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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BALLADE: 5 by THOMAS WYATT

Poet Analysis

First Line: LOVER: IT BURNETH YET, ALAS, MY HEART'S DESIRE
Last Line: THUS HEARTS BE WON BY LOVE, REQUEST, AND MOAN.
Subject(s): DEATH; DESIRE; GRIEF; HEARTS; LOVE; DEAD, THE; SORROW; SADNESS;
LOVER: It burneth yet, alas, my heart's desire.
LADY: What is the thing that hath inflamed thy heart?
LOVER: A certain point, as fervent as the fire.
LADY: The heat shall cease if that thou wilt convert.
LOVER: I cannot stop the fervent raging ire.
LADY: What may I do if thyself cause thy smart?
LOVER: Hear my request and rue my weeping cheer.
LADY: With right good will. Say on. Lo, I thee hear.

LOVER: That thing would I that maketh two content.
LADY: Thou seekest, perchance, of me that I may not.
LOVER: Would God thou wouldst, as thou mayst well, assent.
LADY: That I may not. Thy grief is mine, God wot.
LOVER: But I it feel, whatso thy words have meant.
LADY: Suspect me not. My words be not forgot.
LOVER: Then say, alas, shall I have help or no?
LADY: I see no time to answer. Yea. But no.

LOVER: Say yea, dear heart, and stand no more in doubt.
LADY: I may not grant a thing that is so dear.
LOVER: Lo, with delays thou drives me still about.
LADY: Thou wouldest my death. It plainly doth appear.
LOVER: First may my heart his blood and life bleed out.
LADY: Then for my sake, alas, thy will forbear.
LOVER: From day to day thus wastes my life away.
LADY: Yet, for the best, suffer some small delay.

LOVER: Now, good, say yea. Do once so good a deed.
LADY: If I said yea, what should thereof ensue?
LOVER: An heart in pain, of succour so should speed.
'Twixt yea and nay my doubt shall still renew.
My sweet, say yea and do away this dread.
LADY: Thou wilt needs so. Be it so. But then be true.
LOVER: Naught would I else, nor other treasure none.

Thus hearts be won by love, request, and moan.



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