MACI. Troth, the Resolution is proved recreant; the Countenance hath changed his copy; and the passionate knight is shedding funeral tears over his departed dog.
CAR. What! is his dog dead?
MACI. Poison’d, ’tis thought; marry, how, or by whom, that’s left for some cunning woman here o’ the Bank-side to resolve. For my part, I know nothing more than that we are like to have an exceeding melancholy supper of it.
CAR. ‘Slife, and I had purposed to be extraordinarily merry, I had drunk off a good preparative of old sack here; but will they come, will they come?
MACI. They will assuredly come; marry, Carlo, as thou lov’st me, run over ’em all freely to-night, and especially the knight; spare no sulphurous jest that may come out of that sweaty forge of thine; but ply them with all manner of shot, minion, saker, culverin, or anything, what thou wilt.
CAR. I warrant thee, my dear case of petrionels; so I stand not in dread of thee, but that thou’lt second me.
MACI. Why, my good German tapster, I will.
CAR. What George! Lomtero, Lomtero, etc. [SINGS AND DANCES.
RE-ENTER GEORGE.
GEORGE. Did you call, master Carlo?
CAR. More nectar, George: Lomtero, etc.
GEORGE. Your meat’s ready, sir, an your company were come.
CAR. Is the loin pork enough?
GEORGE. Ay, sir, it is enough.
[EXIT.
MACI. Pork! heart, what dost thou with such a greasy dish? I think thou dost varnish thy face with the fat on’t, it looks so like a glue-pot.
CAR. True, my raw-boned rogue, and if thou wouldst farce thy lean ribs with it too, they would not, like ragged laths, rub out so many doublets as they do; but thou know’st not a good dish, thou. O, it’s the only nourishing meat in the world. No marvel though that saucy, stubborn generation, the Jews, were forbidden it; for what would they have done, well pamper’d with fat pork, that durst murmur at their Maker out of garlick and onions? ‘Slight! fed with it, the whoreson strummel-patch’d, goggle-eyed grumble-dories, would have gigantomachised — RE-ENTER GEORGE WITH WINE.
Well said, my sweet George, fill, fill.
MIT. This savours too much of profanation.
COR. O — — Servetur ad imum,
Qualis ab incoepto processerit, et sibi constet. “The necessity of his vein compels a toleration, for; bar this, and dash him out of humour before his time.”
CAR. “‘Tis an axiom in natural philosophy, what comes nearest the nature of that it feeds, converts quicker to nourishment, and doth sooner essentiate.” Now nothing in flesh and entrails assimilates or resembles man more than a hog or swine.
[DRINKS.
MACI. True; and he, to requite their courtesy, oftentimes doffeth his own nature, and puts on theirs; as when he becomes as churlish as a hog, or as drunk as a sow; but to your conclusion.
[DRINKS.
CAR. Marry, I say, nothing resembling man more than a swine, it follows, nothing can be more nourishing; for indeed (but that it abhors from our nice nature) if we fed upon one another, we should shoot up a great deal faster, and thrive much better; I refer me to your usurous cannibals, or such like; but since it is so contrary, pork, pork, is your only feed.
MACI. I take it, your devil be of the same diet; he would never have desired to have been incorporated into swine else. — O, here comes the melancholy mess; upon ’em, Carlo, charge, charge!
ENTER PUNTARVOLO, FASTIDIOUS BRISK, SOGLIARDO, AND FUNGOSO. CAR. ‘Fore God, sir Puntarvolo, I am sorry for your heaviness: body o’ me, a shrew’d mischance! why, had you no unicorn’s horn, nor bezoar’s stone about you, ha?
PUNT. Sir, I would request you be silent.
MACI. Nay, to him again.
CAR. Take comfort, good knight, if your cat have recovered her catarrh, fear nothing; your dog’s mischance may be holpen.
FAST. Say how, sweet Carlo; for, so God mend me, the poor knight’s moans draw me into fellowship of his misfortunes. But be not discouraged, good sir Puntarvolo, I am content your adventure shall be performed upon your cat.
MACI. I believe you, musk-cod, I believe you; for rather than thou would’st make present repayment, thou would’st take it upon his own bare return from Calais
[ASIDE.
CAR. Nay, ‘slife, he’d be content, so he were well rid out of his company, to pay him five for one, at his next meeting him in Paul’s. [ASIDE TO MACILENTE.] — But for your dog, sir Puntarvolo, if he be not out-right dead, there is a friend of mine, a quack-salver, shall put life in him again, that’s certain.
FUNG. O, no, that comes too late.
MACI. ‘Sprecious! knight, will you suffer this?
PUNT. Drawer, get me a candle and hard wax presently. [EXIT GEORGE.
SOG. Ay, and bring up supper; for I am so melancholy.
CAR. O, signior, where’s your Resolution?
SOG. Resolution! hang him, rascal: O, Carlo, if you love me, do not mention him.
CAR. Why, how so?
SOG. O, the arrantest crocodile that ever Christian was acquainted with. By my gentry, I shall think the worse of tobacco while I live, for his sake: I did think him to be as tall a man —
MACI. Nay, Buffone, the knight, the knight [ASIDE TO CARLO.
CAR. ‘Slud, he looks like an image carved out of box, full of knots; his face is, for all the world, like a Dutch purse, with the mouth downward, his beard the tassels; and he walks — let me see — as melancholy as one o’ the master’s side in the Counter. — Do you hear, sir Puntarvolo?
PUNT. Sir, I do entreat you, no more, but enjoin you to silence, as you affect your peace.
CAR. Nay, but dear knight, understand here are none but friends, and such as wish you well, I would have you do this now; flay me your dog presently (but in any case keep the head) and stuff his skin well with straw, as you see these dead monsters at Bartholomew fair.
PUNT. I shall be sudden, I tell you.
CAR. O, if you like not that, sir, get me somewhat a less dog, and clap into the skin; here’s a slave about the town here, a Jew, one Yohan: or a fellow that makes perukes will glue it on artificially, it shall never be discern’d; besides, ’twill be so much the warmer for the hound to travel in, you know.
MACI. Sir Puntarvolo, death, can you be so patient!
CAR. Or thus, sir; you may have, as you come through Germany, a familiar for little or nothing, shall turn itself into the shape of your dog, or any thing, what you will, for certain hours — [PUNTARVOLO STRIKES HIM] — Ods my life, knight, what do you mean? you’ll offer no violence, will you? hold, hold!
RE-ENTER GEORGE, WITH WAX, AND A LIGHTED CANDLE. PUNT. ‘Sdeath, you slave, you ban-dog, you!
CAR. As you love wit, stay the enraged knight, gentlemen.
PUNT. By my knighthood, he that stirs in his rescue, dies. — Drawer, begone! [EXIT GEORGE.
CAR. Murder, murder, murder!
PUNT. Ay, are you howling, you wolf? — Gentlemen, as you tender your lives, suffer no man to enter till my revenge be perfect. Sirrah, Buffone, lie down; make no exclamations, but down; down, you cur, or I will make thy blood flow on my rapier hilts.
CAR. Sweet knight, hold in thy fury, and ‘fore heaven I’ll honour thee more than the Turk does Mahomet.
PUNT. Down, I say! [CARLO LIES DOWN.] — Who’s there? [KNOCKING WITHIN.
CONS. [WITHIN.] Here’s the constable, open the doors.
CAR. Good Macilente —
PUNT. Open no door; if the Adalantado of Spain were here he should not enter: one help me with the light, gentlemen; you knock in vain, sir officer.
CAR. ‘Et tu, Brute!’
PUNT. Sirrah, close your lips, or I will drop it in thine eyes, by heaven.
CAR. O! O!
CONS. [WITHIN] Open the door, or I will break it open.
MACI. Nay, good constable, have patience a little; you shall come in presently; we have almost done.
[PUNTARVOLO SEALS UP CARLO’S LIPS.
PUNT. So, now, are you Out of your Humour, sir? Shift, gentlemen [THEY ALL DRAW, AND RUN OUT, EXCEPT FUNGOSO, WHO CONCEALS HIMSELF BENEATH THE TABLE.
ENTER CONSTABLE AND OFFICERS, AND SEIZE FASTIDIOUS AS HE IS RUSHING BY. CONS. Lay hold upon this gallant, and pursue the rest.
FAST. Lay hold on me, sir, for what?
CONS. Marry, for your riot here, sir, with the rest of your companions.
FAST. My riot! master constable, take heed what you do. Carlo, did I offer any violence?
CONS. O, sir, you see he is not in case to answer you, and that makes you so peremptory.
RE-ENTER GEORGE AND DRAWER.
FAST. Peremptory! ‘Slife, I appeal to the drawers, if I did him any hard measure.
GEORGE. They are all gone, there’s none of them will be laid any hold on.
CONS. Well, sir, you are like to answer till the rest can be found out.
FAST. ‘Slid, I appeal to George here.
CONS. Tut, George was not here: away with him to the Counter, sirs. — Come, sir, you were best get yourself drest somewhere. [EXEUNT CONST. AND OFFICERS, WITH FAST. AND CAR.
GEORGE. Good lord, that master Carlo could not take heed, and knowing what a gentleman the knight is, if he be angry.
DRAWER. A pox on ’em, they have left all the meat on our hands; would they were choaked with it for me!
RE-ENTER MACILENTE.
MACI. What, are they gone, sirs?
GEORGE. O, here’s master Macilente.
MACI. [POINTING TO FUNGOSO.] Sirrah, George, do you see that concealment there, that napkin under the table?
GEORGE. ‘Ods so, signior Fungoso!
MACI. He’s good pawn for the reckoning; be sure you keep him here, and let him not go away till I come again, though he offer to discharge all; I’ll return presently.
