Format and Methodology of the Catalogue

The catalogue is set out firstly by ascription, short title and then first line of the answering verse, then by ascription, short title and first line of the verse answered (antecedent). A selection of available sources are given with the catalogued verses. Physical details given are from the source in the ‘Text cited’ field. Variants between sources have not been examined. Details provided include selected versions in print and manuscript, and selected references to citations in other indices and catalogues of verse in print and manuscript (these are not comprehensive and where they are not given the field is silently elided). Where a cited poem is untraced reference is made either to its entry in the Stationers’ Register or other bibliographical source. Where sources differ between the answer and the antecedent (as in Anon 26) that of the antecedent is given first (this applies to the ‘Text cited’ and ‘Printed versions’ fields). Entries in the ‘Manuscript versions’ and ‘Citations’ fields are given in alphabetical order. In instances where the order of a verse exchange is uncertain that given by the source cited is used. Names of musical settings are not given and no claim is made for the comprehensiveness of this resource.

Questions of date and authorship are not addressed comprehensively and many ascriptions are putative. Ascribed authors are cited in alphabetical order. Where the author's name is unknown that of the licensee is given (as in C 95). Otherwise the answer is listed among the anonymous authors at the beginning of the Catalogue, which are arranged alphabetically by the first line given in bold text (as in Anon 1), or, if the answer is not extant, alphabetically by title. First lines are not given for lengthy verse pamphlets or in instances where the antecedent is a prose work (as in F 124). Latin translations are usually given only in instances where they appear alongside the original text in the cited source. Where manuscripts are unseen information is given from the source text and