John Heywood. [8:7] Circa 1565.
The loss of wealth is loss of dirt,
As sages in all times assert;
The happy man 's without a shirt.
Be Merry Friends.
[9]
Let the world slide,[9:1] let the world go;
A fig for care, and a fig for woe!
If I can't pay, why I can owe,
And death makes equal the high and low.
Be Merry Friends.
All a green willow, willow,
All a green willow is my garland.
The Green Willow.
Haste maketh waste.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii.
Beware of, Had I wist.[9:2]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii.
Good to be merie and wise.[9:3]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii.
Beaten with his owne rod.[9:4]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii.
Look ere ye leape.[9:5]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ii.
He that will not when he may,
When he would he shall have nay.[9:6]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
The fat is in the fire.[9:7]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
[10]
When the sunne shineth, make hay.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
When the iron is hot, strike.[10:1]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
The tide tarrieth no man.[10:2]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
Than catch and hold while I may, fast binde, fast finde.[10:3]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
And while I at length debate and beate the bush,
There shall steppe in other men and catch the burdes.[10:4]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
While betweene two stooles my taile goe to the ground.[10:5]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
So many heads so many wits.[10:6]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
Wedding is destiny,
And hanging likewise.[10:7]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
[11]
Happy man, happy dole.[11:1]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iii.
God never sends th' mouth but he sendeth meat.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv.
Like will to like.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv.
A hard beginning maketh a good ending.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv.
When the skie falth we shall have Larkes.[11:2]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv.
More frayd then hurt.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv.
Feare may force a man to cast beyond the moone.[11:3]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv.
Nothing is impossible to a willing hart.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. iv.
The wise man sayth, store is no sore.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v.
Let the world wagge,[11:4] and take mine ease in myne Inne.[11:5]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v.
Rule the rost.[11:6]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v.
Hold their noses to grinstone.[11:7]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v.
Better to give then to take.[11:8]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v.
When all candles bee out, all cats be gray.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v.
No man ought to looke a given horse in the mouth.[11:9]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. v.
[12]
I perfectly feele even at my fingers end.[12:1]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. vi.
A sleveless errand.[12:2]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. vii.
We both be at our wittes end.[12:3]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. viii.
Reckeners without their host must recken twice.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. viii.
A day after the faire.[12:4]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. viii.
Cut my cote after my cloth.[12:5]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. viii.
The neer to the church, the further from God.[12:6]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix.
Now for good lucke, cast an old shooe after me.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix.
Better is to bow then breake.[12:7]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix.
It hurteth not the toung to give faire words.[12:8]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix.
Two heads are better then one.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix.
A short horse is soone currid.[12:9]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
To tell tales out of schoole.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
To hold with the hare and run with the hound.[12:10]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
[13]
She is nether fish nor flesh, nor good red herring.[13:1]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
All is well that endes well.[13:2]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
Of a good beginning cometh a good end.[13:3]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
Shee had seene far in a milstone.[13:4]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
Better late than never.[13:5]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
When the steede is stolne, shut the stable durre.[13:6]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
Pryde will have a fall;
For pryde goeth before and shame commeth after.[13:7]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
She looketh as butter would not melt in her mouth.[13:8]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
The still sowe eats up all the draffe.[13:9]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
Ill weede growth fast.[13:10]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
[14]
It is a deere collop
That is cut out of th' owne flesh.[14:1]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
Beggars should be no choosers.[14:2]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. x.
