This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.
It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.
Marks, notations and other marginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.
Usage guidelines
Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing this resource, we have taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.
We also ask that you:
+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.
+ Refrain from automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.
+ Maintain attribution The Google "watermark" you see on each file is essential for informing people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.
+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liability can be quite severe.
About Google Book Search
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web
at http : //books . google . com/|
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA
VOL. III.
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
COL Li A i
\i\(:F.KT Si ; ..;:
Vol. Hi
nRisrc>L
J. \V. AkK' '-* ^Ml'iH, II V^^'AY S'lREET
SiMPKIN, MaBSHALL, HaMH-TON, KeNT and CoMPANf l.IMt^P!'
1003
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
Digitized by
Google
o
%mxC^ ^ollectanta
COLLECTIONS
BY
Vincent Stuckey Lean
proverbs (£n0Udb & f ordgn}» fo\\L Xote, an^ Superstitions,
also Compilations towards dictionaries ot proverbial
pbrases anb Morbs, olb anb bisuseb.
Vol. III.
BRISTOL
J. W. Arrowsmith, II Quay Street
LONDON
SwraN, Marshall, Hamilton, Kbnt and Coupahy Limitko
1903
Digitized by
Google
•^5-.:?,.:'/, J/, ^
; ''■■■: >' V
/iT'tUX^S^ ffy^tC
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
CONTENTS.
Page
1. A COMPILATION TOWARDS A DICTIONARY OP
WORDS AND PHRASES . • • • 3
2. phrases: with examples op THEIR USB . . 279
3. ENGLISH APHORISMS, PROVERBS, AND PROVERBIAL
PHRASES 373
(ConHnued in Vol IV.)
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
A Compilation towards
a Dictionary of Words and Phrases,
old or disused.
VOL. III.
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
A COMPILATION TOWARDS A
DICTIONARY OF WORDS AND PHRASES,
OLD OR DISUSED.
[^Nofe. — Where a date is between brackets it has been supplied
by the Editor."]
Access, s. A fit; what is now called "an attack." See under
Purpyls.
If it be given in drink to any sick body a little before the access
or coming of the cold fyttes of cotidians, &c. — Bullein,
Govemement of Healihe, 121. [1558.]
With loves axcesse now were they bote, now cold. — Bochas,
Fall of Princes^ f. 124. [1494.]
At point. Settled.— Shak., Macb.f iv. 3, 135 ; Foxe.
And after what sort every of these may be cured we shall
declare orderly when we have first premised the intencions
which must needs be observed if we intend warely to eschue
daungers in such cases. And as soon as we shall be at
poinct with this, we shall accomplish our promise both of a
riving or clift with the depression of the bone. — Bullein,
Bulwarke of Defence [Sorenes S* Chyrurgi], f. 42. 1562.
I am at a point or my mind is fully set (proficiscendum est). —
Palsgrave, Acolastus, F. 14. [1540.]
BoosHARD, 5. A worthless fellow. — P. Pfo., V., x. 266.
As though ignorant and bocherly cruelty of the physician
should be [the] cause of health. I speak of the cruelty
which blind boosards do use with all counterfeit boldness
and coloured diligence in every little fellon to the intent,
they may thereby win the name of learned and expert
chirurgians. — Bullein, Bulw. ofDef.^ f. 31.
Box, V. To bleed by cupping.
"Applying of Boxing-glasses." Cupping. — Bullein, BuL of Def
[Booke of Compoundes], f. 52. 1562.
Scarifying or boxing, as Galen saieth, applied unto the extreme
parts, as the legs and the arms, doth great help unto the
body in drawing watery humours away from the body, but
boxing is not good for the breast ; applied thereto in hote
fevers is dangerous. — Bullein, Gov. ofH,, f. 32. 1558.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Botcher. A hedge tailor. — Tarlton, Newes out of Purgatory^ 77.
Cf. Cath, Angl. 1024.
Mankind which by dayly casualties, surfets and age, do decay
and fall into many grievous and painful sicknesses. For
which cause, although perhaps I cannot in all points answer
to thy request in this little Regiment, yet I shall desire thee
to accept me among the fellowship of the botchers which
do help to repair things that fall into ruin or decay. Even
so be the practitioners of phisike, no makers of men but,
&c.~Bullein, Gov. of Hea., Pfce. to Edn. of 1558.
Blob, s. A bubble.
Blobbe-cheeked or foggy cheeks that shaked as I went. — Pals.,
Acolasius, H, 2
Braunch.
Against dropsy, open the vein between the belly and the
braunch. — Bullein, G. of H,^ f. 24.
Bloody, adj.
Related in blood, " My bloody brethren."—/'. Flow., ix. 217 ; C.
Cf. Bloody, well-bred. — Peacock, Lincoln Glossary.
Bride. To mince in speech. — Hll. ? To bridle, as a horse carrying
his head up. [5^^ Chop chalk, below.]
Chop chalk. [? Change an occupation ; run up score elsewhere. —
Ed.]
Yea bravest dames, if they amiss once tread,
Find bitter sauce for all their pleasant feasts ;
They must in fine condemned be to dwell
In thickes unseen, in mewes for mignions made.
Until at last (if they can bryde it well)
They may chop chalke and take some better trade.
Gasc., Complaint of Fhylomene. [1576.]
Creythes.
The urine of a child under 14 years of age doth cure the tough-
nes of breath if it be dronken. If it be sodde in a brasen
vessel with honey, it healeth cre)rthes and also the webbe
and the tey in the eye. There is made of it and copper
good soulder for gold. It clenseth the eyelids and the
creythes in the eyes. — Recorde, Urinal of Physic, J. 1567.
DiSCOMBENT) 5.
In his maners at the borde he was sone inflamed with anger
that upon a time hearing but the French nation named
forthwith, he brake two most costly drinking vessels of in-
comperable value, thei were so rich and beautiful ; he cast
down al the meat from the borde, falling out with all the
discombentes without any other cause. — Bullein, B. of D.
[Sickmen and Medicen'], f. 77.
Dub, v.
. was dubbed a knight by the Pope's licence. — Becon,
., 604.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
DoiL, 5. Grief, Fr. doeul.
A Lord alas for doylle we dy. — Towneley Myst,, 62.
Drely, adv. Slowly, little by little.
Have good ale of Hely, bewar now I wink,
For and thou drink drely in thy polle will it synk.
