SCENE 5.3.A ROOM IN VOLPONE'S HOUSE.ENTER MOSCA IN THE HABIT OF A CLARISSIMO;AND VOLPONE IN THAT OF A COMMANDADORE.VOLP: Am I then like him?MOS: O, sir, you are he;No man can sever you.VOLP: Good.MOS: But what am I?VOLP: 'Fore heaven, a brave clarissimo, thou becom'st it!Pity thou wert not born one.MOS [ASIDE.]: If I holdMy made one, 'twill be well.VOLP: I'll go and seeWhat news first at the court.[EXIT.]MOS: Do so. My FoxIs out of his hole, and ere he shall re-enter,I'll make him languish in his borrow'd case,Except he come to composition with me.—Androgyno, Castrone, Nano![ENTER ANDROGYNO, CASTRONE AND NANO.]ALL: Here.MOS: Go, recreate yourselves abroad; go sport.—[EXEUNT.]So, now I have the keys, and am possest.Since he will needs be dead afore his time,I'll bury him, or gain by him: I am his heir,And so will keep me, till he share at least.To cozen him of all, were but a cheatWell placed; no man would construe it a sin:Let his sport pay for it, this is call'd the Fox-trap.[EXIT.]
SCENE 5.4A STREET.ENTER CORBACCIO AND CORVINO.CORB: They say, the court is set.CORV: We must maintainOur first tale good, for both our reputations.CORB: Why, mine's no tale: my son would there have kill'd me.CORV: That's true, I had forgot:—[ASIDE.]—mine is, I am sure.But for your Will, sir.CORB: Ay, I'll come upon himFor that hereafter; now his patron's dead.[ENTER VOLPONE.]VOLP: Signior Corvino! and Corbaccio! sir,Much joy unto you.CORV: Of what?VOLP: The sudden good,Dropt down upon you—CORB: Where?VOLP: And, none knows how,From old Volpone, sir.CORB: Out, arrant knave!VOLP: Let not your too much wealth, sir, make you furious.CORB: Away, thou varlet!VOLP: Why, sir?CORB: Dost thou mock me?VOLP: You mock the world, sir; did you not change Wills?CORB: Out, harlot!VOLP: O! belike you are the man,Signior Corvino? 'faith, you carry it well;You grow not mad withal: I love your spirit:You are not over-leaven'd with your fortune.You should have some would swell now, like a wine-fat,With such an autumn—Did he give you all, sir?CORB: Avoid, you rascal!VOLP: Troth, your wife has shewnHerself a very woman; but you are well,You need not care, you have a good estate,To bear it out sir, better by this chance:Except Corbaccio have a share.CORV: Hence, varlet.VOLP: You will not be acknown, sir; why, 'tis wise.Thus do all gamesters, at all games, dissemble:No man will seem to win.[exeunt corvino and corbaccio.]—Here comes my vulture,Heaving his beak up in the air, and snuffing.[ENTER VOLTORE.]VOLT: Outstript thus, by a parasite! a slave,Would run on errands, and make legs for crumbs?Well, what I'll do—VOLP: The court stays for your worship.I e'en rejoice, sir, at your worship's happiness,And that it fell into so learned hands,That understand the fingering—VOLT: What do you mean?VOLP: I mean to be a suitor to your worship,For the small tenement, out of reparations,That, to the end of your long row of houses,By the Piscaria: it was, in Volpone's time,Your predecessor, ere he grew diseased,A handsome, pretty, custom'd bawdy-house,As any was in Venice, none dispraised;But fell with him; his body and that houseDecay'd, together.VOLT: Come sir, leave your prating.VOLP: Why, if your worship give me but your hand,That I may have the refusal, I have done.'Tis a mere toy to you, sir; candle-rents;As your learn'd worship knows—VOLT: What do I know?VOLP: Marry, no end of your wealth, sir, God decrease it!VOLT: Mistaking knave! what, mockst thou my misfortune?[EXIT.]VOLP: His blessing on your heart, sir; would 'twere more!—Now to my first again, at the next corner.[EXIT.]
SCENE 5.5.ANOTHER PART OF THE STREET.ENTER CORBACCIO AND CORVINO;—MOSCA PASSES OVER THE STAGE, BEFORE THEM.CORB: See, in our habit! see the impudent varlet!CORV: That I could shoot mine eyes at him like gun-stones.[ENTER VOLPONE.]VOLP: But is this true, sir, of the parasite?CORB: Again, to afflict us! monster!VOLP: In good faith, sir,I'm heartily grieved, a beard of your grave lengthShould be so over-reach'd. I never brook'dThat parasite's hair; methought his nose should cozen:There still was somewhat in his look, did promiseThe bane of a clarissimo.CORB: Knave—VOLP: MethinksYet you, that are so traded in the world,A witty merchant, the fine bird, Corvino,That have such moral emblems on your name,Should not have sung your shame; and dropt your cheese,To let the Fox laugh at your emptiness.CORV: Sirrah, you think the privilege of the place,And your red saucy cap, that seems to meNail'd to your jolt-head with those two chequines,Can warrant your abuses; come you hither:You shall perceive, sir, I dare beat you; approach.VOLP: No haste, sir, I do know your valour well,Since you durst publish what you are, sir.CORV: Tarry,I'd speak with you.VOLP: Sir, sir, another time—CORV: Nay, now.VOLP: O lord, sir! I were a wise man,Would stand the fury of a distracted cuckold.[AS HE IS RUNNING OFF, RE-ENTER MOSCA.]CORB: What, come again!VOLP: Upon 'em, Mosca; save me.CORB: The air's infected where he breathes.CORV: Let's fly him.[EXEUNT CORV. AND CORB.]VOLP: Excellent basilisk! turn upon the vulture.[ENTER VOLTORE.]VOLT: Well, flesh-fly, it is summer with you now;Your winter will come on.MOS: Good advocate,Prithee not rail, nor threaten out of place thus;Thou'lt make a solecism, as madam says.Get you a biggin more, your brain breaks loose.[EXIT.]VOLT: Well, sir.VOLP: Would you have me beat the insolent slave,Throw dirt upon his first good clothes?VOLT: This sameIs doubtless some familiar.VOLP: Sir, the court,In troth, stays for you. I am mad, a muleThat never read Justinian, should get up,And ride an advocate. Had you no quirkTo avoid gullage, sir, by such a creature?I hope you do but jest; he has not done it:'Tis but confederacy, to blind the rest.You are the heir.VOLT: A strange, officious,Troublesome knave! thou dost torment me.VOLP: I know—It cannot be, sir, that you should be cozen'd;'Tis not within the wit of man to do it;You are so wise, so prudent; and 'tis fitThat wealth and wisdom still should go together.[EXEUNT.]
