Ware.Are you struckWith a torpedo, nephew?Sea.Ha' you seen tooA Gorgon's head, that you stand speechless? orAre you a fish in earnest?Bright.It begins to thunder.New.We will make bold to take our leaves.Ware.What, is your captain fled?Sea.Nay, gentlemen, forsake your company!Bright.Sir, we have business.[ExeuntBrightandNewcut.Sea.Troth, it is not kindly done.Ware.Now, Master Seathrift,You see what mourners we had had, had weBeen wreck'd in earnest. My griev'd nephew hereHad made my cellar flow with tears; my winesHad charg'd glass-ordnance; our funerals had beenBewail'd in pottle-draughts.Sea.And at our gravesYour nephew and my son had made a panegyric,And open'd all our virtues.Ware.Ungrateful monster!Sea.Unnatural villain!Ware.Thou enemy to my blood!Sea.Thou worse than parricide!Ware.Next my sins, I do repent I am thy uncle.Sea.And I thy father.Ware.Death o' my soul! Did I, when first thy fatherBroke in estate, and then broke from the compter,Where Master Seathrift laid him in the holeFor debt, among the ruins of the cityAnd trades like him blown up, take thee from dust,Give thee free education, put thee inMy own fair way of traffic—nay, decreeTo leave thee jewels, land, my whole estate;Pardon'd thy former wildness; and couldst thou sortThyself with none but idle gallants, captains,And poets, who must plot before they eat,And make each meal a stratagem? Then could noneBut I be subject of thy impious scoffs?I swoon at sight of meat! I rise a gluttonFrom half an orange! Wretch, forgetful wretch!'Fore Heaven, I count it treason in my bloodThat gives thee a relation. But I'll takeA full revenge. Make thee my heir! I'll firstAdopt a slave brought from some galley; oneWhich laws do put into the inventory,And men bequeath in wills with stools and brasspots;One who shall first be household-stuff, then my heir;Or, to defeat all thy large aims, I'll marry.Cypher, go, find me Bannswright; he shall straightProvide me a wife: I will not stay to letMy resolution cool. Be she a wenchThat every day puts on her dowry, wearsHer fortunes, has no portion, so she beYoung, and likely to be fruitful, I'll have her:By all that's good, I will: this afternoon!I will about it straight.Sea.I follow you.[ExeuntWarehouse,Cypher.And as for you, Tim, mermaid, triton, haddock,The wondrous Indian fish caught near Peru,Who can be of both elements, your sightWill keep you well. Here I do cast thee off,And in thy room pronounce to make thy sisterMy heir: it would be most unnaturalTo leave a fish land. 'Las! sir, one of yourBright fins and gills must swim in seas of sack,Spout rich canaries up like whales in maps:[237]I know you'll not endure to see my jackGo empty, nor wear shirts of copperas-bags,Nor fast in Paul's, you! I do hate thee nowWorse than a tempest, quicksand, pirate, rock,Or fatal lake, ay, or a privy-seal.[238]Go, let the captain make you drunk, and letYour next change be into some ape—'tis staleTo be a fish twice—or some active baboon:And, when you can find money out, betrayWhat wench i' th' room has lost her maidenhead;Can mount to the king, and can do all your feats,If your fine chain and yellow coat come nearTh' Exchange, I'll see you. So I leave you.[ExitSeathrift.Plot.Now,Were there a dext'rous beam and twopence hemp,Never had man such cause to hang himself.Tim.I have brought myself to a fine pass too. NowAm I fit only to be caught, and putInto a pond to leap carps, or begetA goodly race of pick'rel.
Ware.Are you struckWith a torpedo, nephew?
Sea.Ha' you seen tooA Gorgon's head, that you stand speechless? orAre you a fish in earnest?
Bright.It begins to thunder.
New.We will make bold to take our leaves.
Ware.What, is your captain fled?
Sea.Nay, gentlemen, forsake your company!
