"I am as I am and so will I be"

"I am as I am and so will I be"

by Sir Thomas Wyatt (Attributed)



I am as I am and so will I be

But how that I am none knoweth truly.

Be it evil, be it well, be I bound, be I free,

I am as I am and so will I be.



I lead my life indifferently,

I mean no thing but honestly.

And though folks judge full diversely

I am as I am and so will I die.



I do not rejoice or yet complain.

Both mirth and sadness I do refrain

And use the mean since folks will feign.

Yet I am as I am, be it pleasure or pain.



Diverse do judge as they do trow,

Some of pleasure and some of woe.

Yet for all that nothing they know.

But I am as I am wheresoever I go.



But since that judgers do thus decay

Let every man his judgement say.

I will take it in sport and play

For I am as I am whosoever say nay.



Who judgeth well, well God him send.

Who judgeth evil, God him amend.

To judge the best therefore intend

For I am as I am and so will I end.



Yet some there be that take delight

To judge folks' thought for envy and spite

But whether they judge me wrong or right

I am as I am and so do I write.



Praying you all that this do read

To trust it as you do your creed

And not to think I change my weed

For I am as I am however I speed.



But how that is I leave to you.

Judge as ye list, false or true.

Ye no more know than afore ye knew

Yet I am as I am whatever ensue.



And from this mind I will not flee,

But to you all that misjudge me

I do protest, as ye may see

I am as I am and so will I be.