GEORGE. Sirrah, we have a pawn for the reckoning.
DRAW. What, of Macilente?
GEORGE. No; look under the table.
FUNG. [CREEPING OUT.] I hope all be quiet now; if I can get but forth of this street, I care not: masters, I pray you tell me, is the constable gone?
GEORGE. What, master Fungoso!
FUNG. Was’t not a good device this same of me, sirs?
GEORGE. Yes, faith; have you been here all this while?
FUNG. O lord, ay; good sir, look an the coast be clear, I’d fain be going.
GEORGE. All’s clear, sir, but the reckoning; and that you must clear and pay before you go, I assure you.
FUNG. I pay! ‘Slight, I eat not a bit since I came into the house, yet.
DRAW. Why, you may when you please, ’tis all ready below that was bespoken.
FUNG. Bespoken! not by me, I hope?
GEORGE. By you, sir! I know not that; but ’twas for you and your company, I am sure.
FUNG. My company! ‘Slid, I was an invited guest, so I was.
DRAW. Faith we have nothing to do with that, sir: they are all gone but you, and we must be answered; that’s the short and the long on’t.
FUNG. Nay, if you will grow to extremities, my masters, then would this pot, cup, and all were in my belly, if I have a cross about me.
GEORGE. What, and have such apparel! do not say so, signior; that mightily discredits your clothes.
FUNG. As I am an honest man, my tailor had all my money this morning, and yet I must be fain to alter my suit too. Good sirs, let me go, ’tis Friday night, and in good truth I have no stomach in the world to eat any thing.
DRAW. That’s no matter, so you pay, sir.
FUNG. ‘Slight, with what conscience can you ask me to pay that I never drank for?
GEORGE. Yes, sir, I did see you drink once.
FUNG. By this cup, which is silver, but you did not; you do me infinite wrong: I looked in the pot once, indeed, but I did not drink.
DRAW. Well, sir, if you can satisfy our master, it shall be all one to us.
WITHIN. George!
GEORGE. By and by.
[EXEUNT.
COR. Lose not yourself now, signior
SCENE V. — A ROOM IN DELIRO’S HOUSE.
ENTER MACILENTE AND DELIRO.
MACI. Tut, sir, you did bear too hard a conceit of me in that; but I will not make my love to you most transparent, in spite of any dust of suspicion that may be raised to cloud it; and henceforth, since I see it is so against your humour, I will never labour to persuade you.
DELI. Why, I thank you, signior; but what is that you tell me may concern my peace so much?
MACI. Faith, sir, ’tist hus. Your wife’s brother, signior Fungoso, being at supper to-night at a tavern, with a sort of gallants, there happened some division amongst them, and he is left in pawn for the reckoning. Now, if ever you look that time shall present you with an happy occasion to do your wife some gracious and acceptable service, take hold of this opportunity, and presently go and redeem him; for, being her brother, and his credit so amply engaged as now it is, when she shall hear, (as he cannot himself, but he must out of extremity report it,) that you came, and offered y ourself so kindly, and with that respect of his reputation; why, the benefit cannot but make her dote, and grow mad of your affections.
DELI. Now, by heaven, Macilente, I acknowledge myself exceedingly indebted to you, by this kind tender of your love; and I am sorry to remember that I was ever so rude, to neglect a friend of your importance. — Bring me shoes and a cloak here. — I was going to bed, if you had not come. What tavern is it?
MACI. The Mitre, sir.
DELI. O! Why, Fido! my shoes. — Good faith, it cannot but please her exceedingly.
ENTER FALLACE.
FAL. Come, I marle what piece of night-work you have in hand now, that you call for a cloak, and your shoes: What, is this your pander?
DELI. O, sweet wife, speak lower, I would not he should hear thee for a world —
FAL. Hang him, rascal, I cannot abide him for his treachery, with his wild quick-set beard there. Whither go you now with him?
DELI. No, whither with him, dear wife; I go alone to a place, from whence I will return instantly. — Good Macilente, acquaint not her with it by any means, it may come so much the more accepted; frame some other answer. — I’ll come back immediately.
[EXIT.
FAL. Nay, an I be not worthy to know whither you go, stay till I take knowledge of your coming back.
MACI. Hear you, mistress Deliro.
FAL. So, sir, and what say you?
MACI. Faith, lady, my intents will not deserve this slight respect, when you shall know them.
FAL. Your intents! why, what may your intents be, for God’s sake?
MACI. Troth, the time allows no circumstance, lady, therefore know this was but a device to remove your husband hence, and bestow him securely, whilst, with more conveniency, I might report to you a misfortune that hath happened to monsieur Brisk — Nay, comfort, sweet lady. This night, being at supper, a sort of young gallants committed a riot, for the which he only is apprehended and carried to the Counter, where, if your husband, and other creditors, should but have knowledge of him, the poor gentleman were undone for ever.
FAL. Ah me! that he were.
MACI. Now, therefore, if you can think upon any present means for his delivery, do not foreslow it. A bribe to the officer that committed him will do it.
FAL. O lord, sir! he shall not want for a bribe; pray you, will you commend me to him, and say I’ll visit him presently.
MACI. No, lady, I shall do you better service, in protracting your husband’s return, that you may go with more safety.
FAL. Good truth, so you may; farewell, good sir. [EXIT MACI.] — Lord, how a woman may be mistaken in a man! I would have sworn upon all the Testaments in the world he had not loved master Brisk. Bring me my keys there, maid. Alas, good gentleman, if all I have in this earthly world will pleasure him, it shall be at his service. [EXIT.
MIT. How Macilente sweats in this business, if you mark him!
COR. Ay, you shall see the true picture of spite, anon: here comes the pawn and his redeemer.
SCENE VI. — A ROOM AT THE MITRE.
ENTER DELIRO, FUNGOSO, AND GEORGE.
DELI. Come, brother, be not discouraged for this, man; what!
FUNG. No, truly, I am not discouraged; but I protest to you, brother, I have done imitating any more gallants either in purse or apparel, but as shall become a gentleman, for good carriage, or so.
DELI. You say well. — This is all in the bill here, is it not?
GEORGE. Ay, sir.
DELI. There’s your money, tell it: and, brother, I am glad I met with so good occasion to shew my love to you.
FUNG. I will study to deserve it in good truth an I live.
DELI. What, is it right?
GEORGE. Ay, sir, and I thank you.
FUNG. Let me have a capon’s leg saved, now the reckoning is paid.
GEORGE. You shall, sir
[EXIT.
ENTER MACILENTE.
MACI. Where’s signior Deliro?
DELI. Here, Macilente.
MACI. Hark you, sir, have you dispatch’d this same?
DELI. Ay, marry have I.
MACI. Well then, I can tell you news; Brisk is in the Counter.
DELI. In the Counter!
MACI. ‘Tis true, sir, committed for the stir here to-night. Now would I have you send your brother home afore him, with the report of this your kindness done him, to his sister, which will so pleasingly possess her, and out of his mouth too, that in the meantime you may clap your action on Brisk, and your wife, being in so happy a mood, cannot entertain it ill, by any means.
DELI. ‘Tis very true, she cannot, indeed, I think.
MACI. Think! why ’tis past thought; you shall never meet the like opportunity, I assure you.
DELI. I will do it. — Brother, pray you go home afore (this gentleman and I have some private business), and tell my sweet wife I’ll come presently.
FUNG. I will, brother.
MACI. And, signior, acquaint your sister, how liberally, and out of his bounty, your brother has used you (do you see?), made you a man of good reckoning; redeem’d that you never were possest of, credit; gave you as gentlemanlike terms as might be; found no fault with your coming behind the fashion; nor nothing.
FUNG. Nay, I am out of those humours now.
MACI. Well, if you be out, keep your distance, and be not made a shot-clog any more. — Come, signior, let’s make haste. [EXEUNT.
SCENE VII. — THE COUNTER.
ENTER FALLACE AND FASTIDIOUS BRISK.
FAL. O, master Fastidious, what pity is it to see so sweet a man as you are, in so sour a place!
[KISSES HIM.
COR. As upon her lips, does she mean?
MIT. O, this is to be imagined the Counter, belike.
FAST. Troth, fair lady, ’tis first the pleasure of the fates, and next of the constable, to have it so: but I am patient, and indeed comforted the more in your kind visit.
FAL. Nay, you shall be comforted in me more than this, if you please, sir. I sent you word by my brother, sir, that my husband laid to ‘rest you this morning; I know now whether you received it or no.
FAST. No, believe it, sweet creature, your brother gave me no such intelligence.
FAL. O, the lord!
FAST. But has your husband any such purpose?
FAL. O, sweet master Brisk, yes: and therefore be presently discharged, for if he come with his actions upon you, Lord deliver you! you are in for one half-a-score year; he kept a poor man in Ludgate once twelve year for sixteen shillings. Where’s your keeper? for love’s sake call him, let him take a bribe, and despatch you. Lord, how my heart trembles! here are no spies, are there?
FAST. No, sweet mistress. Why are you in this passion?
FAL. O lord, master Fastidious, if you knew how I took up my husband to-day, when he said he would arrest you; and how I railed at him that persuaded him to it, the scholar there (who, on my conscience, loves you now), and what care I took to send you intelligence by my brother; and how I gave him four sovereigns for his pains: and now, how I came running out hither without man or boy with me, so soon as I heard on’t; you’d say I were in a passion indeed. Your keeper, for God’s sake! O, master Brisk, as ’tis in ‘Euphues’, ‘Hard is the choice, when one is compelled either by silence to die with grief, or by speaking to live with shame’.
FAST. Fair lady, I conceive you, and may this kiss assure you, that where adversity hath, as it were, contracted, prosperity shall not — Od’s me! your husband.
