Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


SONNET: 14 by THOMAS WYATT

Poet Analysis

First Line: MY HEART I GAVE THEE, NOT TO DO IT PAIN
Last Line: PLOWETH IN WATER AND SOWETH IN THE SAND.
Subject(s): DESIRE; FAREWELL; HEARTS; PARTING;

My heart I gave thee, not to do it pain,
But to preserve, it was to thee taken;
I served thee not to be forsaken,
But that I should be rewarded again.
I was content thy servant to remain,
But not to be paid under this fashion.
Now since in thee is none other reason,
Displease thee not if that I do refrain.
Unsatiate of my woe and thy desire,
Assured be craft to excuse thy fault;
But since it please thee to fain a default,
Farewell, I say, parting from the fire,
For he that believeth bearing in hand,
Ploweth in water and soweth in the sand.



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