News of a manuscript sonnet, discovered behind a lavatory cistern during recent plumbing work at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, is puzzling scholars of English Renaissance literature. Everything in the handwriting and paper indicates authenticity, but the punning use of the word “crust” to mean "armour", and also “cheek, brass neck, chutzpah” seems an anachronism, as does the non standard rhyming scheme (ABBAACCA) of the octet.
The reference in the last line to the song "I Did It My Way", now popular at funerals, is also causing experts to re-examine the question of the dating of that song.
You may read it here (spelling modernised) and make your own judgment.
Viewing the ashy desert of my lust
As I lie here abed, awaiting death,
I pray not. Tis a waste of noisome breath
To plead with unhearing gods. I put my trust
Rather in my unconquerable crust,
The steely corselet which sustained my joys
When I, like child besotted with its toys,
Pursued fair wenches, now long turned to dust.
As I lie here abed, awaiting death,
I pray not. Tis a waste of noisome breath
To plead with unhearing gods. I put my trust
Rather in my unconquerable crust,
The steely corselet which sustained my joys
When I, like child besotted with its toys,
Pursued fair wenches, now long turned to dust.
I had my times, gamesome and hot they were.
My bastard brood in every parish grew.
My quarry? Women, and my lust the spur,
A merry hunt! My friends, to me be true:
No “Dies Irae” sing, death’s path to ease.
But “I did it my way” – at my funeral, please.
My bastard brood in every parish grew.
My quarry? Women, and my lust the spur,
A merry hunt! My friends, to me be true:
No “Dies Irae” sing, death’s path to ease.
But “I did it my way” – at my funeral, please.
7 comments:
One of your best! (I mean, the bard's best, of course!)
Ben - There's a great deal of doubt as to which bard is the author.
My apologies for the transcription error in line 10 - "throve" appeared in the ms, but struck through.
If this be error and upon you proved
Then no man loved nor no man ever grooved.
Ttony - brilliant. Perhaps we could make a paying business out of this?
This wonderful piece will be on my gravestone. What a find!
Gregg - don't hold your breath, but it seems that further discoveries have been made.
You may want to postpone your decision as to your epitaph. :)
I wish I could turn it on!
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