ENTER DELIRO AND MACILENTE.
FAL. O me!
DELI. Ay! Is it thus?
MACI. Why, how now, signior Deliro! has the wolf seen you, ha? Hath Gorgon’s head made marble of you?
DELI. Some planet strike me dead!
MACI. Why, look you, sir, I told you, you might have suspected this long afore, had you pleased, and have saved this labour of admiration now, and passion, and such extremities as this frail lump of flesh is subject unto. Nay, why do you not doat now, signior? methinks you should say it were some enchantment, ‘deceptio visus’, or so, ha! If you could persuade yourself it were a dream now, ’twere excellent: faith, try what you can do, signior: it may be your imagination will be brought to it in time; there’s nothing impossible.
FAL. Sweet husband!
DELI. Out, lascivious strumpet!
[EXIT.
MACI. What! did you see how ill that stale vein became him afore, of ‘sweet wife’, and ‘dear heart’; and are you fallen just into the same now, with ‘sweet husband’! Away, follow him, go, keep state: what! remember you are a woman, turn impudent; give him not the head, though you give him the horns. Away. And yet, methinks, you should take your leave of ‘enfant perdu’ here, your forlorn hope. [EXIT FAL.] — How now, monsieur Brisk? what! Friday night, and in affliction too, and yet your pulpamenta, your delicate morsels! I perceive the affection of ladies and gentlewomen pursues you wheresoever you go, monsieur.
FAST. Now, in good faith, and as I am gentle, there could not have come a thing in this world to have distracted me more, than the wrinkled fortunes of this poor dame.
MACI. O yes, sir; I can tell you a think will distract you much better, believe it: Signior Deliro has entered three actions against you, three actions, monsieur! marry, one of them (I’ll put you in comfort) is but three thousand, and the other two, some five thousand pound together: trifles, trifles.
FAST. O, I am undone.
MACI. Nay, not altogether so, sir; the knight must have his hundred pound repaid, that will help too; and then six score pounds for a diamond, you know where. These be things will weigh, monsieur, they will weigh.
FAST. O heaven!
MACI. What! do you sigh? this is to ‘kiss the hand of a countess’, to ‘have her coach sent for you’, to ‘hang poniards in ladies’ garters’, to ‘wear bracelets of their hair’, and for every one of these great favours to ‘give some slight jewel of five hundred crowns, or so’; why, ’tis nothing. Now, monsieur, you see the plague that treads on the heels o’ your foppery: well, go your ways in, remove yourself to the two-penny ward quickly, to save charges, and there set up your rest to spend sir Puntarvolo’s hundred pound for him. Away, good pomander, go!
[EXIT FASTIDIOUS.
Why here’s a change! now is my soul at peace: I am as empty of all envy now,
As they of merit to be envied at.
My humour, like a flame, no longer lasts Than it hath stuff to feed it; and their folly Being now raked up in their repentant ashes, Affords no ampler subject to my spleen.
I am so far from malicing their states, That I begin to pity them. It grieves me To think they have a being. I could wish They might turn wise upon it, and be saved now, So heaven were pleased; but let them vanish, vapours! — Gentlemen, how like you it? has’t not been tedious?
COR. Nay, we have done censuring now.
MIT. Yes, faith.
MACI. How so?
COR. Marry, because we’ll imitate your actors, and be out of our humours. Besides, here are those round about you of more ability in censure than we, whose judgments can give it a more satisfying allowance; we’ll refer you to them.
[EXEUNT CORDATUS AND MITIS.
MACI. [COMING FORWARD.] Ay, is it even so? — Well, gentlemen, I should have gone in, and return’d to you as I was Asper at the first; but by reason the shift would have been somewhat long, and we are loth to draw your patience farther, we’ll entreat you to imagine it. And now, that you may see I will be out of humour for company, I stand wholly to your kind approbation, and indeed am nothing so peremptory as I was in the beginning: marry, I will not do as Plautus in his ‘Amphytrio’, for all this, ‘summi Jovis causa plaudite’; beg a plaudite for God’s sake; but if you, out of the bounty of your good-liking, will bestow it, why, you may in time make lean Macilente as fat as sir John Falstaff. [EXIT.
THE EPILOGUE
AT THE
PRESENTATION BEFORE QUEEN ELIZABETH
BY MACILENTE.
Never till now did object greet mine eyes With any light content: but in her graces All my malicious powers have lost their stings. Envy is fled from my soul at sight of her, And she hath chased all black thoughts from my bosom, Like as the sun doth darkness from the world, My stream of humour is run out of me,
And as our city’s torrent, bent t’infect The hallow’d bowels of the silver Thames, Is check’d by strength and clearness of the river, Till it hath spent itself even at the shore; So in the ample and unmeasured flood
Of her perfections, are my passions drown’d; And I have now a spirit as sweet and clear As the more rarefied and subtle air: —
With which, and with a heart as pure as fire, Yet humble as the earth, do I implore
[KNEELS.
O heaven, that She, whose presence hath effected This change in me, may suffer most late change In her admired and happy government:
May still this Island be call’d Fortunate, And rugged Treason tremble at the sound, When Fame shall speak it with an emphasis. Let foreign polity be dull as lead,
And pale Invasion come with half a heart, When he but looks upon her blessed soil. The throat of War be stopt within her land, And turtle-footed Peace dance fairy rings About her court; where never may there come Suspect or danger, but all trust and safety. Let Flattery be dumb, and Envy blind
In her dread presence; Death himself admire her; And may her virtues make him to forget
The use of his inevitable hand.
Fly from her, Age; sleep, Time, before her throne; Our strongest wall falls down, when she is gone.
———————————————-
GLOSSARY
ABATE, cast down, subdue
ABHORRING, repugnant (to), at variance ABJECT, base, degraded thing, outcast
ABRASE, smooth, blank
ABSOLUTE(LY), faultless(ly)
ABSTRACTED, abstract, abstruse
ABUSE, deceive, insult, dishonour, make ill use of ACATER, caterer
ACATES, cates
ACCEPTIVE, willing, ready to accept, receive ACCOMMODATE, fit, befitting. (The word was a fashionable one and used on all occasions. See “Henry IV.,” pt. 2, iii.4) ACCOST, draw near, approach
ACKNOWN, confessedly acquainted with ACME, full maturity
ADALANTADO, lord deputy or governor of a Spanish province ADJECTION, addition
ADMIRATION, astonishment
ADMIRE, wonder, wonder at
ADROP, philosopher’s stone, or substance from which obtained ADSCRIVE, subscribe
ADULTERATE, spurious, counterfeit
ADVANCE, life
ADVERTISE, inform, give intelligence ADVERTISED, “be –,” be it known to you
ADVERTISEMENT, intelligence
ADVISE, consider, bethink oneself, deliberate ADVISED, informed, aware; “are you –?” have you found that out? AFFECT, love, like; aim at; move
AFFECTED, disposed; beloved
AFFECTIONATE, obstinate; prejudiced AFFECTS, affections
AFFRONT, “give the — ,” face
AFFY, have confidence in; betroth
AFTER, after the manner of
AGAIN, AGAINST, in anticipation of
AGGRAVATE, increase, magnify, enlarge upon AGNOMINATION. See Paranomasie
AIERY, nest, brood
AIM, guess
ALL HID, children’s cry at hide-and-seek ALL-TO, completely, entirely (“all-to-be-laden”) ALLOWANCE, approbation, recognition
ALMA-CANTARAS (astron.), parallels of altitude ALMAIN, name of a dance
ALMUTEN, planet of chief influence in the horoscope ALONE, unequalled, without peer
ALUDELS, subliming pots
AMAZED, confused, perplexed
AMBER, AMBRE, ambergris
AMBREE, MARY, a woman noted for her valour at the siege of Ghent, 1458 AMES-ACE, lowest throw at dice
AMPHIBOLIES, ambiguities
AMUSED, bewildered, amazed
AN, if
ANATOMY, skeleton, or dissected body ANDIRONS, fire-dogs
ANGEL, gold coin worth 10s., stamped with the figure of the archangel Michael ANNESH CLEARE, spring known as Agnes le Clare ANSWER, return hit in fencing
ANTIC, ANTIQUE, clown, buffoon
ANTIC, like a buffoon
ANTIPERISTASIS, an opposition which enhances the quality it opposes APOZEM, decoction
AFFERIL, peril
APPLE-JOHN, APPLE-SQUIRE, pimp, pander APPLY, attach
APPREHEND, take into custody
APPREHENSIVE, quick of perception; able to perceive and appreciate APPROVE, prove, confirm
APT, suit, adapt; train, prepare; dispose, incline APT(LY), suitable(y), opportune(ly)
APTITUDE, suitableness
