Recently Recovered Lost Tudor Plays

A Note-Book and Word-List

Including

Contemporary References, Bibliography, Variorum Readings, Notes, &c., together with a Glossary of Words and Phrases now Archaic or Obsolete; the whole arranged in One Alphabet in Dictionary Form

A Foreword to Note-Book and Word-List

Reference from text to Note-Book is copious, and as complete as may be; so also, conversely, from Note-Book to text. The following pages may, with almost absolute certainty, be consulted on any point that may occur in the course of reading; but more especially as regards

Biographical and other Notes,

Contemporary References to Author and Plays,

Bibliography,

Variorum Readings,

Words and Phrases now obsolete or archaic.

The scheme of reference from Note-Book to text assumes the division, in the mind’s eye, of each page into four horizontal sections; which, beginning at the top, are indicated in the Note-Book by the letters a, b, c, d following the page figure. In practice this will be found easy, and an enormous help to the eye over the usual reference to page alone in “fixing” the “catchword.” Thus 126a = the first quarter of page 126; 40c = the third quarter of page 40; and so forth.

Abbreviations.

M.	Mankind.
N.	Nature.
WS.	Wit and Science.
R.	Respublica.
WH.	Wealth and Health.
IP.	Impatient Poverty.
JE.	John the Evangelist.

Note-Book and Word-List to Recently Recovered “Lost” Tudor Plays

With Some Others, viz.:

Mankind—Nature—Wit and Science—Respublica—Wealth and Health—Impatient Poverty—John the Evangelist

A, (a) (passim), of varying usages: e.g. (1) I: “to God a vow”; (2) “a be” (R 213,d)—“He tumbleth whom a lust” (R 212,c) = he; (3) = one; (4) “a potful a worts” (M 13,c) = of; (5) = on; (6) = have; (7) sometimes used to lengthen a line, to accent a syllable, or to make a rhyme-ending: also merely pleonastic. For examples see other volumes of this series.

(b) “azee” (R 257,b)—“A, zee!” (R 267,a), look! see!

Aband, “if thou aband thee” (N 48,c), forsake, abandon. “And Vortiger enforst the Kingdome to aband.”—Spenser, Fairy Queen (1590), ii. v. 63.

Able, “zo chwas able” (R 229,b), fit, proper, “fettled”: in original hable—cf. habile. “Noye, to me thou arte full able, And to my sacrifice acceptable.”—Chester Plays (c. 1400), i. 55.

Abry, see Jack Noble.

Abusion, “hidden their abusion” (R 180,a), abuse, malpractice. “The vtter extirpation of false doctrine, the roote and chief cause of all abusions.”—Udall, Pref. to St. Mark. “To print such abusion.”—Albion Knight, Anon. Pl. 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 131,d.

Adjutory, “God will be you[r] adjutory” (M 12,a), properly an adjective = helpful; the exigencies of the rhyme has, however, apparently led to its use substantively: the original manuscript, as indicated, has “be yow adiutory.”

Adventure, see Joint.

Affeed, “affeed with them” (N 70,a), hired, engaged with for profit: cf. fee (A.S.) = property, money, annual salary, reward. “There is not a thane of them but in his house I have a servant feed.”—Shakespeare, Macbeth (1606), iii. 4.

Affere, “With his company myself affere” (N 63,d), belong, be identified with, “of a kidney with.” “He was then buryed at Winchester in royall wise, As to suche a prince of reason should affere.”—Hardyng, Chronicle (d. 1465), f. 106.

Affiance, “Company of my affiance” (N 78,a), close connection, affinity, trusted advisers or servants: see other volumes of this series.

Afine, “well afine” (R 261,d), perfectly, thoroughly; i.e. well a (= and) fine: a generic intensive. “Till grapes be ripe and well a-fine.”—Chaucer, Romaunt of the Rose (1360), 3690.

Against, “against I you call” (R 199,b), again: the converse usage (again = against) was also common enough in old writers.

Aged, “some of them were aged... one by one” (R 219,b). Mr. Magnus thinks that in these lines there must be some hint at the treatment of Bishops Gardiner and Bonner, who were imprisoned and their lands seized: see Respublica.

Albs, “th’ albs and amices” (R 221,d), a long white linen garment or robe worn by officiating priests of the Roman communion. It reached nearly to the feet, and differed from the modern surplice (Rev. H. J. Tod), inasmuch as it was worn close at the wrists, similar to a bishop’s lawn sleeves now-a-days. “They (the bishops) shall have upon them in time of their ministration, besides their rochet, a surplice or alb, and a cope or vestment.”—Rubric of K. Edw. VI. (1548).

Ale, “mend... as zour ale in summer” (R 227,b), i.e. not at all: see Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), II., 91b.

Algate, “hath pleased thy noble grace algate” (N 48,a), always.

Aliants, “too many aliants in this realm” (WH 300,b and c), aliens. Foreign immigration seems to have become a burning question early enough: how dealt with history informs us; and posterity has, in the main, confirmed the generally judicious and far-sighted policy of welcome extended to refugees and others, with its consequent introduction of new blood, new ideas, new crafts, and the benefits arising therefrom.

Alise dicts (R 210,b), i.e. alias dicta. People’s manglement of both English and Latin phrases is a noteworthy characteristic of the play—see Divum, Captivity, Commediens, Enquest, Policate, etc.

All, “then am I all safe” (R 241,d), quite, entirely. “Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery.”—Nah. iii. 1. Bible, Auth. Vers. (1611).

Allectuous, “allectuous ways” (M 33,d), alluring, enticing: allective is a commoner form. “Woman yfarced with fraude and disceipt, To thy confusion most allective bait.”—Chaucer, Rem. of Love, ver. 14.

Allow, “these words be greatly to allow” (N 59,a), approve, sanction: American by survival. “First, whether ye allow my whole device—And if ye like it, and allow it well.”—Norton and Sackville, Gorboduc (1570. 1), 94,a and b (E.E.D.S.).

All thing, “all thing hath prospered” (R 201,b)—“All thing I tell you” (R 202,c)—“all thing should soon be well” (R 208,d), everything.

Aloft, “look aloft with th’ hands under the side” (R 192,d), i.e. Insolence when presented to Respublica as the captain of the marauding crew is to assume a butter-will-not-melt-in-my-mouth expression.

Amically, “he hath amically’ directed” [(R 237,d), amicably, in a friendly fashion. “An amical call to repentance and the practical belief of the Gospel.”—W. Watson, M.A., 1691, in A. Wood, Ath. Ox., 2nd ed., vol. ii., col. 1133.

Amices, “th’ albs and amices” (R 221,d), a piece of fine linen worn by officiating priests: it was oblong-square in form, folded diagonally. It covered the head, neck, and shoulders, and was buckled or clasped before the breast, and when the altar was reached was thrown back upon the shoulders. It forms the uppermost of the six sacerdotal garments, the others being the alb, cingulum, stole, manipulus, and the planeta. The amice is still worn under the alb.

Among, “follow his appetite among” (N 49,c), in company—elliptical: see other volumes of this series.

Amromes, “books Amromes” (JE 356,b), so in original. I can suggest nothing beyond a misprint for “amorous”; but, in that case, why the capital A? A line (or lines) may also be missing at this point, the connection being not at all obvious. However, there is nothing to suggest a break, the printing being unusually regular and clear at this point in the original.

Anch, “anch hear om” (R 230,b)—“anch can spy my time” (R 231,c), for an ich = if I.

Angel, (a) “an angel for a reward” (R 264,b). Mr. Magnus thinks that here is enshrined a play on the proper meaning of the word, and angel = a coin of the realm.

(b) see Angelot.

Angelot (R 216,d). Mr. Magnus in his note (E.E.T.S. ed., p. 67, line 768) seems to identify this coin with the angel. He may be right; but on the other hand, it is not out of place to point out that in numismatics an angelot is generally regarded as an ancient French coin first struck at Paris when that capital was in English occupation (1420). It bore on it the figure of an angel supporting the escutcheon of England and France. The angel of Edward VI. was a gold coin, named from the fact that on one side of it was a representation of the Archangel Michael in conflict with the Dragon (Rev. xii. 7). The reverse had a ship with a large cross for the mast, the letter E on the right side and a rose on the left; whilst against the ship was a shield with the usual arms. Angels were first struck in France in 1340, and were introduced into England by Edward IV. in 1465. Between his reign and that of Charles I. it varied in value from 6s.8d. to 10s. The last struck in England were in the reign of Charles I.—H. Noel Humphreys, Coins of England, 5th ed., 1848; and other authorities. Angelots (i.e. half the value of an angel), were also struck by Edward VI. in 1550: see Edwards.

Annexion, “the soul hath his annexion” (M 38,c), conjunction: Shakespeare in The Lover’s Complaint employs it in the sense of addition.

Anointed, “two knaves anointed” (N 113,d), thorough-paced, “out-and-out”; a double pun is intended the references being to anointed = beaten, with an eye on anointed = consecrated by the pouring on of oil. “Then thay put hym hout, the kyng away fly, Which so well was anoynted indede, That no sleue ne pane had he hoe of brede.”—The Romans of Partenay (ed. Skeat), 5652-4.

Apaid, “very well apaid” (WH 280,c), glad, satisfied, pleased, paid. “They buy thy help: but sin ne’er gives a fee, He gratis comes; and thou art well appay’d, As well to hear as grant what he hath said.”—Shakespeare, Rape of Lucrece (1594), l. 913.

Appair, “I say his wealth doth mend, he saith it doth appair” (R 226,b), becomes worse, degenerates. “All that liveth appaireth fast.”—Everyman, Anon. Pl. 1 S. (E.E.D.S.), 94,d.

Apple (19,d), in original a nappyl.

Applied, “to Him should be applied” (M 3,b), given, rendered, one’s heart or mind fixed upon: the only sense of apply in the English Bible.

Apply, see Aged.

Apprehensible, “was not apprehensible” (M 33,a), competent.

Appropriations, “bare parsonages of appropriations” (R 218,d), technically, at law (according to Blackstone, I. 11) an appropriation is the transference to a religious house, or spiritual corporation, of the tithes and other endowments designed for the support of religious ordinances in a parish; also these when transferred. When the monastic bodies were in their glory in the Middle Ages they begged, or bought for masses and obits, or in some cases even for actual money, all the advowsons which they could get into their hands. In obtaining these they came under the obligation either to present a clergyman to the church, or minister there in holy things themselves. They generally did the latter, and applied the surplus to the support and aggrandisement of their order. On the suppression of the monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII. the appropriated advowsons were transferred to the king, and were ultimately sold or granted out to laymen, since called impropriators. See Respublica.

Array, (a) “array toward” (R 258,d), i.e. preparations in progress. (b) “nice in their array” (M 14,b), dress, equipment, outward appearance. “But for to telle you of his aray, His hors was good, but he ne was nought gay.”—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), Prologue, 73-4.

Ascite, “I ascite you... to appear” (IP 342,c), summons, call. “Hun answered that the infant had no propertie in the shet, wherupon the priest ascited him in the spiritual courte.”—Hall, Henry VIII., f. 50.

Aspen-leaf, “tir-tremmeleth as the aspen-leaf” (M 32,c), an early example of a common simile. The text, “tir-trimmeleth,” etc., is as in original.

Assay, subs. and verb, “assay him I will” (M 11,a),—“at all assays” (M 7,c), as verb = try, tempt, essay; as subs. = at all points, in every respect. “I will assay ere long.”—Jacob and Esau, Anon. Pl. 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 15d; “at all assays” (Ibid. 53b).

Assemble, “I assemble the life” (N 89,b), compare, liken: cf. Shakespeare’s use of assemblance.—“Care I for the limb, the thewes, the stature, bulk, and big assemblance of a man!”—Shakespeare, 2 Henry IV. (1598), iii. 2.

Assiege (N 89,b), siege: see Halliwell, s.v. Assege.

Atame, “almsdeed I can atame” (N 86,d), commence, begin: Fr. entamer. “Yes, hoste, quod he, so mote I ride or go, But I be mery, y-wis I wol be blamed; And right anon his tale he hath attamed.”—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), 14824.

Attempt, “Ye must attempt the world” (N 59,d), try, “sample,” experience: cf. Shakespeare, Lear, ii. 2.

Attemptates, “immoderate attemptates” (R 266,a), attempts, endeavours: specifically to commit a crime. Puttenham, in 1589, said this word was a recent importation, but it had already been in use half a century at least. “To forbear that attemptate.”—Sadler (A.D. 1543), in Froude, Hist. Eng., vol. iv. p. 241.

Avent, “avent thee! Nature compels” (M 25,b), i.e. relieve the bowels.

Avoid, “Avoid, good brother!” (M 5,d)—“avoid! I charge thee” (R 254,d), begone, make room, depart, “get out.” “I shall make you avoid soon.”—Youth, Anon. Pl. 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 94,b.

Avoidance, “as for mine avoidance” (N 52,a), departure: see Avoid.

Avore, “I chil wait avor you” (R. passim), afore: there are numerous examples of v for f in this play: also of z for s.

Avoutry, “taken in avoutry” (passim), adultery: see other volumes of this series.

Ayenst, “ayenst thy sores” (N 121,d), against. “... whan he wente in batayle ayenst them....”—Invention of the Holy Cross (ed. Morris), p. 159.

Ba, “ba me” (M 19,d), kiss: cf. basse or buss.

Badge, “bear on my bryst the badge of mine arms” (M 15,b), badge. Princes, noblemen, and other gentlemen of rank had formerly, and still retain, distinctive badges, and servants and dependants wore these cognisances on their liveries. Douce, in his Illustrations of Shakespeare (1839), pp. 205-7, says: “The history of the changes which badges have undergone is interesting. In the time of Henry IV. the terms livery and badge seem to have been synonymous. A badge consisted of the master’s device, crest, or arms on a separate piece of cloth, or sometimes on silver in the form of a shield fastened to the left sleeve. In Queen Elizabeth’s reign the nobility placed silver badges on their servants. The sleeve badge was left off in the reign of James I., but its remains are still preserved in the dresses of porters, firemen, and water-men, and possibly in the shoulder-knots of footmen. During the period when badges were worn the coat to which they were affixed was, as a rule, blue, and the blue coat and badge still may be seen on parish and hospital boys.”

Baggage, “the baggage, the trash,” etc. (R 183,c), rubbish, refuse, trumpery, scum. “Fill an egg-shell newly emptied with the juice of singreen, and set it in hot embers; scum off the green baggage from it, and it will be a water.”—Lupton, Thousand Notable Things (1579).

Bags, “the names of my bags” (R 221,a), purses: those carried by Avarice were probably, for the sake of “business,” more like small sacks; he is represented as hugging them (216,a), as hauling them (215,d), and as dragging them out (225,d). “... see thou shake the bags Of hoarding abbots; imprison’d angels Set at liberty.”—Shakespeare, King John (1596), iii. 3.

Bale blisses (JE 355,c), probably blisses which are evil, and the reverse of blisses; with an eye on A.S. bale = “fiery”; as in bale-fire, etc. “... bring me forth toward blisse with se bale here.”—MS. Cott., Titus, D. xviii., f. 146b.

Bales, “lay on with your bales” (M 6,a). “Scared us with a bales” (M 35,d), in the first example the manuscript has ballys, in the second bales, but I think the context in each case shows the meaning to be the same. Bales = a rod or scourge, and specifically a bow: at 6,a it is the minstrels who are charged to “lay on.”

Ball, “to it Boy, box him Ball” (R 194,c), a dog: cf. 195,d. Halliwell says the name was given to various animals: “it is mentioned as the name of a horse in Chaucer and Tusser, of a sheep in the Promptorium, and of a dog in the Privy Purse Expenses of Henry VIII., p. 43.”

Banket, see Junkery.

Baudery, “sorcery, witchery, baudery” (R 263,d), the manuscript has bandery, but? baudery as in present text. If bandery, plotting is doubtless meant.

Bash, “look thou not bash” (JE 354,a), i.e. timidly, or with too much inattention. “No, Leonato, I never tempted her with word too large, But, as a brother to his sister, shew’d Bashful sincerity and comely love.”—Shakespeare, Much Ado (1600), iv. I.

Bast, “begat the whoreson in bast” (N 68,b), fornication, adultery. “For he was bigeten o baste, God it wot.”—Artour & Merlin, 7643.

Be (passim), been.

Bedlams, “stark bedlams” (R 233,c), madmen: see other volumes of this series.

Bees, “hive of humble bees swarming in my brain” (R 182,c), proverbial: cf. modern “bee in the bonnet.” Here = restless, whimsical, full of projects: see Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), II. 385; s.v. Head.

Beforn, Beforne (passim), before.

Bells, “one would think ’twere brass, most part on’t was made of our old bells” (R 232,b). People states an historical fact, and refers to the reformation of the coinage which occurred in the previous reign. Under Edward VI. (1547-53) the Protector Somerset reduced the coinage to its true value and the export of bell-metal was forbidden (2 & 3 Edw. VI., c. 37). The pence of the coinage of 1552 (the fourth of the reign, other issues having been made in 1546-47, 1548, and 1550: see Respublica) was both of fine and base metal. The fine penny has (on the obverse) the king seated, with arms and cross on the reverse. The base penny has a full-blown rose (the Tudor rose) instead of the enthroned king. Half-pence are nearly the same as the pence.

Belly, “when the belly is full the bones would be at rest” (R 216,b), proverbial: see Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), II. 55,b.

Benefices, “the fifth I have by selling of benefices” (R 221,b). “I have a good benefice of a hundred marks” (R 225,b)—“they will take no benefice, but they must have all” (R 225,b), references apparently to the prevalence of simony. Although a bill had been passed by a parliament of Edward VI., it did not receive the royal assent; and it was not until 1588-89, under Elizabeth, that any serious attempt was made to remedy the evil.

Berwick (R 254,a), in original Barwicke, to rhyme with “Warwicke.”

Besene, “so well besene” (N 117,b), good appearance, comely. “And sad habiliments right well beseene.”—Spencer, Fairy Queen (1590), I. xii. 5.

Besirance, “chwas besirance your ladydom to zee” (R 213,c), desirant.

Bet, “could not a counselled us bet” (M 35,c), better. “Perhaps he shall be bet advisde within a weeke or twayne.”—“Romeus and Juliet,” Supp. to Sh., i. 292 (Nares).

Bezeivers, “valse bezeivers” (R 230,a), deceivers.

Bide, “had bide ne’er so little longer” (R 257,b) bided.

Bird’s arse, “clean as a bird’s arse” (M 22,b), a proverbial simile not uncommon in old writers: Heywood varies it—“as bare,” etc. (Works, E.E.D.S., II., 89,a).

Blane, “without blane” (WH 294,b), ceasing.

Blench, “to blench his sight” (M 23,d), deceive, hinder, obstruct. “The rebels besieged them, winning the even ground on the top, by carrying up great trusses of hay before them, to blench the defendants’ sight, and dead their shot.”—Carew, Survey of Cornwall (1602).

Blest, “God’s dear blest” (IP 316,c), i.e. happy or blessed, “people” being understood. Also bliss, happiness.

Blin, “of thy prayer blin” (M 25,b), cease, stop. “How so her fansies stop—Her tears did never blin.” “Romeus and Juliet,” Supp. to Sh., i. 287 (Nares).

Bloodings (R 221,a), black (or blood) puddings.

Blottibus, etc. (M 30,b), kitchen Latin.

Board, Bourd, “I will board her” (R 195,b)—“to bourd Respublica” (R 200,b). Mr. Magnus says “to engage in tilting,” but is not the sense that of Fr. aborder = to accost, address, woo. The spelling in the present text should, of course, have been uniform. “I am sure he is in the fleet; I would he had boarded me.”—Shakespeare, Much Ado, ii. I. “... for, sure, unless he knew some strain in me, that I know not myself, he would never have boarded me in this fury.”—Shakespeare, Merry Wives of Windsor, ii. I.

Boat, “an oar in everybody’s boat” (R 235,c): see Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), II., 24,b; 207,a; 417,c.

Bolt, “my bolt is shot” (M 34,d), an arrow: for examples of the proverb, see Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), II. 58,d; 91,a; 205,d; 332,d; 370,c.

Bolt, “sift and bolt” (R 207,d), the legal sense is probably intended rather than redundancy for the rhyming’s sake. Oppression means that matters must be gifted and discussed privately in order to improve their opportunities for rascality. “And having performed the exercises of their own houses called boltes, mootes, and putting of cases, they proceed to be admitted and become students, in some of these four houses or innes of court, where continuing by the space of seven yeares (or there-aboutes) they frequent readings, meetings, boltinges, and other learned exercises.”—Stowe, Survey of London, p. 59. “The judge, or jury, or parties, or the counsel, or attornies, propounding questions, beats and bolts out the truth much better than when the witness delivers only a formal series.”—Sir M. Hale (d. 1676).

Bones, see Belly.

Boot, “he will be my boot” (M 11,a), help, remedy, cure. “Ich haue bote of mi-bale.”—William of Palerne (c. 1300), 627. “God send every trewe man boote of his bale.”—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), 13,409.

Bord, “we did but bord” (WH 298,a), jest: see other volumes of this series.

Borrow, (a) “I shall be your borrow” (M ), security, pledge, surety, protector. “Their borrow is God Almighty.”—Piers Plowman (1363), 37,b. (b) see St. George.

Bourd, see Board.

Boy, see Ball.

Boys, “shall boys... of such high matters play” (R 180,d). Mr. Magnus asks whether this reference to “boy-chorister-actors” may not “have some special reference to Edward VI.’S theological precocity.”

Brast, “the halter brast asunder” (M 27,c; also 28,d), burst. “But with that percing noise flew open quite, or brast.”—Spenser, Fairy Queen (1590), I. viii. 4.

Brat, “a whole brat to his back” (IP 338,d), cloak, mantle. “Ne had they but a shete Which that they might wrappen hem in a-night, And a bratt to walken in by day-light.”—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), 16,347.

Breadibus, “breadibus... horsibus... firibusque” (M 5,b), for bread, for horses, and for fires: a form, of dog-Latin which has always been, and still is, popular: see Misericordia.

Brethel, “and thy own wife brethel, and take thee a leman” (M 27,a), brethell in original: the E.E. text editors suggest [be] brethell, that is, “if thy own wife be adulterous.” This, however, seems beside the mark of the context, as why should Mankind be counselled to take a whore because his wife is unchaste? May brethel not be a mis-script for A.S. betelle (Halliwell)=to deceive? The meaning is then clear enough and the reading sound. On the other hand, I fail to find any authority for Halliwell’s suggestion betelle=deceive, mislead, in either Anglo-Saxon or M.E. dictionaries, and the r in the word brethel, perhaps precludes the adoption of betelle, r being a highly characteristic letter. An alternative suggestion is that brethel is meant for brechell, from breken, to break, to injure, to vex, harass, torment, or destroy. “Breken” has among its derivatives “brac,” “brake,” “brek,” “breche,” “briche,” “bruche,” “bruchel.”

Brenning, “hot and brenning” (N 122,a), burning: also brent=burnt: see other volumes of this series.

Brest, “till his belly brest” (M 6,a), burst.

Briars, “all in briars” (JE 364,a), in trouble, misfortune, difficulty, doubt: see Anon. Plays, 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 341,a.

Brim, “brim and hot” (R 241,d). Magnus glosses this “brimhot”: but cf. brim=well-known, spoken of, public. “That thou dost hold me in disdain, Is brim abroad, and made a gibe to all that keep this plain.” Warner, Albion’s England (1586-1606).

Broklets (R 183,d), crumbs; of Scots brock.

Bront, “Titivilly would assay you a bront” (M 39,b), brunt, charge.