Bright.Sir, we have business.[ExeuntBrightandNewcut.
Sea.Troth, it is not kindly done.
Ware.Now, Master Seathrift,You see what mourners we had had, had weBeen wreck'd in earnest. My griev'd nephew hereHad made my cellar flow with tears; my winesHad charg'd glass-ordnance; our funerals had beenBewail'd in pottle-draughts.
Sea.And at our gravesYour nephew and my son had made a panegyric,And open'd all our virtues.
Ware.Ungrateful monster!
Sea.Unnatural villain!
Ware.Thou enemy to my blood!
Sea.Thou worse than parricide!
Ware.Next my sins, I do repent I am thy uncle.
Sea.And I thy father.
Ware.Death o' my soul! Did I, when first thy fatherBroke in estate, and then broke from the compter,Where Master Seathrift laid him in the holeFor debt, among the ruins of the cityAnd trades like him blown up, take thee from dust,Give thee free education, put thee inMy own fair way of traffic—nay, decreeTo leave thee jewels, land, my whole estate;Pardon'd thy former wildness; and couldst thou sortThyself with none but idle gallants, captains,And poets, who must plot before they eat,And make each meal a stratagem? Then could noneBut I be subject of thy impious scoffs?I swoon at sight of meat! I rise a gluttonFrom half an orange! Wretch, forgetful wretch!'Fore Heaven, I count it treason in my bloodThat gives thee a relation. But I'll takeA full revenge. Make thee my heir! I'll firstAdopt a slave brought from some galley; oneWhich laws do put into the inventory,And men bequeath in wills with stools and brasspots;One who shall first be household-stuff, then my heir;Or, to defeat all thy large aims, I'll marry.Cypher, go, find me Bannswright; he shall straightProvide me a wife: I will not stay to letMy resolution cool. Be she a wenchThat every day puts on her dowry, wearsHer fortunes, has no portion, so she beYoung, and likely to be fruitful, I'll have her:By all that's good, I will: this afternoon!I will about it straight.
Sea.I follow you.[ExeuntWarehouse,Cypher.And as for you, Tim, mermaid, triton, haddock,The wondrous Indian fish caught near Peru,Who can be of both elements, your sightWill keep you well. Here I do cast thee off,And in thy room pronounce to make thy sisterMy heir: it would be most unnaturalTo leave a fish land. 'Las! sir, one of yourBright fins and gills must swim in seas of sack,Spout rich canaries up like whales in maps:[237]I know you'll not endure to see my jackGo empty, nor wear shirts of copperas-bags,Nor fast in Paul's, you! I do hate thee nowWorse than a tempest, quicksand, pirate, rock,Or fatal lake, ay, or a privy-seal.[238]Go, let the captain make you drunk, and letYour next change be into some ape—'tis staleTo be a fish twice—or some active baboon:And, when you can find money out, betrayWhat wench i' th' room has lost her maidenhead;Can mount to the king, and can do all your feats,If your fine chain and yellow coat come nearTh' Exchange, I'll see you. So I leave you.[ExitSeathrift.
Plot.Now,Were there a dext'rous beam and twopence hemp,Never had man such cause to hang himself.
Tim.I have brought myself to a fine pass too. NowAm I fit only to be caught, and putInto a pond to leap carps, or begetA goodly race of pick'rel.
EnterQuartfieldandSalewit.