Towneley Myst,^ 90.
Favour, v. To benefit.
D, C. JoU his head to a post and favour your hand.
Now for my sake, sweetheart, spare and favour your hand,
And lay him about the ribs with his wand.
Jacke Jugeler, H., O.P., ii. 150.
Parents which for lucres sake so wickedly bestow their children
in their youth and yoke them with such as they cannot
favour in their age. — Becon, Boke of Matrimony , i. 564.
FOOTGAIT.
Varices are swelling veins in the legs . . . and these are bred
diverslyd by . . . long standing and waiting before men,
weariness of footegate, and finally bearing of great burdens.
— BuUein, B. o/D. [5. and CA.], f. 33.
Friscols, 5.
Gambades. Well shifted Will. : now have at thee, sir knave,
Tediousness, These friscols shall not serve your turn, for all
your vaunts so brave.
Marriage of Wit S* Science, iv. 2 ; H., O.P.f ii. 367 and 384.
Frush, V,
Frast, v. To examine, try.
Noe. Lord homward will I haste as fast as that I may.
My wife will I frast what she will say.
Towneley Myst.y p. 24.
Deus. My servant I will found and frast
Abraham if he be trast. — Ih,y p. 36.
Gad, s. [A bar of metal. See New Eng. Dtct, — Ed.]
Also it is right expedient to put into wyne or ale a gadde of
silver or gold glowing hot out of the fire. — Elyot, Castle of
Helthe, 74. 1541.
Lay upon the place where the hornet, wasp or bee stingeth
a gad of cold steel. — Batman upon Bartholome, f. 116. 1582.
Gingerly, adj. A pretty gingerly piece.— Jacke Jugeler, H,, OJ^.,
ii. 117.
Grocbries.
If lamb*s flesh were sodden as it is rested, it would bring many
diseases unto the body without it were sodden with wine
and some hote grosseries, herbes or rootes. — BuUein, Gov,
of Health, f. 89.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Great, By. i.e, by the piece.
To be overrecht in bargains concerning their materials [for
building] as also in work done by the great or day. —
Sir Barth, Gerbier, On Buildings ii. 105. 1664.
And the labourer by great will be walking to his work. — Breton,
FantastickSf 3 a.
A sort of lusty bilmen set in woodsale time to sell a cops by
great. — Sylvester, The Capts,, p. 243.
Homely, adv. Familiarity.
Women are best pleased till* they be used homely. —Marriage
of Wit and Science^ iv. i. ; H., O./*., ii. 359.
♦while.
Hooker, 5. A thief.
A false knave needs no broker, but a broker
Needs a false knave, a hangman, or a hooker.
Ds., Sc, of Fo.f Ep. 106.
Hook, s. A term of reproach.
D. C. Lo yonder cometh that unhappy hook.— -Jacke Juguler,
H., O.P., ii. 139.
Half-sword. At. — (Semispathium) Huloet. At close quarters,
fighting hand to hand. See Half-pike. — N.
Fal. I am a rogue if I were not at half-sword with a dozen of
them two hours together. — Shak., i H. 7F., ii. 4, 157. And
see B. & F., The Woman's Prize^ iv. 3.
Idiot, s. An unlearned, ignorant person. — WycL, i. Cor. xiv.
The order of the Franciscans . . . was first of all invented and
devised of a certain man called Franciscus Asisius, an
Italian ; notwithstanding by report of writers a very simple
man and a plain Idiot. — Becon, i. 567.
Indifferent, adj. Equal, impartial. The indifferent judge between
the high and low. — Sir P. Sidney. To sleep.
There was never so discreet nor wise physition that either
feared God or pitied mankind, or loved his own honesty,
would take in hand either to prescribe diet or to minister
medecin to anybody before he well did consider and wisely
wey with himself the temperament, mixture or complexion
of mankind : first, whether he were hot or cold, moist or
drie, fat or leane, or indifferent betwene them both. —
Wr. Bullein, Government of Health, f. 13. 1558.
Shew such indifference, ye questmongers, &c — Becon, i. aio.
Kythe, Kith, 5. Home. ? couth.
And now I come again to kythe. — Towneley Myst.y 144.
V. To show, make known. To exhibit. — Occleve, De regimine
Principum, 102.
Deus. Syn thou to me siche strength may kythe
To men of erthe thou must be stythe.
Towneley Myst., 4.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Althing.
Yet Plutarchus saith in the life of Demetrius that the said
Demetrius was a verie tall man of personage and stature,
and yet not althing so tall as his father. — Udall, Erasmus*
Apophthegmes, 251.
Alength. Dash or stryke to give with a penne as wher a stryke is
made through a lyne a length or otherwise to deface the
wry tinge. — Huloet.
Bain, adj. Obedient. Cf. Unbain.
Abraham (to Isaac). Thou wast ever to me full bayn, ever to
fulfill mine entent. — Town, Myst., p. 39.
Bargain, s. A bet.
** I have leyd fa wager or bargain] upon the coming in of the
ships." — Ilorm., Vulgaria^ 293.
(Sponsio. i,e, a marine insurance. — lb., 236.)
Batfowling, 5. Bird-catching by artifice. — Palsgrave, Acolastus,
L. 3.
Blackmack, 5. A blackbird. — Ud., Er. Ap.^ 274.
Owsyl or black mack bird. (Merula.) — Huloet.
Bbvbr, 5. Drinking between dinner and supper called beaver.
(Anteccenium.) — Huloet.
Bevers. — N abbes, Covent Garden^ v. 6. 1638.
Beb, 5. Collar or bee which gentlewomen do use to wear about
their necks. (Monile.) — Huloet.
Besom. Blind or beasom bom. (Coecigenus). — Huloet.
Bedavbr. [A bed-fellow. New Eng» Diet. — Ed.]
But my bedaver will to London to try the law,
To sew Tre pol pen for wagging of a straw.
Boorde, Int. to Know,, ch. i. 1547.
BouGBTTB, 5. A budget.
To take a standing by the highway side for a pourse or a
bougette. — Ud., Er, Ap.^ 123.
Bible, s. [A large book, a long treatise. New Eng. Did. — Ed.]
When he had read a long bible written and sent to him from
Antipater, in which letters were contained, many surmised
matters and false complaints agst., etc. — Ud., Er. Ap.^ 230.
