Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


BALLADE: 20 by THOMAS WYATT

Poet Analysis

First Line: TO WET YOUR EYE WITHOUTEN TEAR
Last Line: IF I HAVE THE MOCK, YE SHALL HAVE THE LOSS.
Subject(s): LOSS; TEARS;

To wet your eye withouten tear
And in good health to feign disease,
That you thereby mine eye might blear,
Therewith your other friends to please;
And though ye think ye need not fear,
Yet so ye cannot me appease;
But as ye list, feign, flatter, or glose,
Ye shall not win if I do lose.

Prate and paint and spare not,
Ye know I can me wreak;
And if so be ye care not,
Be sure I do not reck.
And though ye swear it were not,
I can both swear and speak;
By God and by this cross,
If I have the mock, ye shall have the loss.



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