The Devonshire Manuscript/Wyth sorowful syghes and wondes smart

f. [26v]

1    Wyth sorowful syghes and wondes smart 2    my hart ys persed sodaynly 3    to morne off ryght yt ys my part 4    to wepe to wayle full grevously

5    the bytter tears doth me constrayne 6    all tho that I wold yt eschew1 7    to wyte off them that dothe dysdayne 8    faythfull louers that be so trew

9    The one off us from the {{th}+e+} other they do absent 10    wych unto us ys a dedly wond 11    seyng we loue in thys yntent 12    yn godes {es} laws for to be bownd

13    Wyth syghes depe my harte ys prest 14    Duryn {_y} g off great paynes among 15    to see her dayly whom I loue best 16    yn great and untollerabel sorows strong

17    Ther doth not lyue no lovyng hart 18    but wyll lament ower greuous woo 19    and pray to god to ease owre smart 20    and shortly togyther that we my may goo

fynis ma r h []2

Notes & Glosses
1.   This word is also used in poetry by Henry VIII.

2.   The initials may refer to  Lady Mary Howard  or  Lady Margaret Douglas, after her betrothal to  Lord Thomas Howard.

Commentary
Attributed to Lord Thomas Howard, this poem was entered by TH2 into the Devonshire Manuscript. Based on the initials, "marh," signed at the bottom of the poem, Margaret Douglas could also have composed the poem after her betrothal to Thomas Howard. Alternatively, the initials may be attributed to Mary Howard, which could signify her support of the beleaguered couple. By using her maiden name to associate herself with her brother Thomas Howard, Mary Howard distances herself from her husband Henry Fitzroy, an illegitimate son of Henry VIII, and his family. The initials “MH” are also found in “O myserable sorow withowten cure” (58v). “O myserable sorow withowten cure” (58v) emphasizes the pain borne by a true lover, who is subsequently punished because of his love.