[157]Parvus et Magnus Catho, printed by Caxton, n.d. 4to. Chaucer, in hisMiller's Tale(Chaucer's Works, ed. Bell, i. 194), describes the old carpenter of Oxford, who had married a young girl, as having neglected to study [Magnus]Catho, which prescribed that marriages ought to take place between persons of about the same age."He knew not Catoun, for his wyt was rude,That bad man schulde wedde his similitude."No doubt bothCatoandParvus Catocirculated in MS. before the invention of printing. The former was printed by Caxton in 1483-4. See Blades (Life and Typography of William Caxton, ii. 53-4).[158]Parishioners. This jest is included by Johnson in hisPleasant Conceits of Old Hobson, the Merry Londoner, 1607 (reprinted 1843. p. 17).[159]Sell away.[160]John ap Jenkin.[161]The original haswho so ever that.[162]Baillie or magistrate, from the old French wordbailli.[163]This form ofit, though it does not occur in theC. Mery Tales, is very common in old English works; see theSeven Sages, edited by Wright, 1845, for the Percy Society, and theAnglo-Saxon Passion of St. George, 1850 (Percy Soc.).[164]The original haswhan she turned her to have taken money.[165]Cheating.[166]The word seems to be here used in a rare sense. The meaning isbulging.[167]This word (Latinèpallium) was originally used in a special and exclusive signification.[168]Singer explains this to meangazeth.[169]Found fault with it.[170]There is probably some corruption here. We ought perhaps to read: "and toketohis leggesas ifto go."[171]Weened.[172]Noctes Atticæ, translated by Belue, vol. i. p. 86. TheHistorie of Papyrius Prætextatusis related in the 18th Novel of the 1st Tome of Painter'sPalace of Pleasure.[173]Deceit, or what would now be called awhite lie.[174]i.e.which of the two.[175]Go easily.[176]This old phrase is still in colloquial use. "A good sight better," or a "great sight more," are well understood terms among us, though vulgar.[177]A rare word as a verb, though the adjectivepeakishis common enough in old English writers. Bypeakedwe must understand "stole" or got admission by stealth.[178]A literal rendering of the Fr.mignon, delicate or dainty.[179]Neatly.[180]The germ of this and the fallowing story may be found in Lane'sArabian Tales and Anecdotes, p. 112.[181]Importuned.[182]Prowled.[183]Careful.[184]Diogenes Laertius (Lives of the Philosophers, translated by Yonge. 1853, p. 18).[185]The orig. readswhiche on a tyme. I have therefore ventured to strike out the unnecessary word.[186]A cant term for a bonnet.[187]Thick bushy hair.[188]See Brand'sPopular Antiquities, ed. 1849, iii. 132, where Brand cites Melton'sAstrologaster, or the Figure-Caster, 1620, to show that to dream of the devil and of gold was deemed an equally lucky portent. To dream of gold is also pronounced a happy omen in theCountryman's Counsellor. 1633.[189]Dreams. Thus Chaucer, in the opening lines of theHouse of Fame(called in the old editions and in the present text theBoke of Fame), says: —"God turne us every dreme to goode!For hyt is wonder thing, be the roode,To my wytte, what causeth swevenesEyther on morwes, or on evenes."For examples of the later use of the word, see Nares by Halliwell and Wright, art.Sweven.[190]Boasting.[191]Singer readsflee.[192]Headlong.[193]Step, from the Latingrassusorgressus.[194]Circumlocutory.—Singer.[195]Vide supra, p. 22.[196]A word used by Chaucer. It signifies a person licensed to preach and beg within a certainlimit. There was an order of mendicant friars."Lordings, ther is in Engelond, I gesse,A mersschly land called Holdernesse,In which there went a lymytour aboute,To preche and eek to begge, it is no doubte."Chaucer'sSompnour's Tale; Works, ed. Bell. ii. 103.[197]Scrowl.[198]In orig. and in Singer this is printed as prose, according to the usual practice. The same is the case with the line below.[199]Narrative or account. In its original signification, libel merely impliedlibellus, a little book or volume, a pamphlet, but not necessarily one of an offensive kind.[200]Silly and licentious talk. Taylor the Water-Poet, at the end of hisWit and Mirth, 1622 (Works, 1630, folio I. p. 200), uses the expressionRibble-rabble of Gossips, which seems to be a phrase of very similar import.[201]Padua.[202]Hovered. This form of the word is used by Gower and Spenser. See Nares (ed. 1859), voceHove.[203]Rustic.[204]Inn.[205]SeeIntroductionvi.[206]Debt.[207]Adultery. The word occurs in Bacon's Essays. In hisEssay of Empire, the writer says:—"This kind of danger is then to be feared chiefly when the wives have plots for the raising of their own children, or else that they beadvoutresses." Sir Simonds D'Ewes, in his account of the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, in 1613, describes the Countess of Essex as "Somerset'sadvoutress" (Autobiography and Correspondence of Sir Simonds D'Ewes, ed. Halliwell, I. 74).[208]An old form ofneither.[209]In orig.desired him of.[210]Orig. readssayd.[211]Whither.[212]Dionysius.[213]Orig. readsche.[214]Importunateseems to be used here in the sense ofoppressiveoroverbearing.[215]Fr. "guerir," to heal.[216]Poor, or, perhaps, poorly.[217]Orig. readsall to. We take the true meaning to bealto, as above,i.e.in a loud key.[218]Delude him with the false notion.To bear on hande, I presume to be synonymous withTo bear in handeof the use of which among old authors several examples are furnished by Nares (edit. 1859).[219]Shells.[220]Conjecture.[221]Orig. and Singer readan.[222]Innkeeper.[223]Jealous, careful.[224]Pressed.[225]Wreaked, revenged.[226]Reconcile them.[227]i. e.according to their degree of madness. SeeIntroduction, viii. ix.[228]Assortment.[229]Goods[230]This old Yorkshire family produced several persons eminent in the legal profession from the time of Henry I. downward; but the one here intended was, in all probability, John Vavasour, who became Recorder of York, I Henry VII., and was made a justice of the Common Pleas in August, 1490. See Foss'sJudges of England, v. 78, 79.[231]Of me.[232]i. e.availed, has been worth £100 to me.[233]i. e. cameto, or amounted to, covered.[234]Hovered,i. e.halted for shelter.[235]Laid it in pledge.[236]Knot, party.[237]To grow faint.[238]Crowd.[239]Usually. See Nares, edit. 1839,in voce.[240]This story is to be found in Poggius, who calls itMortuus Loquens, and from Poggius it was transferred by Grazzini to his collection of Tales, not published till after his death.[241]Scarcely.