[130] The old spelling of than was then, and this must be observed here. The echo is supposed to encourage Marius again to take up arms—

"Nought better fits old Marius' mind than war."

And the reply of the echo is, "Then war," or then go to war.

[131] This passage is quoted by Mr Steevens in a note on "Hamlet," act v. sc. 1, to show that "the winter's flaw" there spoken of means "the winter's blast."

[132] Old copy, Distia.

[133] Dreariment is not so frequently met in any of our old writers as Spenser: I do not recollect it in any play before. It requires no explanation.

[134] Old copy, coffer.

[135] Old copy, Marius live.

[136] Lozel is always used as a term of contempt, and means a worthless fellow.

[137] Old copy, have.

[138] Old copy, And.

[139] Old copy, consist.

[140] We have before had Pedro the Frenchman, or rather the Gaul, according to Plutarch (though why he is called by the Spanish name of Pedro, we know not), employed to murder Marius, swearing Par le sang de Dieu, Notre Dame, and Jesu: and towards the close of the play, where a couple of ludicrous characters are introduced, "to mollify the vulgar," the "Paul's steeple of honour" is talked of. Such anachronisms, however gross, are common to all the dramatists of that day. Shakespeare is notoriously full of them; and all must remember the discussion between Hamlet and his friend regarding the children of Paul's and of the Queen's chapel.

[141] Shakespeare and many other writers of the time use this form of fetch: thus in "Henry V." act iii. sc. 1—

"On, on, you noble English, Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof."

[142] Glozing and flattering are synonymous: perhaps to gloze, or, as it is sometimes spelt, to glose, is the same word as to gloss. It is common in Milton in the sense that it bears in the text.

[143] [i.e., Pinky eyne or pink (small) eyes.] See Mr Steevens's note on the song in "Anthony and Cleopatra," beginning—

"Come, thou monarch of the vine, Plumpy Bacchus, with pink eyne."

[144] This incident is founded upon a passage in Plutarch's "Life of Caius Marius," only in that author the man with the wine discloses where Anthony is concealed to the drawer, of whom he gets the wine, and not to the soldiers.

[145] The meaning of to assoil is to absolve (see note 4 to "The Adventurers of Five Hours"), from the Latin absolvere; but here it signifies to resolve or remove doubts. Thus in a passage quoted by Mr Todd—

"For the assoiling of this difficulty, I lay down these three propositions."—Mede, Rev. of God's House.

The word is frequently to be met with in Spenser in the sense of to discharge, or set free.

[146] In doly season is in melancholy or wintry season: an adjective formed from dole, and with the same meaning as doleful.

[147] The death of Anthony is thus related in North's Plutarch, "Life of Marius"—

"But he (Marius) sent Annius one of his captaines thither ... and when they were come to the house which the drawer had brought them to, Annius taried beneath at the doore, and the souldiers went up the staiers into the chamber, and finding Anthonie there, they began to encourage one another to kill him, not one of them having the heart to lay hands upon him. For Anthonies tongue was as sweet as a Syrene, and had such an excellent grace in speaking, that when he began to speake unto the souldiers and to pray them to save his life, there was not one of them so hard-hearted as once to touch him, no not onely to looke him in the face, but looking downewards fell a weeping. Annius perceiving they taried long and came not downe, went himself up into the chamber and found Anthonie talking to his souldiers, and them weeping, his sweete eloquent tongue had so melted their hearts: but he, rating them, ran furiously upon him and strake off his head with his owne hands."

[148] Shakespeare's commentators might have added this passage to the long list of others they have brought forward (see note on "Othello," act i. sc. 3), to show that intention and attention, and intentive and attentive, were once, synonymous.

[149] This expression is also introduced by Lodge into his "Rosalynde," 1590, though probably this play was written first—

"With sad and sorry cheer About her wond'ring stood The citizens of the wood."

Shakespeare calls deer in "As You Like It" citizens, and elsewhere, "native burghers of this desert city."

The author of "Fuimus Troes" goes farther, and calls the blessed souls in heaven citizens—

"Then shall I Envy no more those citizens above The ambrosian juncates of the Olympian hall."

[150] Old copy, arm.

[151] The name of Carbo is accidently omitted before this reply in the quarto.

[152] Old copy misplaces the words break and bend; the alteration here made was suggested by Mr Collier.

[153] i.e., With a withy, or twig of willow.

