The Devonshire Manuscript/Yf with complaint the paine might be exprest

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The Devonshire Manuscript
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Lyk as the swanne towardis her dethe Cruell desire my master and my foo
The Devonshire Manuscript facsimile 73r

f. [73r]

1    Yf with{w+t+} complaint the paine might be exprest
2    that inwardelye dothe cause me sigh & grone /
3    yor harde herte and yor cruell brest
4    shulde sighe and playne for my vnreste
5    and tho yt ware of stone /
6    yet shulde Remorse cause yt relent and mone /

7    But sins yt ys so faure out of mesure
8    {_o}{es} {w+t+} that with my wordes I cannot yt not contayne
9    my onlye truste my hertes{es} tresure
10    alas whye doo I still indure
11    this resteles smerte and payne /
12    sins yf ye list ye maye my woo restraine

fs

Commentary[edit | edit source]

Attributed to Sir Thomas Wyatt,[1] this poem was entered by H8. The speaker complains of the Lady’s cruelty, which causes him so much pain that he cannot express his feelings in words.

Works Cited[edit | edit source]