FOOTNOTES[1]“Memoirs of Actors,” xvi., xvii.[2]“The Academy,” vol. v., 1874, pp. 136-7.[3]Shoemaking was called “the Gentle Craft,” possibly in part because the patron saints of shoemakers, St. Crispin and St. Hugh, were said to be of noble, and even royal, blood; possibly because of the sedentary nature of the occupation.[4]A diminutive of Roger.[5]Wasted, squandered.[6]Regimental badge or device.[7]Weapons and martial equipment.[8]A gold coin, worth about three pounds twelve shillings.[9]The quarto has “with a piece.” Piece (old Fr.bobelin) was sometimes loosely used for the shoe itself, as well as for the piece of leather used in repairs. SeeCotgrave.[10]Twiddle-twaddle.[11]Apparently one of Eyre’s frequent improvised phrases, referring here to his wife’s trick of repeating herself, as in her previous speech.[12]An imaginary Saracen god, represented in the old moralities and plays as of a quite ungodly tendency to violence.[13]A nick-name, possibly, for some character of the day, used with a vague reference to King Lud.[14]Tales told to curry favour.[15]The groat was the silver fourpenny-piece. The simile of a cracked coin is an obvious expression of worthlessness.[16]Little yellow spots on the body which denoted the infection of the plague.[17]Another of Eyre’s improvised phrases, whose component parts sufficiently explain its meaning.[18]With a vengeance.[19]Crushed crab apples.[20]A kind of trousers, first worn by the Gascons.[21]A phrase from Kyd’sSpanish Tragedy.[22]i.e.Go and be hanged![23]i.e.Dressing himself.[24]Bread soaked in pot liquor, and preparedsecundum artem.—Nares.[25]Salted beef.[26]A dog kept fastened up as a watch-dog, and therefore given to loud barking.[27]A woman who washed and pickled pigs’ faces.[28]Bawling.[29]There was a boor from Gelderland,Jolly they be;He was so drunk he could not stand,Drunken they be:Clink then the cannikin,Drink, pretty mannikin![30]St. Hugh was the patron saint of shoemakers, and his bones were supposed to have been made into shoemaker’s tools, for which this came to be a common term.[31]A dish of different hashed meats.[32]Good day, master, and your wife too.[33]Yes, yes, I am a shoemaker.[34]Yes, yes; be not afraid. I have everything, to make boots big and little.[35]I don’t know what you say; I don’t understand you.[36]Yes, yes, yes; I can do that very well.[37]Slatterns, sluts.[38]O, I understand you; I must pay for half-a-dozen cans; here, boy, take this shilling, tap this once freely.[39]Cant term for a beggar.[40]Conger-eel.[41]Take cover.[42]Spent; panting with exhaustion.[43]Stupid.[44]I’ll tell you what, Hans; this ship that is come from Candia, is quite full, by God’s sacrament, of sugar, civet, almonds, cambric, and all things; a thousand, thousand things. Take it, Hans, take it for your master. There are the bills of lading. Your master, Simon Eyre, shall have a good bargain. What say you, Hans?[45]My dear brother Firk, bring Master Eyre to the sign of the Swan; there shall you find this skipper and me. What say you, brother Firk? Do it, Hodge.—[There were at this time two inns with the sign of the Swan in London, one at Dowgate, the other in Old Fish Street.][46]A coin worth about three pounds twelve shillings.[47]“East from the Bishop of Winchester’s house, directly over against it, stands a fair church, called St. Mary over the Rie, or Overie, that is, over the water.”—Stow’s Survey of London.[48]Finsbury was a famous practising ground for archery at this time.[49]A name given to Dutchwomen.[50]By the way, beside the question.[51]German: Schelm, a scoundrel. Skanderbag, or Scander Beg (i.e.Lord Alexander), a Turkish name for John Kastriota, the Albanian hero, who freed his country from the yoke of the Turks (1443-1467).[52]A robe ornamented with guards or facings.