. 1099. 2 Nott, p. 549. 
 
74 MA THOMAS WYATT 
 
 net Some fowls there be} This piece introduces a novelty in 
 its manner of construction ; while the first three verses of every 
 stanza are decasyllables, the stanza closes in each instance with 
 an octosyllabic verse. 
 
 Comfort thyself is evidently expressive of the writer's real 
 feelings. He indicates the despair into which he has fallen : 
 to speak is useless ; but the yoke is on his neck, and he can- 
 not shake it off. This poem is entirely in eight-syllable verse. 
 
 Heaven and earth, in its general style, suggests a possible 
 connection with Resound my voice} It evidently belongs with 
 the latest poems of this period : — 
 
 " It is not now, but long and long ago 
 I have you served, — " (v. 7.) 
 
 Process of time. This poem is written in a peculiar, measure ; 
 the presence of irregularly recurring anapaestic feet produces a 
 singular rhythmical effect, and yet the result is not unpleasing, 
 nor can we regard this peculiar metre a characteristic of Wyatt's 
 earliest period alone, — indeed we find pieces of this character 
 at a time presumably much later than this. Of the relation be- 
 tween this poem and the others in the set we shall soon have 
 better opportunity to speak. 
 
 Like as the swan is in import similar to Heaven and earth. 
 We here have a complete verse serving as refrain, and sugges- 
 tive, in its repetition, of the plan followed in that poem. 
 
 Like as the wind: not found in Nott's edition. It voices 
 the same complaints as the preceding poems. In the next to 
 the closing stanza there again seems to be a reference to Some 
 fowls there be : 3 — 
 
 " Like as the fly doth seek the flame, 
 And afterward playeth in the fire, 
 Who findeth her woe, and seeketh her game, 
 Whose grief doth grow of her own desire." 
 
 1 N.7; T.38; A.8. 2 N.25; T.43; A. 34. « N. 7; T. 38; A. 8. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 75 
 
 e. Single-Rhyme Stanza. 
 
 With the advent of this period Wyatt begins to employ the 
 single-rhyme stanza, but in connection with a short refrain. 
 which may or may not rhyme with the verses which precede. 
 The eight-syllable verse prevails ; the stanzas consist some- 
 times of three, sometimes of four lines. We group the follow- 
 ing here : — 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 What meaneth this 215 — 105 
 
 To cause accord 179 — 80 
 
 To wish and want 173 — 75 
 
 What rage is this 45 80 52 
 
 What meaneth this. There is evidently connection between 
 this poem and two already mentioned, — Unstable dream l and 
 Thou restful place* All three poems derive their motive from 
 a common source ; and the reader may make an interesting 
 comparison if he chooses, by turning to our English translation, 
 the "Romaunt of the Rose/' beginning with v. 2525. The 
 sixth and seventh stanzas, too, — 
 
 " But if I sit near her by, 
 With loud voice my heart doth cry, 
 And yet my mouth is dumb and dry; 
 What means this ? 
 
 " To ask for help no heart I have ; 
 My tongue doth fail what I should crave ; 
 Yet inwardly I rage and rave : 
 What means this ? " — 
 
 contain suggestions of the sonnet Beeause I have thee. 3 
 
 To eause aceord and To wish and want contain allusions 
 obviously suggestive of the sentiments and expressions found 
 in other poems of this set, and seem to find their appropriate 
 place in the group. 
 
 1 N. 4 ; T.35; A. 4 . » N. 24 ; T.45; A. 33. « x.S; T. 3 S ; A. S. 
 
7 6 
 
 SIR THOMAS IVVATT- 
 
 What rage is this differs from the three poems which pre- 
 cede, in that the measure is decasyllabic, and the short verse 
 taking the place of the refrain is a simple six-syllable line not 
 rhymyig with the others in the stanza, nor having connection 
 in any way with the corresponding verse in the other stanzas. 
 The poem will be referred to later. 
 
 • 
 
 f. Anomalous Forms. 
 
 There are several other poems which are grouped most ap- 
 propriately with the foregoing. The stanza form differs here ; 
 and as the pieces are not to be classified under any of the types 
 already noted, and to increase the number of subordinate 
 classes might prove confusing on account of the great variety 
 of rhyme combinations, we allow these anomalous forms to con- 
 stitute a class by themselves. They appear to have generated 
 spontaneously with VVyatt, and in many cases are employed in 
 only a single composition. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 My love is like 232 — 120 
 
 At last withdraw 209 — 100 
 
 Heart oppressed 227 — 116 
 
 Love cloth again 253 — 139 
 
 Since ye delight 169 — 72 
 
 Sufficed not 78 76 180 
 
 Lo how I seek 231 — 119 
 
 Pass forth 32 $6 40 
 
 Without stopping for further comment upon the sentiment of 
 these poems, the connection and the application of which is 
 sufficiently obvious, we will point out the peculiarities of con- 
 struction which are their principal characteristic. 
 
 My love is like : ababcccdd. 
 
 At last withdraw : ababccddd. 
 
 It is interesting here to note the similarity in the rhyme 
 order, — probably one suggested the other. In the first case, 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 77 
 
 however, the verse is decasyllabic throughout ; while in the last 
 named, the stanza is metabolic : the two a rhymes being eight- 
 syllable ; the others six-syllable. 
 
 Heart oppressed: a b a b c c. 
 
 The verse is eight-syllable. This simple stanza-form, occur- 
 ring quite often in Wyatt's poetry, might have been a develop- 
 V ment of the rhyme royal stanza a b a b \_b~] c c, or of the ottava 
 rima, a b a b \_a b~\ c c. 
 
 Love doth again : a a b a a b. 
 
 Here we have the so-called " tail-rhyme " stanza. It is the 
 first example which we have found of the use of the sJwrt line 
 by Wyatt. The a verses are dipodies, the b six-syllable. It is 
 possible to regard such a combination as a dismembered four- 
 teen-syllable verse ; but it is improbable that Wyatt had this 
 origin in mind. 
 
 Since ye delight : aabbaa + r. 
 
 In this poem the two b verses are each of four syllables ; the 
 a lines trimeter, and the refrain eight-syllable. 
 
 Sufficed not: abba. 
 
 The verse is pentameter throughout. 
 
 Lo how I seek : a b a b b c b c. 
 
 This poem is entirely in eight-syllable verse. 
 
 Pass forth : a b a b c d c d. 
 
 The poem is composed in six-syllable verse ; the stanza form 
 is very similar to the last. One might be disposed to consider 
 this a simple a b a b stanza ; but the division is made with 
 reference to the thought as well as to the rhyme, each octavo 
 treating of a particular motive and being complete in itself. 
 In connection with this poem we desire to examine three 
 other pieces, already noted, which stand in close connection 
 with it and with one another. These are : Such is the course 
 (class a), Process of time (class d), and What rage is this 
 (class e). When these four poems are compared, their mutual 
 relation is obvious. 
 
7* 
 
 S/P THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Pass forth (N. 32 ; T. 56; A.40). 
 v. 17-24. 
 
 " And as the water soft, 
 Without forcing or strength, 
 Where that it falleth oft 
 Hard stones doth pierce at 
 
 length : 
 So in her stony heart 
 
 Process of time (N. 185; 
 A. 86). 
 
 Process of time worketh such 
 
 wonder, 
 That water which is of kind 
 
 so soft, 
 Doth pierce the marble stone 
 
 asunder, 
 My plaints at last shall grave, By little drops falling from 
 
 And, rigour set apart, 
 Win grant of that I crave. 
 
 aloft. 
 
 And yet a heart that seems so 
 tender, 
 
 Receiveth no drop of the still- 
 ing tears 
 
 That alway still cause me to 
 render 
 
 The vain plaint that sounds 
 not in her ears." 
 
 Stick is the course (N. 11; T. 
 62; A. 12). 
 
 "Such is the course that 
 
 nature's kind hath wrought, 
 That snakes have time 
 
 to cast away their stings : 
 Against chain'd prisoners 
 
 what need defence be sought ? 
 The fierce lion will hurt 
 
 no yielden things." 
 
 Ditto, v. 9-12 ; 17-20. 
 
 ' So cruel, alas ! is naught alive, 
 So fierce, so froward, so out of 
 
 frame, 
 But some way, some time may 
 
 so contrive 
 By means the wild to temper 
 
 and tame. 
 
 The lion in his raging furour 
 Forbears that sueth, meekness 
 
 for his boot ; 
 And thou, alas ! in extreme 
 
 dolour, 
 The heart so low thou treads 
 
 under thy foot." 
 
AND HIS POEMS. yg 
 
 Pass forth, v. 9-12. Ditto, v. 13-16. 
 
 " For though hard rocks among "And I that always have sought, 
 She seems to have been bred, and seek 
 
 And of the tiger long Each place, each time for some 
 
 Been nourished and fed." lucky day, 
 
 This fierce tiger, less I find her 
 
 meek, 
 And more denied the longer I 
 pray." 
 
 What rage is this (N. 45 ; T. 80 ; A. 52). 
 v. 1 1— 16. 
 
 " Go to, triumph, rejoice thy goodly turn, 
 
 Thy friend thou dost oppress. 
 Oppress thou dost, and hast of him no cure, 
 Nor yet my plaint no pity can procure, 
 Fierce tiger fell ! hard rock without recure ! 
 Cruel rebel to love ! " 
 
 It must be agreed that the s imilarity in motive an djexpression 
 noted in the case of these four poems is quite remarkable. Such 
 correspondence is more than unusual in works separated by long 
 intervals in time of composition ; and in the absence of any evi- 
 dence pointing to the contrary, we may feel entirely justified in 
 referring the pieces cited to a common date. 
 
 This brings us to the end of the list of compositions assigned 
 to this group. We have tried to show the existence of an inti- 
 mate relationship among them ; but the demonstration of this 
 relationship must be sought in a study of the poems named. It 
 is impossible to do more than barely indicate superficial resem- 
 blances here ; the strongest evidence, after all, is found in the 
 general impression resulting from a comprehensive survey of the 
 entire field. Similarity of sentiment, the freque nt recur rence of 
 a favorite motive, the repetition of characteristic forms of ex- 
 pression, would seem to indicate that the poems thus related 
 "must "Be the productions of a single period. Of the poems here 
 collected, the sonnets were probably among the earliest compo- 
 
go SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 sitions. Those cast in other forms of verse arrangement show 
 for the most part a higher development of art and skill. 
 Moreover, as we advance we note the growing infrequency of 
 translations ; the percentage of poems from a foreign source is 
 very high among the earliest pieces. The original poems have 
 all the appearance of being the expression of real feelings and 
 experiences ; the thoughts uttered in these pieces are taken up 
 and repeated in the translated poems : we therefore judge that 
 the pieces chosen for translation were selected with regard to 
 their contents. Our plan of grouping can be judged upon its 
 merits only after the various groups have been presented and 
 the order of growth established. 
 
 This early period may be designated as that of Protestation 
 and Entreaty ; a new motive is introduced in the group to 
 follow. 
 
AXD HIS POEMS. 
 
 81 
 
 I I I 1 1 *. I ft 
 
 rr-. o N m O ^ <-o m 
 
 v " O .= 3 
 
 < X _) en x> 
 
 •» t^ m ao oo oo 
 
 I I I I I 
 
 ss a 
 
 . «j. H 4) g a 
 
 c o; > i " " 
 
 3 E £ U <U CJ 
 
 o I s s £ a 
 
 x U 53 — - — 
 
 I I I 
 
 rt « p 
 
 B <° " 
 
 £ H H £ 
 
 to m * oo 
 
 ■* in o o 
 rj N m SO 
 
 •g £ c 
 
 
 H tf fe £ 
 
 t»->0 N 00 00 O 1 O M 
 
 n ^* ^* vO f^ I s * 
 
 O O - ■* 
 
 ^ CO 
 
 <" r- 
 
 S" £ ■£ 
 
 U 1> o 
 
 t nil iii till 
 
 ~— 3 c ' WVI O 1> <*- m 3 ^_ 
 
82 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Group II. 
 
 We enter herewith upon a second phase of the poet's verse. 
 In the compositions of this period the lover expresses himself as 
 happy in the love of his lady, but forever harassed by necessity 
 of concealment ; the affection is mutual, but disclosure of the 
 relationship would be fatal to the happiness of both. This mo- 
 tive binds the group of poems unmistakably together, strongly 
 attests the fact that here is the record of a real experience, 
 and casts a most important light upon the personality of the 
 heroine. At this time Wyatt does not appear to have turned to 
 the sonnet as the form selected to express his fancies, nor to 
 the stanza made familiar by Chaucer's use of it. The lighter 
 cross-rhyme stanza, and the short, crisp form of the epigram, 
 appear to be the favorite types of the group. We have : — 
 
 a. a b a b Stanza. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 Once, as methought 21 63 30 
 
 After great storms 156 — 60 
 
 I love, loved 211 — 102 
 
 The heart and service 214 — 104 
 
 The idea of concealment does not appear in the first two 
 poems mentioned ; these serve as an introduction to this stage 
 in the romance, and are devoted to rejoicings at the good 
 fortune which the lover now enjoys. The connection between 
 the two poems is obvious : — 
 
 Once, as methought (v. 9-16). After great storms (v. 1-8). 
 
 "Yet for all that a stormy blast "After great storms the calm 
 Had overturned this goodly day ; returns, 
 And Fortune seemed at the last And pleasanter it is thereby; 
 That to her promise she said nay. Fortune likewise that often turns, 
 
 Hath made me now the most 
 happy. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 83 
 
 But like as one out of despair, The Heaven that pitied my 
 
 To sudden hope revived I; distress, 
 
 Now Fortune sheweth herself so My just desire, and my cry : 
 
 fair, 1 lath made my languor to cease, 
 
 That I content me wondrously." And me also the most happy." 
 
 In the former of the two poems we are further told : — 
 
 •• My most desire my hand may reach, 
 My will is alway at my hand; 
 Me need not long for to beseech 
 Her that hath power me to command. 
 
 What earthly thing more can I crave ? 
 What would I wish more at my will? 
 Nothing on earth more would I have, 
 Save that I have, to have it still." 
 
 / love, loved, introduces us suddenly to the peculiar circum- 
 stances in which the lovers are placed : — 
 
 " O ! deadly yea ! O ! grievous smart ! 
 Worse than refuse, unhappy gain ! 
 In love who ever play'd this part, 
 To love so well, and live in pain. 
 
 Were ever hearts so well agreed, 
 Since love was love, as I do trow, 
 That in their love so evil did speed, 
 To love so well, and live in woe." 
 
 The last stanza of the poem hints at reasons why the course 
 of this true love runs so roughly ; we shall find similar allusions 
 in other poems to certain individuals, " that causers be of this." 
 and who have it in their power to interrupt the happiness of the 
 pair, and apparently to bring them into peril. 
 
 The heart and service. In this poem the tone is somewhat 
 changed. One might think the lady had become coquettish. 
 as the lover seems protesting to a degree. Still, he declares 
 hopefully : — 
 
 " Do which you list, I shall not want 
 To be your servant secretly? 
 
84 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 b. Anomalous Forms. 
 
 N. 
 
 Such hap as I 171 73 
 
 To seek each where 152 56 
 
 Such hap as /depicts the lover in the same predicament as 
 before described. In the third stanza the lover laments, — 
 
 " For though I have, such is my lot, 
 In hand to help that I require, 
 It helpeth not." 
 
 This seems like a recollection of 
 
 " My most desire my hand may reach, 
 My will is alway at my hand." 
 
 N. 22, 13; A. 31, 13. 
 In 
 
 " To ask and have, and yet therefore 
 Refrain I must," 
 
 the lover expresses plainly the hard circumstances of his case ; 
 in subsequent poems the declaration is justified. 
 
 The form of this poem is quite peculiar ; the rhyme-order, 
 a b a b c b c, might be considered almost as an attempt to 
 introduce a terzine stanza. The lines are octosyllabic, with the 
 exception of the last verse, which is four-syllable ; this con- 
 cluding half-verse becomes in each case the introductory half- 
 verse of the following stanza. 
 
 To seek each where was probably written about the same time 
 as The heart and service (N. 214 ; A. 104). It was evidently a 
 New Year's greeting from the lover to his lady. The poem has 
 the rhyme-order, a a b a b b; all except the closing couple-t is 
 in octosyllabic verse ; these last two verses are decasyllables. 
 
 c. Single-rhyme Stanza. 
 
 N. 
 
 Take heed by time 208 99 
 
 Sometime I sigh 223 112 
 
 [I am as I am 262 147] 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 85 
 
 Take heed by time is a merry warning to his lady, lest she on 
 her side betray the affection which they wish to conceal. 
 
