That no Words may express the crafty Trains of Love. Odes. Sir Thomas Wyatt. 1880. The Poetical Works

Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–42). The Poetical Works. 1880.

Odes

That no Words may express the crafty Trains of Love


FULL well it may be seen
To such as understand,
How some there be that ween
They have their wealth at hand:
Through love’s abused band	5
But little do they see
The abuse wherein they be.
Of love there is a kind
Which kindleth by abuse;
As in a feeble mind	10
Whom fancy may induce
By love’s deceitful use,
To follow the fond lust
And proof of a vain trust.
As I myself may say,	15
By trial of the same;
No wight can well bewray
That falsehood love can frame;
I say, ’twixt grief and game,
There is no living man	20
That knows the craft love can.
For love so well can feign
To favour for the while;
That such as seeks the gain
Are served with the guile;	25
And some can this concile
To give the simple leave
Themselves for to deceive.
What thing may more declare
Of love the crafty kind,	30
Than see the wise so ware,
In love to be so blind;
If so it be assign’d;
Let them enjoy the gain,
That thinks it worth the pain.	35