SCENE 5.6.THE SCRUTINEO OR SENATE-HOUSE.ENTER AVOCATORI, NOTARIO, BONARIO, CELIA,CORBACCIO, CORVINO, COMMANDADORI, SAFFI, ETC.1 AVOC: Are all the parties here?NOT: All but the advocate.2 AVOC: And here he comes.[ENTER VOLTORE AND VOLPONE.]1 AVOC: Then bring them forth to sentence.VOLT: O, my most honour'd fathers, let your mercyOnce win upon your justice, to forgive—I am distracted—VOLP [ASIDE.]: What will he do now?VOLT: O,I know not which to address myself to first;Whether your fatherhoods, or these innocents—CORV [ASIDE.]: Will he betray himself?VOLT: Whom equallyI have abused, out of most covetous ends—CORV: The man is mad!CORB: What's that?CORV: He is possest.VOLT: For which, now struck in conscience, here, I prostateMyself at your offended feet, for pardon.1, 2 AVOC: Arise.CEL: O heaven, how just thou art!VOLP [ASIDE.]: I am caughtIn mine own noose—CORV [TO CORBACCIO.]: Be constant, sir: nought nowCan help, but impudence.1 AVOC: Speak forward.COM: Silence!VOLT: It is not passion in me, reverend fathers,But only conscience, conscience, my good sires,That makes me now tell trueth. That parasite,That knave, hath been the instrument of all.1 AVOC: Where is that knave? fetch him.VOLP: I go.[EXIT.]CORV: Grave fathers,This man's distracted; he confest it now:For, hoping to be old Volpone's heir,Who now is dead—3 AVOC: How?2 AVOC: Is Volpone dead?CORV: Dead since, grave fathers—BON: O sure vengeance!1 AVOC: Stay,Then he was no deceiver?VOLT: O no, none:The parasite, grave fathers.CORV: He does speakOut of mere envy, 'cause the servant's madeThe thing he gaped for: please your fatherhoods,This is the truth, though I'll not justifyThe other, but he may be some-deal faulty.VOLT: Ay, to your hopes, as well as mine, Corvino:But I'll use modesty. Pleaseth your wisdoms,To view these certain notes, and but confer them;As I hope favour, they shall speak clear truth.CORV: The devil has enter'd him!BON: Or bides in you.4 AVOC: We have done ill, by a public officer,To send for him, if he be heir.2 AVOC: For whom?4 AVOC: Him that they call the parasite.3 AVOC: 'Tis true,He is a man of great estate, now left.4 AVOC: Go you, and learn his name, and say, the courtEntreats his presence here, but to the clearingOf some few doubts.[EXIT NOTARY.]2 AVOC: This same's a labyrinth!1 AVOC: Stand you unto your first report?CORV: My state,My life, my fame—BON: Where is it?CORV: Are at the stake1 AVOC: Is yours so too?CORB: The advocate's a knave,And has a forked tongue—2 AVOC: Speak to the point.CORB: So is the parasite too.1 AVOC: This is confusion.VOLT: I do beseech your fatherhoods, read but those—[GIVING THEM THE PAPERS.]CORV: And credit nothing the false spirit hath writ:It cannot be, but he's possest grave fathers.[THE SCENE CLOSES.]
SCENE 5.7.A STREET.ENTER VOLPONE.VOLP: To make a snare for mine own neck! and runMy head into it, wilfully! with laughter!When I had newly 'scaped, was free, and clear,Out of mere wantonness! O, the dull devilWas in this brain of mine, when I devised it,And Mosca gave it second; he must nowHelp to sear up this vein, or we bleed dead.—[ENTER NANO, ANDROGYNO, AND CASTRONE.]How now! who let you loose? whither go you now?What, to buy gingerbread? or to drown kitlings?NAN: Sir, master Mosca call'd us out of doors,And bid us all go play, and took the keys.AND: Yes.VOLP: Did master Mosca take the keys? why so!I'm farther in. These are my fine conceits!I must be merry, with a mischief to me!What a vile wretch was I, that could not bearMy fortune soberly? I must have my crotchets,And my conundrums! Well, go you, and seek him:His meaning may be truer than my fear.Bid him, he straight come to me to the court;Thither will I, and, if't be possible,Unscrew my advocate, upon new hopes:When I provoked him, then I lost myself.[EXEUNT.]