Brothern, “ye brothern” (M 4,b), an old plural: cf. childern still in dialect use.

Bum vay (R 211,d), by my faith: original spelling vei: cf. Fr. foi.

Bunting, “how think you by this bunting” (R 216,d), Mr. Magnus glosses this “swelling”; but is it not a term of endearment, perhaps with an eye on the diminutive form of bunt=”a swelling part, an increasing cavity, the bagging of a fishing net or the like” (Ency. Dict.).

Burrs, “cleave together like burrs” (M 193,a), proverbial.

By and by (passim), immediately.

Cailes, “play not at cailes, cards, nor dice” (IP 320,b), ninepins (Minshew).

Calais, arms of Calais (R 217,c), a common oath of the period. The French citadel was lost to the English in 1558, after an occupation lasting for upwards of two centuries: see other volumes of this series.

(b) “hangman of Calais” (JE 359,a), this mention (see supra) may have some bearing on the date of the play. Halliwell in Old Plays gives 1566 as the date of printing, but does not state how he arrives at the figures: see John the Evangelist.

Can (passim), able to do; does.

Capax, “tractable and capax” (WS 137,d), capable, sharp, knowing: Latin. “I am a trew flie; sure I can no false knackes; Alas! master spyder, ye be to capackes.” Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), III., Spider and Flie, 1556.

Capper, “the scald capper” (N 67,c), a cap-maker. “Cappar, bonnettier.”—Palsgrave, Lang. Franc.

Captivity, “passeth our captivity” (R 211,b), capacity: part of People’s mumble-jumble.

Careful, “a careful carriage” (WS 173,a), full of care: cf. Painful, Hateful. “By him that raised me to this careful height.”—Shakespeare, Rich. III. (1597), i. 3.

Caren, “as carene” (M 32,d), carrion. “I felte the stench of caren here present.”—Wisdom (E.E.T.S.), 71, 1103.

Caronous, “caronous body” (N 89,c), rotten: of Shakespeare (Julius Cæsar, iii. 1), “That this foul deed shall smell above the earth With carrion men, groaning for burial.”

Casse, “I hung upon the casse” (M 27,d), apparently a frame of some sort.

Cat, “a cat... may look on a king” (R 236,b); see Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), II., 340, s.v. Cat a.

Catch, “Catch that catch may” (R 187,b). An early example of this proverbial saying.

Caton (JE 352,c), Cato, the Roman Censor: the pattern of sternness and austere manner, he stabbed himself at Utica 46 B.C. because, considering freedom as alone sustaining the dignity of man, he felt himself unable to survive the independence of his country. He was frequently quoted by writers of this period—“Caton, the grete clerke “—Cast. Persev. (E.E.T.S., 103, 868).

Caveatis, “I say Caveatis” (M 21,d; 22,b), Beware!

Cavillation, “make this cavillation” (WH 281,d), frivolous objections, cavilling. “I might add so much concerning the large odds between the case of the eldest churches in regard of heathens, and ours in respect of the Church of Rome, that very cavillation itself should be satisfied.”—Hook.

Cayme, “in that cayme he was like to” (JE 366,c), in original Cayme. I can make nothing of it except that it is a misprint for Cain.

Cepe, “speak to the sheriff for a cepe coppus” (M 34,d), i.e. cape corpus for capias corpus, a writ of attachment.

‘Ch (passim) = I: e.g. cha = I have (ich ‘a’); chad = I had; cham = I am, etc.; see Dialect.

Cha, che, “Che wa’r’t” (R 210,c),—“Che was vair” (R 232,b),—“Cha not be haled up” (R 267,c). I.

Chad (passim), I had—‘ch ’ad.

Cham (passim) I am—‘ch am.

Champion, “now is a champion field” (R 200,d), i.e. champagne = flat open country. “Fra the thine thay went fourty dayes, and come intille a champayne cuntree that was alle barayne, and na hye place, ne na hilles mighte be sene on na syde.”—MS. Lincoln, A. i. 17, f. 31. “... the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?”—Bible, Auth. Ver. (1611), Deut. xi. 30. “The verdant meads are drest in green, The champion fields with corn are seen.”—Poor Robin (1694).

Charity, see St. Charity.

Chave (passim), I have—[i]ch ’ave.

Check, “let us con well our neck-verse that we have not a check” (M 23,c), i.e. be hung.

Chery-time, “but a chery-time” (M 12,a), a short time, “like cherry blossoms” (Furnivall and Pollard).

Che[vi]sance, “the new che[vi]sance” (M 29,a), chesance in original: usually chevisance = treaty, agreement, bargain; but here, as Mischief is speaking of the food and other cheer he has stolen, the meaning may be gain, booty, plunder, spoil. “Eschaunges and chevysaunces, with swich chaffare I dele.”—Langland, P. Plowman (1363), 2969.

Chill (passim), I will—‘ch ’ill.

Chive, “I warrant him a chive” (R 185,d), a chip, fragment: a small standard of value. “If any chive, chip, or dust skip into the eye,... then can you not cure the eye but by removing and drawing the said chive.”—Barrough, Method of Physick (1624.)

Chop, Chope (a) “in nomine Patris, chope... Ye shall not chop my jewels” (M 20,a), in both cases the original has choppe; but as Nought and New Guise were funning and punning, I have preserved the play on the words which I think was intended—chope = ch’ope (I hope) and chop = cut off; but the student can choose, and regard the first chop also to mean “cut!” “strike!” “Chope you’ll consider my pain.”—Misogonus, Anon. Plays, 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 210b.

(b) “Into a deanery... to chop” (R 223,d). Mr. Magnus glosses this as “snap”; but is it not used in the closer sense of to pop? cf. chop-church = (1) one who exchanges livings, or (2) such an act of barter. “As flise at libertee in and out might chop.”—Heywood, Spider and Flie (1556), Works, III. (E.E.D.S.).

Chould (passim), I would—‘ch ‘ould.

Christendom, “by my christendom” (R 196,d). See E.E.D.S., Anon. Plays, Series 2 and 3, Note-Books, s.v. 4.2]

Christmas device (R 179,b), Christmas was better kept as a festival in olden times than in modern days, lasting at this period from Christmas Eve to Old Christmas Day or Twelfth night. At Court, and in the Inns of Court, high revel was kept; from references such as the above it is clear that many a play was specially written for, and first presented at, these festivals. The sources of detailed descriptions are too well known to need particular reference.

Christmas song (M 15,d; 16,a to c). Prof. Manly omits this precious production; perhaps rightly in view of his text being prepared for class-room use; the E.E.T. Society’s issue gives it as a matter of course, as do I.

Church, “a church here beside,” etc. (M 28,b), i.e. the abbey larder should provide the requisite cheer.

Church-stile, “on the church stile” (M 26,a), a stile in, or leading to, the precincts of the church.

Chwas (passim), I was—‘ch was.

Clarify, “This question to clarify” (M 5,a), make clear or intelligible, answer, clear up. “A word to you I wold claryfy.”—Towneley Myst., p. 67.

Clash, “at clash and cards” (IP 338,b), bawdy talk, gossiping, tittle-tattle, quarrelling. “Good Lord! what fiery clashings we have had lately for a cap and a surplice!”—Howell, Lett. (1644-45), iv. 29.

Clawback, “you flearing clawback you” (R 188,a), lickspittle, flatterer. The whole passage is a striking early instance of sarcastic vituperation, and the gradual piling up of the weight of abuse.

Clean, “a clean gentleman” (M 22,a), fair, comely, noble: a general appreciative. “With the clennest cumpanye that euer king ladde.”—Will. of Paleren (c. 1360), 1609.

Clepe, “if I should clepe to memory” (N 45,a), call. “I shall inwardly clepe the Lord.”—Wycliffe, Psalm xvii. 4.

Clerical, “clerical manner” (M 8,b),—“a clerical matter” (M 26,a), clerk-like, scholarly, abstruse, learned.

Clothes, “the clothes of thy shoon” (M 35,b), generic for fabric and material as well as for dress and apparel.

Cloutery, (R 263,d). Mr. Magnus glosses this as “mending,” and probably he is right. On the other hand, a glance may be given to the Northern clouter = to do dirty work.

Cobs, “the great cobs” (R 232,d), a rich but grasping person, a person of superior rank and power. “Susteynid is not by personis lowe, But cobbis grete this riote sustene.”—Occleve, MS. Soc. Antiq. 134, f. 267. “But, at leisure, ther must be some of the gret cobbes served likewise, and the king to have ther landes likewise, as, God willing, he shall have th’ erle of Kildares in possession, or somer passe.”—State Papers, ii. 228 (Nares).

Cock’s (passim), God’s. Hence Cock’s body sacred = God’s consecrated body.

Commediens, “as commediens vor us” (R 212,a), commodious.

Commodity (passim), advantage and many allied senses: see other volumes of this series.

Companable, “such as be companable” (N 62,a), affable, sociable, companionable. “Frendly to ben and compaygnable at al.” MS. Fairfax 16.

Conformed, see Respublica.

Congy, “a little pretty congy” (N 60,d), bow of salutation.

Convert, “thine eyes to me convert” (R 238,c), turn, move.

Convertible (M 33,b), unstedfast, changeable.

Convict, “convict them” (M 19,a)—“Mercy shall never be convict of his uncurtess condition” (M 34,a), conquer, persuade.

Convinced, “they shall be convinced” (R 246,b), convicted: cf. convict. “Which of you convinceth me of sin?”—Bible, Auth. Vers. (1611), John viii. 46.

Coped, (a) “Christ’s coped curse” (M 36,a); in original coppyde: cf. copie, copy = abundance, plenty (Trevisa, i. 301), and copped, coppyd = rising to a point, heaped-up as a measure; hence “Christ’s copious, abundant, overflowing malediction.” “This Spayne... hath grete copy, and plente of castelles.”—Trevisa, i. 301.

(b) “he is so copped” (R 213,a), apparently a variant of coppet = saucy, impudent, overbearing.

Copy, “change our copy” (R 202,b), manner.

Corrompt, “Is should be corrompt therefore” (R 256,b); punished is meant, but the usual sense is “corrupted.”

Couch, “I will couch you all up” (R 216,b), conceal, hide away, put in safe keeping. “In the seler of Juppiter ther ben couched two tunnes.”—Chaucer, Boethius, p. 35.

Courtesy, “the courtesy of England is oft to kiss” (JE 356,d). In The English Historical Review (vol. vii., p. 270) there is an article by Major Martin A.S. Hume on “Philip’s visit to England” in 1554. The article is founded on a Spanish account written by Andres Muñoz, a servant in the household of Don Carlos, Philip’s son, then a child. Muñoz did not himself go to England, but probably got his account from someone, much in the same position as himself, who did go. The writer describes how Philip met Queen Mary at Winchester, “and kissed her on the mouth, in the English fashion.” On taking leave Philip was introduced to Mary’s ladies, all of whom he kissed “so as not (says Muñoz) to break the custom of the country, which is a very good one.” This no doubt explains the passage in the play, but there was at law another courtesy of England with which, in the origins, it may have some obscure connection. Cowel, in his Law Dictionary (1607), describes a tenure by which, if a man marry an inheritrix, that is, a woman seised of land, and getteth a child of her that comes alive into the world, though both the child and his wife die forthwith, yet, if she were in possession, shall he keep the land during his life, and is called tenant per legem Angliæ, or by the courtesy of England.

Courtnals, “a zort of courtnalls” (R 255,d), courtiers: in contempt (Halliwell).

Court spiritual (IP 343,b), Abundance was accused of fornication, and so came under ecclesiastical jurisdiction. These courts were made separate to the Secular or Civil Courts in 1085, but until the establishment of the Divorce and Probate Courts in 1857 the Ecclesiastical Courts took cognisance of blasphemy, apostasy, heresy, schism, ordinations, matters pertaining to benefices, matrimony, divorces, bastardy, tithes, incest, fornication, adultery, probate of wills, administrations, and similar matters (Haydn).

Creance, “chief of His creance” (N 45,d), ordinarily faith, belief, credit, payment: I subjoin examples of each usage, but neither seem to fit the sense. There is an alternative which is nearer the mark, in the Latin creans, pr. p. of creo, to create; but I find no authority beyond creant, which, as far as I know, is modern: see last example. “This mayden tauzte the creance Unto this wyf so perfitly.”—Gower, MS. Soc. Antiq. 134, f. 66. “And with his precyous bloode he wroote the bills Upon the crosse, as general acquytaunce To every penytent in ful creaunce.”—Rom. of the Monk, Sion College MS. “The creant word Which thrilled around us.”—Mrs. Browning.

Creaseth, “when she creaseth again” (N 44,a), short for increaseth.

Creature (R. passim), throughout a trisyllable.

Crow, see Clawback.

Cuculorum, “taken with a cuculorum” (JE 352,d), the rhyming exigency no doubt influenced the form of the word, but in any case the use is obscure, probably slang now lost. Whether, however, it originated in cucullus, a hood, or cuculus, a cuckoo (whence cuckold), or whether the word enshrines a play on both, I cannot say.

Cumberland, see Respublica.

Curia, etc. (M 30,c), the proceedings of Manorial Courts were generally headed “Curia generalis tenta ibidem,” etc. Mischief, with assumed official authority, means that the document was written in an alehouse (or where ale was plenty) with a sham date.

Custodity, “in my custodity” (R 266,d), custody.

Cut, “Call me cut” (N 54,b), properly a gelding or any animal with a short or cut tail, and specifically an intensive reproach. The classical illustration to the present passage is, of course, from Shakespeare, “If I tell thee a lie, spit in my face and call me horse” (1 Hen. IV., ii. 1). Compare again, “cutted whore” (N 66 d): see other volumes of this series.

Dainty, “men have little dainty of your play” (M 13,b), i.e. little that is agreeable or pleasant, small liking for or delight in. “It was daynte for to see the cheere bitwix hem two.”—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), 8983. “... and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee,...”—Bible, Auth. Vers. (1611), Rev. xviii. 14.

Daisy, “leap at a daisy” (R 243,c), be hanged: see Anon. Plays, 3 Ser. (E.E.D.S.).

Dalliation, “leave your dalliation” (M 5,a), dallying.

Dally, “quit as a dally” (JE 365,b), what “a tale of titmary tally” (see previous line) or “quit as a dally” mean I am unable to discover. The original is, “She helde me with a tale of tytemary tally Tyll my thryfte was gone as quyte as a dally.”

Da pacem (M 31,d), literally “give us peace”; here slang for a knife or dagger: cf. modern “Arkansas toothpick” = a bowie knife, “Meat-in-the-pot” = a gun, and similar locutions.

Darnel, see Drawk.

Deambulatory (M 37,c), a covered walk, cloister, ambulatory.

Delectable, “my talking delectable” (M 5,d), pleasing, delightful.

Delver (passim), delve.

Departed, Depart, (a) “how I departed them” (N 80,b).

(b) “till death us depart” (WS 172,d), i.e. (a) left them; (b) till death divides, or parts: now corrupted in the Marriage Service into “do part.” “We wille departe his clothing.”—Towneley Myst., p. 228.

Destructions, “destructions to ’member in my heart” (R 234,d), instructions: part of People’s mangled English.

Detected, “ne’er of any crime detected” (R 183,b), possibly here = accused.

Dever, “put me in dever” (M 24,d), duty, service. “Do the deuer that thow hast to done.”—William of Palerne (c. 1360), 2546.

Devose, “we must devose how that we may” (WH 289,a), devise.

Dialect and Jargon, see Respublica, Wealth and Health.

Dinty, “no dinty to do” (N 49,d), pleasure, liking: see Dainty.

Disease (passim), generic for absence of ease—discomfort, annoyance, trouble, difficulty, sorrow, etc.: see other volumes of this series.

Dispectible, “thou art dispectible” (M 33,c), despicable.

Dispectuous, “dispectuous and odible” (M 33,a), unsightly: see previous entry.

Divum, “Divum este justlum weste” (R 232,c), Prof. Brandl suggests Divites estis justi fuistis.

Do, see Way.

Dogs, “hungry dogs will slab up sluttish puddings” (R 221,a), see Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), II. 14a; 357,d(n).

Dort, “a shrewd crank dort” (N 83,d), fit of sulks, a pet, sullen humour.

Doubler, “both dish and doubler” (M 29,a), a large dish, plate, or bowl. “A dysche other a dobler that dryghtyn onez serued.”—Early Eng. Allit. Poems; Cleanness, 1145.

Draff, “driff, draff, mish, mash” (M 5,b), rubbish, refuse, dregs: see other volumes of this series. Mish, mash = mess.

Drawk, “drawk and... darnel” (M 24,a), a weed very similar to darnel—Bromus secalinus; darnel is Lolium perenne.

Driff, see Draff.

Driffe, “hence I will you driffe” (M 17,d), drive.

Drivel, “live thus like a drivel” (N 61,b), a generic reproach; drudge, servant, idiot, dotard, fool; see other volumes of this series.

Drouse, “a hounded drouse” (WH 288,d), in view of the wretched printing of this play it serves little useful purpose to suggest a correct reading; the most probable would seem to be hounded = hundred and drouse = douse; i.e. a god give him a hundred duckings.

Dutch Jargon, see Wealth and Health.

Eachwhere, “eachwhere sore hated” (R 197,a), everywhere.

Edwards, “angelots and Edwards” (R 216,d), see Angelots. I am further inclined to doubt whether the pieces referred to were of current or recent striking. It is true Edward VI. reformed the coinage, but as the angelots (at least) are specifically referred to as “old,” and as the angelot is probably that of 1420, the Edward is also likely to be the angel of Edward IV. introduced in 1465, which bears an effigy of that king. The angel of Edward VI., of the third coinage of the reign, does not bear an effigy of Edward VI. It may not be out of place to detail the various issues, though this cannot, of course, settle the point as to what coin was meant by the Edward. Kenyon, on “The Gold Coins of England,” says there were four distinct series of gold coins issued during the reign of Edward VI. First Coinage (January 1546-47):—Half-sovereigns (value 10s.). Obverse—king in robes and crowned, enthroned, the figure of an angel on each arm of the throne; reverse—shield bearing arms of France and England quarterly, supported by lion and dragon. Crown (value 5s.). Obverse—rose, crowned; reverse—shield with arms, crowned. Half-crowns (value 2s. 6d.). Type like the crowns. Second Coinage (1548):—Treble Sovereign (value £3). Type like last half-sovereign, except that king has no robes, and holds a sword instead of a sceptre. Sovereign (value £1). Same as £3, only with different mint-mark. Half-sovereign (value 10s.). Obverse—bust in profile to right; reverse—oval shield, crowned, and garnished. Crowns (value 5s.). Same as half-sovereign of this coinage. Half-crowns (value 2s. 6d.). Same as half-sovereign of this coinage. Third Coinage (1550):—Double Sovereign (value 48s). Obverse—king seated, holding sceptre and orb; reserve—shield with arms, upon a large double rose. Sovereign (value 24s.). Same as double sovereign. Angel (value 8s.). Type similar to angels of Henry VIII. The type seems to have been fixed in Henry VI.’s reign. The Archangel Michael was on the obverse, trampling with his left foot upon the dragon, and piercing him through the mouth with a spear. Reverse has shield bearing arms of England and France upon a ship. [No effigy of Edward VI.] Angelet (value 4s.). Same as angel. Fourth Coinage (1552):—Sovereign (value 20s.). Obverse.—three-quarter length of king in profile; reverse—same as sovereign of second coinage. Half-sovereign (value 10s.). Obverse—same as sovereign; reverse—square shield crowned between E.R. Crown (value 5s.). Same as half-sovereign. Half-crown (value 2s. 6d.). Same as crown. Hawkins, on “The Silver Coins of England,” says of Edward VI. Silver coinage, there were Groats, Half-groats, Pennies, Half-pennies. Note—All silver. Shillings—Obverse—king’s bust in profile, crowned; reverse—arms upon an oval shield. Crowns—Obverse—the king mounted on a horse; reverse—arms, and cross fleuree. Half-crowns. Same as crowns. Shillings—Obverse—the king on horsebark, galloping; reverse—a square-topped shield, crowned. Sixpence. Exactly the same as the shilling. Threepence. Same as shilling. Pence of this coinage (1552) occur both of fine and base metal. The fine penny has (on the obverse) the king seated, with arms and cross on the reverse. The base penny has a full-blown rose, instead of the enthroned king. Half-pence are nearly the same as pence.

Empery, “in this empery” (N 56,d), empire, dominion; also more loosely, region. “Ruling in large and ample empery o’er France.”—Shakespeare, Henry V. (1599), i. 2. “A lady So fair, and fastened to an empery, Would make the great’st king double.”—Shakespeare, Cymbeline (1605), i. 7.

Emprise, “th’ emprise of all this world” (N 46,a), generally an undertaking more or less onerous or risky. Here—the responsibility of subduing and righteously governing the material creation. “Then shal rejoysen of a grete empryse Acheved wel.”—Chaucer, Troilus and Cressida (1369), ii. 1391.

Emprowed, “bought... and emprowed” (R 219,a), improved: with an eye to a higher rent.

Encheson, “for th’ encheson” (N 43,c), reason, cause, occasion. “Certes, said he, well mote I shame to tell The fond encheason that me hither led.”—Spenser, Fairy Queen (1590), II. i. 30.

Encroaching of Lands, see Respublica.

Endrait, “live after that endrait” (N 59,d), quality.

Enformed, see Respublica.

England, see Courtesy.

Enquest, see Inquest.

Entriked, “I am wondrously entriked” (N 55,c; 59c), deceived, entangled, tricked, hindered. “That mirrour hath me now entriked.”—Romaunt of the Rose, 1642.

Entunes, “entunes in silence of the night” (N 45,a), songs, tunes, chants, melodies. “So mery a soune, so swete entewnes.”—Chaucer, Boke of the Duchesse (1371), 307.

Enure, “myself to enure” (N 48,b), use, make a habit of, accustom. “He gan that Ladie strongly to appele Of many haynous crymes by her enured.”—Spenser, Fairy Queen (1596), v. ix. 39.

Envies, “to see... envies take in a trap” (R 257,b), enemies.

Equity, see Mankind, Amended Readings.

Erch (passim), ere I—er’ ‘ch—ere ich.

Escheats, “the blind escheats” (R 183,d), lands or tenements which fell to the crown or lord of the fee through failure of heirs or corruption of blood: the latter kind was abolished by the Felony Act, 33 & 34 Vict., ch. xxiii. “The last consequence of tenure in chivalry was escheat; which took place if the tenant died without heirs of his blood, or if his blood was corrupted by commission of treason or felony. In such cases the land escheated or fell back to the lord—that is, the tenure was determined by breach of the original condition of the feudal donation. In the one case there were no heirs of the blood of the first feudatory, to which heirs alone the grant of the feud extended; in the other the tenant, by perpetrating an atrocious crime, forfeited his feud, which he held under the implied condition that he should not be a traitor or felon.”—Blackstone, Commentaries, bk. ii., ch. 3.

Exaltations, “follow their good exaltations” (R 234,d), exhortations.

Extent, “at the highest extent,” etc. (R 219,a), sale under compulsory powers (M).

Extreats, “the scape of extreats” (R 183,d), i.e. estreats, enforced by trick. At law an estreat is an official copy of the specification of fines or penalties (such as a forfeited recognisance for use of the bailiff or sheriff’s officer in levying). “A forfeited recognisance,” if taken by a justice of the peace, “is certified to the next sessions; and if the condition be broken by any breach of the peace in the one case, or any misbehaviour in the other, the recognisance becomes forfeited or absolute; and being estreated or extracted, taken out from among the other records, and sent up to the Exchequer; the party and his sureties, having now become absolute debtors of the Crown, are sued for the several sums in which they are respectively bound.”—Blackstone, Comment., bk. iv., ch. 18. See Respublica for authorities dealing with the systems of extortion referred to in these lines.

