Chapter 16

[134][In the old copy this half-line is wrongly given to the Scrivener.]

[135]Destroy. See "King Lear," act iii., scene 2.—Cooper.

[136]Head.

[137][It seems a question, whether this line does not belong to Ralph Roister.]

[138]Welfare. Udall uses the word in this sense in his letter to the Cornish men.—Cooper.

[139]In seriousness.

[140]In jest.

[141]Disliked or resented. See "Antony and Cleopatra," act iii., scene 4.—Cooper.

[142]So in "The Maid's Metamorphosis," 1600; "In vain, I fear,I beat my brainsabout." These expressions have the same signification as the "Cudgel thy brains no more about it," of theFirst Gravediggerin "Hamlet."—Cooper.

[143]A pitiful, worthless fellow. See "Winter's Tale," act ii., sc. 3.—Cooper.

[144]No matter.

[145]These words, not in the old copy, are necessary for the rhyme.—Cooper.

[146]His entrance is not marked in the original.—Cooper.

[147]Cuff. In Tim Bobbin's "Glossary of the Lancashire Dialect," acoilis explained by "a lump raised on the head by a blow." See also Brockett's "Glossary of North Country Words."—Cooper.

[148][Passion.]

[149]I can.Seeante.

[150]Slower, graver.

[151]Now, once for all.

[152]i.e., So fierce. A sow at certain seasons is saidto go to brim—"They foughtenbremeas it were bolles two."—Cooper.Chaucer,Knight's Tale, line 1701.

[152]i.e., So fierce. A sow at certain seasons is saidto go to brim—

"They foughtenbremeas it were bolles two."

—Cooper.Chaucer,Knight's Tale, line 1701.

[153]Allow.

[154]A sheep. Cotswold (pronounced Cotsold) is an old word for a sheepcote. Hence the name of the hills in Gloucestershire.—Cooper.

[155]To assemble. It is used by Bacon in his "History of Henry the Seventh," p. 68, fol. 1629.—Cooper.

[156][Old copy,and.]

[157][Abide by the bargain.]

[158]i.e., Be not reconciled to her.—Cooper.

[159]A small gun, perhaps a corruption ofpopgun.—Cooper.

[160]The exit and re-entry of Dobinet are not marked in the old copy.—Cooper.

[161]To protect or guard. In "Richard II.," act i., sc. 3, the expression is—"Mine innocency and Saint George to thrive!"—Cooper.

[161]To protect or guard. In "Richard II.," act i., sc. 3, the expression is—

"Mine innocency and Saint George to thrive!"—Cooper.

[162]T. Trusty is the prefix to this and the following line in the old copy, but it must be an error.—Cooper.

[163][Put formass, asGogforGod, &c.]

[164][An idea perhaps borrowed from the interlude of "Thersites," where we have the ludicrous incident of the snail. Udall has drawn Ralph Roister Doister somewhat on the model of "Thersites," except that in Roister Doister the man's good nature and singleness of character win our regard, whereas the other is a contemptible braggart without any redeeming trait.]

[165]See "Two Gentlemen of Verona," act. iv., scene 4.—Cooper.

[166]Mankindis used by Shakespeare and other writers of his time as an adjective, in the sense of masculine.—Cooper.

[167]So in the old copy, but Ralph, Mat., Dob., and Harpax, only go out; lower down, theexeatof course applies to T. Trusty.—Cooper.

[168][Peculiar place or function.]

[169]i.e., I approve of your conduct. See "Second Part of Henry IV.," act iv., sc. 2; "King Lear," act ii., sc. 4; and Romans, c. xiv., v. 22.—Cooper.

[170]Adulteress, from the old Frenchadvoultrer. In Cartwright's "Ordinary," act iv., sc. 5, theConstablesays, "I'll look there shall be noadvoutryin my ward."—Cooper.

[171]i.e., Bear me no ill-will.

[172]With these words R. Roister evidently retires.—Cooper.

[173]Encourage him. So in the epistle to Gabriel Harvey, prefixed to Spenser's "Shepherd's Calendar": "The Right Worshipfull Maister Philip Sidney is a speciall favourer andmaintainerof all kinde of learning."—Cooper.

[174]The exit and re-entry are not marked.—Cooper.

[175][It seems probable that this prayer at the end was intended for Queen Elizabeth, not for her predecessor. The original prayer, if there was one, on the first presentation of the comedy, may have been suppressed in favour of one to suit the new circumstances.]

[176]Ancient interludes frequently ended with a prayer, which it was the custom of the players to deliver kneeling.—Cooper.

