The Devonshire Manuscript/Yf with complaint the paine might be exprest

f. [73r]

1    Yf with {w+t+} complaint the paine might be exprest 2    that inwardelye dothe cause me sigh &amp; grone / 3    yor harde herte and yor cruell brest 4    shulde sighe and playne for my vnreste 5    and tho yt ware of stone / 6    yet shulde Remorse cause yt relent and mone /

7    But sins yt ys so faure out of mesure 8    {_o} {es} {w+t+} that with my wordes I can not yt not contayne 9    my onlye truste my hertes {es} tresure 10    alas whye doo I still indure 11    this resteles smerte and payne / 12    sins yf ye list ye maye my woo restraine

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Commentary
Attributed to Sir Thomas Wyatt, this poem was entered by H8. The speaker complains of the Lady’s cruelty, which causes him so much pain that he cannot express his feelings in words.