Item genre: Couplet

Bodleian Library: MS Ashmole 51
Commonplace book containing sententious rhyming couplets, six poems, an inscription from a gravestone, notes on colours, and handwriting exercises (c.1590-1617)
(scribe)

Item 2 (Verse, Commonplace, Couplet, Extract), fols 1v-5r

Verse extracts from a variety of printed sources, many arranged into rhyming couplets

[

I have matched many of the couplets with printed sources. On folio 1v, two lines are from Timothy Kendall, "Flowers of Epigrams" (1577), sig. O8v. Eleven lines are from "The Mirror for Magistrates" (first printed in 1559): three from ""Robert Tresilian, Chief Justice of England"", lines 124-126; six from ""The Two Rogers, surnamed Mortimers"", lines 15-18, 92, and 94; and two from " "King James the First"", lines 111-112. Four lines are from the February eclogue in Spenser's " The Shepheardes Calender" (1579), lines 15-16 and 29-30.

On fol. 2r, one line is from the May eclogue of " The Shepheardes Calender", line 304. Four lines are from Spenser's "The Faerie Queene" (1596), I.iii.1.1-4. Two lines are from the Robert Tresilian story in "The Mirror for Magistrates", lines 83-84. Two lines are from Chaucer's " The Manciple's Tale", lines 160-162.

On fol. 2v, four lines are from Chaucer's " The Knight's Tale", lines 1251-1254.

On fol. 3r, four lines are from the May eclogue of " The Shepheardes Calender ", lines 71-72 and 152-153. Two lines are from John Heywood's "A Dialogue of Proverbs", lines 2717-2718.

On fol. 3v, four lines are from the May eclogue of "The Shepheardes Calender", lines 302-304, and the March eclogue, lines 121-122. Four lines are from "The Mirror for Magistrates", two from Robert Tresilian's story, lines 48-49, and two from ""Thomas of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester"", lines 202-203. Four lines are from Chaucer's "The Assemblie of Foules", lines 22-25.

On fol. 4r, 12 lines are from Michael Drayton's "Englands Heroicall Epistles": six from " "Henry Howard, Earle of Surrey, to the Lady Geraldine"", lines 89-92 and 87-88; two from ""The Epistle of Rosamond to King Henry the Second"", lines 73-74; and four from ""The Lady Jane Gray, to the Lord Gilford Dudley"", lines 67-68 and 115-116. Three lines are from Spenser's ""The Ruines of Time"", lines 159-161. Four lines are from Josuah Sylvester's translation of Du Bartas's "Divine Weeks and Works", specifically ""The Seaventh Day of the First Weeke"", lines 521-24.

On fol. 4v, all of the lines are from Chaucer: four lines are from "The Wife of Bath's Prologue", lines 655-658, and seven are from "The Man of Laws Tale", lines 162-168. Hand B has written a list of inks or colours but has scribbled it out in the bottom half of fol. 4v.

On fol. 5r, 28 lines are from Drayton's "Englands Heroicall Epistles": two from " "Queene Katherine to Owen Tudor"", lines 45-46; four from " "Queene Margaret to William De-La-Poole, Duke of Suffolke"", lines 153-154 and 53-54; two fron ""William De-La-Poole, Duke of Suffolke, to Queene Margaret"", lines 151-152; four from " "Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolke, to Mary the French Queene"", lines 179-83, two lines from " "Mary, the French Queene, to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolke"", lines 85-86, and 14 lines from ""The Lady Jane Gray, to the Lord Gilford Dudley"", lines 23-24, 31-34, 97-98, 95-96, 99-100, and 43-44. The only other item on that page is a poem (see msItem 3).

For a discussion of editions Bowyer may have used and some of her variants see Victoria Burke's article, listed below.

]

Ancient Greek

[On the top of fol. 4r Bowyer has written the word anagrams in Greek, above an anagram ("womenkind are man's woe/O man we women are kind")]


(scribe)Hand A
(scribe)Hand B

[In this section, Hand B has written only a crossed out list of colours on fol. 4v.]


British Library: Add. MS 4454
The religious meditations, verse and autobiographical writings of Katherine Austen (1664-83)
Katherine Austen (Author)

Item 164 (Verse, Couplet), fol. 109r

Most welcome day, wherein I found a ray,

...

For 15 years has been a chanting lay.


British Library: Add. MS 4454
The religious meditations, verse and autobiographical writings of Katherine Austen (1664-83)
Katherine Austen (Author)

Item 177 (Verse, Couplet), fol. 114r

Still when more troubles do abound

...

