Antoine Vérard, by John Macfarlane, 1900
(Bibliographical Society’s Monograph, No. 7).
On a certain day in the year 1530 or thereabouts, the following dialogue took place between Robert Copland, a printer in London at the sign of the Rose Garland in Fleet Street, and a customer of his, who desired him to print a quaint conceit which he called the Seven Sorrows that Women have when their Husbands be Deade.
The printer naturally wanted to see the manuscript, but the author replied that it was in his brain and not in his pocket.
Quidam.
“I have no boke, but yet I can you shewe
The matter by herte and that by wordes fewe,
Take your penne, and wryte as I do say
But yet of one thyng, hertely I you praye.
Amende the Englysh somewhat if ye can