Fescennina carmina . . . which I do here translate (according
to our English proverbe) a ragman's rewe or a bible. — Ud.,
Er. Ap.f 274.
Reader or bible clarkt or such as read whiles others write. —
Huloet.
Block-house.
So is the nightcap worn above the horUi
And is a sconce or blockhouse for the head.
Taylor, Praise of Clean Linen.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
For yf they [the English] were true within themselfs, thei nede
not to feare although all nacions were set against them ;
specialli now consydering our noble prynce hath amd dayly
dothe make noble defences, as castels, bulwarkes and blok-
houses, so that almost his grace hath munited and in maner
walled England rounde aboute for the savegard of the
realme.—A. Boorde, Int. to Know., ch. i., 1547 ; and ch. viii.
Harrison, Description of England,
Block-house occurs still in Worcestershire, sometimes spelt
black-house. C/. present use in South Africa. — Ed.
Blocker. A broadaxe. — Rel. Ant,^ i. 84.
Block-stick. A cudgel. — HIL
Brake, s. To stand in a streight brake. i,e. in a fix. — Paraphrase
of Erasm., Pref to Luke^ f. 6.
Fair and smooth speaking, not proceeding from the bottom
of the heart, but altogether framed to please the hearer,
Diogenes customably used to call a honey brake or a snare
of honey. — Ud., Er. Ap,, 133.
Bug. For garish forms of foul misshapen fiends
And ugly Bugs for evermore attends.
G. Wither, Sat., ii. 4.
Cf. CoUepixy, below.
Chamber, v.
From no sort of men in the world did he [Diogenes] refrein or
chamber the tauntyng of his tongue. — Ud., Er. Ap., 89.
CoLNE, s., or francke for fowles. — (Vivarium.)
Colne made of rods or wickers. (Scirpea.) — Huloet.
[Cf. New Eng. Diet. —'Ed.']
COLLEPIXY.
To a fellow that was exceeding supersticious and sore subject to
the terrours of bugges and sprites or goblins that walken
by night and in places solitarie and yet menaced to slea,
Diogenes saying unto him, I will at one stroke all to crush
thy hedde to powther. In faith, quoth he, if thou so doe I
shall be ready at thine elbow to play the part of Hobgoblin
or CoUepixie, and make thee for fear to ween the devil is at
thy elbow. — Ud., Er. Ap., 125.
Chare, s. A job of work.
This pangue or guierie of love doth especially and above all
others invade and possess such persons as been altogether
drouned in idleness. And so it cometh to pass that while
they given themselves wholly to idleness they stumble on a
thing that fiUeth their hands as full of cumbrous business
as they are able to away withal, and yet in the meantime
the devil of the one chare of good werk they doen. — Ud.,
Er, Ap.y 131.
8
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Chore, s, A narrow space between walls.
To suffer no sammel bricks to be made use of, not so much as
in the choar of a foundation. — Gerbier, On Building, 1662.
CosTAGB, 5. Means.
Erudidon or learning . . . easeth with honest pastimes and
recreation, unto poor folkes it is sure costage to live by
(for they that are learned be never destitute of necessaries).
— Ud., Er. Ap., 170.
Creansibr or tutour that had the bringing up of a little boy. — Ud.,
Er. Ap., 170.
Easy, adj. Indifferent.
When the maister of the feast had set upon the table wine that
was but easie and so-so. — Ud., Er, Ap,, 348.
C/. Expression at whist. Honours are easy.
Endeavour, v. a.
Have done their endevour. — Becon, i. 586.
If all men in this man would endevour themselves to frame their
lives according to the rule of God's word. — Becon, i. 367.
Epigram, s. Cf. Fr., Epigramme d'agneau.
. . . certain dear and learned friends of mine
Whom, when I late requested for to dine
Or sup with me one night, would not agree
Unless I dress'd that they appointed me.
I will, said I, and not a bit beside.
Why then, quoth they, we charge thee to provide
One dish, no more, we love not him who crams.
And let our second course be Epigrams.
G. Wither, Abuses Stript and Whipt, ii. i.
Fair fall that pleasant head of thine ! O lepidum caput. — Pal.,
Ac, G. 3. (Ironical.)
Bailler belle.— G, Coquillart, XV. Cent., ii. 254.
Bailie luy belle. — Joub., Er. Fop., I., i. 3.
Faire befall him ! Let him even have it, in God's name. Of
one that has done or spoken foolishly. — Cotgr.
Let favelle passe, foule mote hym fall. — Occleve, R. Prin., 106.
Force, v. To care.
They force no whit Religion fall, so they aloft may clime. —
Fulwell, Ars. AduL, G. 4.
For Corin was her only joy
Who forst her not a pin.
Surrey, Foems, [Harpalus].
Fbbl his mind.
For we sale comenly in England that we feel a man's mind
when we imderstand his entent or meaning, and contrari-
wise when the same is to us very darke and hard to be
perceived we doe comenly say " I cannot feel his mind,"
or " I have no maner feeling in the matter," etc. — Ud.,
Er. Ap., 128.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Forcer, s. A coffer.
Casket or forsar. — Hul.
Fosar. — Palsg.
Forcermakers. — Liber Albus [City of London. — Ed.J, p. 642.
FiRDBLs,5. Dung of goats or sheep called firdels. (Rudus.)--Huloet.
FoRBiCAUSE. Because. — Ud., Er. Ap., 290 ; Huioet ; Pal., Ac.^ X. 2.
Gerish, adj. Cf. Gerre. — Nares [by HU. and Wright, 1859. — Ed.].
Metellus was veray light and mutable, and one that could none
other but follow every sodain guerie or pangue that shot
in his brain. — Ud., Er. Ap,, 341.
Also there is another kind of madness, named Lunaticus, the
which is madness that doth infest a man ones in a moone,
the which doth cause one to be gerish and wavering witted,
not constant, but fantasticall. — Boorde, Breviaru of Health,
ii. 43.
Use them as grave coimsellors* smiles, not as rude hobbinols'
ger-laughters, who think they are never merry except they
cast the house out of the windows with extreme security. —
Melton, Sixe Folde Politician, 1609.
With the musicians also he found fault for that about their
Harps and other musical Instruments they would bestow
great labour and diligence to set the strings in right time,
and had maners gerring quite and clene out of al good
accord or fame. — Ud., Er, Ap., p. 85.
Gromb-porters, 5.
