In Spain

By Sir Thomas Wyatt 1503–1542 Thomas Wyatt

Tagus, farewell! that westward with thy streams

Turns up the grains of gold already tried

With spur and sail, for I go seek the Thames

Gainward the sun that shewth her wealthy pride,

And to the town which Brutus sought by dreams,

Like bended moon doth lend her lusty side.

My king, my country, alone for whome I live,

Of mighty love the wings for this me give.

Biography

Born in Kent, England, Sir Thomas Wyatt was an ambassador to France and Italy for King Henry VIII. Wyatt’s travels abroad exposed him to different forms of poetry, which he adapted for the English language — most notably, the sonnet. Rumored to be Anne Boleyn’s lover, he spent a month in the Tower of London until Boleyn’s execution for adultery. Many consider his poem “Whoso List to Hunt” to be about . . .

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