The Devonshire Manuscript, I ame not she be prowess off syt

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The Devonshire Manuscript facsimile 65r (Image: DMSEG, CC BY-SA 3.0) |

f. [65r]

1    [My]I ame not she be prowess off syt
2    kan make a yogy joy  off al my woo
3    nor yn swche thyngs I do delyt
4    bot as the be so most the show
5    my nowen meshape hath hapt [] so ryt
that than I wold yt lake I myt1
6    thys off my ffrynd to make my ffo
7    that than I wold yt laken I myt
8    to cloke my greffe wer yt doth grow

Notes & Glosses

1. Apparently, the scribe realized that one line had been omitted.

Commentary

Written in Mary Shelton's hand, this poem remains unattributed. This poem is one of a several entries in the manuscript that speaks of counterfeiting feelings in public (see, for instance, “Sum summ say I love sum say I moke” (58v); “In places Wher that I company” (62r); “Myght I as well within my song be lay” (65v); “To cowntarffete a mery mode” (65v); “Ceaser whan the traytor of egipte” (70r); and “Whan that I call vnto my mynde” (82v-83r)).

The poem may be related to “My hart ys set not remove” (64v) entered above since both poems have a similar rhyme scheme, metre, and sentiment. This poem sequence could present another instance of Margaret Douglas and Mary Shelton playing at one another’s texts. For other examples of this textual play, see: the lyrics lamenting former happier times (e.g. “When I bethink my wontet days” (58r-59r)); professing steadfast love in the face of adversity (e.g. “My hart is set not to remove” (58v) and “Lo in thy hat thow hast be gone” (59r)); and the need and/or difficulty to conceal actual feelings (e.g. “I am not she be prowess off syt” (65r) and "Myght I as well within my song be lay" (65v)).

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