ARBOR, “make the –,” cut up the game (Gifford) ARCHES, Court of Arches
ARCHIE, Archibald Armstrong, jester to James I. and Charles I. ARGAILE, argol, crust or sediment in wine casks ARGENT-VIVE, quicksilver
ARGUMENT, plot of a drama; theme, subject; matter in question; token, proof ARRIDE, please
ARSEDINE, mixture of copper and zinc, used as an imitation of gold-leaf ARTHUR, PRINCE, reference to an archery show by a society who assumed arms, etc., of Arthur’s knights
ARTICLE, item
ARTIFICIALLY, artfully
ASCENSION, evaporation, distillation ASPIRE, try to reach, obtain, long for
ASSALTO (Ital.), assault
ASSAY, draw a knife along the belly of the deer, a ceremony of the hunting-field
ASSOIL, solve
ASSURE, secure possession or reversion of ATHANOR, a digesting furnace, calculated to keep up a constant heat ATONE, reconcile
ATTACH, attack, seize
AUDACIOUS, having spirit and confidence AUTHENTIC(AL), of authority, authorised, trustworthy, genuine AVISEMENT, reflection, consideration
AVOID, begone! get rid of
AWAY WITH, endure
AZOCH, Mercurius Philosophorum
BABION, baboon
BABY, doll
BACK-SIDE, back premises
BAFFLE, treat with contempt
BAGATINE, Italian coin, worth about the third of a farthing BALARD, horse of magic powers known to old romance BALDRICK, belt worn across the breast to support bugle, etc. BALE (of dice), pair
BALK, overlook, pass by, avoid
BALLACE, ballast
BALLOO, game at ball
BALNEUM (BAIN MARIE), a vessel for holding hot water in which other vessels are stood for heating
BANBURY, “brother of __,” Puritan
BANDOG, dog tied or chained up
BANE, woe, ruin
BANQUET, a light repast; dessert
BARB, to clip gold
BARBEL, fresh-water fish
BARE, meer; bareheaded; it was “a particular mark of state and grandeur for the coachman to be uncovered” (Gifford)
BARLEY-GREAK, game somewhat similar to base BASE, game of prisoner’s base
BASES, richly embroidered skirt reaching to the knees, or lower BASILISK, fabulous reptile, believed to slay with its eye BASKET, used for the broken provision collected for prisoners BASON, basons, etc., were beaten by the attendant mob when bad characters were “carted”
BATE, be reduced; abate, reduce
BATOON, baton, stick
BATTEN, feed, grow fat
BAWSON, badger
BEADSMAN, PRAYER-MAN, one engaged to pray for another BEAGLE, small hound; fig. spy
BEAR IN HAND, keep in suspense, deceive with false hopes BEARWARD, bear leader
BEDPHERE See Phere
BEDSTAFF, (?) wooden pin in the side of the bedstead for supporting the bedclothes (Johnson); one of the sticks of “laths”; a stick used in making a bed
BEETLE, heavy mallet
BEG, “I’d — him,” the custody of minors and idiots was begged for; likewise property fallen forfeit to the Crown (“your house had been begged”) BELL-MAN, night watchman
BENJAMIN, an aromatic gum
BERLINA, pillory
BESCUMBER, defile
BESLAVE, beslabber
BESOGNO, beggar
BESPAWLE, bespatter
BETHLEHEM GABOR, Transylvanian hero, proclaimed King of Hungary BEVER, drinking
BEVIS, SIR, knight of romance whose horse was equally celebrated BEWAY, reveal, make known
BEZANT, heraldic term: small gold circle BEZOAR’S STONE, a remedy known by this name was a supposed antidote to poison BID-STAND, highwayman
BIGGIN, cap, similar to that worn by the Beguines; nightcap BILIVE (belive), with haste
BILE, nothing, empty talk
BILL, kind of pike
BILLET, wood cut for fuel, stick
BIRDING, thieving
BLACK SANCTUS, burlesque hymn, any unholy riot BLANK, originally a small French coin
BLANK, white
BLANKET, toss in a blanket
BLAZE, outburst of violence
BLAZE, (her.) blazon; publish abroad BLAZON, armorial bearings; fig. all that pertains to good birth and breeding BLIN, “withouten –,” without ceasing
BLOW, puff up
BLUE, colour of servants’ livery, hence “– order,” “– waiters” BLUSHET, blushing one
BOB, jest, taunt
BOB, beat, thump
BODGE, measure
BODKIN, dagger, or other short, pointed weapon; long pin with which the women fastened up their hair
BOLT, roll (of material)
BOLT, dislodge, rout out; sift (boulting-tub) BOLT’S-HEAD, long, straight-necked vessel for distillation. BOMBARD SLOPS, padded, puffed-out breeches BONA ROBA, “good, wholesome, plum-cheeked wench” (Johnson) — not always used in compliment
BONNY-CLABBER, sour butter-milk
BOOKHOLDER, prompter
BOOT, “to –,” into the bargain; “no –,” of no avail BORACHIO, bottle made of skin
BORDELLO, brothel
BORNE IT, conducted, carried it through BOTTLE (of han), bundle, truss
BOTTOM, skein or ball of thread; vessel BOURD, jest
BOVOLI, snails or cockles dressed in the Italian manner (Gifford) BOW-POT, flower vase or pot
BOYE, “terrible –,” “angry –,” roystering young bucks. (See Nares) BRABBLES (BRABBLESH), brawls
BRACH, bitch
BRADAMANTE, a heroine in ‘Orlando Furioso’ BRADLEY, ARTHUR OF, a lively character commemorated in ballads BRAKE, frame for confining a norse’s feet while being shod, or strong curb or bridle; trap
BRANCHED, with “detached sleeve ornaments, projecting from the shoulders of the gown” (Gifford)
BRANDISH, flourish of weapon
BRASH, brace
BRAVE, bravado, braggart speech
BRAVE (adv.), gaily, finely (apparelled) BRAVERIES, gallants
BRAVERY, extravagant gaiety of apparel BRAVO, bravado, swaggerer
BRAZEN-HEAD, speaking head made by Roger Bacon BREATHE, pause for relaxation; exercise
BREATH UPON, speak dispraisingly of BREND, burn
BRIDE-ALE, wedding feast
BRIEF, abstract; (mus.) breve
BRISK, smartly dressed
BRIZE, breese, gadfly
BROAD-SEAL, state seal
BROCK, badger (term of contempt)
BROKE, transact business as a broker BROOK, endure, put up with
BROUGHTON, HUGH, an English divine and Hebrew scholar BRUIT, rumour
BUCK, wash
BUCKLE, bend
BUFF, leather made of buffalo skin, used for military and serjeants’ coats, etc.
BUFO, black tincture
BUGLE, long-shaped bead
BULLED, (?) boiled, swelled
BULLIONS, trunk hose
BULLY, term of familiar endearment
BUNGY, Friar Bungay, who had a familiar in the shape of a dog BURDEN, refrain, chorus
BURGONET, closely-fitting helmet with visor BURGULLION, braggadocio
BURN, mark wooden measures (” –ing of cans”) BURROUGH, pledge, security
BUSKIN, half-boot, foot gear reaching high up the leg BUTT-SHAFT, barbless arrow for shooting at butts BUTTER, NATHANIEL. (“Staple of News”), a compiler of general news. (See Cunningham)
BUTTERY-HATCH, half-door shutting off the buttery, where provisions and liquors were stored
BUY, “he bought me,” formerly the guardianship of wards could be bought BUZ, exclamation to enjoin silence
BUZZARD, simpleton
BY AND BY, at once
BY(E), “on the __,” incidentally, as of minor or secondary importance; at the side
BY-CHOP, by-blow, bastard
CADUCEUS, Mercury’s wand
CALIVER, light kind of musket
CALLET, woman of ill repute
CALLOT, coif worn on the wigs of our judges or serjeants-at-law (Gifford) CALVERED, crimped, or sliced and pickled. (See Nares) CAMOUCCIO, wretch, knave
CAMUSED, flat
CAN, knows
CANDLE-RENT, rent from house property CANDLE-WASTER, one who studies late
CANTER, sturdy beggar
CAP OF MAINTENCE, an insignia of dignity, a cap of state borne before kings at their coronation; also an heraldic term CAPABLE, able to comprehend, fit to receive instruction, impression CAPANEUS, one of the “Seven against Thebes” CARACT, carat, unit of weight for precious stones, etc.; value, worth CARANZA, Spanish author of a book on duelling CARCANET, jewelled ornament for the neck CARE, take care; object
CAROSH, coach, carriage
CARPET, table-cover
CARRIAGE, bearing, behaviour
CARWHITCHET, quip, pun
CASAMATE, casemate, fortress
CASE, a pair
CASE, “in –,” in condition
CASSOCK, soldier’s loose overcoat
CAST, flight of hawks, couple
CAST, throw dice; vomit; forecast, calculate CAST, cashiered
CASTING-GLASS, bottle for sprinkling perfume CASTRIL, kestrel, falcon
CAT, structure used in sieges
CATAMITE, old form of “ganymede”
CATASTROPHE, conclusion
CATCHPOLE, sheriff’s officer
CATES, dainties, provisions
CATSO, rogue, cheat
CAUTELOUS, crafty, artful
CENSURE, criticism; sentence
CENSURE, criticise; pass sentence, doom CERUSE, cosmetic containing white lead
CESS, assess
CHANGE, “hunt –,” follow a fresh scent CHAPMAN, retail dealer
CHARACTER, handwriting
CHARGE, expense
CHARM, subdue with magic, lay a spell on, silence CHARMING, exercising magic power
CHARTEL, challenge
CHEAP, bargain, market
CHEAR, CHEER, comfort, encouragement; food, entertainment CHECK AT, aim reproof at
CHEQUIN, gold Italian coin
CHEVEIL, from kidskin, which is elastic and pliable CHIAUS, Turkish envoy; used for a cheat, swindler CHILDERMASS DAY, Innocents’ Day