 " If they might take you in that trap, 
 They would soon leave it in your lap; 
 To love unspied is but a hap; 
 Therefore, take heed ! " 
 
 The form of this poem corresponds exactly to that of What 
 meaneth this! (X. 215; A. 105.) Sometime I sigh continues 
 
 to express the sentiment appropriate to this period. Still, the 
 piece denotes some progress towards a time of uncertainty and 
 doubt regarding the lady's attitude in the affair. There is a 
 suggestiveness of The heart and service about the poem. 
 
 The heart and service Sometime I sigh (v. 1 7-20). 
 
 (N. 214; A. 104). 
 "The heart and service to you "All my poor heart, and my love 
 proffered true, 
 
 With rightgood will full honestly, While life doth last, I give it you; 
 Refuse it not since it is offered, And you to serve with service 
 
 due, 
 But take it to you gentlely. And never to change you for 
 
 no new. 
 
 (v. 17-20.) (v. 13-16.) 
 
 Pain or pleasure now may you When ye be merry why should 
 
 plant, I care ? 
 
 Even which it please you stead- Ye are my joy and my welfare, 
 
 fastly ; I will you love, I will not spare 
 
 Do which you list, I shall not Into your presence, as far as I 
 
 want dare." 
 To be your servant secretly." 
 
 This poem is one of those before alluded to cast in the pe- 
 culiar style of Process of Time (N. 185 ; A. 86). The verses 
 should be scanned in accordance with the principle mentioned 
 in a paragraph introductory to this section of our work, e. g. : 
 
S6 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 " Sdmetime I sigh, sometime I sing ; 
 
 Sometime I laugh, sometime mourning 
 
 As one in doiibt, this is my saying 
 
 Have F displeased you in any thing? " 
 
 / am as I am is of precisely similar character. There is so 
 little in this poem significant for our purpose that we are doubt- 
 ful where it really should be placed. It suggests somewhat the 
 sonnets, Ccesar, when that the traitor of Egypt (N. 6 ; T. 3 7 ; 
 A. 6), and Each man tells me (N. 7; T. 37; A. 7). This 
 composition is, however, so superior to the two sonnets in its easy 
 fluency compared with the laborious awkwardness of their style, 
 as to suggest strongly its belonging to a later date. On account 
 of its exact correspondence in form to the poem just examined, 
 and because of the fact that it contains nothing contrary to the 
 general sentiment of the group, the poem is inserted here. 
 
 d. Ottava Rima. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 The fruit of all 236 — 124 
 
 Of purpose Love 64 80 164 
 
 Alas! Madam 66 41 167 
 
 The wand'ring gadling .... 6/ 41 167 
 
 What needeth these 67 42 168 
 
 She sat and sewed 69 52 170 
 
 Who hath heard 69 52 170 
 
 Nature that gave 70 65 172 
 
 All in thy look 71 66 172 
 
 Th' en'my of life 67 63 168 
 
 This collection of epigrams has been here introduced as very 
 probably of this period. The first and last named of the series 
 may safely be assigned to it ; but the others are of such a nature 
 that it is impossible to speak with certainty about them. If not 
 here, they belong to a quite later period ; but the probability is 
 that they find their proper place within this group. 
 
 The fruit of all is certainly a production of the date repre- 
 sented in Such hap as /(N. 171 ; A. 73). 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 
 The fruit of all (v. i. 2) Such hap as I (v. 34. 35). 
 
 •• The fruit of all the service that " With hapless hand no man hath 
 I serve raught 
 
 Despair doth reap; such hapless Such hap as I." 
 
 hap have I. 
 
 (v. 3, 4.) (v. 17,18.) 
 
 But though he have no power to And still of cold I me bewail. 
 
 make me swerve. 
 Yet by the fire for cold I feel I And raked am in burning fire. 
 
 die. 
 
 (v. 5, 6.) (v. 11,12.) 
 
 In paradise for hunger still I That know I not, unless I sterve, 
 
 sterve, 
 And in the flood for thirst to For hunger still amiddes my 
 death I dry ; food. 
 
 (v. 7,8.) (v. 19-21.) 
 
 So Tantalus am I, and in worse For though I have, such is my 
 
 pain, lot, 
 
 Amidst my help that helpless In hand to help that I require, 
 
 doth remain." It helpeth not." 
 
 Of purpose Love is a pretty, affectionate conceit, easily ima- 
 gined to be a product of this time. 
 
 The wandering gadling introduces perhaps the figure of a 
 rival to our notice. 
 
 Alas ! Madam and What needeth these are translations from 
 the Italian of Serafino ; the originals, Incolpa, Donna, amor se 
 troppo io volsi and A che minacci ! a che tanta ira c orgoglio I 
 are given entire by Nott (p. 555). 
 
 She sat and sewed and Who hath heard refer to one event ; 
 they may be humorous, satirical complaints of the coquetry of 
 his lady-love, or, together with the two just preceding, may be 
 the light and fanciful productions of a later day. 
 
 Nature that gave is inserted in this group with more confi- 
 dence than in any other. 
 
88 * SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 All hi thy look might possibly be assigned to an earlier date ; 
 but it is allowed to remain with the rest. 
 
 TIi etCmy of life. For the suggestion of this poem we have 
 to look to the days of Chaucer and his imitators ; and once 
 more we find the motive in a passage of the " Romaunt of the 
 Rose." With verse 17 15 of that work the translator introduces 
 the episode of the attempt to seize the rose in the garden. The 
 lover approaches to grasp the bud whose beauty has aroused 
 his desire, but Love stands ready with his shafts, and shoots 
 first one, and then another, and another ; all his arrows tak- 
 ing effect upon the trespasser. In verse 1878 and following, 
 the poet describes how Love at last takes an arrow, Faire- 
 semblawit, the head of which was anointed with a precious 
 ointment : — 
 
 (v. 1890.) " Somdelle to yeve a-Ieggement 
 
 Upon the woundes that he hadde 
 Thurgh the body in my herte made, 
 To helpe her sores, and to cure, 
 And that they may the bette endure. 
 But yit this arwe, withoute more, 
 Made in myn herte a large sore 
 That in fulle grete peyne I abode. 
 But ay the oynement wente abrode ; 
 Thourgh-oute my woundes large and wide, 
 It spredde aboute in every side ; 
 Thorough whos vertu and whos myght 
 Myn herte joyfulle was and light." 
 
 This, I take it, suggested the idea of the epigram. But we 
 must still supply an interpretation of it. Who is the " enemy " 
 referred to? It cannot be Love, for Love does not wither 
 away the green with his cold ; moreover, Love is mentioned in 
 the closing lines as quite distinct from the enemy who has shot 
 this arrow at the lover. The early editor interprets the enemy 
 to be Deadly Sickness ; perhaps this explanation is allowable, 
 but it is not very suggestive. How deadly sickness can aggra- 
 
i.xn ms poems. 
 
 89 
 
 vate a wound of this kind is not clear. I would suggest that the 
 enemy is Jealousy. He certainly deserves the had character 
 given him in the first two lines ; he might, very plausibly too, 
 suggest to the lover his ability to rid him of his smart ; and the 
 issue of this course of treatment, increasing rather than lessen- 
 ing the lover's affection and his pain, is certainly a possible and 
 a poetical result. Whichever interpretation is to be preferred, 
 the poem falls most naturally in this group. 
 
 This brings us to the end of our second period ; it may be 
 called, perhaps, the period of Prosperity or Attainment. From 
 this point the lover's star begins to descend. 
 
9 o 
 
 SIX THOMAS IVY ATT 
 
 
 < 
 
 in 
 
 o 
 
 < 
 § 
 
 o 
 z 
 
 < 
 
 c*5 vC 
 
 t>. in 
 
 1 1 
 
 & « 
 3 O 
 
 W 
 
 2 
 > 
 
 X 
 
 Pfi 
 w 
 
 
 z 
 w 
 
 Take heed by time . . . 208 — 99 
 Sometime I sigh .... 223 — 112 
 [I am as I am 262 — 147] 
 
 «i 
 
 H 
 
 < 
 
 < 
 > 
 
 < 
 
 H 
 H 
 
 o 
 
 ■t 't N SCO N N DO 
 
 1 OM-MMNiriOfO 
 
 1 00 •^-•^Tfminooo 
 
 \D tJ-O l^» t^ O O O f f^ 
 
 to \o vO ^) ^ ^o ^ r^c^o 
 
 
 
 The fruit of all . 
 Of purpose Love 
 Alas! Madam . 
 The wand'ring . 
 What needeth 
 She sat and sewed 
 Who hath heard . 
 Nature that gave 
 All in thy look 
 Th' en'my of life 
 
 H 
 
 < 
 
 z 
 
 < 
 
 in 
 
 Once, as methought . . 21 63 30 
 After great storms . . . 156 — 60 
 
 I love, loved 211 — 102 
 
 The heart and service . .214 — 104 
 
AXD HIS POEMS. 
 
 91 
 
 Group III. 
 
 Introductory to the poems of this general group we find a 
 few in which the lover seems attempting to clear himself of cer- 
 tain accusations brought against him by his mistress. He pro- 
 tests his loyalty to her, and denies the truth of the charges. 
 We have eight poems treating of this theme. 
 
 a. Anomalous Forms* 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 The knot which 224 — 113 
 
 It was my choice 226 — 114 
 
 Accused though I be 75 55 177 
 
 Perdie I said it not 40 66 48 
 
 Ye know my heart 237 — 125 
 
 The knot which : a b a b a b a. 
 
 "The knot which first my heart did strain, 
 When that your servant I became, 
 Doth bind me still for to remain, 
 Always your own as now I am. 
 
 If in my love there be one spot 
 Of false deceit or doubleness ; 
 Or if I mind to slip this knot 
 By want of faith or steadfastness 
 Let all my service be forgot, 
 And when I would have chief redress, 
 Esteem me not." 
 
 // ivas my choice : a b a b c b c. 
 
 In this poem no allusion is made to any accusations, but the 
 poet speaks as if some cloud had settled on their intercourse. 
 By right his heart should be accepted, for it was a free-will offer- 
 ing. But the lover fears \X\z\. fortune, ox fancy, will prove more 
 powerful than truth, — here used as a synonym for right He 
 
9 2 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 is in a quandary, uncertain to which of the three he shall ap- 
 peal ; at last he decides to trust to right; for right never 
 changes, while chance and fancy are fickle and unstable. 
 
 " To Fantasy pertains to choose. 
 All this I know : for Fantasy 
 First unto love did me induce ; 
 But yet I know as steadfastly, 
 That if love have no faster knot, 
 So nice a choice slips suddenly. 
 It lasteth not." 
 
 Accused though I be : abababababcc. 
 
 Here the lover speaks more plainly of the cause of his lady's 
 coolness : " ill tongues " have been attacking him. 
 
 " None is alive that can ill tongues eschew ; 
 Hold them as false ; and let not us depart 
 Our friendship old in hope of any new." 
 
 Per die I said it not : ababacac. 
 
 The protestation is continued. Here the alleged offence is 
 materialized into the use of some expression, or the utterance 
 of certain words falsely charged upon the lover. He denies 
 the slander, and invokes all kinds of misfortune on himself if he 
 speaks falsely. 
 
 "Perdie I said it not; 
 Nor never thought to do: 
 As well as I, ye wot, 
 I have no power thereto. 
 And if I did, the lot, 
 That first did me enchain, 
 May never slake the knot, 
 But straight it to my pain ! " 
 
 In the fifth stanza he hints that possibly the lady has an 
 object in her obstinate refusal to credit his assurances, and 
 queries whether or no this thing be sought to give him pain. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 93 
 
 " If I be clear from thought, 
 Why do you then complain ? 
 Then is this thing but sought 
 To turn my heart to pain.*' 
 
 The poem closes with an allusion too dark to be explained by 
 us. Evidently there is another lady in the case, of whom the 
 '• Rachel," his true mistress, is, or has pretended to be, jealous. 
 Who "Leah" was, we do not know; nor does "Rachel," in 
 this poem at least, reveal more of her identity. 
 
 Ye know my heart: ababbcadedecc. 
 
 " Ye know my heart, my Lady dear ! 
 That since the time I was your thrall 
 I have been yours both whole and clear, 
 Though my reward hath been but small ; 
 So am I yet, and more than all. 
 
 Ye know also, though ye say nay, 
 That you alone are my desire ; 
 And you alone it is that may 
 Assuage my fervent flaming fire. 
 
 And I know well how scornfully 
 Ye have mistaken my true intent; 
 And hitherto how wrongfully, 
 I have found cause for to repent. 
 But if your heart cloth not relent, 
 Since I do know that this ye know, 
 Ye shall slay me all wilfully. 
 
 Why are ye then so cruel foe 
 
 Unto your own, that loves you so ? " 
 
 b. a b a b Stanza. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 Disdain me not 35 58 43 
 
 If Fancy would 161 — 65 
 
 I have sought long 172 — 74 
 
94 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Disdain me not repeats the ideas already met. 
 
 " Refuse me not without cause why, 
 Nor think me not to be unjust; 
 Since that by lot of fantasy, 
 This careful knot needs knit I must. 
 
 Mistrust me not, though some there be 
 That fain would spot my steadfastness : 
 Believe them not, since that ye see 
 The proof is not, as they express." 
 
 If Fancy would suggests the thought in // was my choice 
 (N. 226 ; A. 114). 
 
 If Fancy would (v. 9-18). // was my choice (v. 19-30). 
 
 " Fancy doth know how " Yet some would say assuredly 
 
 To further my true heart ; Thou mayst appeal for thy release 
 
 If Fancy might avow To Fantasy. 
 
 With Faith to take part. To Fantasy pertains to choose. 
 
 All this I know : for Fantasy 
 But Fancy is so frail First unto love did me induce ; 
 
 And flitting still so fast, But yet I know as steadfastly, 
 
 That Faith may not prevail That if love have no faster knot, 
 To help me, first nor last. So nice a choice slips suddenly ; 
 
 It lasteth not. 
 For Fancy at his lust, It lasteth not, that stands by 
 
 Doth rule all but by guess." change ; 
 
 Fancy doth change ; Fortune is 
 frail." 
 
 I have sought long brings us to a turning-point in the lover's 
 experience. His theme is still the changeableness of the lady's 
 fancy ; she has no better reason for her conduct than the man 
 in the proverb: "I reck not how." But the lover's tone has 
 changed. 
 
 " Therefore I played the fool in vain, 
 With pity when I first began 
 Your cruel heart for to constrain, 
 Since love regardeth no doubtful man. 
 But of your goodness, all your mind 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 95 
 
 Is that I should complain in vain; 
 This is the favour that I find; 
 Ye list to hear how I can plain ! 
 
 But tho' I plain to please your heart, 
 Trust me I trust to temper it so, 
 Not for to care which do revert ; 
 All shall be one, or wealth, or woe. 
 
 For Fancy ruleth, though Right say nay, 
 Even as the good man kist his cow : 
 None other reason can ye lay, 
 But as who sayeth : ' I reck not how.' " 
 
 The poems just examined have introduced us to the spirit 
 and sentiment of this period ; we now take up the remaining 
 works in turn. 
 
 c. Sonnets. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 I abide and abide 144 — 20 
 
 Though I myself 145 — 2I 
 
 How oft have I 13 69 14 
 
 Was I never yet 2 33 2 
 
 / abide and abide. In this sonnet Wyatt returns to the 
 peculiar style of versification found in Sometime I sigh ; I am 
 as I am, and a few more of the kind already examined by us. 
 The lover becomes impatient at his lady's coldness ; she coquets 
 with his devotion, and promises without regard to fulfilment. 
 
 " Much were it better for to be plain, 
 Than to say, ' Abide,' and yet not obtain." 
 
 Though I myself. The lady has expressed a fear lest she be 
 compelled, against her will, to break the promise given to her 
 lover. The latter chides her for her insincerity, pointing out 
 the fact that all depends upon her own free choice ; there is no 
 power can make her change except she give her consent. He 
 says : " I am compelled by force of circumstances to remain in- 
 active under close restraint; everything depends upon yourself. 
 If you seek worldly honor, who can compel you to abide by the 
 
g6 S/J? THOMAS WYATT 
 
 promise made to me? Do not complain, however; nobody 
 will force you against your will. But I suspect that in spite of 
 your pretended fear, you are perhaps too ready to listen to the 
 suit you seem to dread. If really honest, let your defence be 
 in time, truth, and love ; i. e., continue loving and true to me : 
 time will make all good." Nott says of this difficult poem that 
 it " is designedly obscure, and probably was never corrected. It 
 might have been a fine composition. It alludes probably to 
 Wyatt's unfortunate passion for Anne Boleyn, and intimates that 
 if she preferred, as she ought to do, honor to ambition, she was 
 still free to refuse the magnificent proposals which the king 
 had then laid before her." 1 It seems to me that Nott mis- 
 interprets the meaning of the third verse ; his explanation 
 contains a contradiction. If the lover means, as Dr. Nott 
 interprets, " provided you prefer honor to ambition," he would 
 not ask " who may hold thee to thy promise ? " But if he uses 
 honor in the sense of rank, title, position, there is manifest ap- 
 propriateness in the question. Dr. Nott would read verses 4, 5, 
 6, 7, differently ; verse 7 thus, — 
 
 " Though other present be, I am not all behind." 
 