[242]Readily. A story very like this occurs inA Sackful of Newes, 1673. It was originally related by Poggius in his Facetiæ, where it is entitledAsinus Perditus, and it has been imitated by La Fontaine in the fable of "Le Villageois qui cherche son veau." It is also the 12th tale ofLes Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles.[243]Before.[244]Pillaged.[245]"Now there was oneMarcus Livius, aRomainethat was Gouernour ofTarentumat that time whenHanniballtooke it, and neverthelesse kept the castell still out ofHannibalshands, and so held it untill the city came againe into the hands of theRomaines. ThisLiviusspited to see such honour done toFabius, so that one day in open Senate, being drowned with enuy and ambition, he burst out and said, that it was himselfe, notFabius, that was cause of taking of the city ofTarentumagain.Fabius, smiling to hear him, answeryd him opely: 'Indeed, thou saiest true, for if thou hadst not lost it, I had never won it again.'"—Plutarch'sLives, transl. by Sir T. North, ed. 1603, fol. 192.[246]Πὁλτυς, ὁ Θρακὡν Βασιλεὑς εν τὡ Τρωικὡ πολἑμω πρεσβυσαμἑνων πρὁςαὑτον αα τὡν Τρὡων και τὡν Ἁχαιὡν, εκἑλευσε τὁν Ἁλἑξανδρον αποδὁντα τἡν Ἑλἑνην, δὑο παρ αὑτου λαβεἱν καλἁς γυναἱκασαὑτου λαβεἱν καλἁς γυναἱκασ—PlutarchiApothegmata(Opera Moralia et Philosophica, vol. vi. p. 665, edit. Lipsiæ, 1777).[247]See the 21st Novel of the 1st tome of thePalace of Pleasure(Haslewood's edit. i. 74).[248]"Quibus perlectis, quum se consideraturum, adhibitis amicis, quid faciendum sibi esset, dixisset, Popilius, pro cetera asperitate animi, virga, quam in manu gerebat, circumscripsit regem: ac, 'Priusquam hoc circulo excedas,' inquit, 'redde responsum, senatui quod referam.' Obstupefactus tam violento imperio parumper quum hæsitasset, 'Faciam,' inquit 'quod censet Senatus.' Tun demum Popilius dextram regi, tanquam socio atque amico, porrexit."—Livy, lib. xlv. c. 12, edit. Twiss.[249]Edged.[250]"Mal est caché a qui l'on void le dos."—Leigh'sSelect French Proverbs, 1664.[251]Good fortune.[252]Casting of lots.[253]Lampsacus.[254]Anaximenes, the historian, who wrote an account of the Life of Alexander the Great. He was a native of Lampsacus, and the nephew of the orator of the same name.[255]i.e.Discharge, or acquit herself of, her trust.[256]Uncouth. "If thou shuldest refuse to do any of these thynges, and woldest assaye to do some thing of more sadnes and prudence, they wyll esteme and count the vnmanerly,cloubbysshe, frowarde, and clene contrarye to all mennes myndes."—ErasmusDe Contemptu Mundi, transl. by Thomas Paynel, 1533, fol. 42. "Rusticitie may seem to be an ignorance of honesty and comelinesse. A Clowne or rude fellow is he, who will goe into a crowd or presse, when he hath taken a purge: and hee that sayth, that Garlicke is as sweet as a gillifiower: that weares shooes much larger then his foot: that speakes alwaies very loud:" &c.,—Theophrastus His Characters, translated by John Healey, 1616, pp. 15, 16. It is a generally received opinion that this work has come down to us in a corrupt shape.[257]Times were altered when the curious ballad "These Knights will hack," printed by Mr. Halliwell from Addit. MS. 5832, in one of the Shakespeare Society's publications (Marriage of Wit and Wisdom, &c., p. 144), was directed against the mushroom-knights of James I.:—"Come all you farmers out of the countrey,Carters, plowmen, hedgers, and all,Tom, Dick, and Will, Ralph, Roger, and Humphrey,Leave of your gestures rusticall.Bidde all your home-sponne russets adue,And sute yourselves in fashions new:Honour invits you to delights;Come all to court, and be made knights.He that hath fortie pounds per annumShal be promoted from the plow:His wife shall take the wall of her grannam,Honour is sould so dog-cheap now," &c.[258]Consult the new edition of Nares' Glossary, voceWalsingham. "This is an Image of oure Ladye. Ergo it is oure Ladye, and here she wyll worke wounders more than in an other place, as she dyd at Walsingham, at Boston, at Lincoln, at Ipswiche, and I cannot tell where."—Wilson'sRule of Reason, 1551, 8vo. sign S iiverso. In Percy'sReliques, ii. 91, is the ballad "As I went to Walsingham." "Have with you to Walsingham" is mentioned as a musical composition in Ward'sLives of the Professors of Gresham College. See also Burney'sHist. of Music, iii. p. 111. When people employed this form of adjuration, as was formerly very common, they were said, for brevity's sake, "to swear Walsingham." In the play ofThe Weakest Goeth to the Wall, 1600, 4to. Barnaby Bunch the Botcher sings:"King Richard's gone to Walsingham,To the Holy Land!"with what are intended for comic interlocutions. In March, 1502—3, Elizabeth of York, consort of Henry VII, made an oblation of six shillings and eightpence to "oure lady of Walsingham" (Privy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York, edited by Nicolas, p. 3). This offering may not appear very large, but it was thought a considerable sum to devote to the purpose in those days; for in theNorthumberland Household Book, ed. 1827, p. 337, we find that the yearly offering of the Earl of Northumberland (Henry Algernon Percy, 5th. Earl, b. 1478, d. 1527) to the same shrine was fourpence. There is a fuller account of the Shrine of Walsingham, &c., in Chappell'sPopular Music of the Olden Time, 121, et seqq.[259]It is just possible that this individual may be identical with the "John Reynolde" mentioned in the subjoined extract from thePrivy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York, under date of December, 1502:—"It[=m] the xvthday of Decembre, to John Reynolde for money by him payed to a man that broke a yong hors of the Quenes at Mortymer by the space of v wekes, every weke iis. s[=m]. xs."[260]Orig. readsas.[261]Foolish. Used in this sense by Chaucer and Shakespeare. See the last edit, of Naresin voce.[262]I have already explained this word to signify adultery. The latter form appears to have been little used by old writers (though it occurs in theRule of Reason, 1551, 8vo. by Thomas Wilson). Thus in Paynel's translation of ErasmusDe Contemptu Mundi,1533, fol. 16, we find—"Richesse engendre and brynge forth inceste and advoutry.""Hobs.Mass, they say King Henry is a veryadvoutryman."King.A devout man? And what King Edward?"—Heywood'sEdward IV.Part I. 1600.[263]Orig. and Singer readopteyned.[264]Orig. and Singer readwordlye.[265]Give attention.[266]"The covetous man is servaunt and nat mayster vnto riches: and the waster will nat longe be mayster therof. The one is possessed and doth nat possesse; and the other within a shorte whyle leueth the possession of riches."