Faitour, “ye are no faitour” (M 12,c), deceiver, imposter: a generic reproach. “There be many of you faitours.”—Gower, Confessio Amantis (1393), i. 47.

Fall, “fall back, fall edge” (R 250,b), i.e. whichever way it turns out I am prepared (edge = aside or sideways).

Farthing, “I may not change a man a farthing” (M 18,b), in the least or smallest degree. A farthing, the fourth part of a penny, and the smallest copper coin current in Great Britain, is mentioned as far back as Robert of Gloucester. It seems to have become a simile of small value or amount in most early writers. “In hire suppe was no ferthing sene Of grese, whan she dronken hadde hire drauht.”—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), Prologue, 134.

Fashion, see I-fashion.

Feather, “feather my nest” (R 183,b); this proverbial saying does not occur in Heywood.

Fell, “the world, the flesh, and the fell” (M 39,c), the devil (Furnivall & Pollard).

Fellowship, “flee that fellowship” (M 32,b), company, body of associates, confederacy, joint interest. “Parry felle in felaschepe with Willyum Hasard at Querles.”—Paston Letters, i. 83. “Antenor fleenge with his felowschippe.”—Trevisa, i. 273.

Feoffed, “feoffed thee with all” (N 46,a), endowed. “May God forbid to feffe you so with grace.”—Chaucer, Court of Love.

Fere, “create to be his fere” (N 49,b), companion, partner, fellow. “He wod into the water, his feren him bysyde.”—Political Songs, p. 217.

Festination, “with all festination” (R 204,c), speed, hurry, expedition. “Sweet Frank, when shall my father Security present me?” “With all festination.”—Jonson and Chapman, Eastward Hoe (1605), ii. 1.

Fetches, “beware the fetches of Tediousness” (WS 143,a), stratagems, tricks, contrivances, artifices: the word does not always carry a bad or unworthy meaning.

Fichant, “Ise cannot be fichant enough” (R 267,c), sufficient; i.e. better received and esteemed. Mr. Magnus suggests Je m’en fiche, as origin.

Fide, W[illiam] (M 22,d), so given in the E.E.T.S. text, Fide being Fyde.

Fierce, “a likely man and a fierce” (M 27,d)—“how valiant... and fierce” (WH 293,d), strong, full of fire and ardour. “Yet have I fierce affections.”—Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra (1608), i. 5. “The ships, though so great, are driven of fierce winds; yet are they turned about with a very small helm.”—Bible, Auth. Vers. (1611), James iii. 4.

Firibusque, see Breadibus.

Fist, “a good running fist” (M 30,b), writing: an early example of a common present-day colloquialism.

Flaterabundus, “ye flaterabundus you” (R 188,a), see Clawback.

Flear, Flearing, Fleereth (passim), mock, gibe, leer, smirk; and as verb = to grin contemptuously or scornfully, sneer, smirk.

Flexible, “Mankind is so flexible” (M 33,a), pliant, easily influenced, wavering in disposition.

Flitched, “hath flitched the bishopricks” (R 218,b), so in orignal, but? filched. Mr. Magnus says, “Cut up into strips.”

Flittance (R 183,d), “a ghost word for fleetings, i.e. skimmings” (Mr. Magnus quoting Prof. Skeat).

Flix, “die of the flix” (R 271,c), flux, dysentery. Mr. Magnus glosses this “flyxe [flixe in E.E.T.S. text], flick, thief, 62, 1908.” The mistake in giving the text spelling in glossary leads one to suspect that all the rest, save the page and line reference, is wrong also. At all events, how could Avarice “die of the thief”? Perhaps, however, the E.E.T.S. editor meant the Great Thief of Thieves—Old Age!! “Diseased with the bluddy flixe.”—Udal, Matt. ix.

Florent, “so florent estate” (R 200,d), flourishing, prosperous. “Sinopa was a florent citee.”—Udal, Apoph. of Erasmus (1543), p. 77.

Flouthy, “full of flouthy bushes” (JE 355,b)? slouthy as in my text and in original: if flouthy from flout = mock, jeer, treat with contempt: cf. lecherous thorns, backbiting briars, elders of envy, and other kindred similes in the same passage.

Fond, “each fond opinion” (N 58,a; et passim), foolish, silly, unwise.

Fone, “God shield you from your fone” (M 14,d; et passim), foes: an old plural.

Foot, “I hope to have his foot met” (M 23,d), i.e. caught by the foot, tripped.

Football, “lend us a football” (M 32,c). Dr. Brandl says this is the earliest mention of the game.

Forborne, “it may no longer be forborne” (N 51,d), endured. “I may not certes, though I shulde die, Forbere to ben out of your compagnie.”—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), 10,056.

Force, Forceth (passim), as sub. = matter, consequence, importance, ground for care or anxiety; as verb = to care, regard, value, to be of importance or signify. “What fors were it though al the town bihelde?”—Chaucer, Troilus and Cressida (1369), ii. 373. “It little forceth how long a man liue, but how wel and vertuously.”—Udal, Mark v. “I force not argument a straw.”—Shakespeare, Rape of Lucrece (1594), 1021.

For-cold, “pottage shall be for-cold” (M 13,b)—“when a man is for-cold” (M 5,c), very cold: as a prefix for- has (1) an intensive force; (2) a negative or privative force; and (3) a deteriorative force. Typical examples of each class are——(1) forlorn = utterly lonely; for-drunken = beastly drunk; (2) forbid, forfend; (3) forshapen = badly formed, etc.

Forma, see In.

Forty Pence, see Jack Noble.

Founder, “our founder and chief—founder me no foundering” (R 186,b; 187c; 189a), patron, benefactor: see other volumes of this series.

Four Ears, see Horse.

Fragility? “of your nature and of your fragility” (M 14,a), frailty, weakness, proneness to fall. “Earnestly beseeching the dictatour to forgive this humane fragilitie and youthful folly of Qu. Fabius.”—P. Holland, Livius, p. 307.

Fray, “how I fray” (R 202,c), fear. “The troubled ghost of my father Anchises So oft in sleepe doth fray me, and aduise.”—Surrey, Virgil, Æneis, iv.

Frayry, “the demonical frayry” (M 8,d), friary, conventicle.

Fusion, “God send it His fusion” (M 15,d),? foison, fusoan, fusin = plenty, abundance: in original, fusyon.

Gan, “how God... gan devise” (N 46,a), began: auxiliary with force of did. “Not with less dread the loud Ethereal trumpet from on high gan blow.”—Milton, Paradise Lost (1667), vi. 60.

Gard, “freshly gard” (N 77,c), trimmed, edged. “Those of the forewarde vnder the Duke of Norffolke, were apparelled in blue coats garded with redde.”—Stow, Henry VIII. (1544).

Gaudies, “no more gaudies or japes” (R 264,b), trick, jest. “Thynke wel that it is no gaude.”—Chaucer, Troilus (1369), ii. 351.

Gear (passim), formerly a word-of-all-work = outfit, ornament, dress, accoutrements, arms, harness, tackle, goods, property, tools, implements, material, stuff, matter, business, affair, manners, habits, customs, rubbish, trash—and what not? See other volumes of this series.

Generalis, see Curia.

Gentle-Meat, “Gentle meat for a hawk” (J.E. 363,c), the pun is double-barrelled: gentle also = a trained hawk.

Gentman (R 231,b), gentleman: cf. jentman.

Geoffrey, “farewell, gentle Geoffrey” (M 9,a), apparently a common tag or catch-phrase, or from some song of the period. Heywood (Works, E.E.D.S., II. 36b) quotes almost the identical words of Mankind: “Now, here is the door, and there is the way; And so, (quoth he), farewell, gentle Geoffrey!”

Gere, read Gear.

Gesumme, “a good horse should be gesumme” (M 12,d). Dr. Bradley (quoted by E.E.T.S. editors) suggests geason (A.S. gœsne = empty, scarce). The whole passage from the beginning of the speech is obscure and apparently corrupt: at all events, it hardly “reads” as it is. The following suggestion is made with a view to eliciting a re-examination. The original is (E.E.T.S.)—

“Ande my wyf were yowur hors, sche wolde yow att
to-samne
Ȝe fede yowur hors in mesure; ze are a wyse man.
I trow, & Ȝe were þe kyngis palfrey-man,
  A goode horse xulde be gesumme.”

Now, take as miswritten the words yow and to-samne in the first line, and substitute respectively be and to-famen, and sense is obtained. New Guise has overheard Mercy saying that too much corn for a horse makes it unruly and unmanageable. “Good!” says New Guise, “you are no liar, for I fed my wife so well that she has given me a clouting—here is the plaster!... If my wife were your horse she would be altogether famished. I trow if ye were the King’s palfrey-man a good horse would go empty or be scarce (King’s horses, for parade purposes requiring plenty of the best fodder). The misscripts are not unlikely ones, and—well, ’tis but a suggestion.” “Steuen wille vs traueile and famen vs to dede.”—Robert de Brunne, p. 122.

Ghost, Ghostly (passim), soul, breath, spirit, will; spiritual, not carnal or secular, religious: Ger., geistlich. As, his holy ghost (of the will of a man), ghostly purpose, ghostly enemy, ghostly solace ghostly comfort, ghostly, ghostly to our purpose, father ghostly, ghostly reason.

Ginneth, “when she ginneth wane” (N 44,a), beginneth. “This lessoun thus I ginne.”—William of Palerne, 1929. “Into hyr bedde the boy gan crepe.”—Octovian, 176.

Ginst, “ginst to err” (N 52,b), see previous entry.

Gis, “by Gis” (passim), Jesus: also Jis and Gisse.

Give, “give the rope just to thy neck” (M 35,d), put, adjust.

Godamighties (R 225,a), a term applied to any person or thing greatly idolised: also and mostly, now-a-days, in sarcasm, e.g. a little God-almighty (of a conceited prig), etc. Avarice is speaking of his money bags.

Godigod (R 182,c), “God give you good [day],” a gloss of Prof. Brandl’s. Also (R 258,c), Godigod eve and Godigod speed.

God’s Good, “a hat of God’s good” (R 229,b), yeast; sallet = helmet (see E.E.D.S., Anon. Plays, 1 Ser. 274a). People means that instead of being well enough off to get a helmet to serve the king, he is fain to be content with a yeast tub; probably it was meant also as a bit of “business” for the groundlings’ sake.

Goss, “by Goss” (R 194,c), God.

Governance, “this is his governance” (M 26,d), behaviour, manners, conduct, mode of life. “Now schalle I telle you the governance of the court of the grete Cham.”—Maundeville, p. 232.

Governy, “the whole rule and governy” (N 60,c), control, management, guidance.

Grass, “while the grass shall grow the horse shall sterve” (R 233,d), see Heywood (E.E.D.S., Works, II., 378), s.v. Grass.

Green cheese, “Ye can see no green cheese but your teeth will water” (R 216,c), cream cheese, the material of which “the moon is made”: see Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), II., 97c.

Green Friars (N 92,d), no such order is known either to the highest living English authority on monastic orders, or to Helyot or Dugdale; The Catholic Dictionary likewise makes no reference to Green Friars. And, in truth, having regard to the context, it seems tolerably certain that Medwall (a priest himself) was merely satirizing known abuses, with an eye perhaps on “Friar Tuck” and “Lincoln green”: the “hedge-marriages” alluded to later (93,c) would also support this interpretation.

Groge, Groged (N 75,d), grudge, grudged: as subs = discontent, ill-will, anger, unwillingness to benefit; as verb = grieve, repine, murmur, raise objection, feel ill-will. “Perish they That grudge one thought against your Majesty.”—Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI. iii. (1592), iii. 1.

Gromwell-seed (R 183,b), properly grey millet; here a slang term for money: see other volumes of this series.

Grossery, “such other grossery” (R 263,d), i.e. grossness, enormities, obscurity, with an eye on “grocery” (fr. O.F. grossier, one who sells by the gross, or wholesale).

Grutch (passim), grudge: see Groge.

Gubbings, “the gubbings of booties and preys” (R 183,d), properly the parings of haberdine, but also generic for fragments of any kind.

Guise, “good new guise... vicious guise,” etc. (passim), generic for fashion, style, manner, mien, conduct.

‘Gyptian, “the ‘Gyptian thraldom” (R 237,c), Egyptian.

Ha (passim), have.

Had, see Wist.

Hafter, “ye are but an hafter” (WS 141,c), wrangler, caviller: also a generic reproach; here specifically a falterer, laggard. “Of ale he doth so stinke, That whether he go before, or behynde, Ye shall hym smell without the winde. For when he goeth to it, he is no hafter.”—Doctour Double Ale, 216 (c. 1547).

Haik, Hake (R 191,b and c; R 219,c), “an exclamation, generally a signal of defiance” (Halliwell): cf. “hack” (“hawk”) = to clear the throat.

Hair, see Hood.

Hale, “What doth he after him hale” (R 215,d), haul.

Haled, see States.

Halfpenny, “your minds were all on your halfpenny” (R 196,d), i.e. with an eye to the main chance, generally attentive, cautious, or prudent. The proverb is in Heywood (Works, E.E.D.S., II. 14,c; 174,b). “Ri.: Dromio, looke heere, now is my hand on my halfepeny. Half.: Thou liest, thou hast not a farthing to lay thy hands on.”—Lyly, Mother Bombie (1594), ii. 1. “But the blinde [deafe] man, having his hand on another halfe-penny, said, What is that you say, sir? Hath the clocke strucken?”—Notes on Du Bartas, To the Reader, 2nd page.

Halsed, “his fair wife halsed in a corner” (M 28,d), embraced (hals = neck): the special use of the word is singularly appropriate, as Mischief had just escaped the halsman (= executioner or jailer) himself.

Hance Beerpot (W.H.), i.e. Hans, but there was no object in carrying the modernisation of the orthography so far as to alter the original Hance: see Wealth and Health.

Hand, “I bless you with my left hand” (M 23,c), i.e. curse: cf. “over the left” = altogether wrong, or the reverse of what is said. Such “left-handed” colloquialisms are by no means rare to express insincerity, ill-omen, underhandness, or inferiority. The earliest quotation in the O.E.D., s.v. Left, is 1705, so this example carries its use back upwards of 200 years.

Hands, see Aloft.

Hangman, see Calais.

Hanston, see Respublica.

Hardely (passim), steadily, boldly, certainly.

Hare, “this same way goeth the hare” (R 212,b), i.e. that’s the gist, trend, secret, why and wherefore of the matter: in Heywood.

Hassard, “fet not hassard nor rioter” (IP,320,c); so in original. It may be a contraction of hasarder = gamester, or a misprint for haskard = a rough, blustering fellow (Dekker); probably, however, the former fits the context best.

Hasse, “a fair manor hasse” (JE 354,a), so in original; and but for the rhyme-word bash being spelt basshe one might suspect a misprint, especially as Dr. Murray records no such form as hasse for house, nor anything like it. The meaning, however, is clear enough.

Hat (passim), have it—ha[ve i]t.

Haut, Hauty, “his haut courage” (N 60,d),—“Wealth is hauty” (WH 276,d), high, lofty, proud. Also see N 53,c, where haut is misprinted hawt.

Have (a) (passim) bears several idiomatic meanings in old writers. Thus to have after = to follow; to have at (a person or thing) = to try, attempt, begin, strike, hit; to have with (a person) = to go with, come on. Also, have at him (subs.) = a thrust, blow; and so forth. “Have after, to what issue will this come.”—Shakespeare, Hamlet (1596), i. 4. “Have at it, then.”—Shakespeare, Cymbeline (1605), v. 5. “Have at thee with a downright blow.”—Shakespeare, 2 Henry VI. (1594), ii. 3. “I’ll venture one have-at-him.”—Shakespeare, Henry VIII. (1601), ii. 2.

(b) see Petticoat.

Haviour, “a man of your haviour” (N 85,b), conduct, manners, demeanour, as in Shakespearean usage. But possibly it may, and probably does, stand here for the Anglo-Norman havoir = wealth, property. The context would seem to indicate this, “Into a haviour of less fear.”—Shakespeare, Cymbeline (1605), iii. 4.

Hawt, see Haut.

Headibus, “your headibus” (M 18,c), heads.

Heal (passim), health. Hedge, “over the hedge ere ye come at the stile” (R 192,a), proverbial: in Heywood (Works, E.E.D.S., II. 97,d and 443,c).

Heels, see Lead.

Helpen, “he can be helpen thereof” (N 122,a), helped; also holpen. Still in use.

Hend, “to me full hend” (M 11,c), courteous, civil, polite. “So loveth she this hendy Nicholas.”—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), 3386.

Hey, “Hey nonny nonny, ho for money” (R 222,d), if not a popular song, a popular refrain. The words occur in many old writers, not infrequently with an obscene meaning or reference: see Slang and its Analogues, s.v. Nonny.

Hie, “Hie you forth lively” (M 17,d), probably a snatch of some old song, which, however, I have been unable to trace. A somewhat similar reference occurs in Misognus (Anon. Plays, 2 Ser., E.E.D.S., 185,d) during a dancing scene: “O lively with high, child, and turn thee; ah, this is good sport!” Although this does not settle the source of the saying, yet it adds force to Mankind’s words.

High, “on high, on high” (JE 357,c), a duplication necessitated by the rhyme—Eli, Eli, but all the same a very striking one.

Hight, “Health I hight” (WH 277,a), am called, have for a name: the only passive verb in English: see other volumes of this series.

Hip, “have you on the hip” (R 215,c), to have or get an advantage: see Slang and its Analogues, s.v. Hip.

Hite, “when man is a little hite and wealthy” (WH 279,c) = idle: in original hit. I take the word to be akin to the northern hite, to run up and down idly (Halliwell). Still, this may be wrong, and the now obsolete sense of hit = to be fortunate or successful may be meant.

Ho (passim) is used in varying senses in all old writers. Thus Ho! = a command to stop, cease, or refrain from the continuance of any action. Hence, as verb = to cry out, shout, etc. Whence many colloquialisms. To be ho (JE 367,a) = to be restrained, stopped, delayed; out of all ho = out of all bounds or restraint; no ho with = restive of control, out of hand; let us ho = let us stop; and so forth. Ho, ho, ho! occurs in many old plays, being given to the devil or vice when making an entry.

Holpen, “if it be holpen” (N 54,b), helped: see Helpen.

Holyke (M 16,c). From the nature of the song itself it must be inferred that a triple pun was intended, Holy (sacred refrain)—wholly (holelyche = wholly)—Hole-lick (osculare fundamentum): probably the “roof” was intended to be “raised” by the medley of interpretations thus offered, the business of each of the chorus being different.

Holy nation (JE 357,b), i.e. the Saints and redeemed. The reference to love and virginity is apparently founded on a passage in Revelations, attributed by many to St. John the Evangelist: see Rev. xi. 4, and John Evangelist, p. 416 ante.

Hood, “his hair groweth through his hood” (IP 340,c; also R 229,d), i.e. comes to poverty.

Hook, “by hook or by crook” (R 187,b), by some means or other, by fair means or foul, at all hazards, probably of forestal origin. “Their work was by hook or crook... to bring all under the emperor’s power.”—Thomas the Rymer, On Parliaments (d. 1298).

Horse, (a) “horse with four ears” (JE 364,a), apparently a reference to some form (or rather means) of punishment—the gallows (or mare with three legs), the pillory, or the timber-mare (or horse) for flogging purposes. Probably the latter, as its construction would justify the “four ears” of the text.

(b) see Grass.

Horsibus, see Breadibus.

Hours, see Prime.

Huffa Gallant, see Rutter.

Hyngham, see Macro Plays.

I (passim) occurs in several connections now archaic. (a) It is frequently repeated in conversation for the sake of emphasis, “I am hight Mercy, I.”

(b) = Ay.

(c) = An augment or prefix to represent the A.S. ge, the most frequent example being i-wis = gewiss: see i-fashion (JE 365 b) = fashioned.

Ich (passim), I: see other volumes of this series.

Ignorum, “we ignorum people” (R 211,a)—“we ignorams all would fain,” etc. (R 227,c), (adj. and subs.: ignorant, ignoram[use]s.)

Impatient Poverty. The text will be found on pages 311-348. Hitherto little indeed seems to have been known concerning this interlude. As far as I can learn no copy has been traceable, at all events in modern days, until “the Irish find” was put up at Sotheby’s in July 1906. Part of this “recovery” (see Preface) was a copy of Impatient Poverty, which is now national property in the custody of the trustees of the British Museum, the price paid for the item being no less than £150. It is true that the title, together with one or two details of the baldest description, occur in most catalogues of early English plays, from that of Rogers and Ley in 1656 down to Mr. W. W. Greg’s “hand-list” prepared for, and issued by, the Bibliographical Society in 1900. It is, however, an obvious fact that in each case all the authorities appear to quote from mention only. Further, though “known” to a similar extent to latter-day critics—to Collier, Halliwell, Hazlitt, Fleay, Ward, Gayley, Brandl, Greg, and Pollard—all these, likewise, quote either from an early mention, or from one another; none seem to have seen a copy of the play. Dyce alone was explicit. In a note to Sir Thomas More (Shakes. Soc., p. 55) he records Impatient Poverty as “non-extant.” After an interval of more than sixty years since Dyce wrote, and 350 years or more after publication, the “lost” play has been recovered; and it is now my good fortune to make it generally accessible to scholars. The British Museum Catalogue entry is as follows:

Poverty. A new Interlude of Impacyente Poverte, newlye Impreynted, M.V.L.X., B.L. John Kynge, London [1560], 4^o.—c. 34. i. 26. The title-page is enclosed in a woodcut border bearing the initials T. R.

in which the Museum catalogue has made a slight blunder in copying from the title-page, which may be consulted on page 311. Impatient Poverty, as already stated, is mentioned in the old play of Sir Thomas More, itself only extant in a somewhat mutilated manuscript. The passage is as follows:

Moore. I prethee, tell me, what playes have ye?

Player. Diuers, my lord; The Cradle of Securitie, Hit Nayle o’ th’ Head, Impacient Povertie, The Play of Foure Pees, Diues and Lazarus, Lustie Juuentus, and The Mariage of Witt and Wisedome.—Shakes. Soc. ed., 55-56.