[177]These are the songs referred to in the body of the Comedy.

[178]Apetordarlingwife.—Cooper.

[179][Query,Sir John,i.e., the priest, to say the requiem. See Hazlitt's "Proverbs," p. 414.]

[180]["So out went the candle, and we were left darkling," "King Lear," i. 4; Dyce's 2d edit. vii. 269.]

[181]["Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute," iii., 130.]

[182]"Annals of the Stage," ii. 463.

[183]"Lectures on the Dramatic Literature of the Age of Elizabeth," 1820, p. 208.

[184]The ancient abbreviation of Richard.

[185]After the dissolution of the religious houses where the poor of every denomination were provided for, there was for many years no settled or fixed provision made to supply the want of that care, which those bodies appear always to have taken of their distressed brethren. In consequence of this neglect, the idle and dissolute were suffered to wander about the country, assuming such characters as they imagined were most likely to insure success to their frauds, and security from detection. Among other disguises, many affected madness, and were distinguished by the name ofBedlam Beggars. These are mentioned by Edgar in "King Lear:"—"The country gives me proof and precedent,Of bedlam beggars who, with roaring voices,Strike in their numbed and mortified bare arms,Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary,And with this horrible object from low farms,Poor pelting villages, sheepcotes, and mills,Sometime with lunatic bans, sometimes with prayers,Enforce their charity."In Dekker's "Belman of London" [1608] all the different species of beggars are enumerated. Amongst the rest mentioned "Tom of Bedlam's" band of madcaps; otherwise called Poor Tom's flock of wild geese or hair-brains, are called Abraham men. An Abraham man is afterwards described in this manner: "Of all the mad rascalls (that are of this wing) theAbraham-manis the most phantastick. The fellow (quoth this old lady of the Lake vnto me) that sat halfe naked (at table to day) from the girdle vpward, is the bestAbraham-manthat euer came to my house, & the notablest villaine: he sweares he hath bin in bedlam, and will talke frantickly of purpose: you see pinns stuck in sundry places of his naked flesh, especially in his armes, which paine hee gladly puts himselfe to (beeing indeede no torment at all, his skin is either so dead with some fowle disease, or so hardened with weather) onley to make you beleeue he is out of his wits: he calls himselfe by the name ofPoore Tom, and comming neere any body cryes out, Poore Tom is a cold. Of theseAbraham-men, some be exceeding mery, and doe nothing but sing songs, fashioned out of their owne braines, some will dance; others will doe nothing but either laugh or weepe; others are dogged, and are sullen both in looke and speech, that, spying but small company in a house, they boldly and bluntly enter, compelling the servants through feare to giue them what they demaund, which is commonlybacon, or something that will yielde ready mony." [Edit. 1608, sign. D 2.] Of this respectable fraternity Diccon seems to have been a member. Massinger mentions them in "A New Way to Pay Old Debts," act ii., sc. 1: "Are they padders, orAbraham-men, that are your consorts?"

"The country gives me proof and precedent,Of bedlam beggars who, with roaring voices,Strike in their numbed and mortified bare arms,Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary,And with this horrible object from low farms,Poor pelting villages, sheepcotes, and mills,Sometime with lunatic bans, sometimes with prayers,Enforce their charity."

"The country gives me proof and precedent,

Of bedlam beggars who, with roaring voices,

Strike in their numbed and mortified bare arms,

Pins, wooden pricks, nails, sprigs of rosemary,

And with this horrible object from low farms,

Poor pelting villages, sheepcotes, and mills,

Sometime with lunatic bans, sometimes with prayers,

Enforce their charity."

In Dekker's "Belman of London" [1608] all the different species of beggars are enumerated. Amongst the rest mentioned "Tom of Bedlam's" band of madcaps; otherwise called Poor Tom's flock of wild geese or hair-brains, are called Abraham men. An Abraham man is afterwards described in this manner: "Of all the mad rascalls (that are of this wing) theAbraham-manis the most phantastick. The fellow (quoth this old lady of the Lake vnto me) that sat halfe naked (at table to day) from the girdle vpward, is the bestAbraham-manthat euer came to my house, & the notablest villaine: he sweares he hath bin in bedlam, and will talke frantickly of purpose: you see pinns stuck in sundry places of his naked flesh, especially in his armes, which paine hee gladly puts himselfe to (beeing indeede no torment at all, his skin is either so dead with some fowle disease, or so hardened with weather) onley to make you beleeue he is out of his wits: he calls himselfe by the name ofPoore Tom, and comming neere any body cryes out, Poore Tom is a cold. Of theseAbraham-men, some be exceeding mery, and doe nothing but sing songs, fashioned out of their owne braines, some will dance; others will doe nothing but either laugh or weepe; others are dogged, and are sullen both in looke and speech, that, spying but small company in a house, they boldly and bluntly enter, compelling the servants through feare to giue them what they demaund, which is commonlybacon, or something that will yielde ready mony." [Edit. 1608, sign. D 2.] Of this respectable fraternity Diccon seems to have been a member. Massinger mentions them in "A New Way to Pay Old Debts," act ii., sc. 1: "Are they padders, orAbraham-men, that are your consorts?"

