Sir Thomas Wyatt. "Ye old Mule ! that think yourself so fair."

OF THE FOLLY OF LOVING WHEN THE

SEASON OF LOVE IS PAST.

E old mule !¹ that think yourself so fair,
Leave off with craft your beauty to repair,
For it is time without any fable ;
No man setteth now by riding in your saddle !
Too much travail so do your train appair ;
Ye old mule !
With false favour though you deceive th'ayes,
Who so taste you shall well perceive your layes
Savoureth somewhat of a keeper's stable ;
Ye old mule !
Ye must now serve to market, and to fair,
All for the burthen, for panniers a pair ;
For since gray hairs ben powder'd in your sable,
The thing ye seek for, you must yourself enable
To purchase it by payment and by prayer ;
Ye old mule.

¹ The word “ mule ” was a word used formerly to describe
a woman of a licentious character.—Nott.

Source:
Yeowell, James, Ed. The Poetical Works of Sir Thomas Wyatt.
London: George Bell and Sons, 1904. 26.

to the Works of Sir Thomas Wyatt