—ErasmusDe Contemptu Mundi, 1533, fol. 17 (Paynel's translation). So also, in theRule of Reason, 1551, 8vo, Wilson says:—"Is a covetous man poore or not? I may thus reason with my self. Why should a couetous man be called poore, what affinitie is betwixt them twoo? Marie, in this poynct thei bothe agree, that like as the poore man ever lacketh and desireth to have, so the covetous manne ever lacketh, wantyng the use of that whiche he hath, and desireth styl to have." "To a covetous ma he (Pythagoras) sayde:—"O fole, thy ryches are lost upon the, and are very pouertie."—Baldwin'sTreatise of Morall Phylosophie, 1547.[267]Conjured.[268]Orig. readsno meat of.[269]Orig. readsa fire.[270]This tale, which is a very old one, is also found inJests to Make You Merie, by T[homas] D[ekker] and George Wilkins, Lond. 1607, 4to. and in thePhilosophers Banquet, 1614, 3vo.[271]InChevræana, première partie, Paris, 1697, 8vo. p. 119, this story is altered to suit the Emperor Maximilian I.[272]See Balbo,Vita di Dante, edit. 1853. Can de la Scala, mentioned in the text, was one of the sons of Alberto de la Scala, Lord of Verona, and was born in 1292. Some account of Alberto de la Scala may be found in myVenetian History.The anecdote related here probably refers to the earlier period of Dante's acquaintance with the prince, aboutA. D.1318-20. Balbo does not seem to have thought this story worthy of notice, though he furnishes one or two other examples of the poet's powers of retort. See also Cinthio'sHecatommithi, Deca Settima, Novella settima, edit. 1608.[273]Orig. readsholde.[274]"On Sore Eyes.Fuscuswas councell'd if he would preserveHis eyes in perfect sight, drinking to swerve;But he reply'd, 'tis better that I shu'dLoose the, then keep them for the worms as food."Wits Recreations, 1640 (p. 35 of reprint 1817).[275]See the new edition of Naresin voce.Orphlinis merely a contraction of the Frenchorphelin.[276]"A Skilfull Painter such rare pictures drew,That every man his workemanship admir'd:So neere the life in beautie, forme and hew,As if dead Art 'gainst Nature had conspir'd.Painter, sayes one, thy wife's a pretty woman,I muse such ill-shapt children thou hast got,Yet mak'st such pictures as their likes makes no man,I prethee tell the cause of this thy lot?Quoth he, I paint by day when it is light,And get my children in the darke at night."—Taylor'sSculler, 1612 (Works, 1630, iii. 22).[277]SeeScoggin's Jests, p. 28 (edit. 1796).[278]Liest.[279](?) God's alms. Browne calls this adunghilloath:—"With that theMillerlaughing brush'd his cloathes,Then swore by Cocke and other dung-hill oathes."Britannias Pastorals, lib. i. p. 100 (ed. 1625).It is very commonly found in the early dramatists, and long before the statute of James the First,By cockand similar phrases were used, in order to evade the charge of profaning the name of the Deity. It is of particularly frequent occurrence in Skelton'sMagnyfycence:—"Cr[afty]Con[veyance]. Cockes armes, thou shalt kepe the brewhouseboule.Fol[ye]. But may I drynke thereof whylest that I stare?"Magnyfycence(Skelton's Works, ed. Dyce, i. 268).But this writer seems to have employed it rather fantastically than from any desire to soften the oath; for elsewhere in the same piece we findBy God, Goddes fote, &c. The practice of swearing had grown to such a pitch in the time of Taylor the Water-Poet, that that writer says (Against Cursing and Swearing, Works, 1630, i. 50):—"If the penalty of twelve pence for every oath had been duly paid (as the statute hath in that case provided) I doe verily beleeve that all the coyned money in England would have been forfeited that way." Whitford, in hisWerke for Housholders, first printed about 1528 (edit. 1533, sign. c. ii et seqq.), relates several remarkable judgments as having fallen, within his personal knowledge, on profane swearers, who were as plentiful and as reckless in the time of Henry VIII. as they were a century later.
[157]Parvus et Magnus Catho, printed by Caxton, n.d. 4to. Chaucer, in hisMiller's Tale(Chaucer's Works, ed. Bell, i. 194), describes the old carpenter of Oxford, who had married a young girl, as having neglected to study [Magnus]Catho, which prescribed that marriages ought to take place between persons of about the same age."He knew not Catoun, for his wyt was rude,That bad man schulde wedde his similitude."No doubt bothCatoandParvus Catocirculated in MS. before the invention of printing. The former was printed by Caxton in 1483-4. See Blades (Life and Typography of William Caxton, ii. 53-4).
[157]Parvus et Magnus Catho, printed by Caxton, n.d. 4to. Chaucer, in hisMiller's Tale(Chaucer's Works, ed. Bell, i. 194), describes the old carpenter of Oxford, who had married a young girl, as having neglected to study [Magnus]Catho, which prescribed that marriages ought to take place between persons of about the same age.
"He knew not Catoun, for his wyt was rude,That bad man schulde wedde his similitude."
No doubt bothCatoandParvus Catocirculated in MS. before the invention of printing. The former was printed by Caxton in 1483-4. See Blades (Life and Typography of William Caxton, ii. 53-4).
[158]Parishioners. This jest is included by Johnson in hisPleasant Conceits of Old Hobson, the Merry Londoner, 1607 (reprinted 1843. p. 17).
[158]Parishioners. This jest is included by Johnson in hisPleasant Conceits of Old Hobson, the Merry Londoner, 1607 (reprinted 1843. p. 17).
[159]Sell away.
[159]Sell away.
[160]John ap Jenkin.
[160]John ap Jenkin.
[161]The original haswho so ever that.
[161]The original haswho so ever that.
[162]Baillie or magistrate, from the old French wordbailli.
[162]Baillie or magistrate, from the old French wordbailli.
[163]This form ofit, though it does not occur in theC. Mery Tales, is very common in old English works; see theSeven Sages, edited by Wright, 1845, for the Percy Society, and theAnglo-Saxon Passion of St. George, 1850 (Percy Soc.).
[163]This form ofit, though it does not occur in theC. Mery Tales, is very common in old English works; see theSeven Sages, edited by Wright, 1845, for the Percy Society, and theAnglo-Saxon Passion of St. George, 1850 (Percy Soc.).
[164]The original haswhan she turned her to have taken money.
[164]The original haswhan she turned her to have taken money.
[165]Cheating.
[165]Cheating.
[166]The word seems to be here used in a rare sense. The meaning isbulging.
[166]The word seems to be here used in a rare sense. The meaning isbulging.