[186]The summer beam or dorman. Poles laid over a stable or other building.—Ray's "Collection of English Words," p. 167.

[187]Asortis a company. So in Jonson's "Every man out of his Humour," act ii., sc. 3: "I speak it not gloriously, nor out of affectation, but there's he and the count Frugale, signior Illustre, signior Luculento, anda sortof them," &c. Also, in Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," 1592, p. 6, "I know a greatsortof good fellows that would venture," &c. Again, in the "Vocacyon of Johan Bale," 1533; "In parell of pyrates, robbers, and murthirors, and a greatsortmore." And in Skelton's Works, edit. 1736, p. 136—"Anothersorteof sluttesSome brought walnutes."See also Dr Johnson and Mr Steevens's Notes on Shakspeare, Vol. III. p. 69.

"Anothersorteof sluttesSome brought walnutes."

"Anothersorteof sluttes

Some brought walnutes."

See also Dr Johnson and Mr Steevens's Notes on Shakspeare, Vol. III. p. 69.

[188]An oldtrotortrat, Dr Grey says, signifies a decrepid old woman or an old drab. In which sense it is used in Gawin Douglas' Virgil, B. iv. p. 96, 97—"Out on theold tratagit wyffe or dame."And p. 122, 39:"Thus saithDido, and the tother with that,Hyit or furth with slow pase likeane trot."And Shakspeare: "Why give her gold enough, and marry him to a puppet, aglet baby, or anold trotwith ne'er a tooth in her head" (Taming of the Shrew, act i., sc. 5; Critical Notes on Shakspeare, Vol. I. p. 118.) It is also used by Churchyard—"Away young Frie that gives leawd counsel, nowe,Awaieold trotts, that sets young flesh to sale," &c.—Challenge, 1583, p. 250.And by Gascoigne:"Goe: that gunne pouder consume the oldtrotte!"—Supposes, act iii., sc. 5. [Hazlitt's edit. i. 230.]Again, in Nash's "Lenten Stuff," 1599: "A cage or pigeon house, roomsome enough to comprehend her, and the toothlesstrother nurse, who was her only chat mate and chamber maid," &c.See also Mr Steevens's Notes on Shakspeare, Vol. II. p. 93.

[188]An oldtrotortrat, Dr Grey says, signifies a decrepid old woman or an old drab. In which sense it is used in Gawin Douglas' Virgil, B. iv. p. 96, 97—

"Out on theold tratagit wyffe or dame."

And p. 122, 39:

"Thus saithDido, and the tother with that,Hyit or furth with slow pase likeane trot."

"Thus saithDido, and the tother with that,

Hyit or furth with slow pase likeane trot."

And Shakspeare: "Why give her gold enough, and marry him to a puppet, aglet baby, or anold trotwith ne'er a tooth in her head" (Taming of the Shrew, act i., sc. 5; Critical Notes on Shakspeare, Vol. I. p. 118.) It is also used by Churchyard—

"Away young Frie that gives leawd counsel, nowe,Awaieold trotts, that sets young flesh to sale," &c.—Challenge, 1583, p. 250.

"Away young Frie that gives leawd counsel, nowe,

Awaieold trotts, that sets young flesh to sale," &c.

—Challenge, 1583, p. 250.

And by Gascoigne:

"Goe: that gunne pouder consume the oldtrotte!"—Supposes, act iii., sc. 5. [Hazlitt's edit. i. 230.]

"Goe: that gunne pouder consume the oldtrotte!"

—Supposes, act iii., sc. 5. [Hazlitt's edit. i. 230.]

Again, in Nash's "Lenten Stuff," 1599: "A cage or pigeon house, roomsome enough to comprehend her, and the toothlesstrother nurse, who was her only chat mate and chamber maid," &c.

See also Mr Steevens's Notes on Shakspeare, Vol. II. p. 93.