SCENE 5.8.THE SCRUTINEO, OR SENATE-HOUSE.AVOCATORI, BONARIO, CELIA, CORBACCIO, CORVINO,COMMANDADORI, SAFFI, ETC., AS BEFORE.1 AVOC: These things can ne'er be reconciled. He, here,[SHEWING THE PAPERS.]Professeth, that the gentleman was wrong'd,And that the gentlewoman was brought thither,Forced by her husband, and there left.VOLT: Most true.CEL: How ready is heaven to those that pray!1 AVOC: But thatVolpone would have ravish'd her, he holdsUtterly false; knowing his impotence.CORV: Grave fathers, he's possest; again, I say,Possest: nay, if there be possession, andObsession, he has both.3 AVOC: Here comes our officer.[ENTER VOLPONE.]VOLP: The parasite will straight be here, grave fathers.4 AVOC: You might invent some other name, sir varlet.3 AVOC: Did not the notary meet him?VOLP: Not that I know.4 AVOC: His coming will clear all.2 AVOC: Yet, it is misty.VOLT: May't please your fatherhoods—VOLP [whispers volt.]: Sir, the parasiteWill'd me to tell you, that his master lives;That you are still the man; your hopes the same;And this was only a jest—VOLT: How?VOLP: Sir, to tryIf you were firm, and how you stood affected.VOLT: Art sure he lives?VOLP: Do I live, sir?VOLT: O me!I was too violent.VOLP: Sir, you may redeem it,They said, you were possest; fall down, and seem so:I'll help to make it good.[voltore falls.]—God bless the man!—Stop your wind hard, and swell: See, see, see, see!He vomits crooked pins! his eyes are set,Like a dead hare's hung in a poulter's shop!His mouth's running away! Do you see, signior?Now it is in his belly!CORV: Ay, the devil!VOLP: Now in his throat.CORV: Ay, I perceive it plain.VOLP: 'Twill out, 'twill out! stand clear.See, where it flies,In shape of a blue toad, with a bat's wings!Do you not see it, sir?CORB: What? I think I do.CORV: 'Tis too manifest.VOLP: Look! he comes to himself!VOLT: Where am I?VOLP: Take good heart, the worst is past, sir.You are dispossest.1 AVOC: What accident is this!2 AVOC: Sudden, and full of wonder!3 AVOC: If he werePossest, as it appears, all this is nothing.CORV: He has been often subject to these fits.1 AVOC: Shew him that writing:—do you know it, sir?VOLP [WHISPERS VOLT.]: Deny it, sir, forswear it; know it not.VOLT: Yes, I do know it well, it is my hand;But all that it contains is false.BON: O practice!2 AVOC: What maze is this!1 AVOC: Is he not guilty then,Whom you there name the parasite?VOLT: Grave fathers,No more than his good patron, old Volpone.4 AVOC: Why, he is dead.VOLT: O no, my honour'd fathers,He lives—1 AVOC: How! lives?VOLT: Lives.2 AVOC: This is subtler yet!3 AVOC: You said he was dead.VOLT: Never.3 AVOC: You said so.CORV: I heard so.4 AVOC: Here comes the gentleman; make him way.[ENTER MOSCA.]3 AVOC: A stool.4 AVOC [ASIDE.]: A proper man; and, were Volpone dead,A fit match for my daughter.3 AVOC: Give him way.VOLP [ASIDE TO MOSCA.]: Mosca, I was almost lost, the advocateHad betrayed all; but now it is recovered;All's on the hinge again—Say, I am living.MOS: What busy knave is this!—Most reverend fathers,I sooner had attended your grave pleasures,But that my order for the funeralOf my dear patron, did require me—VOLP [ASIDE.]: Mosca!MOS: Whom I intend to bury like a gentleman.VOLP [ASIDE.]: Ay, quick, and cozen me of all.2 AVOC: Still stranger!More intricate!1 AVOC: And come about again!4 AVOC [ASIDE.]: It is a match, my daughter is bestow'd.MOS [ASIDE TO VOLP.]: Will you give me half?VOLP: First, I'll be hang'd.MOS: I know,Your voice is good, cry not so loud.1 AVOC: DemandThe advocate.—Sir, did not you affirm,Volpone was alive?VOLP: Yes, and he is;This gentleman told me so.[ASIDE TO VOLP.]—Thou shalt have half.—MOS: Whose drunkard is this same? speak, some that know him:I never saw his face.[ASIDE TO VOLP.]—I cannot nowAfford it you so cheap.VOLP: No!1 AVOC: What say you?VOLT: The officer told me.VOLP: I did, grave fathers,And will maintain he lives, with mine own life.And that this creature [POINTS TO MOSCA.] told me.[ASIDE.]—I was born,With all good stars my enemies.MOS: Most grave fathers,If such an insolence as this must passUpon me, I am silent: 'twas not thisFor which you sent, I hope.2 AVOC: Take him away.VOLP: Mosca!3 AVOC: Let him be whipt.VOLP: Wilt thou betray me?Cozen me?3 AVOC: And taught to bear himselfToward a person of his rank.4 AVOC: Away.[THE OFFICERS SEIZE VOLPONE.]MOS: I humbly thank your fatherhoods.VOLP [ASIDE.]: Soft, soft: Whipt!And lose all that I have! If I confess,It cannot be much more.4 AVOC: Sir, are you married?VOLP: They will be allied anon; I must be resolute:The Fox shall here uncase.[THROWS OFF HIS DISGUISE.]MOS: Patron!VOLP: Nay, now,My ruins shall not come alone; your matchI'll hinder sure: my substance shall not glue you,Nor screw you into a family.MOS: Why, patron!VOLP: I am Volpone, and this is my knave;[POINTING TO MOSCA.]This [TO VOLT.], his own knave; This [TO CORB.], avarice's fool;This [TO CORV.], a chimera of wittol, fool, and knave:And, reverend fathers, since we all can hopeNought but a sentence, let's not now dispair it.You hear me brief.CORV: May it please your fatherhoods—COM: Silence.1 AVOC: The knot is now undone by miracle.2 AVOC: Nothing can be more clear.3 AVOC: Or can more proveThese innocent.1 AVOC: Give them their liberty.BON: Heaven could not long let such gross crimes be hid.2 AVOC: If this be held the high-way to get riches,May I be poor!3 AVOC: This is not the gain, but torment.1 AVOC: These possess wealth, as sick men possess fevers,Which trulier may be said to possess them.2 AVOC: Disrobe that parasite.CORV, MOS: Most honour'd fathers!