CHOKE-BAIL, action which does not allow of bail CHRYSOPOEIA, alchemy
CHRYSOSPERM, ways of producing gold CIBATION, adding fresh substances to supply the waste of evaporation CIMICI, bugs
CINOPER, cinnabar
CIOPPINI, chopine, lady’s high shoe CIRCLING BOY, “a species of roarer; one who in some way drew a man into a snare, to cheat or rob him” (Nares)
CIRCUMSTANCE, circumlocution, beating about the bush; ceremony, everything pertaining to a certain condition; detail, particular CITRONISE, turn citron colour
CITTERN, kind of guitar
CITY-WIRES, woman of fashion, who made use of wires for hair and dress CIVIL, legal
CLAP, clack, chatter
CLAPPER-DUDGEON, downright beggar
CLAPS HIS DISH, a clap, or clack, dish (dish with a movable lid) was carried by beggars and lepers to show that the vessel was empty, and to give sound of their approach
CLARIDIANA, heroine of an old romance CLARISSIMO, Venetian noble
CLEM, starve
CLICKET, latch
CLIM O’ THE CLOUGHS, etc., wordy heroes of romance CLIMATE, country
CLOSE, secret, private; secretive
CLOSENESS, secrecy
CLOTH, arras, hangings
CLOUT, mark shot at, bull’s eye
CLOWN, countryman, clodhopper
COACH-LEAVES, folding blinds
COALS, “bear no –,” submit to no affront COAT-ARMOUR, coat of arms
COAT-CARD, court-card
COB-HERRING, HERRING-COB, a young herring COB-SWAN, male swan
COCK-A-HOOP, denoting unstinted jollity; thought to be derived from turning on the tap that all might drink to the full of the flowing liquor COCKATRICE, reptile supposed to be produced from a cock’s egg and to kill by its eye — used as a term of reproach for a woman COCK-BRAINED, giddy, wild
COCKER, pamper
COCKSCOMB, fool’s cap
COCKSTONE, stone said to be found in a cock’s gizzard, and to possess particular virtues
CODLING, softening by boiling
COFFIN, raised crust of a pie
COG, cheat, wheedle
COIL, turmoil, confusion, ado
COKELY, master of a puppet-show (Whalley) COKES, fool, gull
COLD-CONCEITED, having cold opinion of, coldly affected towards COLE-HARBOUR, a retreat for people of all sorts COLLECTION, composure; deduction
COLLOP, small slice, piece of flesh COLLY, blacken
COLOUR, pretext
COLOURS, “fear no –,” no enemy (quibble) COLSTAFF, cowlstaff, pole for carrying a cowl=tub COME ABOUT, charge, turn round
COMFORTABLE BREAD, spiced gingerbread COMING, forward, ready to respond, complaisant COMMENT, commentary; “sometime it is taken for a lie or fayned tale” (Bullokar, 1616)
COMMODITY, “current for –,” allusion to practice of money-lenders, who forced the borrower to take part of the loan in the shape of worthless goods on which the latter had to make money if he could COMMUNICATE, share
COMPASS, “in –,” within the range, sphere COMPLEMENT, completion, completement; anything required for the perfecting or carrying out of a person or affair; accomplishment COMPLEXION, natural disposition, constitution COMPLIMENT, See Complement
COMPLIMENTARIES, masters of accomplishments COMPOSITION, constitution; agreement, contract COMPOSURE, composition
COMPTER, COUNTER, debtors’ prison
CONCEALMENT, a certain amount of church property had been retained at the dissolution of the monasteries; Elizabeth sent commissioners to search it out, and the courtiers begged for it
CONCEIT, idea, fancy, witty invention, conception, opinion CONCEIT, apprehend
CONCEITED, fancifully, ingeniously devised or conceived; possessed of intelligence, witty, ingenious (hence well conceited, etc.); disposed to joke; of opinion, possessed of an idea
CONCEIVE, understand
CONCENT, harmony, agreement
CONCLUDE, infer, prove
CONCOCT, assimilate, digest
CONDEN’T, probably conducted
CONDUCT, escort, conductor
CONEY-CATCH, cheat
CONFECT, sweetmeat
CONFER, compare
CONGIES, bows
CONNIVE, give a look, wink, of secret intelligence CONSORT, company, concert
CONSTANCY, fidelity, ardour, persistence CONSTANT, confirmed, persistent, faithful CONSTANTLY, firmly, persistently
CONTEND, strive
CONTINENT, holding together
CONTROL (the point), bear or beat down CONVENT, assembly, meeting
CONVERT, turn (oneself)
CONVEY, transmit from one to another CONVINCE, evince, prove; overcome, overpower; convict COP, head, top; tuft on head of birds; “a cop” may have reference to one or other meaning; Gifford and others interpret as “conical, terminating in a point”
COPE-MAN, chapman
COPESMATE, companion
CORV (Lat. Copia), abundance, copiousness CORN (“powder – “), grain
COROLLARY, finishing part or touch
CORSIVE, corrosive
CORTINE, curtain, (arch.) wall between two towers, etc. CORYAT, famous for his travels, published as ‘Coryat’s Crudities’ COSSET, pet lamb, pet
COSTARD, head
COSTARD-MONGER, apple-seller, coster-monger COSTS, ribs
COTE, hut
COTHURNAL, from “cothurnus,” a particular boot worn by actors in Greek tragedy COTQUEAN, hussy
COUNSEL, secret
COUNTENANCE, means necessary for support; credit, standing COUNTER. See Compter
COUNTER, pieces of metal or ivory for calculating at play COUNTER, “hunt –,” follow scent in reverse direction COUNTERFEIT, false coin
COUNTERPANE, one part or counterpart of a deed or indenture COUNTERPOINT, opposite, contrary point
COURT-DISH, a kind of drinking-cup (Halliwell); N.E.D. quotes from Bp. Goodman’s ‘Court of James I.: “The king…caused his carver to cut him out a court-dish, that is, something of every dish, which he sent him as part of his reversion,” but this does not sound like short allowance or small receptacle
COURT-DOR, fool
COURTEAU, curtal, small horse with docked tail COURTSHIP, courtliness
COVETISE, avarice
COWSHARD, cow dung
COXCOMB, fool’s cap, fool
COY, shrink; disdain
COYSTREL, low varlet
COZEN, cheat
CRACK, lively young rogue, wag
CRACK, crack up, boast; come to grief CRAMBE, game of crambo, in which the players find rhymes for a given word CRANCH, craunch
CRANTON, spider-like; also fairy appellation for a fly (Gifford, who refers to lines in Drayton’s “Nimphidia”)
CRIMP, game at cards
CRINCLE, draw back, turn aside
CRISPED, with curled or waved hair
CROP, gather, reap
CROPSHIRE, a kind of herring. (See N.E.D.) CROSS, any piece of money, many coins being stamped with a cross CROSS AND FILE, heads and tails
CROSSLET, crucible
CROWD, fiddle
CRUDITIES, undigested matter
CRUMP, curl up
CRUSADO, Portuguese gold coin, marked with a cross CRY (“he that cried Italian):, “speak in a musical cadence,” intone, or declaim(?); cry up
CUCKING-STOOL, used for the ducking of scolds, etc. CUCURBITE, a gourd-shaped vessel used for distillation CUERPO, “in –,” in undress
CULLICE, broth
CULLION, base fellow, coward
CULLISEN, badge worn on their arm by servants CULVERIN, kind of cannon
CUNNING, skill
CUNNING, skilful
CUNNING-MAN, fortune-teller
CURE, care for
CURIOUS(LY), scrupulous, particular; elaborate, elegant(ly), dainty(ly) (hence “in curious”)
CURST, shrewish, mischievous
CURTAL, dog with docked tail, of inferior sort CUSTARD, “quaking –,” ” — politic,” reference to a large custard which formed part of a city feast and afforded huge entertainment, for the fool jumped into it, and other like tricks were played. (See “All’s Well, etc.” ii. 5, 40)
CUTWORK, embroidery, open-work
CYPRES (CYPRUS) (quibble), cypress (or cyprus) being a transparent material, and when black used for mourning
DAGGER (” — frumety”), name of tavern DARGISON, apparently some person known in ballad or tale DAUPHIN MY BOY, refrain of old comic song DAW, daunt
DEAD LIFT, desperate emergency
DEAR, applied to that which in any way touches us nearly DECLINE, turn off from; turn away, aside DEFALK, deduct, abate
DEFEND, forbid
DEGENEROUS, degenerate
DEGREES, steps
DELATE, accuse
DEMI-CULVERIN, cannon carrying a ball of about ten pounds DENIER, the smallest possible coin, being the twelfth part of a sou DEPART, part with
DEPENDANCE, ground of quarrel in duello language DESERT, reward
DESIGNMENT, design
DESPERATE, rash, reckless
DETECT, allow to be detected, betray, inform against DETERMINE, terminate
DETRACT, draw back, refuse
DEVICE, masque, show; a thing moved by wires, etc., puppet DEVISE, exact in every particular
DEVISED, invented
DIAPASM, powdered aromatic herbs, made into balls of perfumed paste. (See Pomander)
DIBBLE, (?) moustache (N.E.D.); (?) dagger (Cunningham) DIFFUSED, disordered, scattered, irregular DIGHT, dressed
DILDO, refrain of popular songs; vague term of low meaning DIMBLE, dingle, ravine
DIMENSUM, stated allowance
DISBASE, debase
DISCERN, distinguish, show a difference between DISCHARGE, settle for
DISCIPLINE, reformation; ecclesiastical system DISCLAIM, renounce all part in