[189]So in Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," p. 23, "we have generall rules and injunctions as good as printed precepts, or statutes set downe by acte of parliament, that goe from drunkard to drunkard as still to keepe your first man, not to leave anie flockes in the bottom of the cup, to knock the glasse on your thumbe when you have done, to have someshooring horneto pull on your wine, as a rasher of the coles, or a redde herring." Again in Nash's "Lenten Stuff," 1599, "which being double roasted, and dried as it is, not only sucks up all the rheumatick inundations, but is ashoeing hornfor a pint of wine overplus."

[190][Soiled.]

[191]Aplanchis a plank of wood. Toplanchtherefore is a verb formed from it. See "Measure for Measure," Vol. II., edit. 1778, p. 106.—S.The above note but ill explains its meaning; the word will be better illustrated by the following description of the fortification of Ypres by Holinshed: "It was fensed with a mighty rampire and a thicke hedge, trimlieplanshed, and woond with thornes," &c.—Chron.2. 759.Ed.1807.—O. G.

[191]Aplanchis a plank of wood. Toplanchtherefore is a verb formed from it. See "Measure for Measure," Vol. II., edit. 1778, p. 106.—S.

The above note but ill explains its meaning; the word will be better illustrated by the following description of the fortification of Ypres by Holinshed: "It was fensed with a mighty rampire and a thicke hedge, trimlieplanshed, and woond with thornes," &c.—Chron.2. 759.Ed.1807.—O. G.

[192]This is the reading of the first edition, which in all the subsequent ones is very improperly altered tocover.To cower, is to bend, stoop, hang, or lean over. See Beaumont and Fletcher's "Monsieur Thomas," act. iv., sc. 6, and Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," 1592, p. 8.Again—"He much rejoyst, andcour'dit tenderly,As chicken newly hatcht, from dreaded destiny."—Spenser'sFairy Queen, B. ii., c. 8. sc. 9.So in Shakspeare's "King Henry VI." Part II. vol. vi., p. 362, edit. 1778—"The splitting rockscowr'din the sinking sand."—S.Again—"As thus he spake, each bird and beast beholdApproaching two and two, thesecow'ringlowWith blandishment, each bird stoop'd on his wing."—Paradise Lost, B. viii., l. 349.

Again—

"He much rejoyst, andcour'dit tenderly,As chicken newly hatcht, from dreaded destiny."—Spenser'sFairy Queen, B. ii., c. 8. sc. 9.

"He much rejoyst, andcour'dit tenderly,

As chicken newly hatcht, from dreaded destiny."—

Spenser'sFairy Queen, B. ii., c. 8. sc. 9.

So in Shakspeare's "King Henry VI." Part II. vol. vi., p. 362, edit. 1778—

"The splitting rockscowr'din the sinking sand."—S.

Again—

"As thus he spake, each bird and beast beholdApproaching two and two, thesecow'ringlowWith blandishment, each bird stoop'd on his wing."—Paradise Lost, B. viii., l. 349.

"As thus he spake, each bird and beast behold

Approaching two and two, thesecow'ringlow

With blandishment, each bird stoop'd on his wing."

—Paradise Lost, B. viii., l. 349.

[193]I believe we should readhalse anchor, oranker, as it was anciently spelt; a naval phrase. Thehalseorhalserwas a particular kind of cable. Shakspeare, in his "Antony and Cleopatra, has an image similar to this—"The brize upon her, like acowin June,Hoists sail and flies."—S.

"The brize upon her, like acowin June,Hoists sail and flies."—S.

"The brize upon her, like acowin June,

Hoists sail and flies."—S.

[194]Gib was the name by which all male or ram cats were distinguished. See Warton's Note on the "First Part of Henry IV.," act i., sc. 2.

[195]i.e., Breaking. See Note on "King Henry IV.," Part II., edit. 1778, vol. v., p. 537.—S.From the following passage, in a letter from Mr Sterne, dated August 11, 1767, it appears that the word was then still used in the same sense among the common people in the north of England. "My postilion has set me a-ground for a week, by one of my pistols bursting in his hand, which he, taking for granted to be quite shot off, he instantly fell upon his knees, and said, 'Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,' at which, like a good Christian, he stopped, not remembering any more of it; the affair was not so bad as he at first thought, for it has onlyburstentwo of his fingers, he says."

[195]i.e., Breaking. See Note on "King Henry IV.," Part II., edit. 1778, vol. v., p. 537.—S.

From the following passage, in a letter from Mr Sterne, dated August 11, 1767, it appears that the word was then still used in the same sense among the common people in the north of England. "My postilion has set me a-ground for a week, by one of my pistols bursting in his hand, which he, taking for granted to be quite shot off, he instantly fell upon his knees, and said, 'Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name,' at which, like a good Christian, he stopped, not remembering any more of it; the affair was not so bad as he at first thought, for it has onlyburstentwo of his fingers, he says."