Dice which be heavy : some call them . • . (Vultarii.) — Huioet.
Good-lady. Good to lady. Cf. Good-lord. — HU.
Philippus, immediately thereupon arising, ranne at Alexander
with a naked sword to have slain him, but (fortune beying
theim both good ladie) what by reason of fiirie and what of
wyne the stripe did no harm at all. — Ud., Er. Ap., p. 200.
Put thy trust and affiance in ladie Fortune. — Ih., 299.
Hapharlot.
Coverlet or coursse blanket of some called a ... or matte or
any covering of small value. (Teges.) — Huioet.
Cf. Wraprascal.
Herbegier. An officer who provided the King's lodging.
The knight herbinger.— Ud., Er. Ap,, 239.
Herbenger. — Heiwood, jE/., iv., 15.
Holm, 5.
1. A garland civike was more mete for him, and which was
wont to be made of Oken leaves and of Holme leaves, as
the garland triumphal of gold. — Ud., Er. Ap., 284.
2. Places in the water, as Flatholmes, Steepholmes in Severn,
Milholmes, etc. — ^J. Worlidge, Systema Agriculturae, 1669.
10
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Impetrate, v. To obtain by entreaty. — Hll.
The Kynges selfes doe not at all seasons impetrate of the people
that they would have by exaccion, but to a paramour
nothing is denied. — Ud., Er. Ap.^ 158 and 166.
Jolly, adj.
Oh an heart and stomake worthy a crown emperial.
He deemed it a more high and ioly thing to have the overhand
in doing dedes of bountie then in the prerogative of power.
— Ud., Er, Ap. {Philippus), p. 191.
Now each Christian thinks it no bargain except he may jolly it
out in some carnal manner, — D. Rogers, Naam,^ 879.
Aleberry. Ale boiled with spice and sugar and sops of bread. — Hll.
Ale-berries, candles, and possets: the Ex-ale-tation of Ale. —
Becon, i. 212 ; Taylor, The Great Eater.
The sweating sickness : Keep a fyer in his bedchamber be the
ayer never so hot, eat no meat for twenty-four hours imless
it be an Ale-burie, drink warm drink and no wine. — Boorde,
Brev. of Health, 337. 1547.
Ancker, 5. An anchorite, hermit. — Chest. PL, i. 144.
Algatbs. In any event ; at all events. — Pals., Ac, F, 4; Occleve,
Reg. Prin., p. 95 (dissyllable).
Thou shalt do no wrong to my husband, for he shall algates
lease me ; for if it be not by thy taking, it shall be by
death. — H. of Lysuer, Ep. 4.
Assignee, s.
I did not seke for a deputee or assigney to fight in my steede. —
Ud., Er. Ap., 278.
All SAM. All and some. — Disobedient Child ; H., O.P., ii. 286, 310.
Noe. My childer dere
Sem Japhet and Cam
With gle and with gam
Com go we alle sam
We will no longer abide here. — Town. Af ., 34.
Belly, s. A whale. " Belue of the see." — Dialogues of Creatures, 39.
"Beluys." — Ih,, 42. ? From balena.
Besher ? Beau sire. — Cuckold, Chest, PL, 43. Bawshere, Town.
M., 69.
Imperaior. Be still beshers, I commawnd you
That no man speke a word here now —
But I myself alone. — Town. M., 66.
Bere, 5. Noise, uproar. — Chest. PL, ii. 35 ; Town. M., 109.
Noah. Good wiffe, let be all this beare
That thou maiste* in this place heare
For all the wene that thou art maister
And so thou arte by Sante John. — Chesi. PL, 49.
* Makest.
11
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Tubicen, bemere. — [XL Cy.] Wright, A Volume of Vocabularies f.
P-73-
Bemb. a trumpet. — Mapes, 348; Rolle, Pricke of Conscience, 1477.
A grehunde shuld be chyned like a beme. — B. of St. Albans, i486.
And now [we] bene heare in hell fier
Tell the daye of dome, tell beames blow. — Ckest. /¥., 617.
BiRLBD. Powdered or spangled. (Clavus.) — Huloet.
A taill burled had of silver and azure. — Romance of Farthenayy
3492.
Blinne, v. To cease, stop. C/. Lin, Cov. Myst., p. 338.
Lucifer, By Belsebube I will never blyne
Till I may make him by some gynne
From that place for to twayne
And tresspas as did h— Chest. PL, p. 26.
BoRBL-FOLK. The laity, the common people. — Occleve, Reg. Prin.y
p. 52. Cf. Russet wit. — Herrick, ii. 214.
Borrow, s. A surety. — Melb., PhU. O., iv. 5. Replevy or borrow
cattell, or distress. — Huloet.
St. George to borrow ! — Town. Af., 231.
Even as he doth, give him his mede
And my husbande shall be his borowe
That in his labour he shall spede
And neyther spare for payne nor sorowe.
Bar., Castell of Labour^ G. 5.
In love is no lack : true, I dare be borowe. — Heywood, Epigrams^
1.9.
BouN. Ready.— CAw^ P/., 85.
Prest and boune. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., 85.
Abel. And I will with devocion
To my sacrifice make me bowne
The comeliest beast, by my crowne,
To the Lord I will chouse.— Chest. PL, 38.
Brikb, s. a brake or breach, a difficulty. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., 176^
Busk, v. To get ready.
Jesus. Nowe which of you everye ichone
Is bout synne, busk him anon
And cast at her the firste stone. — Chest. PI., 209.
CoLLAUDED. Praiscd.
So manyon that be vaynglorious wyll shew their goodis to other
folkis to be the more collawded and worshippete. — Dialogues
of Creatures, 53.
CoKERS, s. Cothurnus, Promptorium Parvulorum.
See how thy pilche is torn,
Thy hose and cokers be broken at the knee. — Bar., Eel., iv.
Daft, adj. Gentle, soft. — Chest. PL, i. 134.
12
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Danger, 5. Faston Letters, 249. 1455 ; Pal., Ac, E.
And when [the King] had [the lapwing] he put her into a cage
and kept her there, and when she had been there awhile
she took great thought and was sorry that she was in
captivity and daunger, that sometime was free and at
liberty. — D. of Great., 59.
Ocin, All this world withouten were
King, prince, baren, bachelere
I may destroy in great danger
Through vertue of my degree. — Chest. Fl., i. 100.