By thy supportance I am crown'd.


British Library: Add. MS 4454
The religious meditations, verse and autobiographical writings of Katherine Austen (1664-83)
Katherine Austen (Author)

Item 181 (Verse, Couplet), fol. 114v

But were I to begin my youth again

...

I could redeem the time I spent in vain.

[Items 181 and 182 are two couplets, separated by a large line break but related in subject matter.]


British Library: Add. MS 4454
The religious meditations, verse and autobiographical writings of Katherine Austen (1664-83)
Katherine Austen (Author)

Item 182 (Verse, Couplet), fol. 114v

Fame whereof the world seems to make such choice

...

Is but an echo and an idle voice.


Folger Library: MS X.d.177
Jests and poems, compiled c.1595, with later additions (c. 1595-c. 1660)
Elizabeth Clarke (scribe)

Item 2.4 (Verse, Couplet), fol. 3r

In lib. 10. De peregrinatione

Parisios stolidum si quis transmittit asellum

...

si fuit hic asinus, non ibi fiet equus

[The Latin word ""peregrinatio"" means traveling abroad. A translation of these lines (by Shane Hawkins) is ""If someone transports a donkey to Gaul (or Paris), if it was an ass here it won't be a horse there"" .]

Latin
Folger Library: MS X.d.177
Jests and poems, compiled c.1595, with later additions (c. 1595-c. 1660)
Elizabeth Clarke (scribe)

Item 2.6 (Verse, Couplet), fol. 3r

To his mistress clothed like the spring

...

Some happy creature do this letter bring


Folger Library: MS X.d.177
Jests and poems, compiled c.1595, with later additions (c. 1595-c. 1660)
Elizabeth Clarke (scribe)

Item 5.4 (Verse, Couplet, Extract), fol. 8r


Chidiock Tichborne (Author)

The day is past and yet I saw no sun

...

and now I live and now my life is done

[This couplet is extracted from Tichborne's Elegy (lines 5 and 6), written on the eve of his execution in 1586.]


Folger Library: MS X.d.177
Jests and poems, compiled c.1595, with later additions (c. 1595-c. 1660)
Elizabeth Clarke (scribe)

Item 5.6 (Verse, Couplet), fol. 8r

I proffered her my love and service of my [symbol]

...

She took it for a favour and thrust it in her [symbol]

[This couplet is actually written on four lines. The first symbol looks like ""f-"" and the second like the top half of an upper case ""P"". No doubt something sexual is intended by these symbols.]


Folger Library: MS X.d.177
Jests and poems, compiled c.1595, with later additions (c. 1595-c. 1660)
Elizabeth Clarke (scribe)

Item 5.7 (Verse, Couplet), fol. 8r

Sweet were the words my mistress said

...

Put off thy clothes and come to bed

[This couplet is actually written on four lines.]


Folger Library: MS X.d.177
Jests and poems, compiled c.1595, with later additions (c. 1595-c. 1660)
Elizabeth Clarke (scribe)

Item 5.8 (Verse, Couplet), fol. 8r

For this I say and this my words shall prove

...

That jibing is the only joy of love

[This couplet is actually written on four lines.]


Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies: D/EP F32
Diary, Volume 4 (1706-1709)
(Author, Scribe) Sarah Cowper

Item 18 (Couplet, Political writing), p.16[rev]


Anon. (Author)

"Parties by turns, make us all slaves"

Parties by turns, make us all slaves

...

Fools ruin fools, both help to enrich knaves.

2 lines

[This is the entire entry.]


Folger Library: MS E.a.1
Prose miscellany of recipes, prayers, meditations, accounts, and a description of the trial, execution, and funeral of Mary Queen of Scots (c. 1550-c. 1590)
Anne Denton (scribe)

Item 25 (Verse, Couplet, Prayer), fol. 50v

Verse prayer

In my beginning God be my good speed

...

in grace and virtue for to proceed


British Library: Add. MS 78437, fols 1-20
Calligraphic Exercise Book (1649)
(Scribe) Mary Evelyn (1635-1709)

Item 9 (Couplet), fol.[9]

Unidentified couplet

Frail Vessel man what art thou then alas

...

Far Weaker Comparison then glass!


British Library: Add. MS 78437, fols 1-20
Calligraphic Exercise Book (1649)
(Scribe) Mary Evelyn (1635-1709)

Item 14 (Couplet), fols [14-15]

Unidentified couplet

In spite of Fates dear Love to thee I come

...

