Sonnet vs. Sonnet

Round 1

Thomas Wyatt 38% (27 votes)

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey 62% (44 votes)

Comments

For Surrey

Perhaps I understood Surrey's better because I read Wyatt first, but I have to go with my instinct! Rog 12/3/99 1:38:37 PM
I like the Surrey because it gets to person better and its rhyme sheme is well done 12/5/99 4:48:45 PM
Wyatt struggles with the strict Italian format. Surrey's English sonnet is simpler and better. Why not try a slam for submitted sonnets? 12/7/99 4:07:48 AM
Surrey's rhyme flows better, and he touches the heart dilemma of misunderstood passion in a deeper way. 12/19/99 6:46:56 AM
Surrey has the edge for two reasons: first, his treatment of the central metaphor is far clearer, more vivid, and lively, and second, his meters show 12/30/99 10:22:34 AM
. . . Oops. 1.--metaphor 2-Surrey KNOWS meter, Wyatt stumbling in the early Renaissance understandings of same 12/30/99 10:26:02 AM

For Wyatt

Wyatt Rules! 12/3/99 10:56:43 PM
Wyatt is the man regardless.... 12/8/99 9:12:37 PM
Wyatt just seems a bit more...optimistic. Surrey just goes down like a burning plane. Signed, the infamous Carol G 12/6/99 10:56:21 PM

For Neither

They sound equal to me! 12/9/99 9:48:42 AM
These are both terrible, of course, but Surrey at least ends strongly. Why are there so few great sonnet writers? This pair provides a clue. 12/24/99 3:35:13 AM

During the last few years, America has seen the rise of the "poetry slam," an event where two or more poets will recite their work and have it judged by the audience. So, of course, I couldn't resist the chance to present a "sonnet slam," where two poets of the past can go 14 lines, toe-to-toe.

Below are sonnets by the two poets (two friends) who introduced the sonnet form into English, and we get to see their take on the same sonnet by Petrarch. Which poem speaks most clearly from over four centuries away? They're not the easiest sonnets, and there are many different versions of these texts in different editions. But as they stand, which do you find more moving? More thought-provoking? Here's a chance to judge for yourself and see what others think--just place your vote below and check back at the end of the month for the results! Feel free to add a comment--you may find yourself quoted when the results are archived.

"The long love that in my heart doth harbor"

Thomas Wyatt

The long love that in my heart doth harbor

And in mine heart doth keep his residence,

Into my face presseth with bold pretense,

And there campeth, displaying his banner.

She that me learneth to love and to suffer,

And wills that my trust and lust's negligence

Be reined by reason, shame, and reverence,

With his hardiness taketh displeasure.

Wherewith love to the heart's forest he fleeth,

Leaving his enterprise with pain and cry,

And there him hideth and not appeareth.

What may I do when my master feareth

But in the field with him to live and die?

For good is the life ending faithfully.

"Love that doth reign and live within my thought"

Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey

Love that doth reign and live within my thought

And built his seat within my captive breast,

Clad in arms wherein with me he fought,

Oft in my face he doth his banner rest.

But she that taught me love and suffer pain,

My doubtful hope and eke my hot desire

With shamefaced look to shadow and refrain,

Her smiling grace converteth straight to ire.

And coward Love, then, to the heart apace

Taketh his flight, where he doth lurk and 'plain,

His purpose lost, and dare not show his face.

For my lord's guilt thus faultless bide I pain,

Yet from my lord shall not my foot remove,--

Sweet is the death that taketh end by love.