[196][Haunch. See Halliwell's "Dict.v.Pesate."]

[197]i.e., God's curse. Glossary to Peter Langtoft.

[198]Mr Dodsley, in the former edition, readstacke.

[199]Swiftly and directly—Kyng Estmere threwe the harpe asydeAndswithhe drew his brand;And Estmere he and Alder yonge,Right stiffe in stour can stand.—Percy'sReliques of Ancient Poetry,[Ed. 1765] vol. i., p. 75.Henceswytheto Doctor Rat hie thee, that thou were gone.—Act iii., sc. 3.Thou shalt find lying an inch of white tallow candle.Light it, and bring ittiteaway.—Act i., sc. 4.

[199]Swiftly and directly—

Kyng Estmere threwe the harpe asydeAndswithhe drew his brand;And Estmere he and Alder yonge,Right stiffe in stour can stand.—Percy'sReliques of Ancient Poetry,[Ed. 1765] vol. i., p. 75.

Kyng Estmere threwe the harpe asydeAndswithhe drew his brand;And Estmere he and Alder yonge,Right stiffe in stour can stand.

Kyng Estmere threwe the harpe asyde

Andswithhe drew his brand;

And Estmere he and Alder yonge,

Right stiffe in stour can stand.

—Percy'sReliques of Ancient Poetry,[Ed. 1765] vol. i., p. 75.

—Percy'sReliques of Ancient Poetry,

[Ed. 1765] vol. i., p. 75.

Henceswytheto Doctor Rat hie thee, that thou were gone.—Act iii., sc. 3.

Henceswytheto Doctor Rat hie thee, that thou were gone.

—Act iii., sc. 3.

Thou shalt find lying an inch of white tallow candle.Light it, and bring ittiteaway.—Act i., sc. 4.

Thou shalt find lying an inch of white tallow candle.

Light it, and bring ittiteaway.

—Act i., sc. 4.

[200]Perhaps a corruption of Saint Swithin.—S.

[201]Mr Dodsley reads,back again.

[202]"This term," says Mr Malone, "came into use from the name of a celebrated fool. This I learn from Wilson's 'Art of Rhetorique,' 1553: 'A word making, called of the Grecians Onomatopiea, is when we make words of our own mind, such as be derived from the nature of things,' as to call onepatche, or cowlson, whom we see to do a thing foolishly; because these two in their time were notable fools."Probably the dress which the celebratedpatchwore was in allusion to his name, patched or parti-coloured. Hence the stage-fool has ever since been exhibited in a motley coat. In Rowley's 'When you see me, you know me,' Cardinal Wolsey's foolPatchis introduced. Perhaps he was the originalpatchof whom Wilson speaks."—Note on "Merchant of Venice," act ii., sc. 5.In Chaloner's translation of the "Praise of Folly," by Erasmus, 1549, is the following passage: "And by the fayeth ye owe to the immortal godds, may any thing to an indifferent considerer be deemed more happie and blisful than is this kinde of men whome commonly ye call fooles, poltes, ideotes, andpaches?"Again, "I have subtraied these my seliepaches, who not onelye themselves are ever mery, playing, singing, and laughyng, but also whatever they doo, are provokers of others lykewyse to pleasure, sporte, and laughter, as who sayeth ordeyned herefore by the Godds of theyr benevolence to recreate the sadnesse of mens lyves."

"Probably the dress which the celebratedpatchwore was in allusion to his name, patched or parti-coloured. Hence the stage-fool has ever since been exhibited in a motley coat. In Rowley's 'When you see me, you know me,' Cardinal Wolsey's foolPatchis introduced. Perhaps he was the originalpatchof whom Wilson speaks."—Note on "Merchant of Venice," act ii., sc. 5.

In Chaloner's translation of the "Praise of Folly," by Erasmus, 1549, is the following passage: "And by the fayeth ye owe to the immortal godds, may any thing to an indifferent considerer be deemed more happie and blisful than is this kinde of men whome commonly ye call fooles, poltes, ideotes, andpaches?"

Again, "I have subtraied these my seliepaches, who not onelye themselves are ever mery, playing, singing, and laughyng, but also whatever they doo, are provokers of others lykewyse to pleasure, sporte, and laughter, as who sayeth ordeyned herefore by the Godds of theyr benevolence to recreate the sadnesse of mens lyves."