Every cocke is proud on his owne dunghill.[14:3]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
The rolling stone never gathereth mosse.[14:4]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
To robbe Peter and pay Poule.[14:5]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
A man may well bring a horse to the water,
But he cannot make him drinke without he will.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Men say, kinde will creepe where it may not goe.[14:6]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
The cat would eate fish, and would not wet her feete.[14:7]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
While the grasse groweth the horse starveth.[14:8]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
[15]
Better one byrde in hand than ten in the wood.[15:1]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Rome was not built in one day.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Yee have many strings to your bowe.[15:2]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Many small make a great.[15:3]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Children learne to creepe ere they can learne to goe.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Better is halfe a lofe than no bread.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Nought venter nought have.[15:4]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Children and fooles cannot lye.[15:5]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Set all at sixe and seven.[15:6]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
All is fish that comth to net.[15:7]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Who is worse shod than the shoemaker's wife?[15:8]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
One good turne asketh another.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
By hooke or crooke.[15:9]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
[16]
She frieth in her owne grease.[16:1]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
Who waite for dead men shall goe long barefoote.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
I pray thee let me and my fellow have
A haire of the dog that bit us last night.[16:2]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
But in deede,
A friend is never knowne till a man have neede.
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. xi.
This wonder (as wonders last) lasted nine daies.[16:3]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. i.
New brome swepth cleene.[16:4]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. i.
All thing is the woorse for the wearing.
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. i.
Burnt child fire dredth.[16:5]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ii.
All is not Gospell that thou doest speake.[16:6]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ii.
Love me litle, love me long.[16:7]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ii.
A fooles bolt is soone shot.[16:8]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iii.
A woman hath nine lives like a cat.[16:9]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv.
A peny for your thought.[16:10]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv.
[17]
You stand in your owne light.
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv.
Though chaunge be no robbry.
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv.
Might have gone further and have fared worse.
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv.
The grey mare is the better horse.[17:1]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. iv.
Three may keepe counsayle, if two be away.[17:2]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Small pitchers have wyde eares.[17:3]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Many hands make light warke.
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
The greatest Clerkes be not the wisest men.[17:4]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Out of Gods blessing into the warme Sunne.[17:5]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
There is no fire without some smoke.[17:6]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
One swallow maketh not summer.[17:7]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Fieldes have eies and woods have eares.[17:8]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
A cat may looke on a King.
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
[18]
It is a foule byrd that fyleth his owne nest.[18:1]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Have yee him on the hip.[18:2]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Hee must have a long spoone, shall eat with the devill.[18:3]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
It had need to bee
A wylie mouse that should breed in the cats eare.[18:4]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Leape out of the frying pan into the fyre.[18:5]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Time trieth troth in every doubt.[18:6]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Mad as a march hare.[18:7]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
Much water goeth by the mill
That the miller knoweth not of.[18:8]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. v.
He must needes goe whom the devill doth drive.[18:9]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii.
Set the cart before the horse.[18:10]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii.
[19]
The moe the merrier.[19:1]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii.
To th' end of a shot and beginning of a fray.[19:2]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii.
It is better to be
An old man's derling than a yong man's werling.
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii.
Be the day never so long,
Evermore at last they ring to evensong.[19:3]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii.
The moone is made of a greene cheese.[19:4]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii.
I know on which side my bread is buttred.
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. vii.
It will not out of the flesh that is bred in the bone.[19:5]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. viii.
Who is so deafe or so blinde as is hee
That wilfully will neither heare nor see?[19:6]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix.
The wrong sow by th' eare.[19:7]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix.
Went in at the tone eare and out at the tother.[19:8]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix.
Love me, love my dog.[19:9]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix.
[20]
An ill winde that bloweth no man to good.[20:1]
Proverbes. Part i. Chap. ix.
For when I gave you an inch, you tooke an ell.[20:2]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix.
Would yee both eat your cake and have your cake?[20:3]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix.
Every man for himselfe and God for us all.[20:4]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix.
Though he love not to buy the pig in the poke.[20:5]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. ix.
This hitteth the naile on the hed.[20:6]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. xi.
Enough is as good as a feast.[20:7]
Proverbes. Part ii. Chap. xi.
Footnotes
[8:7] The Proverbes of John Heywood is the earliest collection of English colloquial sayings. It was first printed in 1546. The title of the edition of 1562 is, John Heywoodes Woorkes. A Dialogue conteyning the number of the effectuall proverbes in the English tounge, compact in a matter concernynge two maner of Maryages, etc. The selection here given is from the edition of 1874 (a reprint of 1598), edited by Julian Sharman.
