
To modern ears, the poet's arch lyricism can seem Humbert-Humbertian, but if "They Flee From Me" was in fact inspired by Boleyn's choosing the newfangled king over the poet-courtier's gentleness, she was no more than four years younger than Wyatt, and might have been older (her birthdate is estimated in the range of 1499-1507).
The poem's bitter conclusion projects a triumphant "you'll get yours" sentiment. Just the antidote one needs if the night of hearts and flowers didn't bring the right pair of naked feet stalking into your chamber.
They Flee From Me
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 now are wild and do not remember
That sometime they put themself in danger
To take bread at my hand; and now they range,
Busily seeking with a continual change.
Thanked be to fortune it hath been otherwise
Twenty times better; but once in special,
In thin array after a pleasant guise,
When her loose gown 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.
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