[167]This word (Latinèpallium) was originally used in a special and exclusive signification.
[167]This word (Latinèpallium) was originally used in a special and exclusive signification.
[168]Singer explains this to meangazeth.
[168]Singer explains this to meangazeth.
[169]Found fault with it.
[169]Found fault with it.
[170]There is probably some corruption here. We ought perhaps to read: "and toketohis leggesas ifto go."
[170]There is probably some corruption here. We ought perhaps to read: "and toketohis leggesas ifto go."
[171]Weened.
[171]Weened.
[172]Noctes Atticæ, translated by Belue, vol. i. p. 86. TheHistorie of Papyrius Prætextatusis related in the 18th Novel of the 1st Tome of Painter'sPalace of Pleasure.
[172]Noctes Atticæ, translated by Belue, vol. i. p. 86. TheHistorie of Papyrius Prætextatusis related in the 18th Novel of the 1st Tome of Painter'sPalace of Pleasure.
[173]Deceit, or what would now be called awhite lie.
[173]Deceit, or what would now be called awhite lie.
[174]i.e.which of the two.
[174]i.e.which of the two.
[175]Go easily.
[175]Go easily.
[176]This old phrase is still in colloquial use. "A good sight better," or a "great sight more," are well understood terms among us, though vulgar.
[176]This old phrase is still in colloquial use. "A good sight better," or a "great sight more," are well understood terms among us, though vulgar.
[177]A rare word as a verb, though the adjectivepeakishis common enough in old English writers. Bypeakedwe must understand "stole" or got admission by stealth.
[177]A rare word as a verb, though the adjectivepeakishis common enough in old English writers. Bypeakedwe must understand "stole" or got admission by stealth.
[178]A literal rendering of the Fr.mignon, delicate or dainty.
[178]A literal rendering of the Fr.mignon, delicate or dainty.
[179]Neatly.
[179]Neatly.
[180]The germ of this and the fallowing story may be found in Lane'sArabian Tales and Anecdotes, p. 112.
[180]The germ of this and the fallowing story may be found in Lane'sArabian Tales and Anecdotes, p. 112.
[181]Importuned.
[181]Importuned.
[182]Prowled.
[182]Prowled.
[183]Careful.
[183]Careful.
[184]Diogenes Laertius (Lives of the Philosophers, translated by Yonge. 1853, p. 18).
[184]Diogenes Laertius (Lives of the Philosophers, translated by Yonge. 1853, p. 18).
[185]The orig. readswhiche on a tyme. I have therefore ventured to strike out the unnecessary word.
[185]The orig. readswhiche on a tyme. I have therefore ventured to strike out the unnecessary word.
[186]A cant term for a bonnet.
[186]A cant term for a bonnet.
[187]Thick bushy hair.
[187]Thick bushy hair.
[188]See Brand'sPopular Antiquities, ed. 1849, iii. 132, where Brand cites Melton'sAstrologaster, or the Figure-Caster, 1620, to show that to dream of the devil and of gold was deemed an equally lucky portent. To dream of gold is also pronounced a happy omen in theCountryman's Counsellor. 1633.
[188]See Brand'sPopular Antiquities, ed. 1849, iii. 132, where Brand cites Melton'sAstrologaster, or the Figure-Caster, 1620, to show that to dream of the devil and of gold was deemed an equally lucky portent. To dream of gold is also pronounced a happy omen in theCountryman's Counsellor. 1633.
[189]Dreams. Thus Chaucer, in the opening lines of theHouse of Fame(called in the old editions and in the present text theBoke of Fame), says: —"God turne us every dreme to goode!For hyt is wonder thing, be the roode,To my wytte, what causeth swevenesEyther on morwes, or on evenes."For examples of the later use of the word, see Nares by Halliwell and Wright, art.Sweven.
[189]Dreams. Thus Chaucer, in the opening lines of theHouse of Fame(called in the old editions and in the present text theBoke of Fame), says: —
"God turne us every dreme to goode!For hyt is wonder thing, be the roode,To my wytte, what causeth swevenesEyther on morwes, or on evenes."
For examples of the later use of the word, see Nares by Halliwell and Wright, art.Sweven.
[190]Boasting.
[190]Boasting.
[191]Singer readsflee.
[191]Singer readsflee.
[192]Headlong.
[192]Headlong.
[193]Step, from the Latingrassusorgressus.
[193]Step, from the Latingrassusorgressus.
[194]Circumlocutory.—Singer.
[194]Circumlocutory.—Singer.
[195]Vide supra, p. 22.
[195]Vide supra, p. 22.
[196]A word used by Chaucer. It signifies a person licensed to preach and beg within a certainlimit. There was an order of mendicant friars."Lordings, ther is in Engelond, I gesse,A mersschly land called Holdernesse,In which there went a lymytour aboute,To preche and eek to begge, it is no doubte."Chaucer'sSompnour's Tale; Works, ed. Bell. ii. 103.
[196]A word used by Chaucer. It signifies a person licensed to preach and beg within a certainlimit. There was an order of mendicant friars.
"Lordings, ther is in Engelond, I gesse,A mersschly land called Holdernesse,In which there went a lymytour aboute,To preche and eek to begge, it is no doubte."Chaucer'sSompnour's Tale; Works, ed. Bell. ii. 103.
[197]Scrowl.
[197]Scrowl.
[198]In orig. and in Singer this is printed as prose, according to the usual practice. The same is the case with the line below.
[198]In orig. and in Singer this is printed as prose, according to the usual practice. The same is the case with the line below.
[199]Narrative or account. In its original signification, libel merely impliedlibellus, a little book or volume, a pamphlet, but not necessarily one of an offensive kind.
[199]Narrative or account. In its original signification, libel merely impliedlibellus, a little book or volume, a pamphlet, but not necessarily one of an offensive kind.
[200]Silly and licentious talk. Taylor the Water-Poet, at the end of hisWit and Mirth, 1622 (Works, 1630, folio I. p. 200), uses the expressionRibble-rabble of Gossips, which seems to be a phrase of very similar import.
[200]Silly and licentious talk. Taylor the Water-Poet, at the end of hisWit and Mirth, 1622 (Works, 1630, folio I. p. 200), uses the expressionRibble-rabble of Gossips, which seems to be a phrase of very similar import.
[201]Padua.
[201]Padua.
[202]Hovered. This form of the word is used by Gower and Spenser. See Nares (ed. 1859), voceHove.
[202]Hovered. This form of the word is used by Gower and Spenser. See Nares (ed. 1859), voceHove.
[203]Rustic.
[203]Rustic.
[204]Inn.
[204]Inn.
[205]SeeIntroductionvi.
[205]SeeIntroductionvi.
[206]Debt.
[206]Debt.