Leander's bosom shall be Hero's Tomb

[Fol.[15] is blank.]


British Library: Add. MS 78437, fols 1-20
Calligraphic Exercise Book (1649)
(Scribe) Mary Evelyn (1635-1709)

Item 17 (Couplet), fol.[17]

Unidentified couplet

To be drowned by the Impetuous Flood O dismal hour

...

Cursed be these seas these shores this light this Tower


British Library: Add. MS 78437, fols 1-20
Calligraphic Exercise Book (1649)
(Scribe) Mary Evelyn (1635-1709)

Item 18 (Couplet), fol.[18]

Unidentified couplet

Strange kind of grief for being hurt, burnt, bound

...

Yet still I love the Flame the chain the Wound


British Library: Add. MS 78437, fols 1-20
Calligraphic Exercise Book (1649)
(Scribe) Mary Evelyn (1635-1709)

Item 19 (Couplet), fol.[19]

Unidentified couplet

If by my hairs thou number out my sins

...

Heaven make me bald before that day begins


British Library: Add. MS 78437, fols 1-20
Calligraphic Exercise Book (1649)
(Scribe) Mary Evelyn (1635-1709)

Item 20 (Couplet), fol.[20]

Unidentified couplet

He that at first looked Pale and showed his pain

...

Was he that first Taught Women to disdain


Nottinghamshire Archives: DD/Hu1
Lucy Hutchinson's Commonplace Book ()
Lucy Hutchinson

Item 7.2 (Verse, Couplet), p. 206

"At si versus"

Latin
Ovid (Author)

At si versus amor tuus est in taedia nostro

...

Quem sine te cogis vivere, cogi mori

2 lines.

[P. Ovidius Naso, Amores, Epistulae, Medicamina faciei femineae, Ars amatoria, Remedia amoris (ed. R. Ehwald) text Ep., poem 3, lines 139-140]


Nottinghamshire Archives: DD/Hu1
Lucy Hutchinson's Commonplace Book ()
Lucy Hutchinson

Item 7.7 (Verse, Translation, Couplet), p. 207

"Yett if your love"

[English couplet translating item 7.2.]

Yet if your love to weariness incline

...

Rather my death than absent life enjoin

2 lines.
Nottinghamshire Archives: DD/Hu1
Lucy Hutchinson's Commonplace Book ()
Lucy Hutchinson

Item 7.8 (Verse, Translation, Couplet), p. 207

"If that I love"

[English couplet translating item 7.3.]

If that I love do injure you

...

This injury I shall still pursue

2 lines.
Nottinghamshire Archives: DD/Hu1
Lucy Hutchinson's Commonplace Book ()
Lucy Hutchinson

Item 7.9 (Verse, Translation, Couplet), p. 207

"Tis not your love"

[English couplet translating item 7.4.]

Tis not your love that I implore

...

Permit but mine, I'll ask no more

2 lines.

Read


Nottinghamshire Archives: DD/Hu 3
Lucy Hutchinson's Religious Commonplace Book ()
Lucy Hutchinson

Item 17 (Verse, Couplet), p. 277 [rev]

He's fixed above I by the wild winds tossed

...

Am only in the hazard to be lost.

2 lines.

[This couplet is written out twice. The first line is reworked from " winds am tossed"]

[There are other poetic jottings above this, crossed out]


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 2.1 (Verse, Couplet), p. 2

Whatever praises are or have been due

...

To any person, may be claimed by you


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 2.4 (Verse, Couplet, Religious writing), p. 5

Be constant be constant fear not for pain

...

Christ hath redeemed you and heaven is your gain

[This couplet may be part of the previous poem but the couplet is more obviously religious than the poem, and its meter is clumsier.]


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 2.7.2 (Verse, Couplet), p. 8

She was and is, what can there more be said

...

On earth the chief, in heaven the second maid

[This couplet appears at the end of a poem which follows the above elegy on Queen Elizabeth in Thomas Heywood's The life and death of Queene Elizabeth (1639). It is headed ""Another at the same time honoured her with this"". Lyttelton has copied only the closing couplet (from sig. C6r), rather than the entire seven-line poem. See also the note to msItem 2.7.]


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 2.7.3 (Verse, Couplet), p. 8

Spain's rod, Rome's ruin, Netherland's relief

...