[53]Stamped.[54]Raising up, ruffling.[55]Good day, master. This is the skipper that has the ship of merchandise; the commodity is good; take it, master, take it.[56]The ship lies in the river; there are sugar, civet, almonds, cambric, and a thousand thousand things, by God’s sacrament, take it, master; you shall have a good bargain.[57]Yes, yes, I have drunk well.[58]Fr.Par Dieu. The word here means “truly.”[59]Found, set; a play upon fond.[60]Puppet: derived from Mahomet.[61]Coins worth about 10s.each.[62]Ale-kegs, made of wood; hence the need for scalding.[63]I thank you, mistress![64]Yes, I shall, mistress![65]High-heeled cork shoes were in fashion for ladies at this time.[66]Truly; seeante, p.33.[67]A comparison suggested by the likeness of the flaps of the hood to the boards of a pillory, between which the head of the prisoner was fastened.[68]The old name for Gracechurch Street before the fire of London.[69]I am merry; let’s see you so too![70]Serve me, and I’ll serve thee.[71]Yes, I shall, dame![72]Brighten up.[73]Sheriff.[74]“The three-farthing silver pieces of Queen Elizabeth had the profile of the sovereign with a rose at the back of her head.”—Dyce(Note toKing John.)[75]The flap of a hood trimmed with fur or sheep’s wool.[76]i.e.For the twenty Portuguese previously lent.[77]Herrick, who was a goldsmith’s apprentice in London during the time when this play was performed, seems to have appropriated these words of Eyre’s, and turned them into rhyme in these lines:—“Let’s now take our time,While we’re in our prime,And old, old age is afar off;For the evil, evil days,Will come on apace,Before we can be aware of.”[78]A song or catch for three voices. In the original, the two Three-Men’s Songs are printed separately from the rest of the play, and the place for their insertion is only very uncertainly indicated.[79]I thank you, good maid![80]See noteante, p.39.[81]“Forward, Firk, thou art a jolly youngster. Hark, ay, master, I bid you cut me a pair of vamps for Master Jeffrey’s boots.” Vamps; upper leathers of a shoe.[82]A play upon “vamps,” which sometimes has this meaning.[83]What do you want (was begehrt ihr), what would you, girl?[84]Where is your noble lady, where is your mistress?[85]Yes, yes, I shall go with you.[86]“At the west end of this Jesus chapel, under the choir of Paul’s, also was a parish church of St. Faith, commonly called St. Faith under Paul’s.”—Stow.[87]A corruption of “God’s nails.”[88]Indeed, mistress, ’tis a good shoe, it shall fit well, or you shall not pay.[89]Yes, yes, I know that well; indeed, ’tis a good shoe, ’tis made of neat’s leather, see here, good sir![90]Honeykin (?); poor honey, poor creature.[91]“Rest you merry.”—Shak., Romeo and Juliet, ActI, Sc. 2.[92]i.e.Diggers for information.[93]i.e.Stretchers of the truth, fibs.[94]A stone in St. Swithin’s (now cased in the wall of the church), which marked the centre from which the old Roman-roads radiated.[95]A small conduit near the Royal Exchange.[96]A pretty sight. See p, 74, l. 1. Compare Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” Act III., Sc. 1, 136, and Act IV., Sc. 1, 144.[97]Terms used in a common children’s game, the point being to discover in which of the two hands some small object was hidden.[98]A sweet biscuit, similar to a macaroon.—Nares.[99]Fitted.[100]In any public affray, the cry was “Clubs, Clubs!” by way of calling for help (particularly by the London ’prentices).—Nares.[101]A piece of lace with a tag, which fastened the busk, or piece of whalebone, used to keep the stays in position.[102]Whipped.[103]Leadenhall. [See notepost, p.85.][104]See noteante, p.19.[105]Barrels.[106]In suspense.[107]i.e.Swaggerer.[108]See note to First Three Men’s Song, p.46.[109]Pass, push about from one to the other, in drinking.