411 REFERENCE · Wikibooks
The Devonshire Manuscript/Sum summ say I love sum say I moke
Reference material by Wikibooks contributors. This retains its source identity and is not 411 news reporting.
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The Devonshire Manuscript facsimile 58v|thumb|389px
f. [58v] 1 Sum summ{_m} say I love sum say I moke2 summ{_m} say I can not my selfe refrane3 Sum say I was wraped in mynin a whoman semoke smock 4 sun some say I hau plesure{r'}sun I hau payn some 5 yt yet on my fayth yf yow wel be lewf me6 non knw so wel as I wher my shwe grewe me1, 2
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Notes & Glosses
1. The rhyme is ababcc: mock, refrain, smock, pain, believe me, grew me.
2. This may be a riddle, referring to a specific occurrence. It matches the mood of love and mockery with the mention of unveiling, disguise, and cross-dressing.
Commentary
Possibly written in H1.1's hand, this poem remains unattributed. The poem describes hidden motives that are interpreted differently by different people (“some say”). Although the reference to being wrapped in a woman’s smock may be metaphorical, this image could also refer to a specific incident that may have been known to the members of the coterie.
Six poetic lines appear on eight graphical lines and the rhyme scheme is ababcc: mock, refrain, smock, pain, me, me. The placement of the text, the break in the lines, the repetition of words, and other factors suggest that this poem may have been composed and recorded simultaneously.