THE LADY TO ANSWER DIRECTLY WITH

YEA OR NAY.

M ADAM, withouten many words,
  Once I am sure you will, or no :
  And if you will, then leave your
          bourds,1
          And use your wit, and shew it so,
          For, with a beck you shall me call ;
          And if of one, that burns alway,
          Ye have pity or ruth 2 at all,
          Answer him fair, with yea or nay.
          If it be yea, I shall be fain ;
          If it be nay—friends, as before ;
          You shall another man obtain,
          And I mine own, and yours no more.

            1 Jests or tricks.         2 Compassion.

Source:
Yeowell, James, Ed. The Poetical Works of Sir Thomas Wyatt.
London: George Bell and Sons, 1904. 178.



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