[110]“A dish, made of milk, eggs and sugar, baked in a pot.”—Webster.[111]A steak cut crossways for broiling.[112]Bands or collars for the neck.[113]Flaps; as resembling the hanging chaps of a hound.[114]The allusion is, no doubt, to Kyd’sSoliman and Perseda, and to Marlowe’sTamburlaine, though these were long after Eyre’s time.[115]Magpie.[116]Tamerlane (Tamburlaine), Cham, or Khan of Tartary. Compare Shakespeare’sMuch Ado about Nothing, Act II. Sc. i.[117]“A.D.1419. This year Sir Symon Eyre built Leadenhall, at his proper expense, as it now appears, and gave the same to the City to be employed as a public granary for laying up corn against a time of scarcity.”—Maitland, ii., p. 187.[118]Merry-making.[119]Portentous.[120]A red Spanish wine, made at Alicant.[121]By our lady.[122]Ballad-makers.[123]i.e.Readily. CompareGull’s Horn Book, Notts Ed. p. 160.[124]Grandee.[125]A contemptuous term for an old man of means.[126]The superstitions about this plant, its fancied resemblance to the human figure, led to its being frequently alluded to in this way.[127]Query Whimlings—idiots.[128]Wide of the mark.[129]Scurfy.[130]Bosom friend.[131]“Aunt” was a cant term both for a prostitute and a bawd.—Dyce.[132]Cheat.[133]i.e.An idiot. The phrase had its origin in the practice of the crown granting the custody of idiots and their possessions to persons who had interest enough to secure the appointments.[134]Foolish.[135]i.e.For love’s sake.[136]Bet.[137]Hands.[138]The shopkeeper’s common cry at this period.[139]An exclamation of contempt, equivalent to “a fig for.”—Dyce.[140]Proverbial term for a simpleton.[141]Milksop.[142]Beat.[143]Thieves’ slang for a man who shams madness to gain his ends. Compare Dekker’sBellman of London, Grosart, sc. III., p. 101.[144]i.e.Not fully dressed.[145]A stick used for plaiting ruffs.[146]Sideboard.[147]See note,ante, p.115.[148]A common ejaculation of contempt.[149]A corruption of “God’s my pity.”—Dyce.[150]A gold coin worth about ten shillings. The play upon the word was one of the commonest puns of the time.[151]A docked horse.[152]Spiced and sweetened wine.[153]Half a gallon.[154]A roll of fine bread.[155]A sprightly dance.[156]Prostitutes.[157]Rabbit-skin.[158]i.e.Retires to the background.[159]Cheat.[160]Hysterics.[161]Paltry.[162]Respectfully.
[1]“Memoirs of Actors,” xvi., xvii.
[1]“Memoirs of Actors,” xvi., xvii.
[2]“The Academy,” vol. v., 1874, pp. 136-7.
[2]“The Academy,” vol. v., 1874, pp. 136-7.
[3]Shoemaking was called “the Gentle Craft,” possibly in part because the patron saints of shoemakers, St. Crispin and St. Hugh, were said to be of noble, and even royal, blood; possibly because of the sedentary nature of the occupation.
[3]Shoemaking was called “the Gentle Craft,” possibly in part because the patron saints of shoemakers, St. Crispin and St. Hugh, were said to be of noble, and even royal, blood; possibly because of the sedentary nature of the occupation.
[4]A diminutive of Roger.
[4]A diminutive of Roger.
[5]Wasted, squandered.
[5]Wasted, squandered.
[6]Regimental badge or device.
[6]Regimental badge or device.
[7]Weapons and martial equipment.
[7]Weapons and martial equipment.
[8]A gold coin, worth about three pounds twelve shillings.
[8]A gold coin, worth about three pounds twelve shillings.
[9]The quarto has “with a piece.” Piece (old Fr.bobelin) was sometimes loosely used for the shoe itself, as well as for the piece of leather used in repairs. SeeCotgrave.
[9]The quarto has “with a piece.” Piece (old Fr.bobelin) was sometimes loosely used for the shoe itself, as well as for the piece of leather used in repairs. SeeCotgrave.
[10]Twiddle-twaddle.
[10]Twiddle-twaddle.
[11]Apparently one of Eyre’s frequent improvised phrases, referring here to his wife’s trick of repeating herself, as in her previous speech.
