Chapter 22

"The busy bee, her honey now shemings."

—Surrey,Songs and Sonnets(1557), Description of Spring.

Merchant, "prattlingmerchant" (passim), fellow, chap: frequently in depreciation.Mere, "be usedmere" (WS174,a), simply, solely, "single-eyed," unquestionably, downright.

Merchant, "prattlingmerchant" (passim), fellow, chap: frequently in depreciation.

Mere, "be usedmere" (WS174,a), simply, solely, "single-eyed," unquestionably, downright.

"This ismerefalsehood."

—Shakespeare,Winter's Tale(1604), iii. 2.

Met, "I hope to have his footmet" (M23,d), caught.Mich, "cost him even asmich" (N67,c), much.

Met, "I hope to have his footmet" (M23,d), caught.

Mich, "cost him even asmich" (N67,c), much.

"Alle themychetresour that traytour had wonneneTo commons of the contré, clergye and other."

—Morte Arthure,MS. Lincoln, f. 66.

Mischieve, "herself tomischieve" (IP313,d), harm, injure.

"Grant, I may ever love, and rather wooThose that wouldmischiefme, than those that do."

—Shakespeare,Timon of Athens(1609), iv. 3.

Misericordia, "put out theiof Misericordia, and without aniplay e'en plain trussing corda" (R243,d); the pun survives to this day.Misery, "harlotry,misery, treachery" (R263,d), miserliness, parsimony, coveteousness. "But Brutus, scorning his (Octavius Cæsar's)miseryand niggardliness, gave unto every band a number of wethers to sacrifice."—North,Plutarch(1578), p. 215.Mish, mash, see Driff, draff.Miswomen(IP320,c), a generic reproach: here = strumpets, wantons.

Misericordia, "put out theiof Misericordia, and without aniplay e'en plain trussing corda" (R243,d); the pun survives to this day.

Misery, "harlotry,misery, treachery" (R263,d), miserliness, parsimony, coveteousness. "But Brutus, scorning his (Octavius Cæsar's)miseryand niggardliness, gave unto every band a number of wethers to sacrifice."—North,Plutarch(1578), p. 215.

Mish, mash, see Driff, draff.

Miswomen(IP320,c), a generic reproach: here = strumpets, wantons.

"Fly themiswoman, least she thee deceiue."

—Chaucer,Remedy of Love.