Quart.How now, mad lads; what! is the storm broke up?Sale.What, sad, like broken gamesters! Master Timothy,'Slight, who would think your father should lay wheels[239]To catch you thus?Tim.If ever I be drunk with captains more——Plot.Where's Bright and Newcut?Sale.They were sent for to the Temple, but left wordThey would be here at supper.Plot.They are sure friends to leave us in distress.Quart.What a mad plotThese two old merchants had contriv'd, to feignA voyage, then to hunt you out disguised,And hear themselves abused?Sale.We heard all.Quart.If I had stay'd, they had paid me for a captain.Sale.They had a fling at me. But do you thinkYour uncle in this furious mood will marry?Plot.He deeply swore it: if he do, the sleightUpon the cards, the hollow die, Park CornerAnd Shooter's Hill, are my revenue.Tim.Yes: and as for me, my destiny will beTo fight by th' day, carry my kitchen andCollation at my back, wear orderlyMy shirt in course, after't has been the shiftOf a whole regiment in the low countries;And, after all, return with half a leg,One arm, perchance my nose shot off, to moveCompassion in my father who, in pityTo so much ruin, may be brought to buySome place for me in an hospital, to keep meFrom bridges, hill-tops, and from selling switches.
Quart.How now, mad lads; what! is the storm broke up?
Sale.What, sad, like broken gamesters! Master Timothy,'Slight, who would think your father should lay wheels[239]To catch you thus?
Tim.If ever I be drunk with captains more——
Plot.Where's Bright and Newcut?
Sale.They were sent for to the Temple, but left wordThey would be here at supper.
Plot.They are sure friends to leave us in distress.
Quart.What a mad plotThese two old merchants had contriv'd, to feignA voyage, then to hunt you out disguised,And hear themselves abused?
Sale.We heard all.
Quart.If I had stay'd, they had paid me for a captain.
Sale.They had a fling at me. But do you thinkYour uncle in this furious mood will marry?
Plot.He deeply swore it: if he do, the sleightUpon the cards, the hollow die, Park CornerAnd Shooter's Hill, are my revenue.
Tim.Yes: and as for me, my destiny will beTo fight by th' day, carry my kitchen andCollation at my back, wear orderlyMy shirt in course, after't has been the shiftOf a whole regiment in the low countries;And, after all, return with half a leg,One arm, perchance my nose shot off, to moveCompassion in my father who, in pityTo so much ruin, may be brought to buySome place for me in an hospital, to keep meFrom bridges, hill-tops, and from selling switches.
EnterRoseclap.
Rose.Yonder's your uncle at the field-door, talkingWith Bannswright, as hot and earnest for a wenchAs a recover'd Monsieur.Quart.What is this Bannswright?Sale.A fellow much employed about the town,That contrives matches: one that brings togetherParties that never saw or never met,Till't be for good and all; knows to a pennyEstates and jointures: I'll undertake he hasNow lying by him (unprovided) some twentyWidows of all fortunes that want husbands,And men that want wives; and, at an hour's warning,Can make things ready for the priest.Quart.Let usDevise to get him hither, and cross the match.Plot.I have great interest in him; the fellow loves me.Could I speak with him, and draw him to beAn actor in't, I have a stratagemThat can redeem all, and turn the plotUpon these sage heads.
Rose.Yonder's your uncle at the field-door, talkingWith Bannswright, as hot and earnest for a wenchAs a recover'd Monsieur.
Quart.What is this Bannswright?
Sale.A fellow much employed about the town,That contrives matches: one that brings togetherParties that never saw or never met,Till't be for good and all; knows to a pennyEstates and jointures: I'll undertake he hasNow lying by him (unprovided) some twentyWidows of all fortunes that want husbands,And men that want wives; and, at an hour's warning,Can make things ready for the priest.
Quart.Let usDevise to get him hither, and cross the match.
Plot.I have great interest in him; the fellow loves me.Could I speak with him, and draw him to beAn actor in't, I have a stratagemThat can redeem all, and turn the plotUpon these sage heads.
EnterBannswright.