Towe dettores sometyme ther were
Oughten moneye to a usurere
The one was in his daungere
Fyve hundred poundes toulde. — Chest. FL, ii. 4.
He is in every man's debt and danger. — Draxe, 1633.
Dad, 5. Father. — Becon, i. 650.
Cain. But yet will I or I go.
Speake with my dadde and mam also. — Chest. Fl., 43.
Dadde or daddy as infants call their fathers. (Tata.) — Huloet.
Distress, s. Compulsion.
Simon, But God I take to witness
That I doe this* by destresse. — Chest. Fl., i. 52.
* Bear Christ's cross.
So now we say. Stress of weather.
Doubt, v. To fear.
That I doute ne prince ne kinge
My masters myracles for to myngef. — Chest. Ft,, ii. 133.
t Mention.
Examine, v.
This torne or threadbare garment which is so well examined
that a louse can take no hold upon it. — Pal., Ac, U. 2.
FoR-GROWEN. Overgrown, as with weeds ; seedy. — Pal., Ac, X. 4.
FoR-FARBN, or sluttish, for want of washing and wringing and other
trimming or clean-keeping. —Pal., Ac, X. 4.
Fande Found, v. To endeavour. — Chest. Fl., ii. 13.
Fervent,
Within a short space ther fell great hongre and many pore
byrdes were sore punyshed with hongre and colde for it
happyd in the fervent winter season. — D. of Creat., 75.
Fay, v. ? To injure.
To hym that is curteys and lowly
Every man dare agaynsaye ;
But to one riche, gaye and hastye
Scant is one that dare say nay
They wyll him fere lyst that he faye
Therefore eche man will him forbere.
Bar., Castell of Lab., E. 2.
13
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Fear, v. To frighten.— C*^. PL, 86.
Forward, s. A promise ; ? foreword.
Therefore Abraham, servante freye,
Loke that thou be trewe to me ;
And here a forwarde I make to thee
Thy seed to multiply.
Chest. PL, i. 63. C/. p. 162 *.
FoR-BY, V. To forgive. — Chest. PL, i. 146.
Gain, adj. Complaisant. — Chest. PL, i. 162.
Gray, s. Brocke or gray. Taxus, the badger. — D. of Creai., 107.
Grill, v. To provoke, resist. — Chest. PL, i. 70. Annoy. — lb., i. 88.
Noah, Thy byddynge Lord I shall fulfil.
And never more thee greve nor ^ill. — Chest. PL, 46.
If thou love a wenche wel, either loud and stille,*
Bestir wel, but yef her noute ; grant her all her welle ;
Be thou noht so hardy hir onis to grille.
MS. Arund. [College of Arms], 27, f. 130.
* i,e. at all times.
Gbrtb, s. a blow.
Gurd, to strike. — HU.
Gurte, part. — Rel. Ant., ii. 8.
Gone whystersnivet or gerte on the bare buttock. — Pal., Ac,
U.2.
Halsbr, 5. The embracer ; from halse, the neck.
Halse or embrace. — (Amplector) Huloet.
The see is the halser of the world. — D. of Creat., viii.
Heart, v. a. To encourage, animate.
Hearten. — Shak., 3 Henry VI., ii. 2, 79.
He harted the soldiers so. — D. of Creat., 59.
Hastily. At once, quickly. — R. Bninne, Handlynge Synne, p. 23,
6896.
Jacobus. Sorrowfull for these wordes be we
Whoe it is I cannot see
Yf this case shall fall to me
Lord, tell me hastelye. — Chest. PL, ii. 22.
But I speke not of hasty pees, for they may be sowen before
Christmasse. — Fitzherbert, Booh of Husbandrie, I. 10. 1534.
Hemmes, s.
What measure is in love ! it cannot be cloked nor hidden with
hemmes. — The Goodli History of the Lady Lucrece of Scene and
Eurialus, D. ii.
Houve, s. a hood. — Chaucer, Tr. and Cr., 469. rj^i.
And J)ei gyven him agayne a glasen houve. — Piers Plow,, V., xx.
14
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Hbndb, adj. Gentle.
Dms, Thou speke to hym with wordes heynde
So that he let my people pas. — Town. M., p. 58.
HbpBi s. The hip, fruit of the dog-rose.
He was chaste and no lechour,
And sweet as is the bramble-flower
That bereth the red hepe. — Chaucer, Sir Thopas^ 34.
The oaks bear masts, the briar scarlet hips. — Shak., Timon of
Athens^ iv. 3, 417.
Worledge, Diet. Rusttn., 1675, ^s Heps, the fruit of the black-
thorn.
Kbnt, part. Taught.
Adam. Now all my kinde by me is kente
To fleye wemen's intisemente. — Clust. PL, i. 3a, 65, 135.
Ancibnt, 5. An ensign or flag.
Catiline in his conspiracie encouraged his soldiers with this
argument that they should look on the Standard, the silver
Eagle, which was the ould auncient of their mother Rome,
and fight for it.— Melbancke, Philot., p. 39.
Artifical, adj. Clever, ingenious.
Hers be a bundle of reasons, quoth Philotimus, gathered on an
heap like an urtchin under an apple-tree in which thou hast
the property of an artificiall liar, I mean a good memory. —
Melb., Phil., K. 2.
Bawdy, adj. Dirty.
Baudy hands, sordidulas manus. — Whit., Vulg., f. 29.
Bawdy-face (name for a hoimd). — B. and F., Wild Goose
Chase, i. 3.
Baudbry. Same sense. — Herrick, Hssp., p. 141.
BiKB, 5. A hive.
Abr. The smell of my son is like
To a felde with flouris or honey bike. — Town. My si., p. 43.
Bum-card, 5. A card marked dishonestly in order to be recognised.
Lodge, Wifs Misme, p. 40.
Cold. See New Eng. Diet. Gloomy — chilling.
Pentheus, for mocking an old blind father, had a cold prophesie
verified on him. — Melb., Phil., Cc. 2.
To discourse all these virtutesque virosque et tanti incendia
belli would exceed the limits of a cold hour. — T. Adams,
Works, p. 156.
CoKBSiNG. Coaxing. (Cokes, a fool. — Coles.)
The green-eyed goddess, with her cokesing words, set Pindarus
agog to inmnge the compact ystricke betwene us con-
federates and the Pelasgians. — Melb., Phil,, Aa. 3.
See MS. Prov,, p. 21.