Mo(passim), more.Mome(passim), clown, buffoon, blockhead, fool.Moon, "made you believe themoonwas a green cheese" (R265,c), bamboozled or deceived you; the proverbialism is, in truth, of respectable antiquity: alsocream cheese.Morrow, "on Sundays,on the morrow" (M31,c), in the morning.Moselling, "I fell downmoselling" (JE363,d), originalmoselynge;? drunk (cf., muzzling, muzzy): the E.E.T.S. editors glossmeselynge= diseaseful, frommeasle, but the context would bear my own "shot." "Inmeselyngeglotonye, with goode metis and drynkys trye, I norche my syster Lecherye" (Castell of Persev.[E.E.T.S.], 144, 2258).Mot, mought(passim), might.Mounsire, "Mounsireauthority" (R197,c)—(also R224,b), an early corrupted form of "Monsieur": cf. modernMounseer.Mumchance(WH286,a), a game of hazard with cards or dice: see Nares.Nam, "Nam hæc est mutatio, dexteræ Excelsi: vertitimpios, et non sunt" (M36,d), seePsalmlxxvii. 11, andProv.xii. 7.Namnot, nammot(R267,d), am not: the double negative,ne am not.Narse(WS153,b), arse: the transference of thenof the indefinite article, and a similar process in respect to thenof "mine," "thine," etc. is not infrequent inM.E.; cf. "naunt," "nuncle," "nam," "newt," "nickname," etc.Nature.The text will be found on pages 41-133, together with a reduced facsimile of the title-page of the unique copy now in the British Museum (C34,e54). Bound up with it, at the end of the volume, are two duplicate leaves. In several places (see 105,c; 106,d; 112,d; 114,a) the lower margins have suffered by cutting; otherwise it is a good copy, but without date, place, or printer's name. It is well printed, probably by John Rastell, between 1510-20, and is in excellent preservation. When printing my own text, I was not aware that a fragment comprising two complete and well-preserved pages had been discovered in an album consisting entirely of "Specimens of the English Printers from Caxton to Robert Barker," which Sir John Fenn had collected for the completion of Ames-Herbert'sTypographical Antiquities, and which was offered for sale by Mr. Bernard Quaritch in his Catalogue, No. 237 (pp. 97-99), the price affixed being £280. For the foregoing particulars I am indebted toMaterialen zur Kunde des alterenEnglischen Dramas, so ably edited by Prof. Bang of Louvain University and other well-known English, American, and Continental scholars. I have, so far, been unable to trace the subsequent history of this volume; but I am not without hopes, later on, of being in a position to supply full and detailed particulars.What more nearly concerns the present purpose is the fact that in vol. xii. ofMaterialenare given facsimiles of parts of each of these two pages, by means of which two out of the four lines cut away, each on different pages, have been restored, viz. at 112,dand 114,a—a fortunate and happy circumstance (seeCorrigenda,etc., infra). Another fragment was known to exist at the Bodley. This is mentioned by Mr. Greg in hisHandlist of English Plays; but no particulars are furnished, and on enquiry at the Bodley no trace of the fragment could at first be found. I, thereupon, made search, and at last unearthed it, finding it buried in a mass of uncatalogued early printed scraps. This was after delving through a dozen volumes of similar miscellaneous material, so let it now be ear-marked for future reference. The Bodley shelf-mark is Rawl. 4o598 (12). It came into the Bodleian with the Rawlinson collection of MSS. and printed books in 1755. The fragment (Aiiii) is small, and is apparently of the same edition as the British Museum copy, and the extra leaves. As the Quaritch fragment is also undoubtedly of similar parentage, it is unlikely that the play was printed more than once. The Bodley fragment comprises (a) "But, if Reason tickle ..." (last line p. 49) down to " ... that from above is sent" (p. 50, 11th line of text from bottom); and (b) "No well-advised body ..." (page 51, 11 lines from top) down to "It shall not skill as for this intent" (p. 52, 2 lines from top). By this it will be seen that this recovery does not serve to restore either of the two missing lines, not restored by the other fragments.Naturewas produced before Archbishop Morton in HenryVII.'s reign (see 51,c; 88,b); and Bale states that it was translated into Latin. A period of nearly three days seems to have elapsed between the representation of Parts I. and II. (see 90,d). Other allusions I have dealt with in this Note-Book as they occur. Of the author little is known save what is revealed by the play, and Bale's mention (seeMedwall). From the former it is evident, however, as Prof. Gayley first pointed out, that he must have possessed a remarkably vivid imagination, or have enjoyed a closer acquaintance than might be expected of one of his cloth with the seamy side of London life; forthere are few racier or more realistic bits of description in our early literature than the account given by Sensuality of Fleyng Kat and Margery, of the perversion of the hero by the latter, and of her retirement when deserted to that house of "Strayt Religyon at the Grene Freres hereby," where "all is open as a gose eye." Dr. Gayley remarks that though "the plot is not remarkable, nor the mechanism of it, for almost the only device availed of is that of feigned names, still the author's insight into the conditions of low life, his common sense, his proverbial philosophy, his humorous exhibition of the morals of the day, and his stray and sudden shafts at the foibles of his own religious class, would alone suffice to attract attention to this work. And even more remarkable than this in the history of comedy is Medwall's literary style; his versification excellent and varied, his conversations witty, idiomatic, and facile. Indeed, he is so far beyond the ordinary convention that he writes the first bit of prose to be found in our drama."Naturehas only once before been reprinted in modern times, in Prof. Brandl's admirableQuellenseries. The present text is taken direct from the British Museum copy, and has been re-collated with the original in proof: mere misprints I have, as a rule, not noted. It is proper to point out that the "Humility" of the "Names of the Players" (p. 42) appears in the text, except in one instance, as "Meekness"; likewise that "Good Occupation" is the "Good Business" of the text; "Pride" also is occasionally given as "Pry. Co."Corrigenda, Amended Readings, etc.: TheNames of the Players(42,bandc), these are from the end of play—"things herebelow" (44,b)by lowin original—"Tothewhich end" (50,b), originalye—"noryetso furious" (51,b), originalyt—"pointoversight" (51,c), original haspoint of; my mistake—"use thee as aservant" (52,b), originalservand—"Asfaras" (57,d), originalfor—"And let thywordbecousinto thy deed" (59,a), originalworld...consyn—"Seethat ye commit" (59,b), originalSo—"to every man'sguise" (60,b), originalges—"my chiefcounsellor" (60,c), originalconselour—"Sens.Lord! ye say well" (61,b), between this and the previous line Dr. Brandl pointsout that a line has been dropped, but there is no break in the original copy—"To put himself" (61,c), in originalselse—"[He goeth out....]" (64,d), considerable confusion exists in the original from this point to the end of the next page. The lines beginning "Worldly Affection," "Come hither!" are assigned toThe World, whereas it is clear thatThe Worldgoes out, andMankind, calling toWorldlyAffection(who comes in), continues his speech, addressing the new comer. From this point the speeches now given, rightly I think, toWorldlyAffectionare in original toThe World, except the last on page 65, which appears as a continuation ofMankind'sspeech. I may remark that Dr. Brandl differs—"[Pride]. Who dwelleth here" (66,c), in originalPry. Co.—"worn giltspurs... cuttedwhores" (66,d), originalsperys...horys—"How say ye,sirs" (67,a), originalsyrst: Brandl suggests readingfyrst—"Allez ... vous avant!" (69,c), originalAle seygniour ale vouse auant"—"judge in commonpleas" (71,c), original,place—"Sir! bid him welcome," etc. (72,b), in original the catch-cue to "Sens." is repeated here; the present interpolated "direction" makes the action clear—Man.Me?" (73,a), in originalMan.is misprinted as part of text,Man me?—"Theworldtold me" (73,c), readWorld—"Where theyshall" (93,b), original misprintedshalbe—"Sirs, God speedye!" (112,d), originalyou—"[A line has been shaved away at thefoot of the page]" (112,d), this is now restored from the Quaritch fragment, "Had I set a done(= adown)my gear." A line similarly shaved off at 114,ais also restored by "Iwene he wyll be dede"—"greatscornand disdain" (120,c), originalstorn—"mind and goodwill" (121,b), Dr. Brandl suggests readinglust—"to the uttermost" (122,d), Dr. Brandl suggestsuttermest—"Hespeakethsometime" (126,a), so in original, Dr. Brandl printsseeketh—"[Help] to reform" (128,d), this word is cut away at the foot of the page: the same mishap has occurred at "in this case" (130,a).Ne, "newould" (N124,a), not, neither.Neat, "a horse and aneat" (M26,c), an ox, bullock, cow, heifer: now rare.Nec, "necin hasta," etc. (M18,c), see 1 Reg. xvii. 47—"Non in gladio,necin hasta...."Neck-verse, "he could hisneck-verse" (M27,d), a verse on which one's neck depends, in allusion to hanging: originally "a Latin verse printed in black letter (usually the beginning of the 51st Psalm), formally set before one claiming benefit of clergy, ... by reading which he might save his neck" (O.E.D.). See other volumes of this series.Needings(M34,d), "relieving nature," doing that is necessary.Negligence, (a) "if it please yournegligence" (M21,a),i.e.if an "interval" will be acceptable: this usage = a pleasing relaxation of attention, or absence of restraint, was common enough.

Mo(passim), more.

Mome(passim), clown, buffoon, blockhead, fool.

Moon, "made you believe themoonwas a green cheese" (R265,c), bamboozled or deceived you; the proverbialism is, in truth, of respectable antiquity: alsocream cheese.

Morrow, "on Sundays,on the morrow" (M31,c), in the morning.

Moselling, "I fell downmoselling" (JE363,d), originalmoselynge;? drunk (cf., muzzling, muzzy): the E.E.T.S. editors glossmeselynge= diseaseful, frommeasle, but the context would bear my own "shot." "Inmeselyngeglotonye, with goode metis and drynkys trye, I norche my syster Lecherye" (Castell of Persev.[E.E.T.S.], 144, 2258).

Mot, mought(passim), might.

Mounsire, "Mounsireauthority" (R197,c)—(also R224,b), an early corrupted form of "Monsieur": cf. modernMounseer.

Mumchance(WH286,a), a game of hazard with cards or dice: see Nares.

Nam, "Nam hæc est mutatio, dexteræ Excelsi: vertitimpios, et non sunt" (M36,d), seePsalmlxxvii. 11, andProv.xii. 7.

Namnot, nammot(R267,d), am not: the double negative,ne am not.

Narse(WS153,b), arse: the transference of thenof the indefinite article, and a similar process in respect to thenof "mine," "thine," etc. is not infrequent inM.E.; cf. "naunt," "nuncle," "nam," "newt," "nickname," etc.

