Skip to content
ReadingWillow structured literacy program for Australian students
Poetry Library

— Stephen Crane

I looked here;

I looked there;

Nowhere could I see my love.

And--this time--

…

Read full poem →

adjective

Telling the truth or giving a true result; exact; not defective or faulty

“accurate knowledge”

Know more →

My Lute Awake!

41 lines
Thomas Wyatt
✦
HE LOVER COMPLAINETH THE UNKINDNESS OF HIS LOVE. My lute awake, perform the lastLabour, that thou and I shall waste,And end that I have now begun :And when this song is sung and past,My lute ! be still, for I have done. As to be heard where ear is none ;As lead to grave in marble stone ;My song may pierce her heart as soon.Should we then sigh, or sing, or moan ?No, no, my lute ! for I have done. The rocks do not so cruellyRepulse the waves continually,As she my suit and affection :So that I am past remedy ;Whereby my lute and I have done. Proud of the spoil that thou hast gotOf simple hearts thorough Love's shot,By whom, unkind, thou hast them won :Think not he hath his bow forgot,Although my lute and I have done. Vengeance shall fall on thy disdain,That makest but game on earnest pain ;Think not alone under the sunUnquit to cause thy lovers plain ;Although my lute and I have done. May chance thee lie withered and oldThe winter nights, that are so cold,Plaining in vain unto the moon ;Thy wishes then dare not be told :Care then who list, for I have done. And then may chance thee to repentThe time that thou hast lost and spent,To cause thy lovers sigh and swoon :Then shalt thou know beauty but lent,And wish and want as I have done. Now cease, my lute ! this is the lastLabour, that thou and I shall waste ;And ended is that we begun :Now is this song both sung and past ;My lute ! be still, for I have done.
✦