[154] Old copy, the ravens.

[155] The quarto reads: "Enter Scipio and Norbanus, Publius Lentulus," but the latter has nothing to do with the scene, while Carinna is omitted.

[156] Old copy, heedless.

[157] It is very common for Shakespeare and his contemporaries to use the word pretend for intend. See notes to "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," act ii. sc. 6.

[158] In his "Life of Marius," Plutarch states that this event occurred at Perusia, and that Young Marius was besieged there by Sylla; but in his "Life of Sylla" he corrects the error, and informs us that Young Marius was besieged by Lucretius, and that he slew himself at Praeneste.

[159] Jest was used by our ancestors in various senses, but here it means a deed or action only; thus Sir T. Elyot, as Mr Todd notes, speaks of "the jests or acts of princes and captains." In fact, this is the general signification of the term, though it has sometimes a more particular application. Gest and jest are the same word, though now and then distinguished.

[160] Old copy, floats.

[161] Old copy, lo.

[162] Old copy, yea. By She Sylla must be understood to refer to Fate, whom he has just mentioned.

[163] [Old copy, while.]

[164] i.e., Verse.

[165] See vol. iv. p. 80, respecting the razors of Palermo.—Collier. [Mr Collier's suggested retention of shave, the reading of the old copy, I cannot support.]

[166] "Phlegon's hot breath" is mentioned in "Fuimus Troes;" one of the horses of the sun was so named.

[167] [Old copy, fairs.]

[168] From the edition of 1610. It is not in the first 4to.

[169] In the edition of 1610 the number of performers is raised to ten. The two additional characters are the King of Valentia and Anselmo.

[170] Perhaps the earliest instance of the use of this expression, as to which see "Old English Jest-Books," 1864, iii.; "Pleasant Conceits of Old Hobson," Introd.

[171] [The 4to of 1610 makes Tremelio enter here; but he does not appear to come on till afterwards.]

[172] [Old copies, Catalone, a.]

[173] [Old copies, Oh.]

[174] Old copies, hardly I did oft.

[175] Old copies, on.

[176] Edit. 1598, Therefore to. Edit. 1610, There for to.

[177] Edit. 1598 and 1610, hath forget.

[178] Edits, transpose the two commencing words of this line, and the first word of the preceding one.

[179] Edits., say.

[180] Anticipated. Old copies read we for me.

[181] Old copy, are

[182] Old copies, her.

[183] Edit. 1610, attend.

[184] Edit. 1610, axe.

[185] Old copies, his.

[186] Edit. 1598, Wily; edit. 1610, wilde.

[187] Old copies, his Bremo.

[188] Edits., ah, hermit!

[189] Edits., fair lady.

[190] Edits., this is.

[191] In the old copies there is here a direction, He disguiseth himself, which appears wrong, as Mucedorus is already disguised, and what he next does is, in fact, to discover himself.

[192] Edits., none, none, no.

[193] Edit. 1620, sacred.

[194] Old copies, look.

[195] Edit. 1598, paled; 1106, pallade.

[196] Edit. 1610, strike.

[197] After this line, in the edition of 1610, occurs the following substitution for the lines in edit. 1598, beginning "Ho, lords," and concluding with "Exeunt omnes:"—

Were but thy father, the Valentia lord, Present in view of this combining knot.

A shout within. Enter a MESSENGER.

What shout was that?

MESSENGER. My lord, the great Valentia king, Newly arrived, entreats your presence.

MUCEDORUS. My father?

KING OF ARRAGON. Prepared welcomes; give him entertainment. A happier planet never reigned than that, Which governs at this hour.

[Sound.

Enter the KING OF VALENTIA, ANSELMO, RODRIGO, BARCHEUS, with others; the KING runs and embraces his son.

KING OF VALENTIA. Rise, honour of my age, food to my rest: Condemn not (mighty King of Arragon) My rude behaviour, so compell'd by Nature, That manner stood unknowledged.

KING OF ARRAGON. What we have to recite would tedious prove By declaration; therefore in and feast. To-morrow the performance shall explain, What words conceal; till then, drums, speak, bells, ring: Give plausive welcomes to our brother king.

[Sound drums and trumpets. Exeunt omnes.