[11]Apparently one of Eyre’s frequent improvised phrases, referring here to his wife’s trick of repeating herself, as in her previous speech.
[12]An imaginary Saracen god, represented in the old moralities and plays as of a quite ungodly tendency to violence.
[12]An imaginary Saracen god, represented in the old moralities and plays as of a quite ungodly tendency to violence.
[13]A nick-name, possibly, for some character of the day, used with a vague reference to King Lud.
[13]A nick-name, possibly, for some character of the day, used with a vague reference to King Lud.
[14]Tales told to curry favour.
[14]Tales told to curry favour.
[15]The groat was the silver fourpenny-piece. The simile of a cracked coin is an obvious expression of worthlessness.
[15]The groat was the silver fourpenny-piece. The simile of a cracked coin is an obvious expression of worthlessness.
[16]Little yellow spots on the body which denoted the infection of the plague.
[16]Little yellow spots on the body which denoted the infection of the plague.
[17]Another of Eyre’s improvised phrases, whose component parts sufficiently explain its meaning.
[17]Another of Eyre’s improvised phrases, whose component parts sufficiently explain its meaning.
[18]With a vengeance.
[18]With a vengeance.
[19]Crushed crab apples.
[19]Crushed crab apples.
[20]A kind of trousers, first worn by the Gascons.
[20]A kind of trousers, first worn by the Gascons.
[21]A phrase from Kyd’sSpanish Tragedy.
[21]A phrase from Kyd’sSpanish Tragedy.
[22]i.e.Go and be hanged!
[22]i.e.Go and be hanged!
[23]i.e.Dressing himself.
[23]i.e.Dressing himself.
[24]Bread soaked in pot liquor, and preparedsecundum artem.—Nares.
[24]Bread soaked in pot liquor, and preparedsecundum artem.—Nares.
[25]Salted beef.
[25]Salted beef.
[26]A dog kept fastened up as a watch-dog, and therefore given to loud barking.
[26]A dog kept fastened up as a watch-dog, and therefore given to loud barking.
[27]A woman who washed and pickled pigs’ faces.
[27]A woman who washed and pickled pigs’ faces.
[28]Bawling.
[28]Bawling.
[29]There was a boor from Gelderland,Jolly they be;He was so drunk he could not stand,Drunken they be:Clink then the cannikin,Drink, pretty mannikin!
[29]
There was a boor from Gelderland,Jolly they be;He was so drunk he could not stand,Drunken they be:Clink then the cannikin,Drink, pretty mannikin!
[30]St. Hugh was the patron saint of shoemakers, and his bones were supposed to have been made into shoemaker’s tools, for which this came to be a common term.
[30]St. Hugh was the patron saint of shoemakers, and his bones were supposed to have been made into shoemaker’s tools, for which this came to be a common term.
[31]A dish of different hashed meats.
[31]A dish of different hashed meats.
[32]Good day, master, and your wife too.
[32]Good day, master, and your wife too.
[33]Yes, yes, I am a shoemaker.
[33]Yes, yes, I am a shoemaker.
[34]Yes, yes; be not afraid. I have everything, to make boots big and little.
[34]Yes, yes; be not afraid. I have everything, to make boots big and little.
[35]I don’t know what you say; I don’t understand you.
[35]I don’t know what you say; I don’t understand you.
[36]Yes, yes, yes; I can do that very well.
[36]Yes, yes, yes; I can do that very well.
[37]Slatterns, sluts.
[37]Slatterns, sluts.
[38]O, I understand you; I must pay for half-a-dozen cans; here, boy, take this shilling, tap this once freely.
[38]O, I understand you; I must pay for half-a-dozen cans; here, boy, take this shilling, tap this once freely.
[39]Cant term for a beggar.
[39]Cant term for a beggar.
[40]Conger-eel.
[40]Conger-eel.
[41]Take cover.
[41]Take cover.
[42]Spent; panting with exhaustion.
[42]Spent; panting with exhaustion.
[43]Stupid.
[43]Stupid.
