Revenge of Wrong

by Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford

 
Fain would I sing, but fury makes me fret,
 And Rage hath sworn to seek revenge of wrong;
 My mazed mind in malice so is set,
 As Death shall daunt my deadly dolours long;
 Patience perforce is such a pinching pain,
 As die I will, or suffer wrong again.
 
I am no sot, to suffer such abuse
 As doth bereave my heart of his delight;
 Nor will I frame myself to such as use,
 With calm consent, to suffer such despite;
 No quiet sleep shall once possess mine eye
 Till Wit have wrought his will on Injury.
 
My heart shall fail, and hand shall lose his force,
 But some device shall pay Despite his due;
 And Fury shall consume my careful corse,
 Or raze the ground whereon my sorrow grew.
 Lo, thus in rage of ruthful mind refus’d,
 I rest reveng’d on whom I am abus’d.