Sale.By Minerva, look! here's Bannswright!Plot.Master Bannswright!Ban.Save you, gallants.Plot.You are employed, I hear, to find a wife outFor my young sprightly uncle.Ban.Sir, he hasRetain'd me to that purpose: I just nowCame from him.Plot.And do you mean the matchShall then proceed?Ban.I have a lieger[240]wenchIn readiness: he's gone to put himselfInto fit ornaments for the solemnity.I'm to provide the priest and licence: we goSome two hours hence to church.Quart.Death! you pander,Forbid the banns, or I will cut your wizzel,[241]And spoil your squiring in the dark. I've heardOf your lewd function, sirrah! You preferWenches to bawdy-houses, rascal!Ban.Good sir,Threaten me not in my vocation.Plot.Why, Bannswright, you can be but paid. Say IProcure the wench, a friend of mine, and doubleYour bargain. Such a fair reward, methinks,Should make thee of my project. Thou dost knowMy fortunes are engaged, and thou may'st beThe happy instrument to recover 'em.Be my good angel once! I have a plotShall make thee famous.Quart.By Mars, deny, and IWill act a tragedy upon thee.Ban.Gentlemen,I am a friend to wit, but more to you, sir,Of whose misfortunes I will not be guilty.Though, then, your uncle has employ'd me, andHas deeply sworn to wed this afternoonA wife of my providing, if you canO'erreach the angry burgess, sir, and bringHis wisdom to the gin, show me the way;I'll help to lay the trap.Quart.Now thou artAn honest-hearted pimp: thou shalt for thisBe drunk in Vine-dee,[242]rascal; I'll beginA runlet to thee.Ban.[243]Gentlemen, let's in,I'll tell you my design. You, Salewit, mustTransform yourself to a French deacon: IHave parts for Bright and Newcut too. MischiefUpon their absence!Sale.We'll send for 'em.Ban.And for Master Timothy, I have a projectShall make his father everlastinglyAdmire his wit, and ask him blessing.Quart.Come,Let's in and drink a health to our success.Tim.I'm for no healths, unless the glass be less.[Exeunt.
Sale.By Minerva, look! here's Bannswright!
Plot.Master Bannswright!
Ban.Save you, gallants.
Plot.You are employed, I hear, to find a wife outFor my young sprightly uncle.
Ban.Sir, he hasRetain'd me to that purpose: I just nowCame from him.
Plot.And do you mean the matchShall then proceed?
Ban.I have a lieger[240]wenchIn readiness: he's gone to put himselfInto fit ornaments for the solemnity.I'm to provide the priest and licence: we goSome two hours hence to church.
Quart.Death! you pander,Forbid the banns, or I will cut your wizzel,[241]And spoil your squiring in the dark. I've heardOf your lewd function, sirrah! You preferWenches to bawdy-houses, rascal!
Ban.Good sir,Threaten me not in my vocation.
Plot.Why, Bannswright, you can be but paid. Say IProcure the wench, a friend of mine, and doubleYour bargain. Such a fair reward, methinks,Should make thee of my project. Thou dost knowMy fortunes are engaged, and thou may'st beThe happy instrument to recover 'em.Be my good angel once! I have a plotShall make thee famous.
Quart.By Mars, deny, and IWill act a tragedy upon thee.
Ban.Gentlemen,I am a friend to wit, but more to you, sir,Of whose misfortunes I will not be guilty.Though, then, your uncle has employ'd me, andHas deeply sworn to wed this afternoonA wife of my providing, if you canO'erreach the angry burgess, sir, and bringHis wisdom to the gin, show me the way;I'll help to lay the trap.
Quart.Now thou artAn honest-hearted pimp: thou shalt for thisBe drunk in Vine-dee,[242]rascal; I'll beginA runlet to thee.
Ban.[243]Gentlemen, let's in,I'll tell you my design. You, Salewit, mustTransform yourself to a French deacon: IHave parts for Bright and Newcut too. MischiefUpon their absence!
Sale.We'll send for 'em.
Ban.And for Master Timothy, I have a projectShall make his father everlastinglyAdmire his wit, and ask him blessing.
Quart.Come,Let's in and drink a health to our success.
Tim.I'm for no healths, unless the glass be less.[Exeunt.
