Sonnet 116 Analysis
EARLY RENAISSANCE POETRY: THE POEMS
Source Text: Ferguson, Margaret, et al (eds). The Norton Anthology of Poetry. Fifth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, 2005.
1
Thomas Wyatt
1503 – 1542
The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbor1
The long˚ love, that in my thought doth harbour,˚ enduring/lodge And in mine heart doth keep his residence, Into my face presseth with bold pretence, And therein campeth, spreading his banner.2
She that me learneth˚ to love and suffer, teaches And wills that my trust and lust’s negligence Be reined3 by reason, shame and reverence, With his hardiness˚ taketh displeasure. boldness
Wherewithal, unto the heart's4 forest he fleeth, Leaving his enterprise with pain and cry; And there him hideth and not appeareth.
What may I do when my master feareth But in the field with him to live and die? For good is the life, ending faithfully. E. MS.
Whoso List5 to Hunt
Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind, ˚ female deer But as for me, alas, I may no more: The vain travail hath wearied me so sore. I am of them that farthest cometh behind;
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind Draw from the deer; but as she fleeth afore,
Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore, Since in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt, As well as I may spend his time in vain: And, graven in diamonds, in letters plain
There is written her fair neck round about: Noli me tangere,6 for Caesar's I am; And wild for to hold, though I seem tame.
E. MS.
My Galley7
My galley charged˚ with forgetfulness loaded Thorough˚ sharp seas in winter nights doth pass
Source Text: Ferguson, Margaret, et al (eds). The Norton Anthology of Poetry. Fifth Edition. New York: W.W. Norton, 2005.
1
Thomas Wyatt
1503 – 1542
The Long Love That in My Thought Doth Harbor1
The long˚ love, that in my thought doth harbour,˚ enduring/lodge And in mine heart doth keep his residence, Into my face presseth with bold pretence, And therein campeth, spreading his banner.2
She that me learneth˚ to love and suffer, teaches And wills that my trust and lust’s negligence Be reined3 by reason, shame and reverence, With his hardiness˚ taketh displeasure. boldness
Wherewithal, unto the heart's4 forest he fleeth, Leaving his enterprise with pain and cry; And there him hideth and not appeareth.
What may I do when my master feareth But in the field with him to live and die? For good is the life, ending faithfully. E. MS.
Whoso List5 to Hunt
Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind, ˚ female deer But as for me, alas, I may no more: The vain travail hath wearied me so sore. I am of them that farthest cometh behind;
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind Draw from the deer; but as she fleeth afore,
Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore, Since in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt, As well as I may spend his time in vain: And, graven in diamonds, in letters plain
There is written her fair neck round about: Noli me tangere,6 for Caesar's I am; And wild for to hold, though I seem tame.
E. MS.
My Galley7
My galley charged˚ with forgetfulness loaded Thorough˚ sharp seas in winter nights doth pass