A web-based edition of early seventeenth-century political poetry from manuscript sources. It brings into the public domain over 350 poems, many of which have never before been published.

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A5 Courts commender states mantayner

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Notes. This is a point-for-point answer to “Courts scorne, states disgracing”, reversing the charges made in that poem. In one source it is attributed to Ralegh himself (Bodleian MS Ashmole 781).

“In reproofe of this made by the first”

Courts commender states mantayner

Potentates defender, goverments gayner

Prelats prayser, churches preacher

Arts rayser, vertues teacher,

Ages rewarder, honors strengthener

5

Witts admirer, wisdoms scholler

Physicks desirer, laws follower

Fortunes blamer, natures observer

Justice proclaymer, friendshippes preserver.

Such is the author, such is the songe

10

Returninge the halter,1 contemninge the wronge.


Source. Bodleian MS Rawl. Poet. 212, fol. 91r

Other known sources. Bodleian MS Ashmole 781, p. 164; Bodleian MS Rawl. Poet. 172, fol. 13r

A5

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1   halter: a noose for a hanging. <back>

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Edited by Alastair Bellany and Andrew McRae
with the assistance of Paul E.J. Hammer and Michelle
O'Callaghan

Preferred citation format:

Full reference, e.g. "Early Stuart Libels: an edition of poetry from manuscript sources." Ed. Alastair Bellany and Andrew McRae. Early Modern Literary Studies Text Series I (2005).
<http://purl.oclc.org/emls/texts/libels/>

Short reference, e.g. "Early Stuart Libels" Piii5.

Arts and Humanities Research Council
Early Modern Literary Studies

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