—1 AVOC: Can you plead aught to stay the course of justice?If you can, speak.CORV, VOLT: We beg favour,CEL: And mercy.1 AVOC: You hurt your innocence, suing for the guilty.Stand forth; and first the parasite: You appearT'have been the chiefest minister, if not plotter,In all these lewd impostures; and now, lastly,Have with your impudence abused the court,And habit of a gentleman of Venice,Being a fellow of no birth or blood:For which our sentence is, first, thou be whipt;Then live perpetual prisoner in our gallies.VOLT: I thank you for him.MOS: Bane to thy wolvish nature!1 AVOC: Deliver him to the saffi.[MOSCA IS CARRIED OUT.]—Thou, Volpone,By blood and rank a gentleman, canst not fallUnder like censure; but our judgment on theeIs, that thy substance all be straight confiscateTo the hospital of the Incurabili:And, since the most was gotten by imposture,By feigning lame, gout, palsy, and such diseases,Thou art to lie in prison, cramp'd with irons,Till thou be'st sick, and lame indeed.—Remove him.[HE IS TAKEN FROM THE BAR.]VOLP: This is call'd mortifying of a Fox.1 AVOC: Thou, Voltore, to take away the scandalThou hast given all worthy men of thy profession,Art banish'd from their fellowship, and our state.Corbaccio!—bring him near—We here possessThy son of all thy state, and confine theeTo the monastery of San Spirito;Where, since thou knewest not how to live well here,Thou shalt be learn'd to die well.CORB: Ah! what said he?AND: You shall know anon, sir.1 AVOC: Thou, Corvino, shaltBe straight embark'd from thine own house, and row'dRound about Venice, through the grand canale,Wearing a cap, with fair long asses' ears,Instead of horns; and so to mount, a paperPinn'd on thy breast, to the Berlina—CORV: Yes,And have mine eyes beat out with stinking fish,Bruised fruit and rotten eggs—'Tis well. I am gladI shall not see my shame yet.1 AVOC: And to expiateThy wrongs done to thy wife, thou art to send herHome to her father, with her dowry trebled:And these are all your judgments.ALL: Honour'd fathers.—1 AVOC: Which may not be revoked. Now you begin,When crimes are done, and past, and to be punish'd,To think what your crimes are: away with them.Let all that see these vices thus rewarded,Take heart and love to study 'em! Mischiefs feedLike beasts, till they be fat, and then they bleed.[EXEUNT.][VOLPONE COMES FORWARD.]VOLPONE: The seasoning of a play, is the applause.Now, though the Fox be punish'd by the laws,He yet doth hope, there is no suffering due,For any fact which he hath done 'gainst you;If there be, censure him; here he doubtful stands:If not, fare jovially, and clap your hands.
[EXIT.]
ABATE, cast down, subdue.
ABHORRING, repugnant (to), at variance.
ABJECT, base, degraded thing, outcast.
ABRASE, smooth, blank.
ABSOLUTE(LY), faultless(ly).
ABSTRACTED, abstract, abstruse.
ABUSE, deceive, insult, dishonour, make ill use of.
ACATER, caterer.
ACATES, cates.
ACCEPTIVE, willing, ready to accept, receive.
ACCOMMODATE, fit, befitting. (The word was a fashionable one and used on all occasions. See "Henry IV.," pt. 2, iii. 4).
ACCOST, draw near, approach.
ACKNOWN, confessedly acquainted with.
ACME, full maturity.
ADALANTADO, lord deputy or governor of a Spanish province.
ADJECTION, addition.
ADMIRATION, astonishment.
ADMIRE, wonder, wonder at.
ADROP, philosopher's stone, or substance from which obtained.
ADSCRIVE, subscribe.
ADULTERATE, spurious, counterfeit.
ADVANCE, lift.
ADVERTISE, inform, give intelligence.
ADVERTISED, "be—," be it known to you.
ADVERTISEMENT, intelligence.
ADVISE, consider, bethink oneself, deliberate.
ADVISED, informed, aware; "are you—?" have you found that out?
AFFECT, love, like; aim at; move.
AFFECTED, disposed; beloved.
AFFECTIONATE, obstinate; prejudiced.
AFFECTS, affections.
AFFRONT, "give the—," face.
AFFY, have confidence in; betroth.
AFTER, after the manner of.
AGAIN, AGAINST, in anticipation of.
AGGRAVATE, increase, magnify, enlarge upon.
AGNOMINATION. See Paranomasie.
AIERY, nest, brood.
AIM, guess.
ALL HID, children's cry at hide-and-seek.
ALL-TO, completely, entirely ("all-to-be-laden").
ALLOWANCE, approbation, recognition.
ALMA-CANTARAS (astronomy), parallels of altitude.
ALMAIN, name of a dance.
ALMUTEN, planet of chief influence in the horoscope.
ALONE, unequalled, without peer.
ALUDELS, subliming pots.
AMAZED, confused, perplexed.
AMBER, AMBRE, ambergris.
AMBREE, MARY, a woman noted for her valour at the siege of Ghent, 1458.
AMES-ACE, lowest throw at dice.
AMPHIBOLIES, ambiguities.
AMUSED, bewildered, amazed.
AN, if.
ANATOMY, skeleton, or dissected body.
ANDIRONS, fire-dogs.
ANGEL, gold coin worth 10 shillings, stamped with the figure of the archangel Michael.
ANNESH CLEARE, spring known as Agnes le Clare.
ANSWER, return hit in fencing.
ANTIC, ANTIQUE, clown, buffoon.
ANTIC, like a buffoon.
ANTIPERISTASIS, an opposition which enhances the quality it opposes.
APOZEM, decoction.
APPERIL, peril.
APPLE-JOHN, APPLE-SQUIRE, pimp, pander.
APPLY, attach.
APPREHEND, take into custody.
APPREHENSIVE, quick of perception; able to perceive and appreciate.
APPROVE, prove, confirm.