[198] [In the edition of 1610, the conclusion, from this line, is so different, that the best mode appeared to be to give it at the foot of the page:—

COMEDY. Envy, spit thy gall; Plot, work, contrive; create new fallacies; Team from thy womb each minute a black traitor, Whose blood and thoughts have twin conception: Study to act deeds yet unchronicled; Cast native monsters in the moulds of men; Case vicious devils under sancted rochets; Unhasp the wicket, where all perjureds roost, And swarm this ball with treasons. Do thy worst; Thou canst not (hell-hound) cross my star[A] to-night. [A] [Old copy, steare.] Nor blind that glory, where I wish delight.

ENVY. I can. I will.

COMEDY. Nefarious hag, begin; And let us tug, till one the mast'ry win.

ENVY. Comedy, thou art a shallow goose; I'll overthrow thee in thine own intent, And make thy fall my comic merriment.

COMEDY. Thy policy wants gravity; thou art too weak. Speak, fiend. As how?

ENVY. Why thus; From my foul study will I hoist a wretch, A lean and hungry negro [Old copy, neagre.] cannibal: Whose jaws swell to his eyes with chawing malice, And him I'll make a poet.

COMEDY. What's that to th'purpose?

ENVY. This scrambling raven, with his needy beard, Will I whet on to write a comedy, Wherein shall be compos'd dark sentences, Pleasing to factious brains: And every other where place me a jest. Whose high abuse shall more torment than blows. Then I myself (quicker than lightning), Will fly me to a puissant magistrate, And waiting with a trencher at his back, In midst of jollity rehearse those galls [Old copy, gaules.] (With some additions) so lately vented in your theatre: He upon this cannot but make complaint, To your great danger, or at least restraint.

COMEDY. Ha, ha, ha! I laugh to hear thy folly; This is a trap for boys, not men, nor such, Especially desertful in their doings, Whose staid discretion rules their purposes. I and my faction do eschew those vices. But see, O see, the weary sun for rest Hath lain his golden compass to the west, Where he perpetual bide and ever shine, As David's offspring in his happy clime. Stoop, Envy, stoop, bow to the earth with me, Let's beg our pardons on our bended knee. [They kneel.

ENVY. My power has lost her might; Envy's date's expired, Yon splendant majesty hath fell'd my sting, And I amazed am. [Fall down and quake.

COMEDY. Glorious and wise Arch-Caesar on this earth, At whose appearance Envy's stroken dumb, And all bad things cease operation, Vouchsafe to pardon our unwilling error, So late presented to your gracious view, And we'll endeavour with excess of pain To please your senses in a choicer strain, Thus we commit you to the arms of night, Whose spangled carcase would (for your delight) Strive to excel the day. Be blessed then: Who other wishes, let him never speak.

ENVY. Amen! To Fame and Honour we commend your rest; Live still more happy, every hour more blest.

FINIS.]

[199] To the edition printed in the Percy Society's Series.

[200] The old spelling has now been abandoned.

[201] For these I am indebted to the kindness of Mr J.P. Collier, who is now editing "Henslowe's Diary" for the Shakespeare Society. The portions of it which were published by Malone are very incorrectly given.

[202] Book in these entries means play.

[203] This entry is struck through, the money having been repaid.

[204] This entry is in Porter's own handwriting.

[205] "Spec. of Engl. Dram. Poets," ii. 185, edit. 1835.

[206] See Hazlitt's "Popular Poetry," iv, 38-40.

[207] Second edit., Welcome then.

[208] From the second edit. Not in first edit.

[209] Prospects, views, scenes in sight; a meaning of the word which is found in much later writers.

[210] So second edit. First edit. he.

[211] Absolute, perfect, [or rather, perhaps, pure.]

[212] Read, for the metre, He will.

[213] So second edit. First edit., to.

[214] The audience were to suppose that the stage now represented an orchard; for be it remembered that there was no movable painted scenery in the theatres at the time when this play was produced.

[215] Second edit., rubber, but the other form is common in our old writers.

[216] [So second edit.] Equivalent to be hanged.

[217] Second edit., woman, which is probably right; see two passages farther on, in one of which both editions have woman.

[218] Gold coins. The words give occasion to innumerable puns in our early dramas.

[219] Read, for the metre, here is

[220] Second edit., woman: see note [217].

[221] A term of the game.

[222] Edits., better,—the eye of the original compositor having caught the word above.

[223] A term of the game.

[224] i.e. Hit.

[225] Here, probably, Mistress Goursey should make her exit.