 It would be difficult to justify the change. It seems to me that 
 the line is particularly keen and forceful as it stands ; it reminds 
 us of verse 78, in the Third Satire : " Be next thyself ..." 
 and means, I think, " You claim to be compelled by another : 
 I fear you are not altogether opposed to the idea yourself." 
 The sonnet is indeed obscure ; perhaps we are farther than ever 
 from the right interpretation. But enough is clear to show that 
 the sonnet was not written without a purpose. It is not such a 
 composition as comes from the pen of a mere producer of 
 society verse. In spite of the obscurity, intensity and directness 
 characterize it ; and the poem expresses a feeling as real as its 
 utterance is emphatic. It is to be interpreted in the light of 
 companion pieces. 
 
 1 Notes, p. 572. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 97 
 
 How oft have /contains a sentence of considerable import in 
 verses 3, 4 : — 
 
 ". . . but you do not use 
 Among so high things, to cast your mind so low." 
 
 The original, found, as stated in a previous chapter, among the 
 sonnets of the Italian poet, reads thus : — 
 
 ". . . APavoi tion piace 
 
 Mirar si basso con la mente altera.' 1 '' 
 
 It will be seen that the slight change in the rendering intro- 
 duces quite a new thought in the translation. This must have 
 been intended by the poet, and the allusion is evidently to the 
 position or the prospects of the lady thus addressed. 
 
 Was I ?iever yet is also a translation of one of Petrarch's 
 sonnets : Io non fit' if a mar voi lassato unquanco. This sonnet 
 is very similar in style to the earlier productions of the poet, 
 but because of its agreement with the prevailing sentiment of 
 this period it has been added to the group. 
 
 d. Rhyme-royal Stanza. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 It may be good 28 42 37 
 
 That time that mirth 220 — 109 
 
 Though this the port 157 — 61 
 
 O miserable sorrow 236 — 124 
 
 The joy so short 242 — 129 
 
 // may be good. The lover is dissatisfied ; his lady has given 
 many assurances, but he mistrusts her sincerity. He hopes, and 
 yet he dares not hope. 
 
 The meaning of the word hase in verse 10 is a riddle; 
 perhaps it was coined as an abbreviation for hazard, which 
 would not be inappropriate to the sense. 
 
 That time that mirth alludes to the happy days, now past, 
 in which he felt secure in his lady's love. She has now become 
 his " extreme enemy ; " but, — 
 
 7 
 
9 3 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 " It is not time that can wear out 
 With me, that once is firmly set; 
 While Nature keeps her course about, 
 My love from her no man can let. 
 Though never so sore they me threat, 
 Yet am I hers, she may be sure ; 
 And shall be while that life doth dure." 
 
 Verse 5 of the stanza quoted is quite significant. 
 The three remaining poems in this set will be referred to 
 shortly. 
 
 e. Anomalous Forms {Second Set). 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 Though I cannot 184 — 85 
 
 If with complaint 237 — 125 
 
 The answer that 38 62 46 
 
 Give place ! all ye 247 — 133 
 
 If chance assigned 175 — 77 
 
 What death is 180 — 81 
 
 Since Love will needs 43 77 51 
 
 I see that chance 46 81 53 
 
 Though I cannot : a a b b a. 
 
 " But I see well, that your high disdain 
 Will no wise grant that I shall more attain ; 
 Yet ye must grant at the last 
 This my poor, and small request ; 
 Rejoice not at my pain ! " 
 
 If with complaint : a b a a b b. 
 
 " But since it is so far out of measure, 
 That with my words I can it not contain, 
 My only trust ! my heart's treasure ! 
 Alas ! why do I still endure 
 This restless smart and pain ? 
 Since if ye list ye may my woe restrain." 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 99 
 
 The answer that : a 1) a b b. 
 
 " I have no wrong, where I can claim no right, 
 Nought ta'en me fro, where I nothing have had : 
 Yet of my woe, I cannot so be quite. 
 Namely, Since that another may be glad 
 With that, that thus in sorrow makes me sad. 
 Yet none can claim, I say, by former grant, 
 That knoweth not of any grant at all ; 
 And by desert, I dare well make avaunt 
 Of faithful will ; there is nowhere that shall 
 Bear you more truth, more ready at your call." 
 
 Give place ! all ye : a b a b b b. This piece is somewhat 
 suggestive of I abide and abide (N. 144 ; A. 20). 
 
 " With humble suit I have essayed 
 To turn her cruel hearted mind ; 
 But for reward I am delayed, 
 And to my wealth her eyes be blind. 
 Lo ! thus by chance I am assigned 
 With steadfast love to serve the unkind. 
 
 For love to find such cruelty, 
 Alas ! it is a careful lot ; 
 And for to void such mockery 
 There is no way but slip the knot ! 
 The gain so cold, the pain so hot ! 
 Praise it who list, I like it not." 
 
 If chance assigned : a a a b c c b. An appeal for freedom. 
 The thought expressed in other poems of this group is repeated 
 here ; although he dares not hope for favor, the lover remains, 
 nevertheless, bound to her, — he cannot subdue his affection. 
 Now he beseeches that she will give him back his freedom, or 
 else complete his destruction. This fanciful composition may 
 have been suggested by the early poem, Like as the bird (X. 
 47; A. 54). 
 
I0 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 What death is worse : a b a b b a. The interpretation of 
 this poem will be considered later. 
 
 Since Love will needs : a b a b c c. 
 
 " Though for good-will I find but hate, 
 And cruelly my life to waste, 
 And though that still a wretched state 
 Should pine my days unto the last, 
 Yet I profess it willingly 
 To serve and suffer patiently. 
 
 Yea ! though Fortune her pleasant face 
 Should shew, to set me up aloft ; 
 And straight my wealth for to deface, 
 Should writhe away, as she doth oft ; 
 Yet would I still myself apply 
 To serve and suffer patiently." 
 
 / see that chance : a b a b c c. 
 
 " I see that chance hath chosen me 
 Thus secretly to live in pain, 
 And to another given the fee, 
 Of all my loss to have the gain : 
 By chance assigned thus do I serve, 
 And other have that I deserve. 
 
 To seek by mean to change this mind, 
 Alas ! I prove, it will not be ; 
 For in my heart I cannot find 
 Once to refrain, but still agree, 
 As bound by force, alway to serve, 
 And other have that I deserve." 
 
 The reader will not fail to note the close agreement of these 
 two poems, in sentiment as in form • they belong undoubtedly 
 to a common date, and are assigned with manifest propriety 
 to this third group. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. I0I 
 
 f. a b a b Stanza (Second Set). 
 
 N. A. 
 
 "Alas! poor man 217 107 
 
 "Alas ! poor man, what hap have I, 
 Thai must forbear that I love best / 
 I trow, it be my destiny, 
 Never to live in quiet rest. 
 
 Alas ! poor heart, as in this case 
 With pensive plaint thou art opprest ; 
 Unwise thou were to desire place 
 Whereas another is possest. 
 
 She that I serve all other above 
 Hath paid my hire, as ye may see ; 
 I was unhappy, and that I prove, 
 To love above my poor degree." 
 
 Wyatt's position was not a base one, nor was his family of 
 inferior rank ; indeed, there were not many nobles at Henry's 
 Court better situated in this respect than he. This is especially 
 true in reference to the ladies gathered there ; and of those 
 to whom Wyatt's address would be most likely paid, there was 
 no one to whom the words here quoted would apply with 
 greater appropriateness than to one exalted not so much by 
 reason of her own connection as by the rank of that person 
 who had displaced the poet in her affections. 
 
 g. Single-Rhyme Stanza. 
 
 N. A. 
 
 Forget not yet 235 123 
 
 And wilt thou- 219 10S 
 
 As power and wit 221 11 1 
 
 Forget not yet. 
 
 " Forget not ! oh ! forget not this, 
 How lone: afro hath been, and is 
 
102 SIX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 The mind that never meant amiss, 
 
 Forget not yet ! 
 Forget not then thine own approved, 
 The which so long hath thee so loved, 
 Whose steadfast faith yet never moved : 
 
 Forget not this ! " 
 
 A?id wilt thou leave. 
 
 " And wilt thou leave me thus, 
 That hath loved thee so long, 
 In wealth and woe among ? 
 And is thy heart so strong 
 As for to leave me thus ? 
 Say nay ! say nay ! 
 
 And wilt thou leave me thus, 
 And have no more pity, 
 Of him that loveth thee ? 
 Alas ! thy cruelty ! 
 And wilt thou leave me thus ? 
 
 As power and wit. 
 
 " When all the flock is come and gone 
 Mine eye and heart agreeth in one, 
 Hath chosen you, only, alone, 
 To be my joy, or else my moan, 
 
 Even as ye list. 
 Joy, if pity appear in place ; 
 Moan, if disdain do shew his face, 
 Yet crave I not as in this case, 
 But as ye lead to follow the trace, 
 
 Even as ye list. 
 
 Dear heart ! I bid your heart farewell, 
 With better heart than tongue can tell ; 
 Yet take this tale, as true as gospel, 
 Ye may my life save or expel 
 Even as ye list." 
 
AXD HIS POEMS. 
 
 103 
 
 Similarity in thought, as in expression, characterizes these 
 three poems, and hinds them to this group. The general sen- 
 timent is this : The lover has served long and faithfully without 
 reward j but his affection does not falter, he is content to serve 
 even as his lady lists. 
 
 h. Rondeaux. 
 
 Wyatt now turns to the rondeau, — a form borrowed by him 
 from the French, as previously he had borrowed the sonnet 
 from the Italian poets. As belonging distinctively to this 
 period we designate : — 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 Behold, Love! 18 53 22 
 
 Go! burning sighs 19 73 24 
 
 Help me to seek ! 147 — 24 
 
 For to love her 148 — 25 
 
 If it be so 150 — 27 
 
 Behold, Love ! In this, as in the poem which follows, Go ! 
 burning sighs, and in What 'vaileth truth, to be discussed here- 
 after, we must follow the Harington MS. text, which certainly 
 preserves the original form in which these three poems appeared. 
 Their hybrid dress, — half sonnet, half rondeau, — in the ver- 
 sion given by Tottel, is not easy of explanation. It is, how- 
 ever, entirely possible that the changed arrangement was the 
 poet's own later work. This does not concern us now, but it 
 is important that we should recognize the form in which the 
 poems were originally composed. 
 
 The poem before us declares, — 
 
 " The holy oath whereof she takes no cure, 
 Broken she hath." 
 
 Furthermore, the lover says, "I am in hold," — which reminds 
 us of the sonnet, Though I nix self be bridled of my mind 
 (N. 145; A. 21). 
 
 Go / burning sighs, is arw imitation, rather than a transla- 
 tion, of Petrarch's sonnet, Ite caldi sospiri al freddo core. 
 
I0 4 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 In the latter portion of the poem the thought of the original is 
 entirely lost sight of, — thus showing that Wyatt has here intro- 
 duced something of his own experience : — 
 
 " I must go work, I see, by craft and art, 
 For truth and faith in her is laid apart." 
 
 Help me to seek has nothing of special significance for us ; 
 its general resemblance to the other rondeaux here gathered is 
 the reason of its insertion in the group. 
 
 For to love her repeats the ideas already met with : — 
 
 " But she hath made another promess 
 And hath given me leave full honestly. 
 
 Methink it best that readily 
 I do return to my first address ; 
 For at this time too great is the press, 
 A nd perils appear too abundantly, 
 For to love her." 
 
 In connection with the last poem of this set, we must ex- 
 amine several others which have been mentioned in their re- 
 spective places, but have not been as yet discussed. These 
 productions, together with the rondeau remaining, may be 
 looked upon as building a conclusion to the general thought 
 of this large group, just as certain others united to serve as 
 introductory to the whole. These poems are in all five. 
 
 N. A. 
 
 If it be so 150 27 
 
 Though this the port 157 61 
 
 O miserable sorrow 236 124 
 
 The joy so short 242 129 
 
 What death is worse 180 81 
 
 If it be so. The motive of the closing lines of this rondeau 
 is to be found in Chaucer, who makes use of the image several 
 times. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 105 
 
 In the " Booke of the Dutchesse," verse 1151, he says: 
 
 " For wostou why ? she was lady 
 Of the body ; she hadde the herte, 
 And who hath that may not asterte." 
 
 In the " Romaunt of the Rose," too, we find, verse 2084 and 
 following : — 
 
 " For of the body he is full lord 
 That hath the herte in his tresour." 
 
 In this poem the lover refers to a separation, — a separation 
 which he regards as banishment. His heart remains true, and 
 he is so far her devoted and obedient servant as to obey his 
 lady's will even in departing from her presence, if she list so to 
 order him. At the same time he has reason to suspect that her 
 affection has changed ; but comforts himself with the conceit 
 that he still holds her heart in his possession, and therefore it is 
 impossible for her to bestow it elsewhere. 
 
 Though this the port (Rhyme-royal Stanza). 
 
 ". . . Behold yet how that I, 
 Banished fro?n my bliss, carefully do cry. 
 
 By seas and hills elonged from my sight, 
 Thy wonted grace reducing to my mind, 
 Instead of sleep thus I occupy the night; 
 A thousand thoughts, and many doubts I find 
 And still I trust thou canst not be unkind, 
 Or else despair my comfort and my chere 
 Would she forthwith, ' En vogant la Galere.' ' 
 
 O ! miserable sorrow (Rhyme-royal Stanza). 
 
 " And this my last voice carry thou thither, 
 Where lived my hope, now dead for ever : 
 For as ill grievous is my banishment, 
 As was my pleasure when she was present." 
 
I0 5 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 The joy so short (Rhyme-royal Stanza). 
 
 " The time doth pass, yet shall not my love ; 
 Though I be far, always my heart is near. 
 Though other change yet will not I remove ; 
 Though other care not, yet love I will and fear; 
 Though other hate, yet will I love my dear ; 
 Though other will of lightness say ' Adieu,' 
 Yet will I be found steadfast and true." 
 
 What death is worse : a b a b b a. 
 
 " What death is worse than this ! 
 When my delight, 
 My weal, my joy, my bliss, 
 Is from my sight. 
 
 Heartless, alas ! what man 
 
 May long endure ! 
 
 Alas ! how live I then ; 
 
 Since no recure 
 
 May me assure 
 
 My life I may well ban." 
 
 This set of five poems evidently records a period of absence, 
 perhaps enjoined upon the lover by his lady. It would seem 
 as if she sent him away with promises, and gladly availed her- 
 self of his absence to further her own designs. This episode 
 may be judged to fall at the close of the period which we have 
 been discussing, and helps to explain the sudden change which 
 now occurs in the sentiment of the compositions which follow. 
 Up to this point, it is remarkable that the lover still persists in 
 his hopeless attachment ; in every piece the assurance of his 
 constancy has been passionately affirmed : he now suddenly 
 casts off his bonds, and has recourse to taunts and upbraiding. 
 We are better prepared for the violent tone of the poems which 
 follow if we suppose the lover to have received this new proof 
 of his lady's heartlessness and insincerity. We here take up a 
 fourth group of Wyatt's productions, and leave what may be 
 called, perhaps, the period of Disappointment or Deception. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 107 
 
 t N« »l 
 
 I I 38 I 
 
 2 3 
 "5 ° 
 
 \r> xr, o "> t^ 
 
 I I 5 I I I 55 
 
 T t-. 00 t>» 
 
 % 8 « « S - 
 S rt « « 9 2 
 
 a -a 5 ~ i - 1 -5 
 
 J* 
 
 Eh S3 
 
 .5 r" v- to 
 
 O K ? CO HH 
 
 I I 
 
 3s _ Tf- C\ 
 »0 N N 
 
 *l I I I 
 
 eo o f» o n 
 
 E 5 
 
 ■a j o 
 
 w rt "" 
 
 j* J .a 
 
 o e a 
 
 ^ z ^ 
 
 I I 
 
 •° s. «. >» 
 * g» > * 
 
 -a = « g 
 
 3 "Is*: 
 
 _ H = £ 
 
 I I I 
 
 00 o r>. oc o 
 
 j = - > o 
 
 S "-S - 
 
 I I I 
 
 *» s > 
 
 O «q 
 
 _ <j 4j 
 
108 SIX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Group IV. 
 a. Sonnets. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 My love to scorn 10 $$ u 
 
 My heart I gave 15 71 16 
 
 Divers doth use 143 — 20 
 
 To rail or jest 145 — 22 
 
 There was never file 2 34 2 
 
 Whoso list to hunt 143 — 19 
 
 Farewell, Love 17 70 18 
 
 My love to scorn. 
 