[44]I’ll tell you what, Hans; this ship that is come from Candia, is quite full, by God’s sacrament, of sugar, civet, almonds, cambric, and all things; a thousand, thousand things. Take it, Hans, take it for your master. There are the bills of lading. Your master, Simon Eyre, shall have a good bargain. What say you, Hans?
[44]I’ll tell you what, Hans; this ship that is come from Candia, is quite full, by God’s sacrament, of sugar, civet, almonds, cambric, and all things; a thousand, thousand things. Take it, Hans, take it for your master. There are the bills of lading. Your master, Simon Eyre, shall have a good bargain. What say you, Hans?
[45]My dear brother Firk, bring Master Eyre to the sign of the Swan; there shall you find this skipper and me. What say you, brother Firk? Do it, Hodge.—[There were at this time two inns with the sign of the Swan in London, one at Dowgate, the other in Old Fish Street.]
[45]My dear brother Firk, bring Master Eyre to the sign of the Swan; there shall you find this skipper and me. What say you, brother Firk? Do it, Hodge.—[There were at this time two inns with the sign of the Swan in London, one at Dowgate, the other in Old Fish Street.]
[46]A coin worth about three pounds twelve shillings.
[46]A coin worth about three pounds twelve shillings.
[47]“East from the Bishop of Winchester’s house, directly over against it, stands a fair church, called St. Mary over the Rie, or Overie, that is, over the water.”—Stow’s Survey of London.
[47]“East from the Bishop of Winchester’s house, directly over against it, stands a fair church, called St. Mary over the Rie, or Overie, that is, over the water.”—Stow’s Survey of London.
[48]Finsbury was a famous practising ground for archery at this time.
[48]Finsbury was a famous practising ground for archery at this time.
[49]A name given to Dutchwomen.
[49]A name given to Dutchwomen.
[50]By the way, beside the question.
[50]By the way, beside the question.
[51]German: Schelm, a scoundrel. Skanderbag, or Scander Beg (i.e.Lord Alexander), a Turkish name for John Kastriota, the Albanian hero, who freed his country from the yoke of the Turks (1443-1467).
[51]German: Schelm, a scoundrel. Skanderbag, or Scander Beg (i.e.Lord Alexander), a Turkish name for John Kastriota, the Albanian hero, who freed his country from the yoke of the Turks (1443-1467).
[52]A robe ornamented with guards or facings.
[52]A robe ornamented with guards or facings.
[53]Stamped.
[53]Stamped.
[54]Raising up, ruffling.
[54]Raising up, ruffling.
[55]Good day, master. This is the skipper that has the ship of merchandise; the commodity is good; take it, master, take it.
[55]Good day, master. This is the skipper that has the ship of merchandise; the commodity is good; take it, master, take it.
[56]The ship lies in the river; there are sugar, civet, almonds, cambric, and a thousand thousand things, by God’s sacrament, take it, master; you shall have a good bargain.
[56]The ship lies in the river; there are sugar, civet, almonds, cambric, and a thousand thousand things, by God’s sacrament, take it, master; you shall have a good bargain.
[57]Yes, yes, I have drunk well.
[57]Yes, yes, I have drunk well.
[58]Fr.Par Dieu. The word here means “truly.”
[58]Fr.Par Dieu. The word here means “truly.”
[59]Found, set; a play upon fond.
[59]Found, set; a play upon fond.
[60]Puppet: derived from Mahomet.
[60]Puppet: derived from Mahomet.
[61]Coins worth about 10s.each.
[61]Coins worth about 10s.each.
[62]Ale-kegs, made of wood; hence the need for scalding.
[62]Ale-kegs, made of wood; hence the need for scalding.
[63]I thank you, mistress!
[63]I thank you, mistress!
[64]Yes, I shall, mistress!
[64]Yes, I shall, mistress!
[65]High-heeled cork shoes were in fashion for ladies at this time.
[65]High-heeled cork shoes were in fashion for ladies at this time.
[66]Truly; seeante, p.33.
[66]Truly; seeante, p.33.