FOOTNOTES:[221]Mr Steevens observes (note to "The Tempest," act ii. sc. 2) that it was formerly very common to exhibit fishes, either real or imaginary, in this manner, and that it appears from the books of Stationers' Hall, that in 1604 was published, "A strange reporte of a monstrousfish, that appeared in the form of a woman from her waist upward, seene in the sea."The Italians useNuovo Pescein much the same manner as we employ the phrase "a strange fish." "Nuovo pesce era questo ru-Marco"—Domenichi's "Facetie," 1565, p. 268.[222]Made him drunk, or intoxicated him.[223]Probably the same mentioned by Sir Kenelm Digby. See note to "The Ordinary" [xii., 245.][224]Meaning that the trumpet has been sounded twice, in imitation of the theatres, where, before the play begins by the entrance of the prologue, there were what were called three soundings. See Malone's "Shakespeare," by Boswell, iii. 114.—Collier.[225][See Mr Huth's "Ancient Ballads and Broadsides," 1867, p. 213.][226]The country has been laid, means that the country has beenway-laidfor the purpose of catching him. This was the common mode of expression at the time, as appears from Middleton's "Chaste Maid in Cheapside," 1630, and other authorities—"Laythe water-side—she's gone for ever else!"Again, in the same play—"My mother's gone tolaythe common staires."—Collier.[227]"Mare Liberum," was the title of a book written by the celebrated Grotius, to prove that the sea was free to every nation, in opposition to those who wished to circumscribe the Dutch trade. It was printed in 1609, and among other answers which appeared to it, was one by Selden, which he entitled "Mare Clausum."[228]Theechineis, a fish which by adhering to the bottoms of ships, was supposed to retard their course. So Lucan, lib. vi. v. 674—"Puppim retinens, Euro tendente rudentes,In mediisechineisaquis."—Steevens.[229]Sir Francis Drake.[230]There were two of that name, father and son, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, both eminent navigators. See their lives in "Biographia Britannica."[231]There is an incident of this kind, where a man is shown for a fish against his will, and thrust under water whenever he attempts to speak, in the "Vida de Lazarillo de Tormes."—Collier.[232][This word was applied formerly to both sexes. See "Gesta Romanorum," edit. Madden, p. 456.][233]Prynne and his "Histriomastix," so often noticed in this play.[234]A tavern which used to be frequented by Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher, and other wits of the times, and often mentioned in their works. From the following enumeration of taverns, in an old poem called "Newes from Bartholmew Fayre" [by Richard West, 1607], the title-page of which is lost, we find it was situate in Cornhill:—"There hath beene great sale and utterance of wine,Besides beere and ale, and ipocras fine,In every country, region, and nation;Chefely at Billingsgate, atthe Salutation,AndBores Head, neere London Stone,The Swanat Dowgate, a taverne well knowne,The Miterin Cheape, and thenthe Bull Head,And many like places that make noses red;The Bores Headin Old Fish Street,three Cranesin the Vintree,And now of late, St Martin's in the Sentree:The Windmillin Lothbury,the Shipat the Exchange,King's Headin New Fish Streete, where roysters do range;The Mermaid in Cornhill;Red Lionin the Strand,Three Tunsin Newgate Market, Old Fish Street, atthe Swan."[235][An allusion which has been often explained.][236]About the year 1631, Archbishop Laud, under the patronage of Charles I., undertook the repairing and rebuilding of St Paul's. On this occasion the king went to the cathedral, and, after divine service was performed, solemnly promised to exert his best endeavours to repair the ruins which time, or the casualties of weather, had made therein. In consequence of this scheme, many applications were made to noblemen and gentlemen for their assistance, and, on their refusal to contribute, some were very severely censured, and even fined.[237]Most of our ancient maps will sufficiently illustrate this image. The vacant spaces, occasioned by tracts of sea, are usually ornamented with these monsters spouting water.—Steevens.[238]Among the illegal modes of raising money adopted by Charles I., after he determined to govern without a parliament; the borrowing of money by writs of privy-seal was one not the least burdensome and oppressive. The manner was to direct these writs to particular persons by name, requiring the loan of money, or plate to the amount of the money, to be paid or delivered to a particular person, for the king's use. The form of the writs may be seen in "The Parliamentary History," xiii., 84, where one of them is printed. [But in this passage this speaker also intends a play on the double meaning ofseal.][239]Alluding to a method of catching pikes.—Pegge.[240][Probably, nimble, sprightly, Fr.leger; unless it should be in the sense indicated by Nares in his "Glossary" under Liedger,i.e., resident; but Bannswright is not described as a pander.][241]A corruption, probably, ofwizand, orweazon.—Steevens.[242]Perhaps he means to sayVin de Dieu;i.e.,Lacrymæ Christi.—Steevens.[243][The old copy here, and again just below, has improperly Plotwell, for Bannswright must be supposed to maintain his disguise at present.]
