A LITTLE BOOK

OF

ENGLISH SONNETS

THOMAS WYAT

(1503-42)

THE LOVER COMPARETH HIS STATE TO A SHIP IN PERILOUS STORM TOSSED ON THE SEA

My galley charged with forgetfulness

Through sharpë seas in winter nights doth pass
"Tween rock and rock: and eke my foe (alas)
That is my lord, steereth with cruelness :
And every hour a thought in readiness

As though that death were light in such a case.
An endless wind doth tear the sail apace
Of forced sighs and trusty fearfulness.

A rain of tears, a cloud of dark disdain,

Have done the wearied cords great hinderance,
Wreathed with error and with ignorance.

The stars be hid that lead me to this pain;
Drown'd is reason that should be my comfort;
And I remain, despairing of the port.

HENRY HOWARD, EARL OF SURREY

(1518-46)

COMPLAINT OF A LOVER REBUKED

Love that liveth, and reigneth in my thought,
That built his seat within my captive breast,
Clad in the arms wherewith with me he fought,
Oft in my face he doth his banner rest.
She, that me taught to love, and suffer pain,
My doubtful hope, and eke my hot desire,
With shamefast cloak to shadow and refrain,
Her smiling grace converteth straight to ire.
And coward Love then to the heart apace

Taketh his flight, whereas he lurks, and plains His purpose lost, and dare not show his face. For my lord's guilt thus faultless bide I pains. Yet from my lord shall not my foot remove;

Sweet is his death that takes his end by love.

HENRY HOWARD, EARL OF SURREY

A VOW TO LOVE FAITHFULLY, HOWSOEVER HE BE REWARDED 1

SET me whereas the sun doth parch the green
Or where his beams do not dissolve the ice;
In temperate heat, where he is felt and seen;
In presence prest of people mad or wise;
Set me in high or yet in low degree;

In longest night or in the shortest day;
In clearest sky or where clouds thickest be;
In lusty youth or when my hairs are grey :
Set me in heaven, in earth, or else in hell,

In hill, in dale, or in the foaming flood;
Thrall or at large, alive whereso I dwell,
Sick or in health, in evil fame or good,
Hers will I be ; and only with this thought

Content myself, although my chance be nought.

1 From Petrarch, Son. 113. Pommi ove 'l Sol occide i fiori e l' erba.

HENRY HOWARD, EARL OF SURREY

OF SARDANAPALUS' DISHONOURABLE LIFE AND MISERABLE DEATH

TH' Assyrian King, in peace, with foul desire
And filthy lusts that stained his regal heart
In war, that should set princely hearts on fire,
Did yield, vanquished for want of martial art.
The dint of sword from kisses seemèd strange
And harder than his lady's side his targe;
From glutton feasts to soldier's fare a change;
His helmet far above a garland's charge:
Who scarce the name of manhood did retain,
Drenched in sloth and womanish delight,
Feeble of spirit, impatient of pain,

When he had lost his honour and his right, Proud time of wealth, in storms appalled with dread,) Murthered himself, to shew some manful deed.