Thomas Wyati(I503–1542)
They Flee from Me
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, it 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;slender
Therewithal sweetly did me kiss,
And softly said Dear heart, how like you this
It was no dream: I lay broad waking.5
But all is turned thorough my gentlenessthrough
Into a strange fashion of forsaking;
And I have leave to go of her goodness6
And she also to use newfangleness.
But since that I so kindly am served,
I would fain know what she hath deserved.