Poetry about Anne Boleyn
Sir Thomas Wyatt wrote the two most famous poems inspired
by Henry VIII's tragic second queen.
Wyatt was born in 1503 at Allington Castle, Kent. He was the
son of Henry Wyatt and Anne Skinner, and was educated at St John's College,
part of Cambridge University. He entered the diplomatic service of
Henry VIII around 1526, just as the king's rumored passion for Anne Boleyn
began to attract notice. Wyatt himself was infatuated with Anne Boleyn,
but found his desires thwarted by the king.
It has often been rumored that Anne was Wyatt's mistress before Henry
VIII fell in love with her, but there is little evidence to support an
actual physical relationship. Both she and Wyatt were witty and flirtatious,
and enjoyed each other's company, and there is no doubt Wyatt wished for
more personal favors - but he was rebuffed, and for the simple reason that
Anne had more glittering prospects (namely, the king of England himself.)
Hence the bitter tone of the Petrarchan sonnet below. It is an intriguing
portrait of Anne, and specifically mentions her attachment to the king.
Incidentally, Wyatt was sent on a diplomatic mission to Italy in 1527.
It was perhaps an attempt by Henry VIII to rid the court of a potential
rival. Wyatt's association with Anne haunted him again in 1536 when
he was imprisoned for having carnal knowledge of the queen. Anne
was executed, of course, and Wyatt was freed. He served as English
ambassador to Spain for two years (1537-39), suffered imprisonment again
in 1541 when Thomas Cromwell fell from power and the Norfolk faction briefly
gained ascendancy over the king. Once again, Wyatt did not remain
imprisoned long, but he died on 11 October 1542 of unknown causes.
He had long since deserted his wife, Elizabeth Brooke, and was living with
his mistress, Elizabeth Darrell, and their only child Francis.
As for his poetry, Wyatt's work was circulated in manuscript during
his lifetime and often highly praised.
'Whoso List to Hunt, I Know Where Is An Hind' by Sir
Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542)
Whoso list to hunt, I know where is an hind,
But as for me, hélas, I may no more.
The vain travail hath wearied me so sore,
I am of them that farthest cometh behind.
Yet may I by no means my wearied mind
Draw from the deer, but as she fleeth afore
Fainting I follow. I leave off therefore,
Sithens in a net I seek to hold the wind.
Who list her hunt, I put him out of doubt,
As well as I may spend his time in vain.
And graven with diamonds in letters plain
There is written, her fair neck round about:
Noli me tangere, for Caesar's I am,
And wild for to hold, though I seem tame.
This poem was perhaps based upon Petrarch's sonnet #190.
The Latin phrase 'Noli me tangere' is taken from the
Vulgate; it is translated as 'Touch me not'.
This poem is a direct comment upon Henry VIII's infatuation
for Anne, Anne's character, and her newfound importance at the English
court.
'Ye Olde Mule' by Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503-1542)
Ye old mule that think yourself so fair,
Leave off with craft your beauty to repair,
For it is true, without any fable,
No man setteth more by riding in your saddle.
Too much travail so do your train appair.
Ye old mule
With false savour though you deceive th'air,
Whoso taste you shall well perceive your lair
Savoureth somewhat of a Kappurs stable.
Ye old mule
Ye must now serve to market and to fair,
All for the burden, for panniers a pair.
For since gray hairs been powdered in your sable,
The thing ye seek for, you must yourself enable
To purchase it by payment and by prayer,
Ye old mule.
'The thing ye seek for' is, of course, sex.
This poem, though undated, was probably written after
Anne and Henry were wed in 1533. Perhaps Wyatt had been rebuffed
by Anne once again; the poem is certainly churlish enough.
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