Earth's joy, England's gem, world's wonder, nature's chief

[This couplet appears on sig. C7r of Thomas Heywood's The life and death of Queene Elizabeth (1639) under the heading, " "Another contrived this Disticke of her, though short, yet to the purpose"" (sig. C7r). See also the note to Item 2.7.]


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 2.15 (Verse, Couplet), p. 19

From age and death only the gods are free

...

The rest of things under Time's sickle be


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 2.16 (Verse, Couplet), p. 19

Let griefs though sad within thy breast repose

...

What gain is't to awake our sleeping woes


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 2.27 (Verse, Couplet), p. 34

Like sacred swans singing most sweetly dying

...

In Christ courageous when their flesh was frying

[This couplet appears at the bottom of the list of martyrs, Item 2.26.]


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 6.9 (Verse, Couplet, Sententia), pp. 92 rev.-85 rev.


(Author (attrib.)) Philip Woodhouse

Eight pages of versified proverbs (many in couplet form) attributed to Sir Philip Woodhouse

[For other pieces attributed to Woodhouse see Items 2.23 and 2.28.]


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 6.9.1 (Verse, Couplet, Sententia), pp. 92 rev.-92 rev.

Some Arabian proverbs

Too strict a silence often does bewray

...

is more an orphan, who wants philosophy

16 lines
Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 6.9.2 (Verse, Couplet, Sententia), pp. 91 rev.-85 rev.


Philip Woodhouse (Author (attrib.))

Italian and French proverbs rhythmized

They cannot dance amiss

...

who's grieved yet scorns to do indecently

[The attribution on p. 85 is ""by the ever Honourd Sr Phillip Woodhouse"". ]

125 lines
Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 6.18 (Verse, Couplet), p. 77 rev.

And there shall hang till pitying fool

...

Contend to reach his body to his soul

[This couplet is written at the bottom of the page after a blank space following Item 6.17. It seems to comment on the foolish Seignor Verdero of msItem 6.17.]


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 6.19 (Verse, Couplet), p. 76 rev.

In yellow meadows I take no delight

...

Let me have those which bear most red and white

[This couplet is written at the top of the page, before a prose description of what makes meadows look yellow (the beginning of Item 6.20). MsItems 6.17, 6.19 and 6.20 were all copied from one of Sir Thomas Browne's commonplace books (see Item 6.17).]


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 6.28 (Verse, Couplet), p. 69 rev.


Charles Aleyn (Author)

They swell with love that are with valour filled

...

And Venus's doves many in a head piece build

[This couplet is from about the middle of Charles Aleyn's The Battailes of Crescey and Poictiers (1633, lines 485-486), a volume that the Brownes owned (Finch, p. 50, number 67B).]


Cambridge University Library: MS Additional 8460
Miscellany in verse and prose (c.1665-1714. Elizabeth Lyttelton probably began compiling this manuscript in the mid to late 1660s, when she is first mentioned in her father's letters as helping him organize his papers (Keynes, Works, IV, p. 29, letter 21 (13 August 1668)). She might have continued until she gave the manuscript to her cousin Edward Tenison in 1714 (p. 174), though the latest dateable item in the miscellany is 1710 (see Item 6.25).)
Elizabeth Lyttelton (author, scribe)

Item 6.37 (Verse, Couplet), p. 64 rev.

One sorrow by another is revived

...

As from one fear another is derived


Beinecke Library: Osborn MS b.188
Commonplace book of prose extracts and sermons (1672-1694)
Jane Truesdale (scribe)
Jane Truesdale's unnamed father (scribe)

Item 1.3 (Couplet, Front matter), fol. i v


(scribe)Hand A

A Latin couplet

Latin

Cum alio loquere vel semihora, et mirum est, nisi sui ipsius commendationem audias

[This is the whole text of the item.]


British Library: MS Harleian 2311
Miscellany compiled by Anna Cromwell Williams
A Book of Several devotions collected from good men by the worst of sinners ()
Anna Cromwell Williams (Author, scribe)

Item 15 (Verse, Couplet, Religious writing), fol. 17v


Anna Cromwell Williams ( Scribe)
Francis Quarles (Author)

On the Book of Common Prayer

The book of Common prayer excels the rest

...

for prayers that are most Common are the best

2 lines

[Francis Quarles, Divine Fancies, London, 1632 , p. 104]

[

See variant versions in Bodleian MSS Don. d. 58, fol. 38v and Rawl. poet. 90, fol. 70v (Crum T362).

]