The copy now happily recovered shows the play to have been “newly” printed in 1560 by John King, who was in business at the Sign of the Swan in St. Paul’s Churchyard from 1555 to 1561. There is no entry in the Stationers’ Register for the year 1560 or earlier. The British Museum copy is a tolerably well-printed black-letter quarto of its kind; it is also in excellent preservation. A reduced facsimile of the title-page is given on page 311, but unfortunately the paper used in these volumes is not altogether suitable for illustrative work. The old copy is, however, announced among The Tudor Drama Facsimile Texts, and will shortly be available in collotype. The collation is A to Eii in 4s (18 leaves). The first sheet (A) has no signature, but the others are regular in notation. Impatient (= intolerable, unendurable) Poverty is by an unknown author, but a very shrewd attribution might even now be made were not the time, as yet, hardly ripe for scientific deductions. The materials are not at hand for anything like a systematic study of pre-Shakespearean dramatic effort and achievement; and the study of isolated plays can, at best, lead to imperfect and perhaps erroneous conclusions. Unquestionably, however, the Tudor drama deserves to be studied, as Shakespeare is now-a-days studied: as a whole, and not piecemeal. But—alack and alack!—where is the accessible material for such an inquiry? Still, if at present we do not know the author’s name, we can nevertheless learn something of him from his play. He was evidently a sedate man, serious to a degree, with apparently deep-seated religious principles: note the long-sustained exhortations and the general tone of the play. It is also noteworthy that, for the period, the bawdry is “cut” to the lowest limit. There are no women’s parts, and the Vice is a watered-down specimen of his class. There is little internal evidence to enable one to form an idea of the date of composition, though this may, I think, be fixed as probably not earlier than 1545, but before 1552. The allusions to usury seem to point to a period anterior to the repeal by Edward VI. in 1552 of the Usury Act of 37 Henry VIII., which was re-enacted by Elizabeth in 1570. Yet the reference to “the Queen” (347,d), unless a later interpolation, is obviously to Queen Elizabeth, and not to Queen Mary. The play is too distinctly and settled Protestant—indeed, the tone is even that of “the new learning” victorious—to admit of a Marian chronology. In this latter case the downward limit would be extended at least to 1558. Other allusions are likewise scanty or unilluminating—“Joy and solace be in this hall” (321,a), seems suggestive of a College or Inns of Court audience, as distinguished from a purely Court performance; the joining of simony with covetise (325,c) recalls the Edward VI. Act against simony (1552); “Conscience, the high judge of the law” (328,b), is reminiscent of Respublica: cf. 227,d; other references are to Newgate, Tyburn, the Fleur de Lys, etc., but they do not appear to have any special meaning. The present text is transcribed direct from a rotary-bromide copy of the original, and having been twice collated, once with the photo-text, and again finally with the original, it will, I hope, be found as accurate as human care can make it. Variations and Corrigenda are as follows: The colophon (312,d) is in original given on Eii. v. at the end of the play—The text begins at the top of Aii r without title—The stage directions in brackets do not appear in the original—The names of the speakers are in the present text systematised a little, and are consequently, in some cases, slightly different to the original—“What people are tho[se]” (314,a), in original tho (A.S. = those)—“for shame thou shouldst bear” (315,a), in original shuls—“that with humility” (316,b), in original humyly—“Thy very duty” (317,a), in original They—“this well I knaw” (317,a), in original wyll—“Let it be tryd by manhood, and thereto I give thee my glove” (317,c), in original tryet and thertho—“I pray you sir” (317,d), in original your—“I hold it punishment” (318,a), in original punisshment—“Nay by God! there ho!” (318,d), in original good... hoo—“I break your head” (319,a), in original heed—“Pater dimitte illis” (319,b), in original misprinted dimitie—“beati pauperes spiritu” (319,b), in original beaty pauperes spiritu—“As it doth often” (320,c), in original doeth—“Exeunt ambo” (320,d), in original Exiunt ambo—[Enter Abundance] (321,a), throughout this is Haboundaunce—“though he would” (321,d), in original thought—“be openly known” (321,d), in original he—“Singular commodum” (321,d), so in original—“to them that are needy” (322,a), in original theym—“Because I may forbear” (322,b), in original Bycause—“Cons. Evensine very shame” (322,b), in original, Evensynne—“Cons. To make restitution” (324,a), in original Doo—“Make amends” (324,c), in original Mke—“you cannot come in” (324,d), should be thou, as in original—“Now in faith” (326,b), in original fayte—“He goeth in a cloak” (327,b), in original clocke—“the temporalty” (327,c), in original themporaltye—“pride, sloth, and lechery” (327,c), in original slewth—“Set covetire in your room” (328,b), in original rowm—“[Envy] Y-wys, cousin” (328,d), not in original, but the speech is clearly to Envy—“by Cocks passion” (330,a), in original coxs; so also at 330,c—“I have of gold three hundred pound” (331,a), in original hundreth—“I am your kinsman” (331,b), in original Kyngman—“Ye must have more servants” (331,c), in original moo—“most expedient” (331,c), original expedyende—“Because he can so well sing” (332,b), in original Bycause—“Tush! take no thought” (332,d), in original though—“at a pinch... broad as an inch” (333,d), the punctuation may not rightly interpret the exact sense here, but it seems elliptical and to require If before her heel: i.e. how little light-heeled she were she would still serve to inflame Prosperity; the whole speech in original is without a single punctuation mark—“Because he is old” (333,d), in original Bycause—The signature (335,d) given as B1,r should of course have been D1,r—“That so can read his destiny” (336,a), in original destanye—“tell me at one word” (337,a), in original our—“obscured with clouds” (337,d), original obscrued—Colhazard (passim), this in original is variously spelt; Colhasard, Collhasard, Colehazard, Collhassard, etc.—“Sober your mood” (340,a), in original sobre you mode—“won all my good” (340,c), original wome—“Cannot chance a main groat” (341,c), original man—“for I obtain all thing” (343,a), in original optayne—“upon you a great slande[r]” (343,c), in original sclaunde—“and live in great advoutry” (343,d), original misprints aduantrye—“what will ye then say” (344,a), original thed—“And then sayeth the Sumner” (344,b), original them... somuer—“be unto God” (344,c), original into—“brought me to this distress” (345,a), original his—“leeful for a callet” (345,b), original called—“and great usurers” (345,c), in original usures—“Bawds, advouterers” (345,c), in original Bandes—“fornicators, and escheaters” (345,c), in original echeters—“made his purgation” (345,d), original is—“as Thou art omnipotent” (347,d), in original onypotent.

In, (a) in manus tuas (M 23,b), from Psalm xxx. 6: in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum = into Thy hands I commit my spirit. The queck in text should not have been in italics.

(b) “i[n] forma juris d’hazard” (M 29,c), restored by Prof. Brandl: in original, “do yt forma jurys dasard.”

Incroke, “He took of her an incroke” (IP 326,c),?—As a verb, Murray has incrook and inkroke = to bend or bow down; e.g. in Rom. xi. 10, the phrase “and bow down their back alway” is given by Wyclif as “in kroke” their back.

Ingham, see Macro Plays.

Inquest, “to do at your inquest” (R 234,b), request: in original, enquest.

Institute, “He hath institute you above all His works” (M 11,d), appointed, set, invested. “Cousin of York, we institute your Grace to be our Regent in these parts of France.”—Shakespeare, 1 Hen. VI. (1596), iv. 1, 162.

Institution, “a beast doth after his natural institution” (M 9,b), nature, established order.

Interlection, “Let us have an interlection” (M 20,c), talk, consultation, conference: not in O.E.D. Though regularly formed, probably a nonce word.

Intermise, “intermise yourself not in their company” (M 14,b), mix, interfere, interpose, concern, or occupy oneself with: not in O.E.D., but sufficiently indicated (s.v. Inter-, p. 381, 1. 1 b and Intermise, subs.).

Inventus, “non est inventus” (M 34,d), i.e. he is not to be found.

I-pilate, “he was i-pounst and i-pilate” (R 211,b), pilated = brought before Pilate, “beaked”: see I.

I-polld, “were ne’er so i-polld” (R 211,a), fleeced, robbed, cheated. Mr. Magnus, however, glosses it as “pulled about.” “And have wynked at the pollyng and extorcion of hys unmeasurable officiers.”—Hall, Union (1548).

I-pounst, “he was i-pounst and i-pilate” (R 211,b),? beaten, scourged; an eastern counties word.

Irisdision, see Trentham.

Irk, “unlusty and irk” (M 24,c)—“I am near irk of both” (M 26,b), tired, bored, disgusted.

Is (R. passim), I; oftentimes the sibilant is carried to the next word.

I-strike, “sixpence in each shilling was i-strike quite away” (R 232,a), struck: see Respublica.

I-torment, “zo i-torment” (R 211,a), tormented.

I-trounst, “so i-trounst” (R 211,b). Prof. Brandl refers to M.E. trunsioun and O.F. tronchon.

Jack-a-napes (R 264,b), here = a tame ape or monkey. The origin of the term in this and its more usual sense (= an ape-like, pert, or ridiculous person) is obscure. Dr. Murray says that so far as yet found the word appears first as an opprobrious nickname of William de la Pole, the Duke of Suffolk who was murdered in 1450, whose badge was a clog and chain such as was attached to a tame ape. Thus in contemporary poems (e.g., Pol. Poems, c. 1499 [Rolls], II. 222) several noblemen are designated by their badges, Suffolk being named the “ape-clogge.” We find Jack-napes generic for an ape in Skelton (1522), and shortly afterwards the term was current in the present and more common sense. But the connection between Jack Napes and an ape (again to quote Dr. Murray) “is uncertain.”

Jack Noble, “Hence Forty Pence... Jack Noble is a-bed” (N 98,a), a pun on the value of the coins (forty pence being half a noble) and the lady’s preference. What K. q. title means I cannot divine. Prof. Brandl suggests King—Queen, but confesses it obscure; a bry appears to signify a breeze, awkward affair or predicament.

Jake, “a good jake of fence” (M 32,a), coat of defence; a sleeveless tunic or jacket formerly worn by foot-soldiers and others, usually of quilted leather. Sometimes = a coat of mail.

Javels, “javels as shall wrong them” (R 192,b), a generic reproach—rascal, good-for-nothing. “How much more abhominable is that pieuish pride in a lewde vnthriftye, iavell.”—More, Treat. Pass. (1534), Introd. Wks., 1272.

Je, Je nescey (N 97,b), i.e. Je ne sais [pas].

Jet (passim), formerly as hard a worked word as “commodity” or “cast”; it signified any device, contrivance, art, fashion, style, mode, manner, or custom. As verb = to strut, walk with consequence, and so forth.

Jewels (M 18,a), privities: see privity (19,d): New Guise’s and Mankind’s “business” seems to have been not over fastidious.

Jis (passim), Jesus: cf. Gis.

Joan (passim), a generic name for an alewife, strumpet, and the like: see Doctour Double Ale and next entry.

John, “Come kiss me, John” (N 93,c). Chappell says that nothing remains of the words except “Jon come kisse me now, Jon come kisse me now; Jon come kisse me by and by, and make no more adow.” The music is given in Citharen Lessons, 1609; Airs and Sonnets, MS., T.C. Dublin, etc. It is also mentioned in Jacob and Esau, in Heywood’s A Woman Kill’d with Kindness (1600); in ’Tis merry when Gossips meet (1609); in a song in Westminster Drollery (1671 and 1674); in Burton’s Anatomy of Melancholy (1611); The Scourge of Folly (N.D.); Brathwayte’s Shepherd’s Tales (1623); in Hy. Bold’s Songs and Poems (1685); and in Sir W. Davenant’s Love and Honour.

William Byrd.

John-Hold-my-Staff (R 188,a), a parasite, lickspittle. “And here it is the fortune of a man to be married to a woman of so peevish and domineering a temper that she will wear the breeches and the cap too: so that the poor fop at home is like John-Hold-my-Staff; she must rule, govern, insult, brawl,” etc.—Fifteen Comforts of Matrimony.

John Irische (WH 304,d), the allusion is lost.

John Shole (WH 304,d), see previous entry.

John the Evangelist. The text of this play is given on pages 349-368, together with a reduced facsimile of the title-page. Until recently John the Evangelist was looked upon as one of the innumerable “lost” plays of the Tudor period. It has now been recovered under the notable circumstances narrated in the preface to this volume. Curiously enough, John the Evangelist was at first, in the sale catalogue, confused with Bishop Bale’s John Baptist’s Preaching in the Wilderness, no copy of which also is now traceable, being known only through the reprint in the Harleian Miscellanies. However, there is no doubt that if a choice of “finds” had to be made the lot would fall to the present play, which has been untraceable in any form, save that of mere mention, for hundreds of years. The British Museum Catalogue entry is:

John Saint and Apostle. Here begynneth the interlude of Johan the Evangelist [with a woodcut]. B.L. John Waley, London [1560?]. 4^o. [c. 34. i. 20.]

Greg, in his “notes” to Early Play Lists (App. II. lxxix), says: “Neither Langbaine nor any of his followers had seen the piece. The Biographica Dramatica gives the date 1566, which, however, appears to be an invention of Chetwood’s.” The colophon indicates that it was printed by John Waley (or Walley), who was in business in Foster Lane from 1546 to 1586. This, of course, decides nothing as to the date of the play. Moreover, there is, as far as I am at present aware, only one allusion in the play itself that serves the purpose; even allowing more weight to such evidence than I am inclined to consider safe in the circumstances—Eugenio appoints Actio (359,a) “hangman of Calais.” It is hardly likely such an allusion to what was at the time regarded as a national “disaster” would have been made after the loss of Calais in 1558. On the other hand, the absence of the concluding prayer for the sovereign—its presence being a pretty certain indication of an Elizabethan play—seems to confirm the downward limit of date. One other allusion may be pertinent—“the sweetest life, Sovereign... is to have meditation of our Lord Jesus.” A Marian date is, from the tone of the play, unlikely; to suppose the reference is to Henry VIII. is equally incongruous. Both considerations are, moreover, emphasised by the fact that had the “Sovereign” been a queen, regnant or dowager, some qualification indicative of sex would in such courtly times most assuredly have been given. We are thus reduced, by the process of exhaustion, to the days of Edward VI.: i.e. between 1547 and 1553. Beyond that point I do not think we can safely go at present. The play, as now bound by the British Museum authorities, shows no signs of mutilation, and the numbering of the sheets is consecutive. The type is, for the most part, clear and good; nothing obliterated, very little blurred, and only occasionally is there exhibited a wrong letter (e.g. “laue” for “lane”); but as a whole very correct. The construction of the play is of the slightest, turning at its most serious point on the incident of “The Pharisee and the Publican going up to the Temple to pray.” Indeed, the whole piece seems curiously incomplete and disconnected. Yet there are no signs whatever, in the original, of mutilation or of lines omitted. The text goes straight on, though the relation of one part to another is by no means obvious. Is it possible that the play as it has reached us is only a draft, or an imperfect, or a “pirated” copy? I am inclined on first glance to think this interlude one of the same class as those that Bishop Bale speaks of as being played at market crosses on Sunday afternoons by way of religious instruction—“thin,” slight moral plays. Indications are not wanting which point to this conclusion. Such a fact, if established, would account for the transparent looseness of construction, the deep religious feeling, the reticence and restraint, the apparent confusion of one of the players at once with the apostle, the parish priest, and the actor—and much else. The original is almost devoid of punctuation; the modernised text conforms in that respect to present-day standards. The names of the speakers are likewise not always consistently given in the old copy; they are now standardised. Latin Quotations and Origins: It is thought convenient, in respect to this play, to group these as follows:—“Domine, ante... absconditus” (351,b), “Lord, all my desire is before thee, and my groaning is not hid from thee” (Psalm xxviii. 9): in original a te is omitted after Et in second line—Beati ... Domine!” (352,a), “Blessed, O Lord, are they that dwell in Thy house” (Psalm lxxxiv. 4)—“Qui cum Deo Patri” (352,a), “Who with God the Father,” the beginning of an ascription or gloria—“A pœna et culpa” (352,b), from penalty and fault: part of the Latin absolution—“Nec te collaudas ... ipse” (352,c), the sense is, “You will not be blamed so long as you don’t extol yourself”—“Qui se collaudit” (352,c), “Who praises himself”; probably from same source as preceding—“Responde, tunc... clericorum” (352,d), “Answer then, master, doctor of the clergy”—“Sursum corda” (353,a), “Lift up your hearts”; from the office of the mass—“Via recta” (354,a), “the right way”—“Spes mea... via recta” (354,a), “My hope stood in the right way” (or way of righteousness): several passages like this in sense appear in the Psalms, but none exactly parallel—“gratia electi” (354,b), “chosen by grace”—“via obliquia ... circularis” (354,c), “the crooked way and circular way”: no doubt scriptural—“omnes iniquo in circuitu impii ambulantes” (354,c), iniquo in original reads iniqui, which I take to be a misprint: it now reads, “all the ungodly walking in the ungodly path” (or path of ungodliness): probably from the Psalms—“Ab aquilone... omne malum” (355,a), “from the north is spread every evil”: a parallel passage is found in Jeremiah iv. 6, “I will bring evil from the north,” etc.—“Fumus tormentorum... secula seculorum” (355,d), in original fumus reads finit, most likely a misprint: the passage as it now stands is intelligible, “The smoke of their torment ascendeth for ever and ever; a quotation from Revelation xiv. 11—“Septum ... mors” (355,d), Septum conveys the idea of a surrounding fence or hedge (cf. 355,a and b), “the enclosing (or surrounding) master of sin is death; but?—“administrate... comfortate nos” (356,c), dog-Latin: “administers, restores, comforts”—“Intentio judicat quenquam” (357,a), “The intention decides everything”; no doubt proverbial—“In principio” (364,d), “in the beginning”: the first two words of the Latin version of St. John’s Gospel—“Confiteor”... Deo gratias ... Deo gratias ago tibi” (366,b), “I confess... thanks be to God... God I thank thee”: see Luke xviii. 11—“Tu testimonium... est verum” (367,a), “Thou bearest testimony of thyself; and thy testimony is not true”; an adaptation of John viii. 13—“Qui vivit... seculorum secula” (368,a), “Who lives through the infinite ages of age.” Amended Readings, Corrigenda, Suggestions, &c. The collation is A to Civ in 4s, with A1,v blank.—Names of Players are not in the original.—The colophon is transferred from Civ,v—Stage directions and words in brackets do not appear in the original: this is not further mentioned in these notes—“Et a te gemitus” (351,b), a te not in original—“As it ravisheth the soul” (351,c), original rauysshet—“such a pulpit man to lose” (352,b), original lese—“Reponde, tunc, domine” (352,d), original tunice—“that same death thou shalt die” (353,a), erroneously given in my text: the original has shalt thou—[“The continuation seems imperfect”], there may be several causes for this. Certainly here, as in other places, there are no signs whatever in original of mutilation or of lines omitted. The text goes straight on, though the relation of one part to another is by no means obvious. The whole play seems curiously incomplete and scrappy, even for early dramatic effort, oftentimes of the “thinnest” and crudest. True, the action may be modelled somewhat on the lines of Heywood’s Pardoner and the Friar, in which the “interruptions” of one speaker with another lead to “business.” Or the play may be a mere fragment of the “book,” as it left the author’s hands—surreptitious, unauthorised, or unrevised. In the former case, especially assuming that it was intended as a kind of a “dramatic sermon,” the action shows order of a kind: commencing with what is obviously intended as the commencement of an exhortation and omitting the “comic” and “lighter” parts, the sermon would, in a measure, be naturally complete by “following on” the speeches as follows: St. John the Evan. 351,b to 352,a; Irisdision, 353,c (with asides, incentives, or interruptions) to 356,a; St. John the Evan. 357,b to 358,a; then comes an “interval,” and the discourse is resumed at (JE 365,c to end) winding up with the “application” which was soon to form such an important feature in Puritan worship. So for the point directly at issue; but another puzzle confronts the student and one concerning which at this early stage I do not pretend to offer a solution. Personally, I should have preferred to have deferred publishing the text, in order to have had an opportunity of careful and exact comparative study of the piece in its relation to the Tudor drama as a whole as well as “play”-meal. On the other hand, I felt that the generous support we have met with at the hands of the Society’s subscribers would be best repaid by speedy publication—“In the city of Jerusalem... walled” (353,c), if the play has come to us intact, and the lack of continuity is intentional, the punctuation of this passage must be altered: delete the full point after called and regard the next line as a parenthesis, and substitute a semicolon for the period after walled—“in the lane of business” (354,a), in original laue of besynesse—“Yes, on the left side” (354,c), Ies in original—“full of slouthy bushes” (355,b), this may be flouthy—“Fumus tormentorum” (355,d), in original Finit: Latin quotations, supra (418,d)—“[Iris]. It is time for to be walking, &c.” (356,a), these two lines are not in original given to Irisdision, but form part of Eugenios’ speech, which proceeds without a break to “Sir William of Trentram” (357,a). They seem to me, however, to be rightly restored as now given—“by books Amromes” (356,b), so in original:? a misprint for amorous, which would at least restore the sense. There is, moreover, nothing in original to suggest a break—“St. John the Evangelist” (357,a), preceded by ✠ instead of the usual “leaf”—“plain information” (357,b) in original infymacyon—“I am that John that” (357,b), in original “I am John that”: a blunder I carelessly passed—“saw Lungis” (357,c), original Longes: see (424,d)—“almost changed my mood” (359,c), original mode—“have been so witty” (359,c), in original brn—“Yes, yes daily” (362,b), in original Ies—“some pleasure then there appears” (363,d), in original areres—“between your ears” (363,d), in original bytwene—“make thee to fly” (365,b), a mistake: the original is stye (= ascend, A.S.)—“Deo gratias ago tibi” (366,b), substitute a full point for the comma—“In that he thanked God” (366,b), in original than—“By raveners... men can rehearse” (366,c). I do not feel sure that the present punctuation gives the best rendering of the original, which is entirely unstopped—“In that cayme” (366,c), see supra, s.v. Cayme:? Cain—“Against God” (366,d), in original Agayne—“Who doth hie him shall be ho” (367,a), see supra, s.v. Ho.

Joint, “jeopard a joint” (R 256,d)—“t’adventure a joint” (R 250,c), to take a risk or hazard, as of injury, loss, hanging, etc. “My ten duckets are like my ten fingers, they will not jeopard a joynt for you.”—Decker, Fortunatus (1600), Works (1873), I. 153.

Jolly, “here is a jolly jacket” (M 31,d), bright, gay, splendid, in newest fashion. “Jolye and gaye sadeles.”—Wyclif, Sel. Wks. (c. 1380), III. 520.

Junctly, “marred junctly together” (M 16,d) jointly.

Junkery, “a banket or a junkery” (N 95,c), banquet, feast, junket: specifically a merrymaking accompanied by eating and drinking. “Pertrych and his felaw bere gret visage and kepe gret junkeryes and dyneres.”—Paston Lett. (1449), IV. 24 (1901).

Juris, see In.

Justices of Quorum (JE 352,d). According to Mr. Craigie (O.E.D., s.v.), quorum was “originally certain justices of the peace, usually of eminent learning or ability, whose presence was necessary to constitute a bench; latterly the term was loosely applied to all justices.” “The Justicez or Justice of the Pease of the Quorum yn the same shire.”—Rolls Parlt. (1455), V. 334. I.

Justitia, (a) (R. passim), as a pertinent comment on the motif of this play it may be remarked that the name Justitia was (O.E.D.) applied in the eleventh century in a general way to persons charged with the administration of the law, especially to the Sheriffs; it was subsequently limited to the president or one of the members of the Curia Regis, out of which the Courts of King’s Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer were developed: see previous entry.

(b) Just[ici]a tamen non luxit in nobis (R 253,b), see Book of Wisdom (Sap., 1, 15), where it reads, Justitiæ lumen non luxit in nobis. Mr. Magnus earmarks the mistake as “interesting, if, as is probable, the MS. is not the author’s; it is the kind of miscopying which we might expect.”

Kays, “where be my kays” (R 184,d), this seemingly cockney Irish pronunciation of “key” is in truth the correct one, and was the standard down to the close of the seventeenth century. In M.E. the rhyme was with day, play, say, etc., and Dryden so employs it. On the other hand, early in the fifteenth century the (northern) spelling kee was in vogue, from which it appears that the modern pronunciation kee is of northern origin, but it is difficult to say how it came into general English use (O.E.D.).

Keep, “Keep your tail” (M 21,a), i.e. keep it out of sight.

Kent... Northumberland, etc. (R 254,a): see Respublica.

King, see Cat.

Kiss, see Courtesy.

Knight, “Christ’s own knight” (M 12,a), soldier. “A knight with a spear.”—Youth, Anon. Plays, 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 97,d. “That knycht quha peirsit our Lordis syde with the speir.”—Winzet, Four Scoir Thre Quest. (1563), Works (1888), I. 77.