[221]Mr Steevens observes (note to "The Tempest," act ii. sc. 2) that it was formerly very common to exhibit fishes, either real or imaginary, in this manner, and that it appears from the books of Stationers' Hall, that in 1604 was published, "A strange reporte of a monstrousfish, that appeared in the form of a woman from her waist upward, seene in the sea."The Italians useNuovo Pescein much the same manner as we employ the phrase "a strange fish." "Nuovo pesce era questo ru-Marco"—Domenichi's "Facetie," 1565, p. 268.
[221]Mr Steevens observes (note to "The Tempest," act ii. sc. 2) that it was formerly very common to exhibit fishes, either real or imaginary, in this manner, and that it appears from the books of Stationers' Hall, that in 1604 was published, "A strange reporte of a monstrousfish, that appeared in the form of a woman from her waist upward, seene in the sea."
The Italians useNuovo Pescein much the same manner as we employ the phrase "a strange fish." "Nuovo pesce era questo ru-Marco"—Domenichi's "Facetie," 1565, p. 268.
[222]Made him drunk, or intoxicated him.
[222]Made him drunk, or intoxicated him.
[223]Probably the same mentioned by Sir Kenelm Digby. See note to "The Ordinary" [xii., 245.]
[223]Probably the same mentioned by Sir Kenelm Digby. See note to "The Ordinary" [xii., 245.]
[224]Meaning that the trumpet has been sounded twice, in imitation of the theatres, where, before the play begins by the entrance of the prologue, there were what were called three soundings. See Malone's "Shakespeare," by Boswell, iii. 114.—Collier.
[224]Meaning that the trumpet has been sounded twice, in imitation of the theatres, where, before the play begins by the entrance of the prologue, there were what were called three soundings. See Malone's "Shakespeare," by Boswell, iii. 114.—Collier.
[225][See Mr Huth's "Ancient Ballads and Broadsides," 1867, p. 213.]
[225][See Mr Huth's "Ancient Ballads and Broadsides," 1867, p. 213.]
[226]The country has been laid, means that the country has beenway-laidfor the purpose of catching him. This was the common mode of expression at the time, as appears from Middleton's "Chaste Maid in Cheapside," 1630, and other authorities—"Laythe water-side—she's gone for ever else!"Again, in the same play—"My mother's gone tolaythe common staires."—Collier.
[226]The country has been laid, means that the country has beenway-laidfor the purpose of catching him. This was the common mode of expression at the time, as appears from Middleton's "Chaste Maid in Cheapside," 1630, and other authorities—
"Laythe water-side—she's gone for ever else!"
Again, in the same play—
"My mother's gone tolaythe common staires."
—Collier.
[227]"Mare Liberum," was the title of a book written by the celebrated Grotius, to prove that the sea was free to every nation, in opposition to those who wished to circumscribe the Dutch trade. It was printed in 1609, and among other answers which appeared to it, was one by Selden, which he entitled "Mare Clausum."