[9:1] Let the world slide.—Towneley Mysteries, p. 101 (1420). Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew, induc. 1. Beaumont and Fletcher: Wit without Money, act v. sc. 2.
[9:2] A common exclamation of regret occurring in Spenser, Harrington, and the older writers. An earlier instance of the phrase occurs in the Towneley Mysteries.
[9:3] 'T is good to be merry and wise.—Jonson, Chapman, Marston: Eastward Ho, act i. sc. 1. Burns: Here 's a health to them that 's awa'.
[9:4]
don fust
C'on kint souvent est-on batu.
(By his own stick the prudent one is often beaten.)
Roman du Renart, circa 1300.
[9:5] Look ere thou leap.—In Tottel's Miscellany, 1557; and in Tusser's Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry. Of Wiving and Thriving. 1573.
Thou shouldst have looked before thou hadst leapt.—Jonson, Chapman, Marston: Eastward Ho, act v. sc. 1.
Look before you ere you leap.—Butler: Hudibras, pt. ii. c. ii. l. 502.
[9:6]
He that will not when he may,
When he will he shall have nay.
Burton: Anatomy of Melancholy, pt. iii. sec. 2, mem. 5, subs. 5.
He that wold not when he might,
He shall not when he wolda.
The Baffled Knight. Percy: Reliques.
[9:7] All the fatt 's in the fire.—Marston: What You Will. 1607.
[10:1] You should hammer your iron when it is glowing hot.—Publius Syrus: Maxim 262.
Strike whilst the iron is hot.—Rabelais: book ii. chap. xxxi. Webster: Westward Hoe. Tom A'Lincolne. Farquhar: The Beaux' Stratagem, iv. 1.
[10:2]
Hoist up saile while gale doth last,
Tide and wind stay no man's pleasure.
Robert Southwell: St. Peter's Complaint. 1595.
Nae man can tether time or tide.—Burns: Tam O' Shanter.
[10:3]
Fast bind, fast find;
A proverb never stale in thrifty mind.
Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice, act ii. sc. 5.
Also in Jests of Scogin. 1565.
[10:4] It is this proverb which Henry V. is reported to have uttered at the siege of Orleans. "Shall I beat the bush and another take the bird?" said King Henry.
[10:5] Entre deux arcouns chet cul à terre (Between two stools one sits on the ground).—Les Proverbes del Vilain, MS. Bodleian. Circa 1303.
S'asseoir entre deux selles le cul à terre (One falls to the ground in trying to sit on two stools).—Rabelais: book i. chap. ii.
[10:6] As many men, so many minds.—Terence: Phormio, ii. 3.
As the saying is, So many heades, so many wittes.—Queen Elizabeth: Godly Meditacyon of the Christian Sowle. 1548.
So many men so many mindes.—Gascoigne: Glass of Government.
[10:7] Hanging and wiving go by destiny.—The Schole-hous for Women. 1541. Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice, act 2. sc. 9.
Marriage and hanging go by destiny; matches are made in heaven.—Burton: Anatomy of Melancholy, part iii. sec. 2, mem. 5, subs. 5.
[11:1] Happy man be his dole—Shakespeare: Merry Wives, act iii. sc. 4; Winter's Tale, act i. sc. 2. Butler: Hudibras, part i. canto iii. line 168.
[11:2] Si les nues tomboyent esperoyt prendre les alouettes (If the skies fall, one may hope to catch larks).—Rabelais: book i. chap. xi.
[11:3] To cast beyond the moon, is a phrase in frequent use by the old writers. Lyly: Euphues, p. 78. Thomas Heywood: A Woman Killed with Kindness.
[11:4] Let the world slide.—Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew, ind. 1; and, Let the world slip, ind. 2.
[11:5] Shall I not take mine ease in mine inn?—Shakespeare: 1 Henry IV. act iii. sc. 2.
[11:6] See Skelton, page 8. Shakespeare: 2 Henry VI. act i. sc. 1. Thomas Heywood: History of Women.