APT, suit, adapt; train, prepare; dispose, incline.
APT(LY), suitable(y), opportune(ly).
APTITUDE, suitableness.
ARBOR, "make the—," cut up the game (Gifford).
ARCHES, Court of Arches.
ARCHIE, Archibald Armstrong, jester to James I. and Charles I.
ARGAILE, argol, crust or sediment in wine casks.
ARGENT-VIVE, quicksilver.
ARGUMENT, plot of a drama; theme, subject; matter in question; token, proof.
ARRIDE, please.
ARSEDINE, mixture of copper and zinc, used as an imitation of gold-leaf.
ARTHUR, PRINCE, reference to an archery show by a society who assumed arms, etc., of Arthur's knights.
ARTICLE, item.
ARTIFICIALLY, artfully.
ASCENSION, evaporation, distillation.
ASPIRE, try to reach, obtain, long for.
ASSALTO (Italian), assault.
ASSAY, draw a knife along the belly of the deer, a ceremony of the hunting-field.
ASSOIL, solve.
ASSURE, secure possession or reversion of.
ATHANOR, a digesting furnace, calculated to keep up a constant heat.
ATONE, reconcile.
ATTACH, attack, seize.
AUDACIOUS, having spirit and confidence.
AUTHENTIC(AL), of authority, authorised, trustworthy, genuine.
AVISEMENT, reflection, consideration.
AVOID, begone! get rid of.
AWAY WITH, endure.
AZOCH, Mercurius Philosophorum.
BABION, baboon.
BABY, doll.
BACK-SIDE, back premises.
BAFFLE, treat with contempt.
BAGATINE, Italian coin, worth about the third of a farthing.
BAIARD, horse of magic powers known to old romance.
BALDRICK, belt worn across the breast to support bugle, etc.
BALE (of dice), pair.
BALK, overlook, pass by, avoid.
BALLACE, ballast.
BALLOO, game at ball.
BALNEUM (BAIN MARIE), a vessel for holding hot water in which other vessels are stood for heating.
BANBURY, "brother of—," Puritan.
BANDOG, dog tied or chained up.
BANE, woe, ruin.
BANQUET, a light repast; dessert.
BARB, to clip gold.
BARBEL, fresh-water fish.
BARE, meer; bareheaded; it was "a particular mark of state and grandeur for the coachman to be uncovered" (Gifford).
BARLEY-BREAK, game somewhat similar to base.
BASE, game of prisoner's base.
BASES, richly embroidered skirt reaching to the knees, or lower.
BASILISK, fabulous reptile, believed to slay with its eye.
BASKET, used for the broken provision collected for prisoners.
BASON, basons, etc., were beaten by the attendant mob when bad characters were "carted."
BATE, be reduced; abate, reduce.
BATOON, baton, stick.
BATTEN, feed, grow fat.
BAWSON, badger.
BEADSMAN, prayer-man, one engaged to pray for another.
BEAGLE, small hound; fig. spy.
BEAR IN HAND, keep in suspense, deceive with false hopes.
BEARWARD, bear leader.
BEDPHERE. See Phere.
BEDSTAFF, (?) wooden pin in the side of the bedstead for supporting the bedclothes (Johnson); one of the sticks or "laths"; a stick used in making a bed.
BEETLE, heavy mallet.
BEG, "I'd—him," the custody of minors and idiots was begged for; likewise property fallen forfeit to the Crown ("your house had been begged").
BELL-MAN, night watchman.
BENJAMIN, an aromatic gum.
BERLINA, pillory.
BESCUMBER, defile.
BESLAVE, beslabber.
BESOGNO, beggar.
BESPAWLE, bespatter.
BETHLEHEM GABOR, Transylvanian hero, proclaimed King of Hungary.
BEVER, drinking.
BEVIS, SIR, knight of romance whose horse was equally celebrated.
BEWRAY, reveal, make known.
BEZANT, heraldic term: small gold circle.
BEZOAR'S STONE, a remedy known by this name was a supposed antidote to poison.
BID-STAND, highwayman.
BIGGIN, cap, similar to that worn by the Beguines; nightcap.
BILIVE (belive), with haste.
BILK, nothing, empty talk.
BILL, kind of pike.
BILLET, wood cut for fuel, stick.
BIRDING, thieving.
BLACK SANCTUS, burlesque hymn, any unholy riot.
BLANK, originally a small French coin.
BLANK, white.
BLANKET, toss in a blanket.
BLAZE, outburst of violence.
BLAZE, (her.) blazon; publish abroad.
BLAZON, armorial bearings; fig. all that pertains to good birth and breeding.
BLIN, "withouten—," without ceasing.
BLOW, puff up.
BLUE, colour of servants' livery, hence "—order," "—waiters."
BLUSHET, blushing one.
BOB, jest, taunt.
BOB, beat, thump.
BODGE, measure.
BODKIN, dagger, or other short, pointed weapon; long pin with which the women fastened up their hair.
BOLT, roll (of material).
BOLT, dislodge, rout out; sift (boulting-tub).
BOLT'S-HEAD, long, straight-necked vessel for distillation.
BOMBARD SLOPS, padded, puffed-out breeches.
BONA ROBA, "good, wholesome, plum-cheeked wench" (Johnson) —not always used in compliment.
BONNY-CLABBER, sour butter-milk.
BOOKHOLDER, prompter.
BOOT, "to—," into the bargain; "no—," of no avail.
BORACHIO, bottle made of skin.
BORDELLO, brothel.
BORNE IT, conducted, carried it through.
BOTTLE (of hay), bundle, truss.
BOTTOM, skein or ball of thread; vessel.
BOURD, jest.
BOVOLI, snails or cockles dressed in the Italian manner (Gifford).
BOW-POT, flower vase or pot.
BOYS, "terrible—," "angry—," roystering young bucks. (See Nares).
BRABBLES (BRABBLESH), brawls.