[227]"Mare Liberum," was the title of a book written by the celebrated Grotius, to prove that the sea was free to every nation, in opposition to those who wished to circumscribe the Dutch trade. It was printed in 1609, and among other answers which appeared to it, was one by Selden, which he entitled "Mare Clausum."
[228]Theechineis, a fish which by adhering to the bottoms of ships, was supposed to retard their course. So Lucan, lib. vi. v. 674—"Puppim retinens, Euro tendente rudentes,In mediisechineisaquis."—Steevens.
[228]Theechineis, a fish which by adhering to the bottoms of ships, was supposed to retard their course. So Lucan, lib. vi. v. 674—
"Puppim retinens, Euro tendente rudentes,In mediisechineisaquis."
"Puppim retinens, Euro tendente rudentes,In mediisechineisaquis."
—Steevens.
[229]Sir Francis Drake.
[229]Sir Francis Drake.
[230]There were two of that name, father and son, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, both eminent navigators. See their lives in "Biographia Britannica."
[230]There were two of that name, father and son, in the time of Queen Elizabeth, both eminent navigators. See their lives in "Biographia Britannica."
[231]There is an incident of this kind, where a man is shown for a fish against his will, and thrust under water whenever he attempts to speak, in the "Vida de Lazarillo de Tormes."—Collier.
[231]There is an incident of this kind, where a man is shown for a fish against his will, and thrust under water whenever he attempts to speak, in the "Vida de Lazarillo de Tormes."—Collier.
[232][This word was applied formerly to both sexes. See "Gesta Romanorum," edit. Madden, p. 456.]
[232][This word was applied formerly to both sexes. See "Gesta Romanorum," edit. Madden, p. 456.]
[233]Prynne and his "Histriomastix," so often noticed in this play.
[233]Prynne and his "Histriomastix," so often noticed in this play.
[234]A tavern which used to be frequented by Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher, and other wits of the times, and often mentioned in their works. From the following enumeration of taverns, in an old poem called "Newes from Bartholmew Fayre" [by Richard West, 1607], the title-page of which is lost, we find it was situate in Cornhill:—"There hath beene great sale and utterance of wine,Besides beere and ale, and ipocras fine,In every country, region, and nation;Chefely at Billingsgate, atthe Salutation,AndBores Head, neere London Stone,The Swanat Dowgate, a taverne well knowne,The Miterin Cheape, and thenthe Bull Head,And many like places that make noses red;The Bores Headin Old Fish Street,three Cranesin the Vintree,And now of late, St Martin's in the Sentree:The Windmillin Lothbury,the Shipat the Exchange,King's Headin New Fish Streete, where roysters do range;The Mermaid in Cornhill;Red Lionin the Strand,Three Tunsin Newgate Market, Old Fish Street, atthe Swan."
[234]A tavern which used to be frequented by Ben Jonson, Beaumont and Fletcher, and other wits of the times, and often mentioned in their works. From the following enumeration of taverns, in an old poem called "Newes from Bartholmew Fayre" [by Richard West, 1607], the title-page of which is lost, we find it was situate in Cornhill:—
"There hath beene great sale and utterance of wine,Besides beere and ale, and ipocras fine,In every country, region, and nation;Chefely at Billingsgate, atthe Salutation,AndBores Head, neere London Stone,The Swanat Dowgate, a taverne well knowne,The Miterin Cheape, and thenthe Bull Head,And many like places that make noses red;The Bores Headin Old Fish Street,three Cranesin the Vintree,And now of late, St Martin's in the Sentree:The Windmillin Lothbury,the Shipat the Exchange,King's Headin New Fish Streete, where roysters do range;The Mermaid in Cornhill;Red Lionin the Strand,Three Tunsin Newgate Market, Old Fish Street, atthe Swan."
