My Galley, Charged with Forgetfulness
My Galley, Charged with Forgetfulness
Original Text
British Library Egerton MS. 2711, fol. 21v; cf. Richard Harrier, Canon (1975): 125.
6As though that death were light in such a case.
7An endless wind doth tear the sail apace
9A rain of tears, a cloud of dark disdain,
14And I remain despairing of the port.
Notes
1] The source of this poem is Petrarch's 189th (156th) sonnet (Mestica, 268-69):
chargèd with forgetfulness: so preoccupied (by love) that it forgets all other things. The MS reads "charged." Back to Line
Passa la nave mia colma d' oblio"The louer compareth his state to a shippe in perilous storme tossed on the sea."
Per aspro mare, a mezza notte, il verno
E 'nfra Scilla e Cariddi; ed al governo
Siede 'l signore, anzi 'l nimico mio:
A ciascun remo un penser pronto e rio,
Che la tempesta e 'l fin par ch' abbi a' scherno:
La vela rompe un vento, umido, eterno,
Di sospir, di speranze e di desio:
Pioggia li lagrimar, nebbia di sdegni
Bagna e rallenta le già stanche sarte,
Che son d' error con ignoranzia attorto:
Celansi i duo mei dolci usati segni;
Morta fra l' onde è la ragion e l' arte:
Tal ch' i' 'ncomincio a desperar del porto.
chargèd with forgetfulness: so preoccupied (by love) that it forgets all other things. The MS reads "charged." Back to Line
2] Thorough: through. Back to Line
3] rock and rock: Petrarch's Scylla and Charybdis.
eke: also.
en'my: MS "enemy".
mine enemy: Cupid. Back to Line
eke: also.
en'my: MS "enemy".
mine enemy: Cupid. Back to Line
4] lord, steereth: "who" is understood. Back to Line
5] owre: oar, as in Petrarch, but playing possibly on "hour." Back to Line
8] Of forced sighs: "sighs" in the Arundel Castle Harington MS, and "sightes" in Egerton.This line modifies "An endless wind" in line 7. Back to Line
10] cords: tackle, lines holding the sails in place. Back to Line
11] wreathèd: MS "wrethed".
eke: also. Back to Line
eke: also. Back to Line
12] The stars: her eyes. Cf. Petrarch, "i duo miei dolce usati segni," "my two sweet familiar stars.'' Back to Line
13] drownèd: MS "drowned".
comfort. Muir reads "consort" (meaning "accompanying"), which may be correct. Back to Line
comfort. Muir reads "consort" (meaning "accompanying"), which may be correct. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1557
RPO poem Editors
F. D. Hoeniger; Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RP 1963: I.4; RPO 1994.
Rhyme
Form