They flee from me that sometime did me seek by Sir Thomas Wyatt
“They flee from me that sometime did me seek” by Sir Thomas Wyatt They flee from me that sometime did me seek, With naked foot stalking in my chamber. I have seen them gentle, tame, and meek That are now wild and do not remember That sometime they put themselves in danger To take bread at my hand; and now they range Busily seeking with a continual change.
Thanked be fortune, it hath been otherwise Twenty times better; but once in special, In thin array after a pleasant guise, When her loose gown did from her shoulders did fall, And she me caught in her arms long and small, Therewithall sweetly did me kiss, And softly said, "Dear heart, how like you this?"
It was no dream, I lay broad waking. But all is turned thorough my gentleness, Into a strange fashion of forsaking; And I have leave to go of her goodness, And she also to use newfangleness. But since that I so kindly am served, I would fain know what she hath deserved.