[11:7] Hold their noses to the grindstone.—Middleton: Blurt, Master-Constable, act iii. sc. 3.
[11:8] It is more blessed to give than to receive.—John xx. 35.
[11:9] This proverb occurs in Rabelais, book i. chap. xi.; in Vulgaria Stambrigi, circa 1510; in Butler, part i. canto i. line 490. Archbishop Trench says this proverb is certainly as old as Jerome of the fourth century, who, when some found fault with certain writings of his, replied that they were free-will offerings, and that it did not behove to look a gift horse in the mouth.
[12:1] Rabelais: book iv. chap. liv. At my fingers' ends.—Shakespeare: Twelfth Night, act i. sc. 3.
[12:2] The origin of the word "sleveless," in the sense of unprofitable, has defied the most careful research. It is frequently found allied to other substantives. Bishop Hall speaks of the "sleveless tale of transubstantiation," and Milton writes of a "sleveless reason." Chaucer uses it in the Testament of Love.—Sharman.
[12:3] At their wit's end.—Psalm cvii. 27.
[12:4] Thomas Heywood: If you know not me, etc., 1605. Tarlton: Jests, 1611.
[12:5] A relic of the Sumptuary Laws. One of the earliest instances occurs, 1530, in the interlude of Godly Queene Hester.
[12:6] Qui est près de l'église est souvent loin de Dieu (He who is near the Church is often far from God).—Les Proverbes Communs. Circa 1500.
[12:7]
Rather to bowe than breke is profitable;
Humylite is a thing commendable.
The Morale Proverbs of Cristyne; translated from the French (1390) by Earl Rivers, and printed by Caxton in 1478.
[12:8] Fair words never hurt the tongue.—Jonson, Chapman, Marston: Eastward Ho, act iv. sc. 1.
[12:9] Fletcher: Valentinian, act ii. sc. 1.
[12:10] Humphrey Robert: Complaint for Reformation, 1572. Lyly: Euphues, 1579 (Arber's reprint), p. 107.
[13:1] Neither fish nor flesh, nor good red herring.—Sir H. Sheres: Satyr on the Sea Officers. Tom Brown: Æneus Sylvius's Letter. Dryden: Epilogue to the Duke of Guise.
[13:2] Si finis bonus est, totum bonum erit (If the end be well, all will be well).—Gestæ Romanorum. Tale lxvii.
[13:3]
Who that well his warke beginneth,
The rather a good ende he winneth.
Gower: Confessio Amantis.
[13:4] Lyly: Euphues (Arber's reprint), p. 288.
[13:5] Tusser: Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry, An Habitation Enforced. Bunyan: Pilgrim's Progress. Mathew Henry: Commentaries, Matthew xxi. Murphy: The School for Guardians.
Potius sero quam nunquam (Rather late than never).—Livy: iv. ii. 11.
[13:6] Quant le cheval est emblé dounke ferme fols l'estable (When the horse has been stolen, the fool shuts the stable).—Les Proverbes del Vilain.
[13:7] Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.—Proverbs xvi. 18.
Pryde goeth before, and shame cometh behynde.—Treatise of a Gallant. Circa 1510.
[13:8] She looks as if butter would not melt in her mouth.—Swift: Polite Conversation.
[13:9] 'T is old, but true, still swine eat all the draff.—Shakespeare: Merry Wives of Windsor, act iv. sc. 2.
[13:10] Ewyl weed ys sone y-growe.—MS. Harleian, circa 1490.
An ill weed grows apace.—Chapman: An Humorous Day's Mirth.
Great weeds do grow apace.—Shakespeare: Richard III. act ii. sc. 4. Beaumont and Fletcher: The Coxcomb, act iv. sc. 4.
[14:1] God knows thou art a collop of my flesh.—Shakespeare: 1 Henry VI. act v. sc. 4.
[14:2] Beggars must be no choosers.—Beaumont and Fletcher: The Scornful Lady, act v. sc. 3.
[14:3] Þet coc is kene on his owne mixenne.—Þe Ancren Riwle. Circa 1250.