Knil, “I rang her a knil” (N 97,d), a loud peal on a bell: specifically the passing bell, but frequently used of more or less violent ringing.

K. q. title, see Jack Noble.

Kyx, “as dry as a kyx” (R 271,b), a dry, hollow stalk. “Elders they may bee, which being fullest of spungie pith, proue euer the driest kixes.”—Pappe w. Hatchet (1589), Civ.

Lade, “by whom thou art lade” (IP 335,b), led.

Ladydom, “Chwas besiraunce your ladidom to see” (R 213,c). Mr. Magnus says “a new formation.” Murray’s first quotation is dated 1843.

Lady of Wolpit (IP 315,d), this should have been Woolpit, near Bury-St.-Edmunds. See Woolpit.

Lammas, “at the latter Lammas” (R 219,a), never: see Slang and its Analogues.

Lavatory, “that blessed lavatory” (M 3,c), a figurative usage: cf. “the lavatory of grace” (Pilgr. Perf., W. de W. 60b, 1526).

Lay, “hold for the lay” (JE 353,d), lake, pool: in the O.E.D. the latest quotation for the literary use of this word is 1481, later ones being taken from the early nineteenth century dialect glossaries. This example is therefore useful.

Lead, “I have no lead on my heels” (M 25,a), the “heel of lead” was proverbial for slow, unsprightly movement: cf. “Love, I am full of lead” (Shakespeare, Ant. and Cleop., iii. 11, 72).

Learn, “Titivillus can learn you many pretty things” (M 25,d), this present-day vulgarism was formerly in constant literary use. Wyclif in his first (1382) rendering of Prov. ix. 7 employed it—“Who lerneth a scorner,” etc.: in the revised text of 1388 he substituted “techith.”

Left Hand, see Hand.

Legs, see Titivillus.

Leman, “take thee a leman” (M 27,a), mistress, whore: see other volumes of this series.

Lese, “an open lese” (N 108,d), pasture, meadowland, common. “We been his people and scheep of his leese.”—Prymer (c. 1400), 17 (1891).

Lesing, “many a lesing” (M 18,b), lie, lying, falsehood.

Let, “not minding you to let” (R 188,b), hinder, obstruct.

Likely, “such a likely man” (M 27,d), in original lygh[t]ly; seemly, becoming, good-looking. “The damoysel beheld the poure knyght, and sawe he was a lykely man”—Malory, Arthur (1470-85), II. ii. 77.

Limit, “a pardon by limit” (M 8,c), in original bely mett. Apparently a pardon sold or bestowed by a friar limiter: see other volumes of this series.

Lion of Cotswold (N 109,c), a sheep: an earlier example than the first of the O.E.D. quotations.

Live, “on live” (IP 300,c), alive: an attributive use.

Liver, “shall liver him” (R 271,c), deliver.

Longeth, “that longeth to thine office” (M 8,c), pertains to, is fit and appropriate for.

Lorel (IP 335,b), a generic term of reproach. “I play the lorell or the loyterer.”—- Palsgrave, Lang. Fran. (1530), 659.

Losell, “like a loitering losell” (R 257,d), profligate, rake: etymologically, “one who is lost,” “a son of perdition.”

Loss, “poor we bear the loss” (R 231,d), see Respublica.

Louts, “we made them louts” (R 221,c), i.e. caused them to submit to our demands and disgorge. “To whome grete astates obeyde and lowttede.”—Elegy on Henry (c. 1500), in Percy’s Releg., 45.

Love, “Hasty love is soon hot, and soon cold” (WS 161,a); Heywood (Works, E.E.D.S., II. 6,d) has “hot love, soon cold.”

Lowler (JE 354,d), a variant of Loller = Lollard. Originally applied (c. 1300) to a charitable fraternity, and subsequently to pretenders to austere piety and humility. Hence in reproach to certain “heretics,” followers of Wyclif and similar purists.

Lungis (JE 357,c), in original Longes. As this play is, generally speaking, carefully printed the use of the capital seems to point to a proper name, and not to lunges = thrusts, stabs. Lungis is the apocryphal name of the centurion who pierced our Lord with a spear: L. longinus. The O.E.D. cites this as the origin of lungis = lout, loafer—a generic reproach. On the other hand, if lunge = a stab, it gives an instance of the use of the word some 200 years earlier than Dr. Murray’s premier example: in either case the present illustration is useful and interesting.

Lurdan, Lurden (passim), a generic reproach and term of abuse; examples are numerous.

Mace, see Mass.

Macro Plays and Manuscripts (The). These derive their name from a former owner, Cox Macro, an eighteenth century antiquary, physician, and cleric. From the Dictionary of National Biography it appears he was born in 1683, and died in 1767. He was the eldest son of Thos. Macro, grocer and alderman, and five times Mayor of Bury-St.-Edmunds. Thos. Macro married Susan, only daughter of Rev. John Cox, rector of Risby (near Bury-St.-Edmunds). The son received his name from his mother’s surname. His name was made the subject of a punning motto for the family—“Cocks may crow.” Educated at Bury Grammar School, he matriculated at Jesus College, Cambridge, but migrated to Christ’s. In 1703 he entered at Leyden University, where he studied under Boerhave. In 1710 he proceeded to LL.B. degree at Cambridge, and to D.D. in 1717. He was chaplain to George II., but his possession of a large fortune rendered him independent of preferment. Macro was reputed to be master of most modern languages, and his house at Little Haugh contained a large collection of artistic treasures. Macro died 2nd Feb. 1767, and was buried at Norton, near Bury. A catalogue of Macro’s treasures was compiled in 1766. Among them were many letters from Protestant martyrs, which came to him through Bishop Cox; the great register of Bury Abbey; a ledger-book of Glastonbury Abbey; and the original MS. of Spenser’s View of the State of Ireland. Many of his MSS. had previously been the property of Sir Henry Spelman, others formed part of the library of Bury Abbey. The Macro property ultimately came to John Patteson, M.P. for Norwich, who disposed of the old masters (pictures) in 1819, and sold the books and MSS. for no more than £150 (it is said) to Richard Beatniffe, a Norwich bookseller, who resold them at a large profit. They were sold for Beatniffe by Christie in 1820, and realised £700, 41 lots going to Dawson Turner, and the rest to Hudson Gurney. The latter are now in the possession of J. H. Gurney, of Keswick Hall, near Norwich, and are described in the Historical MSS. Commission’s 12th Report. Macro’s correspondence with literary men and artists forms the additional MSS. at the British Museum, 32556-7. The Rev. Joseph Hunter edited for the Camden Society in 1840 a volume of Ecclesiastical Documents, containing 21 charters from Macro’s library; and from a MS. formerly in his possession was printed, in 1837, for the Abbotsford Club, a morality called Mind, Will, and Understanding. So far generally the D.N.B.: the manuscript of the plays alone concern the present volume. I have not seen the volume myself, though I hope one day to have the satisfaction of reproducing it in facsimile. I have therefore to acknowledge my indebtedness for the précis which follows to Mr. A. W. Pollard’s exhaustive account as given in the introduction to the Early English Text Society’s Macro Plays (Extra Series, xci.). Boiled down, the facts are these, so far as they relate to the two Macro Plays included in the present volume, Mankind and Respublica. Mankind now forms part of a volume which in the eighteenth century contained other plays and treatises in manuscript, with which we need not now concern ourselves, except to remark the strange juxtaposition of old moralities, a Juvenal, a treatise on alchemy, etc. When sold at auction in 1820 the collection was broken up, and three plays, Mankind, Wisdom, and The Castle of Perseverance, bound afresh in one volume. Other points of interest are given by Mr. Pollard, but which I pass by as not germane to the present purpose. The manuscript of Mankind and Wisdom are contemporaneous; and were, says Mr. Pollard, in the same ownership before the end of the fifteenth century. This is in all likelihood a fact; but that the ownership was a purely personal one is not so clear as appears at first sight, or for the reasons stated by Mr. Pollard. It is now necessary for me to quote Mr. Pollard’s own words in order to make my suggestions quite clear. He says: “It is... possible that both this play and... [Wisdom] were written in different parts of a miscellany-book belonging to Monk Hyngham, though the fact that his doggerel inscription of ownership is written after each of them inclines one at first to think that they were separate units among his possessions. As it occurs at the end of this play [Mankind], the inscription... has been partly erased and partly cut through, the lower part of the leaf being supplied with modern paper. Enough, however, of the inscription remains to make it fairly certain that it reads like that at the end of the next play: O liber si quis cui constas forte queretur Hyngham que monacho dices super omnia, consto. This apparently is to be translated (I owe the suggestion to Dr. Warner): ‘O book, if any one by chance asks to whom do you belong, you are to say I belong to Hyngham, above everything which a monk can own.’ Who Monk Hyngham was we do not know. He may have belonged to Bury-St.-Edmunds, whence some of the Macro manuscripts are said to have come.” Thus far also Mr. Pollard.

Now, I am inclined to think the deductions hitherto drawn from the foregoing facts are not altogether of the soundest. In the first place, Is the inscription rightly translated? Secondly, Does “Hyngham” refer to a person or a place? In answer to the first question, I offer an alternative reading for consideration; in reply to the second, I offer evidence that a place is meant. If I am right in my contentions fresh light is thereby thrown upon several problems, at present unsolved, in respect to these Macro plays. To take the points in order. The inscription as given by Mr. Pollard in his introductory remarks on page xxx, varies somewhat from the text as given on pages 34 and 73: que is quem and consto is given as consta[s]. My own text (40,d) follows the latter, which for the sake of the ensuing argument I quote again, with contractions, etc., duly indicated:

O liber, si quis cui constas forte queretur,
Hyngham, quem monacho dices, super omnia consta[s].

Now if for quem we read quod and for consta[s] we substitute consta[t], we get on surer ground. The original hardly conveys the idea that constas occurs twice, though there is evidently a play on “constas,” “constat”; at least that is a possible reading. In this instance, too, the verb constare seems to be used in the sense of value, and one hardly sees where Dr. Warner’s belong comes in. If quod and constat are accepted, the translation would be something like this:

“O book, if haply anyone should ask to what [place] you are precious, tell them Hyngham, which [quod] to a monk is precious beyond all [places].”

That is, the book is precious to Hyngham; Hyngham is precious beyond all places to the monks.

This brings me to the next point. Assuming this translation to be correct (and I invite discussion), it seems pretty clear that the ownership of the manuscripts of Mankind and Wisdom was not to a Monk Hyngham, but to a monk or monks of Hyngham. Facts again seem to confirm alike this new view and also the Eastern Counties tradition. Hyngham, Hingham, or Ingham, as a surname, is not common in the district; on the contrary, it is uncommonly rare. It belongs more to the north, especially to Lancashire and Yorkshire. Its occurrence now-a-days in Leeds, Bradford, Liverpool, and Manchester, may be regarded as fifty or sixty to two, or at most three, for other large towns all over the country; whilst in the Eastern Counties it is simply not to be found. This is especially and particularly the case as regards Lincoln, Grimsby, Boston, Stamford, Norwich, Yarmouth, Ipswich, Bury-St.-Edmunds, Cambridge, Colchester, Chelmsford, etc. The facts are at least significant.

On the other hand, taking Hyngham (or Ingham) as a place-name, we go, as the kiddies say, from “cold” to “hot” at once. There are three places of this name, all comparatively close to one another. There is Ingham near Bury-St.-Edmunds, Ingham near Lincoln, and Ingham 16 miles N.E. from Norwich. I have been unable at present to trace any ecclesiastical connection with the two Inghams first named. But at Ingham near Norwich, Sir Miles de Stapleton, of Bedale, in Yorkshire, in the fourteenth century founded a chantry in the church of Ingham, with a warden and two priests, in honour of the Holy Trinity. This foundation afterwards became a priory of friars of the order of the Holy Trinity, otherwise known as “Trinitarians” or “Mathurines.” At the dissolution there were seven friars, and a revenue estimated at £63 per annum. “Yngham Trynyte” is twice mentioned in Bale’s Three Laws [Works, E.E.D.S. 34 and 63]. In Carlisle’s Topographical Dictionary of England (1808), Ingham is spoken of as being in the fourteenth century “a college or priory of the order of the Holy Trinity.” This is as far as I have at present gone, but I shall not have sought and written in vain if my remarks lead to further research in connection with these Macro plays. The new light certainly tends to confirm Mr. Pollard’s dates; but how far it affects his argument founded on the collation of the manuscript, I do not know, and writing, as I do, far away from the great centres of antiquarian literary research and reference, my inquiries have been perforce of the slightest.

Madge Mason, “it passeth any man’s madge mason” (R 211,b), imagination: People, like Codrus in Misogonus (Anon. Pl., Series 2), is given to distorting the “hard words” he hears.

Mahound, “by Mahound’s bones,... by Mahound’s nose” (WS 144,c), Mahomed.

Main groat (IP 341,c), a term at hazard: an earlier use than in O.E.D.

Mainmission, “needest no mainmission” (N 48,c), manumission: rare, a refashioning after main hand (O.E.D., in which the only example given is the present one).

Mainprize (N 123,c), to procure or grant the release of a prisoner by making oneself surety for his appearance. “Mede shal nouzȝte meynprise ȝow bi the Marie of heuene.”—Langland, Piers Plow. (1377), B. iv. 179.

Maistry, “no maistry yourself to comfort” (N 121,d), i.e. it is no achievement (or is easy), to comfort yourself. “It is no grete maistre to gader up that money.”—Paston Lett. (1456), I. 380.

Makebate (IP 315,d), busybody, breeder of strife “a discordant element.” “They agree better together, then to fal at variance for y^e wild wordes of suche a malicious make-bate.”—More, Suppl. Soulys (1529), Works, 296, 2.

Malkin (passim), slut, slattern, strumpet: originally a typical name for a woman of the lower classes. Hence many colloquial and proverbial expressions—“no man desireth Malkin’s maidenhead”; “mo maids than Malkin”; “an old mother Malkin’s talk”; “Malkin, the May lady” (Maid Marian); a “carter’s or swineherd’s Malkin”; “some gentleman-swallowing (= whorish) Malkin”; “a kitchen Malkin”; “trapish... petticoats to heels like a Malkin,” etc.

Mall, “this mall shall beat him to dust” (WS 142,c), a club; usually of hard wood. “A leaden maule, or suche lyke weapon, to beate downe his enemyes withall.”—Ascham, Toxoph. (1545), 70 (Arber).

Mankind. The text is given on pp. 1-40. This curious picture of real life and ne’er-do-weels in late Plantagenet and early Tudor times is one of the unique Macro plays, and existed, until quite recently, in manuscript only. With this manuscript and its history I have dealt fully in another part of this volume (see Macro Plays and MSS.). During the last ten years Mankind has been three times reprinted—by Dr. Brandl (Quellen, etc., 1904), by Prof. Manly (Specimens of the Pre-Shakespearean Drama, 1904), and by the Early English Text Society (Extra Series xci, 1904). The last-named text in all probability more nearly approaches fidelity to the original than the others; but as the amanuensis, to all appearance, was the same for all three, and was responsible for the confessedly untrustworthy texts which Dr. Brandl and Prof. Manly have been compelled to use without an opportunity of a new collation with the original manuscript, one cannot but entertain some misgiving as to the accuracy of the Early English Text Society’s version. Especially is this the case in view of the fact that, so far as I can learn, the E.E. text, as set by the printers from the copy supplied to them, does not seem to have been compared with the original MS. The manifold errors too, alike in the otherwise admirable introductory sketches, in the footnotes, and in the glossary, are not reassuring. Quotation after quotation, reference after reference, are incorrectly given. For example, in § 2, pp. xi.-xix., there are no less than twelve errors of this description that have casually come to my notice; while, having occasion to use the glossary references more frequently, I have found its usefulness much more largely impaired. Taking a column here and there at random, these are the results:—page 196, col. 1, 2 errors; 199, col. 2, 1 error; 200, col. 2, 5 references wrong; 210, col. 1, 4 errors. Why, too, Monk Hyngston (xix.) instead of Hyngham? And, in reference to this strange inaccuracy, I must add that the same Society’s edition of Respublica is no better; indeed, it is worse! One page alone of the Notes (p. 66) contains no less than four wrong references, and the weight of Mr. Magnus’s argument for an attribution of the play to Udall is marred by such unaccountable misquotation of names as Mengrade for Merry-greek and Mumblecourt for Mumblecrust (both on page xxi.). Under the circumstances, and being unable to obtain access to the original manuscript, my own text must be taken for what it is ultimately proved. I have, of course, always given greater weight to the E.E.T.S. version, because it is the copy nearest to the original (the Brandl and Manly texts are copies of this copy), but in many cases Dr. Brandl and Professor Manly have done what service they could, and good service often, in suggested and amended readings and restorations. As no good purpose could, under the circumstances, have been served in dealing with all the minutiæ of this kind in an uncertain text, I have confined my remarks in this respect to the more important points raised. By punctuation, often and in toto, I differ from all three, jointly and severally; varying the interpretation. These I have noted. But one conclusion is obvious. The texts of these Macro plays as they stand are not all that scholars can desire; and it is to be hoped that permission may be obtained for a collotype facsimile of the whole of the plays. The cost would be great, but I have no doubt that consideration can be satisfactorily solved. Corrigenda, Suggested Readings, Restorations, etc. [In the following pages the attributions are indicated by F = Early Eng. Text Society’s Editors; M = Professor Manly; B = Dr. Brandl; and Ed. = the present editor.] The “Names of the players” do not appear in the original manuscript—“our first creation” (3,b), original syest or syrst (F)—“to have him revived” (3,c), original hade—“By meditation of our Lady” (4,a), read mediation (M)—“make his avaunt” (4,b), a-vaunce in MS.—“that venomous serpent” (4,d), original vemynousse—“leave your calculation” (5,a), calcacyon in F.: I follow M and B in present reading—[A leaf of the manuscript, etc.] (6,a), in the manuscript the next speech is to Mercy, but I have followed Prof. Manly’s suggestion, also quoted by Dr. Furnivall. He says: “These lines begin a new leaf in the MS. They seem highly inappropriate in the mouth of Mercy.... Moreover, it is clear from [“we three” (7,a), and “all three” (7,c)] that the entrance of New Gyse, Now-a-days, and Nought was immediately preceded by Mercy’s use of the words forming their names. I therefore suppose that at least one leaf of MS. (containing their entrance) has been lost at this point, and suggest that the command to the minstrels be assigned to New Gyse”—“have traced somewhat to fell” (7,a), to fylde fell in MS.: I have followed the Manly text, which is based on a suggestion of Prof. Kittredge’s, that fylde was written by mistake, and that the copyist then, observing that fylde neither rhymed nor made sense, added the right word, but neglected to erase fylde—“Christ’s curse have ye” (7,b), hade in MS. = had ye = have ye—“I had the cup in my hand” (7,b), MS. has cup ready in: so also F and B; M as in present text—“Say no[ugh]t again” (7,c), I have followed Manly: B and F have not as in MS.—“shall find us sh[r]ews” (7,c), schewys in MS.—“that brought you hither” (7,c), brethern in MS., hither being M’s emendation with a suggestion that possibly brether is the right word: F and B follow MS.—“Ye betray many men” (7,d), “a man” struck out (F)—“my denomination” (8,a), “by” written over in MS. (F)—“a little force” (8,a), faus in MS.—“full of English Latin” (8,a), a marginal note says: “to have this English made in Latin: I am a-ferde yt wyll brest: ‘It ram be’ [? MS.], quod the bocher on-to me, ‘When I stale a leg a motun ȝe are a stronge cunnynge clerke, I prey,’ etc.”—“here is a pardon by limit” (8,c), I have omitted lo before “here” by mistake: “pardon by limit” is in original, pardon bely mett—“the demonical frayry” (8,d), M supposes a line lost here, but there is no indication of such in the MS.—“of their own Christ” (9,b), her in MS.—“Alas! what was thy fortune” (10,d), here a marginal note in the MS. occurs, “I may both syth and sobbe; þis ys a pituose remembrance, O In my soull, so sotyll in thy substance.” Prof. Manly says “this may be a part of the three lines necessary to restore the versification.” He indicates a line missing before the line beginning “Alas! what was thy fortune,” and two lines missing after the line ending “that stinking dunghill”—“[Mankind approaches Mercy” (11,a), F adds “and kneels to him”—“In sinful guiding” (11,b), sympull in MS. which is followed by F; M has sinful—“Vita hominis est milicia” (11,d), nnilicia in MS.—“Measure yourself,” etc. (12,b), this line is in margin in MS.—“I trow and ye were” (12,d), It row in MS.: the same miscript occurs at 13,a—“Mo than a good sort” (13,b), M suggests emending to “Methink a”—“To them ye will go” (13,b), hem in MS.; I follow M: B suggests hom—“by Saint Quintin” (13,c), Sent Qisyntyn in MS.—“I am even very weary” (13,c), wery wery in MS.—“be there again to-morrow” (13,c), M, for the sake of the rhyme, suggests to-morne—“patience of Job in tribulation” (14,a), so in M: the MS. has &—“my own sweet son” (14,a), against this line in the margin in another hand is, “ita factum est”—“To pervert your conditions” (14,b), þer in MS.: F suggests for þi; M reads your; B suggests your—“all their means” (14,b), nnenys in MS.—“intermise yourself not” (14,c), scratched through in MS. and “intro-mytt” written over in another hand—“of the cunning that I can” (15,a), co[=m]ynge... kam in MS.—“It is written, etc.” (16,a), this song is omitted by Manly (see Holyke, ante) but given by F and B, the latter in Quellen, pp. 50-51, not page 61 as erroneously given by the Early English Text editors—“if he will have compos[t]” (17,c), compasse in MS.: F corrects to compass[t]e; M to compost; B to composte—“By Cock’s body sacred” (18,b), F queries this as being sakyide in MS.—“By the aid of His grace” (18,b), syde in MS.: F suggests ayde and says “MS. fs crost there before syde... see line 400” [With the help, &c., 19,a]—“Nec in hasta” (18,c), hastu in MS.: F refers to “Non in gladio, nec in hasta.... 1 Reg. xvii. 47”—“Alack, alack!” (19,d), F says (this commences leaf 127 back), “In another hand, at top, ‘Honorabyll well belouyd frende, I hertely Recummend me on-to you’”—“Yea, Christ’s cross” (20,b), Crastes in MS.: M suggests Christ’s curse, comparing it with “Christ’s copped curse” (36,a)—“There! we’re on anon” (20,b), I may have been misled, though the MS. is by no means clear: “Ther, wher, on & on,” which might be interpreted, “There, ware! on anon! Out! ye shall not,” etc., or “There! we’re one and [i.e. to] one. Out! ye shall not,” etc.—“Know ye any aught” (20,c), out in MS.: F and B read ouȝt—“with a flowte” (20,d), flewte in MS.: M queries it for flowte, which I have adopted—“Else there shall” (20,d)? þei in MS. (F)—“he is a worshipful man” (21,a), worschyppull in MS.—“nor pence nor two pence” (21,b), of in MS.; F, M, and B read or—“Ye say us ill” (21,b), as in MS.—“The devil have [thee]” (22,a), suggested by M—“that be sought” (22,c), so in MS.: F and B read that [yt] be; though elliptical the passage reads = that which is to be: my “pointing” varies from other authorities—“Mischief hat[h] informed [me]” (22,d), hat in MS.: [me] suggested by F—“Take W[illiam] Fide” (22,d), suggested by F: M reads w[ith yow], and B w[yth yow]—“begin at m[aster] Huntington” (23,a), supplied by M—“Huntington of Sanston... Hammond of Swaffham” (23,a and b), see E.E.T.S edition—“see well where and whither” (23,b), be in MS.—“Let us con well our neck-verse” (23,c), com in MS.—“I bless you with my left hand” (23,c), right struck out in MS.—“enter, I hope, unreadily” (24,a), so in M: ouer redyly in MS.—“grace were wane” (24,b), “cran (?) written after ‘wane’ in another hand” (F)—“While I over-delve it” (24,c), ouer dylew yt in MS.—“into thi[s] yard” (25,b), supplied by M—“pow[d]er of Paris” (25,d), supplied by M—“Ye shall [see] a good sport” (25,d), supplied by M: Brandl, however, suggests that a = have, which provides, I think on reflection, a better reading without altering the text—“Be as be may... Mercy be wroth” (26,a and b), “these lines are added at the bottom of the page” (F), be is it in original—“I shall sleep” (26,b),?MS. skepe (F)—“rideth over the gallows” (26,d), galouf in MS. for galous—“And thy own wife brethel” (27,a), see Brethel, ante (382,d): F in a footnote (p. 22) says, “Qy. bethell, M,” but M (p. 338) has “Qy. brethell”!—“Adieu, fair master” (27,b), F suggests master[s]—“such a likely man” (27,d), lyghly which F reads lygh[t]ly = likely—“ye have sco[u]red a pair of fetters” (28,d), scoryde in MS.: see Scoured, post, (461,a)—“that sweet mouth” (28,d), þo in MS.—“do it [in] forma” (29,c), “fo” is struck out after it in MS.: in is supplied by M—“his side-gown may be sold” (29,d), solde in F and M, but F has a note “solde MS., tolde M” which I do not understand: M at all events is intelligible in noting the solde of his text as “MS. tolde”; but which is correct?—“spare that ye may” (30,a), so in MS and F, which I have followed: M reads mow (to rhyme with yow, p. 30, line 1), and notes his departure from the original—“beshrew your ears, a fair hand” (30,b), & in MS. and F: M reads a—“Curia tenta generalis” (30,c), Carici in MS.: see Curia, ante (391,a)—“makest much [tarrying]” (30,d), supplied by M and adopted by F—“I can[not] express this inconvenience” (32,d), [not] supplied by M and adopted by F—“Christus et omnia jura” (33,c), sit in MS.: emended by Kittredge in M—“Equity to be laid over part[l]y” (33,d), party in MS: this line was a puzzler to M and B in consequence of the wretchedly inaccurate copy of the text supplied to them, and on which they had to work. The variations are characteristic: F is direct from MS. and collated (?); M and B are copies of a copy made by the same person at different times: these differ alike one with the other, and with the F copy. (F) “Equyte to be leyde ouer party, & mercy to prevayll.” (M) O quyte to be leyde ouer, perty & mercy to prevayll! (B) O, quyte to be leyde, ouer party and mercy to prevayll! The readings adopted or suggested are—(F) As given above. (M) Equyte to be leyde ouer, pety & mercy to prevayll! (B) O, quyte to be lewyde, ouer pety and mercy to prevayll! From this it will be seen that all differ with one another and from myself in interpreting this line: I offer mine as a suggestion—“with these cursed caitiffs” (34,a), cayftys in MS.—“nigh dead in the crick” (34,c), my in MS.: corrected by M and B, and adopted by F, to ny—“Hic, hic, hic” (34,c), M says a line is wanted here rhyming with the third line lower down to complete the stanza—“a cepe coppus” (34,d), so in original which says M may be intentional: he reads cape corpus—“give the rope just to thy neck” (35,d), pye in MS.: restored by M and B—“He is so timorous” (36,a), He ys ys in MS.—“To see your solicitious face” (36,b), solaycyose in MS.: M reads solacyose; B solicitose—“What! ask mercy yet once again?” (36,c), F says that from this point to “good perseverance” (40,b) the MS. is in another hand—“my worst transgression” (36,c), wernt or werunt in MS.: F has werst: M has wekit—“dolorous fears” (36,d), seris in MS.: F has feris: M has feres; and B suggests sores—“this sinful sinner to redeem” (36,d), so in MS.: M and B suggest reduce for the rhyme’s sake—“Nam hec... non sunt” (36,d), F “notes” this passage: “Ps. lxxvi (lxxvii, Engl.), 11, ’hæc mutatio dexteræ Excelsi’; ‘Verte impios, et non erunt’—Prov. xii. 7”—“as Himself doth precise” (37,b), M says “precyse does not rhyme: qy. preche, or, as Kittredge suggests, precysely teche”—“Nolo mortem, &c.” (37,b), “Nolo mortem impii, sed ut convertatur impius a vita sua, et vivat, Ezech. xxviii. 11” (F)—“he will [be] reducible” (37,b), M—“Incline your capacity,” etc. (37,d), in MS. this line reads, “My doctrine is convenient, Incline your capacity”: the change is due to M—“as I said before” (38,a), he in MS. (M)—“cause of great grievance” (38,b), “ge in MS. altered to ce or se” (F)—“Not to the lowli’st joy” (38,d), F reads holest, and “notes” M’s query of MS. being miswritten for loliest or lest: B also suggests lo[w]l[i]est—“Scripture doth prove” (38,d), prewe in MS. and followed by F: M has prove—“my suavious solace” (38,d), to B: F has suatius; M has solatius—“my inexcusable reproof” (39,a), so in MS.: M suggests inexorable may be better—“fantastical visions, sedulously sought” (39,b), sedociusly in MS.: the emendment is to M: B reads seducively—“Libere velle,” etc. (40,a), Libere welle liebere welle (Kittredge in M)—“Dominus custodi[a]t te” (40,b), custodit se in MS. (M)—“my several patrociny” (40,c), “? MS. suuerall (several, individual). Kittredge suggests special” (F)—“Search your conditions” (40,c), in original Serge—“O Liber,” etc. (40,d), see Macro Plays.

