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The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 14.1348  Wednesday, 2 July 2003

From:           Bill Lloyd <Bnklloyd@aol.com>
Date:           Tuesday, 1 Jul 2003 09:15:11 EDT
Subject: 14.1309 Re: "But me no buts"
Comment:        Re: SHK 14.1309 Re: "But me no buts"

I think that "but me no buts" and similar phrases ( X me no Xes) must be
examples of a formula that predates Shakespeare. SHAKSPEReans have
recently shown that these phrases can be found in a number of authors.

Here's one that that seems to predate Shakespeare's earliest use of the
formula, if we date R&J c1594 and RichII c1595.

"Ease me no easings..."  George Peele, Edward I, Act 1 sc 2, TLN 422
[Q1593]

Presumably this is not evidence of Shakespeare's hand in Edward I[!].
I think this is the earliest one so far cited on SHAKSPER? It would be
interesting to see how early we can find them. Anyone been catching up
on Lyly or Gascoigne lately? Skelton? Chaucer? Tell me no tales...

Bill Lloyd

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