Collected poems of Sir Thomas Wyatt :: :: University of Virginia Library

Happe happith ofte vnloked for,
As men may se before theire yes;
For he that Dayly Doth labour
And studith all he can Devyse
To bryng his purpose to affect,
Yet by myshap most commenly
From his entent he ys abiect;
And happe doth happe clene contrary,
So that the prouf Doth verefye,
As I haue wryttyn here before,
That happ happes ofte vnloked for.

Some to myshapp when they ar borne,
Ar prefate by there Distyne;
To sume, tho all the world had sworn,
Fortune wyl not be contrary:
This happ doth happ at his own lust.
Sum men to welth and sum to woo;
Sum tyme the stronge he throyth yth Dust;
Sum tyme the lame he maketh goo,
And the Starke blynd to se alsoo;
Sum tyme the hole he maketh sore:
Alle this happs ofte vnloked for.

Sum by good happe ar braught alofte,
And sum by myshap ar throwen doun;
And sum by hap ar set full softe,
That thynck neuer for to come downe.
But I wyll rede them to take hede,
Seith hap doth turne soo sodenly,
Lest he by chaunge do chaunce them lede
Into sum trade clene contrary,
And bryng hym low that was full hy,
And set hym hard that set full softe:
Vnloked for all this happs ofte.