Man of Arms (M 28,c), a sarcasm: Mischief is loaded with fetters.

Manitory, “my doctrine manitory” (M 39,b), warning.

Market, “about our market depart” (R 207,d), here generic for business, affairs.

Mary Mass (R 202,b), a mass in honour of the Virgin Mary: specifically festivals held on Candlemas Day (2 February), the assumption (15 August), and the latter Marymass, the nativity of the Virgin (8 September). The asseveration was common in the sixteenth century; moreover, a covert allusion to the trouble of Queen Mary as regards the celebration of the mass in her late brother’s time may be intended.

Mas (passim), master: in Respublica mace.

Mass, see Prime.

Masship, “I trow we shall his masship trim” (R 230,d), mastership.

Mast, “mast Wealth” (WH 289,d), master.

Matins, see Prime.

Measure, “Measure is treasure” (M 12,b), proverbial. “Men wryte of oold how mesour is tresour.”—Lydgate, Min. Poems (Percy Soc.), 208 (c. 1430).

Medwall (Henry). Mr. T. Seccombe, writing in the Dictionary of National Biography, says he “flourished in 1486”; but beyond the fact that he was chaplain to John Morton (who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1486, and died in 1500), little is known of this early writer of interludes. The only work of his extant is Nature (see pp. 43-133). Bale mentions another interlude not now extant, but ascribed to Medwall, “Of the Finding of Truth, carried away by Ignorance and Hypocrisy.” This was diversified by the introduction of a fool, an innovation which commended it to Henry VIII. when it was produced before him at Richmond, Christmas 1516. Apart from this feature the piece was misliked, and the King “departyd before the end to hys chambre.”

Meek, “Except that man himself do meek” (WH 279,b), abase, humble.

Mell, “not suffer to mell” (R 213,a)—“with such-high matters to mell” (R 235,b),—“will not mell” (R 250,b), meddle.

Member, “I scannot member his name” (R 212,d),—“to member in my heart” (R 234,d), remember: in original membre.

Memento, “Memento, homo,” etc. (M 15,b): see Job xxxiv. 15.

Menge, “I shall menge his corn” (M 24,a), mix, or? scatter.

“The busy bee, her honey now she mings.”

—Surrey, Songs and Sonnets (1557), Description of Spring.

Merchant, “prattling merchant” (passim), fellow, chap: frequently in depreciation.

Mere, “be used mere” (WS 174,a), simply, solely, “single-eyed,” unquestionably, downright.

“This is mere falsehood.”

—Shakespeare, Winter’s Tale (1604), iii. 2.

Met, “I hope to have his foot met” (M 23,d), caught.

Mich, “cost him even as mich” (N 67,c), much.

“Alle the myche tresour that traytour had wonnene
To commons of the contré, clergye and other.”

—Morte Arthure, MS. Lincoln, f. 66.

Mischieve, “herself to mischieve” (IP 313,d), harm, injure.

“Grant, I may ever love, and rather woo
Those that would mischief me, than those that do.”

—Shakespeare, Timon of Athens (1609), iv. 3.

Misericordia, “put out the i of Misericordia, and without an i play e’en plain trussing corda” (R 243,d); the pun survives to this day.

Misery, “harlotry, misery, treachery” (R 263,d), miserliness, parsimony, coveteousness. “But Brutus, scorning his (Octavius Cæsar’s) misery and niggardliness, gave unto every band a number of wethers to sacrifice.”—North, Plutarch (1578), p. 215.

Mish, mash, see Driff, draff.

Miswomen (IP 320,c), a generic reproach: here = strumpets, wantons.

“Fly the miswoman, least she thee deceiue.”

—Chaucer, Remedy of Love.

Mo (passim), more.

Mome (passim), clown, buffoon, blockhead, fool.

Moon, “made you believe the moon was a green cheese” (R 265,c), bamboozled or deceived you; the proverbialism is, in truth, of respectable antiquity: also cream cheese.

Morrow, “on Sundays, on the morrow” (M 31,c), in the morning.

Moselling, “I fell down moselling” (JE 363,d), original moselynge;? drunk (cf., muzzling, muzzy): the E.E.T.S. editors gloss meselynge = diseaseful, from measle, but the context would bear my own “shot.” “In meselynge glotonye, with goode metis and drynkys trye, I norche my syster Lecherye” (Castell of Persev. [E.E.T.S.], 144, 2258).

Mot, mought (passim), might.

Mounsire, “Mounsire authority” (R 197,c)—(also R 224,b), an early corrupted form of “Monsieur”: cf. modern Mounseer.

Mumchance (WH 286,a), a game of hazard with cards or dice: see Nares.

Nam, “Nam hæc est mutatio, dexteræ Excelsi: vertit impios, et non sunt” (M 36,d), see Psalm lxxvii. 11, and Prov. xii. 7.

Namnot, nammot (R 267,d), am not: the double negative, ne am not.

Narse (WS 153,b), arse: the transference of the n of the indefinite article, and a similar process in respect to the n of “mine,” “thine,” etc. is not infrequent in M.E.; cf. “naunt,” “nuncle,” “nam,” “newt,” “nickname,” etc.

Nature. The text will be found on pages 41-133, together with a reduced facsimile of the title-page of the unique copy now in the British Museum (C34,e54). Bound up with it, at the end of the volume, are two duplicate leaves. In several places (see 105,c; 106,d; 112,d; 114,a) the lower margins have suffered by cutting; otherwise it is a good copy, but without date, place, or printer’s name. It is well printed, probably by John Rastell, between 1510-20, and is in excellent preservation. When printing my own text, I was not aware that a fragment comprising two complete and well-preserved pages had been discovered in an album consisting entirely of “Specimens of the English Printers from Caxton to Robert Barker,” which Sir John Fenn had collected for the completion of Ames-Herbert’s Typographical Antiquities, and which was offered for sale by Mr. Bernard Quaritch in his Catalogue, No. 237 (pp. 97-99), the price affixed being £280. For the foregoing particulars I am indebted to Materialen zur Kunde des alteren Englischen Dramas, so ably edited by Prof. Bang of Louvain University and other well-known English, American, and Continental scholars. I have, so far, been unable to trace the subsequent history of this volume; but I am not without hopes, later on, of being in a position to supply full and detailed particulars. What more nearly concerns the present purpose is the fact that in vol. xii. of Materialen are given facsimiles of parts of each of these two pages, by means of which two out of the four lines cut away, each on different pages, have been restored, viz. at 112,d and 114,a—a fortunate and happy circumstance (see Corrigenda, etc., infra). Another fragment was known to exist at the Bodley. This is mentioned by Mr. Greg in his Handlist of English Plays; but no particulars are furnished, and on enquiry at the Bodley no trace of the fragment could at first be found. I, thereupon, made search, and at last unearthed it, finding it buried in a mass of uncatalogued early printed scraps. This was after delving through a dozen volumes of similar miscellaneous material, so let it now be ear-marked for future reference. The Bodley shelf-mark is Rawl. 4^o 598 (12). It came into the Bodleian with the Rawlinson collection of MSS. and printed books in 1755. The fragment (Aiiii) is small, and is apparently of the same edition as the British Museum copy, and the extra leaves. As the Quaritch fragment is also undoubtedly of similar parentage, it is unlikely that the play was printed more than once. The Bodley fragment comprises (a) “But, if Reason tickle...” (last line p. 49) down to “... that from above is sent” (p. 50, 11th line of text from bottom); and (b) “No well-advised body...” (page 51, 11 lines from top) down to “It shall not skill as for this intent” (p. 52, 2 lines from top). By this it will be seen that this recovery does not serve to restore either of the two missing lines, not restored by the other fragments. Nature was produced before Archbishop Morton in Henry VII.’s reign (see 51,c; 88,b); and Bale states that it was translated into Latin. A period of nearly three days seems to have elapsed between the representation of Parts I. and II. (see 90,d). Other allusions I have dealt with in this Note-Book as they occur. Of the author little is known save what is revealed by the play, and Bale’s mention (see Medwall). From the former it is evident, however, as Prof. Gayley first pointed out, that he must have possessed a remarkably vivid imagination, or have enjoyed a closer acquaintance than might be expected of one of his cloth with the seamy side of London life; for there are few racier or more realistic bits of description in our early literature than the account given by Sensuality of Fleyng Kat and Margery, of the perversion of the hero by the latter, and of her retirement when deserted to that house of “Strayt Religyon at the Grene Freres hereby,” where “all is open as a gose eye.” Dr. Gayley remarks that though “the plot is not remarkable, nor the mechanism of it, for almost the only device availed of is that of feigned names, still the author’s insight into the conditions of low life, his common sense, his proverbial philosophy, his humorous exhibition of the morals of the day, and his stray and sudden shafts at the foibles of his own religious class, would alone suffice to attract attention to this work. And even more remarkable than this in the history of comedy is Medwall’s literary style; his versification excellent and varied, his conversations witty, idiomatic, and facile. Indeed, he is so far beyond the ordinary convention that he writes the first bit of prose to be found in our drama.” Nature has only once before been reprinted in modern times, in Prof. Brandl’s admirable Quellen series. The present text is taken direct from the British Museum copy, and has been re-collated with the original in proof: mere misprints I have, as a rule, not noted. It is proper to point out that the “Humility” of the “Names of the Players” (p. 42) appears in the text, except in one instance, as “Meekness”; likewise that “Good Occupation” is the “Good Business” of the text; “Pride” also is occasionally given as “Pry. Co.” Corrigenda, Amended Readings, etc.: The Names of the Players (42,b and c), these are from the end of play—“things here below” (44,b) by low in original—“To the which end” (50,b), original ye—“nor yet so furious” (51,b), original yt—“point oversight” (51,c), original has point of; my mistake—“use thee as a servant” (52,b), original servand—“As far as” (57,d), original for—“And let thy word be cousin to thy deed” (59,a), original world... consyn—“See that ye commit” (59,b), original So—“to every man’s guise” (60,b), original ges—“my chief counsellor” (60,c), original conselour—“Sens. Lord! ye say well” (61,b), between this and the previous line Dr. Brandl points out that a line has been dropped, but there is no break in the original copy—“To put himself” (61,c), in original selse—“[He goeth out....]” (64,d), considerable confusion exists in the original from this point to the end of the next page. The lines beginning “Worldly Affection,” “Come hither!” are assigned to The World, whereas it is clear that The World goes out, and Mankind, calling to Worldly Affection (who comes in), continues his speech, addressing the new comer. From this point the speeches now given, rightly I think, to Worldly Affection are in original to The World, except the last on page 65, which appears as a continuation of Mankind’s speech. I may remark that Dr. Brandl differs—“[Pride]. Who dwelleth here” (66,c), in original Pry. Co.—“worn gilt spurs... cutted whores” (66,d), original sperys... horys—“How say ye, sirs” (67,a), original syrst: Brandl suggests reading fyrst—“Allez... vous avant!” (69,c), original Ale seygniour ale vouse auant”—“judge in common pleas” (71,c), original, place—“Sir! bid him welcome,” etc. (72,b), in original the catch-cue to “Sens.” is repeated here; the present interpolated “direction” makes the action clear—Man. Me?” (73,a), in original Man. is misprinted as part of text, Man me?—“The world told me” (73,c), read World—“Where they shall” (93,b), original misprinted shalbe—“Sirs, God speed ye!” (112,d), original you—“[A line has been shaved away at the foot of the page]” (112,d), this is now restored from the Quaritch fragment, “Had I set a done (= adown) my gear.” A line similarly shaved off at 114,a is also restored by “I wene he wyll be dede”—“great scorn and disdain” (120,c), original storn—“mind and good will” (121,b), Dr. Brandl suggests reading lust—“to the uttermost” (122,d), Dr. Brandl suggests uttermest—“He speaketh sometime” (126,a), so in original, Dr. Brandl prints seeketh—“[Help] to reform” (128,d), this word is cut away at the foot of the page: the same mishap has occurred at “in this case” (130,a).

Ne, “ne would” (N 124,a), not, neither.

Neat, “a horse and a neat” (M 26,c), an ox, bullock, cow, heifer: now rare.

Nec, “nec in hasta,” etc. (M 18,c), see 1 Reg. xvii. 47—“Non in gladio, nec in hasta....”

Neck-verse, “he could his neck-verse” (M 27,d), a verse on which one’s neck depends, in allusion to hanging: originally “a Latin verse printed in black letter (usually the beginning of the 51st Psalm), formally set before one claiming benefit of clergy,... by reading which he might save his neck” (O.E.D.). See other volumes of this series.

Needings (M 34,d), “relieving nature,” doing that is necessary.

Negligence, (a) “if it please your negligence” (M 21,a), i.e. if an “interval” will be acceptable: this usage = a pleasing relaxation of attention, or absence of restraint, was common enough.

(b) “Committed to my negligence” (N 83,a), in sarcasm.

Nemble, “now am I nemble” (IP 337,d), nimble: cf. trimble = tremble.

Nemesis (R., passim), the embodiment of retributive justice; this passage serves the O.E.D., being nearly half a century earlier than the first given by Dr. Murray.

Nesh, “tender and nesh” (IP 337,b), succulent, juicy.

Nest, see Feather.

New Guise, see Guise.

New Jet, see Jet.

New Year, “in the worship of the new year” (IP 334,c), i.e. at the next jollification.

Nil, see Suffer.

Nine stocks, “sit in nine stocks” (R 220,d). Mr. Magnus thinks the meaning of this somewhat obscure sentence to be that the culprit shall be sentenced to the stocks nine times running; note the exigency of a rhyme to mine locks.

Ninnat (R., passim), ne will not.

Nold, “The skitb[r]ains nold not” (R 267,b)—“for she nolde suffer” (N 45 a), would not be—n[e w]o[u]ld: cf. Namnot, etc.

Noli me tangere, “He is a noli-me-tangere” (M 23,b), generic for anybody or anything repellant, an awkward tempered person. “He was wont to say of them that they were of the tribe of Dan, and were noli me tangere’s.”—R. Naunton, Frag. Reg. (c. 1630), 18 (1870).

Nolo, “Nolo mortem peccatoris, inquit” (M 37,b): see Ezekiel xxviii. 11—“Nolo mortem impii, sed ut convertatus impius a vita sua, et vivat.”

Nomination, “that is my nomination” (R 199,d), name, designation. “Because of these two effectes... hath it the nomination of kayes.”—Frith (d. 1533), Workes, p. 58.

Non, see Inventus.

Nonage, “the nonage of this gentleman” (N 53,d), legal minority. “My parents deceased in mine nonage.”—Godly Queen Hester, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 257,c.

Nonny, see Hey.

Nourice, “thy tender nourice” (N 46,d), nurse. “Flatterers ben the devil’s nourices that nourish his children with milke of losengrie.”—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), Persones Tale.

Nymphs, “at her nymphs” (R 251,b), i.e. handmaidens, waiting women.

Oar, see Boat.

Obedient, “subdued to reason as his obedient” (N 55,d), one subject to authority, a subordinate: an earlier instance of the substantive use of obedient than that recorded in the O.E.D. by a century and a quarter.

Obstinant, “if he be obstinant” (IP 346,b), obstinate: the O.E.D. records the word as a substantive, earmarking it “rare,” and giving a single quotation only, but the adjectival form is absent.

Occupy, “a merchant’s place to occupy” (IP 339,b), formerly occupy was almost as hard-worked a verb as the modern American fix. Amongst other senses it meant, take possession, seize, enter upon, hold, have in possession, enjoy, reside in, tenant, stay, abide, employ, busy about, engage, make use of, etc.

Odible, “as carene is odible” (M 32,d)—“dispectuous and odible” (M 33,b), hateful, odious. “His face was so hatefull and so odyble.”—Lydgate, Chron. Troy (1412-20), III. xxiv.

Old Boy, “play ever... the old boy” (N 75,b), as one who has become skilled, clever, knowing through practice and experience; foreshadowing the slang usage: cf. “olde souldier, veteranus” (Huloet., 1552).

Om (passim), them—’em.

Ont (passim), on it—on[i]t.

Opray, Opry, “opray counsel” (N 71,c)—“such opry” (N 71,c), not in O.E.D.:? = operary, practical.

Organs, “Piers Pickpurse playeth at organs” (R 240,a), i.e. as if fingering an organ: formerly organs (pl.) denoted a single instrument.

Osculare, “osculare fundamentum” (M 8,c), the modern vulgar jeer wrapped up in Latin.

Other (passim), either.

Overbliss, “he may overbliss it” (M 17,c), overbless: Nought sarcastically says that Mankind may treat his land too well by using it as a jakes.

Oweth, “he oweth to be magnified” (M 3,b), ought. “Forgotten was no thing That owe be done.”—Chaucer’s Dreme (c. 1500), 1405.

Owl-flight, “in the owl-flight” (M 25,d), when owls go abroad, dusk; here under cover of night. “He ran away by nyght In the owle flyght Lyke a cowarde Knyght.”—Skelton, Dk. Albany (c. 1529), 312.

Oyez (passim). “Hear ye”: a call (usually three times given) to command silence and attention.

Painful, “painful ministers” (R 234,b), “Young, painful, tractable” (WS 137,d), careful, diligent, painstaking: cf. careful = full of care; hateful = full of hate, etc. “Vertuous sermons and painefull preaching.”—Stapleton, tr. Bede’s Hist. Ch. Eng. (1565), 79.

Pale, “four kine to my pale” (R 229,a), an enclosed space, limit: here = holding.

Pardon, “forty days of pardon” (M 8,c), an indulgence, a papal warrant of forgiveness of “faults”: see other volumes of this series.

Paris Gates (N 67,a),? the entrance to Paris Garden; see Halliwell and Nares.

Parlement, “A parlement, a parlement,” (M 35,a), conference, consultation, talk.

“He sent to his barrons a parlement to hold.”

—Robert de Brunne, p. 244.

Participable, “be participable of” (M 3,d), partakers of.

Party, see Mankind, Amended Readings.

Pash, Passhe (passim), (a) the Passover, Easter-tide, properly Pasch.

(b) “Pash head! pash brain” (WS 143,b), smash, dash to pieces.

