A Select Collection of Old English Plays Volume I Part 80

15. Similar to the phrase, "Let the world slide," in the "Taming of the Shrew."--_Halliwell_. But the latter saying occurs in the "Towneley Mysteries," p. 101.

16. Compare "A.C. Mery Talys," No. 7. If the edition of that work, dated 1526, was the first, of which we have no proof, we might almost be tempted to infer that this interlude was not printed till after that time, since it is more likely that a pa.s.sage in a play would be borrowed from a prose jest-book than the reverse.

17. Old copy, _they venteres_.

18. See "Merie Tales of Skelton," No. 4. Old English Jest-Books, 1864, vol. ii.

19. Perhaps this may be one of the earliest pa.s.sages, in which this afterwards rather favourite phrase occurs. The meaning is clear.

20. The work of Copernicus appeared in 1543, but the author's silence on the new theories of that astronomer can scarcely be considered an argument one way or the other in the question that has been raised respecting the date of the interlude. Even Recorde, in 1556, who appears to have been one of the earliest Copernicans in this country, dared only to allude to it, and thus prefaces his observations on the subject:--"But as for the quietnes of the earth, I neede not to spende anye tyme in prooving of it, syth that opinion is so firmelye fixed in moste mennes headdes, that they accompt it mere madnes to bring the question in doubt; and therefore it is as muche follye to travaile to prove that which no man denieth, as it were with great study to diswade that thinge which no man doth covette, nother anye manne alloweth; or to blame that which no manne praiseth, nother anye manne lyketh."--_Castle of Knowledge_, 1556.

There is no scientific advance in the play on what we find in the very curious poem of the time of Edward I., printed in Wright's Popular Treatises on Science, 8vo. 1841.--_Halliwell_.

21. That is, with great exactness, complete in every respect. "You are rather 'point-device' in your accoutrements," _As you Like it_, iii. 2.

"The wenche she was full proper and nyce, Amonge all other she bare great price, For sche coude tricke it _point-device_, But fewe like her in that countree."

_The Miller of Abingdon_, n.d.

--_Halliwell_. But see Hazlitt's _Popular Poetry_, iii. 117.

22. This pa.s.sage is not so licentious as might be supposed, for night linen had not then become in general use.

"A dolefulle syght the knyghte gane see Of his wyfe and his childir three, That fro the fyre were flede; Alle als nakede als thay were borne Stode togedir undir a thorne, Braydede owte of thaire bedd."

_Romance of Sir Isumbras_, 102.

--_Halliwell_. The ill.u.s.tration itself is not very apt, but still more remarkable examples are in Hazlitt's _Popular Poetry_, ii. 48, iii. 51, &c.

23. Bed.

24. Here follows some blank music in the original. The song on the next page is set to music.--_Halliwell_.

25. A very old MS. note here says, "Sensuall Appet.i.te must syng thys song, and hys c.u.mpany must answere hym lykewyse."

26. A common proverbial expression, occurring in Shakespeare, and other writers.

"O, the body of a gorge, I wold I had them heare; In faith, I wold chope them.

They ware not so hack this seven yeer!"

_Mariage of Witt and Wisdome_, p. 33.

--_Halliwell_.

27. The songs here quoted are very curious. Mr Gutch does not seem to have been able to obtain a copy of the one relating to Robin Hood.-- _Halliwell_. See Hazlitt's "Handbook," p. 513.

28. This is a very early example of a string of nonsensical incongruities, possessing, however, no further value, except perhaps as affording an insight into what was regarded at that time as _comic effects_.

29. i.e., Beyond his reach or interference.

30. Old copy, "report."

31. Gift. Properly or usually said of a new year's gift. Fr. _Etrenne_.

32. Old copy, "the."

33. See Hazlitt's "Popular Poetry," iii. 63. Compare also Breton's "Fantasticks," 1626, reprinted in Halliwell's "Books of Characters," p.

328.

34. Old copy, "tapaya."

35. In the old copy, "keepeth" is erroneously repeated.

36. Enamelling or tincturing of the face to produce artificial beauty.

37. Medium.

38. Painted.

39. Moderate, middle. i.e., No fancy or hypothesis, but a fact.

40. Bethlehem.

41. Flame.

42. Probably, the rushes, with which the room was laid.

43. Distaff.

44. The rest of this line has been cut out.

45. Are you the party that has long been ruining my master?

46. Part of this line has been cut out.

47. Original has _see_.

48. The person (for _merchant_ was used colloquially, as we now say _chap_, abbreviated from _chapman_, for a man or fellow) that must hold his head up.

49. Old copy, _Or_.

50. Rather read _undeserving_, in allusion to what Parmeno has said against Celestina above.

51. Fool is here employed as a term of endearment. It will occur again below, similarly employed.

52. "To call over the notes of a tune."--_Halliwell's Dictionary v.

Solfe_.

53. Pretty.

54. Here used contemptuously.

55. Old copy, _karych_.