Of Change in Mind, Sir Thomas Wyatt

edited by Steven Windness

Sir Thomas Wyatt the Elder (1503-1542) was educated at St. John's College, Cambridge, and acted as courtier and diplomat for England. He served as clerk of the king's jewels and as ambassador to Spain under King Henry VIII, and therefore spent a great deal of time abroad. Through his travels, Wyatt gained the influence of Italian literature and brought to England the sonnet form which gained great popularity throughout his century. "Of Change in Mind" is just one of many sonnets written by Wyatt, but it was not published until 1557, fifteen years after his death, in a collection usually called Tottel's Miscellany. The original date of the composition of this poem is uncertain.
The sonnet, "Of Change in Mind," is an example of a writing style labelled as "drab poetry" by C.S. Lewis in his bookEnglish Literature in the Sixteenth Century. This style of writing, found in abundance in early sixteenth century verse, lacked vivid imagery and quality of sound, two key elements of poetic expression by today's standards. It concentrates, rather, on one intellectual idea, and explores the importance of this idea.

  Each man me tell'th I change most my device,
  And, on my faith, me think it good reason
  To change purpose, like after the season;
  For in each case to keep still one guise
  Is meet for them that would be taken wise.                    5
  And I am not of such manner condition
  But treated after a diverse fashion,
  And thereupon my diverseness doth rise.
  But you, this diverseness that blamen most,
  Change you no more, but still after one rate                  10
  Treat you me well, and keep you in that state;
  And while with me doth dwell this wearied ghost,
  My word nor I shall not be variable,
  But always one, your own both firm and stable.

1. device] will, inclination.
2. me think] it seems to me
3. purpose] plan, design. like after the season] seasonally, regularly.
4. still] always, continually. guise] manner of carrying oneself, behavior, conduct.
5. meet] suitable, appropriate.
7. diverse] inconstant, mutable.
9. blamen] blame (plural ).
10.still after one rate] staying the same, .

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