I’m trying to teach myself to analyse the formats of Renaissance poetry, as you do. I’ve got a piece that I thought might be poulter’s measure (a 14-syllable line followed by a 12-syllable one), but it seems instead by my count to be straight fourteener. Do you agree? All thoughts and suggestions welcome …!
This world is full of snares and trappes, temptations unto sinne,
As well in generations past, as this that we live in.
Compare our selves unto a tree, which springeth up with sap,
And brings forth branches goodly ones, which taste of Adams hap.
And as this tree doth grow to strength, the owner of the wood,
May lop away the branches faire as them which are not good.
So hath he lopt away from us a Ladie Branch of price,
That Lived here right worshipfull, disdaining every vice:
Whose lacke her friends do much bewaile, but especially the poore,
Whom she continually did feede, aboard and at her doore.
(This piece doesn’t have stanzas, so I’ve just taken what seems a logical chunk out of it.)
And no, I’m not claiming this as a lost literary masterpiece…
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