If that I cowlde in versis close

The Devonshire Manuscript · Wikibooks

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    From Wikibooks, under CC BY-SA 4.0, as the source states it. This page at Wikibooks.

    Introduction  |  Contributors  |  Textual Introduction
    The Devonshire Manuscript
    Bibliography A-M  |  Bibliography N-Z  |  Encoded Materials

    ←In places Wher that I company blame not my lute for he must sownde→
    Illustration
    The Devonshire Manuscript facsimile 63v
    Illustration
    The Devonshire Manuscript facsimile 63r

    f. [63r] 
    f. [63v] 

    1    If that{{th}+t+} I cowlde in versis close
    2    {{th}+t+}{es} thowghtesthat in my hart be shett
    3    hart so hard was newer{w+r+} yet
    4    that vulde not pitie I suppose
    5    vnhappy Eys1/ my Ioy I lose
    6    by strokes{es} of love throw you so frett
    7    that no defence / can make with{w+t+}sett
    8    for nowght but sorow I can chose
    9    syns that your sight so bright did shew
    10    with{w+t+}in my hart by fiery gleames
    11    as in a glas the sonny streames
    12    suffise the then for as I trow /
    13    of Right he may desir deth
    14    that fyndith his foo / by frendly faith

    E K2

    Notes & Glosses

         1. This spelling of "eyes" is unusual in the manuscript.
         1. Presumably, this refers to Edmund Knyvett.

    Commentary

    Attributed to Edmund Knyvett (“E K”) in the manuscript, this poem was entered by H7 and explores the popular medieval trope of love at first sight (that is, the sight of a lady can strike the observer with instant love).