15
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Canvasado, s. a fencing term ; [a countercheck direct. — New Eng.
Now square my love with a direct line which with no canvas-
sado will take ye repulse. — Melb., Phil., O. 2.
COAL-CARRIERS.
The slaunderers have . . . fifty men's voices like Stentor the
Grecian to be the colecarriers of many a loud lye. — Melb.,
Phil., N. 3.
Courtesy, 5. Sippet.
Loke or assay how this courtesy of wine (hoc villi) may taste or
assay how this sippet of wine may like thee. — Pals., Ac, 2^.
Claw, 5. Flattery.
Such an insinuating sting is Adulation that Hercules, wise and
wary, was hoodwinked with the pleasant clawe of Cereopes.
Melb., Phil., N. 3.
V. Claw me and I *11 claw thee. — Proverb. Halliwell refers this
wrongly to the snatching power of the claw. It means the
stroking, soothing use.
Copy, s. Abundance. Latin, copia.
You are not ignorant, Sir, what copie not only of zealous
preachers, expert lawiers, learned physitions, but also
excellent yong men in all arts and tongues do daily flow
from our Universities. — Melb., Phil,, N. 2.
Cabbish, v. Antigone and Parmenio cabbished together into a bye
lobby, where they refreshed themselves with the relicks of
their reversion, and Parmenio played his reakes. — Melb.,
PhU., p. 56.
Counsel, s. Secret.
Senior Mondaldves aunswere to this shall be counsayle. — Melb.,
Phil., M. 3.
Keep your fellows* counsels and your own. — Shak., Much Ado,
S*c., iii. 3. 78.
J Chevanche. — Meurier, Coll., F. 3, 1558.
IChevisaunce, s. — Chau., Cant. Tales Prol., 84 ; P. Plow., Vis., v. 249.
He could so well restrain his choler and make exchange for
chevisaunce of curtesye that, &c. — Melb., Phil., M. 3.
(Management — P. Plow., Vis., xx. 16.)
Bargain by chevisaunce or exchange. (Licitatio.) — Huloet, 1552.
Chevyse, v. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., 86.
Clearness, s. Use me as Clitomachus used his spaniel, who would
cast him carrion to try his clearness. — Melb., Phil., Q. 2.
CooNT. For as Alexius afterward emperour spoke in an oration he
had to the Senate the sea that now may be spumed some-
time may not be touched and coonts that be in season
betwixt Christmas and Candelmas, after the prefixed date
expired may be vagarant where they will without any
man's eating. — Melb., Phil., p. 41.
16
Digitized by
Google
I A drum. — Huloct.
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Cormorant, s. [An insatiable person. — New Eng. Did. — Ed.]
Sore eies may not vewe the light without a scarfe, nor the credit
of cormoraimtes shew itself without their coyne. — Melb.,
Phil., p. 36.
DizzARD, 5. When one asked Socrates whether he did not use to
accompany Venus, "No," quoth the old dizzard; "God
forbid ! I have willingly taken my flight from her as from
a shrewd churlish mistris, and Tyresias in his doting dales
for varying against Jimo was stricken blind. — Melb., PA., K.
Drumsladb, 5.
Drunsladb.
Dandiprat, s. — Stanyhurst, CEneis.
A little man : A hop on my thumb, a demi-lance. — Ho.
But then ashamed to And myself still mute.
And other little Dandiprats dispute.
G. Wither, Ab. St. and W., B. 8.
Nummus ... is here taken for brasse pens or els peces of
silver of the valu of a dandiprat or i. d. ob. a pece or there-
about so that the thousand peces are much about the sum
of twentie nobles sterlynges. — Ud., Er. Ap.^ 277.
C/. George Dandie (a ninny).
DowD, 5. An ill-looking young woman.
When [Cicero] met one Voconius by chance, in the strete with
his three aaughters beeyng notable foule and evil-favoured
beastes . . . soche foule babies and oule faced doudes as
all the world should aftrewardes wondre at. — Udal, Et, Ap.^
344-
Eleven. Therefore say I with the yong man in Terence that those
old men have left many a good lesson behind them, for
want of learning, that would have a boy by some strange
metamorphosis convert into an ould grandsire, using an
Alderman's pace before he can well gauge and speaking at
every word a sentence of eleaven wnen he hath scarcely
learned his Christ-cross vowes. — Melb., PA#7., /. 4.
Embezzle, v. Embesleer or briber (thief). — Ud., Er. Ap,^ 136.
Bezzell. — T. Adams, Wovhs, 65.
Asking ... of her some guerdon . . . she was content to
imbezle some part of her goods to notify her larges towards
Qualto.— Melb., Phil., R. 4.
A fellow going to prison that had embeseled and conveyed away
a cup of gold out of the treasury. — Udal, Er. Ap., 117.
Fadge, v. To fare.
How well fools can fadge. — Melb., Phil., U. 4.
Unfadging. — T. Adams, Wks., p. 11 20.
Materials that be only of a hard nature will never fadge well in
an edifice. — lb., p. 1000.
VOL. III. 17 2
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Fetch, s. A stratagem. — The Disobedient Chitd^ ii. 309. [H., O.P.']
Indeed mariners commonly sayle by night when others sleep,
for that the winds that come then from the earth do calmly
fill their sails ; and thou thinkest perhaps that I have now
opportunity when my lord is secure and unadvised of my
fetch. — Melb., Phil., 0. 2 ; Tarlton, Newesfrom Purg., p. 104.
Certainly this invention shall minister divers fetches and causes
wherein men may employ their wit. — BuUein, B. of D.
{_Sorenes and Chyrurgi] , 156.
FiGBOY, 5. A term of contempt.
Alas prettie figboy, a hasill twigge in your hand is an whole
haulbaurd. — Melb., Phil., S.
Gravelled. Da parlie me a pardon if I be gravelled. — Melb.,
PhU., B,B. 3.
Gnarry, adj. Snarling. Cf. Knarry below.
" Lived as denoimced enemies, sildome meeting but he with
powting and she with flowting incensed many a knarrie
Jarre." — Melb., PhiL, x. 4.
Glbbk, 5. A scoff, mock. — Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 3. 1598.
They durst not fight ne strike,
They feared of a gleke.
Ymage of Hypocrisie, 1352. 1533.
Then neither think me tirranous for giving you the glieke,
though you were my first frend. — Melb., Phil., S. 2.