Nature.The text will be found on pages 41-133, together with a reduced facsimile of the title-page of the unique copy now in the British Museum (C34,e54). Bound up with it, at the end of the volume, are two duplicate leaves. In several places (see 105,c; 106,d; 112,d; 114,a) the lower margins have suffered by cutting; otherwise it is a good copy, but without date, place, or printer's name. It is well printed, probably by John Rastell, between 1510-20, and is in excellent preservation. When printing my own text, I was not aware that a fragment comprising two complete and well-preserved pages had been discovered in an album consisting entirely of "Specimens of the English Printers from Caxton to Robert Barker," which Sir John Fenn had collected for the completion of Ames-Herbert'sTypographical Antiquities, and which was offered for sale by Mr. Bernard Quaritch in his Catalogue, No. 237 (pp. 97-99), the price affixed being £280. For the foregoing particulars I am indebted toMaterialen zur Kunde des alterenEnglischen Dramas, so ably edited by Prof. Bang of Louvain University and other well-known English, American, and Continental scholars. I have, so far, been unable to trace the subsequent history of this volume; but I am not without hopes, later on, of being in a position to supply full and detailed particulars.What more nearly concerns the present purpose is the fact that in vol. xii. ofMaterialenare given facsimiles of parts of each of these two pages, by means of which two out of the four lines cut away, each on different pages, have been restored, viz. at 112,dand 114,a—a fortunate and happy circumstance (seeCorrigenda,etc., infra). Another fragment was known to exist at the Bodley. This is mentioned by Mr. Greg in hisHandlist of English Plays; but no particulars are furnished, and on enquiry at the Bodley no trace of the fragment could at first be found. I, thereupon, made search, and at last unearthed it, finding it buried in a mass of uncatalogued early printed scraps. This was after delving through a dozen volumes of similar miscellaneous material, so let it now be ear-marked for future reference. The Bodley shelf-mark is Rawl. 4o598 (12). It came into the Bodleian with the Rawlinson collection of MSS. and printed books in 1755. The fragment (Aiiii) is small, and is apparently of the same edition as the British Museum copy, and the extra leaves. As the Quaritch fragment is also undoubtedly of similar parentage, it is unlikely that the play was printed more than once. The Bodley fragment comprises (a) "But, if Reason tickle ..." (last line p. 49) down to " ... that from above is sent" (p. 50, 11th line of text from bottom); and (b) "No well-advised body ..." (page 51, 11 lines from top) down to "It shall not skill as for this intent" (p. 52, 2 lines from top). By this it will be seen that this recovery does not serve to restore either of the two missing lines, not restored by the other fragments.Naturewas produced before Archbishop Morton in HenryVII.'s reign (see 51,c; 88,b); and Bale states that it was translated into Latin. A period of nearly three days seems to have elapsed between the representation of Parts I. and II. (see 90,d). Other allusions I have dealt with in this Note-Book as they occur. Of the author little is known save what is revealed by the play, and Bale's mention (seeMedwall). From the former it is evident, however, as Prof. Gayley first pointed out, that he must have possessed a remarkably vivid imagination, or have enjoyed a closer acquaintance than might be expected of one of his cloth with the seamy side of London life; forthere are few racier or more realistic bits of description in our early literature than the account given by Sensuality of Fleyng Kat and Margery, of the perversion of the hero by the latter, and of her retirement when deserted to that house of "Strayt Religyon at the Grene Freres hereby," where "all is open as a gose eye." Dr. Gayley remarks that though "the plot is not remarkable, nor the mechanism of it, for almost the only device availed of is that of feigned names, still the author's insight into the conditions of low life, his common sense, his proverbial philosophy, his humorous exhibition of the morals of the day, and his stray and sudden shafts at the foibles of his own religious class, would alone suffice to attract attention to this work. And even more remarkable than this in the history of comedy is Medwall's literary style; his versification excellent and varied, his conversations witty, idiomatic, and facile. Indeed, he is so far beyond the ordinary convention that he writes the first bit of prose to be found in our drama."Naturehas only once before been reprinted in modern times, in Prof. Brandl's admirableQuellenseries. The present text is taken direct from the British Museum copy, and has been re-collated with the original in proof: mere misprints I have, as a rule, not noted. It is proper to point out that the "Humility" of the "Names of the Players" (p. 42) appears in the text, except in one instance, as "Meekness"; likewise that "Good Occupation" is the "Good Business" of the text; "Pride" also is occasionally given as "Pry. Co."Corrigenda, Amended Readings, etc.: TheNames of the Players(42,bandc), these are from the end of play—"things herebelow" (44,b)by lowin original—"Tothewhich end" (50,b), originalye—"noryetso furious" (51,b), originalyt—"pointoversight" (51,c), original haspoint of; my mistake—"use thee as aservant" (52,b), originalservand—"Asfaras" (57,d), originalfor—"And let thywordbecousinto thy deed" (59,a), originalworld...consyn—"Seethat ye commit" (59,b), originalSo—"to every man'sguise" (60,b), originalges—"my chiefcounsellor" (60,c), originalconselour—"Sens.Lord! ye say well" (61,b), between this and the previous line Dr. Brandl pointsout that a line has been dropped, but there is no break in the original copy—"To put himself" (61,c), in originalselse—"[He goeth out....]" (64,d), considerable confusion exists in the original from this point to the end of the next page. The lines beginning "Worldly Affection," "Come hither!" are assigned toThe World, whereas it is clear thatThe Worldgoes out, andMankind, calling toWorldlyAffection(who comes in), continues his speech, addressing the new comer. From this point the speeches now given, rightly I think, toWorldlyAffectionare in original toThe World, except the last on page 65, which appears as a continuation ofMankind'sspeech. I may remark that Dr. Brandl differs—"[Pride]. Who dwelleth here" (66,c), in originalPry. Co.—"worn giltspurs... cuttedwhores" (66,d), originalsperys...horys—"How say ye,sirs" (67,a), originalsyrst: Brandl suggests readingfyrst—"Allez ... vous avant!" (69,c), originalAle seygniour ale vouse auant"—"judge in commonpleas" (71,c), original,place—"Sir! bid him welcome," etc. (72,b), in original the catch-cue to "Sens." is repeated here; the present interpolated "direction" makes the action clear—Man.Me?" (73,a), in originalMan.is misprinted as part of text,Man me?—"Theworldtold me" (73,c), readWorld—"Where theyshall" (93,b), original misprintedshalbe—"Sirs, God speedye!" (112,d), originalyou—"[A line has been shaved away at thefoot of the page]" (112,d), this is now restored from the Quaritch fragment, "Had I set a done(= adown)my gear." A line similarly shaved off at 114,ais also restored by "Iwene he wyll be dede"—"greatscornand disdain" (120,c), originalstorn—"mind and goodwill" (121,b), Dr. Brandl suggests readinglust—"to the uttermost" (122,d), Dr. Brandl suggestsuttermest—"Hespeakethsometime" (126,a), so in original, Dr. Brandl printsseeketh—"[Help] to reform" (128,d), this word is cut away at the foot of the page: the same mishap has occurred at "in this case" (130,a).

