Jan. 16: Poems of the Sixteenth Century

Who was Sir Tomas Wyatt? He was known as "the Renaissance Man" that was known for his use of lyric poetry.

Sir Thomas Wyatt's "Whose List to Hunt"

Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind, But, as for me: helas, I may no more. The vain travail hath wearied me so sore, I am of them, that farthest cometh behind. Yet may I by no means my wearied mind Draw from the deer; but as she fleeth afore Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore, Since in a net I seek to hold the wind. Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt, As well as I, may spend his time in vain. And, graven with Diamonds, in letters plain, There is written, her fair neck round about: Noli me tangere; for Caesar's I am, And wild for to hold - though I seem tame.

I found this cool website that writes this poem in Modern english and also how it would have looked when it was written. Below is the same poem in Renaissance english. This is interesting to see how the language is constantly changing.

Who so list to hount : I know where is an hynd, But, as for me : helas [1], I may no more. The vayne travail [2] hath werid me so sore, I ame [9] of theim [3], that farthest cometh behinde Yet, may I by no means, my weried mynde Drawe from the Der; but as she fleeth afore Faynting I folowe. I leve of [4] therefore : Sins in a nett I seeke to hold the wynde [5]. Who list her hount : I put him out of dowbte [6] : [7]As well as I : may spend his time in vain. And graven with Diamonds in letters plain : There is written, her faier [8] neck rounde abowte : Noli me tangere for Cesars I ame [9] And wylde for to hold : though I seme tame.

This is very cool about the english language it is constantly changing. Just imagine one day our language will look foreign in another century or maybe even sooner. This poem is one of those poems you have read very careful because there was a conceit in it. There is a metaphor of hunting and a play on words with the word "deer" which can be taken as the animal or the a term of indearment meaning love or honey. The poem is about a man who is a hunter, hunting for deer but is really about a man who is in pursuit of a woman.

Here is the link below that shows the different versions of this sonnet.

http://www.poetrylifeandtimes.com/valrevw4.html

My Galley

"My galley charged with forgetfulness..."
My galley charged with forgetfulness
Through sharp seas in winter nights doth pass
Tween rock and rock, and eke my foe (alas)
That is my lord, steereth with cruelness.
And every oar, a thought in readiness,
As though that death were light in such a case;
An endless wind doth tear the sail apace
Of forced sighs and trusty fearfulness;
A rain of tears, a cloud of dark distain,
Have done the wearied cords great hinderance;
Wreathed with error and eke with ignorance,
The stars be hid that lead me to this pain.
Drowned is reason that should me consort,
And I remain, despairing of the port.

on this website you can actually hear audio of this poem. check it out

http://www.sonnets.org/wyatt.htm#011