GuB, s. ? A handful.
" Payment of a good gub of gold." — Melb., Phil., T. 2.
As gob, gobble, like cormorants gubd up all the meat. — lb., Y. 4.
V. Gubd Aurelia with gold. — lb., Q. 3.
Hob (prefix). For the veriest stunted fool, distorted criple, rudest
loobin, and the hob-hansomest man may be for his fee
admitted to their society (University). — lb., N. 2.
Rude, boisterous hobs, well beseeming for their understanders
to be the offspring of giants. — lb., U. 3
Poor unbegotten, wether-beaten Qualto, an hob-hansom man,
God wot, and a bow-wow to his lady and mistress. —
lb., R. 4.
Huddle, 5. A list of persons or things. — (Lincolnshire) HU.
Though I should weary you and myself with an huddle of, yet
could I be no more effectual than I have been in these. —
Melb., PhU., K. 2.
Holt, s. [A copse. New Eng. Diet. — Ed.]
If I in deserts dwell
The woods my words shall hear.
The holtes, the hills, the craggie rockes
Shall witness with me bear.
Gasc., Complaint of PhUomene,
18
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Joint, s. Articulus proprie digitonim dicitur.— Huloet.
Those same words another bodie should not have spoken without
jeopardie and perill of his best joint. — Udall, Er, Ap.^ p. 351.
Jointe, s. A joint closure, joining seam. — Cotg.
5^ Serrer maujoint. — Larivey, La Veuve, i. 4, 1579; Ann. Theatr,
Franc,,, v.
Down with those yong men which appoynt
Where to make mery for a jointe,
And with Venus themselves annoynte. — Becon, Invective against
Whoredom.
I will venture a limb. — CI., P. P.
V, To joint him of his jointure. — Melb., Phil.^ Q. 3.
They shall not do thee harm the value of a point
Then an* you zay the word I chill jeopard a joint.— i?^5^., v. 7.
Ventured many a joint. — Disob. Child; H., O.P., ii. 309.
Jolts. Cabbage-heads. See Hll.
Another sort [of Preachers] there is by whose behaviour you
would judge them Metrapolitans of the whole realm : so
Sterne they are in looks, so majestical in pace, carrying
up their jolts like hoigh-headed malt-horses, so sirlye in
woordes, so coy of their cappes, contemning their inferiors
with a peazantlie despite and flattering their betters to get
them livings. — Melb., Phil., N. 2.
KiLL-cow. A term of contempt. — B. and F., Lovers' Progress, iii. 3.
This is the devil the kill-cow Caratach [? Guy of Warwick] . —
Bonduca, ii.
No feet shall be my fence nor fear your kilkow chat. — Melb.,
PhU., B. 64.
Killing the cow or calf was a kind of extemporal performance
of vagrant actors. Nash, in bis Countercuffe, speaks of
kill-cow conceits. — Simpson, Sch. of Skak., ii. 357.
All. For although. — Chau., C. T., 2266.
All if thou right well thy covenant fulfill.
It shall the payer interprete as he will. — Bar., Eel., iii.
All if. Id. — Bar., Eel., iv.
Some with their princes so stande in favour
That they may advaunce their kinred to honour ;
But then is their kinred so bad of govemaunce
That al if they may they dare not them advaunce.
Bar., Eel., iii.
Auditor, s. Supputandi peritus. — Horm., V., 186. (Our modem
sense.)
And. Then.
If he love wines and thou fearest dronkennes,
If he hate wines and thou blamest his sadness.
Bar., Eel., iii.
19
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Bat, 5. [A piece of a brick having one end entira New Eng.
iA piece of a brick having
^ict.— Ed.]
Batts and great rubbrysshe serveth to fyll up in the myddel of
the wall. — Horm., K., 240.
There shall come as few batts of brick in the wall as may. —
Horm., V,y 245.
Berb (?). Beer-house.
His sword and buckler is pledged at the here.
And, to go lighter, so is his other gere. — Bar., EcL^ i.
Bewlb (?), V.
I bewle as a kite for hunger and for golde,
For thought and study my youth appeareth olde.
Bar., Ed.f iv.
Brall. A dance, holding hands. See under Prophitrolles. Douce,
///. of Shahs., i. 218.
Blow, v. [To tipple. New Eng. Diet.— Ed.]
On one dishe dayly nedes shalt thou blowe
Till thou be all wery as dogge of the bowe. — Bar., Ed., ii.
To blowe in a bowle, and for to fill a platter.
To gime, to braule, to counterfayt, to flatter,
He hath no fellow between this and Croydon. — Bar., Ed.^ i.
Blowboll, a drunkard.— Ct?/w BlowhoVs Test. [HIL, Nugae P.]
Blow-bottel. — Baret, Alvearie^ A. 270.
BoKB, V. To belch.
Some time thy felow reboketh in thy face. — Bar., Eel., ii.
Some boke, some braule, some sclaimder and backbite ;
To hear such maners can be but small delite. — Bar., Ed., ii.
Oftime it* causeth thy stomake to reboke.
And oft it is ready thee sodenly to choke. — Bar., Ed., ii.
* Rancid oil.
Bush (of hair).
For women use to love them most of all
Which boldly bosteth or that can sing and jet.
Which are well decked with large bushes set. — Bar., Ed., ii.
Heisproudeof his bousshe (pinguissima coma). — Horm., V., 75.
If thou call for ought by word, sign or beck,*
Then Jack with the bush shall tavmt thee with a chek.
Bar., Ed., ii.
• At table.
Burgeon, s. Bud.
What shoulde the gardener with impe or graffyng mell
Or grene bowes burgin with leaves and blossom
If no fruit in season shall on the trees come ?
Bar., Myrrour of Good Manors.
20
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Crap, s. Scrap. Acus. — Prompt, Parv,
And sometime to thee is sent a little crap
With savour thereof to take thee in a trap,
Not to allay thy hunger and desire,
But by the sweetness to set thee more on fire.
Bar., Ecl.^ ii.
Cocking. i.e. fighting.
Between Aristippus and Diogenes the Cynike there was moche
good cocking and striving whether of them should win the
spurres. — Udall, Er. Ap,^ p. 45.
CoMMUNB, V, [Impart, tell to others. Eng. Nsw. Did. — Ed.]
What shall I common the pensiveness and pain
Of courtiers, or that they their wages can obtayne ?