Ne, "newould" (N124,a), not, neither.

Neat, "a horse and aneat" (M26,c), an ox, bullock, cow, heifer: now rare.

Nec, "necin hasta," etc. (M18,c), see 1 Reg. xvii. 47—"Non in gladio,necin hasta...."

Neck-verse, "he could hisneck-verse" (M27,d), a verse on which one's neck depends, in allusion to hanging: originally "a Latin verse printed in black letter (usually the beginning of the 51st Psalm), formally set before one claiming benefit of clergy, ... by reading which he might save his neck" (O.E.D.). See other volumes of this series.

Needings(M34,d), "relieving nature," doing that is necessary.

Negligence, (a) "if it please yournegligence" (M21,a),i.e.if an "interval" will be acceptable: this usage = a pleasing relaxation of attention, or absence of restraint, was common enough.

(b) "Committed to mynegligence" (N83,a), in sarcasm.

Nemble, "now am Inemble" (IP337,d), nimble: cf. trimble = tremble.Nemesis(R.,passim), the embodiment of retributive justice; this passage serves theO.E.D., being nearly half a century earlier than the first given by Dr. Murray.Nesh, "tender andnesh" (IP337,b), succulent, juicy.Nest, see Feather.New Guise, see Guise.New Jet, see Jet.New Year, "inthe worship of the new year" (IP334,c),i.e.at the next jollification.Nil, see Suffer.Nine stocks, "sit innine stocks" (R220,d). Mr. Magnus thinks the meaning of this somewhat obscure sentence to be that the culprit shall be sentenced to the stocks nine times running; note the exigency of a rhyme tomine locks.Ninnat(R.,passim), ne will not.Nold, "The skitb[r]ainsnold not" (R267,b)—"for shenoldesuffer" (N45a), would not be—n[e w]o[u]ld: cf. Namnot, etc.Noli me tangere, "He is anoli-me-tangere" (M23,b), generic for anybody or anything repellant, an awkward tempered person. "He was wont to say of them that they were of the tribe of Dan, and werenoli me tangere's."—R. Naunton,Frag. Reg.(c.1630), 18 (1870).Nolo, "Nolo mortem peccatoris, inquit" (M37,b): seeEzekielxxviii. 11—"Nolo mortem impii, sed utconvertatus impius a vita sua, et vivat."Nomination, "that is mynomination" (R199,d), name, designation. "Because of these two effectes ... hath it thenominationof kayes."—Frith (d.1533),Workes, p. 58.Non, see Inventus.Nonage, "thenonageof this gentleman" (N53,d), legal minority. "My parents deceased in minenonage."—Godly Queen Hester, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 257,c.Nonny, see Hey.Nourice, "thy tendernourice" (N46,d), nurse. "Flatterers ben the devil'snouricesthat nourish his children with milke of losengrie."—Chaucer,Cant.Tales(1383), Persones Tale.Nymphs, "at hernymphs" (R251,b),i.e.handmaidens, waiting women.Oar, see Boat.Obedient, "subdued to reason as hisobedient" (N55,d), one subject to authority, a subordinate: an earlier instance of the substantive use ofobedientthan that recorded in theO.E.D.by a century and a quarter.Obstinant, "if he beobstinant" (IP346,b), obstinate: theO.E.D.records the word as a substantive, earmarking it "rare," and giving a single quotation only, but the adjectival form is absent.Occupy, "a merchant's place tooccupy" (IP339,b), formerlyoccupywas almost as hard-worked a verb as the modern Americanfix. Amongst other senses it meant, take possession, seize, enter upon, hold, have in possession, enjoy, reside in, tenant, stay, abide, employ, busy about, engage, make use of, etc.Odible, "as carene isodible" (M32,d)—"dispectuous andodible" (M33,b), hateful, odious. "His face was so hatefull and soodyble."—Lydgate,Chron.Troy(1412-20),III.xxiv.Old Boy, "play ever ...the old boy" (N75,b), as one who has become skilled, clever, knowing through practice and experience; foreshadowing the slang usage: cf. "olde souldier,veteranus" (Huloet., 1552).Om(passim), them—'em.Ont(passim), on it—on[i]t.Opray, Opry,"opraycounsel" (N71,c)—"suchopry" (N71,c), not inO.E.D.:? =operary, practical.Organs, "Piers Pickpurse playeth atorgans" (R240,a),i.e.as if fingering an organ: formerly organs (pl.) denoted a single instrument.Osculare, "osculare fundamentum" (M8,c), the modern vulgar jeer wrapped up in Latin.Other(passim), either.Overbliss, "he mayoverblissit" (M17,c), overbless: Nought sarcastically says that Mankind may treat his land too well by using it as a jakes.Oweth, "heowethto be magnified" (M3,b), ought. "Forgotten was no thing Thatowebe done."—Chaucer'sDreme(c.1500), 1405.Owl-flight, "in theowl-flight" (M25,d), when owls go abroad, dusk; here under cover of night. "He ran away by nyght In theowle flyghtLyke a cowarde Knyght."—Skelton,Dk. Albany(c.1529), 312.Oyez(passim). "Hear ye": a call (usually three times given) to command silence and attention.Painful, "painfulministers" (R234,b), "Young,painful, tractable" (WS137,d), careful, diligent, painstaking: cf.careful= full of care;hateful= full of hate, etc. "Vertuous sermons andpainefullpreaching."—Stapleton, tr.Bede's Hist. Ch. Eng.(1565), 79.Pale, "four kine to mypale" (R229,a), an enclosed space, limit: here = holding.Pardon, "forty days ofpardon" (M8,c), an indulgence, a papal warrant of forgiveness of "faults": see other volumes of this series.Paris Gates(N67,a),? the entrance to Paris Garden; see Halliwell and Nares.Parlement, "Aparlement, aparlement," (M35,a), conference, consultation, talk.

Nemble, "now am Inemble" (IP337,d), nimble: cf. trimble = tremble.

Nemesis(R.,passim), the embodiment of retributive justice; this passage serves theO.E.D., being nearly half a century earlier than the first given by Dr. Murray.