[226] i.e., We cannot help it.

[227] So second edit. First edit., Afford.

[228] The author probably wrote, "I do impart:" compare the next line.

[229] [Old copies, tick.]

[230] i.e., Taught her to tread the ring,—to perform various movements in different directions within a ring marked out on a piece of ground: see Markham's "Cheap and Good Husbandry," &c. p. 18, sqq. edit. 1631.

[231] [Campagne.] A form of campaign common in our early writers.

[232] i.e., Wilt thou wear, &c.: point means one of the tagged laces which were used in dress to attach the hose or breeches to the doublet, &c.

[233] So second edit. First edit., th'art.

[234] [Old copies read when.]

[235] So second edit. First edit., in the.

[236] So second edit. Not in first edit.

[237] [Meaning a tavern of that name.]

[238] Sheathe your sword.

[239] Edits., me.

[240] [Old copy, He's.] Read, for the metre, He is.

[241] i.e., Quality, disposition.

[242] [Old copies, he'll.] Read, for the metre, he will.

[243] [Fine worsted.]

[244] [Old copies, his hat, and all green hat.]

[245] [Old copies, indirect.]

[246] Edits., vassailes.

[247] So second edit. First edit., women's.

[248] Qy. for an?

[249] [Old copies, She's.] Read, for the metre, She is.

[250] A corruption of God's.

[251] [Old copies, pale.]

[252] Edits., apprehend, but certainly Mall had spoken with sufficient plainness.

[253] i.e., Nature.

[254] So second edit. First edit., nay.

[255] The common dress of a serving-man.

[256] Edits., you, which, perhaps, is the right reading, some word having dropp'd out after it. Qy. thus—

'MRS BAR. Mistresse flurt, you mean, Foule strumpet, light a loue, short heeles! Mistresse Goursey Call her,' &c.

—Dyce. [But yea seems to be the more likely word.]

[257] So second edit. First edit., tell.

[258] i.e., Vile.

[259] Edits., forlorn.

[260] Qy., Mother, he loves?

[261] So second edit. First edit., the.

[262] So second edit. First edit., Thaust.

[263] i.e., Refuse.

[264] So second edit. First edit., Gads.

[265] Edits., His.

[266] Qy., Franke he is young? Compare the preceding line but one.

[267] i.e., By our lady.

[268] i.e., Miserly persons.

[269] The author probably wrote neuer was.

[270] i.e., Honest men.

[271] So second edit. First edit., ma.

[272] [See Hazlitt's "Proverbs," 1869, p. 128.]

[273] So second edit. First edit., faith in.

[274] Edits., some.

[275] Edits., treason.

[276] i.e., Vomits: a common pun in old dramas.

[277] i.e., Easily.

[278] Edits., But.

[279] So second edit., First edit., cehape.

[280] Read, for the metre, He is.

[281] Equivalent to—poor, contemptible fellow: but I must leave the reader to determine the exact meaning of this term of reproach. As pingle signifies a small croft, Nares (citing a passage from Lyly's "Euphues") says that pingler is "probably a labouring horse, kept by a farmer in his homestead." "Gloss." in v.—In Brockett's "Gloss, of North Country Words" is "Pingle, to work assiduously but inefficiently,—to labour until you are almost blind." In Forby's "Vocab. of East Anglia" we find, "Pingle, to pick one's food, to eat squeamishly:" and in Moor's "Suffolk Words" is a similar explanation. See also Jamieson's "Et. Dict. of Scott. Lang."

[282] So second edit. Not in first edit.

[283] So second edit. First edit., drinke.

[284] So second edit. First edit., Nich.

[285] [This is probably intended to run into verse—

"For when a man doth to Rome come, He must do as there is done."]

[286] [Old copies, crush.]

[287] A form of digest, common in our early writers.

[288] [This emendation was suggested by Dyce.]

[289] [Old copies, shape.]

[290] So second edit. First edit., fathers.

[291] So second edit. First edit., than.

[292] Edits., Franke.

[293] [Old copies, boye yee.]

[294] [Old copies, love capable to.]

[295] So second edit. First edit., Maister.

[296] Some word most probably has dropped out from the line. [Perhaps not.]

[297] So second edit. First edit., craft.

[298] A familiar term for the old English broadsword.

[299] The sharp point in the centre of the buckler.

[300] So second edit. First edit., and.

[301] [Dyce proposed to read ont.]