DISCOURSE, process of reasoning, reasoning faculty DISCOURTSHIP, discourtesy
DISCOVER, betray, reveal; display
DISFAVOUR, disfigure
DISPARGEMENT, legal term supplied to the unfitness in any way of a marriage arranged for in the case of wards
DISPENSE WITH, grant dispensation for DISPLAY, extend
DIS’PLE, discipline, teach by the whip DISPOSED, inclined to merriment
DISPOSURE, disposal
DISPRISE, depreciate
DISPUNCT, not punctilious
DISQUISITION, search
DISSOLVED, enervated by grief
DISTANCE, (?) proper measure
DISTASTE, offence, cause of offence DISTASTE, render distasteful
DISTEMPERED, upset, out of humour
DIVISION (mus.), variation, modulation DOG-BOLT, term of contempt
DOLE, given in dole, charity
DOLE OF FACES, distribution of grimaces DOOM, verdict, sentence
DOP, dip, low bow
DOR, beetle, buzzing insect, drone, idler DOR, (?) buzz; “give the –,” make a fool of DOSSER, pannier, basket
DOTES, endowments, qualities
DOTTEREL, plover; gull, fool
DOUBLE, behave deceitfully
DOXY, wench, mistress
DRACHM, Greek silver coin
DRESS, groom, curry
DRESSING, coiffure
DRIFT, intention
DRYFOOT, track by mere scent of foot DUCKING, punishment for minor offences
DUILL, grieve
DUMPS, melancholy, originally a mournful melody DURINDANA, Orlando’s sword
DWINDLE, shrink away, be overawed
EAN, yean, bring forth young
EASINESS, readiness
EBOLITION, ebullition
EDGE, sword
EECH, eke
EGREGIOUS, eminently excellent
EKE, also, moreover
E-LA, highest note in the scale
EGGS ON THE SPIT, important business on hand ELF-LOCK, tangled hair, supposed to be the work of elves EMMET, ant
ENGAGE, involve
ENGHLE. See Ingle
ENGHLE, cajole; fondle
ENGIN(E), device, contrivance; agent; ingenuity, wit ENGINER, engineer, deviser, plotter
ENGINOUS, crafty, full of devices; witty, ingenious ENGROSS, monopolise
ENS, an existing thing, a substance ENSIGNS, tokens, wounds
ENSURE, assure
ENTERTAIN, take into service
ENTREAT, plead
ENTREATY, entertainment
ENTRY, place where a deer has lately passed ENVOY, denouement, conclusion
ENVY, spite, calumny, dislike, odium EPHEMERIDES, calendars
EQUAL, just, impartial
ERECTION, elevation in esteem
ERINGO, candied root of the sea-holly, formerly used as a sweetmeat and aphrodisiac
ERRANT, arrant
ESSENTIATE, become assimilated
ESTIMATION, esteem
ESTRICH, ostrich
ETHNIC, heathen
EURIPUS, flux and reflux
EVEN, just equable
EVENT, fate, issue
EVENT(ED), issue(d)
EVERT, overturn
EXACUATE, sharpen
EXAMPLESS, without example or parallel EXCALIBUR, King Arthur’s sword
EXEMPLIFY, make an example of
EXEMPT, separate, exclude
EXEQUIES, obsequies
EXHALE, drag out
EXHIBITION, allowance for keep, pocket-money EXORBITANT, exceeding limits of propriety or law, inordinate EXORNATION, ornament
EXPECT, wait
EXPLATE, terminate
EXPLICATE, explain, unfold
EXTEMPORAL, extempore, unpremediated EXTRACTION, essence
EXTRAORDINARY, employed for a special or temporary purpose EXTRUDE, expel
EYE, “in –,” in view
EYEBRIGHT, (?) a malt liquor in which the herb of this name was infused, or a person who sold the same (Gifford)
EYE-TINGE, least shade or gleam
FACE, appearance
FACES ABOUT, military word of command FACINOROUS, extremely wicked
FACKINGS, faith
FACT, deed, act, crime
FACTIOUS, seditious, belonging to a party, given to party feeling FAECES, dregs
FAGIOLI, French beans
FAIN, forced, necessitated
FAITHFUL, believing
FALL, ruff or band turned back on the shoulders; or, veil FALSIFY, feign (fencing term)
FAME, report
FAMILIAR, attendant spirit
FANTASTICAL, capricious, whimsical
FARCE, stuff
FAR-FET. See Fet
FARTHINGAL, hooped petticoat
FAUCET, tapster
FAULT, lack; loss, break in line of scent; “for –,” in default of FAUTOR, partisan
FAYLES, old table game similar to backgammon FEAR(ED), affright(ed)
FEAT, activity, operation; deed, action FEAT, elegant, trim
FEE, “in –” by feudal obligation
FEIZE, beat, belabour
FELLOW, term of contempt
FENNEL, emblem of flattery
FERE, companion, fellow
FERN-SEED, supposed to have power of rendering invisible FET, fetched
FETCH, trick
FEUTERER (Fr. vautrier), dog-keeper FEWMETS, dung
FICO, fig
FIGGUM, (?) jugglery
FIGMENT, fiction, invention
FIRK, frisk, move suddenly, or in jerks; “– up,” stir up, rouse; “firks mad,” suddenly behaves like a madman
FIT, pay one out, punish
FITNESS, readiness
FITTON (FITTEN), lie, invention
FIVE-AND-FIFTY, “highest number to stand on at primero” (Gifford) FLAG, to fly low and waveringly
FLAGON CHAIN, for hanging a smelling-bottle (Fr. flacon) round the neck (?). (See N.E.D.)
FLAP-DRAGON, game similar to snap-dragon FLASKET, some kind of basket
FLAW, sudden gust or squall of wind FLAWN, custard
FLEA, catch fleas
FLEER, sneer, laugh derisively
FLESH, feed a hawk or dog with flesh to incite it to the chase; initiate in blood-shed; satiate
FLICKER-MOUSE, bat
FLIGHT, light arrow
FLITTER-MOUSE, bat
FLOUT, mock, speak and act contemptuously FLOWERS, pulverised substance
FLY, familiar spirit
FOIL, weapon used in fencing; that which sets anything off to advantage FOIST, cut-purse, sharper
FOND(LY), foolish(ly)
FOOT-CLOTH, housings of ornamental cloth which hung down on either side a horse to the ground
FOOTING, foothold; footstep; dancing FOPPERY, foolery
FOR, “– failing,” for fear of failing FORBEAR, bear with; abstain from
FORCE, “hunt at –,” run the game down with dogs FOREHEAD, modesty; face, assurance, effrontery FORESLOW, delay
FORESPEAK, bewitch; foretell
FORETOP, front lock of hair which fashion required to be worn upright FORGED, fabricated
FORM, state formally
FORMAL, shapely; normal; conventional FORTHCOMING, produced when required
FOUNDER, disable with over-riding
FOURM, form, lair
FOX, sword
FRAIL, rush basket in which figs or raisins were packed FRAMFULL, peevish, sour-tempered
FRAPLER, blusterer, wrangler
FRAYING, “a stag is said to fray his head when he rubs it against a tree to…cause the outward coat of the new horns to fall off” (Gifford) FREIGHT (of the gazetti), burden (of the newspapers) FREQUENT, full
FRICACE, rubbing
FRICATRICE, woman of low character
FRIPPERY, old clothes shop
FROCK, smock-frock
FROLICS, (?) humorous verses circulated at least (N.E.D.); couplets wrapped round sweetmeats (Cunningham)
FRONTLESS, shameless
FROTED, rubbed
FRUMETY, hulled wheat boiled in milk and spiced FRUMP, flout, sneer
FUCUS, dye
FUGEAND, (?) figment: flighty, restless (N.E.D.) FULLAM, false dice
FULMART, polecat
FULSOME, foul, offensive
FURIBUND, raging, furious
GALLEY-FOIST, city-barge, used on Lord Mayor’s Day, when he was sworn into his office at Westminster (Whalley)
GALLIARD, lively dance in triple time GAPE, be eager after
GARAGANTUA, Rabelais’ giant
GARB, sheaf (Fr. Gerbe); manner, fashion, behaviour BARD, guard, trimming, gold or silver lace, or other ornament GARDED, faced or trimmed
GARNISH, fee
GAVEL-KIND, name of a land-tenure existing chiefly in Kent; from 16th century often used to denote custom of dividing a deceased man’s property equally among his sons (N.E.D.)
GAZETTE, small Venetian coin worth about three-farthings GEANCE, jaunt, errand
GEAR (GEER), stuff, matter, affair
GELID, frozen
GEMONIES, steps from which the bodies of criminals were thrown into the river GENERAL, free, affable
GENIUS, attendant spirit
GENTRY, gentlemen; manners characteristic of gentry, good breeding GIB-CAT, tom-cat
GIGANTOMACHIZE, start a giants’ war GIGLOT, wanton
GIMBLET, gimlet
GING, gang
GLASS (“taking in of shadows, etc.”), crystal or beryl GLEEK, card game played by three; party of three, trio; side glance GLICK (GLEEK), jest, gibe
GLIDDER, glaze
GLORIOUSLY, of vain glory
GODWIT, bird of the snipe family
GOLD-END-MAN, a buyer of broken gold and silver GOLL, hand
GONFALIONIER, standard-bearer, chief magistrate, etc. GOOD, sound in credit
GOOD-Year, good luck
GOOSE-TURD, colour of. (See Turd)
GORCROW, carrion crow
GORGET, neck armour
GOSSIP, godfather
GOWKED, from “gowk,” to stand staring and gaping like a fool GRANNAM, grandam
GRASS, (?) grease, fat
GRATEFUL, agreeable, welcome
GRATIFY, give thanks to
GRATITUDE, gratuity
GRATULATE, welcome, congratulate
GRAVITY, dignity
GRAY, badger
GRICE, cub
GRIEF, grievance
GRIPE, vulture, griffin
GRIPE’S EGG, vessel in shape of
GROAT, fourpence
GROGRAN, coarse stuff made of silk and mohair, or of coarse silk GROOM-PORTER, officer in the royal household GROPE, handle, probe
GROUND, pit (hence “grounded judgments”) GUARD, caution, heed
GUARDANT, heraldic term: turning the head only GUILDER, Dutch coin worth about 4d.