Nesh, "tender andnesh" (IP337,b), succulent, juicy.

Nest, see Feather.

New Guise, see Guise.

New Jet, see Jet.

New Year, "inthe worship of the new year" (IP334,c),i.e.at the next jollification.

Nil, see Suffer.

Nine stocks, "sit innine stocks" (R220,d). Mr. Magnus thinks the meaning of this somewhat obscure sentence to be that the culprit shall be sentenced to the stocks nine times running; note the exigency of a rhyme tomine locks.

Ninnat(R.,passim), ne will not.

Nold, "The skitb[r]ainsnold not" (R267,b)—"for shenoldesuffer" (N45a), would not be—n[e w]o[u]ld: cf. Namnot, etc.

Noli me tangere, "He is anoli-me-tangere" (M23,b), generic for anybody or anything repellant, an awkward tempered person. "He was wont to say of them that they were of the tribe of Dan, and werenoli me tangere's."—R. Naunton,Frag. Reg.(c.1630), 18 (1870).

Nolo, "Nolo mortem peccatoris, inquit" (M37,b): seeEzekielxxviii. 11—"Nolo mortem impii, sed utconvertatus impius a vita sua, et vivat."

Nomination, "that is mynomination" (R199,d), name, designation. "Because of these two effectes ... hath it thenominationof kayes."—Frith (d.1533),Workes, p. 58.

Non, see Inventus.

Nonage, "thenonageof this gentleman" (N53,d), legal minority. "My parents deceased in minenonage."—Godly Queen Hester, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 257,c.

Nonny, see Hey.

Nourice, "thy tendernourice" (N46,d), nurse. "Flatterers ben the devil'snouricesthat nourish his children with milke of losengrie."—Chaucer,Cant.Tales(1383), Persones Tale.

Nymphs, "at hernymphs" (R251,b),i.e.handmaidens, waiting women.

Oar, see Boat.

Obedient, "subdued to reason as hisobedient" (N55,d), one subject to authority, a subordinate: an earlier instance of the substantive use ofobedientthan that recorded in theO.E.D.by a century and a quarter.

Obstinant, "if he beobstinant" (IP346,b), obstinate: theO.E.D.records the word as a substantive, earmarking it "rare," and giving a single quotation only, but the adjectival form is absent.

Occupy, "a merchant's place tooccupy" (IP339,b), formerlyoccupywas almost as hard-worked a verb as the modern Americanfix. Amongst other senses it meant, take possession, seize, enter upon, hold, have in possession, enjoy, reside in, tenant, stay, abide, employ, busy about, engage, make use of, etc.

Odible, "as carene isodible" (M32,d)—"dispectuous andodible" (M33,b), hateful, odious. "His face was so hatefull and soodyble."—Lydgate,Chron.Troy(1412-20),III.xxiv.

Old Boy, "play ever ...the old boy" (N75,b), as one who has become skilled, clever, knowing through practice and experience; foreshadowing the slang usage: cf. "olde souldier,veteranus" (Huloet., 1552).

Om(passim), them—'em.

Ont(passim), on it—on[i]t.

Opray, Opry,"opraycounsel" (N71,c)—"suchopry" (N71,c), not inO.E.D.:? =operary, practical.

Organs, "Piers Pickpurse playeth atorgans" (R240,a),i.e.as if fingering an organ: formerly organs (pl.) denoted a single instrument.

Osculare, "osculare fundamentum" (M8,c), the modern vulgar jeer wrapped up in Latin.

Other(passim), either.

Overbliss, "he mayoverblissit" (M17,c), overbless: Nought sarcastically says that Mankind may treat his land too well by using it as a jakes.

Oweth, "heowethto be magnified" (M3,b), ought. "Forgotten was no thing Thatowebe done."—Chaucer'sDreme(c.1500), 1405.

Owl-flight, "in theowl-flight" (M25,d), when owls go abroad, dusk; here under cover of night. "He ran away by nyght In theowle flyghtLyke a cowarde Knyght."—Skelton,Dk. Albany(c.1529), 312.

Oyez(passim). "Hear ye": a call (usually three times given) to command silence and attention.

Painful, "painfulministers" (R234,b), "Young,painful, tractable" (WS137,d), careful, diligent, painstaking: cf.careful= full of care;hateful= full of hate, etc. "Vertuous sermons andpainefullpreaching."—Stapleton, tr.Bede's Hist. Ch. Eng.(1565), 79.

Pale, "four kine to mypale" (R229,a), an enclosed space, limit: here = holding.

Pardon, "forty days ofpardon" (M8,c), an indulgence, a papal warrant of forgiveness of "faults": see other volumes of this series.

Paris Gates(N67,a),? the entrance to Paris Garden; see Halliwell and Nares.

Parlement, "Aparlement, aparlement," (M35,a), conference, consultation, talk.

"He sent to his barrons aparlementto hold."

—Robert de Brunne,p. 244.

Participable, "beparticipable of" (M3,d), partakers of.Party, see Mankind,Amended Readings.Pash, Passhe(passim), (a) the Passover, Easter-tide, properly Pasch.

Participable, "beparticipable of" (M3,d), partakers of.

Party, see Mankind,Amended Readings.

Pash, Passhe(passim), (a) the Passover, Easter-tide, properly Pasch.

(b) "Pashhead!pashbrain" (WS143,b), smash, dash to pieces.

"Andpashthe jaws of serpents venomous."

—Marlowe, 1Tamburlaine(1590), i. 1.

Pass, "I do notpass" (WS147,c), care, reck, mind: see other volumes of this series.Passeive, "wepasseive" (R212,a), perceive.Passible, "obedient andpassible" (M33,a), able to feel or suffer. "Therein he assumed human nature, mortal, andpassible."—Chr. Sutton,Godly Meditations(1622), p. 24 (ed. 1849).Patrociny, "my severalpatrociny" (M40,c), patronage, protection, defence, support. "To take hym and his pore causis into yourpatrocynyeand protection."—Wolsey,Lett. to Gardener(1529) in Strype,Eccl. Mem.,I.App. xxxiii. 92.Patus, "I beshrew yourpatus" (M21,c), head: mock Latin.Paul's steeple, etc. (passim), Paul's (Poules, Paules, Powlys, Pawles, etc.),i.e.St. Paul's Cathedral in London, a favourite lounge and business resort in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,—hence frequent allusions in old writers.Peak, "bold topeakin" (R255,d), peep. "That other pries andpeekesin euery place."—Gascoigne,Steele Glas.(1576), 68 (Arber).Peason, (a) "peasonknaves" (R213,c), peasant knaves: a generic reproach = low fellow, rascal, "villain." Possibly also with an eye on the chieffood staple of the lower classes in Tudor times, pease (or peason) and beans.