[302] i.e., Brave.

[303] [Old copies, strukst.]

[304] i.e., Manlike, masculine.

[305] See note [218].

[306] i.e., The parson: Sir was a title applied to clergymen.

[307] See note [255].

[308] [A line appears to be lost here, probably ending with selves, as the whole dialogue is in rhyme.]

[309] i.e., Forester.

[310] Seems to be used here for herd; an unusual meaning of the word. [See Halliwell's "Diet." v. Berry, No. 3.]

[311] So second edit. First edit. me.

[312] So second edit. First edit. th'.

[313] Edits. he.

[314] So second edit. First edit. thee.

[315] So second edit. First edit. thorowly.

[316] See note [218].

[317] Swoon.

[318] Read, for the metre, she is.

[319] Edits., wone.

[320] i.e., An I of the Christ-cross row or alphabet.

[321] A term of endearment, formed, perhaps, from pink, to wink, to contract the eyelids.

[322] Edits., sower.

[323] i.e., A good whip (whipstock is properly the stock or handle of a whip).

[324] A term of endearment, which often occurs in our early dramatists.

[325] Edits., patient.

[326] [Old copies, thy.]

[327] So second edit. First edit., cheesse.

[328] So second edit. First edit., to.

[329] Read, for the metre, Shee is.

[330] A recollection perhaps of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," act iii. sc. 5—

"If I would the fool were married to her grave!"

[331] i.e., Honest.

[332] i.e., Deny.

[333] Read, for the metre, is it.

[334] So second edit. First edit., mistrurst.

[335] Qy., now I swear:

[336] Edits., confederates.

[337] Occurs somewhat earlier in edits. (to warn the actors to be in readiness for coming on the stage).

[338] A well-known part of Oxford. "The principal street is the High Street, running from Magdalen Bridge to Carfax Church," &c —New Oxford Guide, p. 3, 8th edit.

[339] i.e., Fine.

[340] A common proverbial expression: "Beggars'-bush being a tree notoriously known, on the left-hand of the London road, from Huntingdon to Caxton." [Hazlitt'a "Proverbs," 1869, p. 401. See also pp. 82, 199.]

[341] i.e., Refuse.

[342] Is a common term for a small dagger, but here it seems to be used in contempt; see the next speech of Coomes.

[343] The origin of this corrupted oath is, I believe, unknown.

[344] i.e., Rabbit-burrow.

[345] i.e., Call me horse.

[346] A not uncommon proverbial expression. Nares ("Gloss." in v.) mentions three places which still retain the name—one between Oxford and Banbury, another close to Stafford, the third near Shrewsbury.

[347] i.e., Counsel, advice.

[348] i.e., Vile.

[349] So second edit. First edit., upon.

[350] i.e., Till.

[351] i.e., A kind of net for catching rabbits,—usually stretched before their holes.

[352] [The name of a popular game.]

[353] So second edit. First edit., do.

[354] i.e., A sucking, or young rabbit.

[355] Vile.

[356] So second edit. First edit., you'r.

[357] Second edit., wilt not.

[358] i.e., Honest.

[359] Edits. glimpes (the two last letters transposed by mistake.)

[360] i.e., Gave notice of, discovered.

[361] So second edit. First edit. metamorphesie.

[362] So second edit. First edit. these.

[363] So second edit. First edit. 'Sbloud.

[364] i.e., Nearer.

[365] So second edit. Not in first edit.

[366] Qy. "Sir Ralph Smith, I know."

[367] So second edit. These words are wanting in first edit.

[368] This stage direction occurs somewhat earlier in edits.

[369] I am not sure that this stage direction, which I have added, is the right one. It would seem, however, that Sir Ralph Smith remains on the stage, and is supposed not to overhear the dialogue which ensues between Francis and Will.

[370] Edits., Sbloud.

[371] So second edit. First edit., whench.

[372] Edits., ask't and aske.

[373] Read, for the metre, It is.

[374] So second edit. Not in first edit.

[375] Qy., order here?

[376] i.e., Nearer.

[377] Perhaps he ought only to retire.

[378] So second edit. First edit., asgoe.

[379] [Old copies, boye.]

[380] It would seem that something is wanting after this speech, unless we are to suppose that here the Boy lies down and falls asleep, and that he wakens on the second entrance of Hodge,—where, however, the edits. distinctly mark "Enter Hodge and Boy"; see later: Enter [severally] HODGE and BOY.