“And pash the jaws of serpents venomous.”

—Marlowe, 1 Tamburlaine (1590), i. 1.

Pass, “I do not pass” (WS 147,c), care, reck, mind: see other volumes of this series.

Passeive, “we passeive” (R 212,a), perceive.

Passible, “obedient and passible” (M 33,a), able to feel or suffer. “Therein he assumed human nature, mortal, and passible.”—Chr. Sutton, Godly Meditations (1622), p. 24 (ed. 1849).

Patrociny, “my several patrociny” (M 40,c), patronage, protection, defence, support. “To take hym and his pore causis into your patrocynye and protection.”—Wolsey, Lett. to Gardener (1529) in Strype, Eccl. Mem., I. App. xxxiii. 92.

Patus, “I beshrew your patus” (M 21,c), head: mock Latin.

Paul’s steeple, etc. (passim), Paul’s (Poules, Paules, Powlys, Pawles, etc.), i.e. St. Paul’s Cathedral in London, a favourite lounge and business resort in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,—hence frequent allusions in old writers.

Peak, “bold to peak in” (R 255,d), peep. “That other pries and peekes in euery place.”—Gascoigne, Steele Glas. (1576), 68 (Arber).

Peason, (a) “peason knaves” (R 213,c), peasant knaves: a generic reproach = low fellow, rascal, “villain.” Possibly also with an eye on the chief food staple of the lower classes in Tudor times, pease (or peason) and beans.

(b) see Peson.

Peers, “with all their old peers” (IP 346,c), associates, companions: perers in original. “Children sittynge in Cheepynge... cryinge to her peeris.”—Wyclif, Matt. xi. 16 (1382).

Permounted, “how ye beeth permounted” (R 256,c),? a portmanteau word promoted + mounted.

Persecuted, “how shall this redress be well persecuted” (R 269,c), pursued (Magnus).

Perswaged, “cham perswaged” (passim), persuaded.

Perversious, “this perversious ingratitude” (M 33,b), perverse.

Pervertionate, “that ever be pervertionate” (M 10,c), perverse.

Perzent, “whom itch do perzent” (R 211,a), represent.

Peson, “piss my peson” (M 12,c), what peson means is somewhat obscure. The recorded meanings are (1) = pl. of pease; (2) a staff-like instrument used for weighing purposes before scales were employed, and so, maybe, a staff. The context, however, would seem to suggest peason as a shortened or popular name of the peasecod doublet, a long-breasted garment carried down to a long peak in front, having the lower part stiffly quilted and projecting.

Pestel, “a pestel on him” (R 199,a), i.e. a pestilence.

Petticoat, “have at thy petticoat” (R 270,d); cf. “I’ll pay him o’ th’ petticoat.”—Misogonus, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 157,b. “I dare jeopard a groat, If he may reach them, will have on the petticoat.”—Jacob and Esau, 2 Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 77,c.

Pew, “God give him an ill pew” (JE 363,c), in original pue: a rare transferred usage of the common word = “station, situation, allotted place” (O.E.D.). “Ye lat me peyne here in a peynfull pewe, That is a place of grete doloures.”—Pety Job (c. 1400) 555, in 26 Pol. Poems, 139.

Pie, “hands be in the pie” (R 191,d), the modern “finger in the pie” is more modest; the present example is the earliest given in the O.E.D.

Pike, “pike thee home” (WS 157,a)—“they bad me pike me home” (R 256,a), walk, be off, get home. Mr. Magnus glosses the Respublica example, “pick.” “He bad them then go pyke them home.”—Ane Ballat of Matrymonie (c. 1570) in Laing, Pop. Poet. Scotland, ii. 77.

Pip, “God send them both the pip” (R 215,c), properly a disease peculiar to poultry and the like, but frequently used jocosely by old writers for various diseases in human beings, specifically, however, of the pox. “I have a master: I wolld he had ye pyppe.”—Play Sacram (c. 1460), 525.

Piss, see Rods.

Plain, “did not ich plain me to you?” (R 229,d), complain, lament, bewail.

“Erles & barons at ther first samnyng,
For many maner resons pleyned of the king.”

—Robert de Brunne, p. 312.

Players (The names of the). The following references to Players’ Names in this volume and the Play in which they occur may be of service.

Abstinence (N); Abundance (IP); Actio (JE); Adulation (R); Avarice (R).
Bodily Lust (N).
Charity (N); Chastity (N); Colhazard (IP); Comfort (WS); Confidence (WS); Conscience (IP).
Diligence (WS).
Envy (N and IP); Eugenio (JE); Evil Counsel (JE); Experience (WS).
Fame (WS); Favour (WS).
Garcon (N); Gluttony (N); Good Occupation (N).
Hance (WH); Health (WH); Honest Recreation (WS); Humility (N).

Idleness (WS); Idleness (JE); Ill-Will (WH); Impatient Poverty (IP); Ingnorancy (WS); Innocency (N); Insolence (R); Instruction (WS); Irisdision (JE).

Justicia (R).
Liberality (N); Liberty (WH).
Man (N); Mankind (M); Mercy (M); Mischief (M); Misericordia (R); Misrule (IP); Mundus (N).
Nature (N); Nemesis (R); New Guise (M); Nought (M); Now-a-days (M).
Oppression (R).

Patience (N); Pax (R); Peace (IP); People (R); Poverty (IP); Pride(N); Prologue (R); Prosperity (IP).

Quickness (WS).

Reason (N and WS); Remedy (WH); Respublica (R); Riches (WS).

St. John the Evangelist (JE); Science (WS); Sensuality (N); Shame (WS); Shamefacedness (N); Shrewd Wit (WH); Sloth (N); Strength (WS); Study (WS); Sumner (IP).

Tediousness (WS); Titivillus (M).
Veritas (R).
Wealth (WH); Wit (WS); Worldly Affection (N); Worship (WS); Wrath (N).

Plette, “whom should I plette” (IP 341,d), plead.

  “About eftsoones for to plete,
And bring on you advocacies new?”

—Chaucer, Troilus and Creseide, ii.

Pleyseris, “ye may be pleyseris with the angels above” (M 40,d), so in original: Manly suggests partakers.

Policate, “such a policate wit” (R 213,b), polished:? a compound of polished + delicate, or a corruption of politic = sharp, clever, well-devised.

Poll, “I see you would poll me” (R 220,c), plunder, pillage, rob.

Populorum, “by his precious populorum” (R 259,b) A coinage of no special worth save a bare record.

Port, “Wealth hath great port” (WH 279,d), carriage, mien, bearing, state. “With another port.”—Jacob and Esau, Anon. Pl., 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 72,c. “Keep house, and port, and servants as I should.”—Shakespeare, Taming of the Shrew (1593), i. 1.

Potestate, “a worthy potestate” (N 71,b), potentate, chief authority. “And whanne thei leeden you unto synagogis and to magistratis and potestatis; nyle ye be bisy how or what ye schulen answere, or what ye schulen scye.”—Wycliffe, Luke xii.

Poticary (N 125,a), apothecary: see Heywood, The Four P.P.

Precise, “as Himself doth precise” (M 37,b), to determine with precision: cf. Fr. preciser.

Preclair, “preclair pre-eminence” (IP 347,d), illustrious, eminent. “That puissant prince preclair.” Lyndesay, Monarche.

Preys, “the gubbins of booties and preys” (R 183,d), spoil, plunder.

Pryke, “pryke not your felicities” (M 4,b), fix.

Prime, “mass and matins, hours and prime” (M 31,c)—“by prime” (JE 360,c), the first of the canonical hours, succeeding to lauds.

Privity, see Jewels.

Promidence, “climbing up aloft for promidence” (R 212,d),? prominence, predominance.

Prout, “zo thick prout whorecop” (R 256,b)—“maketh us prout” (R 256,c), proud: in original prowte and prout respectively; A.S. prut.

Puddings, see Dogs.

Purvey, Purveyed, “purvey such a lad” (N 68,b; also 65,c)—“hath purveyed me” (N 43,c), provide, plan, contrive: specifically to supply provisions.

Puttock (JE 363,b), properly the common kite, but also applied to other birds of prey.

Qualified, “would not be qualified” (R 224,c), appeased, mollified, calmed. “Whan the quene was thus qualyfyed”—tr. Pol. Verg. Eng. Hist. (c. 1540), 210 (Camden, No. 29).

Quorum, see Justices of Quorum.

Rail, “if thou rail too far” (N 52,b), wander, roam. “I rayle, I straye abrode, je trace, je tracasse. He doth naught els but rayle here and there.”—Palsgrave, Lang. Franc. (1530), 678, I.

Raise, “is that the great love ye raise her” (WS 147,a), bear: cf. the now (except as regards cattle) rare sense of raise = beget.

Rat, “we have smelled a rat” (R 187,a), one of the earliest instances of this proverbial saying.

Rather, “later or rather” (R 188,c), earlier. “Aftir me is comun a man, which was maad bifor me; for he was rather than Y.”—Wyclif (1388), John i. 30.

Raught, “raught to Cumberland” (R 254,a), reached.

Rebated, “openly rebated” (R 197,a): see Respublica, Var. readings, etc.

Rech, “For other wealth I not rech” (WH 278,c), strive or reach out for.

Recreatory, “my singular recreatory” (M 38,d), source of comfort, “joy”: the only quotation in the O.E.D.

Recumbentibus, “a shrewd recumbentibus” (M 20,b)—“speak to Mankind for the recumbentibus of my jewels” (M 22,c), “a knock-down blow” (O.E.D.), but the second example does not quite fit this sense which seems to refer to the position of the object attacked, rather than the act of attacking.

Red cap, “him that wears the red cap” (WH 303,c). Remedy seems to have worn a red cap:? as the symbol of spiritual authority. The term is of rare occurrence; only two examples of so early a date are quoted in the O.E.D., both from State papers—(a) “Captaine Redde Cappe, one of the rebelles of the last yere” (1549); (b) = red-hat = cardinal (1539).

Rede, “by my rede” (N 121,d), counsel. Also as verb.

Redford (John), musician, poet, and writer of interludes, was, according to Hawkins, organist and almoner of St. Pauls. Tusser, in his autobiographical poem, mentions him as master of the children of St. Paul’s about 1535. As a musician, his instrumental works are well known, consisting mainly of florid counterpoint upon a plain song. As master of the children at St. Paul’s, it was part of his duty to provide dramatic entertainments. A quaint specimen of his skill in this respect is afforded by his “Wit and Science.” This is preserved among the additional MSS. at the British Museum (No. 15,233), the memorandum book in which it is written, and of which the original binding is still in excellent condition, containing some musical sketches (possibly memoranda only), and fragments of two other moralities, one of them in Redford’s name. The date of his death is unknown, but as Sebastian Westcott was master of the children of St. Paul’s in 1559, probably Redford had died before that date.

The fragments of other interludes, probably both by Redford, included in add. MSS 15,233, are as follows:—

[Fragment No. 1.]

* * * * *
D. Marye, Tom, such poyntes God send him mani!

T. Well, go to, mok on! your mokes bere can I,
   Tyll we shall once be evin, I truste.

G. Nay, Tom, all Malles lay in the dust,
   And syns we have droonke all of one cup,
   Shake handes lyke freends! all quarelles give up!

D. Ye, by my sowle, and syns the payne is past,
   Let us be merye, and care awey cast.

I. What els, Tom, syns we have leve to play?
   Let us be merye all thys long daye!
          Fynis, quod Master Jhon Redford.
          Here the syng Hey nony nonye,
          and so go forth syngyng.

In the MS. this fragment is cancelled with a pen.
[Fragment No. 2.]
The other fragment of an interlude (cancelled in the MS.) is as follows:—
Corage.

Shall we three joyne in unitee
To cheere these gestes?

Kyndnes.

      By my trothe, ye.
Clennes cumth in and Con. steylyth away.
Not so, my friends, here me speake. Mum!

Corage.
Where is Concupiscence becum?
Clennes.

My presens hath put her to flyght!
Where Clennes doth in place apeere,
Ther is Concupiscence gone quighte.

This is not signed by Redford; it is only conjecturally his.

The other works of Redford’s in the MS. book (additional MSS. 15,233) appear to be separate poems, with titles (some apparently inserted in his reprint by Halliwell Phillips). The numbers to the right refer to the pages in Halliwell Phillips’s reprint.

1.	Lamentation of boys learning the prick song. (14 stanzas of 4 lines each)	62
2.	“Nolo Mortem peccatoris: hœc sunt verba Salvatoris.” (23 stanzas of six lines each)	68
3.	“Long have I been a singing man.” (8 stanzas of six lines each)	80
4.	“Will and Power.” (3 stanzas of seven lines each)	86
5.	“The Pleasure of Godliness.” Besides some irregular opening lines. (22 stanzas of six lines each)	92
6.	“The goodness of all God’s gifts.” (11 stanzas of seven lines each)	97
7.	“The sinfulness of man.” (8 stanzas of eight lines each)	100

Reducible, “he will be reducible” (M 37,b), reclaimable.

Refrait, “harp both on refrait” (N 59,d), refrain, burden. “Of ther song the refreit was of pees.”—Lydgate in Pol. Poems (1443), II., 211 (Rolls).

Remord, “thou ought to remord” (IP 316,b), feel remorse. “Remord and rew, and pondir weill my parte.”—A. Scott, Poems (c. 1560), xiii. 38 (S.T.S.).

Remotion, “to you... have recourse and remotion” (M 3,d), inclination to.

Ren (passim), run.

Reporture, “to make reporture” (N 100,c), mention, report. “To hyr I wyll goo and make reportur.”—Digby Myst. (c. 1485), III., 2084 (1882).

Resided, “one resided me with a bowl of water” (JE 358,a). I have been unable to arrive at any satisfactory explanation of this passage.

Respublica. The text is given on pp. 177-272. The original forms one of the Macro plays in manuscript, now the property of Mr. J. H. Gurney of Keswick Hall, near Norwich: see Macro Plays and Manuscripts, ante. Respublica has been three times previously printed in modern times—(a) by Mr. John Payne Collier in Illustrations of Old English Literature, I. (1866), B. M. press-mark, 2326, c; (b) by Prof. Brandl in Quellen, etc. (1904); and (c) by the Early English Text Society (Extra Series xciv.), edited by Mr. Leonard A. Magnus, LL.B., “from Mr. Gurney’s unique Macro MS. 115” (1905), B. M. press-mark, Ac. 9926/60. I do not know how Mr. Collier got his copy; Dr. Brandl states his copy was made for him by Dr. Emeke, “and we both have collated it.” Whether the copy was made direct from the original manuscript, or whether it was (as in the case of Mankind) (q.v.) a copy of a copy, or further, whether the collation of the proof-sheets was with the original or with the copy is not stated: still even the last is something towards assurance, for the ways of the modern “comp.” and the oversight of the average “reader” are, at times, passing strange. Yet Mr. Magnus by his remark, “Prof. Brandl had to make his edition from a copy of the manuscript,” seems to infer that the German editor was unable to get into close contact with the original. This uncertainty is unfortunate, for were we sure of the contrary, there would have been immediate and well-founded confidence in the fidelity of Prof. Brandl’s text. But worse remains. Mr. Magnus, beyond saying that “the manuscript has been kindly lent by the owner,” nowhere, so far as I can read, mentions that the copy of the same as prepared for the printers had, when in proof, been compared with the original manuscript. My own experience in collating the three copies of Mankind (q.v.), made respectively for the E.E.T.S., Prof. Manly, and Prof. Brandl, does not tend to reassure one. Indeed, the sampling of Mr. Manly’s printed sheets in another direction has convinced me that though the text may be, and probably is, substantially accurate, yet it would be folly to waste valuable time in furnishing, for this play, even the simplest of textual notes and criticism. Knowing, by experience, the weighty trustworthiness of Prof. Brandl’s work in respect to other plays, I commenced by modernising his text, at the same time collating it with that of Collier, only to find, when I came to compare it with the E.E.T. Society’s edition, just the same obviously careless miscripts and blunders that I found when collating Mankind. This estimate was confirmed when I tested the value of the work done on Respublica, apart from the text, in the same fashion that I tested the worth of Mankind. Taking pages xviii. (four lines from bottom) to xxii. (two lines from top) of Mr. Magnus’ Introduction (E.E.T.S., Extra Series xciv.), to prove the accuracy of the quotations and references, what is the result? In 124 lines there are no fewer than forty errors in quotation, reference figures, and the like, or more than one mistake for every three lines!!! I fear little faith can be placed in the accuracy of the text of the play when such a result is forthcoming in respect to the very structure of the setting. Nor is this an isolated or specially selected weak spot: these particular pages attracted attention as providing an obviously distinctive chance of checking the work done. Turn again to the glossary references, and taking a column haphazard, the second column of page 79, and the same process of verifying the printed page shows five blunders in thirty-four entries from Cale to Creature. Or, take page 66 of the notes, and one reaps four blunders in twelve lines (Notes, l. 439-l. 581)! I cannot therefore help feeling uncertain about the text of the play itself, and as I have been unable, as yet, to get access to the original, I prefer to save useless labour by sending forth my own text without comment of any kind. As a matter of course the E.E.T.S. version is no doubt nearest the original, and, in doubtful cases I have, equally of course, followed it in preference to the Collier or Brandl versions; but it must not be taken as worth more than it really is. I can only once again express a sincere hope that some one will in the near future be allowed to reproduce these invaluable Macro Plays in facsimile. Respublica is noteworthy in more respects than one. Obviously written by a Catholic, it is the Reformation in its social and political, and not in its doctrinal, aspect that forms the pivot of the action of the play. The calmest judgments of posterity incline to the view that the mainspring of the revolt against the Papacy in England rested more on zeal as the tool of worldliness than, as elsewhere, on worldliness as the tool of zeal. A king whose character was despotism itself personified, unprincipled ministers, a rapacious aristocracy, a servile Parliament, such were the instruments by which England was delivered from the yoke of Rome. The work which had been begun by Henry, the murderer of his wives, was continued by Somerset, the murderer of his brother, and completed by Elizabeth, the murderer of her guest. By Reformers and Catholics alike, religion was made the tool of spoliation, rapine, and oppression. The Reformation left the country morally and materially bankrupt, and Catholic though Mary was, much seems to have been expected of her by the nation at large. Indeed, the great mass of the people cared little or nothing for the factional strife of either camp, except so far as it affected them from a social point of view. Hence the motif of Respublica and its curiously moderate tone. It would really seem that Queen Mary was possessed of a softness not usually credited to her, and that she succumbed to political faction as her brother before her and her sister after her succumbed. It is, therefore, this aspect—the social aspect—of the great upheaval with which the author of Respublica is concerned, and no more pithy or pungent contemporary narrative or satire exists. Apart from the regrettable shortcomings of Mr. Magnus’ volume in other respects, he has done useful yeoman service to English scholarships by tracing and emphasising, point by point, the action of the play in its relation to political events, practically identifying the play as a stage version of the events of the reign of Edward VI. I can only refer my readers to his altogether admirable analysis—a statement of fact and resumé which happily is not and cannot be marred by the evil influence of inaccuracy of reference and quotation. Further, if Mr. Magnus’ essay be read in conjunction with that portion of Hallam’s Constitutional History of England, which concerns this period—Macaulay’s famous review of the same will serve admirably—and with Book II. of Burnett’s History of the Reformation, the key will be found to emphasise the points made by Mr. Magnus, and to illustrate and explain the political and social allusions with which Respublica abounds. On the question of authorship, Mr. Magnus also attempts an attribution, suggesting Udall, the author of Ralph Roister Doister. His facts and inferences are, to my mind, inconclusive; as he himself admits. Identity of phraseology, tricks of style, similarity of orthography, and the like, are at best uncertain grounds to form the basis of Tudor attributions. Very shortly the corpus of pre-Shakespearean drama now in progress will enable the student to tackle his subject to more purpose than heretofore.

Rested, “would have rested me” (IP 316,c), a contracted form of arrest.

Restority, “it is restority” (R 222,c), restorative; note the exigency of the rhyme.

Ricepudding-cake (R. passim), Respublica (q.v.).

Ringworm, “a running ringworm” (M 28,a), i.e. the mark of the halter round New Guise’s neck.

Rods, “rods in piss” (R 219,b), a reckoning in store.

Rond, “rond in your ear” (M 14,c), whisper.

Room, “to have with him a room” (N 49,d; 50,a), post, office, station, position. “To have and enjoy that office and room.”—Holinshed, Scotland (an. 1543).

Royals, “give us red royals” (M 21,b), i.e. give us gold, not coppers: red = gold is frequently found in old writers, though it is now only used in thieves’ slang. The royal was a gold coin of varying value, from 10s. to 30s.: see other volumes of this series. “Ich shall not mis of red ones to haue store.”—T. Howell, Poems (1568), i. 91 (Grosart).

Rutter, “A rutter, huffa gallant” (N 77,c), trooper, horseman: also a swaggering, dashing gallant. That this last mentioned is the sense is clear from the phrase huffa gallant, which in old writers is commonly put into the mouths of roisterers and dashing men of fashion: see Four Elements, Hickscorner, etc.

Rutterkin, “what rutterkin have we here” (IP 332,b), a rutter: see previous entry.

Sad, “sad a-sleep” (M 26,c), sound, firm, not to be easily awakened. “It was founded on a sad stoon.”—Wyclif, Luke vi.

Saint Audrey, “St. Audrey’s holy bend” (M 28,a), bend = band: see Nares, s.v. Tawdry.

Saint Catherine’s (JE 361,c). This is probably St. Catherine’s near Guildford, which was one of the stations on the “Pilgrim’s way” from Winchester to Canterbury, the route lying also through Kent. From St. Catherine’s, which stands on a knoll just to the south of Guildford, the “way” leads up through “The Chantries” to St. Martha’s Chapel, which crowns a considerable hill, thence proceeding eastward into Kent.

Saint Chad (IP 336,c). Of course this saint was picked for the rhyme’s sake. St. Chad was better known by his Saxon name of St. Ceadda, a Northumbrian by birth. His early life was spent in a monastery in Ireland. In 664 he succeeded Bishop Cedda, his brother, as abbot of Lastingham. Subsequently he became Bishop of York, but resigned the bishopric on a question arising as to the regularity of his consecration, retiring to his old office at Lastingham. On the death of Jaruman, bishop of Mercia, Ceadda was induced to enter the episcopate once more. He died at Lichfield in 672. He has always been a popular saint in the English Calendar, his festival falling on the 2nd March.

Saint Charity (M 11,b), see Anon. Plays (E.E.D.S.), 3 Ser., 293,d.

Saint Gabriel’s Mother (M 35,b), perhaps a reference to the Virgin Mary. There are three St. Gabriels, of whom the one recognised in the gnostic systems is the more likely. He was the angel specially associated with the conception of the Virgin Mary, and according to some versions was Jesus Himself taking the form of the angel Gabriel for the purpose of preparing the Virgin, in a physical sense, for the miraculous conception.

Saint George, “Saint George thee borrow” (R 208,a), whether merely used as a salutation or referring to some song is not clear: as regards the phrase, see Udal, Works (E.E.D.S.), 146,d.

Saint Hugh (IP 341,a). There are no less than four St. Hughs who were bishops, viz.:—Hugh, 9th Bishop of Geneva, early in 7th century; Hugh, 13th Bishop of Alby, said to have been in possession of the See when the Saracens took the city in 722; Hugh, 37th Bishop of Paris, died in 730; Hugh, 18th Bishop of Séez, in latter half of 8th century. There is also a legendary St. Hugh, patron of the Abbey of Tewkesbury, who is said to have buried Brihtric, King of Mercia, in the chapel of St. Faith at Tewkesbury, and to have been buried there himself in 812. According to Dictionary of Christian Biography, the story is an impudent fabrication.