Pass, "I do notpass" (WS147,c), care, reck, mind: see other volumes of this series.

Passeive, "wepasseive" (R212,a), perceive.

Passible, "obedient andpassible" (M33,a), able to feel or suffer. "Therein he assumed human nature, mortal, andpassible."—Chr. Sutton,Godly Meditations(1622), p. 24 (ed. 1849).

Patrociny, "my severalpatrociny" (M40,c), patronage, protection, defence, support. "To take hym and his pore causis into yourpatrocynyeand protection."—Wolsey,Lett. to Gardener(1529) in Strype,Eccl. Mem.,I.App. xxxiii. 92.

Patus, "I beshrew yourpatus" (M21,c), head: mock Latin.

Paul's steeple, etc. (passim), Paul's (Poules, Paules, Powlys, Pawles, etc.),i.e.St. Paul's Cathedral in London, a favourite lounge and business resort in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,—hence frequent allusions in old writers.

Peak, "bold topeakin" (R255,d), peep. "That other pries andpeekesin euery place."—Gascoigne,Steele Glas.(1576), 68 (Arber).

Peason, (a) "peasonknaves" (R213,c), peasant knaves: a generic reproach = low fellow, rascal, "villain." Possibly also with an eye on the chieffood staple of the lower classes in Tudor times, pease (or peason) and beans.

(b) see Peson.

Peers, "with all their oldpeers" (IP346,c), associates, companions:perersin original. "Children sittynge in Cheepynge ... cryinge to herpeeris."—Wyclif,Matt.xi. 16 (1382).Permounted, "how ye beethpermounted" (R256,c), ? a portmanteau wordpromoted+mounted.Persecuted, "how shall this redress be wellpersecuted" (R269,c), pursued (Magnus).Perswaged, "champerswaged" (passim), persuaded.Perversious, "thisperversiousingratitude" (M33,b), perverse.Pervertionate, "that ever bepervertionate" (M10,c), perverse.Perzent, "whom itch doperzent" (R211,a), represent.Peson, "piss mypeson" (M12,c), whatpesonmeans is somewhat obscure. The recorded meanings are (1) = pl. of pease; (2) a staff-like instrument used for weighing purposes before scales were employed, and so, maybe, a staff. The context, however, would seem to suggestpeasonas a shortened or popular name of thepeasecod doublet, a long-breasted garment carried down to a long peak in front, having the lower part stiffly quilted and projecting.Pestel, "apestelon him" (R199,a),i.e.apestilence.Petticoat, "have at thy petticoat" (R270,d); cf. "I'll pay him o' th'petticoat."—Misogonus, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 157,b. "I dare jeopard a groat, If he may reach them, will have on thepetticoat."—Jacoband Esau, 2 Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 77,c.Pew, "God give him an illpew" (JE363,c), in original pue: a rare transferred usage of the common word = "station, situation, allotted place" (O.E.D.). "Ye lat me peyne here in a peynfullpewe, That is a place of grete doloures."—Pety Job(c.1400) 555, in 26Pol. Poems, 139.Pie, "hands be in thepie" (R191,d), the modern "finger in the pie" is more modest; the present example is the earliest given in theO.E.D.Pike, "pikethee home" (WS157,a)—"they bad mepikeme home" (R256,a), walk, be off, get home. Mr. Magnus glosses the Respublica example, "pick." "He bad them then gopykethem home."—AneBallat of Matrymonie(c.1570) in Laing,Pop. Poet.Scotland, ii. 77.Pip, "God send them both thepip" (R215,c), properly a disease peculiar to poultry and the like, but frequently used jocosely by old writers for various diseases in human beings, specifically, however, of the pox. "I have a master: I wolld he had yepyppe."—Play Sacram(c.1460), 525.Piss, see Rods.Plain, "did not ichplainme to you?" (R229,d), complain, lament, bewail.

Peers, "with all their oldpeers" (IP346,c), associates, companions:perersin original. "Children sittynge in Cheepynge ... cryinge to herpeeris."—Wyclif,Matt.xi. 16 (1382).

Permounted, "how ye beethpermounted" (R256,c), ? a portmanteau wordpromoted+mounted.

Persecuted, "how shall this redress be wellpersecuted" (R269,c), pursued (Magnus).

Perswaged, "champerswaged" (passim), persuaded.

Perversious, "thisperversiousingratitude" (M33,b), perverse.

Pervertionate, "that ever bepervertionate" (M10,c), perverse.

Perzent, "whom itch doperzent" (R211,a), represent.

Peson, "piss mypeson" (M12,c), whatpesonmeans is somewhat obscure. The recorded meanings are (1) = pl. of pease; (2) a staff-like instrument used for weighing purposes before scales were employed, and so, maybe, a staff. The context, however, would seem to suggestpeasonas a shortened or popular name of thepeasecod doublet, a long-breasted garment carried down to a long peak in front, having the lower part stiffly quilted and projecting.

Pestel, "apestelon him" (R199,a),i.e.apestilence.

Petticoat, "have at thy petticoat" (R270,d); cf. "I'll pay him o' th'petticoat."—Misogonus, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 157,b. "I dare jeopard a groat, If he may reach them, will have on thepetticoat."—Jacoband Esau, 2 Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 77,c.

Pew, "God give him an illpew" (JE363,c), in original pue: a rare transferred usage of the common word = "station, situation, allotted place" (O.E.D.). "Ye lat me peyne here in a peynfullpewe, That is a place of grete doloures."—Pety Job(c.1400) 555, in 26Pol. Poems, 139.

Pie, "hands be in thepie" (R191,d), the modern "finger in the pie" is more modest; the present example is the earliest given in theO.E.D.

Pike, "pikethee home" (WS157,a)—"they bad mepikeme home" (R256,a), walk, be off, get home. Mr. Magnus glosses the Respublica example, "pick." "He bad them then gopykethem home."—AneBallat of Matrymonie(c.1570) in Laing,Pop. Poet.Scotland, ii. 77.

Pip, "God send them both thepip" (R215,c), properly a disease peculiar to poultry and the like, but frequently used jocosely by old writers for various diseases in human beings, specifically, however, of the pox. "I have a master: I wolld he had yepyppe."—Play Sacram(c.1460), 525.

Piss, see Rods.

Plain, "did not ichplainme to you?" (R229,d), complain, lament, bewail.

"Erles & barons at ther first samnyng,For many maner resonspleynedof the king."

