The Lyrics of Henry VIII/Why shall not I (Unattributed)

[ff. 107v-108r]

Why shall not I. why shall not I to my lady. why shall not I be trew why shall not I.

my lady hath me in that grace                                     5 she takes me as her howne her mynd is in non other place now sith it ys thus known why shall not I

my lady sayth of trouth. it ys                                     10 no loue that can be lost alas alas what word ys this her to remember mest why shall not I.

Textual Commentary
Meditating on his lady’s statement that “trouth … ys no loue that can be lost” (ll. 10–11), the speaker of this lyric asks himself the rhetorical question posed in the incipit.


 * 6   howne  Own.

The unattributed “Why shall not I” is through-set in three voices.

This piece is indexed in Robbins Index & Suppl. 2250.5, Boffey, and Ringler MS TM1051. Reprinted in Flügel Anglia 250–51, Flügel Neuengl 137, Stevens M&P 419, and Stevens MCH8 79.

Texts Collated
H1,2,3 (ff. 107v–108r).


 * 9   not I] I not H3


 * 10 trouth.] non trouth^ H2, trouth^ H3


 * 13 remember] reme H1, remember H2,3;     mest] est H1,2,3 (Stevens M&P 419 and others)


 * 14 not I] I not H3