[207]Adultery. The word occurs in Bacon's Essays. In hisEssay of Empire, the writer says:—"This kind of danger is then to be feared chiefly when the wives have plots for the raising of their own children, or else that they beadvoutresses." Sir Simonds D'Ewes, in his account of the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, in 1613, describes the Countess of Essex as "Somerset'sadvoutress" (Autobiography and Correspondence of Sir Simonds D'Ewes, ed. Halliwell, I. 74).
[207]Adultery. The word occurs in Bacon's Essays. In hisEssay of Empire, the writer says:—"This kind of danger is then to be feared chiefly when the wives have plots for the raising of their own children, or else that they beadvoutresses." Sir Simonds D'Ewes, in his account of the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury, in 1613, describes the Countess of Essex as "Somerset'sadvoutress" (Autobiography and Correspondence of Sir Simonds D'Ewes, ed. Halliwell, I. 74).
[208]An old form ofneither.
[208]An old form ofneither.
[209]In orig.desired him of.
[209]In orig.desired him of.
[210]Orig. readssayd.
[210]Orig. readssayd.
[211]Whither.
[211]Whither.
[212]Dionysius.
[212]Dionysius.
[213]Orig. readsche.
[213]Orig. readsche.
[214]Importunateseems to be used here in the sense ofoppressiveoroverbearing.
[214]Importunateseems to be used here in the sense ofoppressiveoroverbearing.
[215]Fr. "guerir," to heal.
[215]Fr. "guerir," to heal.
[216]Poor, or, perhaps, poorly.
[216]Poor, or, perhaps, poorly.
[217]Orig. readsall to. We take the true meaning to bealto, as above,i.e.in a loud key.
[217]Orig. readsall to. We take the true meaning to bealto, as above,i.e.in a loud key.
[218]Delude him with the false notion.To bear on hande, I presume to be synonymous withTo bear in handeof the use of which among old authors several examples are furnished by Nares (edit. 1859).
[218]Delude him with the false notion.To bear on hande, I presume to be synonymous withTo bear in handeof the use of which among old authors several examples are furnished by Nares (edit. 1859).
[219]Shells.
[219]Shells.
[220]Conjecture.
[220]Conjecture.
[221]Orig. and Singer readan.
[221]Orig. and Singer readan.
[222]Innkeeper.
[222]Innkeeper.
[223]Jealous, careful.
[223]Jealous, careful.
[224]Pressed.
[224]Pressed.
[225]Wreaked, revenged.
[225]Wreaked, revenged.
[226]Reconcile them.
[226]Reconcile them.
[227]i. e.according to their degree of madness. SeeIntroduction, viii. ix.
[227]i. e.according to their degree of madness. SeeIntroduction, viii. ix.
[228]Assortment.
[228]Assortment.
[229]Goods
[229]Goods
[230]This old Yorkshire family produced several persons eminent in the legal profession from the time of Henry I. downward; but the one here intended was, in all probability, John Vavasour, who became Recorder of York, I Henry VII., and was made a justice of the Common Pleas in August, 1490. See Foss'sJudges of England, v. 78, 79.
[230]This old Yorkshire family produced several persons eminent in the legal profession from the time of Henry I. downward; but the one here intended was, in all probability, John Vavasour, who became Recorder of York, I Henry VII., and was made a justice of the Common Pleas in August, 1490. See Foss'sJudges of England, v. 78, 79.
[231]Of me.
[231]Of me.
[232]i. e.availed, has been worth £100 to me.
[232]i. e.availed, has been worth £100 to me.
[233]i. e. cameto, or amounted to, covered.
[233]i. e. cameto, or amounted to, covered.
[234]Hovered,i. e.halted for shelter.
[234]Hovered,i. e.halted for shelter.
[235]Laid it in pledge.
[235]Laid it in pledge.
[236]Knot, party.
[236]Knot, party.
[237]To grow faint.
[237]To grow faint.
[238]Crowd.
[238]Crowd.
[239]Usually. See Nares, edit. 1839,in voce.
[239]Usually. See Nares, edit. 1839,in voce.
[240]This story is to be found in Poggius, who calls itMortuus Loquens, and from Poggius it was transferred by Grazzini to his collection of Tales, not published till after his death.
[240]This story is to be found in Poggius, who calls itMortuus Loquens, and from Poggius it was transferred by Grazzini to his collection of Tales, not published till after his death.
[241]Scarcely.
[241]Scarcely.
[242]Readily. A story very like this occurs inA Sackful of Newes, 1673. It was originally related by Poggius in his Facetiæ, where it is entitledAsinus Perditus, and it has been imitated by La Fontaine in the fable of "Le Villageois qui cherche son veau." It is also the 12th tale ofLes Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles.
[242]Readily. A story very like this occurs inA Sackful of Newes, 1673. It was originally related by Poggius in his Facetiæ, where it is entitledAsinus Perditus, and it has been imitated by La Fontaine in the fable of "Le Villageois qui cherche son veau." It is also the 12th tale ofLes Cent Nouvelles Nouvelles.
[243]Before.
[243]Before.
[244]Pillaged.
[244]Pillaged.
[245]"Now there was oneMarcus Livius, aRomainethat was Gouernour ofTarentumat that time whenHanniballtooke it, and neverthelesse kept the castell still out ofHannibalshands, and so held it untill the city came againe into the hands of theRomaines. ThisLiviusspited to see such honour done toFabius, so that one day in open Senate, being drowned with enuy and ambition, he burst out and said, that it was himselfe, notFabius, that was cause of taking of the city ofTarentumagain.Fabius, smiling to hear him, answeryd him opely: 'Indeed, thou saiest true, for if thou hadst not lost it, I had never won it again.'"—Plutarch'sLives, transl. by Sir T. North, ed. 1603, fol. 192.
[245]"Now there was oneMarcus Livius, aRomainethat was Gouernour ofTarentumat that time whenHanniballtooke it, and neverthelesse kept the castell still out ofHannibalshands, and so held it untill the city came againe into the hands of theRomaines. ThisLiviusspited to see such honour done toFabius, so that one day in open Senate, being drowned with enuy and ambition, he burst out and said, that it was himselfe, notFabius, that was cause of taking of the city ofTarentumagain.Fabius, smiling to hear him, answeryd him opely: 'Indeed, thou saiest true, for if thou hadst not lost it, I had never won it again.'"—Plutarch'sLives, transl. by Sir T. North, ed. 1603, fol. 192.
[246]Πὁλτυς, ὁ Θρακὡν Βασιλεὑς εν τὡ Τρωικὡ πολἑμω πρεσβυσαμἑνων πρὁςαὑτον αα τὡν Τρὡων και τὡν Ἁχαιὡν, εκἑλευσε τὁν Ἁλἑξανδρον αποδὁντα τἡν Ἑλἑνην, δὑο παρ αὑτου λαβεἱν καλἁς γυναἱκασαὑτου λαβεἱν καλἁς γυναἱκασ—PlutarchiApothegmata(Opera Moralia et Philosophica, vol. vi. p. 665, edit. Lipsiæ, 1777).