 " But since that thus ye list to order me, 
 That would have been your servant true and fast, 
 Displease thee not : my doting days be past. 
 And with my loss to leave I must agree. 
 For as there is a certain time to rage, 
 So is there time such madness to assuage." 
 
 My heart I gave. 
 
 " But, since it please thee to feign a default, 
 Farewell, I say, parting from the fire. 
 For he that believeth bearing in hand 
 Ploweth in the water, and sovveth in the sand." 
 
 Divers doth use. 
 
 • l And some there be that when it chanceth so 
 That women change, and hate where love hath been, 
 They call them false, and think with words to win 
 The hearts of them which otherwhere doth grow. 
 But as for me, though that by chance indeed 
 Change hath outworn the favour that I had, 
 I will not wail, lament, nor yet be sad, 
 Nor call her false that falsely did me feed ; 
 
 But let it pass, and think it is of kind 
 That often change doth please a woman's mind." 
 
AND HIS POEMS. I0 9 
 
 To rail or jest. 
 
 " Things of great weight I never thought to crave, 
 This is but small ; of right deny it not : 
 Your feigning ways, as yet forget them not. 
 But like reward let other lovers have ; 
 
 That is to say, for service true and fast, 
 Too long delays, and changing at the last." 
 
 There was never file. 
 
 " But reason hath at my folly smiled, 
 And pardoned me, since that I me repent 
 Of my lost years, and time misspent. 
 For youth did me lead, and falsehood guided." 
 
 Whoso list to hunt. 
 
 " Whoso list to hunt ? I know where is an hind ! 
 But as for me, alas ! I may no more, 
 The vain travail hath wearied me so sore ; 
 I am of them that furthest come behind. 
 
 Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt 
 As well as I, may spend his time in vain ! 
 And graven with diamonds in letters plain, 
 There is written her fair neck round about ; 
 ' Noli me tangere ; for Casar's I am, 
 And wild for to hold, though I seem tame.' " 
 
 When read in the light of the other poems we have been 
 examining, there can be little doubt that the lady referred to 
 under the image of the "hind" is the lady whom the lover has 
 been pursuing all along. The fact that she now bears mark of 
 C&sar's ownership explains the ill-success of the former suitor, 
 and makes clear several allusions already noted. This is, per- 
 haps, the most convincing evidence we have regarding the iden- 
 tity of the poet's mistress. 
 
 Farewell, Love. 
 
 " Farewell, Love, and all thy laws for ever; 
 Thy baited hooks shall tangle me no more : 
 
II0 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Senec, and Plato, call me from thy lore, 
 To perfect wealth, my wit for to endeavour. 
 
 Therefore, farewell ! go trouble younger hearts ; 
 
 And in me claim no more authority: 
 
 With idle youth go use thy property, 
 
 And thereon spend thy many brittle darts : 
 
 For, hitherto though I have lost all my time, 
 Me lusteth no longer rotten boughs to climb." 
 
 Further comment seems unnecessary ; the poems speak suf- 
 ficiently for themselves, and their similarity and relation are 
 
 obvious. 
 
 b. Rondeaux. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 What no, perdie ! 149 — 26 
 
 What 'vaileth truth 18 53 23 
 
 Thou hast no faith 151 — 28 
 
 Ye old mule ! 148 — 26 
 
 What no, perdie ! 
 
 " Too much it were still to endure. 
 Truth is tried, where craft is in ure, 
 But though ye have had my heartes cure, 
 Trow ye I dote without ending ? " 
 
 What * vaileth truth. 
 
 " Soonest he speeds that most can feign ; 
 True meaning heart is had in disdain. 
 Against deceit and doubleness, 
 What 'vaileth truth ! 
 Deceived is he by crafty train, 
 That means no guile, and doth remain 
 Within the trap, without redress : 
 But for to love, lo, such a mistress, 
 Whose cruelty nothing can refrain, 
 What 'vaileth truth ! " 
 
 Thou hast no faith contains a taunt based upon the fickle 
 character of his former mistress, who is now beloved of another. 
 
 
AND HIS POEMS. \ \ \ 
 
 This other suitor he characterizes as treacherous also, and quotes 
 the proverb of "like to like." 
 
 " I thought thee true without exception; 
 But I perceive I lacked discretion, 
 To fashion faith to words mutable. 
 Thy thought is too light and variable, 
 To change so oft without occasion. 
 Thou hast no faith ! " 
 
 Ye old mule is bitterest of all Wyatt's pieces ; reflecting as it 
 does upon the lady's sincerity of heart, and also applying to her 
 an epithet used only of a woman of degraded character. The 
 piece is expressive of the lover's feelings at this time, but is of 
 such a nature as to make us doubtful whether we should assign 
 it to this or to a later period, on the supposition that the allusion 
 is quite different. 
 
 c. Single-rhyme Stanza. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 Farewell the reign 28 44 36 
 
 Is it possible 216 — 106 
 
 Hate whom ye list 251 — 137 
 
 Farewell the reign. 
 
 " Farewell the reign of cruelty ! 
 Though that with pain my liberty 
 Dear have I bought, yet shall surety 
 Conduct my thoughts of joy needy." 
 
 Is it possible. 
 
 " It is possible 
 For to turn so oft ; 
 
 To bring that low'st that was most aloft ; 
 And to fall highest, yet to light soft ; 
 It is possible ! " 
 
 Hate whom ye list, which can hardly be called a poem, seems 
 expressive of the sentiment of this period. 
 
112 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 d. Rhyme-royal Stanza. 
 
 A. 
 
 They flee from me 23 40 32 
 
 My hope alas 162 — 66 
 
 What should I say 246 — 132 
 
 Full well it may 228 — 117 
 
 They flee from me is interpreted by Dr. Nott in an allegorical 
 sense throughout, and refers, according to his explanation, to 
 Fortune thus personified. But the poem is suggestive of the son- 
 net Whoso list to hunt? (N. 143 ; A. 18) inasmuch as the poet 
 begins with the figure of a deer, formerly tame, ready to take 
 bread from his hand. There is no reason why we should doubt 
 that a lady of flesh and blood is the one referred to here. 
 
 My hope, alas ! 
 
 " Sometime delight did tune my song, 
 And led my heart full pleasantly ; 
 And to myself I said among — 
 1 My hap is coming hastily.' 
 But it hath happed contrary. 
 Assurance causeth my distress, 
 And I remain all comfortless." 
 
 What should I say. 
 
 " I promised you, 
 
 And you promised me, 
 
 To be as true 
 
 As I would be. 
 
 But since I see 
 
 Your double heart, 
 
 Farewell my part ! " 
 Full well it may. 
 
 " What thing may more declare 
 Of love the crafty kind, 
 Than see the wise so ware, 
 In love to be so blind, 
 If so it be assigned; 
 Let them enjoy the gain 
 That thinks it worth the pain." 
 
13 
 
 AND HIS POEMS. 
 e. a b a b Stanza. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 Where shall I have 26 51 35 
 
 If ever man . . 37 59 45 
 
 AU heavy minds Y-x; > 1(4 — 67 
 
 Ah! Robin!. . \ 0f . . . • v*/S8 — 88 
 
 Since so ye please /S^ a£ A . L iF .9^ ^r 2.W — 121 
 
 Now must I learn 233 — 121 
 
 Where shall I have. 
 
 li I speak not now to move your heart 
 That you should rue upon my pain ; 
 The sentence given may not revert : 
 I know such labour were but vain. 
 
 Fortune and you did me advance; 
 Methought I swam, and could not drown : 
 Happiest of all ; but my mischance 
 Did lift me up, to throw me down. 
 
 Where are your pleasant words, alas ? 
 Where is your faith ? your steadfastness ? 
 There is no more but all doth pass, 
 And I am left all comfortless. 1 ' 
 
 Turning to the poem Though I cannot your cruelty constrain 
 (N. 184 ; A. 85), we find the lover hopeless, but craving that his 
 lady might rue upon his pain. That poem was conjectured to 
 belong to the period preceding this of which we now speak. 
 In verse 14 of the poem before us we may fairly judge that 
 Wyatt has in mind a similar expression used on some former 
 occasion, when he says he does not now speak to move his lady 
 to be pitiful. The proverb " like to like," quoted in verse 24, 
 has been already noted as applied in a different form in the 
 rondeau Thou hast no faith (N. 151; A. 28). Further, the 
 allusion to the fickleness of Fortune has been frequently met in 
 the poems of this period. 
 
 8 
 
II4 SIX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 It should be added that in the Harington MS. the following 
 line is superscribed in Wyatt's hand : — 
 
 " Podra ser che no esj" 1 
 
 This leads Nott to suppose that the poem is translated from the 
 Spanish, and probably written while Wyatt was in Spain. The 
 piece may be an imitation ; but the phraseology and the thought 
 are so often repetitions of what we find in other original poems 
 that we must hesitate before we pronounce it a translation. 
 If ever man. 
 
 " Sometime I stood so in her grace, 
 That, as I would require, 
 Each joy I thought did me embrace, 
 That furthered my desire. 
 
 For she hath turned so her wheel, 
 That I, unhappy man, 
 May wail the time that I did feel 
 Wherewith she fed me than." 
 
 When we compare this with the two poems Once as me- 
 thought, Fortime me kissed (N. 21; T. 63; A. 30); After 
 great storms the calm returns (N. 156; A. 60), it is evident 
 that If ever man is subsequent to those, and should be assigned 
 to a later period ; compared with My hope, alas ! hath me 
 abused (N. 162 ; A. 66), the intimate connection is clearly 
 seen : the two poems must go together. 
 
 All heavy minds. 
 
 " I seek nothing 
 But thus for to discharge 
 My heart of sore sighing ; 
 To plain at large. 
 
 And with my lute 
 Sometime to ease my pain ; 
 For else all other suit 
 Is clean in vain." 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 1 1 5 
 
 This poem introduces us to a set of " lute-songs," with which 
 we shall soon become acquainted. 
 
 Ah ! Robin ! 
 
 " ■ My lady is unkind, perdie ! ' 
 Alack, why is she so? 
 4 She loveth another better than me, 
 And yet she will say, No.' " 
 
 Since so ye please. 
 
 " But cursed be that cruel heart 
 Which hath procured a careless mind 
 For me and my unfeigned smart, 
 And forceth me such faults to find." 
 
 Now must I learn. 
 
 " I may no longer more endure 
 My wonted life to lead ; 
 But I must learn to put in ure 
 The change of womanhed. 
 
 I ask none other remedy 
 To recompense my wrong, 
 But once to have the liberty 
 That I have lacked so long." 
 
 f. Anomalous. 
 
 N. 
 
 My lute awake 20 
 
 My pen ! take pain 207 
 
 At most mischief 177 
 
 Now all of change 256 
 
 Marvel no more 30 
 
 Alas the grief 168 
 
 If in the world 186 
 
 Since you will needs 239 
 
 How should I 243 
 
 Spite hath no power 249 
 
 Tangled I was 252 
 
 T. 
 
 A. 
 
 64 
 
 29 
 
 — 
 
 98 
 
 — 
 
 73 
 
 — 
 
 141 
 
 SO 
 
 39 
 
 
 
 7i 
 
 — 
 
 S7 
 
 — 
 
 127 
 
 — 
 
 130 
 
 — 
 
 135 
 
 — 
 
 137 
 
n6 SI/? THOMAS WYATT 
 
 N. T. A; 
 
 Blame not my lute 205 — 96 
 
 Patience for my device 1S1 — 82 
 
 Patience though I have not . . . . 1S2 — 83 
 
 Patience of all my smart 183 — 84 
 
 Patience for I have wrong 259 — 144 
 
 When first mine eyes 42 y6 50 
 
 My lute awake : a a b a b. 
 
 " My lute awake, perform the last 
 Labour, that thou and I shall waste, 
 And end that I have now begun : 
 And when this song is sung and past, 
 My lute ! be still, for I have done." 
 
 My pen, take pain : a a b a b. 
 
 " My pen ! take pain a little space 
 To follow that which doth me chase, 
 And hath in hold my heart so sore ; 
 But when thou hast this brought to pass, 
 My pen ! I prithee write no more." 
 
 This poem is a close imitation of the preceding ; Nott calls it 
 " a parody," — a term hardly appropriate in this case. 
 At most ?7iischief : aaabcccb. 
 
 " At most mischief 
 I suffer grief ; 
 For of relief 
 Since I have none, 
 My lute and I 
 Continually 
 Shall us apply 
 To sigh and moan." 
 
 Now all of change : a b c a b c. 
 
 " Of Fortune's might 
 That each compels, 
 And me the most, it doth suffice; 
 Now for my right 
 
AND HIS POEMS. \\j 
 
 To ask nought else 
 
 But to withdraw this enterprise. 
 
 And she unjust 
 
 Which feareth not 
 
 In this her fame to be defiled, 
 
 Vet once I trust 
 
 Shall be my lot 
 
 To quite the craft that me beguiled." 
 
 Marvel no more .* ababacac. 
 
 " .Marvel no more although 
 The songs, I sing, do moan ; 
 For other life than woe, 
 I never proved none. 
 
 And in my heart also 
 Is graven with letters deep, 
 A thousand sighs and mo, 
 A flood of tears to weep." 
 
 The allusion in the closing stanza of this poem to a certain 
 Mistress Chaunce, or Souche, is not of great importance. There 
 was a Mistress Souche in existence at that time, whose portrait 
 by Holbein has come down to us, — possibly the reference is to 
 her ; and so Dr. Nott conjectures likely. If this be the case, 
 the introduction of the compliment here is a mere tribute of 
 gallantry to a beautiful woman. 
 
 Alas the grief : a a b a b b. 
 
 " I have wailed thus, weeping in nightly pain, 
 In sobs and sighs, alas ! and all in vain, 
 In inward plaint, and heart's woeful torment. 
 And yet, alas ! lo ! cruelty and disdain 
 Have set at nought a faithful true intent, 
 And price hath privilege truth to prevent." 
 
 If in the world : abaabcb deeded. 
 
 •• Who list to live in quietness 
 By me let him beware. 
 
Il8 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 For I by high disdain 
 
 Am made without redress ; 
 
 And unkindness, alas ! hath slain 
 
 My poor true heart, all comfortless." 
 
 Since you will needs : a b a c b c. 
 
 " A broken lute, untuned strings, 
 With such a song may well bear part, 
 That neither pleaseth him that sings, 
 Nor them that hear, but her alone 
 That with her heart would strain my heart 
 To hear it groan." 
 
 How should I : a a b c c b. 
 
 " Whom I did trust, 
 And think so just, 
 Another man hath won. 
 
 Fortune did smile 
 A right short while, 
 And never said me nay ; 
 With pleasant plays, 
 And joyful days, 
 My time to pass away. 
 Where is the oath, 
 Where is the troth, 
 That she to me did give? 
 Such feigned words 
 With sely bourds 
 Let no wise man believe." 
 
 Spite hath no power ; ababbaba. 
 
 " Sometime my friend, farewell my foe, 
 Since thou change I am not thine; 
 But for relief of all my woe, 
 It doth suffice that thou wert mine. 
 
 Praying you all that hear this song, 
 To judge no wight, nor none to blame ; 
 It doth suffice she doth me wrong, 
 
AND HIS POEMS. U 9 
 
 And that herself doth know the same. 
 
 And though she change it is no shame, 
 Their kind it is, and hath been long : 
 Yet I protest she hath no name ; 
 It doth suffice she doth me wrong."' 
 
 Tangled I was .« a a a b b b. 
 
 " Too great desire was my guide, 
 And wanton will went by my side, 
 Hope ruled still and made me bide, 
 Of Love's craft the extremity. 
 But ha ! ha ! ha ! full well is me, 
 For I am now at liberty. 
 With feigned words, which were but wind, 
 To long delays I was assigned ; 
 Her wily looks my wits did blind. 
 
 Was never bird tangled in lime 
 That brake away in better time, 
 Than I, that rotten boughs did climb, 
 And had no hurt but scaped free. 
 Now ha ! ha ! ha ! full well is me, 
 For I am now at liberty." 
 
 The six poems which follow are all cast in one stanza form : 
 a b a b c c. 
 
 Blanie not my lute / was evidently called forth by some com- 
 plaint of the bitterness of* his songs. Perhaps it follows with an 
 interval, My lute, azuake (N. 20; T. 64; A. 29). 
 