[67]A comparison suggested by the likeness of the flaps of the hood to the boards of a pillory, between which the head of the prisoner was fastened.
[67]A comparison suggested by the likeness of the flaps of the hood to the boards of a pillory, between which the head of the prisoner was fastened.
[68]The old name for Gracechurch Street before the fire of London.
[68]The old name for Gracechurch Street before the fire of London.
[69]I am merry; let’s see you so too!
[69]I am merry; let’s see you so too!
[70]Serve me, and I’ll serve thee.
[70]Serve me, and I’ll serve thee.
[71]Yes, I shall, dame!
[71]Yes, I shall, dame!
[72]Brighten up.
[72]Brighten up.
[73]Sheriff.
[73]Sheriff.
[74]“The three-farthing silver pieces of Queen Elizabeth had the profile of the sovereign with a rose at the back of her head.”—Dyce(Note toKing John.)
[74]“The three-farthing silver pieces of Queen Elizabeth had the profile of the sovereign with a rose at the back of her head.”—Dyce(Note toKing John.)
[75]The flap of a hood trimmed with fur or sheep’s wool.
[75]The flap of a hood trimmed with fur or sheep’s wool.
[76]i.e.For the twenty Portuguese previously lent.
[76]i.e.For the twenty Portuguese previously lent.
[77]Herrick, who was a goldsmith’s apprentice in London during the time when this play was performed, seems to have appropriated these words of Eyre’s, and turned them into rhyme in these lines:—“Let’s now take our time,While we’re in our prime,And old, old age is afar off;For the evil, evil days,Will come on apace,Before we can be aware of.”
[77]Herrick, who was a goldsmith’s apprentice in London during the time when this play was performed, seems to have appropriated these words of Eyre’s, and turned them into rhyme in these lines:—
“Let’s now take our time,While we’re in our prime,And old, old age is afar off;For the evil, evil days,Will come on apace,Before we can be aware of.”
[78]A song or catch for three voices. In the original, the two Three-Men’s Songs are printed separately from the rest of the play, and the place for their insertion is only very uncertainly indicated.
[78]A song or catch for three voices. In the original, the two Three-Men’s Songs are printed separately from the rest of the play, and the place for their insertion is only very uncertainly indicated.
[79]I thank you, good maid!
[79]I thank you, good maid!
[80]See noteante, p.39.
[80]See noteante, p.39.
[81]“Forward, Firk, thou art a jolly youngster. Hark, ay, master, I bid you cut me a pair of vamps for Master Jeffrey’s boots.” Vamps; upper leathers of a shoe.
[81]“Forward, Firk, thou art a jolly youngster. Hark, ay, master, I bid you cut me a pair of vamps for Master Jeffrey’s boots.” Vamps; upper leathers of a shoe.
[82]A play upon “vamps,” which sometimes has this meaning.
[82]A play upon “vamps,” which sometimes has this meaning.
[83]What do you want (was begehrt ihr), what would you, girl?
[83]What do you want (was begehrt ihr), what would you, girl?
[84]Where is your noble lady, where is your mistress?
[84]Where is your noble lady, where is your mistress?
[85]Yes, yes, I shall go with you.
[85]Yes, yes, I shall go with you.
[86]“At the west end of this Jesus chapel, under the choir of Paul’s, also was a parish church of St. Faith, commonly called St. Faith under Paul’s.”—Stow.
[86]“At the west end of this Jesus chapel, under the choir of Paul’s, also was a parish church of St. Faith, commonly called St. Faith under Paul’s.”—Stow.
[87]A corruption of “God’s nails.”
[87]A corruption of “God’s nails.”
[88]Indeed, mistress, ’tis a good shoe, it shall fit well, or you shall not pay.
[88]Indeed, mistress, ’tis a good shoe, it shall fit well, or you shall not pay.
[89]Yes, yes, I know that well; indeed, ’tis a good shoe, ’tis made of neat’s leather, see here, good sir!
[89]Yes, yes, I know that well; indeed, ’tis a good shoe, ’tis made of neat’s leather, see here, good sir!