[203]In all cases of distress, and whenever the assistance of a superior power was necessary, it was usual with the Roman Catholics to promise their tutelary saints to light up candles at their altars, to induce them to be propitious to such applications as were made to them. The reader will see a very ridiculous story of this kind in the first volume of Lord Oxford's "Collection of Voyages," p. 771, quoted in Dr Grey's "Notes on Shakspeare," vol. i. p. 7. Erasmus has a story to the same purpose in his "Naufragium."

[204][Respecting this song, see Bell's "Songs from the Dramatists," p. 34.]

[205]Alluding to the drunkenness of the Friars.

[206]So in act iii., sc. 4—"A cup of ale had in his hand, anda crablay in the fire."Again—"Nowa crabin the fire were worth a good groat,That I might quaff with my Captain Tom tospot."—Fulwell'sLike will to Like, c. 2.Again—"And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl,In very likeness of aroasted crab."—Midsummer Night's Dream, act ii., sc. 1.Upon this last passage, Mr Steevens has given the following examples of the use of this word—"Yet we will have in storea crabin the fire,With nut-brown ale."—Henry V., Anon."And sit down in my chaire by my faire Alison,And turn acrabbein the fire as merry as Pope Joan."—Edwards'sDamon and Pithias."Sitting in a corner turningcrabs,Or coughing o'er a warmed pot of ale."—Description of Christmas in Summer's last Will and Testament, by Nash, 1600.

[206]So in act iii., sc. 4—

"A cup of ale had in his hand, anda crablay in the fire."

Again—

"Nowa crabin the fire were worth a good groat,That I might quaff with my Captain Tom tospot."—Fulwell'sLike will to Like, c. 2.

"Nowa crabin the fire were worth a good groat,

That I might quaff with my Captain Tom tospot."

—Fulwell'sLike will to Like, c. 2.

Again—

"And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl,In very likeness of aroasted crab."—Midsummer Night's Dream, act ii., sc. 1.

"And sometime lurk I in a gossip's bowl,

In very likeness of aroasted crab."

—Midsummer Night's Dream, act ii., sc. 1.

Upon this last passage, Mr Steevens has given the following examples of the use of this word—

"Yet we will have in storea crabin the fire,With nut-brown ale."—Henry V., Anon.

"Yet we will have in storea crabin the fire,

With nut-brown ale."—Henry V., Anon.

"And sit down in my chaire by my faire Alison,And turn acrabbein the fire as merry as Pope Joan."—Edwards'sDamon and Pithias.

"And sit down in my chaire by my faire Alison,

And turn acrabbein the fire as merry as Pope Joan."

—Edwards'sDamon and Pithias.

"Sitting in a corner turningcrabs,Or coughing o'er a warmed pot of ale."—Description of Christmas in Summer's last Will and Testament, by Nash, 1600.

"Sitting in a corner turningcrabs,Or coughing o'er a warmed pot of ale."

"Sitting in a corner turningcrabs,

Or coughing o'er a warmed pot of ale."

—Description of Christmas in Summer's last Will and Testament, by Nash, 1600.

[207]Trowl, ortrole the bowl, was a common phrase in drinking for passing the vessel about, as appears by the following beginning of an old catch—"Trole, trolethe bowl to me,And I willtrolethe same again to thee."And in this other, in Hilton's Collection—"Tom Bouls, Tom Bouls,Seest thou not how merrily this good aletrowles?—Sir John Hawkins'sHistory of Music, Vol. III., 22.Again—"Sirra Shakebagge, canst thou rememberSince wetrould the bouleat Sittingburn."—Arden of Feversham, 1592."Giv't us weele pledge, nor shall a man that livesIn charity refuse it, I will not be so oldAs not be grac't to honour Cupid, giv't us full.When we were young, we could hatroldit off.Drunke down a Dutchman."—Marston'sParasitaster or The Fawne, act. v."Now the cupstroleabout to wet the gossips whistles,It pours down, I faith, they never think of payment."—A Chast Mayd in Cheap-side, p. 34.

[207]Trowl, ortrole the bowl, was a common phrase in drinking for passing the vessel about, as appears by the following beginning of an old catch—

"Trole, trolethe bowl to me,And I willtrolethe same again to thee."

"Trole, trolethe bowl to me,

And I willtrolethe same again to thee."

And in this other, in Hilton's Collection—

"Tom Bouls, Tom Bouls,Seest thou not how merrily this good aletrowles?—Sir John Hawkins'sHistory of Music, Vol. III., 22.

"Tom Bouls, Tom Bouls,

Seest thou not how merrily this good aletrowles?

—Sir John Hawkins'sHistory of Music, Vol. III., 22.