 " Though my songs be somewhat strange, 
 And speak such words as touch thy change, 
 Blame not my Lute ! 
 
 Then though my songs be somewhat plain, 
 And toucheth some that use to feign, 
 Blame not my Lute ! 
 
120 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 And though the songs which I indite 
 Do quit thy change with rightful spite, 
 Blame not my Lute ! 
 
 Spite asketh spite, and changing, change, 
 And falsed faith must needs be known; 
 The faults so great, the case so strange ; 
 Of right it must abroad be blown : 
 Then since that by thine own desart 
 My songs do tell how true thou art, 
 Blame not my Lute ! " 
 
 Patience for my device introduces to our notice a set of four 
 poems, more or less closely related to each other. This first 
 of the series represents a sarcastic dialogue between the dis- 
 carded lover and his former mistress. The lover speaks in the 
 opening stanza, saying : " I need patience on account of your 
 treatment of me ; hence I adopt patience as my device. You, 
 inasmuch as we are opposites by nature, shall take impatience 
 for yours." The lady replies testily : " Patience ! yes ; and with 
 good reason. You have no cause at all, and so, great need 
 of patience ! " The rest of the dialogue is a rather obscure 
 continuation of this counterplay of taunts and recrimination ; 
 at the close the lady admits that she has accepted a new 
 suitor. The word-play in the closing stanza springs from the 
 last speech of the lover, who calls on the lady to have patience ; 
 she rejoins : " The other (impatience) was for me ; this pati- 
 ence is for you." 
 
 The two following poems may be brought together thus : 
 
 Patience though I. Patience of all. 
 
 " Patience ! though I have not " Patience to have a nay, 
 
 The thing that I require ; Of that I most desire ; 
 
 I must, of force, God wot, Patience to have alway, 
 
 Forbear my most desire. And ever burn like fire. 
 
 Was ever thought so moved, For it doth well appear 
 
 To hate that it hath loved ? My friend is turned my foe. 
 
AND HIS POEMS, l2 \ 
 
 Patience of all my harm, Patience of all my smart ! 
 
 For Fortune is my foe ; For Fortune is turned awry : 
 
 Patience must be the charm Patience must ease my h 
 
 To heal me of my woe. That mourns continually. 
 
 Patience without offence Patience to suffer wrong 
 
 " Is a painful partem Is a patience too long."' 
 
 Patience ! for I have wrong, 
 
 " Patience ! for I have wrong 
 And dare not shew wherein; 
 Patience shall be my song : 
 Since truth can nothing win." 
 
 When first mine eyes. 
 
 " When first mine eyes did view and mark 
 Thy fair beauty to behold ; 
 And when my ears listened to hark 
 The pleasant words, that thou me told ; 
 I would as then I had been free 
 From ears to hear, and eyes to see. 
 And when in mind I did consent 
 To follow this, my fancy's will, 
 And when my heart did first relent 
 To taste such bait, my life to spill ; 
 I would my heart had been as thine, 
 Or else thy heart had been as mine." 
 
 g. Ottava Riiua. 
 
 N. 
 
 To wet your eye 210 
 
 Throughout the world .... 75 
 
 Desire, alas ! 65 
 
 Sometime I fled 69 
 
 To wet your eye. 
 
 " Prate, and paint, and spare not, 
 Ye know I can me wreak ; 
 And if so be ye can so not, 
 Be sure I do not reck ; 
 
 T. . 
 
 A. 
 
 
 
 IOI 
 
 83 
 
 177 
 
 80 
 
 165 
 
 54 
 
 171 
 
122 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 And though ye swear it were not, 
 
 I can both swear and speak 
 
 By God, and by this cross 
 
 If I have the mock, ye shall have the loss." 
 
 Throughout the world. 
 
 " Throughout the world if it were sought, 
 Fair words enough a man shall find ; 
 They be good cheap, they cost right nought, 
 Their substance is but only wind ; 
 
 But well to say and so to mean, — 
 
 That sweet accord is seldom seen." 
 
 Desire, alas! is one of the most obscure of all Wyatt's 
 poems. It is impossible to offer an explanation that shall be 
 entirely to our satisfaction, but perhaps the best is this : — 
 
 "Desire, my master and my foe, how sorely altered mayst 
 thou see thyself ! Once thou didst seek her who is the cause 
 of my uncertainty and despair ; again thou didst inspire her 
 with some degree of love, — the mistress who rules thee and 
 me. What reason hast thou so to rule thy subjects? For 
 where on thy account I expected to be blamed, so now, because 
 of her hate, I fear it." 
 
 In the light of the poems discussed already, perhaps we may 
 interpret as follows : Desire is the god of love. The lover ad- 
 dresses him, exclaiming over the fickleness of his rule. Now 
 following, now leading, is the antithesis of verses 3, 4 ; the ob- 
 ject of both the leading and the seeking is the lady loved. In 
 the first case the lady is indifferent, and Desire must follow as a 
 suitor ; in the second case, Desire has imparted to the lady 
 an affection for him who has been following, and so Desire 
 is said to lead her who was the inspiration of the lover's pas- 
 sion. The closing couplet may refer to the peculiar circum- 
 stances of the lover's position. We saw in several poems that 
 there was a degree of danger connected with the pushing of his 
 suit, and that secrecy was necessary to safety. So here the lover 
 doubted to have blame, while Desire, or Love, inspired his mis- 
 
AND HIS POEMS. l2 - 
 
 tress to show him kindness and affection : this referring to that 
 period designated by us as the period of Attainment. Now, the 
 lover dreads the same because of his lady's hate. 
 
 " Was ever thought so moved, 
 To hate that it hath loved ? " 
 
 N. 1S2; A. 83. 
 
 " For it doth well appear 
 My friend is turned my foe." 
 
 N. 183; A. 84. 
 
 "Then in my book wrote my mistress 
 ' I am yours, you may well be sure ; 
 And shall be while my life doth dure.' 
 
 But she herself which then wrote that 
 Is now mine extreme enemy. 
 
 My love from her no man can let, 
 Though never so sore they me threat." 
 
 N. 220 ; A. 109. 
 
 This brings us to the period we have last been following, and 
 it is to this period that the epigram probably belongs. The 
 explanation is offered only in default of a better. The ob- 
 scurity is too great to be easily penetrated ; the confusion in 
 the use of the word desire — at times employed to designate the 
 god of love, at times referring to the passion of the lover or the 
 affection of the lady — increases the difficulty of interpretation. 
 
 Sometime I fled is another exceedingly difficult poem. It has 
 generally been interpreted as referring to the journey of Henry 
 and Anne Boleyn to Calais in the year 1532; although in the 
 list of those who accompanied them on that occasion, Wyatt's 
 name is not found. There is quite an important variation in the 
 reading of the two texts. The Harington MS. gives verses 4, 5 : 
 
 "And now I follow the coals that be quent, 
 From Dover to Calais, against my mind/' 
 
 Where Tottel reads : — 
 
124 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 " And now, the coals I follow, that be quent, 
 From Dover to Calais, with willing mind." 
 
 So in the last verse the MS. has : — 
 
 " Meshed in the briars, that erst was, all to tome" 
 
 And Tottel : — 
 
 "... that erst was only torn," 
 
 The MS. reading would seem to say : Once I fled to avoid 
 the presence of this lady ; but it was sorely against my inclina- 
 tion. I am now compelled to follow in her train, and, strangely, 
 find this nearness most distasteful. The last line of the epigram, 
 inverted and involved after Wyatt's manner, should be read : 
 
 " Who was first meshed in the briars, severely torn." 
 
 Tottel's reading is to be thus interpreted : I, who formerly 
 sought by separation to overcome my affection for this lady, 
 now follow willingly and unmoved in her company. I, who 
 was then so blind, deceived, comprehend now, and am recovered. 
 Then I acted as does one entangled in the briers, — struggled 
 vainly to be free, when every effort bound me more closely. 
 
 In the absence of further evidence it is impossible to declare 
 with certainty for either text. Neither reading affects the al- 
 lusion, however, and so does not enter into the question of 
 chronology. The date of the epigram is probably the year 
 1532, and the reference, that already indicated. This brings 
 us to the end of our fourth period, — the period of Disillusion 
 and Recovery. 
 
 We have now examined all the poems which appear to be 
 intimately connected with Wyatt's own experiences during the 
 years previous to 1532. Certain groups have been established, 
 each consisting of a set of poems bound together by resem- 
 blances of style and form, as by similarity in thought and in 
 expression. Little or no attempt has been made to arrange an 
 order among the individual members of any set or group ; and 
 the reader must remember that the arrangement by stanza form 
 
AND HIS POEMS, 125 
 
 is one of convenience merely, the subordinate sets falling paral- 
 lel with each other, not following, group by group, in the order 
 in which they have necessarily been discussed. Whether all 
 the poems gathered in any particular group really belong to- 
 gether, may easily be doubted by the student ; and in many 
 cases the writer has been equally in doubt. The possibility that 
 Wyatt may have imitated pieces which pleased his fancy at a 
 date later than that apparently indicated by their contents ; 
 the possibility, too, that we are at times interpreting into the 
 poems the meanings we take out of them, — doubts like these 
 make our task a by no means light one. But, granting that 
 these hypotheses are not entirely unreasonable, there neverthe- 
 less remains enough of sincerity, enough of personality, to give 
 a basis to our theory, and grounds for our conjectures. 
 
 The existence of these groups admitted, it is impossible not 
 to recognize the order of their progress. There is a natural 
 development which cannot be mistaken. The romance has 
 sprung up of itself; there has been no artificial building: the 
 materials were there, and have simply been placed in their right 
 connection. There is nothing in it that conflicts with the record 
 of Wyatt's life as it is known to us. The facts which we have 
 noted are easily rehearsed. We saw in our sketch of the poet's 
 life that he probably appeared at Court in 1520 or 152 1. He 
 was employed in various services, as we have seen, and sent with 
 royal moneys to the North, in October and November of 1523. 
 He participated in the feat of arms at Greenwich on Christmas 
 Day of 1525, and in the following year spent the months of 
 March, April, and May in France with Sir Thomas Cheney. I n 
 the early part of 1527 Wyatt visited Italy in company with Sir 
 John Russell, and in 1528 took his position in the service at 
 Calais. From 1524 to 1531 the poet held the office of Clerk 
 of the King's Jewels. In 1532 he was made Commissioner of 
 the Peace for Essex. These points are mentioned to show that 
 Wyatt remained in public life, and, until his departure for Calais 
 in 152S, was necessarily much at Henry's Court. 
 
I2 6 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Among the most prominent of the maids of honor at that 
 period was Anne Boleyn ; and with her name that of the poet 
 has been associated from his own day to this. As to the real 
 character of the relations existing between these two, there has 
 been much conjecture. Dr. Nott devotes a deal of argument 
 to proving the connection one of those platonic friendships 
 which were common at the time, and were indeed the fashion, 
 causing no great scandal or remark. While Nott admits the 
 testimony of the poems as sufficient proof of this attachment, he 
 has been severely ridiculed by other writers, who find no certain 
 reference to Anne Boleyn in Wyatt's verses. 
 
 In the gossip of that day the names of Wyatt and Anne 
 Boleyn were often coupled; and whatever the cause of Wyatt's" 
 short imprisonment in 1536, it is evident from the letters we 
 have read, that his fellow-courtiers, as a matter of course, 
 referred it to the poet's old attachment for the queen. The 
 poet's own grandson, George Wyatt, relates an anecdote to 
 prove that the king and Wyatt were at one time rivals for the 
 favor of the Lady Anne. 1 In regard to Wyatt's attachment, 
 Dr. Nott has this to say : — 
 
 "Thus circumstanced, we may believe Wyatt and Anne Boleyn 
 to have mutually regarded each other with the lively tenderness of 
 an innocent, but a dangerous friendship. Often, I have no doubt, 
 did Wyatt make her the subject of his most empassioned strains : 
 and often did she listen with complacency to his numbers, which, 
 while they gratified her love of present admiration, promised to con- 
 fer upon her charms some portion of that poetic immortality which 
 the romantic passion of Petrarch had bestowed on Laura's." 2 
 
 To this we may add that Wyatt was a youth of not more 
 than twenty years when he met Anne at Court, — herself a girl 
 
 1 This anecdote is given entire in the biography prefixed to Wyatt's 
 poems in the Aldine Edition, p. xv, quoted from the " Extracts from the 
 Life of the Virtuous, Christian, and Renowned Queen Anne Boleigne. 
 By George Wyatt, Esq.," p. 4. 
 
 2 Nott's edition, Memoirs, p. xxL 
 
AND HIS POEMS. I2 ; 
 
 three years younger than the poet. In the biographical sketch 
 contained in the Akline Edition of Wyatt's poems (page xiv | 
 the writer says : — 
 
 " It was about the year 1529 that Anne Boleyn also became con- 
 nected with the Court as maid of honour to Queen Katharine." 
 
 But poor Queen Catharine was not in a position to need the 
 services of new maids of honor in 1529 ; and Anne Boleyn had 
 been a year or more the acknowledged mistress of the king 
 when that year arrived. In regard to Anne's actual appearance 
 at Henry's Court, Brewer says : — 
 
 u In the March of 1522 I find Mistress Anne Boleyn mentioned 
 with other ladies as having charge of certain garments and dresses 
 which had been used at a royal revel on the 4th of March in 
 the same year; in other words, officially attached to the royal 
 wardrobe.'* ! 
 
 It is interesting to note that Anne had been already made the 
 subject of laudatory verse even at that youthful age ; the writer 
 of the verses being no less a poet than Content Marot, the witty 
 Frenchman. In this connection D'Hericault, the biographer of 
 that poet, says : — 
 
 " C'est a la Cour de Marguerite, entre Cldment Marot et Louis 
 de Berquin, a cette fameuse escole d'amour et d'hdresie, qu' Ann 
 de Boleyn apprit la haine de l'dglise romaine et cette science de 
 galanterie a laquelle le pataud Henri VIII ne sut pas re'sister." 
 
 Referring to two important personages whom Marot met at 
 the Court of "Marguerite de Valois, one of whom was Francois 
 Sagon, he says further : — 
 
 " L'autre, nous le trouvons au milieu de cette foule de demoi- 
 selles d'honneur de Marguerite avec lesquelles le poete gardera 
 toujours des relations de courtoisie, quand il les retrouvera plus 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, vol. iii., Int., p. 432. 
 
I2 8 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 tard a la cour de Francois i er , et qu'il leur dediera diverses pieces. 
 Ce personnage n'est autre qu'Anne de Boleyn." 1 
 
 Returning once more to our English poet, we may remark 
 that it was very natural for Wyatt, with his head full of the 
 poetry of Italy, and possibly that of France, — for it is ridicu- 
 lous to assert that he was unacquainted with French and Italian 
 literature previous to his visits abroad in 1526-27, — to cast his 
 eye around for another Laura or Diane, to whom he might 
 dedicate the verse he was beginning to translate and to com- 
 pose. If his choice happened to fall upon the brilliant, fas- 
 cinating Anne Boleyn — and what thing more likely? — his 
 verse would prove not at all unwelcome to this young coquette 
 fresh from the Court of France., that school of gallantry and 
 love, where she had already received the tribute offered by 
 the French poet to her charms. That Wyatt did make Anne 
 Boleyn the subject of some poems has been pretty generally 
 admitted ; the question still remains, Was she the heroine of all 
 those compositions just examined by us ; and if so, was the poet 
 really making love to her ? 
 
 Wyatt was married, and had a son at the time he met Anne 
 Boleyn. But Wyatt was a courtier, and at an age not noted 
 for its prudence or its self-control. We have hardly space to 
 discuss the character and reputation of Anne Boleyn ; she ap- 
 pears before us in as many different lights as there are historians 
 .to record her frailties and her misfortunes. The reader is re- 
 ferred to Brewer's admirable sketch of the queen, in the intro- 
 duction to volume iv. of the Calendars. In one paragraph 
 (page 244) he says : — 
 
 " Unquestionably after she became queen she permitted herself 
 to be addressed by her inferiors with a freedom of language repug- 
 nant to the dignity of her sex ; and she even interchanged jests 
 with them when they ventured to express their regard for her in 
 terms more expressive of admiration than respect. Lively and at- 
 tractive as she might be, she had not the qualities to inspire awe. 
 