BRACH, bitch.
BRADAMANTE, a heroine in "Orlando Furioso."
BRADLEY, ARTHUR OF, a lively character commemorated in ballads.
BRAKE, frame for confining a horse's feet while being shod, or strong curb or bridle; trap.
BRANCHED, with "detached sleeve ornaments, projecting from the shoulders of the gown" (Gifford).
BRANDISH, flourish of weapon.
BRASH, brace.
BRAVE, bravado, braggart speech.
BRAVE (adv.), gaily, finely (apparelled).
BRAVERIES, gallants.
BRAVERY, extravagant gaiety of apparel.
BRAVO, bravado, swaggerer.
BRAZEN-HEAD, speaking head made by Roger Bacon.
BREATHE, pause for relaxation; exercise.
BREATH UPON, speak dispraisingly of.
BREND, burn.
BRIDE-ALE, wedding feast.
BRIEF, abstract; (mus.) breve.
BRISK, smartly dressed.
BRIZE, breese, gadfly.
BROAD-SEAL, state seal.
BROCK, badger (term of contempt).
BROKE, transact business as a broker.
BROOK, endure, put up with.
BROUGHTON, HUGH, an English divine and Hebrew scholar.
BRUIT, rumour.
BUCK, wash.
BUCKLE, bend.
BUFF, leather made of buffalo skin, used for military and serjeants' coats, etc.
BUFO, black tincture.
BUGLE, long-shaped bead.
BULLED, (?) bolled, swelled.
BULLIONS, trunk hose.
BULLY, term of familiar endearment.
BUNGY, Friar Bungay, who had a familiar in the shape of a dog.
BURDEN, refrain, chorus.
BURGONET, closely-fitting helmet with visor.
BURGULLION, braggadocio.
BURN, mark wooden measures ("—ing of cans").
BURROUGH, pledge, security.
BUSKIN, half-boot, foot gear reaching high up the leg.
BUTT-SHAFT, barbless arrow for shooting at butts.
BUTTER, NATHANIEL ("Staple of News"), a compiler of general news. (See Cunningham).
BUTTERY-HATCH, half-door shutting off the buttery, where provisions and liquors were stored.
BUY, "he bought me," formerly the guardianship of wards could be bought.
BUZ, exclamation to enjoin silence.
BUZZARD, simpleton.
BY AND BY, at once.
BY(E), "on the __," incidentally, as of minor or secondary importance; at the side.
BY-CHOP, by-blow, bastard.
CADUCEUS, Mercury's wand.
CALIVER, light kind of musket.
CALLET, woman of ill repute.
CALLOT, coif worn on the wigs of our judges or serjeants-at-law (Gifford).
CALVERED, crimped, or sliced and pickled. (See Nares).
CAMOUCCIO, wretch, knave.
CAMUSED, flat.
CAN, knows.
CANDLE-RENT, rent from house property.
CANDLE-WASTER, one who studies late.
CANTER, sturdy beggar.
CAP OF MAINTENCE, an insignia of dignity, a cap of state borne before kings at their coronation; also an heraldic term.
CAPABLE, able to comprehend, fit to receive instruction, impression.
CAPANEUS, one of the "Seven against Thebes."
CARACT, carat, unit of weight for precious stones, etc.; value, worth.
CARANZA, Spanish author of a book on duelling.
CARCANET, jewelled ornament for the neck.
CARE, take care; object.
CAROSH, coach, carriage.
CARPET, table-cover.
CARRIAGE, bearing, behaviour.
CARWHITCHET, quip, pun.
CASAMATE, casemate, fortress.
CASE, a pair.
CASE, "in—," in condition.
CASSOCK, soldier's loose overcoat.
CAST, flight of hawks, couple.
CAST, throw dice; vomit; forecast, calculate.
CAST, cashiered.
CASTING-GLASS, bottle for sprinkling perfume.
CASTRIL, kestrel, falcon.
CAT, structure used in sieges.
CATAMITE, old form of "ganymede."
CATASTROPHE, conclusion.
CATCHPOLE, sheriff's officer.
CATES, dainties, provisions.
CATSO, rogue, cheat.
CAUTELOUS, crafty, artful.
CENSURE, criticism; sentence.
CENSURE, criticise; pass sentence, doom.
CERUSE, cosmetic containing white lead.
CESS, assess.
CHANGE, "hunt—," follow a fresh scent.
CHAPMAN, retail dealer.
CHARACTER, handwriting.
CHARGE, expense.
CHARM, subdue with magic, lay a spell on, silence.
CHARMING, exercising magic power.
CHARTEL, challenge.
CHEAP, bargain, market.
CHEAR, CHEER, comfort, encouragement; food, entertainment.
CHECK AT, aim reproof at.
CHEQUIN, gold Italian coin.
CHEVRIL, from kidskin, which is elastic and pliable.
CHIAUS, Turkish envoy; used for a cheat, swindler.
CHILDERMASS DAY, Innocents' Day.
CHOKE-BAIL, action which does not allow of bail.
CHRYSOPOEIA, alchemy.
CHRYSOSPERM, ways of producing gold.
CIBATION, adding fresh substances to supply the waste of evaporation.
CIMICI, bugs.
CINOPER, cinnabar.
CIOPPINI, chopine, lady's high shoe.
CIRCLING BOY, "a species of roarer; one who in some way drew a man into a snare, to cheat or rob him" (Nares).
CIRCUMSTANCE, circumlocution, beating about the bush; ceremony, everything pertaining to a certain condition; detail, particular.
CITRONISE, turn citron colour.
CITTERN, kind of guitar.
CITY-WIRES, woman of fashion, who made use of wires for hair and dress.
CIVIL, legal.
CLAP, clack, chatter.
CLAPPER-DUDGEON, downright beggar.
CLAPS HIS DISH, a clap, or clack, dish (dish with a movable lid) was carried by beggars and lepers to show that the vessel was empty, and to give sound of their approach.