Again—

"Sirra Shakebagge, canst thou rememberSince wetrould the bouleat Sittingburn."

"Sirra Shakebagge, canst thou remember

Since wetrould the bouleat Sittingburn."

—Arden of Feversham, 1592.

"Giv't us weele pledge, nor shall a man that livesIn charity refuse it, I will not be so oldAs not be grac't to honour Cupid, giv't us full.When we were young, we could hatroldit off.Drunke down a Dutchman."—Marston'sParasitaster or The Fawne, act. v.

"Giv't us weele pledge, nor shall a man that lives

In charity refuse it, I will not be so old

As not be grac't to honour Cupid, giv't us full.

When we were young, we could hatroldit off.

Drunke down a Dutchman."

—Marston'sParasitaster or The Fawne, act. v.

"Now the cupstroleabout to wet the gossips whistles,It pours down, I faith, they never think of payment."—A Chast Mayd in Cheap-side, p. 34.

"Now the cupstroleabout to wet the gossips whistles,

It pours down, I faith, they never think of payment."

—A Chast Mayd in Cheap-side, p. 34.

[208]Add.

[209]See Dekker's Description of an Abraham-man,supra.

[210]To swinkis to work or labour; as in Spenser's "Fairy Queen," B. II., cant. vii., st. 8."For which men sweat andswinkincessantly."Again in "Comus," l. 293—"And theswinkthedger at his supper sat."Also in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," Prol., l. 184—"What schulde he studie, make himselven wood,Uppon a book in cloystre alway to powre,Orswinkewith his hands, and laboure,As Austin byt? how schal the world be served?Let Austyn have hisswynkto him reserved."And in "Pierce Plowman's Vision"—"Hermets an heape with hoked staves,Wenten to Walsingham, and her wenches after.Great loubees and long, that loth were toswinke,Clothed hem in copes, to be knowen from other."

[210]To swinkis to work or labour; as in Spenser's "Fairy Queen," B. II., cant. vii., st. 8.

"For which men sweat andswinkincessantly."

Again in "Comus," l. 293—

"And theswinkthedger at his supper sat."

Also in Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," Prol., l. 184—

"What schulde he studie, make himselven wood,Uppon a book in cloystre alway to powre,Orswinkewith his hands, and laboure,As Austin byt? how schal the world be served?Let Austyn have hisswynkto him reserved."

"What schulde he studie, make himselven wood,

Uppon a book in cloystre alway to powre,

Orswinkewith his hands, and laboure,

As Austin byt? how schal the world be served?

Let Austyn have hisswynkto him reserved."

And in "Pierce Plowman's Vision"—

"Hermets an heape with hoked staves,Wenten to Walsingham, and her wenches after.Great loubees and long, that loth were toswinke,Clothed hem in copes, to be knowen from other."

"Hermets an heape with hoked staves,

Wenten to Walsingham, and her wenches after.

Great loubees and long, that loth were toswinke,

Clothed hem in copes, to be knowen from other."

[211]Will.

[212]Old copy,than.

[213]In the 14th of Queen Elizabeth, 1572, an Act of Parliament passed, by which very heavy penalties were inflicted on all rogues, vagabonds, and sturdy beggars. Among others, who are therein described and directed to be deemed such, are idle persons going about feigning themselves to have knowledge in phisnomie, palmestrie, or other abused sciences, whereby they bear the people in hand that they can tell their destinies, deaths, and fortunes,and such other like fantastical imaginations. This statute seems to be alluded to here by Diccon, and will serve to confirm the later date of the play; and at the same time prove the forgery of that assigned to it by Chetwood.

[214]Fetched.

[215]Old copy,syme.

[216]"Ut mulieres solent ad mingendum."—S.

[217]To.

[218]Can.

[219]I con him no thanks for it, occurs in Shakspeare's "All's Well that Ends Well," and Mr Steevens says it means, "I shall not thank him in studied language." I meet with the same expression in Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," &c.—"I believe hewill con thee little thanks for it."Again, in "Wily Beguiled," 1606—"Iconmaster Churmsthanksfor this."Again, in "Anything for a Quiet Life": "He would not trust you with it, Iconhim thanks for it."Cun or con thanks, says the "Glossary to the Lancashire Dialect," is togive thanks; and in that sense only the words appear to be used to this day in the North of England. In Erasmus's "Praise of Folly," by Chaloner, 1549, sig. E 2: "But in the meane while ye ought toconne me thanke," &c., and sig. I 4: "Who nathelessconned him as greate thanke," &c. Again, in Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," p. 28: "It is well doone 'to practise thy wit, but (I believe) our Lord willcun thee littlethanke for it.'"

