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The Digital Index of Middle English Verse
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DIMEV 5224
IMEV 3318
NIMEV 3318
The book of marshalcy here shall begin
A verse introduction to a prose treatise on horses — seven couplets
Subjects: introductions, to prose texts; horses; utilitarian instructions
Versification: — two-line — aa


Manuscript Witnesses:
1.Source: Oxford, Bodleian Library Wood empt. 18 (SC 8606), f. 82
First Lines:
The booke of merschalsy here hit schall begyn
He þat will with yt crafte any goode wyn…
Last Lines:
…Till þai be of age & myghtefull at nede
A knyght apon to ride on euery dughty dede
Editions:
Smith, Sir Frederick. The Early History of Veterinary Literature. London: Bailliere, Tindall, and Cox, 1919: 1.110.
2.Source: Oxford, Balliol College 354, p. 21
First Lines:
The boke of marchalsie here shall begyn
Ye þat will with þat Craft any honour wynne…
Last Lines:
…Tyll they be of age & myghtifull at nede
A knyght to Ride vpon at euery dowghty dede
Note: 14 lines
Facsimiles:
Early Manuscripts at Oxford University: Facsimile of Oxford, Balliol MS 354. (http://image.ox.ac.uk/show?collection=balliol&manuscript=ms354).
Editions:
Flügel, Ewald. “Liedersammlungen des XVI Jahrhunderts….” Anglia 26 (1903): 94-285: 100.
3.Source: London, British Library Harley 5086, f. 99
First Lines:
The booke of marchaulsye here it shall bygyne
yee that wole with the craft eny honour wyne…
Last Lines:
…Tyl they ben of age and myhtfull atte nede
A knyght to ryde vpon at euery douhty dede
Attributed Title: The boke of medycene for horses and to know of what cuntry the best horses be bredin contaynyng 30 leves (f. 99).