I do increase their wand'ring wits

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I do increase their wand'ring wits
by Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford

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The poem is considered by Steven May to be a "possible" work by Oxford. It appears in the Harleian manuscript (British Library) with Oxford's name attached. It is a continuation of a passage of verse by Thomas Churchyard which ends with lines spoken by Cupid about how he has conquered more people than Caesar: "And like the deer I make them fall, that overcross the land." The following lines begin with a couplet completing the words supposed to be spoken by Cupid.

1473849I do increase their wand'ring witsEdward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford

"I do increase their wand'ring wits, till that I dim their sight,
'Tis I that do bereave them of their Joy and chief delight."
Thus did I see this bragging Boy advance himself even then,
Deriding at the wanton toys, of foolish loving men.
Which when I saw for anger then my panting breast did beat,
To see how he sat taunting them, upon his royal seat.
O then I wisht I had been free, and cured were my wound;
Me-thought I could display his arms, and coward deeds expound.
But I perforce must stay my muse, full sore against my heart.
For that I am a Subject wight, and lanced with his dart.
But if that I achieve the fort, which I have took in charge,
My Hand and Head with quivering quill, shall blaze his name at large.

This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.

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