GULES, gullet, throat; heraldic term for red GULL, simpleton, dupe
GUST, taste
HAB NAB, by, on, chance
HABERGEON, coat of mail
HAGGARD, wild female hawk; hence coy, wild HALBERD, combination of lance and battle-axe HALL, “a –!” a cry to clear the room for the dancers HANDSEL, first money taken
HANGER, loop or strap on a sword-belt from which the sword was suspended HAP, fortune, luck
HAPPILY, haply
HAPPINESS, appropriateness, fitness HAPPY, rich
HARBOUR, track, trace (an animal) to its shelter HARD-FAVOURED, harsh-featured
HARPOCRATES, Horus the child, son of Osiris, figured with a finger pointing to his mouth, indicative of silence
HARRINGTON, a patent was granted to Lord H. for the coinage of tokens (q.v.) HARROT, herald
HARRY NICHOLAS, founder of a community called the “Family of Love” HAY, net for catching rabbits, etc.
HAY! (Ital. hai!), you have it (a fencing term) HAY IN HIS HORN, ill-tempered person
HAZARD, game at dice; that which is staked HEAD, “first –,” young deer with antlers first sprouting; fig. a newly-ennobled man
HEADBOROUGH, constable
HEARKEN AFTER, inquire; “hearken out,” find, search out HEARTEN, encourage
HEAVEN AND HELL (“Alchemist”), names of taverns HECTIC, fever
HEDGE IN, include
HELM, upper part of a retort
HER’NSEW, hernshaw, heron
HIERONIMO (JERONIMO), hero of Kyd’s “Spanish Tragedy” HOBBY, nag
HOBBY-HORSE, imitation horse of some light material, fastened round the waist of the morrice-dancer, who imitated the movements of a skittish horse HODDY-DODDY, fool
HOIDEN, hoyden, formerly applied to both sexes (ancient term for leveret? Gifford)
HOLLAND, name of two famous chemists HONE AND HONERO, wailing expressions of lament or discontent HOOD-WIND’D, blindfolded
HORARY, hourly
HORN-MAD, stark mad (quibble)
HORN-THUMB, cut-purses were in the habit of wearing a horn shield on the thumb HORSE-BREAD-EATING, horses were often fed on coarse bread HORSE-COURSES, horse-dealer
HOSPITAL, Christ’s Hospital
HOWLEGLAS, Eulenspiegel, the hero of a popular German tale which related his buffooneries and knavish tricks
HUFF, hectoring, arrogance
HUFF IT, swagger
HUISHER (Fr. huissier), usher
HUM, beer and spirits mixed together HUMANITIAN, humanist, scholar
HUMOROUS, capricious, moody, out of humour; moist HUMOUR, a word used in and out of season in the time of Shakespeare and Ben Jonson, and ridiculed by both
HUMOURS, manners
HUMPHREY, DUKE, those who were dinnerless spent the dinner-hour in a part of St. Paul’s where stood a monument said to be that of the duke’s; hence “dine with Duke Humphrey,” to go hungry
HURTLESS, harmless
IDLE, useless, unprofitable
ILL-AFFECTED, ill-disposed
ILL-HABITED, unhealthy
ILLUSTRATE, illuminate
IMBIBITION, saturation, steeping
IMBROCATA, fencing term: a thrust in tierce IMPAIR, impairment
IMPART, give money
IMPARTER, any one ready to be cheated and to part with his money IMPEACH, damage
IMPERTINENCIES, irrelevancies
IMPERTINENT(LY), irrelevant(ly), without reason or purpose IMPOSITION, duty imposed by
IMPOTENTLY, beyond power of control IMPRESS, money in advance
IMPULSION, incitement
IN AND IN, a game played by two or three persons with four dice INCENSE, incite, stir up
INCERATION, act of covering with wax; or reducing a substance to softness of wax
INCH, “to their –es,” according to their stature, capabilities INCH-PIN, sweet-bread
INCONVENIENCE, inconsistency, absurdity INCONY, delicate, rare (used as a term of affection) INCUBEE, incubus
INCUBUS, evil spirit that oppresses us in sleep, nightmare INCURIOUS, unfastidious, uncritical
INDENT, enter into engagement
INDIFFERENT, tolerable, passable
INDIGESTED, shapeless, chaotic
INDUCE, introduce
INDUE, supply
INEXORABLE, relentless
INFANTED, born, produced
INFLAME, augment charge
INGENIOUS, used indiscriminantly for ingenuous; intelligent, talented INGENUITY, ingenuousness
INGENUOUS, generous
INGINE. See Engin
INGINER, engineer. (See Enginer)
INGLE, OR ENGHLE, bosom friend, intimate, minion INHABITABLE, uninhabitable
INJURY, insult, affront
IN-MATE, resident, indwelling
INNATE, natural
INNOCENT, simpleton
INQUEST, jury, or other official body of inquiry INQUISITION, inquiry
INSTANT, immediate
INSTRUMENT, legal document
INSURE, assure
INTEGRATE, complete, perfect
INTELLIGENCE, secret information, news INTEND, note carefully, attend, give ear to, be occupied with INTENDMENT, intention
INTENT, intention, wish
INTENTION, concentration of attention or gaze INTENTIVE, attentive
INTERESSED, implicated
INTRUDE, bring in forcibly or without leave INVINCIBLY, invisibly
INWARD, intimate
IRPE (uncertain), “a fantastic grimace, or contortion of the body: (Gifford)
JACE, Jack o’ the clock, automaton figure that strikes the hour; Jack-a-lent, puppet thrown at in Lent
JACK, key of a virginal
JACOB’S STAFF, an instrument for taking altitudes and distances JADE, befool
JEALOUSY, JEALOUS, suspicion, suspicious JERKING, lashing
JEW’S TRUMP, Jew’s harp
JIG, merry ballad or tune; a fanciful dialogue or light comic act introduced at the end or during an interlude of a play JOINED (JOINT)-STOOL, folding stool
JOLL, jowl
JOLTHEAD, blockhead
JUMP, agree, tally
JUST YEAR, no one was capable of the consulship until he was forty-three
KELL, cocoon
KELLY, an alchemist
KEMB, comb
KEMIA, vessel for distillation
KIBE, chap, sore
KILDERKIN, small barrel
KILL, kiln
KIND, nature; species; “do one’s –,” act according to one’s nature KIRTLE, woman’s gown of jacket and petticoat KISS OR DRINK AFORE ME, “this is a familiar expression, employed when what the speaker is just about to say is anticipated by another” (Gifford) KIT, fiddle
KNACK, snap, click
KNIPPER-DOLING, a well-known Anabaptist KNITTING CUP, marriage cup
KNOCKING, striking, weighty
KNOT, company, band; a sandpiper or robin snipe (Tringa canulus); flower-bed laid out in fanciful design
KURSINED, KYRSIN, christened
LABOURED, wrought with labour and care LADE, load(ed)
LADING, load
LAID, plotted
LANCE-KNIGHT (Lanzknecht), a German mercenary foot-soldier LAP, fold
LAR, household god
LARD, garnish
LARGE, abundant
LARUM, alarum, call to arms
LATTICE, tavern windows were furnished with lattices of various colours LAUNDER, to wash gold in aqua regia, so as imperceptibly to extract some of it. LAVE, ladle, bale
LAW, “give –,” give a start (term of chase) LAXATIVE, loose
LAY ABOARD, run alongside generally with intent to board LEAGUER, siege, or camp of besieging army LEASING, lying
LEAVE, leave off, desist
LEER, leering or “empty, hence, perhaps leer horse without a rider; leer is an adjective meaning uncontrolled, hence ‘leer drunkards'” (Halliwell); according to Nares, a leer (empty) horse meant also a led horse; leeward, left
LEESE, lose
LEGS, “make –,” do obeisance
LEIGEP, resident representative
LEIGERITY, legerdemain
LEMMA, subject proposed, or title of the epigram LENTER, slower
LET, hinder
LET, hindrance
LEVEL COIL, a rough game…in which one hunted another from his seat. Hence used for any noisy riot (Halliwell) LEWD, ignorant
LEYSTALLS, receptacles of filth
LIBERAL, ample
LIEGER, ledger, register
LIFT(ING), steal(ing)
LIGHT, alight
LIGHTLY, commonly, usually, often
LIKE, please
LIKELY, agreeable, pleasing
LIME-HOUND, leash-, blood-hound
LIMMER, vile, worthless
LIN, leave off
Line, “by –,” by rule
LINSTOCK, staff to stick in the ground, with forked head to hold a lighted match for firing cannon
LIQUID, clear
LIST, listen, hard; like, please
LIVERY, legal term, delivery of the possession, etc. LOGGET, small log, stick
LOOSE, solution; upshot, issue; release of an arrow LOSE, give over, desist from; waste
LOUTING, bowing, cringing
LUCULENT, bright of beauty
LUDGATHIANS, dealers on Ludgate Hill LURCH, rob, cheat
LUTE, to close a vessel with some kind of cement
MACK, unmeaning expletive
MADGE_HOWLET or own, barn-owl
MAIM, hurt, injury
MAIN, chief concern (used as a quibble on heraldic term for “hand”) MAINPRISE, becoming surety for a prisoner so as to procure his release MAINTENANCE, giving aid, or abetting
MAKE, mate
MAKE, MADE, acquaint with business, prepare(d), instruct(ed) MALLANDERS, disease of horses
MALT HORSE, dray horse
MAMMET, puppet
MAMMOTHREPT, spoiled child
MANAGE, control (term used for breaking-in horses); handling, administration MANGO, slave-dealer
MANGONISE, polish up for sale
MANIPLES, bundles, handfuls
MANKIND, masculine, like a virago
MANEIND, humanity
MAPLE FACE, spotted face (N.E.D.)
MARCH PANE, a confection of almonds, sugar, etc. MARK, “fly to the –,” “generally said of a goshawk when, having ‘put in’ a covey of partridges, she takes stand, making the spot where they disappeared from view until the falconer arrives to put them out to her” (Harting, Bibl. Accip. Gloss. 226)
MARLE, marvel
MARROW-BONE MAN, one often on his knees for prayer MARRY! exclamation derived from the Virgin’s name MARRY GIP, “probably originated from By Mary Gipcy = St. Mary of Egypt, (N.E.D.)