"I believe hewill con thee little thanks for it."

Again, in "Wily Beguiled," 1606—

"Iconmaster Churmsthanksfor this."

Again, in "Anything for a Quiet Life": "He would not trust you with it, Iconhim thanks for it."

Cun or con thanks, says the "Glossary to the Lancashire Dialect," is togive thanks; and in that sense only the words appear to be used to this day in the North of England. In Erasmus's "Praise of Folly," by Chaloner, 1549, sig. E 2: "But in the meane while ye ought toconne me thanke," &c., and sig. I 4: "Who nathelessconned him as greate thanke," &c. Again, in Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," p. 28: "It is well doone 'to practise thy wit, but (I believe) our Lord willcun thee littlethanke for it.'"

[220]i.e., Glossing or commenting upon. So, in "Pierce Plowman":"Glosedthe Gospel as hem good liked,For covetous of copes construe it as thei wold."

[220]i.e., Glossing or commenting upon. So, in "Pierce Plowman":

"Glosedthe Gospel as hem good liked,For covetous of copes construe it as thei wold."

"Glosedthe Gospel as hem good liked,

For covetous of copes construe it as thei wold."

[221]Trump was a game played with cards, as will appear by the following passage of Dekker's "Bellman of London," 1608, sig. F: "To speak of all the slights used byCard-playersin al sorts of Games would but weary you that are to read, and bee but a thanklesse and unpleasing labour for me to set them downe. Omitting therefore the deceipts practised (even in the fairest & most civill companies) at Primero, Saunt, Maw,Tromp, and such like games, I will," &c. [See Nares,v. Trump.]

[222]i.e., In secrecy. See note to the "Merry Wives of Windsor," edit. 1778, vol. i., p. 228.—S.

[223]Our dear Lady of Boulogne is no other than the image of the Virgin Mary at Boulogne, which was formerly held in so much reverence, that it was one of those to which Pilgrimages used to be made. In Chaucer's "Canterbury Tales," Prol. 1. 465, describing the "Wife of Bath," he says—"And thries hadde sche ben at Jerusalem.Sche hadde passed many a straunge streem.At Rome sche hadde ben, and atBoloyne.In Galice at seynt Jame, and at Coloyne."The Virgin Mary was the patroness of the town of Boulogne in a very singular manner, it being holden immediately of her: "For when King Lewis II., after the decease of Charles of Burgundy, had taken in Boulogne, anno 1477, as new Lord of the town (thus John de Serres relateth it), he did homage without sword or spurs bareheaded, and on his knee, before the Virgin Mary, offering unto her image an heart of massie gold, weighing 2000 crowns. He added also this, that he and his successors, kings after him, should hold the county of Boulogne of the said Virgin, and do homage unto her image in the great church of the higher town dedicated to her name, paying at every change of a vassal an heart of pure gold of the same weight."—Heylin's "Survey of France," 1656, p. 193.

"And thries hadde sche ben at Jerusalem.Sche hadde passed many a straunge streem.At Rome sche hadde ben, and atBoloyne.In Galice at seynt Jame, and at Coloyne."

"And thries hadde sche ben at Jerusalem.

Sche hadde passed many a straunge streem.

At Rome sche hadde ben, and atBoloyne.

In Galice at seynt Jame, and at Coloyne."

The Virgin Mary was the patroness of the town of Boulogne in a very singular manner, it being holden immediately of her: "For when King Lewis II., after the decease of Charles of Burgundy, had taken in Boulogne, anno 1477, as new Lord of the town (thus John de Serres relateth it), he did homage without sword or spurs bareheaded, and on his knee, before the Virgin Mary, offering unto her image an heart of massie gold, weighing 2000 crowns. He added also this, that he and his successors, kings after him, should hold the county of Boulogne of the said Virgin, and do homage unto her image in the great church of the higher town dedicated to her name, paying at every change of a vassal an heart of pure gold of the same weight."—Heylin's "Survey of France," 1656, p. 193.

[224]The three kings of Cologne are supposed to have been the wise men who travelled unto our Saviour by the direction of the star. To these kings several writers have given the names of Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar; but Sir Thomas Browne, in his "Vulgar Errors," has a whole chapter concerning them, in which he doubts all the principal facts in the account of them. See B. vii., c. 8. The celebrated Thomas Coryat, when at Cologne, took some pains to collect many circumstances relative to these kings, with which he hath filled several pages of his book; and to which those who are desirous of further information on the subject must be referred.

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