[246]Πὁλτυς, ὁ Θρακὡν Βασιλεὑς εν τὡ Τρωικὡ πολἑμω πρεσβυσαμἑνων πρὁςαὑτον αα τὡν Τρὡων και τὡν Ἁχαιὡν, εκἑλευσε τὁν Ἁλἑξανδρον αποδὁντα τἡν Ἑλἑνην, δὑο παρ αὑτου λαβεἱν καλἁς γυναἱκασαὑτου λαβεἱν καλἁς γυναἱκασ—PlutarchiApothegmata(Opera Moralia et Philosophica, vol. vi. p. 665, edit. Lipsiæ, 1777).
[247]See the 21st Novel of the 1st tome of thePalace of Pleasure(Haslewood's edit. i. 74).
[247]See the 21st Novel of the 1st tome of thePalace of Pleasure(Haslewood's edit. i. 74).
[248]"Quibus perlectis, quum se consideraturum, adhibitis amicis, quid faciendum sibi esset, dixisset, Popilius, pro cetera asperitate animi, virga, quam in manu gerebat, circumscripsit regem: ac, 'Priusquam hoc circulo excedas,' inquit, 'redde responsum, senatui quod referam.' Obstupefactus tam violento imperio parumper quum hæsitasset, 'Faciam,' inquit 'quod censet Senatus.' Tun demum Popilius dextram regi, tanquam socio atque amico, porrexit."—Livy, lib. xlv. c. 12, edit. Twiss.
[248]"Quibus perlectis, quum se consideraturum, adhibitis amicis, quid faciendum sibi esset, dixisset, Popilius, pro cetera asperitate animi, virga, quam in manu gerebat, circumscripsit regem: ac, 'Priusquam hoc circulo excedas,' inquit, 'redde responsum, senatui quod referam.' Obstupefactus tam violento imperio parumper quum hæsitasset, 'Faciam,' inquit 'quod censet Senatus.' Tun demum Popilius dextram regi, tanquam socio atque amico, porrexit."—Livy, lib. xlv. c. 12, edit. Twiss.
[249]Edged.
[249]Edged.
[250]"Mal est caché a qui l'on void le dos."—Leigh'sSelect French Proverbs, 1664.
[250]"Mal est caché a qui l'on void le dos."—Leigh'sSelect French Proverbs, 1664.
[251]Good fortune.
[251]Good fortune.
[252]Casting of lots.
[252]Casting of lots.
[253]Lampsacus.
[253]Lampsacus.
[254]Anaximenes, the historian, who wrote an account of the Life of Alexander the Great. He was a native of Lampsacus, and the nephew of the orator of the same name.
[254]Anaximenes, the historian, who wrote an account of the Life of Alexander the Great. He was a native of Lampsacus, and the nephew of the orator of the same name.
[255]i.e.Discharge, or acquit herself of, her trust.
[255]i.e.Discharge, or acquit herself of, her trust.
[256]Uncouth. "If thou shuldest refuse to do any of these thynges, and woldest assaye to do some thing of more sadnes and prudence, they wyll esteme and count the vnmanerly,cloubbysshe, frowarde, and clene contrarye to all mennes myndes."—ErasmusDe Contemptu Mundi, transl. by Thomas Paynel, 1533, fol. 42. "Rusticitie may seem to be an ignorance of honesty and comelinesse. A Clowne or rude fellow is he, who will goe into a crowd or presse, when he hath taken a purge: and hee that sayth, that Garlicke is as sweet as a gillifiower: that weares shooes much larger then his foot: that speakes alwaies very loud:" &c.,—Theophrastus His Characters, translated by John Healey, 1616, pp. 15, 16. It is a generally received opinion that this work has come down to us in a corrupt shape.
[256]Uncouth. "If thou shuldest refuse to do any of these thynges, and woldest assaye to do some thing of more sadnes and prudence, they wyll esteme and count the vnmanerly,cloubbysshe, frowarde, and clene contrarye to all mennes myndes."—ErasmusDe Contemptu Mundi, transl. by Thomas Paynel, 1533, fol. 42. "Rusticitie may seem to be an ignorance of honesty and comelinesse. A Clowne or rude fellow is he, who will goe into a crowd or presse, when he hath taken a purge: and hee that sayth, that Garlicke is as sweet as a gillifiower: that weares shooes much larger then his foot: that speakes alwaies very loud:" &c.,—Theophrastus His Characters, translated by John Healey, 1616, pp. 15, 16. It is a generally received opinion that this work has come down to us in a corrupt shape.
[257]Times were altered when the curious ballad "These Knights will hack," printed by Mr. Halliwell from Addit. MS. 5832, in one of the Shakespeare Society's publications (Marriage of Wit and Wisdom, &c., p. 144), was directed against the mushroom-knights of James I.:—"Come all you farmers out of the countrey,Carters, plowmen, hedgers, and all,Tom, Dick, and Will, Ralph, Roger, and Humphrey,Leave of your gestures rusticall.Bidde all your home-sponne russets adue,And sute yourselves in fashions new:Honour invits you to delights;Come all to court, and be made knights.He that hath fortie pounds per annumShal be promoted from the plow:His wife shall take the wall of her grannam,Honour is sould so dog-cheap now," &c.
[257]Times were altered when the curious ballad "These Knights will hack," printed by Mr. Halliwell from Addit. MS. 5832, in one of the Shakespeare Society's publications (Marriage of Wit and Wisdom, &c., p. 144), was directed against the mushroom-knights of James I.:—
"Come all you farmers out of the countrey,Carters, plowmen, hedgers, and all,Tom, Dick, and Will, Ralph, Roger, and Humphrey,Leave of your gestures rusticall.Bidde all your home-sponne russets adue,And sute yourselves in fashions new:Honour invits you to delights;Come all to court, and be made knights.He that hath fortie pounds per annumShal be promoted from the plow:His wife shall take the wall of her grannam,Honour is sould so dog-cheap now," &c.
