faith

V. Innocentia Veritas Viat Fides Circumdederunt me inimici mei

by Sir Thomas Wyatt, the Elder


Who list his wealth and ease retain,
Himself let him unknown contain.
Press not too fast in at that gate
Where the return stands by disdain,
For sure, circa Regna tonat.

The high mountains are blasted oft
When the low valley is mild and soft.
Fortune with Health stands at debate.
The fall is grievous from aloft.
And sure, circa Regna tonat.

These bloody days have broken my heart.
My lust, my youth did them depart,
And blind desire of estate.
Who hastes to climb seeks to revert.
Of truth, circa Regna tonat.

The bell-tower showed me such sight
That in my head sticks day and night.
There did I learn out of a grate,
For all favour, glory, or might,
That yet circa Regna tonat.

By proof, I say, there did I learn:
Wit helpeth not defence too yerne,
Of innocency to plead or prate.
Bear low, therefore, give God the stern,
For sure, circa Regna tonat. 

顺便瞄到一个点评赞扬这首诗的韵律绝妙
The rhyme scheme in this poem is fascinating. It seems to have both English and Italian influences. The fact that all the third lines rhyme with each other across the different stanzas is appealing and tempting. And it breaks the expectation of the 1st and 2nd lines rhyming only to have the rhyme return in the fourth line. And the odd repetion of tonat like a drum beat at the end of each stanza. What a bizarre stanzaic rhyme scheme.

The Appeal 

Sir Thomas Wyatt
An Earnest Suit to his Unkind Mistress,
not to Forsake him


And wilt thou leave me thus!
Say nay, say nay, for shame!
—To save thee from the blame
Of all my grief and grame.
And wilt thou leave me thus?
Say nay! say nay!

And wilt thou leave me thus,
That hath loved thee so long
In wealth and woe among:
And is thy heart so strong
As for to leave me thus?
Say nay! say nay!

And wilt thou leave me thus,
That hath given thee my heart
Never for to depart
Neither for pain nor smart:
And wilt thou leave me thus?
Say nay! say nay!

And wilt thou leave me thus,
And have no more pitye
Of him that loveth thee?
Alas, thy cruelty!
And wilt thou leave me thus?
Say nay! say nay!