I am as I am and so will I be, But how that I am none knoweth truly. Be it evil, be it well, be I bound, be I free, I am as I am and so will I be. I lead my life indifferently, I mean no thing but honestly, And though folks judge full diversely, I am as I am and so will I die. I do not rejoice nor yet complain, Both mirth and sadness I do refrain, And use the mean since folks will feign, Yet I am as I am be it pleasure or pain. Divers do judge as they do trow, Some of pleasure and some of woe, Yet for all that nothing they know, But I am as I am wheresoever I go. But since judgers do thus decay, Let every man his judgment say; I will it take in sport and play, For I am as I am whosoever say nay. Who judgeth well, well God him send; Who judgeth evil, God them amend; To judge the best therefore intend, For I am as I am and so will I end. Yet some there be that take delight To judge folks' thought for envy and spite, But whether they judge me wrong or right, I am as I am and so do I write. Praying you all that this do read To trust it as you do your creed, And not to think I change my weed, For I am as I am however I speed. But how that is I leave to you; Judge as ye list false or true; Ye know no more than afore ye knew; Yet I am as I am whatever ensue. And from this mind I will not flee; But to you all that misjudge me I do protest as ye may see That I am as I am and so will I be. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...BROTHER AND SISTER by MARY ANN EVANS THE NILE by JAMES HENRY LEIGH HUNT THE SLAVE SINGING AT MIDNIGHT by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW THE SPELL OF THE YUKON by ROBERT WILLIAM SERVICE A GOOD PLAY by ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON A NON-WANDER SONG by BERTON BRALEY THE SCHOOL FOR SATIRE by SOPHIA (RAYMOND) BURRELL |