MARTAGAN, Turk’s cap lily
MARYHINCHCO, stringhalt
MASORETH, Masora, correct form of the scriptural text according to Hebrew tradition
Mass, abb. for master
MAUND, beg
MAUTHER, girl, maid
MEAN, moderation
MEASURE, dance, more especially a stately one MEAT, “carry — in one’s mouth,” be a source of money or entertainment MEATH, metheglin
MECHANICAL, belonging to mechanics, mean, vulgar MEDITERRANEO, middle aisle of St. Paul’s, a general resort for business and amusement
MEET WITH, even with
MELICOTTON, a late kind of peach
MENSTRUE, solvent
MERCAT, market
MERD, excrement
MERE, undiluted; absolute, unmitigated MESS, party of four
METHEGLIN, fermented liquor, of which one ingredient was honey METOPOSCOPY, study of physiognomy
MIDDLING GOSSIP, go-between
MIGNIARD, dainty, delicate
MILE-END, training-ground of the city MINE-MEN, sappers
MINION, form of cannon
MINSITIVE, (?) mincing, affected (N.E.D.) MISCELLANY MADAM, “a female trader in miscellaneous articles; a dealer in trinkets or ornaments of various kinds, such as kept shops in the New Exchange” (Nares)
MISCELLINE, mixed grain; medley
MISCONCEIT, misconception
MISPRISE, MISPRISION, mistake, misunderstanding MISTAKE AWAY, carry away as if by mistake MITHRIDATE, an antidote against poison
MOCCINIGO, small Venetian coin, worth about ninepence MODERN, in the mode; ordinary, common-place MOMENT, force or influence of value
MONTANTO, upward stroke
MONTH’S MIND, violent desire
MOORISH, like a moor or waste
MORGLAY, sword of Bevis of Southampton MORRICe-DANCE, dance on May Day, etc., in which certain personages were represented
MORTALITY, death
MORT-MAL, old score, gangrene
MOSCADINO, confection flavoured with musk MOTHER, Hysterica passio
MOTION, proposal, request; puppet, puppet-show; “one of the small figures on the face of a large clock which was moved by the vibration of the pendulum” (Whalley)
MOTION, suggest, propose
MOTLEY, parti-coloured dress of a fool; hence used to signify pertaining to, or like, a fool
MOTTE, motto
MOURNIVAL, set of four aces or court cards in a hand; a quartette MOW, setord hay or sheaves of grain
MUCH! expressive of irony and incredulity MUCKINDER, handkerchief
MULE, “born to ride on –,” judges or serjeants-at-law formerly rode on mules when going in state to Westminster (Whally) MULLETS, small pincers
MUM-CHANCE, game of chance, played in silence MUN, must
MUREY, dark crimson red
MUSCOVY-GLASS, mica
MUSE, wonder
MUSICAL, in harmony
MUSS, mouse; scramble
MYROBOLANE, foreign conserve, “a dried plum, brought from the Indies” MYSTERY, art, trade, profession.
NAIL, “to the –” (ad unguem), to perfection, to the very utmost NATIVE, natural
NEAT, cattle
NEAT, smartly apparelled; unmixed; dainty NEATLY, neatly finished
NEATNESS, elegance
NEIS, nose, scent
NEUF (NEAF, NEIF), fist
NEUFT, newt
NIAISE, foolish, inexperienced person NICE, fastidious, trivial, finical, scrupulous NICENESS, fastidiousness
NICK, exact amount; right moment; “set in the –” meaning uncertain NICE, suit, fit’ hit, seize the right moment, etc., exactly hit on, hit off NOBLE, gold coin worth 6s.8d.
NOCENT, harmful
NIL, not will
NOISE, company of musicians
NOMENTACK, an Indian chief from Virginia NONES, nonce
NOTABLE, egregious
NOTE, sign, token
NOUGHT, “be –,” go to the devil, be hanged, etc. NOWT-HEAD, blockhead
NUMBER, rhythm
NUPSON, oaf, simpleton
OADE, wood
OBARNI, preparation of mead
OBJECT, oppose; expose; interpose
OBLATRANT, barking, railing
OBNOXIOUS, liable, exposed; offensive OBSERVANCE, homage, devoted service
OBSERVANT, attentive, obsequious
OBSERVE, show deference, respect
OBSERVER, one who shows deference, or waits upon another OBSTANCY, legal phrase, “juridical opposition” OBSTREPEROUS, clamorous, vociferous
OBSTUPEFACT, stupefied
ODLING, (?) “must have some relation to tricking and cheating” (Nares) OMINOUS, deadly, fatal
ONCE, at once; for good and all; used also for additional emphasis ONLY, pre-eminent, special
OPEN, make public; expound
OPPILATION, obstruction
OPPONE, oppose
OPPOSITE, antagonist
OFFPRESS, suppress
ORIGINOUS, native
ORT, remnant, scrap
OUT, “to be –.” to have forgotten one’s part; not at one with each other OUTCRY, sale by auction
OUTREGUIDANCE, arrogance, presumption OUTSPEAK, speak more than
OVERPARTED, given too difficult a part to play OWLSPIEGEL. See Howleglass
OYEZ! (O YES!), hear ye! call of the public crier when about to make a proclamation
PACKING PENNY, “give a –,” dismiss, send packing PAD, highway
PAD-HORSE, road-horse
PAINED (PANED) SLOPS, full breeches made of strips of different colour and material
PAINFUL, diligent, painstaking
PAINT, blush
PALINODE, ode of recantation
PALL, weaken, dim, make stale
PALM, triumph
PAN, skirt of dress or coat
PANNEL, pad, or rough kind of saddle PANNIER-ALLY, inhabited by tripe-sellers PANNIER-MAN, hawker; a man employed about the inns of court to bring in provisions, set the table, etc.
PANTOFLE, indoor shoe, slipper
PARAMENTOS, fine trappings
PARANOMASIE, a play upon words
PARANTORY, (?) peremptory
PARCEL, particle, fragment (used contemptuously); article PARCEL, part, partly
PARCEL-POET, poetaster
PARERGA, subordinate matters
PARGET, to paint or plaster the face PARLE, parley
PARLOUS, clever, shrewd
PART, apportion
PARTAKE, participate in
PARTED, endowed, talented
PARTICULAR, individual person
PARTIZAN, kind of halberd
PARTRICH, partridge
PARTS, qualities endowments
PASH, dash, smash
PASS, care, trouble oneself
PASSADO, fending term: a thrust
PASSAGE, game at dice
PASSINGLY, exceedingly
PASSION, effect caused by external agency PASSION, “in –,” in so melancholy a tone, so pathetically PATOUN, (?) Fr. Paton, pellet of dough; perhaps the “moulding of the tobacco…for the pipe” (Gifford); (?) variant of Petun, South American name of tobacco
PATRICO, the recorder, priest, orator of strolling beggars or gipsies PATTEN, shoe with wooden sole; “go –,” keep step with, accompany PAUCA VERBA, few words
PAVIN, a stately dance
PEACE, “with my master’s –,” by leave, favour PECULIAR, individual, single
PEDANT, teacher of the languages
PEEL, baker’s shovel
PEEP, speak in a small or shrill voice PEEVISH(LY), foolish(ly), capricious(ly); childish(ly) PELICAN, a retort fitted with tube or tubes, for continuous distillation PENCIL, small tuft of hair
PERDUE, soldier accustomed to hazardous service PEREMPTORY, resolute, bold; imperious; thorough, utter, absolute(ly) PERIMETER, circumference of a figure
PERIOD, limit, end
PERK, perk up
PERPETUANA, “this seems to be that glossy kind of stuff now called everlasting, and anciently worn by serjeants and other city officers” (Gifford)
PERSPICIL, optic glass
PERSTRINGE, criticise, censure
PERSUADE, inculcate, commend
PERSWAY, mitigate
PERTINACY, pertinacity
PESTLING, pounding, pulverising, like a pestle PETASUS, broad-brimmed hat or winged cap worn by Mercury PETITIONARY, supplicatory
PETRONEL, a kind of carbine or light gas carried by horsemen PETULANT, pert, insolent
PHERE. See Fere
PHLEGMA, watery distilled liquor (old chem. “water”) PHRENETIC, madman
PICARDIL, still upright collar fastened on to the coat (Whalley) PICT-HATCH, disreputable quarter of London PIECE, person, used for woman or girl; a gold coin worth in Jonson’s time 20s. or 22s.
PIECES OF EIGHT, Spanish coin: piastre equal to eight reals PIED, variegated
PIE-POUDRES (Fr. pied-poudreux, dusty-foot), court held at fairs to administer justice to itinerant vendors and buyers PILCHER, term of contempt; one who wore a buff or leather jerkin, as did the serjeants of the counter; a pilferer PILED, pilled, peeled, bald
PILL’D, polled, fleeced
PIMLICO, “sometimes spoken of as a person — perhaps master of a house famous for a particular ale” (Gifford)
PINE, afflict, distress
PINK, stab with a weapon; pierce or cut in scallops for ornament PINNACE, a go-between in infamous sense
PISMIRE, ant
PISTOLET, gold coin, worth about 6s. PITCH, height of a bird of prey’s flight PLAGUE, punishment, torment
PLAIN, lament
PLAIN SONG, simple melody
PLAISE, plaice
PLANET, “struck with a –,” planets were supposed to have powers of blasting or exercising secret influences PLAUSIBLE, pleasing
PLAUSIBLY, approvingly
PLOT, plan
PLY, apply oneself to