CLARIDIANA, heroine of an old romance.
CLARISSIMO, Venetian noble.
CLEM, starve.
CLICKET, latch.
CLIM O' THE CLOUGHS, etc., wordy heroes of romance.
CLIMATE, country.
CLOSE, secret, private; secretive.
CLOSENESS, secrecy.
CLOTH, arras, hangings.
CLOUT, mark shot at, bull's eye.
CLOWN, countryman, clodhopper.
COACH-LEAVES, folding blinds.
COALS, "bear no—," submit to no affront.
COAT-ARMOUR, coat of arms.
COAT-CARD, court-card.
COB-HERRING, HERRING-COB, a young herring.
COB-SWAN, male swan.
COCK-A-HOOP, denoting unstinted jollity; thought to be derived from turning on the tap that all might drink to the full of the flowing liquor.
COCKATRICE, reptile supposed to be produced from a cock's egg and to kill by its eye—used as a term of reproach for a woman.
COCK-BRAINED, giddy, wild.
COCKER, pamper.
COCKSCOMB, fool's cap.
COCKSTONE, stone said to be found in a cock's gizzard, and to possess particular virtues.
CODLING, softening by boiling.
COFFIN, raised crust of a pie.
COG, cheat, wheedle.
COIL, turmoil, confusion, ado.
COKELY, master of a puppet-show (Whalley).
COKES, fool, gull.
COLD-CONCEITED, having cold opinion of, coldly affected towards.
COLE-HARBOUR, a retreat for people of all sorts.
COLLECTION, composure; deduction.
COLLOP, small slice, piece of flesh.
COLLY, blacken.
COLOUR, pretext.
COLOURS, "fear no—," no enemy (quibble).
COLSTAFF, cowlstaff, pole for carrying a cowl=tub.
COME ABOUT, charge, turn round.
COMFORTABLE BREAD, spiced gingerbread.
COMING, forward, ready to respond, complaisant.
COMMENT, commentary; "sometime it is taken for a lie or fayned tale" (Bullokar, 1616).
COMMODITY, "current for—," allusion to practice of money-lenders, who forced the borrower to take part of the loan in the shape of worthless goods on which the latter had to make money if he could.
COMMUNICATE, share.
COMPASS, "in—," within the range, sphere.
COMPLEMENT, completion, completement; anything required for the perfecting or carrying out of a person or affair; accomplishment.
COMPLEXION, natural disposition, constitution.
COMPLIMENT, See Complement.
COMPLIMENTARIES, masters of accomplishments.
COMPOSITION, constitution; agreement, contract.
COMPOSURE, composition.
COMPTER, COUNTER, debtors' prison.
CONCEALMENT, a certain amount of church property had been retained at the dissolution of the monasteries; Elizabeth sent commissioners to search it out, and the courtiers begged for it.
CONCEIT, idea, fancy, witty invention, conception, opinion.
CONCEIT, apprehend.
CONCEITED, fancifully, ingeniously devised or conceived; possessed of intelligence, witty, ingenious (hence well conceited, etc.); disposed to joke; of opinion, possessed of an idea.
CONCEIVE, understand.
CONCENT, harmony, agreement.
CONCLUDE, infer, prove.
CONCOCT, assimilate, digest.
CONDEN'T, probably conducted.
CONDUCT, escort, conductor.
CONEY-CATCH, cheat.
CONFECT, sweetmeat.
CONFER, compare.
CONGIES, bows.
CONNIVE, give a look, wink, of secret intelligence.
CONSORT, company, concert.
CONSTANCY, fidelity, ardour, persistence.
CONSTANT, confirmed, persistent, faithful.
CONSTANTLY, firmly, persistently.
CONTEND, strive.
CONTINENT, holding together.
CONTROL (the point), bear or beat down.
CONVENT, assembly, meeting.
CONVERT, turn (oneself).
CONVEY, transmit from one to another.
CONVINCE, evince, prove; overcome, overpower; convict.
COP, head, top; tuft on head of birds; "a cop" may have reference to one or other meaning; Gifford and others interpret as "conical, terminating in a point."
COPE-MAN, chapman.
COPESMATE, companion.
COPY (Lat. copia), abundance, copiousness.
CORN ("powder—"), grain.
COROLLARY, finishing part or touch.
CORSIVE, corrosive.
CORTINE, curtain, (arch.) wall between two towers, etc.
CORYAT, famous for his travels, published as "Coryat's Crudities."
COSSET, pet lamb, pet.
COSTARD, head.
COSTARD-MONGER, apple-seller, coster-monger.
COSTS, ribs.
COTE, hut.
COTHURNAL, from "cothurnus," a particular boot worn by actors in Greek tragedy.
COTQUEAN, hussy.
COUNSEL, secret.
COUNTENANCE, means necessary for support; credit, standing.
COUNTER. See Compter.
COUNTER, pieces of metal or ivory for calculating at play.
COUNTER, "hunt—," follow scent in reverse direction.
COUNTERFEIT, false coin.
COUNTERPANE, one part or counterpart of a deed or indenture.
COUNTERPOINT, opposite, contrary point.
COURT-DISH, a kind of drinking-cup (Halliwell); N.E.D. quotes from Bp. Goodman's "Court of James I.": "The king... caused his carver to cut him out a court-dish, that is, something of every dish, which he sent him as part of his reversion," but this does not sound like short allowance or small receptacle.
COURT-DOR, fool.
COURTEAU, curtal, small horse with docked tail.
COURTSHIP, courtliness.
COVETISE, avarice.
COWSHARD, cow dung.
COXCOMB, fool's cap, fool.
COY, shrink; disdain.
COYSTREL, low varlet.
COZEN, cheat.
CRACK, lively young rogue, wag.
CRACK, crack up, boast; come to grief.
CRAMBE, game of crambo, in which the players find rhymes for a given word.