[258]Consult the new edition of Nares' Glossary, voceWalsingham. "This is an Image of oure Ladye. Ergo it is oure Ladye, and here she wyll worke wounders more than in an other place, as she dyd at Walsingham, at Boston, at Lincoln, at Ipswiche, and I cannot tell where."—Wilson'sRule of Reason, 1551, 8vo. sign S iiverso. In Percy'sReliques, ii. 91, is the ballad "As I went to Walsingham." "Have with you to Walsingham" is mentioned as a musical composition in Ward'sLives of the Professors of Gresham College. See also Burney'sHist. of Music, iii. p. 111. When people employed this form of adjuration, as was formerly very common, they were said, for brevity's sake, "to swear Walsingham." In the play ofThe Weakest Goeth to the Wall, 1600, 4to. Barnaby Bunch the Botcher sings:"King Richard's gone to Walsingham,To the Holy Land!"with what are intended for comic interlocutions. In March, 1502—3, Elizabeth of York, consort of Henry VII, made an oblation of six shillings and eightpence to "oure lady of Walsingham" (Privy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York, edited by Nicolas, p. 3). This offering may not appear very large, but it was thought a considerable sum to devote to the purpose in those days; for in theNorthumberland Household Book, ed. 1827, p. 337, we find that the yearly offering of the Earl of Northumberland (Henry Algernon Percy, 5th. Earl, b. 1478, d. 1527) to the same shrine was fourpence. There is a fuller account of the Shrine of Walsingham, &c., in Chappell'sPopular Music of the Olden Time, 121, et seqq.
[258]Consult the new edition of Nares' Glossary, voceWalsingham. "This is an Image of oure Ladye. Ergo it is oure Ladye, and here she wyll worke wounders more than in an other place, as she dyd at Walsingham, at Boston, at Lincoln, at Ipswiche, and I cannot tell where."—Wilson'sRule of Reason, 1551, 8vo. sign S iiverso. In Percy'sReliques, ii. 91, is the ballad "As I went to Walsingham." "Have with you to Walsingham" is mentioned as a musical composition in Ward'sLives of the Professors of Gresham College. See also Burney'sHist. of Music, iii. p. 111. When people employed this form of adjuration, as was formerly very common, they were said, for brevity's sake, "to swear Walsingham." In the play ofThe Weakest Goeth to the Wall, 1600, 4to. Barnaby Bunch the Botcher sings:
"King Richard's gone to Walsingham,To the Holy Land!"
with what are intended for comic interlocutions. In March, 1502—3, Elizabeth of York, consort of Henry VII, made an oblation of six shillings and eightpence to "oure lady of Walsingham" (Privy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York, edited by Nicolas, p. 3). This offering may not appear very large, but it was thought a considerable sum to devote to the purpose in those days; for in theNorthumberland Household Book, ed. 1827, p. 337, we find that the yearly offering of the Earl of Northumberland (Henry Algernon Percy, 5th. Earl, b. 1478, d. 1527) to the same shrine was fourpence. There is a fuller account of the Shrine of Walsingham, &c., in Chappell'sPopular Music of the Olden Time, 121, et seqq.
[259]It is just possible that this individual may be identical with the "John Reynolde" mentioned in the subjoined extract from thePrivy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York, under date of December, 1502:—"It[=m] the xvthday of Decembre, to John Reynolde for money by him payed to a man that broke a yong hors of the Quenes at Mortymer by the space of v wekes, every weke iis. s[=m]. xs."
[259]It is just possible that this individual may be identical with the "John Reynolde" mentioned in the subjoined extract from thePrivy Purse Expenses of Elizabeth of York, under date of December, 1502:—
"It[=m] the xvthday of Decembre, to John Reynolde for money by him payed to a man that broke a yong hors of the Quenes at Mortymer by the space of v wekes, every weke iis. s[=m]. xs."
"It[=m] the xvthday of Decembre, to John Reynolde for money by him payed to a man that broke a yong hors of the Quenes at Mortymer by the space of v wekes, every weke iis. s[=m]. xs."
[260]Orig. readsas.
[260]Orig. readsas.
[261]Foolish. Used in this sense by Chaucer and Shakespeare. See the last edit, of Naresin voce.
[261]Foolish. Used in this sense by Chaucer and Shakespeare. See the last edit, of Naresin voce.
[262]I have already explained this word to signify adultery. The latter form appears to have been little used by old writers (though it occurs in theRule of Reason, 1551, 8vo. by Thomas Wilson). Thus in Paynel's translation of ErasmusDe Contemptu Mundi,1533, fol. 16, we find—"Richesse engendre and brynge forth inceste and advoutry.""Hobs.Mass, they say King Henry is a veryadvoutryman."King.A devout man? And what King Edward?"—Heywood'sEdward IV.Part I. 1600.
[262]I have already explained this word to signify adultery. The latter form appears to have been little used by old writers (though it occurs in theRule of Reason, 1551, 8vo. by Thomas Wilson). Thus in Paynel's translation of ErasmusDe Contemptu Mundi,1533, fol. 16, we find—"Richesse engendre and brynge forth inceste and advoutry."
"Hobs.Mass, they say King Henry is a veryadvoutryman.
"King.A devout man? And what King Edward?"—
Heywood'sEdward IV.Part I. 1600.
[263]Orig. and Singer readopteyned.
[263]Orig. and Singer readopteyned.
[264]Orig. and Singer readwordlye.
[264]Orig. and Singer readwordlye.
[265]Give attention.
[265]Give attention.
[266]"The covetous man is servaunt and nat mayster vnto riches: and the waster will nat longe be mayster therof. The one is possessed and doth nat possesse; and the other within a shorte whyle leueth the possession of riches."—ErasmusDe Contemptu Mundi, 1533, fol. 17 (Paynel's translation). So also, in theRule of Reason, 1551, 8vo, Wilson says:—"Is a covetous man poore or not? I may thus reason with my self. Why should a couetous man be called poore, what affinitie is betwixt them twoo? Marie, in this poynct thei bothe agree, that like as the poore man ever lacketh and desireth to have, so the covetous manne ever lacketh, wantyng the use of that whiche he hath, and desireth styl to have." "To a covetous ma he (Pythagoras) sayde:—"O fole, thy ryches are lost upon the, and are very pouertie."—Baldwin'sTreatise of Morall Phylosophie, 1547.
[266]"The covetous man is servaunt and nat mayster vnto riches: and the waster will nat longe be mayster therof. The one is possessed and doth nat possesse; and the other within a shorte whyle leueth the possession of riches."—ErasmusDe Contemptu Mundi, 1533, fol. 17 (Paynel's translation). So also, in theRule of Reason, 1551, 8vo, Wilson says:—"Is a covetous man poore or not? I may thus reason with my self. Why should a couetous man be called poore, what affinitie is betwixt them twoo? Marie, in this poynct thei bothe agree, that like as the poore man ever lacketh and desireth to have, so the covetous manne ever lacketh, wantyng the use of that whiche he hath, and desireth styl to have." "To a covetous ma he (Pythagoras) sayde:—"O fole, thy ryches are lost upon the, and are very pouertie."—Baldwin'sTreatise of Morall Phylosophie, 1547.
[267]Conjured.
[267]Conjured.
[268]Orig. readsno meat of.