[14:4] The stone that is rolling can gather no moss.—Tusser: Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.—Publius Syrus: Maxim 524. Gosson: Ephemerides of Phialo. Marston: The Fawn.
Pierre volage ne queult mousse (A rolling stone gathers no moss).—De l'hermite qui se désespéra pour le larron que ala en paradis avant que lui, 13th century.
[14:5] To rob Peter and pay Paul is said to have derived its origin when, in the reign of Edward VI., the lands of St. Peter at Westminster were appropriated to raise money for the repair of St. Paul's in London.
[14:6]
You know that love
Will creep in service when it cannot go.
Shakespeare: Two Gentlemen of Verona, act iv. sc. 2.
[14:7] Shakespeare alludes to this proverb in Macbeth:—
Letting I dare not wait upon I would,
Like the poor cat i' the adage.
Cat lufat visch, ac he nele his feth wete.—MS. Trinity College, Cambridge, circa 1250.
[14:8] Whylst grass doth grow, oft sterves the seely steede.—Whetstone: Promos and Cassandra. 1578.
While the grass grows—
The proverb is something musty.
Shakespeare: Hamlet, act iii. sc. 4.
[15:1] An earlier instance occurs in Heywood, in his "Dialogue on Wit and Folly," circa 1530.
[15:2] Two strings to his bow.—Hooker: Polity, book v. chap. lxxx. Chapman: D'Ambois, act ii. sc. 3. Butler: Hudibras, part iii. canto i. line 1. Churchill: The Ghost, book iv. Fielding: Love in Several Masques, sc. 13.
[15:3] See Chaucer, page 5.
[15:4] Naught venture naught have.—Tusser: Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry. October Abstract.
[15:5] 'T is an old saw, Children and fooles speake true.—Lyly: Endymion.
[15:6] Set all on sex and seven.—Chaucer: Troilus and Cresseide, book iv. line 623; also Towneley Mysteries.
At six and seven.—Shakespeare: Richard II. act ii. sc. 2.
[15:7] All 's fish they get that cometh to net.—Tusser: Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry. February Abstract.
Where all is fish that cometh to net.—Gascoigne: Steele Glas. 1575.
[15:8] Him that makes shoes go barefoot himself.—Burton: Anatomy of Melancholy. Democritus to the Reader.
[15:9] This phrase derives its origin from the custom of certain manors where tenants are authorized to take fire-bote by hook or by crook; that is, so much of the underwood as many be cut with a crook, and so much of the loose timber as may be collected from the boughs by means of a hook. One of the earliest citations of this proverb occurs in John Wycliffe's Controversial Tracts, circa 1370.—See Skelton, page 8. Rabelais: book v. chap. xiii. Du Bartas: The Map of Man. Spenser: Faerie Queene, book iii. canto i. st. 17. Beaumont and Fletcher: Women Pleased, act. i. sc. 3.
[16:1] See Chaucer, page 3.
[16:2] In old receipt books we find it invariably advised that an inebriate should drink sparingly in the morning some of the same liquor which he had drunk to excess over-night.
[16:3] See Chaucer, page 6.
[16:4] Ah, well I wot that a new broome sweepeth cleane—Lyly: Euphues (Arber's reprint), p. 89.
[16:5]
Brend child fur dredth,
Quoth Hendyng.
Proverbs of Hendyng. MSS.
A burnt child dreadeth the fire.—Lyly: Euphues (Arber's reprint), p. 319.
[16:6] You do not speak gospel.—Rabelais: book i. chap. xiii.
[16:7] Marlowe: Jew of Malta, act iv. sc. 6. Bacon: Formularies.
[16:8] Sottes bolt is sone shote.—Proverbs of Hendyng. MSS.
[16:9] It has been the Providence of Nature to give this creature nine lives instead of one.—Pilpay: The Greedy and Ambitious Cat, fable iii. b. c.
[16:10] Lyly: Euphues (Arber's reprint), p. 80.
