Request to Cupid for revenge of his unkind love, by Sir Thomas Wyatt

edited by C. Brian Stevens

This poem first appeared in print in the first 1557 edition of Songs and Sonnets, written by the Right Honorable Lord Henry Howard ... and others, also known (by its editor's name) as Tottel's Miscellany. It is a change from Wyatt's other poems in that it is a request for revenge. Other poems by Wyatt from this time (i.e. RThey flee from meS and RWhoso list to huntS) were "nicer" and more compassionate, and the speaker is always interested in continuing love. In this poem, however, Wyatt's speaker seeks to hurt the woman who has wronged him--to end love instead of continuing it.

Behold, Love, thy power how she despiseth,
My grievous pain how little she regardeth.
The solemn oath whereof she takes no cure
Broken she hath and yet she bideth sure,
Right at her ease, and little thee she dreadeth.			5
Weaponed thou art and she unarmed sitteth.
To thee disdainful all her life she leadeth,
To me spiteful, without just cause or measure.
Behold, Love, how proudly she triumpheth;
I am in hold but if thee pity meveth.				10
Go bend thy bow that stony hearts breaketh,
And with some stroke revenge the great displeasure
Of thee, and him that sorrow doth endure
And as his Lord thee lowly here entreateth.

3. cure] care, concern
4. bideth sure] remains safe
5. Right] completely or utterly
6. Weaponed] armed.
10. in hold] in confinement, imprisoned. but if]unless. meveth] moves
12. stroke] blow.
14. lowly] humbly.

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