I am as I am by Sir Thomas Wyatt

Published: Feb. 18, 2008, 1:50 p.m.

Wyatt read by Classic Poetry Aloud:\nhttp://www.classicpoetryaloud.com/\nGiving voice to the poetry of the past.\n\n---------------------------------------------\n\nI am as I am\nby Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503 \u2013 1542)\n\nI am as I am and so will I be \nBut how that I am none knoweth truly, \nBe it evil be it well, be I bond be I free \nI am as I am and so will I be. \n\nI lead my life indifferently, \nI mean nothing but honestly, \nAnd though folks judge diversely, \nI am as I am and so will I die. \n\nI do not rejoice nor yet complain, \nBoth mirth and sadness I do refrain, \nAnd use the mean since folks will fain \nYet I am as I am be it pleasure or pain. \n\nDivers do judge as they do true, \nSome of pleasure and some of woe, \nYet for all that no thing they know, \nBut I am as I am wheresoever I go. \n\nBut since judgers do thus decay, \nLet every man his judgement say: \nI will it take in sport and play, \nFor I am as I am who so ever say nay. \n\nWho judgeth well, well God him send; \nWho judgeth evil, God them amend; \nTo judge the best therefore intend, \nFor I am as I am and so will I end. \n\nYet some that be that take delight \nTo judge folks thought for envy and spite, \nBut whether they judge me wrong or right, \nI am as I am and so do I write. \n\nPraying you all that this do read, \nTo trust it as you do your creed, \nAnd not to think I change my weed, \nFor I am as I am however I speed. \n \nBut how that is I leave to you; \nJudge as ye list, false or true; \nYe know no more than afore ye knew; \nYet I am as I am whatever ensue. \n\nAnd from this mind I will not flee, \nBut to you all that misjudge me, \nI do protest as ye may see, \nThat I am as I am and so will I be.