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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Poesie, n. Also: poec-; poys-, pois- and -y(e, -ee, -é; Pecie. [ME and e.m.E. poysye (Piers Plowman), poisie (Wyclif), poesie (Gower), poysi (14th c.), poise (c 1400), poyesye (Lydgate), poesy(e, OF poesie (1335 in Godef. Compl.), L. poēsis poetry, a poem. Cf. Posy.]

1. Poetry, as a form of literature, also as an art or skill. a1500 Henr. Orph. 420 (Asl.).
Boece … To wryte this faynit fable tuke in cure … For our … instructioun … suppos it fenȝeit be And hid wnder the cloke of poecye 1513 Doug. i Prol. 193.
Vnder the clowdis of dyrk poecy [R., 1553 poetry] Hyd lyis [etc.] Ib. vi Prol. 7.
To follow Virgil in this dyrk poyse [R. poisee, Sm. poese, Ruddim. poetrye] Convoy me, Sibil 1558-66 Knox I 64.
One of excellent injyne in Scotish poesye 1585 James VI Ess. 53 title.
Conteining some revlis … to be obseruit … in Scottis poesie 1587 Fowler in Montg. Suppl. l.
A store of … historeis … inbroudered with the curious pasmentis of poesie 1626–7 Misc. Spald. C. V 102.
To Mr. William Cargill for sum poesie dedicat be him to the counsall, 10 lib.

2. a. An apt quotation or reference, a ‘text’. b. A short inscription. = Posy n. a. a1500 Henr. Fab. 1103 (Bann.).
As daylie dois thir doctouris of dyvyne … preue thare preching be a poesye a1508 Kennedy Flyt. 415.
Wryttyn abone in poesie [B. in poysie abone], hang Dunbar

3. A poetical composition, a poem. 1626–7 Misc. Spald. C. V 102.
To Mr. Alex^r Forbes for ane poesie presentit to the prowest on the praise of the toune, 13 lib. 6 s. 8 d.