Saint Quintin (M 13,b) came into Gaul with St. Lucian of Beavais, and was martyred by the Romans under Rectiovarus.

Saint Trunnion, see Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), I., 272,d.

Sallet, “for lack of a sallet” (R 229,b), a light helmet, chiefly used by foot-soldiers in the fifteenth century: see God’s Good. “Many a time, but for a sallet, my brain-pan had been cleft with a brown-bill.”—Shakespeare, 2 Henry VI., ix. 10.

Sancto, “Cum sancto... perverteris” (M 15,c), see Psalm xvii. 27.

Scamble, Scambling, “I doubt not to scamble and rake” (R 187,c)—“fall thus to scambling” (R 194,d)—“as quick scambling as ever I saw” (R 221,c), i.e. pilfer and plunder when and how possible; see “Catch that catch may” (R 187,b), and cf. Cotgrave, “Scamblingly, catch that catch may.”—“Much more being scambled up after this manner.”—Holinshed, Chronicle (Epis. Dedic.).

Scape, “the scape of extreats” (R 183,d), trick, cheat: see Respublica. “They readily pardon all faults and scapes committed by negligence.”—North, Plutarch, p. 206.

Scottling, “a pretty scottling” (M 6,d), scuttling.

Scoured, “scoured a pair of fetters” (M 28,d), a very common piece of Old Cant = to go, or lie, in, or wear fetters: usually, “to scour the cramp-rings or derbies.” “Then to the quier-ken to scoure the cramp-ring.”—Dekker, Beggar’s Curse (1608). “And ’cause we are poor made to scour the cramp-ring.”—Dekker, Lanthorne and Candlelight. The original is scoryde.

Sectourship, see Respublica.

Secule, “secule thyself” (IP 342,d),? a misprint for secure.

Sereful, “a sereful man” (N 81,c), I suspect from the context that this is a misprint for fearful = full of fear, timid. Or it may be akin to the use of sere by Ascham, characterised by Nares as “peculiar” to that writer = individual, particular, single: whence sereful would mean “peculiar,” “full of idiosyncracies,” “difficult.”

Shaked, “They shaked me up” (R 255,d), shook.

Shalch, “what shalch zai to om” (R.,passim), shall I—shal[l i]ch.

Shales, “served but with shales” (R 214,d), shells.

Sharings (R 183,c), shearings.

Shent, “you will be shent” (N 105,c, et passim), blamed.

Shroud cell (M 17,c),? privy place, such as the crypt of a church: shrouds are properly places under ground: the meaning is that Mankind has met Mercy privately.

Side, see Aloft.

Side-gown, “his side-gown may be sold” (M 29,d), long gown: cf. “side-sleeves” = long sleeves. There are examples enough in Nares.

Si didero (M 20,d), i.e. “I’ll pay you back with profit” (E.E.T.S. ed.).

Sighing, “weeping, sighing, and sobbing” (M 32,d), the sythynge of the original seems worth recording.

Siker, “siker thyself, man!” (N 51,b), secure, make all safe, assure

“Now be we duchesses both I and ye,
And sikerde to the regals of Athenes,
And both hereafter likely to be queenes.”

—Chaucer, Legend of Ariadne.

Sikerness, “In one is sikerness” (N 55,b), certainty, security, sureness: see previous entry.

Silver hook (IP 345,d), a bribe.

Sindons, “the sindons in which were wrapped the chalices” (R 221,d), a wrapper of cotton or linen. “There were found a book and a letter, both written in fine parchment, and wrapped in sindons of linen.”—Bacon.

Singular, “my sing’lar solace” (M 36,c)—“my... singular recreatory” (M 39,a), unique: in original singler and synguler respectively.

“Some villain, ay, and singular in his art.”

—Shakespeare, Cymbeline (1605), iii. 4.

Sir Will—Sir William of Trentram (JE 356,b; 357,a): see Trentham.

Sleet, “I will not sleet my love to greet” (WS 172,c), neglect.

Sleight (passim), art, skill, dexterity, expertness: generic in both a good and bad sense.

Sliped, “sliped down to the hard knee” (N 77,c), sloped: note the rhyme with “striped.”

Slipper, “A slipper sugar-mouthed whorecop” (R 212,c), “the ground be slipper and sliding” (JE 363,d), slippery. “I know they bee slipper that I have to do wyth, and there is no holde of them.”—Barnes, Workes (1573), p. 283.

Slither, “make you to slither” (M 7,c), slide, glide: still dialectical.

Slouthy, see Flouthy.

Smattering, “a smattering face” (M 27,b),? a wanton face: cf. smoterlich = wanton; also smorterest place (N 95,a), place being considered as a misprint for “piece.”

“We wyll have cousynge Besse also,
And two or thre proper wenchis mo,
Ryght feyr and smotter of face.”—

Four Elements, Anon. Pl., 1 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 22,b.

Smorterest, “the smorterest place” (N 95,a): see previous entry.

Smoult, “gay, smoult smirking whorecop” (R 214,b), smooth.

Socket, “his wife’s socket” (M 8,c), vulva.

Sonde, “God... send us of His sonde” (M 24,b), message, dispensation.

“Fyve yeer and more, as liked Cristes sonde,
Er that hir schip approched unto londe.”

—Chaucer, Cant. Tales (1383), 5322.

Sort (passim), company, assemblage, knot of people, gang: see other volumes of this series.

Sovereigns, “sovereigns I beseech you” (M 3,d; also IP 347,a), i.e. the audience, “Masters,” “excellencies”: cf. M.E. soverainly = above all.

Sowneth (JE 360,b), soundeth: see other volumes of this series.

Spadibus, “in spadibus” (M 18,c), spades; cf. Breadibus.

Sparling, “my own... sparling”: (WS 162,c), properly the smelt: formerly colloquial for “gull,” “simpleton,” and (so it would appear) as an endearment. Probably, however, the exigencies of a rhyme with “darling” influenced the author. Later, the cry, “Westward for smelts!” = on the spree, in search of conies, male or female.

Special, “my predelict special” (M 39,a), favourite: most frequently used of a paramour, male or female.

Spiritualty, “an officer of the spiritualty” (IP 343,c), the hierarchy of the Church: here = an officer of the Ecclesiastical Courts.

Squat, “squat out ons brain” (R 256,d), squash.

Starve, see Grass.

State, “a great state” (N 68,d)—“haled up with states” (R 267,c)—“to compare with a state” (IP 339,c), a person of rank or importance. “When states... sit in the cool.”—Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), II., 258,b.

Statt, see Stow.

Stile, see Hedge.

Store, “store is no sore” (R 184,c), in Heywood, Works (E.E.D.S.), 12,c; 176,d.

Stow, “stow, statt, stow!” (M 32,b), “Stow, stow, says Halliwell, was formerly addressed to a hawk by a falconer to make it come to his fist.”

Strussioners, “such strussioners as these” (R 265,c), destructioners + constructioners.

Stud, “Doth you stud your brains” (R 228,b). People’s perversion (perhaps intentional) of “study.”

Suffer, “he will not suffer” (R 213,a); in original nil not, and it should have been so printed in text. Nil = will not n[e w]il[l]: cf. namnot, ninnat.

Superate, “now it is superate” (M 15,a), conquered, overcome.

Supersedeas (R 261,d), a writ having in general the effect of a command, to stay or forbear, on good cause shown, my ordinary proceedings which might otherwise be proceeded with: hence a stay, a stop. “To give a supersedeas to industry.”—Hammond, fl. (1605-60), Works, i. 480.

Tagetive, “Am I a tagetive” (WH 277,c). I can find no trace of this word. Can Wealth be regarded as offended at being spoken to as if he were one of the “tag” or rabble?

Tane (WH 294,b; 305,a), taken.

Tenderance, “cometh of great tenderance” (N 52,d), watchfulness.

The, “God let you never the” (M., et passim), prosper, thrive.

Thirleth, “a short prayer thirleth heaven” (M 25,a), ascends to, pierces, penetrates. “If ony thirle or make an hole in a feble walle.”—Gesta Romanorum.

Tide, “tarry here this tide” (M 23,d), time, season.

Tinkers, “though tinkers should lack work” (R 213,d), cf. “Like Banbury tinkers, that in mending one hole make three.”

To, “thou must needs to” (N 50,d), elliptic; i.e. “go to.”

To-beaten, “all to-beaten” (M 19,c), to = A.S. prefix implying deterioration, destruction, or completeness; i.e. beaten unmercifully.

To-gloried, “all to-gloried” (M 34,c): see previous entry. To-gloried = finically fine or grandiloquent (i.e. your phraseology is destructive of “measure”).

Tority, “ye give me tority” (R 266,c), authority.

Trentham (Sir William of Trentham). As already stated (see John Evangelist) the entrances and exits, and the connection between different parts of this play of John the Evangelist, are by no means obvious. At 356,b, Eugenio, referring to Irisdision, says he may well be called “witless Sir Will”; and when Eugenio speaks of the coming of Sir William of Trentham (357,a), in comes John the Evangelist. The most feasible explanation is that the part of John the Evangelist was played by a parish priest whose name was Sir William of Trentham. The clerical use of Sir = dominus is common, but the only reference I can find to Trentham (near Stoke-on-Trent) is in the 5th volume of “Magna Britannia,” pp. 92 and 154. In both places there is mention of a monastery of “Canons Regular of St. Augustine,” built in the reign of William Rufus. According to Dugdale and Speed it was valued, at the time of the dissolution, at £106, 3s. 10d. per annum. As the rule of the Augustines enjoins poverty, chastity, and humility, my suggestion receives confirmation of a sort at 359,b and c, where “wilful poverty” is enjoined. As regards Irisdision, who is obviously the same as John the Evangelist and Sir William of Trentham, this is a puzzle. Eugenio is Greek, but an attempt at making Greek of Irisdision is not quite satisfactory, and may seem somewhat far-fetched. Iris in Greek mythology was a messenger of the gods, who are sometimes noted collectively by Dis—is Irisdision intended to mean “a divine messenger”?

Trepitt, “take you here a trepitt” (M 7,d), blow.

Trise, “trise him out at your gates” (M 21,d), haul, pull.

Trust, (a) “in trust is treason” (M 33,b), in Heywood (Works, E.E.D.S., II., 67,c).

(b) “best be trust” (R 196,a), i.e. Avarice has called his minions back to coach them, and bids them be ready (to truss = to tuck up the gown and generally to prepare oneself). On the other hand, Mr. Magnus (E.E.T.S.) says, “Mr. Daniel has explained this phrase as a nickname for a dishonest fellow, with a by-play on trussed (i.e. hanged).”

Uncurtess, “so uncurtess/, so inconsiderate” (M 33,b; 34,a), unthoughtful, careless, uncivil.

Underfong, “war or battle to underfong” (N 90,a), undertake, manage, wage.

Unrightful, “In unrightful to say pride of him than” (JE 366,c), the passage is obscure or corrupt; unrightful occurs in Bale (Works, E.E.D.S.), 59,c—“justices unrightful.”

Unthrifts rent (JE 364,c)—“let us go to Unthrift’s a while” (JE 361,c), a rent = tenements or houses let out to others; often named after the proprietor: Fulwood’s Rents, Holborn, is (1907) a case in point.

Until (passim), to, unto.

Valeslie, “you liest valeslie” (R 210,c), valorously.

Vowels: “worship of the five vowels” (M 22,c), the passage as it stands is obscure. Furnivall and Pollard read v. vowellys, Manly, v voli ellys and Brandl, volvellys. I have perforce followed the first-named as the most likely to be according to the original, but in view of the uncertainty as to the accuracy of either transcript, little can be said (see Mankind). Manly (whom the E.E. Text editors follow) suggests vij (or xx) devellys; Brandl dewellys? The phrasing is suggestive, “worship” (cf. “worship of the new year”: see New Year), and “v vowels,” which of course is distinctive, but I am quite at a loss to suggest an explanation. If the allusion is to gaming, vowels may be a miscript for volvelles, quite a different word. Whitney says of it—“A small and generally circular movable plate affixed to an engraving containing a dial or lottery, and made to carry the index hand or pointer.” There is a paragraph in Notes and Queries (Sixth Series, vol. xi. p. 217) referring to “volvelles,” and it seems pretty evident from this that they were well known as instruments of chance; there is an allusion in Withers’ Emblems, where he makes use of the “Index” or “volvelle” in a moral sense. One could understand the “worship of volvelles,” if this were a gambling game, as one can understand the “worship of dice.”

Walsingham Whistle (M 20,c), probably an allusion to the “Wishing Wells” at Walsingham (Norfolk). Persons drinking of them were said to obtain the fulfilment of any wish made while drinking. Nought, appealed to, said he could “pipe on a Walsingham whistle,” i.e. wish for what he wanted, and perhaps get it. Apparently he does, for he wished for the entry of Titivullus, who appears.

Walter, “I love ill to walter” (JE 364,a), tumble, roll about. “To turne or walter in mire” (Baret, 1580).

Wart, “che wa’r’t, a false harlot you art” (R 210,c), war[ran]t.

Wat, “some great wat” (N 69,b)—“Brother wat” (WH 297,a), a wight, a man.

Way, “do way, do way” (M 6,c), away, away!

Wealth and Health is one of the recently recovered “lost” plays (see Preface), and is of unknown authorship. The text is given on pp. 273-309, from a photograph copy of the original now in the British Museum, together with a reduced facsimile of the title-page. The B.M. entry is—

Wealth. An enterlude of Welth and Helth, very mery and full of pastyme, newly att his [i.e. att this] tyme imprinted. B. L. [London, 1565?] 4^o. [C.34,i.25.

The collation is sixteen leaves, Ai (title with back blank) to Div. in 4s. The play is wretchedly printed on very thin paper, and simply bristles with printer’s errors. I have taken no heed of most of these in the present text which I have collated twice with the old copy. I think I have succeeded in producing a substantially correct version of the original, any specially doubtful point being noted infra. This, however, must be taken with one reservation—so far as the state of the typography would allow I have given the Dutch and Spanish jargon exactly as it appears in the old text. It was simply impossible to make sense out of it. Many of the words have no resemblance to anything in Dutch. It was submitted to Dutch and German scholars to no effect. The sense occasionally can be gleaned—for example, that Hance was a drunken Hollander who wanted to get an engagement as gunner by the English. But the whole is evidently a caricature of Dutch, with which the author obviously had no acquaintance beyond a few scattered words, and the “patter” was put in simply to tickle the ears of the groundlings. As regards date, the British Museum Catalogue suggests “? 1565” for this recovered copy; but Hazlitt states that the play was licensed in 1557-8, and printed by John Waley in 1558. There is little internal evidence to help to a decision. Hance (300,c) says he has been in England “this darteen (thirteen) year,” and if we deduct this from 1557-8 we get 1544-5, which is close enough to the times of Anne of Cleves (1540), the “Flander’s mare” of Henry VIII., to suggest that the play may have been written and played a year or two earlier than the date of its entry at Stationers’ Hall. There are two references to the Sovereign (301,b and 308,d), Queen Elizabeth, who succeeded 17th Nov. 1558, but these allusions do not, of course, reveal anything. Corrigenda, Amended Readings, etc.: Title-page (274), a reduced facsimile being given (273), direct comparison may be made: though very indistinct, there are traces of the lines of a written inscription on the lower half of the page—Names of Players (275 et seq.), these are given in margin; in places dropped a little out of line, but nowhere so that the commencement of the speech is not easily identified—“praise yourself too much ye may” (276,a), original so—“Yet no displeasure” (276,b), original Yeth—“to you no dispraise” (276,b), in original dyspayre—“am I a tagetive” (277,c), original tagetyve, but the first “stamp” may be anything: see Tagetive—“I, Wealth, have all treasure” (278,a), original hatg: the close alphabetical juxtaposition of v and t on the one hand and e and g of the misprint (for so I take it) is curious: see supra—“their pain is such” (280,c), original there—“Ill-W. Why, I came,” etc. (284,a), throughout the original Ill-Will, who is given his full name in the stage direction marking his entrance, is “tagged” in the margin Will—“H[eal]th. Whose,” etc. (284,a), the letters in square brackets are rubbed away, but the speech seems to be to Health rather than Wealth. See Health’s speech, 283,b.—“and kindred too” (284,d), original kinred—“lest that I mar” (285,d), so I think in original: the letters are blurred, but the portions visible indicate the rubbed-out strokes: if so, note the three rhymes, were, near, mar: Dr. Murray gives mer(e) as a form current from the 13th to the 16th centuries—“I came my way” (286,c), original can—“Ill-W. I would come in” (286,c), in original this speech is given to Wit, but clearly that is a mistake—“Hance Beerpot, a scon router” (287,a), so in original, which there seemed no need to modernise to Hans: see ante—“his name is War” (287,c), in view of recent discussion in N. and Q. note the rhyme with mar—“with your gound? stand near” (287,c), this may possibly read “with your gound-stand near?”—“I am very glad” (289,d), the next line is very indistinct, and even the paper at this place is opaquer than elsewhere, so debarring restoration in that wise: it looks like “Some crafty wile for him [I would] ye had,” but I would is very doubtful, unless we reckon on a glaring misprint—“they shall not flit” (290,c), original flye—“[Health]. Sirs! now go your way” (291,c), the name is not in original, but the lines are apparently as now attributed—“w’out blane” (294,b), wout in original—“If a man be never so....” (295,a), the line appears to have got loose, and in printing this has caused extra blurring: so may not be correct; what follows looks like “so... good and b... be but thrifty”: but it is uncertain to a degree—“Speak! be not afraid” (295,d), in original afryde—“What sayest thou in his face” (296,a), obviously misprinted in the original: the word meant may be seest—“for these years twenty” (296,b), this in original—“as good know” (296,d), in original no—“And your subtilty known” (297,a), in original Aud our subtillitte knowen—“Ill-W. Peace! no mo words” (297,b), in original this is given to Wit—“with kindness my heart do kill” (299,b), herye in original—“magt not do thereto” (300,a), aot in original—“I understand thee well” (300,d), Ic in original: the author has forgotten himself in this instance—“Wit. I will go to fetch them” (304,d), in original I Iyf go to fetch tham—“should lean to man’s life” (305,a), in original leaue—

Where, “where he go” (JE 354,d), whether.

Whister, “whister him in the ear” (N 77,d), whisper.

White wine (JE 361,a), an allusion, I suppose, to the rotten eggs shied at a victim in the pillory.

Widge, “chad a widge” (R 229,a), horse. In a recent number of Notes and Queries appeared the following, which seems worth quoting, as exemplifying the survival in Tudor-English dialect of an A.S. word that itself had only a limited vogue. “In South-Western dialect, widge, a horse (mare)... from M.E. wig, A.S. wicg. The... word is only found in poetry, and with moderate frequency; while in other Teutonic languages wigg, horse, occurs solely, to my knowledge, in O. Sax., The Heliand, and there but once. Stratmann’s Mid. Eng. Dictionary (ed. H. Bradley) gives a solitary example of wig, horse, in Early English Homilies (ed. R. Morris), rendering the more notable its survival to the above date. The word is not in Halliwell’s Dictionary.” (H. P. L.)

Wit and Science, by John Redford. The text, collated anew in proof with the original manuscript in the British Museum (Add. MSS. 15,233), will be found on pages 135-175, together with a reduced facsimile of the penultimate page of the manuscript (p. 136), and the concluding lines of the same with Redford’s signature (p. 175). This last facsimile has been included because nowhere in the Museum Catalogue does Redford’s name occur; the play has never been catalogued as his though his name appears both in the MS. and in the Shak. Soc. reprint (Ac. 9485.33). A good deal of confusion and uncertainty has existed concerning the identity of this and two other Wit plays, a question which I discuss in Anon. Plays (E.E.D.S.), Series IV., now in the press. I refer the reader to this volume, which will reach subscribers in due course. Besides the Shakespeare Society’s reprint, Prof. Manly has included Wit and Science in his Specimens of the Pre-Shakespearean Drama. The MS. is in the shape of a memorandum book, the lines running across the short width of the page. There has been no cutting of the margins. It was purchased at the sale of the Bright MSS. in 1844, and the binding is without doubt contemporary with the MS., though it has apparently been patched here and there. Corrigenda, Amended Readings, etc.: “The better hold out he may” (138,b), ye in manuscript, which Halliwell follows: Prof. Manly has he—“Study. Yea, hold your peace... that way” (139,c), Halliwell in his reprint (1848) reads thus:—

Yea, hold your peace, best! we here now stay,
For, Instruction, I like not that way.

“Good, sir” (141,b), original God, sir—“Striketh him” (144,d), this stage direction, which is not in manuscript, should, of course, have been put within brackets—“Give ear to that we sing and say” (145,c), so in MS.; what in transcript of song in Shakespeare Soc. Papers, II. 78: it may also be noted that in the same transcript the commencement of the fifth stanza inserts an not in the MS. which reads “After eye given”—“Here cometh in Honest Recreation,” etc. (145,a to 146,b), this stage direction in MS. is continuous, and the song is given at the end of the play. I have inserted it here as more convenient—“while we him bear” (146,b), here in MS., which is followed by Halliwell; I have accepted Prof. Manly’s amendment—“Rea. I wot well that” (146,d), in MS. these words are followed in the same line by the first five words of the next line, “The more to blame ye”; the scribe finding out his mistake crossed them through, and then re-wrote them in the next line as in text—“Here Comfort, Quickness, Strength go out” (147,a), in the margin, very small, between the speakers’ names as if by an afterthought, is written, “Al go out save Honest”—“Sure call a blow or twain” (162,d), Halliwell says “the scribe here began to write the preceding speech of Science but erased it.” Reference to the manuscript shows that the previous line originally ran, “By the mass, madam, ye can no good,” and that the words in italics were then crossed through and the line re-written as in the present text. The next line, commencing “And thou shalt sure,” etc., has apparently been written in after the mistake was discovered; it occurs at the end of a page. At the top of the next page of the MS. the word “Art” is written, and then crossed through, as if the writer had begun to write the lines ascribed to Science (162,d) commencing “Art a-swearing, too?”—“Welcome, mine own” (171,c), in the MS. this song appears in another part of the book quite distinct from the play, but as it is obviously intended to be sung here it is restored to its place. Therefore the stage directions supra and infra (171,c, 172,d) are continuous in the MS.—“life’s end [end] it” (174,d), in the MS. the line reads with life’s end end it, but the second end is crossed through, erroneously it would seem.

Wolpit, Our Lady of (IP 315,d). Woolpit is about eight miles east of Bury-St.-Edmunds. Taylor in his Index Monasticus (p. 117) includes it in a list of shrines, images, etc., in Suffolk to which pilgrimages were made. The manor was given to the monks of Bury-St.-Edmunds prior to the Conquest. They were possessed of it in the time of Edward I., and probably continued in possession till the dissolution of the monasteries.

Wonning (JE 363,d), dwelling.

Worne, “the wild worm is come into his head” (N 98,d); cf. “maggot in brain.”

Wote, “half a wote” (N 67,c), i.e. “half I wot.”

Writ of Privilege (IP 316,d), a writ to deliver a privileged person from custody when arrested in a civil suit.

Year-day, “my father’s year-day” (M 32,b), either birthday or the anniversary of death.

Zee, see A zee.

Zembity (R 230,a), semblity; Magnus suggests “dissemble.”

Zoryless (R 212,d), sorryless (for sorriness).

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Manufactured in the United States of America

Prefixing right aligned stage directions with a left bracket was most common usage in original. Added left bracket where one was missing. Removed right bracket from a few right aligned stage directions due to uncommon usage in original.