[90]Honeykin (?); poor honey, poor creature.
[90]Honeykin (?); poor honey, poor creature.
[91]“Rest you merry.”—Shak., Romeo and Juliet, ActI, Sc. 2.
[91]“Rest you merry.”—Shak., Romeo and Juliet, ActI, Sc. 2.
[92]i.e.Diggers for information.
[92]i.e.Diggers for information.
[93]i.e.Stretchers of the truth, fibs.
[93]i.e.Stretchers of the truth, fibs.
[94]A stone in St. Swithin’s (now cased in the wall of the church), which marked the centre from which the old Roman-roads radiated.
[94]A stone in St. Swithin’s (now cased in the wall of the church), which marked the centre from which the old Roman-roads radiated.
[95]A small conduit near the Royal Exchange.
[95]A small conduit near the Royal Exchange.
[96]A pretty sight. See p, 74, l. 1. Compare Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” Act III., Sc. 1, 136, and Act IV., Sc. 1, 144.
[96]A pretty sight. See p, 74, l. 1. Compare Shakespeare’s “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” Act III., Sc. 1, 136, and Act IV., Sc. 1, 144.
[97]Terms used in a common children’s game, the point being to discover in which of the two hands some small object was hidden.
[97]Terms used in a common children’s game, the point being to discover in which of the two hands some small object was hidden.
[98]A sweet biscuit, similar to a macaroon.—Nares.
[98]A sweet biscuit, similar to a macaroon.—Nares.
[99]Fitted.
[99]Fitted.
[100]In any public affray, the cry was “Clubs, Clubs!” by way of calling for help (particularly by the London ’prentices).—Nares.
[100]In any public affray, the cry was “Clubs, Clubs!” by way of calling for help (particularly by the London ’prentices).—Nares.
[101]A piece of lace with a tag, which fastened the busk, or piece of whalebone, used to keep the stays in position.
[101]A piece of lace with a tag, which fastened the busk, or piece of whalebone, used to keep the stays in position.
[102]Whipped.
[102]Whipped.
[103]Leadenhall. [See notepost, p.85.]
[103]Leadenhall. [See notepost, p.85.]
[104]See noteante, p.19.
[104]See noteante, p.19.
[105]Barrels.
[105]Barrels.
[106]In suspense.
[106]In suspense.
[107]i.e.Swaggerer.
[107]i.e.Swaggerer.
[108]See note to First Three Men’s Song, p.46.
[108]See note to First Three Men’s Song, p.46.
[109]Pass, push about from one to the other, in drinking.
[109]Pass, push about from one to the other, in drinking.
[110]“A dish, made of milk, eggs and sugar, baked in a pot.”—Webster.
[110]“A dish, made of milk, eggs and sugar, baked in a pot.”—Webster.
[111]A steak cut crossways for broiling.
[111]A steak cut crossways for broiling.
[112]Bands or collars for the neck.
[112]Bands or collars for the neck.
[113]Flaps; as resembling the hanging chaps of a hound.
[113]Flaps; as resembling the hanging chaps of a hound.
[114]The allusion is, no doubt, to Kyd’sSoliman and Perseda, and to Marlowe’sTamburlaine, though these were long after Eyre’s time.
[114]The allusion is, no doubt, to Kyd’sSoliman and Perseda, and to Marlowe’sTamburlaine, though these were long after Eyre’s time.
[115]Magpie.
[115]Magpie.
[116]Tamerlane (Tamburlaine), Cham, or Khan of Tartary. Compare Shakespeare’sMuch Ado about Nothing, Act II. Sc. i.
[116]Tamerlane (Tamburlaine), Cham, or Khan of Tartary. Compare Shakespeare’sMuch Ado about Nothing, Act II. Sc. i.
[117]“A.D.1419. This year Sir Symon Eyre built Leadenhall, at his proper expense, as it now appears, and gave the same to the City to be employed as a public granary for laying up corn against a time of scarcity.”—Maitland, ii., p. 187.