 1 CEnvres de Clement Marot, Paris, 1867, p. xliii. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 129 
 
 In the estimation of those around her, she never at any time rose 
 above the mistress; and her own equivocal position with the king 
 lowered the whole moral tone of the circle in which she moved, 
 and lent encouragement to laxity and licentiousness no English 
 Court had witnessed before. How indeed could it be otherwise? " 
 
 Such was the character in part of the lady whom Wyatt had 
 chosen "out of all the flock," if Anne is indeed the heroine of 
 the love-songs. And the allusions and the circumstances all 
 agree. The necessary secrecy ; the impossibility of enjoying 
 the love which apparently was mutual; the appearance of a 
 rival suitor of higher rank ; the warnings to his mistress to guard 
 her honor against the tempting offers of position ; the lament 
 that he had loved above his poor degree ; the determination to 
 withdraw because another was in possession of the prize, and 
 that it was Caesar's mark that encircled the hind's fair neck, — 
 seem to make the matter as evident as it could probably be 
 safely made. The confession of the lady's name — " It is mine 
 Anna, God it wot" — confirms the supposition of her identity, 
 and leaves little doubt as to the fact. But these allusions here 
 referred to occur in poems which are closely bound and inter- 
 woven with the rest. They are not apart from them, but they, 
 together with them, form a whole. The subject of one is the 
 subject of another : the reference may be clearer here than 
 there ; but the allusion is the same, and the one poem is to be 
 interpreted in the light given by the other. As we progress in 
 our study of the poet's work, we find that imitations cease ; the 
 compositions become personal and fervid : we find the record 
 of real experiences and a real romance. 
 
 Beginning in 1522 or 1523, it reaches its turning-point about 
 the year 1527, and its end in 1532. We say its turning-point 
 in 1527 ; and here again, we have recourse to Brewer : — 
 
 "It is clear that he [Henry] felt piqued and uneasy at the at- 
 tentions paid by others to Anne Boleyn, and endeavored to thwart 
 them; but he had not yet discovered his intentions to himself, still 
 less toothers; and it is certain that he had only revealed them 
 
 9 
 
I3 o SfK THOMAS WYATT 
 
 partially to Wolsey. . . . It was not until 1525 that Wolsey became 
 aware of the real state of the king's mind. 1 . . . The whole affair 
 was carried on with profound secrecy, . . . nor does the name of 
 Anne Boleyn ever occur. In 1527 it was buzzed about in every 
 ear, and every tongue was talking about it." 2 
 
 It is therefore evident that the crisis was reached some time 
 before that date, which is retained as giving a convenient point 
 of division in setting limits to the different periods of Wyatt's 
 activity. 
 
 As to the success of this love-affair, we may judge from the 
 allusions in the poems that Wyatt won, or thought he had won, 
 the affection of the lady. But this period of happiness was very 
 short, and it may well be doubted from the evidence of the other 
 poems that Anne ever bestowed her heart upon the poet at all. 
 Probably she coquetted with his affection for a time, and then 
 discarded him altogether, as the king's attachment claimed her 
 notice. One thing is pretty certain, — at least as certain as 
 anything in this connection can be, — and that is, that no un- 
 lawful intercourse ever stained their friendship. In the poem 
 Mine old dear erf my (N. 50; T. 40; A. 149), a piece which 
 gives probably a comprehensive sketch of this whole episode, 
 Wyatt protests, with evident sincerity, speaking in the person of 
 the god of love (verse 115), — 
 
 " That by my means in no manner of wise 
 Never vile pleasure him hath overthrown." 
 
 From the strain in which the poet speaks in this production, 
 we judge it written subsequent to the marriage, and previous 
 to the downfall, of the queen, — that is, between the years 1533 
 and 1536. 
 
 We have now to consider briefly the remaining productions of 
 Wyatt's pen. These maybe arranged in two more groups, — 
 a fifth group of love-songs, and a final set of later poems of a 
 slightly different character. 
 
 1 Calendar of State Papers, vol. iv., Int., p. 246. 2 Ibid., p. 252. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 
 
 131 
 
 ^1 I I 8>| I I I I I I I I I U 
 o t~> ^ o c •? o* a. 
 
 N r^ «n r^-. - 
 
 T j * 
 
 « >» B 3 
 
 — - "? = 
 
 - - 
 
 ~ z ~ ~r- ~v ■£ ~ 
 
 ^. S < fc ~ " " I • - - - - £, - 
 
 C=H 
 
 g 
 
 O 
 
 > 
 X 
 
 
 GC 
 
 > 
 
 H 
 
 1— 1 
 
 J 
 
 
 U 
 
 Oh 
 
 2 
 
 D 
 
 Cfi 
 
 O 
 
 
 £< 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 9 I 
 
 ■5 3 E 
 
 5 *_, ** 
 
 S I 
 
 
 I I I 
 
 I I I I 
 
 > 
 
 cd 
 J3 
 
 - * y 
 
 tn 
 
 v. i- 
 re rj 
 u u 
 
 = — E c 
 < < Cfl fe 
 
 C <U <u 
 k > <" 
 8 « 3 «- 
 
 S3 "5 ° 
 
 2 2 
 
 r= " o « 
 
 
 QhH^fc 
 
 £ £ 
 
132 
 
 SIR THOMAS I WATT 
 
 Group V. 
 a. Sonnets. 
 
 N. T. A. 
 
 You ! that in love 5 36 5 
 
 If waker care 6 36 6 
 
 b. Single-rhyme Stanza. 
 
 In aeternum 189 — 89 
 
 Ah ! my heart 250 — 136 
 
 A lady gave me 80 223 183 
 
 c. Rhyme-royal Stanza. 
 
 In faith I wot not 29 44 38 
 
 And if an eye 159 — 63 
 
 Mine old dear en'my 50 46 149 
 
 d. a b a b Stanza. 
 
 There was never 153 — 57 
 
 Will ye see 259 — 144 
 
 Madam, withouten 76 41 1 78 
 
 e. Ottava Rima. 
 
 A face that should '. . 64 68 164 
 
 From these high hills 68 46 169 
 
 It burnetii yet, alas ! ........ 78 79 180 
 
 It is a grievous smart 212 — 103 
 
 Of Carthage, he 71 83 173 
 
 Tagus, farewell 71 84 173 
 
 f. Anomalous. 
 
 Your looks so often 33 57 4 1 
 
 O goodly hand 158 — 62 
 
 Lo ! what it is 191 — 90 
 
 Leave thus to slander 192 — 92 
 
 Since love is such 230 — 118 
 
 Deem as ye list 261 — 145 
 
 Me list no more 240 — 128 
 
 So feeble is the thread 56 73 1 54 
 
AND HIS POEMS. 1 33 
 
 There is one prominent characteristic, common to all the 
 poems here collected, which, more than anything else, separates 
 and distinguishes them from those that have preceded. In all 
 the compositions hitherto discussed there is a strong personal 
 element, which stamps upon each production of that time the 
 impression of a definite purpose and a specific address. In 
 these, upon the contrary, this definiteness, this manifest direct- 
 ness, is almost entirely wanting. The poet, to be sure, sings of 
 love and passion yet ; but there is a generalness and ac in- 
 definiteness in every piece. This will be more clearly seen by 
 an examination of the poems individually. Add to this per- 
 vasive characteristic other qualities, such as the deepening in 
 sentiment, the increased facility of expression, the freedom 
 from the turbulence of the earlier productions, — and these 
 are the reasons for gathering the poems named in a common 
 group. 
 
 You I that in love (class a). This sonnet was apparently in- 
 tended to record some accident of fortune occurring in the 
 month of May. It has generally been referred to the events 
 of May, 1536, — the period of Anne Boleyn's disgrace and of 
 Wyatt's own imprisonment and accusation. In our preliminary 
 sketch of the poet's life it was noted that in May of 1535 Wyatt 
 underwent an earlier imprisonment ; and this fact may give 
 greater force to the expression, — 
 
 "That me betide in May most commonly." 
 
 There is no reason why we should not accept the general tradi- 
 tion, and assign the poem to the year 1536, or soon thereafter. 
 
 There are several suggestions of Chaucer in this sonnet, for 
 in that writer we find the following : — 
 
 " Do wey your book, ryse up, and let us daunce, 
 And lat us do to May som observaunce." 
 
 T. andC. ii. m. 
 
 " Now thanketh God, he may gone in the daunce 
 Of him that Love liste fiebly for tavaunce." 
 
 T. and C. i. 517. 
 
I34 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 And for al that was he sete behynde 
 
 With hem that Love liste fiebly to avaunce." 
 
 Comp. of Blk. K. 353. 
 
 " For ye that reigne in youth and lustynesse." 
 
 Court of Love, 176. 
 
 "And freshe Beaute Lust and Jolyte." 
 
 Comp. to Pitie, 39. 
 
 If maker care evidently belongs to a period when Wyatt's art 
 was well developed. The motive is the discovery of second 
 love in the poet's breast. Phyllis now claims the affection for- 
 merly bestowed on Brunet, — a name appropriately referred to 
 the unhappy queen, who had " set his wealth in such a roar," or 
 as the line originally read : — 
 
 " Her. that did set our country in a roar." 
 
 "The alteration, which is in Wyatt's own hand, was made 
 probably that the person intended might not appear too closely 
 designated."' 1 The date of the poem must be somewhat later 
 than that of the preceding. It would be pleasant to refer the 
 Phyllis of the sonnet to the poet's wife ; but it is probably to 
 be taken merely as a compliment of gallantry to some lady of 
 the circle in which the poet moved. 
 
 In ceternum (class b) is a poem similar in character to that 
 just examined. 
 
 " In aeternum then from my heart I cest 
 That, I had first determined for the best ; 
 Now in the place another thought doth rest 
 In aeternum." 
 
 Ah ! my heart. 
 
 " Thou know'st full well that but of late, 
 I was turned out of Love's gate : 
 And now to guide me to this mate ! 
 Ah ! my heart, what aileth thee ? " 
 
 A lady gave me may be assigned, perhaps, to this period. 
 
 1 Nott, Notes, p. 539. 
 
AND HIS POEMS, 135 
 
 /// faith I wot not (class c) seems to be an expression of re- 
 joicing over the outcome of events in June, 1536. From allu- 
 sions in Wyatt's speech in his defence, one may gather that the 
 accusations, of whatever kind they were, which led to his im- 
 prisonment at that time, were the result of a conspiracy among 
 some who were envious at his rapid advance and the general 
 favor with which he was regarded by the king and his own 
 associates. Wyatt himself said in his defence before the Privy 
 Council that his imprisonment was due to the enmity of the 
 Duke of Suffolk, not to the ill-will of Henry. If such were the 
 case, very likely these private enemies resorted to the old stories 
 of Wyatt's relations with Anne Boleyn to bring the poet under 
 suspicion at this dangerous time. Interpreting in the light of 
 these surmises, we should see considerable force in the allusions 
 of the second stanza to his innocence of the alleged offence, and 
 in the closing verses to the discomfiture of his enemies on his 
 acquittal, and immediate promotion to a command in the army 
 under the Duke of Norfolk. We can hardly reconcile the allu- 
 sions made to the circumstances of his love-affair ; and therefore 
 the piece is placed in this later group, and assigned to the 
 month of June or July of 1536. 
 
 And if an eye may possibly belong to an earlier period ; but 
 the earnest, dignified style is more in harmony with the present. 
 The situation may as easily be an artificial as a real one. The 
 motive is this. A lover becomes suspicious of his lady's good 
 faith. He has seen her in a public place bestow a glance " all 
 soul" upon a possible rival. This he charges on the lady, who 
 becomes indignant, and retorts that he is blinded by his jealousy- 
 The lover now speaks in the words of the poem before us. He 
 wishes to conciliate, and is willing to let the matter pass as acci- 
 dental. Still he cannot but think the lady's heart was revealed 
 in the glance vouchsafed, and that what belongs of right to him 
 should be bestowed on him alone, not dispensed for all men's 
 pleasure indiscriminately. He shows her that the charge of 
 jealousy is unfair ; for by her own admission she has testified 
 
136 SIX THOMAS WYATT 
 
 that others besides himself have thought the same. He now 
 leaves further discussion, urging the lady to keep to Truth, and 
 cherish that ; then there will be no danger of misunderstanding 
 or suspicion. If the poem falls more appropriately under an 
 earlier date, it is to be placed in the group with the sonnet 
 Though I myself ' (N. 145 ; A. 21). 
 
 There was never (class d) is too simple and unaffected to be 
 the work of an earlier period. It is tender enough to be the 
 record of a real experience. 
 
 Will ye see. It may be said that this poem is exactly in the 
 style of those assigned to the earliest period ; but there is an 
 important difference. The sentiment is the same, and there is 
 much of the like excess of imagery ; but when we compare this 
 piece with, for instance, Like as the wind (N. 81 ; A. 184), 
 a poem similar in many points to this, we feel a difference, 
 although it may not easily be defined. 
 
 In the composition now before us Wyatt introduces two quite 
 new comparisons, — the rock of magnet, and the phoenix. This 
 is the first time we have met them in his poetry. Judging, how- 
 ever, from the continual recurrence of a favorite image, even of 
 expressions and phrases pleasing to his fancy, is it not probable 
 that Wyatt would have served us these two striking figures in a 
 variety of ways if he had come upon them sooner? The thought 
 in the fifth stanza of Like as the wind is just the contrary of that 
 expressed in the allusion to the phoenix. In the former — 
 
 " I feel and see my own decay, 
 As one that beareth flame in his breast ;" 
 
 in the poem now under discussion — 
 
 "The flame whereof doth aye repair 
 My life when it is gone." 
 
 A similar thought is introduced again in At last withdraw your 
 cruelty (N. 209 ; A. 100). But the " renewal " is there brought 
 about by a flood of stormy tears, which averts the danger of 
 martyrdom by fire, but exposes to peril of death by drowning. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. I3 - 
 
 The flames then burst forth once more, and the process is 
 repeated ; and so the lover alternates in a dreary way between 
 the deaths which never come to his relief. Very different is 
 the treatment of this idea of a deathly pain ever renewed, which 
 we find in Will ye sec. 
 
 Madam withouten is evidently a mere exercise of fancy. 
 
 A face that should (classy). This beautiful little poem is 
 certainly a late work. Everything points to this assumption. 
 It is not addressed to any new-found mistress, but is simply a 
 pretty picture, perhaps suggested by the lingering memory of 
 some fair one by whose lovely face the poet had been charmed. 
 Some attempt has been made to refer the poem to a remark of 
 Wyatt's quoted by his grandson in the work already mentioned 
 (compare Aldine Edition, page xv). But Anne's personal ap- 
 pearance was quite other than that here described. 
 
 " From her Irish descent she inherited 
 
 'The black-blue Irish hair and Irish eyes.' 
 
 She was a little lively, sparkling brunette, with fascinating eyes and 
 long black hair, which, contrary to the sombre fashion of those 
 days, she wore coquettishly floating loosely down her back, inter- 
 laced with jewels." 1 
 
 However well the rest of Wyatt's drawing may correspond with 
 the original of this description, there is certainly no resemblance 
 in the tress of " crisped gold." In his Complaint of the Absence 
 of his Love, the poet refers to one of the charms of the lady 
 whose absence he laments as " the crisped gold that doth sur- 
 mount Apollo's pride" (verse 69). As Nott points out in his 
 notes to the poem we are now considering (page 554), golden 
 hair was the favorite type with the earlier poets. Compare 
 Chaucer in his Court of Love, verse 13S : — 
 
 ■' And all her here it shone as gold so fyne 
 Disshivill, crispe, downe hyngyng at her bak 
 A yarde in length." 
 
 1 Brewer, Introduction to vol. iv. of the Calendars, p. 236. 
 
138 SIR THOMAS IVY ATT 
 
 In the closing verse of the epigram Wyatt returns to his favorite 
 metaphor, the "knot that should not slide." It is this verse 
 which leads the editor of the Aldine edition to connect the 
 poem with the allusion in George Wyatt' s remark. 
 
 From these high hills may have been written while Wyatt was 
 among the mountain-scenery of Spain. It is evidently a mature 
 production, written after the experiences of his early passion 
 had become a memory of the past. 
 
 // burneth yet, alas ! is indeed a love-poem ; but it is an 
 artificial situation, it is not a love-letter. In spite of the warm 
 and passionate nature of the motive, the piece itself is cool and 
 decorous. 
 
 // is a grievous smart is possibly a companion-piece to the 
 above ; it might well be. In this poem Wyatt gives us the 
 pitiful picture of a woman betrayed by her lover, lamenting 
 the consequences of her folly. The form of stanza followed 
 would properly bring this composition under the class of 
 anomalous forms, which follows ; it adopts the rhyme-order 
 a b a b c e. 
 
 Of Carthage, he, and Tagus, farewell, are plainly designated 
 as composed in Spain. The former was written probably in the 
 year 1538, as Wyatt declares — 
 
 " At Mountzon thus I restless rest in Spain." 
 
 The Farewell was composed in 1539 as the poet was leaving 
 Spain for England. 
 
