John Lydgate, ‘A Gentlewoman’s Lament’ — seven 8-line
stanzas
Note: Ringler Jr. (1992)
XRingler Jr., William A.
Bibliography and Index of English Verse in Manuscript
1501-1558.
London: Mansell, 1992; prepared and completed by
Michael
Rudick
and
Susan J.
Ringler
, TM 99.
Author(s): John Lydgate
Title(s): ‘A Gentlewoman’s Lament’
Subjects: lovers’ laments; women, as speakers/narrators
Versification: —
eight-line —
ababbcbc
1.Source: Cambridge UK, Trinity College R.3.20 (600), pp. 152-154
First Lines:Allas I wooful creature
Lyving betweene hope and dreed
Howe
might I þe woo endure
In tendrenesse of wommanhede…
Last Lines:…To haue hooly my Remembraunce
On his persone so mychil I
thynke
Attributed Author: Lidegate (RT, 152-154)
Attributed Title: And here begynneþe a balade sayde by a gentil womman whiche loued a
man of gret estate (p. 152); A Womans Compleynte made by Lidegate (RT,
152-154)
Editions: MacCracken, Henry Noble,
ed.
John Lydgate: The Minor Poems, Vol. II: Secular Poems.
EETS
o.s. 192 (1934); repr. 1961: 418-20.
2.Source: London, British Library Addit. 29729, ff. 160-161
First Lines:Allas I wofull creature
lyuinge betwene hope and dred
how mighte
I the woo endure
in tendernesse of womanhede…
Last Lines:…to haue holy my remembraunce
on hys persone so mychill I
thynke
Note: Ends ‘funis’ (f. 161).
Attributed Author: lidgate (f. 160)
Attributed Title: And here begynneth a balade sayde by a gentillwoman which loued a man of
gret estate made by lidgate (f. 160)