Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE LOVER SHOWETH HOW HE IS FORSAKEN, by THOMAS WYATT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE LOVER SHOWETH HOW HE IS FORSAKEN, by         Recitation     Poem Explanation     Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: They flee from me that sometime did me seek
Last Line: I would fain know what she hath deserved.
Alternate Author Name(s): Wyat, Thomas
Variant Title(s): Remembrance;vixi Puellis Nuper Idoneus;they Flee From Me;ballade: 2;the Lover Showeth How He Is Abandoned Of Such As He Onetime Enjoyed
Subject(s): Despair; Dreams; Falcons; Love; Love - Loss Of; Nightmares


They flee from me that sometime did me seek
With naked foot stalking in my chamber.
I have seen them gentle, tame, and meek
That now are wild and do not remember
That sometime they put themselves in danger
To take bread at my hand; and now they range
Busily seeking with a continual change.

Thanked be fortune if hath been otherwise
Twenty times better, but once in special,
In thin array after a pleasant guise,
When her loose gown from her shoulders did fall
And she me caught in her arms long and small,
Therewithal sweetly did me kiss
And softly said, "Dear heart, how like you this?"

It was no dream: I lay broad waking.
But all is turned thorough my gentleness
Into a strange fashion of forsaking.
And I have leave to go of her goodness
And she also to use newfangleness.
But since that I so kinkly am served
I would fain know what she hath deserved.




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