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Copy-book, late 16th century

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MS. Rawl. D. 649

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A copy-book of sentences, in three styles of writing; two in the ordinary hand of Q. Elizabeth’s time, and one in law-hand.

Some of the legal examples are dated 37 Eliz., i.e. 1595, and mention persons and places in the county of Norfolk.

At the foot of various pages is added by the writer this (and the like) note: "Wiman Ramsey doth owe this writinge booke". Various sums in the first four rules of arithmetic are interspersed. And sewn to fol. 6 is the following stanza, intended as an imitation of Spenser, kept for the sake of an arithmetical table written on the same slip.

"The stile of Spencer’s verse, in the Fayrie queene".

"The rugged forehead that with grave foresight / Weldes kingdomes causes and affaires of state, / My looser rymes (I wote) doth sharply wite / For praysing love, as I have done of late / And magnifying lovers deare debate; / By which frayle youth is ofte to folly led / Through false allurement of that pleasing baite, / That better were in vertues discipled / Then with vayne poem’s weeds to have their fancies fed".

Dates

  • Creation: late 16th century

Extent

57 Leaves

Language of Materials

  • English

Shelfmark

MS. Rawl. D. 649

Physical Facet

On paper, in folio

Creator

Repository Details

Part of the Bodleian Libraries Repository

Contact:
Weston Library
Broad Street
Oxford OX1 3BG United Kingdom