 Your looks so often (class/) forms a pendant to Take heed by 
 time (N. 208 ; A. 99). It follows the arrangement ab a b b c b c. 
 
 O goodly hand is to be reckoned similar to There was never 
 nothing (N. 153; A. 57), A face that should (N. 64; T. 68; 
 A. 164), etc. The arrangement followed is a a b c c b. 
 
 Lo ! what it is and Leave thus to slander belong together. 
 The second poem is a rejoinder to the first, — a double reply, 
 in fact. The first section replies in corresponding stanzas to 
 each charge made in the preceding poem ; the second part is 
 
AND HIS POEMS. I39 
 
 an attack upon the one who made the charges. The rhyme- 
 order is the same in both, — a a b b a b b a. 
 
 Since love is such is a poetical confession of early folly. " For 
 ill my years of reckless youth" must not be taken as indicating 
 any very long interval between the past and present : in the 
 last stanza the poet refers to the "power of Love so late out- 
 cast." The thought with which he closes is this: Love was, 
 not long ago, expelled ; but his power still rules in my breast, 
 through the force of a new love which now possesses me. It 
 would be pleasant if we might connect this new love, occa- 
 sionally alluded to, with the legitimate object of the poet's 
 attachment, — his wife. But probably no serious passion is 
 alluded to. Rhyme-order, a b a b b a b a. 
 
 Deem as ye list is similar to And if an eye (N. 159 ; A. 63), 
 the sentiment of which it seems to continue. It may have been 
 intended for singing ; the burden was adopted in the song 
 entitled No foe to a flatterer, in the Paradise of Dainty Devices 
 (Nott, Notes, p. 586). The stanza-form is a b a b c a c b. 
 
 Me list no more — a a a b b — may be assigned to this period 
 as appropriately as to any. The poet ends his puzzling oracular 
 remarks with a sarcastic laugh at his perplexed auditors : — 
 
 " For I reck not a bean ; 
 I wot what I do mean ! " 
 
 So feeble is the thread. This fine poem, composed in couplets 
 of twelve and fourteen syllable lines alternating, forming what is 
 commonly designated " poulter's measure," is superscribed in the 
 Harington MS. with the words " In Spain," written in Wyatt's 
 own handwriting. It belongs then to the year 153S or 1539, 
 — probably to the former. 
 
 This brings us to the end of our fifth period, — that of the 
 later love-poems 
 
140 
 
 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 Group VI. 
 
 T. 
 72 
 
 A. 
 18 
 
 71 
 
 17 
 
 42 
 
 I69 
 
 84 
 
 178 
 
 83 
 
 176 
 
 224 
 
 55 
 
 We now reach the sixth and final period of Wyatt's work, — 
 the period subsequent to the year 1539. The following com- 
 positions may be assigned to this group : — 
 
 a. Sonnets. 
 
 N. 
 
 The pillar perished is . . . . 16 
 The flaming sighs 15 
 
 b. Rhyme-royal Stanza. 
 
 Right true it is . . \ . . . 68 
 
 Driven by desire 76 
 
 In Court to serve 74 
 
 If thou wilt mighty be ... . 48 
 
 c. a b a b Stanza, 
 Most wretched heart .... 196 — 95 
 
 d. Ottava Rima. 
 
 Mistrustful minds 80 78 182 
 
 * Sighs are my food 72 82 174 
 
 Look, my fair falcon .... 72 68 174 
 
 He is not dead 73 54 175 
 
 Venemous thorns 73 223 175 
 
 In doubtful breast 66 84 166 
 
 e. Anomalous Forms. 
 
 Stand whoso list 74 83 176 
 
 Within my breast 77 56 179 
 
 Speak thou and speed . ... 81 224 184 
 
 When Dido feasted first ... 60 93 159 
 
 The Three Satires 82 8s 186 
 
 The Paraphrase of the Seven Penitential Psalms. 
 
AND HIS POEMS. I4I 
 
 The pillar perished is (class a) ; This sonnet is imitated 
 from Petrarch's Rotta e Talta Colonna. It was written on the 
 occasion of the death of Cromwell, the powerful minister whose 
 friendship, as we have seen, had been such a factor in Wyatt's 
 history. The event took place in July, 1540. 
 
 The flaming sighs belongs to the period of Wyatt's last 
 imprisonment. This began about the beginning of the year 
 
 1541, and continued until July of that same year. 
 
 Right true it is (class b) and Driven by desire probably allude 
 to one event : the two epigrams may belong to the period of 
 imprisonment, like the preceding, or they may be assigned to 
 a slightly later date. 
 
 In Court to serve is to be referred to the period of quiet 
 retirement at Allington, lasting from July, 1541, until October, 
 
 1542. This short poem is suggestive of the Satires, and evi- 
 dently belongs to the same period with them. 
 
 If thou wilt mighty be is commonly interpreted as alluding 
 to the king. Its tone and subject force us to add it to the 
 group. 
 
 Most wretched heart (class c) is not a love-poem. It, too, 
 belongs to the period of confinement and of trial. It represents 
 a dialogue between the sufferer and Despair. 
 
 " And he that knoweth what is what, 
 Saith he is wretched that weens him so," 
 
 may be referred to Chaucer, who utters this thought in verse 25 
 of the Ballade de Vilage Sauns Peynture : 
 
 " No man is wrechched but himself yt wene, 
 And he that hath himself hat suffisaunce." 
 
 Mistrustful minds (class d) , Sighs are my food, and Look ! 
 my fur falcon, all belong to the prison period. The second of the 
 three is addressed to one of Wyatt's intimate friends, Sir Francis 
 Bryan. 
 
 He is not dead probably belongs to the same period of 
 imprisonment; as does the next epigram, I 'cue/nous thorns. 
 
142 
 
 SIR THOMAS WYATT 
 
 In doubtful breast may be best assigned to the latest division 
 of Wyatt's work. An incident related by Josephus suggested 
 the poem, which is unlike anything else that Wy'att has done. 
 It passes more fitly with the productions of these last years 
 than among the love-poems of an earlier time. 
 
 Stand whoso list (class e) is a companion-piece to In Court 
 to serve, and belongs to the quiet days at Allington, just before 
 the poet's death. 
 
 Within my breast is a poem of the same character and date ; 
 and this may be said also of the following epigram, Speak thou 
 and speed. All three of these short compositions are very 
 suggestive of passages in Wyatt's Satires, and are closely con- 
 nected with them in date of production. 
 
 When Dido feasted first, like So feeble is the thread, is com- 
 posed of alternate hexameters and septenars. The piece is 
 but a fragment, possibly left unfinished because of the advent 
 of the new system of Copernicus, possibly because the poet's 
 labors were interrupted midway by death. The fragment 
 itself is very carefully wrought out and finished. It may have 
 been begun in Spain in 1538 or 39, as it reads somewhat like 
 a translation, and in the Spanish, of all literatures, might such 
 a work be found. In the absence of evidence, however, it 
 has seemed best to refer the poem to the later date, — the last 
 few months of Wyatt's life. 
 
 The date of composition for the three Satires is fixed by 
 allusions contained in them ; notably in the Second Satire : 
 
 v. 80. "This maketh me at home to hunt and hawk." 
 
 v. 89. " I am not now in France, to judge the wine ; 
 With savory sauce the delicates to feel : 
 Nor yet in Spain, where one must him incline 
 Rather than to be, outwardly to seem. 
 I meddle not with wits that be so fine ; 
 Nor Flander's cheer lets not my sight to deem 
 Of black and white ; nor takes my wit away 
 With beastliness ; such do those beasts esteem. 
 
AND JUS POEMS. 143 
 
 Nor I am not, where Christ is given in prey, 
 For money, poison and trahison ; at Rome 
 A common practice, used night and day. 
 But here I am in Kent and Christendom, 
 Among the muses, where I read and rhyme, 
 Where if thou list, my Poins, for to come, 
 Thou shalt be judge, how I do spend my time." 
 
 These were among the last productions of Wyatt's pen ; 
 they reflect throughout the ripeness of his experience and the 
 skill and mastery he had attained. The Satires, indeed, may 
 be regarded as the most successful of his compositions, and as 
 that portion of his work most deserving to endure. 
 
 This same period of the life at Allington was devoted finally 
 to the composition of Wyatt's most ambitious work, the Para- 
 phrase of the Seven Penitential Psalms. The reasons for and 
 the significance of that work have been sufficiently discussed 
 in the preliminary sketch of Wyatt's life. The Psalms them- 
 selves are composed in the same metre as the Satires ; the 
 arrangement of the verses in both is that known as the terzine, 
 the rhymes following the scheme a b a, b c b t c d c, etc. 
 These are the only ones among Wyatt's compositions in which 
 this order is adopted. Each Psalm is introduced by a prologue 
 from the author's pen. The prologues are cast in the ottava- 
 rima stanza, like most of the epigrams. Of the Paraphrase 
 as a whole it must be said that it is among the least successful 
 of Wyatt's efforts. The style is heavy and tedious ; the versi- 
 fication often rough and faulty. 
 
 C 
 
 
44 s//i THOMAS WYATT 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 WE have now completed our survey of Wyatt's work. 
 Our examination of the poems primarily for the pur- 
 pose of gleaning new facts in regard to the poet's life has 
 resulted in a grouping of his productions chronologically 
 arranged. These groups may be thus stated. 
 
 Group of Earliest poems previous to 1522 
 
 Group I. Of the Love -poems > 
 
 II ^1522-27 
 
 » HI. >, » » i5 2 7-32 
 
 „ iv. „ „ „ 1532-36 
 
 „ V. Occasional poems 1 536-39 
 
 „ VI. Late poems 1539-42 
 
 The second group is comparatively small, and to attempt 
 to limit the extent of Group I. would be so unsatisfactory that 
 it is left thus undecided. It will be noted that the double 
 period 1532-39 contains the fewest compositions; it was at 
 this time, if at any, that Wyatt made those alterations in his early 
 poems which we find incorporated in TottePs Miscellany. 
 
 A tabular view of Wyatt's poems, systematically and chrono- 
 logically arranged, is for convenience appended. 
 
A REGISTER OF THE POEMS. 
 
 All those lines marked by an asterisk (*) indicate poems preserved in Harington MS. 
 No. i in W van's own handwriting. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 A face that should content 132, 137, 138 
 
 A-lady gave me a gift T 3-» '34 
 
 A spending hind that ahvay 96 
 
 Absence, absenting, causeth me to complain 68, 69 
 
 Accused though I be without desert 9 [ » 9 2 
 
 After great storms the calm returns 82,83,114 
 
 Ah! my heart, what aileth thee I3 2 > *34 
 
 Ah! Robin 113, 115 
 
 Alas, Madam, for stealing of a kiss 86,87 
 
 Alas! poor man, what hap have I 101 
 
 Alas ! the grief 115, "7 
 
 All heavy minds 113, 114 
 
 All in thy look ' 86, 88 
 
 And if an eye may save or slay 132, 1 35 , 1 39 
 
 And wilt thou leave me thus 101, 102 
 
 As power and wit will me assist 101, 102 
 
 At last withdraw your cruelty 76, 136 
 
 At most mischief 115, 116 
 
 Avising the bright beams 68, 69 
 
 Because I have thee 70, 75 
 
 Behold, Love. 103 
 
 Blame not my lute 116, 119. 120 
 
 Caesar, when that the traitor of Egypt 70, S6 
 
 Comfort thyself, my woful heart 73, 74 
 
 ~)eem as ye list upon good cause 132, 139 
 
 Jesire, alas, my master and my foe * ..... 121,122, 123 
 
 10 
 
I4 6 A REGISTER OF THE POEMS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Disdain me not without desert 93, 94 
 
 Divers doth use, as I have heard and know 108 
 
 Driven by desire I did this deed 140, 141 
 
 Each man tells me 70, 86 
 
 Ever my hap is slack 68, 69 
 
 Farewell, Love, and all thy laws 108, 109, no 
 
 Farewell the reign of cruelty in 
 
 For shamefast harm 68, 69 
 
 For to love her for her looks lovely 103, 104 
 
 For want of will in woe I plain 71,72 
 
 Forget not yet the tried intent 101, 102 
 
 From these high hills * 132, 138 
 
 Full well it may be seen U2 
 
 Give place, all ye that doth rejoice 98, 99 
 
 Go ! burning sighs 103, 104 
 
 Hate whom ye list, for I care not 1 r 1 
 
 He is not dead, that sometime 140, 141 
 
 Heart oppressed with desperate thought 76, 77 
 
 Heaven and earth, and all 73, 74 
 
 Help me to seek ! for I lost it there 103, 104 
 
 How oft have I 62, 95, 97 
 
 How should I 115, 118 
 
 I abide, and abide ; and better abide 95, 99 
 
 I am as I am, and so will I be 84, 85, 86, 95 
 
 I find no peace 70 
 
 I have sought long 93, 94, 95 
 
 I love, loved ; and so doth she 82, 83 
 
 I see that chance hath chosen me 98, 100 
 
 If amorous faith 69, 70 
 
 If chance assigned 98, 99 
 
 If ever man might him avaunt 113,114 
 
 If fancy would favour . 93,94 
 
 If in the world there be more woe 115, 117, 11S 
 
 If it be so that I forsake thee 103, 104, 105 
 
 If thou wilt mighty be 140, 141 
 
 If waker care * 132, 134 
 
 If with complaint 98 
 
A REGISTER OF THE POEMS. 147 
 
 1A(.E 
 
 In aeternum I was once determeel 132, 134 
 
 In doubtful breast* 140, 142 
 
 In Court to serve 140, 141. 142 
 
 In faith I wot not what to say 132, 135 
 
 Is it possible 1 1 1 
 
 It burnetii vet. alas 132, 1 3.S 
 
 It is a grievous smart . 132. 13S 
 
 It may be good, like it who list 97 
 
 It was my choice, it was no chance 91, 92, 94 
 
 Leave thus to slander love 132, 138 
 
 Like as the bird . . 66, 68, 69, 99 
 
 Like as the swan 73, 74 
 
 Like as the wind 73, 74, 136 
 
 Like unto these unmeasurable mountains 68, 69 
 
 Lo ! how I seek and sue to have 76, 77 
 
 Lo ! what it is to love 132, 138 
 
 Look, my fair falcon 140, 141 
 
 Love doth again 76, 77 
 
 Love, Fortune, and my mind 68, 69 
 
 Madam, withouten many words 132, 137 
 
 Marvel no more although 115, 117 
 
 Me list no more to sing 132, 139 
 
 Mine old dear en'my 130. 132 
 
 Mine own John Poins 42, 142. 143 
 
 Mistrustful minds be moved 140. 141 
 
 Most wretched heart ! 140. 141 
 
 My galley charged with forgetfulness 70 
 
 My heart I gave thee 10S 
 
 My hope, alas ! hath me abused . 112, 114 
 
 My love is like unto th' eternal fire 76 
 
 My love to scorn, my service to retain 108 
 
 My lute, awake, perform the last 115, 116 
 
 My pen ! take pain a little space 115, 116 
 
 Nature, that gave the bee 86, 87 
 
 Now all of change 115,116,117 
 
 Now must I learn to live at rest 113, 115 
 
 O goodly hand 132, 13S 
 
 O miserable sorrow 97, 104. 105 
 
I4 8 A REGISTER OF THE POEMS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Of Carthage he that worthy warrior * 132,138 
 