[117]“A.D.1419. This year Sir Symon Eyre built Leadenhall, at his proper expense, as it now appears, and gave the same to the City to be employed as a public granary for laying up corn against a time of scarcity.”—Maitland, ii., p. 187.
[118]Merry-making.
[118]Merry-making.
[119]Portentous.
[119]Portentous.
[120]A red Spanish wine, made at Alicant.
[120]A red Spanish wine, made at Alicant.
[121]By our lady.
[121]By our lady.
[122]Ballad-makers.
[122]Ballad-makers.
[123]i.e.Readily. CompareGull’s Horn Book, Notts Ed. p. 160.
[123]i.e.Readily. CompareGull’s Horn Book, Notts Ed. p. 160.
[124]Grandee.
[124]Grandee.
[125]A contemptuous term for an old man of means.
[125]A contemptuous term for an old man of means.
[126]The superstitions about this plant, its fancied resemblance to the human figure, led to its being frequently alluded to in this way.
[126]The superstitions about this plant, its fancied resemblance to the human figure, led to its being frequently alluded to in this way.
[127]Query Whimlings—idiots.
[127]Query Whimlings—idiots.
[128]Wide of the mark.
[128]Wide of the mark.
[129]Scurfy.
[129]Scurfy.
[130]Bosom friend.
[130]Bosom friend.
[131]“Aunt” was a cant term both for a prostitute and a bawd.—Dyce.
[131]“Aunt” was a cant term both for a prostitute and a bawd.—Dyce.
[132]Cheat.
[132]Cheat.
[133]i.e.An idiot. The phrase had its origin in the practice of the crown granting the custody of idiots and their possessions to persons who had interest enough to secure the appointments.
[133]i.e.An idiot. The phrase had its origin in the practice of the crown granting the custody of idiots and their possessions to persons who had interest enough to secure the appointments.
[134]Foolish.
[134]Foolish.
[135]i.e.For love’s sake.
[135]i.e.For love’s sake.
[136]Bet.
[136]Bet.
[137]Hands.
[137]Hands.
[138]The shopkeeper’s common cry at this period.
[138]The shopkeeper’s common cry at this period.
[139]An exclamation of contempt, equivalent to “a fig for.”—Dyce.
[139]An exclamation of contempt, equivalent to “a fig for.”—Dyce.
[140]Proverbial term for a simpleton.
[140]Proverbial term for a simpleton.
[141]Milksop.
[141]Milksop.
[142]Beat.
[142]Beat.
[143]Thieves’ slang for a man who shams madness to gain his ends. Compare Dekker’sBellman of London, Grosart, sc. III., p. 101.
[143]Thieves’ slang for a man who shams madness to gain his ends. Compare Dekker’sBellman of London, Grosart, sc. III., p. 101.
[144]i.e.Not fully dressed.
[144]i.e.Not fully dressed.
[145]A stick used for plaiting ruffs.
[145]A stick used for plaiting ruffs.
[146]Sideboard.
[146]Sideboard.
[147]See note,ante, p.115.
[147]See note,ante, p.115.
[148]A common ejaculation of contempt.
[148]A common ejaculation of contempt.
[149]A corruption of “God’s my pity.”—Dyce.
[149]A corruption of “God’s my pity.”—Dyce.
[150]A gold coin worth about ten shillings. The play upon the word was one of the commonest puns of the time.
[150]A gold coin worth about ten shillings. The play upon the word was one of the commonest puns of the time.
[151]A docked horse.
[151]A docked horse.
[152]Spiced and sweetened wine.
[152]Spiced and sweetened wine.
[153]Half a gallon.
[153]Half a gallon.
[154]A roll of fine bread.
[154]A roll of fine bread.
[155]A sprightly dance.
[155]A sprightly dance.
[156]Prostitutes.
[156]Prostitutes.
[157]Rabbit-skin.
[157]Rabbit-skin.
[158]i.e.Retires to the background.
[158]i.e.Retires to the background.
[159]Cheat.
[159]Cheat.
[160]Hysterics.
[160]Hysterics.
[161]Paltry.
[161]Paltry.
[162]Respectfully.
[162]Respectfully.