Wit and Folley in Amaizement

[FamilyHistoryHunter]

Would be really interested to read what people think of this. Is it handwriting practice? A nonsensical poem. Not even very sure how to read it! Is it a box at a time, or by line? Any thoughts to what the date could be?

I love it whatever it is

Wit and Folley in Amaizement

Had both
Lent my
Asked my
Lost my

Come try
your wit
I'll lay
a pot.

and a
to my
of my
and my

in half
an hour
you read
it not

of whome I thought great store
and took his word therefore
and nothing but words I got
for sue him I would not.

I Money Friend

But at length, with
Got my
But if I had
Would keep my

if it's good
sence, as
it ought
to be.

Came my
but my
and a
and my

Come lay
a wager
take
and see.

which pleased me wonderous well
away quite from me fell
as I had once before
and play the fool no more.

[Milliepede]

Having a quick stab at the last bit if you read

but at length, with - then add the word money
came my - then add the word friend
which pleased me etc
got my - money
but my- friend
away quite from me fell

and so on reading across alternately adding the word money and then the word friend I think it might make sense! 

This is fun 

Got my money but my friend as I had once before
would keep my money and my friend and play the fool no more

Something like that!

[FamilyHistoryHunter]

Wow! Seriously impressed. Thank you

[Andrew Tarr]

The diagram suggests that one fills in words of one's choice in the in-between columns (which contain italic text).  The rhymes are already supplied, it just needs to scan.  An early example of a 'skill and judgment' exercise?  No doubt it can be made as saucy as one wants.

Do you know its date?

[FamilyHistoryHunter]

Thank you! It really is brilliant. Unfortunately I don't know the date I wonder if a guess at the date could be made by looking at the clothes of the people in the sketches?

[Andrew Tarr]

Thank you! It really is brilliant. Unfortunately I don't know the date I wonder if a guess at the date could be made by looking at the clothes of the people in the sketches?

I don't think the sketches are detailed enough, but I would guess at late 18th, possibly early 19th century, when the use of the 'walking-stick' small-s was dying out.

You'll have noted that the contents of the 4 in-between italic columns make a short poem which gives instructions about how to use the main text.

[purlin]

Amaizing, well done Andrew and Milliepede impressed, very interesting.

[FamilyHistoryHunter]

Thank you so much. I am thrilled to be able to learn so much about this piece. Even happier that I can share it

[Treetotal]

Nice one Millie...well thought out....I thought the title could be a play on words.."A Maize Ment"
Carol