# The Devonshire Manuscript/My lute awake performe the last labor

* ←ys yt possyble || width="200" align="right" | Alas poore man what hap have I→
* The Devonshire Manuscript facsimile 14v
* The Devonshire Manuscript facsimile 15r
f. [14v] 1 [[The Devonshire Manuscript/Appendix_I:_Paleographic_Features|{{th}+e+}]]{p+} My lute awake performe the last labor 2 and thys labor that thow & I shall wast 3 & end that[[The Devonshire Manuscript/Appendix_I:_Paleographic_Features|{{th}+t+}]] I have now begone 4 ffor when thys song ys songe & past 5 my lute be styll ffor I have done 6 As to be herd where ere ys none 7 as led to grave in mar{m'}ble$^1$ stone 8 my song may perse thy$^{her}$ hart as sone$^2$ 9 shuld we then syng or syghe or mone 10 no no my lute for I have done 11 The rokk dothe not so cruelly 12 repullse the waves contynually 13 as she my sute & affeccyon 14 so that[[The Devonshire Manuscript/Appendix_I:_Paleographic_Features|{{th}+t+}]] I am past Remedy 15 Wherby my lute & I have done 16 Prowd of the spoyle that[[The Devonshire Manuscript/Appendix_I:_Paleographic_Features|{{th}+t+}]] thow hast gott 17 of symple hartes{es} thorow lovys shott 18 by whom vnkynd thow hast them wone 19 thynk not he hathe hys boo for gott 20 altho my lute & I have Done f. [15r] 21 Vengawnce may fall on thy dysdayn 22 that makes{es} but game of ernest payn 23 trow not alone vnder the sone 24 vnquit to cawse thy lovers playn 25 altho my lute & I have done 26 May chawnce they lye wytherd & old 27 the wyter nyghtes{es} that are so cold winter 28 playnyn{_y}g$^3$ in vayn vnto the mone 29 thy wysshes then dare not be told 30 care then who lyst for I have done 31 And then maye chawnce the to Repent 32 the tyme that thow hast lost & Spent 33 to cawse thy lovers syghe & swone 34 then shalt thow know beawte $^{is}$ but lent 35 & Wysshe & Want As I have Done$^4$ 36 Now cesse my lute thys ys the last 37 labor that thow & I shall wast 38 & endyd ys that I $^{hauenow}$ $^5$ begone 39 now ys thys song Bothe songe & past 40 my lute be styll for I have Done fynys quod{q+d+} Wyatts

## Notes & Glosses

1. The expansion to "ar" is a variant of "er."
 2. This change from the second person to the third person depersonalizes and generalizes the meaning of the poem.
 3. This abbreviation is non-standard.
 4. It is possible that the majuscule forms are used for emphasis.
 5. It is possible that the inserting hand is H1, or perhaps it is that of Lady Margaret Douglas.

## Commentary

Attributed to Sir Thomas Wyatt, this poem was entered by H2. The poem describes a contemplation of extremes in order to illustrate changeful minds. John Hall wrote a religious parody of this poem as a song (see Hall's The Court of Virtue (c. 1565)).

#### Works Cited

* ↑ See Adriano Cappelli, Dizionario di abbreviature latine ed italiane (Mailand: Hoepli, 1990), xxxvii.
* ↑ R.A. Rebholz, ed., Sir Thomas Wyatt: The Complete Poems (London: Penguin, 1978), 144.
* ↑ Rebholz, 417.