CRANCH, craunch.
CRANION, spider-like; also fairy appellation for a fly (Gifford, who refers to lines in Drayton's "Nimphidia").
CRIMP, game at cards.
CRINCLE, draw back, turn aside.
CRISPED, with curled or waved hair.
CROP, gather, reap.
CROPSHIRE, a kind of herring. (See N.E.D.)
CROSS, any piece of money, many coins being stamped with a cross.
CROSS AND PILE, heads and tails.
CROSSLET, crucible.
CROWD, fiddle.
CRUDITIES, undigested matter.
CRUMP, curl up.
CRUSADO, Portuguese gold coin, marked with a cross.
CRY ("he that cried Italian"), "speak in a musical cadence," intone, or declaim (?); cry up.
CUCKING-STOOL, used for the ducking of scolds, etc.
CUCURBITE, a gourd-shaped vessel used for distillation.
CUERPO, "in—," in undress.
CULLICE, broth.
CULLION, base fellow, coward.
CULLISEN, badge worn on their arm by servants.
CULVERIN, kind of cannon.
CUNNING, skill.
CUNNING, skilful.
CUNNING-MAN, fortune-teller.
CURE, care for.
CURIOUS(LY), scrupulous, particular; elaborate, elegant(ly), dainty(ly) (hence "in curious").
CURST, shrewish, mischievous.
CURTAL, dog with docked tail, of inferior sort.
CUSTARD, "quaking—," "—politic," reference to a large custard which formed part of a city feast and afforded huge entertainment, for the fool jumped into it, and other like tricks were played. (See "All's Well, etc." ii. 5, 40.)
CUTWORK, embroidery, open-work.
CYPRES (CYPRUS) (quibble), cypress (or cyprus) being a transparent material, and when black used for mourning.
DAGGER ("—frumety"), name of tavern.
DARGISON, apparently some person known in ballad or tale.
DAUPHIN MY BOY, refrain of old comic song.
DAW, daunt.
DEAD LIFT, desperate emergency.
DEAR, applied to that which in any way touches us nearly.
DECLINE, turn off from; turn away, aside.
DEFALK, deduct, abate.
DEFEND, forbid.
DEGENEROUS, degenerate.
DEGREES, steps.
DELATE, accuse.
DEMI-CULVERIN, cannon carrying a ball of about ten pounds.
DENIER, the smallest possible coin, being the twelfth part of a sou.
DEPART, part with.
DEPENDANCE, ground of quarrel in duello language.
DESERT, reward.
DESIGNMENT, design.
DESPERATE, rash, reckless.
DETECT, allow to be detected, betray, inform against.
DETERMINE, terminate.
DETRACT, draw back, refuse.
DEVICE, masque, show; a thing moved by wires, etc., puppet.
DEVISE, exact in every particular.
DEVISED, invented.
DIAPASM, powdered aromatic herbs, made into balls of perfumed paste. (See Pomander.)
DIBBLE, (?) moustache (N.E.D.); (?) dagger (Cunningham).
DIFFUSED, disordered, scattered, irregular.
DIGHT, dressed.
DILDO, refrain of popular songs; vague term of low meaning.
DIMBLE, dingle, ravine.
DIMENSUM, stated allowance.
DISBASE, debase.
DISCERN, distinguish, show a difference between.
DISCHARGE, settle for.
DISCIPLINE, reformation; ecclesiastical system.
DISCLAIM, renounce all part in.
DISCOURSE, process of reasoning, reasoning faculty.
DISCOURTSHIP, discourtesy.
DISCOVER, betray, reveal; display.
DISFAVOUR, disfigure.
DISPARAGEMENT, legal term applied to the unfitness in any way of a marriage arranged for in the case of wards.
DISPENSE WITH, grant dispensation for.
DISPLAY, extend.
DIS'PLE, discipline, teach by the whip.
DISPOSED, inclined to merriment.
DISPOSURE, disposal.
DISPRISE, depreciate.
DISPUNCT, not punctilious.
DISQUISITION, search.
DISSOLVED, enervated by grief.
DISTANCE, (?) proper measure.
DISTASTE, offence, cause of offence.
DISTASTE, render distasteful.
DISTEMPERED, upset, out of humour.
DIVISION (mus.), variation, modulation.
DOG-BOLT, term of contempt.
DOLE, given in dole, charity.
DOLE OF FACES, distribution of grimaces.
DOOM, verdict, sentence.
DOP, dip, low bow.
DOR, beetle, buzzing insect, drone, idler.
DOR, (?) buzz; "give the—," make a fool of.
DOSSER, pannier, basket.
DOTES, endowments, qualities.
DOTTEREL, plover; gull, fool.
DOUBLE, behave deceitfully.
DOXY, wench, mistress.
DRACHM, Greek silver coin.
DRESS, groom, curry.
DRESSING, coiffure.
DRIFT, intention.
DRYFOOT, track by mere scent of foot.
DUCKING, punishment for minor offences.
DUILL, grieve.
DUMPS, melancholy, originally a mournful melody.
DURINDANA, Orlando's sword.
DWINDLE, shrink away, be overawed.
EAN, yean, bring forth young.
EASINESS, readiness.
EBOLITION, ebullition.
EDGE, sword.
EECH, eke.
EGREGIOUS, eminently excellent.
EKE, also, moreover.
E-LA, highest note in the scale.
EGGS ON THE SPIT, important business on hand.
ELF-LOCK, tangled hair, supposed to be the work of elves.
EMMET, ant.
ENGAGE, involve.
ENGHLE. See Ingle.
ENGHLE, cajole; fondle.
ENGIN(E), device, contrivance; agent; ingenuity, wit.
ENGINER, engineer, deviser, plotter.
ENGINOUS, crafty, full of devices; witty, ingenious.
ENGROSS, monopolise.
ENS, an existing thing, a substance.
ENSIGNS, tokens, wounds.