[381] i.e., Excels.

[382] So second edit. First edit. clowdes.

[383] So second edit. Not in first edit.

[384] Second edit. ye.

[385] Qy. Is this a stage direction crept into the text?

[386] Second edit. grope.

[387] Second edit. so.

[388] [Old copies, paint.]

[389] So second edit. First edit. buze.

[390] Second edit. lips.

[391] So second edit. First edit. I have had a Pumpe set up, as good.

[392] i.e., (Perhaps) swore by our Lady of Walsingham, in Norfolk.

[393] [The name of a game, though here used as a bye-word. See "Popular Antiquities of Gr. Britain," ii. 341.]

[394] So second edit. First edit., Tripe-cheeke.

[395] i.e., Had I known the consequences; a common proverbial expression of repentance.

[396] See note [16].

[397] So second edit. First edit., his.

[398] [Edits., me.]

[399] Qy. a proverbial allusion to the famous Brazen-head?

[400] So second edit. First edit., breath.

[401] So second edit. Not in first edit.

[402] The hero of a popular German jest-book ("Eulenspiegel,") which was translated into English at a very early period: see Gifford's note on Jonson's "Works," iv. 60, and Nares' Gloss. in v.

[403] [First 4to, silly.]

[404] So second edit. First edit., shew.

[405] i.e., Bauble.

[406] Random.

[407] [i.e., Coomes and Nicholas both retire to the back of the stage.]

[408] Edits., hap.

[409] i.e., Ill-will.

[410] Second edit., he a; but a is a common contraction for he.

[411] So second edit. First edit., tell,

[412] i.e., Blind-man's-buff.

[413] So second edit. Not in first edit.

[414] [Old copy, thief.]

[415] i.e., (I suppose) Buoys.

[416] [Old copy, not envies fellon, not.]

[417] [Old copies, what.]

[418] i.e., A dear lean and out of season.

[419] i.e., The alphabet.

[420] So second edit. First edit. wandring.

[421] i.e., suffer, endure. Edits. stole.

[422] So second edit. First edit. Being.

[423] Read, for the metre, it is.

[424] So second edit. First edit. enforc'st.

[425] Read, for the metre, wife is.

[426] So second edit. First edit. same.

[427] Second edit. you.

[428] So second edit. First edit. weere.

[429] [Old edits., carerie.]

[430] So second edit. First edit., shrowdly.

[431] Second edit., me—wrongly, as appears from what follows.

[432] Edits., be.

[433] i.e., Ill-will.

[434] i.e., Satisfy, convince.

[435] Edits., mindes.

[436] Qy., you, mother?

[437] Read, for the metre, she is.

[438] Something has dropt out here.

[439] [Edits., A little.]

[440] i.e., Vile.

[441] i.e., The one.

[442] [Old copies, yond may help that come both together.]

[443] So second edit. First edit., fileds.

[444] A common, familiar contraction of mine uncle.

[445] Second edit., fie.

[446] So second edit. First edit., brings.

[447] i.e., Traitor or felon.

[448] i.e., Swoon.

[449] Second edit., fauours.

[450] So read for the metre. Old copies, here's.

[451] See also Collier's "Hist. of Eng. Dramatic Poetry," i. 3.

[452] See Dyce's "Shakespeare," 1868, ii. 2.

[453] Not in the old copy.

[454] [i.e., to Tyburn.]

[455] [Old copy, thee.]

[456] Old copy, well a neere. Well-a-year is an unusual phrase, well being corrupted from wail. "Well-a-day" in the same sense is common enough.

[457] Old copy, otimie, I conjecture otomy for anatomy, a common form of anatomy.

[458] Halliwell mentions the words pubble and puble in different senses, and the old copy reads puble; but here the context seems to require bubble. He has immediately before used the term froth.

[459] Fear.

[460] Divisions, conflicts.

[461] Old copy, Henry.

[462] Old copy, Aveney.

[463] But see Hazlitt's "Proverbs," 1869, p. 23.

[464] Old copy, where stands in.

[465] i.e., Mary, God's mother.

[466] See Hazlitt's "Proverbs," 1869, p. 289.

[467] Possibly in reference to a tract, so called, printed by Wynkyn de Worde, and (after him) by others.

[468] He means the stammer of Redcap, which he intends to imitate.

