Isabella Whitney

11 Isabella Whitney

Had I a Husband, or a house, and all that belongs thereto My self could frame about to rouse, as other women do: But till some household cares me tye, My books and Pen I will apply. Isabella Whitney, A Sweet Nosgay

Isabella Whitney was the first published secular female poet in England. Very little is known about her life, though she was probably born in Cheshire sometime in the middle of the sixteenth century, the second of seven children. She had no formal education though one of her brothers, Geoffrey Whitney attended a grammar school and published A Choice of Emblems in 1586. Whitney was sent to London to work as a domestic servant somewhere around the age of ten or twelve; this is not necessarily a sign of the family’s poverty, it was quite common for girls to be sent to work as domestic servants at the time. Isabella seems to have been employed by a ‘virtuous lady’ but for some reason lost this position and she would then have found it very

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difficult to find work; it seems she never found a husband either though we have no idea whether she wanted one.

It is possible that Whitney turned to writing as a form of income, though her first book The Copy of a Letter, 1567 was probably written while she was still employed. Her second published book, A Sweet Nosgay, 1573 comprises poems about female virtue along with ‘replies’ by men complaining of women’s treacherous conduct. In the introduction to Nosgay, Whitney refers to the fact that she is ill and has no position, no ‘service.’

This Harvest time, I Harvestless, and serviceless also: And subject unto sickness, that abroad I could not go. Had leisure good, (though learning lacked) some study to apply: To read such Books, whereby I thought my self to edify

Nosegays are flowers, often given as gifts, perhaps to ward off or cure sickness. But Whitney makes it clear that the book is meant to be no cure; she makes it clear that she is no witch and has no magical powers – the recent Witchcraft Act of 1563, five years after the accession of Elizabeth I to the throne of England, had introduced the death penalty for any sorcery used to cause someone’s death; thousands of women were put to death as

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witches during the sixteenth century. A woman author in those days had a lot to worry about so her warning is probably not ironic.

My Nosgay will increase no pain, though sickness none it cure. Wherefore, if thou it hap to wear and feel thy self much worse: Promote me for no Sorceress, nor do me ban or curse. For this I say the Flowers are good, which I on thee bestow

Included in Nosgay is Whitney’s will and testament, addressed ironically to the city of London, in which she leaves ‘large Legacies of such Goods and riches which she most abundantly hath left behind her: and thereof maketh London sole executor to see her Legacies performed.’ We know this is ironic because she then chastises London for being so cruel and leaving her in poverty.

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The time is come I must depart, from thee ah famous City: I never yet to rue my smart, did find that thou hadst pity. . .

And now hath time me put in mind, of thy great cruelness: That never once a help wold find, to ease me in distress.

The Copy of a Letter is addressed in its subtitle to ‘her unconstant Lover. With an Admonition to all young Gentlewomen, and to all other Maids in general to beware of men’s flattery. By Is. W. Newly joined to a Loveletter sent by a Bachelor, (a most faithful Lover) to an unconstant and faithless Maiden.’ Whitney quotes several examples of unfaithful men from the classics, usually held up as heroes by male writers.

For they, for their unfaithfulness, did get perpetual fame: Fame? wherefore did I term it so? I should have called it shame.

Let Theseus be, let Jason pass, let Paris also scape: That brought destruction unto Troy all through the Grecian Rape.

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In another section, Whitney directly addresses female readers. The admonition by the Author, to all young Gentlewomen: And to all other Maids being in Love

Ye Virgins that from Cupids tents do bear away the soil Whose hearts as yet with raging love most painfully do boil.

To you I speak: for you be they, that good advice do lack: Oh if I could good counsel give my tongue should not be slack? . .

Beware of fayre and painted talk, beware of flattering tongues: The Mermaids do pretend no good for all their pleasant Songs. . .

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Trust not a man at the first sight, but try him well before: I wish al Maids within their breasts to keep this thing in store. . .

And I who was deceived late, by ones unfaithful tears: Trust now for to beware, if that I live this hundred years.

This last verse implies that Whitney deliberately remained unmarried after having been herself let down and deceived by ‘flattering tongues,’ choosing the life of a writer instead, a life that then as now led almost inevitably to poverty.

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