The Devonshire Manuscript/Absens absenting causithe me to complaine

f. [81v]

1    Absens absenting causithe me to com {_o} plaine 2    {es} {_o} my sorofull complayntes abiding in distresse 3    and depar {p+} ting most pryvie increasithe my paine 4    thus lyve I vncomfortid wrappid all in hevines

f. [82r]

5    In hevenes I am wrapid devoyde of all solace 6    nother pastyme nor pleasure can {_a} revyve my dull wytt 7    my sprites {es} be all taken. and dethe dothe me manace 8    withe his fatall knif the thrid for to kitt

9    ffor to kit the thrid of this wretchid lif 10    and shortelye bring me owt of this cace 11    I se yt avaylith not yet must I be pensif 12    sins fortune from {_o} me hathe turnid her face

13    {_o} {w+t+} her face she hathe turnid with cowntenance contrarious 14    and clene from {_o} her presens she hathe exilid me 15    yn sorrowe remayning as aman a man most dolorous 16    exempte from {_o} all pleasure and worldelye felicitie

17    all wordelie felicitye nowe am I pryvate 18    and left in deserte moste solitarilye 19    wandring all about as on with {w+t+} owt mate 20    my dethe aprochithe what remedye

21    what remedye alas to reioise my wofull herte 22    withe sighis suspiring most rufullie 23    nowe wellcome I am redye to deperte 24    fare well all plesure welcome paine / and smar {m'} te /

fs

Commentary
Attributed to Sir Thomas Wyatt, this poem was entered by H8. Fortune has turned her face away from the speaker and leaves him in misery. The speaker seems cut off from human contact in a private world. Similar to many courtly love lyrics, this poem can be interpreted as commenting on both love and politics.