[469] Compare "Damon and Pithias," vol. iv., pp. 67-8.

[470] Old copy, excepts.

[471] He does not appear, however, to make himself visible, but stands aside, listening.

[472] Old copy, times. See Halliwell, v. tine, where the word is said to mean "the prong of a fork (second explanation)," thence, as in the text, a horn.

[473] [Old copy, attempt.]

[474] Block seems to refer jocularly to Sir Richard's long aside, under a sort of invisible cap.

[475] Old copy, solicitie.

[476] Old copy, say.

[477] Old copy, you.

[478] Old copy, Richard's.

[479] [Old copy, us.]

[480] Succeed.

[481] Perhaps the dance so called is meant.

[482] [Old copy, them.]

[483] [Old. copy, ye spoke.]

[484] Old copy, rove.

[485] i.e., From the time of the Confessor.

[486] i.e., Spain; old copy, Gads.

[487] A word or words left blank in the old copy.

[488] His gown.

[489] Old copy, Levarnian.

[490] Old copy, It.

[491] Old copy, ane.

[492] The word search is here, and again a little further on used in the sense of searchers.

[493] Old copy, another; but Redcap is evidently accompanied by two assistants.

[494] This appears to stand for officers of the peace, as the watch and the search.

[495] Old copy, King.

[496] A brothel.

[497] [Old copy, age.]

[498] [Old copy, Fau, for Fauconbridge.]

[499] [This might appear to be a corruption of go out, or of God's gut (God's guts is an ejaculation found elsewhere); but from a subsequent passage we can but conclude that the disease so called is intended.]

[500] Old copy, fill'd, the compositor's eye, perhaps, having strayed to the next line.

[501] Strong. See a long note in Nares, edit. 1859, p. 606.

[502] Old copy; here.

[503] A room in the Salutation so called.

[504] Guests.

[505] Old copy, at.

[506] Old copy, Raynald.

[507] [Old copy, me of.]

[508] i.e., Terms, as mentioned before. Old copy, then.

[509] To meet with is a very common phrase for to serve out, requite.

[510] Skink issues from the hermit's house in the disguise of the man whom he is supposed to have cured, and as he leaves, addresses parting words to the hermit within.

[511] Breviary.

[512] Old copy, them.

[513] Brand.

[514] Old copy, of.

[515] Old copy, Glo.

[516] [Old copy, last.]

[517] [Old copy, this.]

[518] Old copy, salutes he.

[519] Old copy, you for.

[520] Old copy, in.

[521] [Old copy, we.]

[522] [Old copy, we'll.]

[523] [Old copy, sighs and songs.]

[524] In this passage the phrase, to wear the yellow, seems hardly to bear the ordinary construction of, to be jealous.

[525] Old copy, pining.

[526] Old copy gives this line to the lady, i.e., the merchant's wife.

[527] This seems to be some popular and well-understood allusion—well understood then, but now obscure enough; nor does Steevens's explanation help us much. See "Pop. Antiq. of Gr. Britain," 1870, iii. 322.

[528] An allusion to an old proverb.

[529] Old copy gives this line to Gloster.

[530] Old copy, weak.

[531] Halliwell says, "a squall."

[532] Fear.

[533] Old copy, wray.

[534] Old copy, not thou art.

[535] i.e., Gloster, disguised also as a hermit.

[536] Old copy, he's.

[537] Old copy gives as the stage-direction here merely, Enter John.

[538] Old copy, Lan.

[539] Compare "First Part of Jeronimo," vol. iv., p. 349, and the note.

[540] [Old copy, breath.]

[541] [Compare Courthope's "Historic Peerage," 1857, v. Hereford.]

[542] [In allusion to the proverb, Threatened men live long.]

[543] [Old copy, William.]

[544] Old copy, them.

[545] Something seems to have dropped out of the text.

[546] I do not find this phrase anywhere.

[547] Old copy, may.

[548] i.e., Gloster.

[549] There is an evident corruption here. Query, Life kneels to thrones.

[550] Old copy, thy.

[551] Old copy, not.

[552] Old copy, is.

[553] Old copy, set.

[554] i.e., Mort de Dieu.

[555] Old copy, ye.

[556] Old copy, Sarasons.

[557] An exclamation of doubtful meaning and origin. See a long note in Nares, edit. 1859, v. Rivo.

[558] Old copy, for.

THE END