The Devonshire Manuscript/Who wold haue euer thowght

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In faythe methynkes yt ys no Ryght→

The Devonshire Manuscript facsimile 21r

f. [21r]

1    Who wold haue euer{u'} thowght
2    A hart that{{th}+t+} was so sett
3    to haue suche wrong me wrowght
4    or to be cownterfett
5    but who that trustythe most
6    ys lyke to pay the cost

7    I must of force god wott
8    thys paynfull lyff susteyen
9    & yet I know nott
10    the chefe cawse of my payn
11    thys ys a strange dyssase
{u'}{{s}8} 12    to serve & neuer plese

13    I must of force endure
14    thys drawght drawyn Away
15    ffor I am fast & sure
16    to have the mate therby
17    But note I Wyll thys texte
18    to draw better{t'} the nexte

fynys s

Commentary

Attributed to Sir Thomas Wyatt, this poem was entered by H2. Using a chess metaphor to signify a courtly "game of love" (lines 14 and 16), the speaker denotes his or her displeasure at receiving the affections of a lover. Rebholz notes that lines 17-18 suggest that the poem's recollection will remind the speaker to choose a better love next time.