## Textual Notes
#### Texts Collated

DBLa11, LEge22, STC13860_14, STC_26053_5_4, STC_24650_5

#### Collation

1 My lute awake] MY lute'awake lute awake STC_13860_14 My lute awake STC_26053_5_4 lute] lut DBla11 performe] perfourme LEge22 STC_26053_5_4 labor] DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 2 labor] labour LEge22 Labour STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 labor that thow &] Labour that thou and STC_26053_5_4 thow] thou DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 &] and DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 shall] shal STC_24650_5 wast] waste STC_13860_14 wast: STC_13860_14 wast, STC_24650_5 3 &] and DBla11 LEge22 STC_24650_5 And STC_13860_14 & end that] and end that STC_26053_5_4 have] haue DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 now] new STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 begone] begonne DBla11 STC_26053_5_4 begon LEge22 begonne: STC_13860_14 4 ffor] for LEge22 STC_24650_5 And STC_13860_14 ffor when] For when STC_26053_5_4 thys] this DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 ys] is LEge22 STC_13860_14 song ys songe &] song, is gon and STC_24650_5 ys songe] is sung STC_26053_5_4 songe] song LEge22 STC_13860_14 songe &] snge and DBla11 & past] and past: STC_13860_14 past] paste STC_26053_5_4 5 my] My STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 my lute be styll ffor I] My lute be still for I STC_26053_5_4 lute] lut DBla11 styll] still LEge22 stil STC_24650_5 ffor] for LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 have] haue DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 done] donne DBla11 done. STC_13860_14 STC_26053_5_4 6 As to be herd] As to be hearde STC_26053_5_4 herd] hard DBla11 heard STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 where ere ys] where eare is STC_26053_5_4 where] wher STC_24650_5 ere] eare STC_13860_14 ere ys] care is STC_24650_5 ys] is LEge22 STC_13860_14 none] none: STC_13860_14 7 as] As STC_13860_14 A STC_24650_5 as led to] As lead to STC_26053_5_4 led] lede LEge22 lead STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 grave] graue STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 in] in a STC_24650_5 marble] marbill LEge22 stone] stone: STC_13860_14 8 my] My STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 my song] My song STC_26053_5_4 perse] pearse STC_13860_14 perse, STC_24650_5 perce STC_26053_5_4 thyher] her DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_26053_5_4 thyher hart] her hert so LEge22 hart] heart STC_24650_5 sone] sonne DBla11 sone. STC_13860_14 9 shuld] should LEge22 Should STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 should STC_26053_5_4 we] whe DBla11 then] thene DBla11 syng or] synge or DBla11 sigh or LEge22 sigh? or STC_13860_14 syng, STC_24650_5 syng STC_26053_5_4 syghe] walle DBla11 syng LEge22 singe, STC_13860_14 wepe STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 mone] mone? STC_13860_14 10 no no] No, no, STC_13860_14 No more STC_24650_5 No more STC_26053_5_4 lute] lut DBla11 for] ffor DBla11 have] haue DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 done] donne DBla11 done. STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 11 The rokk dothe] The rocke doth STC_26053_5_4 rokk] roke DBla11 rocke STC_24650_5 rokk dothe] Rokke do LEge22 rockes do STC_13860_14 dothe] Dothe DBla11 doth STC_24650_5 cruelly] crewellye DBla11 12 repullse] repulse DBla11 LEge22 Repulse STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 repullse the waves] Repulse the waues STC_26053_5_4 waves] waues STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 waves contynually] wayuis contlye wauy DBla11 contynually] continuelly LEge22 continually, STC_13860_14 continually STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 13 as] As STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 as she my sute &] As she my sute and STC_26053_5_4 sute] suyte LEge22 &] and DBla11 & affeccyon] and affection: STC_13860_14 and affection. STC_24650_5 affeccyon] affecsion DBla11 affection LEge22 effeccion STC_26053_5_4 14 so] So STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 so that I am] So that I am STC_26053_5_4 am] ame LEge22 past] past al STC_24650_5 past all STC_26053_5_4 Remedy] remedye DBla11 remedy LEge22 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 remedy, STC_13860_14 15 Wherby] wherby DBla11 whereby LEge22 Wherby my lute &] Wherby my lute and STC_26053_5_4 &] and DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 have] haue DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 done] donne DBla11 done. STC_13860_14 16 Prowd] Proude STC_13860_14 Proud STC_24650_5 Prowd of the spoyle] Proud of the splene STC_26053_5_4 spoyle] spoile STC_13860_14 splen STC_24650_5 thow] thou DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 thow hast gott] thou hast shot STC_26053_5_4 gott] gate DBla11 gotte STC_13860_14 shot STC_24650_5 17 of] Of STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 of symple hartes thorow] Of symple hart, through STC_26053_5_4 symple] simplell DBla11 simple LEge22 STC_13860_14 hartes] harts DBla11 hertes LEge22 hartes thorow lovys shott] hart, through loues got STC_24650_5 thorow] theow DBla11 thorough LEge22 thorow lovys shott] through loues shot: STC_13860_14 lovys] lovis DBla11 loves LEge22 loues STC_26053_5_4 shott] shote DBla11 shot LEge22 STC_26053_5_4 18 by] By STC_13860_14 by whom vnkynd] vnkynd althoughe DBla11 Vnkind although STC_24650_5 Vnkind although STC_26053_5_4 whom] whome LEge22 vnkynd] vnkinde STC_13860_14 thow] thou DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 them] theim LEge22 wone] wyeoun DBla11 wonne, STC_13860_14 won STC_24650_5 19 thynk] think DBla11 thinck LEge22 Thinke STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 thynk not] Thinke not STC_26053_5_4 hathe] hath STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 hathe hys boo] haith his bow LEge22 hys boo for gott] his bowe fforgote DBla11 his bow forgot, STC_13860_14 hys boo] his owne STC_24650_5 his bow STC_26053_5_4 for gott] forgot LEge22 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 20 altho] althoug DBla11 all tho LEge22 Although STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 Although STC_26053_5_4 &] and DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 have] haue DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 Done] done DBla11 LEge22 STC_26053_5_4 done. STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 21 Vengawnce] Vngence DBla11 Vengeaunce LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 may] shall LEge22 STC_13860_14 fall] fal STC_24650_5 thy] such STC_24650_5 thy dysdayn] such disdayne STC_26053_5_4 dysdayn] disdayne DBla11 disdain LEge22 disdaine STC_13860_14 dysdayne STC_24650_5 22 that] That STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 makes] makest LEge22 STC_13860_14 maketh STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 of ernest payn] on ernest pain LEge22 on earnest payne. STC_13860_14 o fernest payne STC_26053_5_4 ernest payn] yernyst paygne DBla11 earnest paine STC_24650_5 23 trow] trowe DBla11 thinck LEge22 Thinke STC_13860_14 Trow STC_24650_5 true STC_26053_5_4 sone] sonne LEge22 STC_24650_5 sunne STC_13860_14 STC_26053_5_4 24 vnquit] vnquyt DBla11 LEge22 Vnquit STC_13860_14 Vngently STC_24650_5 Vngentylly STC_26053_5_4 cawse] cause DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 thy] to STC_24650_5 the STC_26053_5_4 lovers] louers DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 playn] playne DBla11 plain LEge22 plaine: STC_13860_14 plaine STC_24650_5 payne STC_26053_5_4 25 altho] al tho DBla11 all tho LEge22 Although STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 Although STC_26053_5_4 &] and DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 have] haue DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 done] donne DBla11 done. STC_13860_14 26 May chawnce they lye] Perchaunce they lay the lye LEge22 May chawnce they lye wytherd & old] STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 chawnce] chaunce DBla11 chance STC_13860_14 they] the DBla11 thee STC_13860_14 lye] lie STC_13860_14 wytherd] whetheryd DBla11 wetherd LEge22 witherd STC_13860_14 &] and DBla11 & old] and olde, STC_13860_14 27 the wyterwynter] In winter STC_13860_14 the wyterwynter nyghtes that are so cold] STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 wyterwynter] wentyr DBla11 wynter LEge22 nyghtes] nyght LEge22 nightes STC_13860_14 are] ar DBla11 cold] colde, STC_13860_14 28 playnyng] playning DBla11 Playning STC_13860_14 playnyng in vayn vnto the mone] STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 vayn] vayne DBla11 vain LEge22 vaine STC_13860_14 mone] mone: STC_13860_14 29 thy] Thy STC_13860_14 thy wysshes then dare not be told] STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 wysshes] wishys DBla11 wisshes LEge22 wishes STC_13860_14 dare] dar DBla11 told] tolde. STC_13860_14 30 care then] Care then STC_13860_14 but care DBla11 care then who lyst for I have done] STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 lyst] list, STC_13860_14 for] ffor DBla11 have] haue DBla11 STC_13860_14 done] done. STC_13860_14 31 And] nd DBla11 maye] may DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 chawnce] chaunce DBla11 LEge22 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 chance STC_13860_14 the] thee STC_13860_14 Repent] repent DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 32 the] The STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 tyme] time STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 thow] thou DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 hast] has DBla11 &] and DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 Spent] spent DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 STC_26053_5_4 33 to] To STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 to cawse thy lovers syghe & swone] STC_26053_5_4 cawse] cause DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 thy] they LEge22 lovers] louer DBla11 louers STC_13860_14 lovers syghe &] louer to sighe and STC_24650_5 syghe] sigh LEge22 syghe & swone] sigh and swowne. STC_13860_14 &] and DBla11 swone] sowne DBla11 STC_24650_5 swoune LEge22 34 then] Then STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 then shalt thow know beawte is but lent] STC_26053_5_4 thow] thou DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 know] knowe LEge22 beawte is] bevtye DBla11 beaultie LEge22 beauty STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 lent] lent, STC_13860_14 35 & Wysshe & Want As] and wyshe and want as DBla11 and wisshe and want as LEge22 And wish and want as STC_13860_14 And wyshe and want as STC_24650_5 & Wysshe & Want As I have Done] STC_26053_5_4 have] haue DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 Done] done DBla11 LEge22 STC_24650_5 done. STC_13860_14 36 Now cesse my lute] My lute be styll DBla11 Now cesse my lute thys ys] My lute be stil this is STC_24650_5 Now cesse my lute thys ys the last] STC_26053_5_4 cesse] cease STC_13860_14 thys] this DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 ys] is LEge22 STC_13860_14 last] last, STC_13860_14 37 labor] labour LEge22 Labour STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 labor that thow & I shall wast] STC_26053_5_4 thow] thou DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 &] and DBla11 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 shall] shal STC_24650_5 wast] wast, STC_13860_14 38 & endyd ys that I haue now] and ended is that we LEge22 & endyd ys that I haue now begone] And ended is that we begonne. STC_13860_14 STC_26053_5_4 & endyd ys] And end STC_24650_5 endyd ys] end DBla11 haue now] haue now DBla11 haue STC_24650_5 begone] begonne DBla11 STC_24650_5 begon LEge22 39 now ys] ffor when DBla11 Now is STC_13860_14 Or when STC_24650_5 now ys thys song Bothe songe & past] STC_26053_5_4 ys] is LEge22 thys] this DBla11 LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 Bothe] ys DBla11 boeth LEge22 both STC_13860_14 is STC_24650_5 songe] songyne DBla11 song LEge22 STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 &] and DBla11 STC_24650_5 & past] and past, STC_13860_14 40 my] My STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 my lute be styll for I have Done] STC_26053_5_4 lute] lut DBla11 styll] still LEge22 STC_13860_14 stil STC_24650_5 for] ffor DBla11 have] haue DBla11 haue STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5 Done] done DBla11 LEge22 STC_24650_5 done. STC_13860_14 STC_24650_5