[268]Orig. readsno meat of.
[269]Orig. readsa fire.
[269]Orig. readsa fire.
[270]This tale, which is a very old one, is also found inJests to Make You Merie, by T[homas] D[ekker] and George Wilkins, Lond. 1607, 4to. and in thePhilosophers Banquet, 1614, 3vo.
[270]This tale, which is a very old one, is also found inJests to Make You Merie, by T[homas] D[ekker] and George Wilkins, Lond. 1607, 4to. and in thePhilosophers Banquet, 1614, 3vo.
[271]InChevræana, première partie, Paris, 1697, 8vo. p. 119, this story is altered to suit the Emperor Maximilian I.
[271]InChevræana, première partie, Paris, 1697, 8vo. p. 119, this story is altered to suit the Emperor Maximilian I.
[272]See Balbo,Vita di Dante, edit. 1853. Can de la Scala, mentioned in the text, was one of the sons of Alberto de la Scala, Lord of Verona, and was born in 1292. Some account of Alberto de la Scala may be found in myVenetian History.The anecdote related here probably refers to the earlier period of Dante's acquaintance with the prince, aboutA. D.1318-20. Balbo does not seem to have thought this story worthy of notice, though he furnishes one or two other examples of the poet's powers of retort. See also Cinthio'sHecatommithi, Deca Settima, Novella settima, edit. 1608.
[272]See Balbo,Vita di Dante, edit. 1853. Can de la Scala, mentioned in the text, was one of the sons of Alberto de la Scala, Lord of Verona, and was born in 1292. Some account of Alberto de la Scala may be found in myVenetian History.
The anecdote related here probably refers to the earlier period of Dante's acquaintance with the prince, aboutA. D.1318-20. Balbo does not seem to have thought this story worthy of notice, though he furnishes one or two other examples of the poet's powers of retort. See also Cinthio'sHecatommithi, Deca Settima, Novella settima, edit. 1608.
[273]Orig. readsholde.
[273]Orig. readsholde.
[274]"On Sore Eyes.Fuscuswas councell'd if he would preserveHis eyes in perfect sight, drinking to swerve;But he reply'd, 'tis better that I shu'dLoose the, then keep them for the worms as food."Wits Recreations, 1640 (p. 35 of reprint 1817).
[274]
"On Sore Eyes.
Fuscuswas councell'd if he would preserveHis eyes in perfect sight, drinking to swerve;But he reply'd, 'tis better that I shu'dLoose the, then keep them for the worms as food."
Wits Recreations, 1640 (p. 35 of reprint 1817).
[275]See the new edition of Naresin voce.Orphlinis merely a contraction of the Frenchorphelin.
[275]See the new edition of Naresin voce.Orphlinis merely a contraction of the Frenchorphelin.
[276]"A Skilfull Painter such rare pictures drew,That every man his workemanship admir'd:So neere the life in beautie, forme and hew,As if dead Art 'gainst Nature had conspir'd.Painter, sayes one, thy wife's a pretty woman,I muse such ill-shapt children thou hast got,Yet mak'st such pictures as their likes makes no man,I prethee tell the cause of this thy lot?Quoth he, I paint by day when it is light,And get my children in the darke at night."—Taylor'sSculler, 1612 (Works, 1630, iii. 22).
[276]
"A Skilfull Painter such rare pictures drew,That every man his workemanship admir'd:
So neere the life in beautie, forme and hew,As if dead Art 'gainst Nature had conspir'd.Painter, sayes one, thy wife's a pretty woman,I muse such ill-shapt children thou hast got,Yet mak'st such pictures as their likes makes no man,I prethee tell the cause of this thy lot?Quoth he, I paint by day when it is light,And get my children in the darke at night."—
Taylor'sSculler, 1612 (Works, 1630, iii. 22).
[277]SeeScoggin's Jests, p. 28 (edit. 1796).
[277]SeeScoggin's Jests, p. 28 (edit. 1796).
[278]Liest.
[278]Liest.
[279](?) God's alms. Browne calls this adunghilloath:—"With that theMillerlaughing brush'd his cloathes,Then swore by Cocke and other dung-hill oathes."Britannias Pastorals, lib. i. p. 100 (ed. 1625).It is very commonly found in the early dramatists, and long before the statute of James the First,By cockand similar phrases were used, in order to evade the charge of profaning the name of the Deity. It is of particularly frequent occurrence in Skelton'sMagnyfycence:—"Cr[afty]Con[veyance]. Cockes armes, thou shalt kepe the brewhouseboule.Fol[ye]. But may I drynke thereof whylest that I stare?"Magnyfycence(Skelton's Works, ed. Dyce, i. 268).But this writer seems to have employed it rather fantastically than from any desire to soften the oath; for elsewhere in the same piece we findBy God, Goddes fote, &c. The practice of swearing had grown to such a pitch in the time of Taylor the Water-Poet, that that writer says (Against Cursing and Swearing, Works, 1630, i. 50):—"If the penalty of twelve pence for every oath had been duly paid (as the statute hath in that case provided) I doe verily beleeve that all the coyned money in England would have been forfeited that way." Whitford, in hisWerke for Housholders, first printed about 1528 (edit. 1533, sign. c. ii et seqq.), relates several remarkable judgments as having fallen, within his personal knowledge, on profane swearers, who were as plentiful and as reckless in the time of Henry VIII. as they were a century later.
[279](?) God's alms. Browne calls this adunghilloath:—
"With that theMillerlaughing brush'd his cloathes,Then swore by Cocke and other dung-hill oathes."
Britannias Pastorals, lib. i. p. 100 (ed. 1625).
It is very commonly found in the early dramatists, and long before the statute of James the First,By cockand similar phrases were used, in order to evade the charge of profaning the name of the Deity. It is of particularly frequent occurrence in Skelton'sMagnyfycence:—
"Cr[afty]Con[veyance]. Cockes armes, thou shalt kepe the brewhouseboule.
Fol[ye]. But may I drynke thereof whylest that I stare?"
Magnyfycence(Skelton's Works, ed. Dyce, i. 268).
But this writer seems to have employed it rather fantastically than from any desire to soften the oath; for elsewhere in the same piece we findBy God, Goddes fote, &c. The practice of swearing had grown to such a pitch in the time of Taylor the Water-Poet, that that writer says (Against Cursing and Swearing, Works, 1630, i. 50):—"If the penalty of twelve pence for every oath had been duly paid (as the statute hath in that case provided) I doe verily beleeve that all the coyned money in England would have been forfeited that way." Whitford, in hisWerke for Housholders, first printed about 1528 (edit. 1533, sign. c. ii et seqq.), relates several remarkable judgments as having fallen, within his personal knowledge, on profane swearers, who were as plentiful and as reckless in the time of Henry VIII. as they were a century later.