 Of purpose Love chose first for to be blind* 86, 87 
 
 Once, as methought, fortune me kissed .... 82, 83, 84, 114 
 
 Pass forth, my wonted cries ........ 76, 77, 78, 79 
 
 Patience! for I have wrong 116, 121 
 
 Patience for my device 116, 120 
 
 Patience of all my smart 1 16, 120, 121, 123 
 
 Patience! though I have not 1 16, 120, 121, 123 
 
 Perdie! I said it not 91,92,93 
 
 Process of time worketh such wonder . . 73, 74> 77> 7 8 , 79> y 5 
 
 Resound my voice, ye woods 71,72,74 
 
 Right true it is, and said full yore ago 140,141 
 
 She sat, and sewed 86, 87 
 
 Sighs are my food 40, 140, 141 
 
 Since love is such as that ye wot 132,139 
 
 Since love will needs that I shall love 98, 100, 115 
 
 Since so ye please to hear me plain 113,115 
 
 Since ye delight to know 76, 77 
 
 Since you will needs that I shall sing 115, 118 
 
 So feeble is the thread* 57, 132, 137, 139, 142 
 
 So unwarely was never no man caught 73 
 
 Some fowls there be 70, 74 
 
 Sometime I fled the fire 121, 123,124 
 
 Sometime I sigh, sometime I sing 84, 85, 95 
 
 Speak thou and speed 140, 142 
 
 Spite hath no power to make me sad 115, 118, 119 
 
 Stand, whoso list, upon the slipper top 42, 140, 142 
 
 Such hap as I am happed in 84, 87 
 
 Such is the course 70, 77, 78 
 
 Such vain thought 70 
 
 Sufficed not, Madam, that you did tear 76, 77 
 
 Tagus, farewell, that westward * 30, 132, 138 
 
 Take heed by time, lest ye be spied 84, 85, 138 
 
 Tangled I was in Love's snare 115, '119 
 
 That time that mirth did steer my ship 97, 9S, 123 
 
 The answer that ye made to me * 98, 99 
 
 The enemy of life, decayer of all kind 86. 88 
 
 The flaming sighs that boil 140, 141 
 
A REGISTER OF THE POEMS. , 4 q 
 
 PAGB 
 
 The fruit of all the service 86, 87 
 
 The furious gun in his 73 
 
 The heart and service to you proffered S2, 83, 84, S5 
 
 The joy so short, alas ! 97, 1:4. [06 
 
 The knot which first my heart did strain 91 
 
 The lively sparks that issue 70 
 
 The long love that in my thought 67, 70 
 
 The pillar perished is whereto I leant 140, 141 
 
 The wand'ring gaddling 86, 87 
 
 There was never file half so well filed 108, 109 
 
 There was never nothing more me pained . . . . 132, 136, 138 
 
 'They flee from me, that sometime 112 
 
 Tho' I cannot your cruelty constrain 98, 113 
 
 Thou hast no faith of him that hath none . . . . IIO, III, 113 
 
 Thou restful place, renewer of my smart 71, 75 
 
 Though I myself be bridled of my mind ... 95, 96, 103, 136 
 
 Though this the port 97, 104, 105 
 
 Throughout the world if it were sought 121, 122 
 
 To cause accord, or to agree 75 
 
 To rail or jest, ye know I use it not 108, 109 
 
 To seek each where where man cloth live 84 
 
 To wet your eye withouten tear 121, 122 
 
 To wish and want, and not obtain 75 
 
 Unstable dream, according to the place .... 70,71,72,75 
 Unwarely so was never no man caught . 73 
 
 Venemous thorns that are so sharp * 140,141 
 
 Vulcan begat me, Minerva me taught * 68, 69 
 
 Was I never yet of your love grieved 95, 97 
 
 Was never file yet half so well yfiled 10S, 109 
 
 What death is worse than this 98, 100, 104, 106 
 
 What man hath heard such cruelty before 86, 87 
 
 What meaneth this ! when I lie alone 75, 85 
 
 What needs these threatening words 86, 87 
 
 What no, perdie ! ye may be sure no 
 
 What rage is this? what furor ?* 75, 76. 77, 79 
 
 What should I say 112 
 
 What 'vaileth truth 103, 110 
 
 What word is that, that changeth not 71, 72 
 
 When Dido feasted first * 57, 143, 142 
 
150 A REGISTER OF THE POEMS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 When first mine eyes did view 116, 121 
 
 Where shall I have at mine own will 113, 114 
 
 Who hath heard such cruelty before 86, 87 
 
 Whoso list to hunt? 108, 109, 112 
 
 Will ye see what wonders Love hath wrought . . . 132, 136, 137 
 Within my breast I never thought it gain 140, 142 
 
 Ye know my heart, my Lady dear 91, 93 
 
 Ye old mule ! , no, 11 1 
 
 Ye that in love find luck * 25, 55, 132, 133 
 
 Yet was I never of your love aggrieved 95, 97 
 
 Your looks so often cast 132, 138 
 
 Paraphrase of the Psalms 42, 50, 54, 65, 140, 143 
 
 Satires 42, 65, 96, 140, 141, 142, 143 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Aiding Edition, 36, 52, 126. 127, 137, 138. 
 Allington, 12, 13, 38, \2, 14*1 *42, 143 
 
 A Ires ford Friary, 37. 
 Alsc/ier, Rudolph, 53, 64, 67. 
 Arbers Reprint, 49. 
 Aryngden Park, 28. 
 A 11 sonius, 69. 
 
 Bell's Edition, 52. 
 
 Boleyn, Anne : References in Calendars, 23, 32, 33, 34. References 
 in Poems, 96, 123, 133. 134, 135, 137. Character, and Rela- 
 tions to Wyatt, 29, 31, 126-130. 
 
 Bonner, Bishop of London, 37, 38, 40, 41. 
 
 Brewer, Editor of the Calendars, 17, 20, 127, 128, 129, 130, 137. 
 
 Bryan, Sir Francis, 40, 141. 
 
 Calais, 21, 22, 25, 65, 123, 125. 
 Calendars of State Papers : 
 Vol. I. 4125. Sir Henry Wyatt to be Treasurer of the King's 
 Jewels, 12. 
 List of the Royal Household, 15. 
 243. Field of the Cloth of Gold, 12. 
 Sir Henry Wyatt, Treasurer of the Chamber, 12. 
 Ibid., 13. 
 
 Loan for War with France. 16 
 Wolsey to Francis I., 16. 
 Sir Thomas Cheney to Wolsoy, 10. 
 Cheney and Taylor to Wolsey, 17. 
 Wolsey to Henry VIII., \J 
 Cheney to Henry VIII , 17. 
 
 II. 
 
 2735- 
 
 III. 
 
 241. 
 
 
 2835. 
 
 
 2852. 
 
 IV. 
 
 214. 
 
 
 2037. 
 
 
 2075. 
 
 
 2135- 
 
 
 2163. 
 
 
 2194. 
 
152 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Ca!e7idars of State Papers : * 
 
 IV. 2322. Release to Abbott of Saint Mary's, 16. 
 2875. Casale and Russell to Wolsey, 18. 
 2931. Casale to Wolsey, 18. 
 301 1. Russell and Casale to Wolsey, 19. 
 3023. John Casale to Wolsey, 19. 
 3104. Account of Payments by . . . Wyatt, 20. 
 31 21, 3380, 3739. Payments by Sir H. Wyatt, 20. 
 4170. Brian Tuke, Treasurer of the Chamber, 20. 
 5102 (2). Salaries of Officers at Calais, 21. 
 5978 (26). Grant to Tho. Wyatt to import, 21 
 6418 (8). John Williams to be Clerk of the King's 
 
 Jewels, 22. 
 6490 (23). Tho. Wyatt to be Marshal, etc., 21. 
 6751 (24). Sir Edw. Ryngeley to be Marshal, 21. 
 V. 119 (71). Grant to William Bunsall, 23. 
 
 278 (10). Grant in reversion to J. Williams, 23 
 838 03)- Commissioner of the Peace, 23. 
 1285 (5). Cromwell's Obligations, 23. 
 VF. 601, 701. Coronation of Anne Boleyn, 12, 23. 
 VII. 674. John Rokewood to Lord Lisle, 24. 
 
 922 (17). Th. Wyatt to Command in the Army, 25. 
 VIII. 249. Eliz Rede to Tho. Wyatt, 26. 
 
 275. Sir Edw. Wotton to Cromwell, 26. 
 349. Sir Edw. Wotton to Cromwell, 27. 
 1 158 (16). Lease of Aryngden Park, 28. 
 X. 726. Letter " endd by Wyat," 31. 
 798. Kingston to Cromwell, 33. 
 819. Sir Hen. Wyatt to Tho. Wyatt, 32. 
 840. Sir Hen. Wyatt to Cromwell, 32. 
 855. Hussey to Lord Lisle, 34. 
 865. Hussey to Lord Lisle, 34. 
 909. Chapuis to the English Ambassador, 35. 
 
 919. Hussey to Lord Lisle, 34. 
 
 920. Hussey to Lady Lisle, 34. 
 
 1 131. Sir Hen. Wyatt to Cromwell, 32. 
 
 Vol. III. (Introduction, p. 432). Anne Boleyn, 127. 
 
 IV. (Introduction, p. 244). Anne Boleyn, 128. 
 
 (Introduction, p. 246). Anne Boleyn, 129. 
 
 (Introduction, p. 252). Anne Boleyn, 130. 
 
 (Introduction, p. 236). Anne Boleyn, 137. 
 
 Catharine, Queen, 28, 29, 36, 127. 
 
/.XL) EX. 153 
 
 Cavendish's Cardinal Wolsey, 12. 
 Chapuis (Austrian ambassador), 34, 35. 
 
 Charles V., 16, 36, 38, y), 43. 
 Chaucer, 5;. 69, 73. 105. 133, 134, 137. 141. 
 Cheney, Sir Thomas, 16, 17, iS, [9, 05, 125. 
 Collier, John Payne, 19. 20. 
 Collins' s Peerage, 13. 
 Cotton Manuscripts, 35. 36. 
 Court Period, 65. 
 Cromwell, Richard. 25, 26. 
 
 Cromwell, Thomas. 25, 26. 27. 2S, 29. 30. 32, 33. 37. 38, 39. 40, 
 141. 
 
 Defence, Wyatt's, 31. 35, 38. 4r. 135. 
 Devonshire Manuscript, 51. 
 D'Hcricault, 127. 
 Editions, 50, 52. 
 Edward VI., 45. 
 Elizabeth, Queen, 45. 51. 
 English Reprints. 49. 57. 
 
 Feat of Arms, 14. 125. 
 Francis I., 12, 16, 17, 39. 
 
 Gray, Lady Jane, 45. 
 
 Green's Short History of the English People, 29, 30. 
 
 Grimald, Nicholas. 49, 55, 56. 
 
 Hall, Edward. Chronicler, 14. 
 
 Harington , Sirjohn, 51. 
 
 Harington Manuscript No. 1 : Described, 50-53, 56. 
 
 Referred to, 71, 103. 114, 123, 139. 
 Harington Manuscript No. 2, 52. 
 Hasted' s Kent, 12. 
 I/awes, Stephen, 54, 66. 
 Henry VII., II, 12. 
 Henry YIII. : Inferences in Biography, 12, 16,40. Condition of 
 
 affairs in 1536, 2S-30. References in Poems, 123, 141. 
 Heralds' College, 13, 35. 
 Herbert's Plenry VI 1 1 ., 11. 
 Howard, Henry, Earl of Surrey : References in Biography, 13, 43, 
 
 45. His Verse, 49, 50. 54, 67. 
 
154 INDEX. 
 
 Hussey, John, 33, 34, 35. 
 Hutchins's Dorsetshire, 42. 
 
 Imprison?nent, First, 31, 135. 
 Imprisonment, Second, 40, 64, 141. 
 l7iquisiiio?i, Spanish, 38. 
 Interpretation, Principles of, 64, 65. 
 
 r 
 Joseplius, 142. 
 
 Kingston, Sir W., 33. 
 
 Lee, Sir Anthony, 13. 
 
 Lee, Henry, 42. 
 
 Lee, Margaret, 13, 51. 
 
 Leland's Naenia, 21. 
 
 Letter of Sir Tho. Wyatt to his Son, 11, 12, 24, 44, 45. 
 
 Lisle, Lady, 34. 
 
 Lisle, Lord, 24, 25, 33, 34. 
 
 Manuscript, Cotton, 35, 36. 
 
 Manuscript, Devonshire, 51. 
 
 Manuscript, Harington, No. 1. See Harington. 
 
 Manuscript, Harington, No. 2, 52. 
 
 Marot, Clement, 127. 
 
 Mary, Queen, 37, 45, 49, 55. 
 
 Miscellanies, The Poetical, 49. 
 
 Miscellany, Tottel's, 49, 50, 52-56, 124. 
 
 Norfolk, Duke of, 35, 135. 
 
 Nott, Rev. G. F., D. D., 23, 35, 42, 43, 5°, 52, 53> 5^, 66, 96, 112, 
 114, 117, 126. 
 
 Pandulphus, 69. 
 
 Pet?'arch, Translations from, 62, 69, 70, 73, 97, 103, 141. 
 
 Pole, Reginald, 41. 
 
 Puttenhani's Arte of Poesie, 13. 
 
 Rede, Elizabeth, 26, 27, 28. 
 Reprints, English, 49 ; Si- 
 Richard III., 11. 
 Riverside Edition, 52. 
 Rokewood, John, 24, 25. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 155 
 
 Roman nt of the Rose, 75, 88, 105. 
 
 Rondeaux, The, 103. 
 
 Russell, Sir John, 14, 18, 65, 125. 
 
 Saint Mary's Abbey, 15. 
 Saint Mary's, Abbott of, 16. 
 Scrap no. 73, 87. 
 Suffolk, Duke of, 31, 135. 
 
 Texty 49- 
 
 Text, Variations in, 53, 57-61, 71, 124. 144. 
 
 TottePs Miscellany, 40, 50, 52-56, 124. 
 
 Translations. See Anson ins. Josef hus, Pandulphus, Petrarch, 
 
 Serafino. 
 Trevelyan Papers, 20. 
 Tukc, Sir Brian, 20. 
 
 Variations in Text, 53, 57-61, 71, T24, 144. 
 Versification Wyatt's, 66. 
 
 Westtnalling, 25-28. 
 
 Wolsey, Cardinal, 12, 15, 17, 18, 23. 
 
 Wotton, Sir Edw., 25, 26. 27. 
 
 llyatt, Anne (Wife of Sir Henry Wyatt), 13. 
 
 Wyatt, Elizabeth (Wife of Sir Tho. Wyatt), 14, 45. 
 
 Wyatt, George (Grandson of Sir Tho. Wyatt), 126, 137. 13S. 
 
 Wyatt, Sir Henry, u, 15, 17, 20, 24, 32, 38. 
 
 Wyatt, Henry (Son of Sir Henry Wyatt), 13. 
 
 Wyatt, Margaret (Daughter of Sir Henry Wyatt), 13, 51. 
 
 Wyatt, Sir Thomas : Biography, 1 1-45. Youth, 13. Marriage, 14. 
 Feat of Arms at Greenwich, 14, 125. Introduction at Court, 
 15. Sent with Money to the North, [5, 125. With Sir Tho. 
 Cheney in France, 16, 125. With Sir John Russell in Italy, 
 18, 125. Entry in Trevelyan Papers, 20. Marshal of Calais. 
 21, 125. Clerk of the King's Jewels, 22, 23, 125. Commis- 
 sioner of the Peace for Essex. 23, 125. Fall of Wolsev. 2^. 
 Ewerer at Coronation of Anne Boleyn, 14, 23. Affray with the 
 Sergeants of London, 24. Letter to his Son cited, 1 1, 12. 24. 
 44, 45. Command in the Army, 25. Connection with West- 
 mailing, 25. Leases Aryngden Park. 28. The Year 1536, 
 Relations to Anne Boleyn, 31, 126-130, 135. First Imprison- 
 ment, 31. Defence cited, 31, 35, 38, 41, 135. Command under 
 the Duke of Norfolk, 35, 135. High Sheriff of Kent. 35. 
 
156 INDEX. 
 
 Knighted, 35, 36. Ambassador to Spain, 36. Connection 
 with Bonner, 37, 41. In Danger of the Inquisition, 38. Spe- 
 cial Envoy in France, 39. Fall of Cromwell, 39. Second 
 Imprisonment, 40. Trial before the Privy Council, 41. Grant 
 of Lands m Lambeth, etc., 42. Paraphrase of the Penitential 
 Psalms, 43. Commissioned to meet the Envoys of Charles 
 V., 43. Death, 43. Accomplishments and Character, 44. 
 Wyatt, Thomas (the Younger), 11, 12, 14, 24 45 51 
 
 
f 
 
 III 
 
 "PR, ,i?ov rrw 
 
 !•• OF TH 
 
 14 DAY USE 
 
 RETURN TO DESK FROM WHICH BORROWED 
 
 LOAN DEPT. 
 
 This book is due on the last date stamped below, 
 or on the date to which renewed. Renewals only: 
 
 Tel. No. 642-3405 
 Renewals may be made 4 days prior to date due. 
 Renewed books are subject to immediate recall. 
 
 REC'DLD OCT 2 3 71 -9 AM 3 5 
 
 ii 
 
 Lie 
 
 REC'D LD AFK 2 4 72 -4 PM 9 5 
 
 MAR 15 1980 
 
 — 
 
 _ 
 
 
 
 
 Mtfpyff ^- 
 
 LD2lA-40m-8 ,'7 
 
 IA 
 
 % -J Wi^ral Library . 
 University of California 
 
 W?~ 
 
 Sj«OT ni nECil-**" 
 
 !z?- LOAN AHC^A^W^''^:^ 
 
U NAM Yfc^SMfflreS/ 
 U. C BERKELEY LIBRARIES 
 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 ITS 
 
 
 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 <5^ 
 
 
 /Tb 
 
 Y 
 
 
 Id