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Home  »  The Poetical Works by Sir Thomas Wyatt  »  The Lover who cannot prevail must needs have Patience

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

Odes

The Lover who cannot prevail must needs have Patience

PATIENCE for my device;

Impatience for your part!

Of contraries the guise

Must needs be overthwart.

Patience! for I am true;

The contrary for you.

Patience! a good cause why!

You have no cause at all;

Trust me, that stands awry

Perchance may sometime fall.

Patience then say, and sup

A taste of Patience cup.

Patience! no force for that

Yet brush your gown again.

Patience! spurn not there at;

Lest folk perceive your pain.

Patience at my pleasure,

When yours hath no measure.

The other was for me,

This Patience is for you,

Change when ye list let see,

For I have ta’en a new.

Patience with a good will

Is easy to fulfil.