—Robert de Brunne, p. 312.

Players (The names of the).The following references to Players' Names in this volume and the Play in which they occur may be of service.

Abstinence (N); Abundance (IP); Actio (JE); Adulation (R); Avarice (R).Bodily Lust (N).Charity (N); Chastity (N); Colhazard (IP); Comfort (WS); Confidence (WS); Conscience (IP).Diligence (WS).Envy (N and IP); Eugenio (JE); Evil Counsel (JE); Experience (WS).Fame (WS); Favour (WS).Garcon (N); Gluttony (N); Good Occupation (N).Hance (WH); Health (WH); Honest Recreation (WS); Humility (N).Idleness (WS); Idleness (JE); Ill-Will (WH); Impatient Poverty (IP); Ingnorancy (WS); Innocency (N); Insolence (R); Instruction (WS); Irisdision (JE).Justicia (R).Liberality (N); Liberty (WH).Man (N); Mankind (M); Mercy (M); Mischief (M); Misericordia (R); Misrule (IP); Mundus (N).Nature (N); Nemesis (R); New Guise (M); Nought (M); Now-a-days (M).Oppression (R).Patience (N); Pax (R); Peace (IP); People (R); Poverty (IP); Pride(N); Prologue (R); Prosperity (IP).Quickness (WS).Reason (N and WS); Remedy (WH); Respublica (R); Riches (WS).St. John the Evangelist (JE); Science (WS); Sensuality (N); Shame (WS); Shamefacedness (N); Shrewd Wit (WH); Sloth (N); Strength (WS); Study (WS); Sumner (IP).Tediousness (WS); Titivillus (M).Veritas (R).Wealth (WH); Wit (WS); Worldly Affection (N); Worship (WS); Wrath (N).

Abstinence (N); Abundance (IP); Actio (JE); Adulation (R); Avarice (R).

Bodily Lust (N).

Charity (N); Chastity (N); Colhazard (IP); Comfort (WS); Confidence (WS); Conscience (IP).

Diligence (WS).

Envy (N and IP); Eugenio (JE); Evil Counsel (JE); Experience (WS).

Fame (WS); Favour (WS).

Garcon (N); Gluttony (N); Good Occupation (N).

Hance (WH); Health (WH); Honest Recreation (WS); Humility (N).

Idleness (WS); Idleness (JE); Ill-Will (WH); Impatient Poverty (IP); Ingnorancy (WS); Innocency (N); Insolence (R); Instruction (WS); Irisdision (JE).

Justicia (R).

Liberality (N); Liberty (WH).

Man (N); Mankind (M); Mercy (M); Mischief (M); Misericordia (R); Misrule (IP); Mundus (N).

Nature (N); Nemesis (R); New Guise (M); Nought (M); Now-a-days (M).

Oppression (R).

Patience (N); Pax (R); Peace (IP); People (R); Poverty (IP); Pride(N); Prologue (R); Prosperity (IP).

Quickness (WS).

Reason (N and WS); Remedy (WH); Respublica (R); Riches (WS).

St. John the Evangelist (JE); Science (WS); Sensuality (N); Shame (WS); Shamefacedness (N); Shrewd Wit (WH); Sloth (N); Strength (WS); Study (WS); Sumner (IP).

Tediousness (WS); Titivillus (M).

Veritas (R).

Wealth (WH); Wit (WS); Worldly Affection (N); Worship (WS); Wrath (N).

Plette, "whom should Iplette" (IP341,d), plead.

"About eftsoones for toplete,And bring on you advocacies new?"

—Chaucer,Troilus and Creseide, ii.

Pleyseris, "ye may bepleyseriswith the angels above" (M40,d), so in original: Manly suggestspartakers.Policate, "such apolicatewit" (R213,b), polished: ? a compound ofpolished+delicate, or a corruption ofpolitic= sharp, clever, well-devised.Poll, "I see you wouldpollme" (R220,c), plunder, pillage, rob.Populorum, "by his preciouspopulorum" (R259,b) A coinage of no special worth save a bare record.Port, "Wealth hath greatport" (WH279,d), carriage, mien, bearing, state. "With anotherport."—Jacoband Esau, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 72,c. "Keep house, andport, and servants as I should."—Shakespeare,Taming of the Shrew(1593), i. 1.Potestate, "a worthypotestate" (N71,b), potentate, chief authority. "And whanne thei leeden you unto synagogis and to magistratis andpotestatis; nyle ye be bisy how or what ye schulen answere, or what ye schulen scye."—Wycliffe,Lukexii.Poticary(N125,a), apothecary: see Heywood,TheFour P.P.Precise, "as Himself dothprecise" (M37,b), to determine with precision: cf. Fr.preciser.Preclair, "preclairpre-eminence" (IP347,d), illustrious, eminent. "That puissant princepreclair." Lyndesay,Monarche.Preys, "the gubbins of booties andpreys" (R183,d), spoil, plunder.Pryke, "prykenot your felicities" (M4,b), fix.Prime, "mass and matins, hours andprime" (M31,c)—"byprime" (JE360,c), the first of the canonical hours, succeeding to lauds.Privity, see Jewels.Promidence, "climbing up aloft for promidence" (R212,d),? prominence, predominance.Prout, "zo thickproutwhorecop" (R256,b)—"maketh usprout" (R256,c), proud: in originalprowteandproutrespectively; A.S. prut.Puddings, see Dogs.Purvey, Purveyed,"purveysuch a lad" (N68,b; also 65,c)—"hathpurveyedme" (N43,c), provide, plan, contrive: specifically to supply provisions.Puttock(JE363,b), properly the common kite, but also applied to other birds of prey.Qualified, "would not bequalified" (R224,c), appeased, mollified, calmed. "Whan the quene was thusqualyfyed"—tr.Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist.(c.1540), 210 (Camden, No. 29).Quorum, see Justices of Quorum.Rail, "if thourailtoo far" (N52,b), wander, roam. "Irayle, I straye abrode,je trace, je tracasse. He doth naught els butraylehere and there."—Palsgrave,Lang. Franc.(1530), 678, I.Raise, "is that the great love yeraiseher" (WS147,a), bear: cf. the now (except as regards cattle) rare sense ofraise= beget.Rat, "we have smelled arat" (R187,a), one of the earliest instances of this proverbial saying.Rather, "later orrather" (R188,c), earlier. "Aftir me is comun a man, which was maad bifor me; for he wasratherthan Y."—Wyclif (1388),Johni. 30.Raught, "raughtto Cumberland" (R254,a), reached.Rebated, "openlyrebated" (R197,a): see Respublica,Var. readings, etc.Rech, "For other wealth I notrech" (WH278,c), strive or reach out for.Recreatory, "my singularrecreatory" (M38,d), source of comfort, "joy": the only quotation in theO.E.D.Recumbentibus, "a shrewdrecumbentibus" (M20,b)—"speak to Mankind for therecumbentibusof my jewels" (M22,c), "a knock-down blow" (O.E.D.), but the second example does not quite fit this sense which seems to refer to the position of the object attacked, rather than the act of attacking.Red cap, "him that wears thered cap" (WH303,c). Remedy seems to have worn a red cap:? as the symbol of spiritual authority. The term is of rare occurrence; only two examples of so early a date are quoted in theO.E.D., both from State papers—(a) "CaptaineRedde Cappe, one of the rebelles of the last yere" (1549); (b) =red-hat= cardinal (1539).Rede, "by myrede" (N121,d), counsel. Also as verb.Redford (John), musician, poet, and writer of interludes, was, according to Hawkins, organist and almoner of St. Pauls. Tusser, in his autobiographical poem, mentions him as master of the children of St. Paul's about 1535. As a musician, his instrumental works are well known, consisting mainly of florid counterpoint upon a plain song. As master of the children at St. Paul's, it was part of his duty to provide dramatic entertainments. A quaint specimen of his skill in this respect is afforded by his "Wit and Science." This is preserved among the additional MSS. at the British Museum (No. 15,233), the memorandum book in which it is written, and of which the original binding is still in excellent condition, containing some musical sketches (possibly memoranda only), and fragments of two other moralities, one of them in Redford's name. The date of his death is unknown, but as Sebastian Westcott was master ofthe children of St. Paul's in 1559, probably Redford had died before that date.

