The Lyrics of Henry VIII/Why shall not I (Unattributed)

[ff. 107^v-108^r]

Why shall not I.
why shall not I to my lady.
why shall not I be trew
why shall not I.

my lady hath me in that grace                                      5
she takes me as her howne
her mynd is in non other place
now sith it ys thus known
why shall not I

my lady sayth of trouth. it ys                                      10
no loue that can be lost
alas alas what word ys this
her to remember mest
why shall not I.

Textual Commentary

Meditating on his lady’s statement that “trouth … ys no loue that can be lost” (ll. 10–11), the speaker of this lyric asks himself the rhetorical question posed in the incipit.

6 howne Own.

The unattributed “Why shall not I” is through-set in three voices.

This piece is indexed in Robbins Index & Suppl. 2250.5, Boffey, and Ringler MS TM1051. Reprinted in Flügel Anglia 250–51, Flügel Neuengl 137, Stevens M&P 419, and Stevens MCH8 79.

Textual Notes

Texts Collated

H^1,2,3 (ff. 107^v–108^r).

9 not I] I not H³

10 trouth.] non trouth^ H², trouth^ H³

13 remember] reme H¹, remember H^2,3; mest] est H^1,2,3 (Stevens M&P 419 and others)

14 not I] I not H³