'A Renouncing of Love (Farewell, Love)'
Summary
Lines 1-8
The poet first bids goodbye forever
to Love personified and its rules. He states that the ‘baited hooks’ will no
longer ensnare him. He is called away from Love by Seneca and Plato to the real
riches of wit and intellect.
He gives the reason for this change
of heart in line 5 and 6, as he sees that when he made ignorant mistakes, the
cruel words of Love pricked him, and instructed him instead in pointless
lessons that he no longer cares for. In line 8 he says that he has escaped
since freedom is his lever. Another interpretation of this line utilizes
preferable as the meaning for 'lever'; Wyatt is saying freedom is preferable to
love.
Lines 9-14
In the final sestet, the poet takes
his leave of Love, directing it to ‘younger hearts’. He claims that Love no
longer has any authority over him, and suggests it takes its offerings to the
young and lazy. In line 12 he suggests that Love uses up its fragile arrows, as
although he has lost time over Love, he will no longer climb rotten branches to
reach his goal.
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