"There hath beene great sale and utterance of wine,Besides beere and ale, and ipocras fine,In every country, region, and nation;Chefely at Billingsgate, atthe Salutation,AndBores Head, neere London Stone,The Swanat Dowgate, a taverne well knowne,The Miterin Cheape, and thenthe Bull Head,And many like places that make noses red;The Bores Headin Old Fish Street,three Cranesin the Vintree,And now of late, St Martin's in the Sentree:The Windmillin Lothbury,the Shipat the Exchange,King's Headin New Fish Streete, where roysters do range;The Mermaid in Cornhill;Red Lionin the Strand,Three Tunsin Newgate Market, Old Fish Street, atthe Swan."
[235][An allusion which has been often explained.]
[235][An allusion which has been often explained.]
[236]About the year 1631, Archbishop Laud, under the patronage of Charles I., undertook the repairing and rebuilding of St Paul's. On this occasion the king went to the cathedral, and, after divine service was performed, solemnly promised to exert his best endeavours to repair the ruins which time, or the casualties of weather, had made therein. In consequence of this scheme, many applications were made to noblemen and gentlemen for their assistance, and, on their refusal to contribute, some were very severely censured, and even fined.
[236]About the year 1631, Archbishop Laud, under the patronage of Charles I., undertook the repairing and rebuilding of St Paul's. On this occasion the king went to the cathedral, and, after divine service was performed, solemnly promised to exert his best endeavours to repair the ruins which time, or the casualties of weather, had made therein. In consequence of this scheme, many applications were made to noblemen and gentlemen for their assistance, and, on their refusal to contribute, some were very severely censured, and even fined.
[237]Most of our ancient maps will sufficiently illustrate this image. The vacant spaces, occasioned by tracts of sea, are usually ornamented with these monsters spouting water.—Steevens.
[237]Most of our ancient maps will sufficiently illustrate this image. The vacant spaces, occasioned by tracts of sea, are usually ornamented with these monsters spouting water.—Steevens.
[238]Among the illegal modes of raising money adopted by Charles I., after he determined to govern without a parliament; the borrowing of money by writs of privy-seal was one not the least burdensome and oppressive. The manner was to direct these writs to particular persons by name, requiring the loan of money, or plate to the amount of the money, to be paid or delivered to a particular person, for the king's use. The form of the writs may be seen in "The Parliamentary History," xiii., 84, where one of them is printed. [But in this passage this speaker also intends a play on the double meaning ofseal.]
[238]Among the illegal modes of raising money adopted by Charles I., after he determined to govern without a parliament; the borrowing of money by writs of privy-seal was one not the least burdensome and oppressive. The manner was to direct these writs to particular persons by name, requiring the loan of money, or plate to the amount of the money, to be paid or delivered to a particular person, for the king's use. The form of the writs may be seen in "The Parliamentary History," xiii., 84, where one of them is printed. [But in this passage this speaker also intends a play on the double meaning ofseal.]
[239]Alluding to a method of catching pikes.—Pegge.
[239]Alluding to a method of catching pikes.—Pegge.
[240][Probably, nimble, sprightly, Fr.leger; unless it should be in the sense indicated by Nares in his "Glossary" under Liedger,i.e., resident; but Bannswright is not described as a pander.]
[240][Probably, nimble, sprightly, Fr.leger; unless it should be in the sense indicated by Nares in his "Glossary" under Liedger,i.e., resident; but Bannswright is not described as a pander.]
[241]A corruption, probably, ofwizand, orweazon.—Steevens.
[241]A corruption, probably, ofwizand, orweazon.—Steevens.
[242]Perhaps he means to sayVin de Dieu;i.e.,Lacrymæ Christi.—Steevens.
[242]Perhaps he means to sayVin de Dieu;i.e.,Lacrymæ Christi.—Steevens.
[243][The old copy here, and again just below, has improperly Plotwell, for Bannswright must be supposed to maintain his disguise at present.]
[243][The old copy here, and again just below, has improperly Plotwell, for Bannswright must be supposed to maintain his disguise at present.]