[17:1] Pryde and Abuse of Women. 1550. The Marriage of True Wit and Science. Butler: Hudibras, part ii. canto i. line 698. Fielding: The Grub Street Opera, act ii. sc. 4. Prior: Epilogue to Lucius.
Lord Macaulay (History of England, vol. i. chap. iii.) thinks that this proverb originated in the preference generally given to the gray mares of Flanders over the finest coach-horses of England. Macaulay, however, is writing of the latter half of the seventeenth century, while the proverb was used a century earlier.
[17:2] See Chaucer, page 6.
Two may keep counsel when the third 's away.—Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus, act iv. sc. 2.
[17:3] Pitchers have ears.—Shakespeare: Richard III. act ii. sc. 4.
[17:4] See Chaucer, page 3.
[17:5] Thou shalt come out of a warme sunne into Gods blessing.—Lyly: Euphues.
Thou out of Heaven's benediction comest
To the warm sun.
Shakespeare: Lear, act ii. sc. 2.
[17:6] Ther can no great smoke arise, but there must be some fire.—Lyly: Euphues (Arber's reprint), p. 153.
[17:7] One swallowe prouveth not that summer is neare.—Northbrooke: Treatise against Dancing. 1577.
[17:8] See Chaucer, page 2.
[18:1] See Skelton, page 8.
[18:2] I have thee on the hip.—Shakespeare: Merchant of Venice, act iv. sc. 1; Othello, act ii. sc. 7.
[18:3] See Chaucer, page 4.
[18:4]
A hardy mouse that is bold to breede
In cattis eeris.
Order of Foles. MS. circa 1450.
[18:5] The same in Don Quixote (Lockhart's ed.), part i. book iii. chap. iv. Bunyan: Pilgrim's Progress. Fletcher: The Wild-Goose Chase, act iv. sc. 3.
[18:6] Time trieth truth.—Tottel's Miscellany, reprint 1867, p. 221.
Time tries the troth in everything.—Tusser: Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry. Author's Epistle, chap. i.
[18:7] I saye, thou madde March hare.—Skelton: Replycation against certayne yong scolers.
[18:8]
More water glideth by the mill
Than wots the miller of.
Shakespeare: Titus Andronicus, act ii. sc. 7.
[18:9] An earlier instance of this proverb occurs in Heywood's Johan the Husbande. 1533.
He must needs go whom the devil drives.—Shakespeare: All's Well that Ends Well, act i. sc. 3. Cervantes: Don Quixote, part i. book iv. chap. iv. Gosson: Ephemerides of Phialo. Peele: Edward I.
[18:10] Others set carts before the horses.—Rabelais: book v. chap. xxii.
[19:1] Gascoigne: Roses, 1575. Title of a Book of Epigrams, 1608. Beaumont and Fletcher: The Scornful Lady, act i. sc. 1; The Sea Voyage, act i. sc. 2.
[19:2] To the latter end of a fray and the beginning of a feast.—Shakespeare: 2 Henry IV. act iv. sc. 2.
[19:3]
Be the day short or never so long,
At length it ringeth to even song.
Quoted at the Stake by George Tankerfield (1555).
Fox: Book of Martyrs, chap. vii. p. 346.
[19:4] Jack Jugler, p. 46. Rabelais: book i. chap. xi. Blackloch: Hatchet of Heresies, 1565. Butler: Hudibras, part ii. canto iii. line 263.
[19:5] What is bred in the bone will never come out of the flesh.—Pilpay: The Two Fishermen, fable xiv.
It will never out of the flesh that 's bred in the bone.—Jonson: Every Man in his Humour, act i. sc. 1.
[19:6] None so deaf as those that will not hear.—Mathew Henry: Commentaries. Psalm lviii.
[19:7] He has the wrong sow by the ear.—Jonson: Every Man in his Humour, act ii. sc. 1.
[19:8] See Chaucer, page 6.
[19:9] Chapman: Widow's Tears, 1612.
A proverb in the time of Saint Bernard was, Qui me amat, amet et canem meum (Who loves me will love my dog also).—Sermo Primus.