King Henry VIII: Youth Rules Me
Posted on 2nd March 2021
King Henry VIII wasn’t always the blood-soaked tyrant and wife killer of popular imagination, as a young man tall, broad shouldered and athletic he was much admired both on the tennis court and the dance floor.
But he was also a learned man both inquisitive and serious who considered himself a Renaissance Prince much devoted to love and the chivalric code.
A Warrior King who enjoyed the joust, wrote poetry, composed music, had a fine singing voice and an eye for the ladies it is little wonder he was referred to as the ‘handsomest Prince in Christendom.’
To the more earnest among his advisors and those on his Privy Council such fripperies they felt reduced his stock in the realm of public affairs.
To such criticism Henry would reply in verse:
Though some say that youth rules me
Though some say that youth rules me,
I trust in age to tarry.
God and my right, and my duty,
From them shall I never vary,
Though some say that youth rules me.
I pray you all that aged be
How well did you your youth carry?
I think some worse of each degree.
Therein a wager lay dare I,
Though some say that youth rules me.
Pastimes of youth some time among
None can say but necessary.
I hurt no man, I do no wrong,
I love true where I did marry,
Though some say that youth rules me.
Then soon discuss that hence we must
Pray we to God and Saint Mary
That all amend, and here an end.
Thus says the King, the eighth Harry,
Though some say that youth rules me.
Tagged as: Poetry, Tudor & Stuart
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