| Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–42). The Poetical Works. 1880. | | | | Odes | | The Lover complaineth that Faith may not avail without the Favour of Fantasy |
| | | IF Fancy would favour, | |
| As my deserving shall; | |
| My Love, my Paramour, | |
| Should love me best of all. | |
| But if I cannot attain | 5 |
| The grace that I desire, | |
| Then may I well complain | |
| My service, and my hire. | |
| Fancy doth know how | |
| To further my true heart; | 10 |
| If Fancy might avow | |
| With Faith to take part. | |
| But Fancy is so frail | |
| And flitting still so fast, | |
| That Faith may not prevail | 15 |
| To help me, first nor last. | |
| For Fancy at his lust, | |
| Doth rule all but by guess; | |
| Whereto should I then trust | |
| In truth or steadfastness. | 20 |
| Yet gladly would I please | |
| The fancy of her heart, | |
| That may me only ease | |
| And cure my careful smart. | |
| Therefore, my Lady dear, | 25 |
| Set once your Fantasy | |
| To make some hope appear, | |
| Of steadfast remedy. | |
| For if he be my friend, | |
| And undertake my woe, | 30 |
| My grief is at an end | |
| If he continue so. | |
| Else Fancy doth not right | |
| As I deserve and shall, | |
| To have you day and night, | 35 |
| To love me best of all. | | | | |
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