Pleyseris, "ye may bepleyseriswith the angels above" (M40,d), so in original: Manly suggestspartakers.

Policate, "such apolicatewit" (R213,b), polished: ? a compound ofpolished+delicate, or a corruption ofpolitic= sharp, clever, well-devised.

Poll, "I see you wouldpollme" (R220,c), plunder, pillage, rob.

Populorum, "by his preciouspopulorum" (R259,b) A coinage of no special worth save a bare record.

Port, "Wealth hath greatport" (WH279,d), carriage, mien, bearing, state. "With anotherport."—Jacoband Esau, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 72,c. "Keep house, andport, and servants as I should."—Shakespeare,Taming of the Shrew(1593), i. 1.

Potestate, "a worthypotestate" (N71,b), potentate, chief authority. "And whanne thei leeden you unto synagogis and to magistratis andpotestatis; nyle ye be bisy how or what ye schulen answere, or what ye schulen scye."—Wycliffe,Lukexii.

Poticary(N125,a), apothecary: see Heywood,TheFour P.P.

Precise, "as Himself dothprecise" (M37,b), to determine with precision: cf. Fr.preciser.

Preclair, "preclairpre-eminence" (IP347,d), illustrious, eminent. "That puissant princepreclair." Lyndesay,Monarche.

Preys, "the gubbins of booties andpreys" (R183,d), spoil, plunder.

Pryke, "prykenot your felicities" (M4,b), fix.

Prime, "mass and matins, hours andprime" (M31,c)—"byprime" (JE360,c), the first of the canonical hours, succeeding to lauds.

Privity, see Jewels.

Promidence, "climbing up aloft for promidence" (R212,d),? prominence, predominance.

Prout, "zo thickproutwhorecop" (R256,b)—"maketh usprout" (R256,c), proud: in originalprowteandproutrespectively; A.S. prut.

Puddings, see Dogs.

Purvey, Purveyed,"purveysuch a lad" (N68,b; also 65,c)—"hathpurveyedme" (N43,c), provide, plan, contrive: specifically to supply provisions.

Puttock(JE363,b), properly the common kite, but also applied to other birds of prey.

Qualified, "would not bequalified" (R224,c), appeased, mollified, calmed. "Whan the quene was thusqualyfyed"—tr.Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist.(c.1540), 210 (Camden, No. 29).

Quorum, see Justices of Quorum.

Rail, "if thourailtoo far" (N52,b), wander, roam. "Irayle, I straye abrode,je trace, je tracasse. He doth naught els butraylehere and there."—Palsgrave,Lang. Franc.(1530), 678, I.

Raise, "is that the great love yeraiseher" (WS147,a), bear: cf. the now (except as regards cattle) rare sense ofraise= beget.

Rat, "we have smelled arat" (R187,a), one of the earliest instances of this proverbial saying.

Rather, "later orrather" (R188,c), earlier. "Aftir me is comun a man, which was maad bifor me; for he wasratherthan Y."—Wyclif (1388),Johni. 30.

Raught, "raughtto Cumberland" (R254,a), reached.

Rebated, "openlyrebated" (R197,a): see Respublica,Var. readings, etc.

Rech, "For other wealth I notrech" (WH278,c), strive or reach out for.

Recreatory, "my singularrecreatory" (M38,d), source of comfort, "joy": the only quotation in theO.E.D.

Recumbentibus, "a shrewdrecumbentibus" (M20,b)—"speak to Mankind for therecumbentibusof my jewels" (M22,c), "a knock-down blow" (O.E.D.), but the second example does not quite fit this sense which seems to refer to the position of the object attacked, rather than the act of attacking.

Red cap, "him that wears thered cap" (WH303,c). Remedy seems to have worn a red cap:? as the symbol of spiritual authority. The term is of rare occurrence; only two examples of so early a date are quoted in theO.E.D., both from State papers—(a) "CaptaineRedde Cappe, one of the rebelles of the last yere" (1549); (b) =red-hat= cardinal (1539).

Rede, "by myrede" (N121,d), counsel. Also as verb.

Redford (John), musician, poet, and writer of interludes, was, according to Hawkins, organist and almoner of St. Pauls. Tusser, in his autobiographical poem, mentions him as master of the children of St. Paul's about 1535. As a musician, his instrumental works are well known, consisting mainly of florid counterpoint upon a plain song. As master of the children at St. Paul's, it was part of his duty to provide dramatic entertainments. A quaint specimen of his skill in this respect is afforded by his "Wit and Science." This is preserved among the additional MSS. at the British Museum (No. 15,233), the memorandum book in which it is written, and of which the original binding is still in excellent condition, containing some musical sketches (possibly memoranda only), and fragments of two other moralities, one of them in Redford's name. The date of his death is unknown, but as Sebastian Westcott was master ofthe children of St. Paul's in 1559, probably Redford had died before that date.

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