Bar., Ed.^ iii.
Chapitlb, 5. A chapter.
The Egle cyted all maner of byrdes and wylde fowles to
chapitle. — Dialogues of Cteatures^ 50.
Conceit, 5. Good opinion.
But if thou in Court some honest men awayte.
Then with great rulers is he made in conceit ;
If he firom conceit and out of favour be.
Thou mayst not with him have familiaritie. — Bar., Erf., iii.
Dash, s. A drawer at a tavern.
Spend all they have and more at waste
With revel and revell*, dasshe, fyU the cup, Joohnf.
Bar,, Sh. ofFo., i. 96.
• Refill. t Joan.
V. To dispatch (Transago.)— Huloet.
Delay, s. Dilution.
And as it had been for compassyon [the devilj prayd St. Hyllari
to medyl but lytyll watyr with his wyne for cause ctf his
labour and he was greeable. And alter that he desyrid
hym to drynke pure wine without any delay of water. —
D. of Creat.y xli.
EuROUS, adj. Happy. Fr., heureux. Cf. Malleure6, infortun6e. —
Ann. Theatr. Franc. ^ iii. 150.
Thus goeth the world : none is so eurous
But eyther must he dye fyrst or last.
Bar., CastM^ of Lab., A. 3.
FiSK, V. ? same as frisk. — Gamm. Gurton, i. 2. Cf fizgig. Je fretille.
— Palsg. Su instances, Skeat*s n. to P. Plow.^ p. 190. 1877.
Fremde, adj. Foreign.
It is not a thing lawful from minde to set aside
Thy dear wife and children, without aid and comfortles,
And for thy fremde folke and servaunts to provide.
Bar., Myrrour of Good Manors, Prude.
21
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Ey, Ay. Exclamation of pain, regret. P. Plow, 7*s., xiii. I. C. ;
Chau., C. T.f 3766, 10165.
And oft shall thy lord sound sweetly foorth this I,
** A that this man so sone is gone away." — Bar., EcL^ iii.
Frowis.
QUACHAM.
Kemps. A kind of eel. — Palsg.
Fed with rude frowis, with quacham, or with crudd,
Or slimy kempes, ill smelling of the mud. — Bar., EcL^ iv.
Flimmbr, 5. A vagabond. Fleme profugus. — Str.
But rural flimmers and other of our sort
Unto thy lodging or court when they resort
They chat, they bable, and all but of the wombe ;
More pert and more pievish than they wolde be at home.
Bar., Ecl.y iii.
Garnish, v.
So likewise did He garnish Matrimony with the first fruits of
His miracles. — ^econ, Boke of Matrimony, i. 371.
Grathly. Confidently.
Mercury shall give thee gifts manifold,
His pillion, scepter, his winges and his harpe :
If thou hast all these thou mayst grathly carpe.
Bar., Ecl.f iv.
Carp, v. To talk. — Town. MysL, p. 29.
Priests which preach of peace which carpe contentions,
Which loiter not but labour all the year. — Gasc., Steele Glass.
Pillion, 5. A cap.
Grovel, v. To lie with the face to the ground.
And being asked by Xeniades how his desire was to be
buried, "Grovelling," quoth he, "with my face toward
the ground." — Udall, Er, Ap,, 91.
Ahf. Therefore groflynges thou shall be laid,
That when I strike thou shalt not see. — Town. Myst., p. 40.
Hap, v. To wrap up.
When bush or brambles pilled the shepes skin
Then had he pitie and kept them close within.
Or in new fieces did tenderly them lap,
And with his skirtes did oftentime them hap. — Bar., £<;/., iii.
HuDDBS, 5. Hoods to cover the head.
This lustv Codrus was cloked for the rayne
And ddbfe decked with huddes one or twayne.
Bar., £cf., iv.
Hops, v. To expect.
Some hoped he war the fend of hell. i.e. thought. — Sevin Sages^
281a (in HU.)
So the Tanner of Tamworth hoped he should be hanged
to-morrow. — See Puttenham, Art of Eng, Poesie, iii. 22, p. 263.
C/. the proverb, Hope well and have well.
22
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Inconvenibncb, 5. See Mischief.
To God trust I no lorde in alle this londe
Is guilty of that inconvenience*.
Occleve, Reg. Prin., p. 8i.
* i.e. nntrnth.
iNFBRSBy 0. To stuff to filling, like a sausage.
Also if he espy a sweete morsell which he hath delyte to eat of
he may not inferse himself (like a churl) to grype all upon
his own trencher. — Whitinton, Vulg.^ 1520, f. 41.
Attbr, s. I. Poison.
The sore is full of matter or ater (purulentus). — Horm., F., p. 41.
2. An otter.— Chest. Pl^ i. 52. So attercop, the spider.
According. Becoming.
It is nothing according (non decet) to hear, &c. — Ih.^ 124.
AwoRTH, adv. Worthily.
That that wyll nedes be every man must obey and take aworth.
—IK 59-
Take it for the best or take it well a- worth. — Ih.^ 118, 133,
61 and 57.
Away with. — Becon, i. 567, 515.
I can nat awey or agree with so many deinty melis. — Horm., F.,
35 ; Boorde, Brtv, of H., 381 ; Udall, Et. Ap.^ 129, 321 ;
Bullein, B. of Defce. [Sor. and Chy.']^ xlix., p. 2. 1562,
He can best awey with watch and fast of any man. — /J., 39.
My fellow hath given up grammar because he cannot awey with
it (tedio affectus). — Horm., F., 88.
Bbhoving. Advantageous
We vex ourselves more in other men's maters than !n that that
is most behoving to ourself. — Ih.^ 56.
Brothbrbr, s. Embroiderer.
The brotherer hath not yet made an end of your gown.— 76., 238.
Black-iiack.
The Black-mack or an osyll* fleeth alone. — 76., loi ; Baret,
Alv.^ 1580.
• Blackbird, phrygio.
BoiSTOus, adj, Boistrous.— Welsh.
The boimche or botch is so boystous* that it can unneth be
bounde up with a trussar. — lb.
*Grandis.
When the wether is boistous. — Ih.^ 102.
Boistusnes (in play). — Ih,<, 281.
But. Unless, except.
If the boke that the author made be false, the copye must be
&lse, but if the writer spye and mende the faute. — Ib.^
83 and 85.
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Baudy, adj. Unclean.
The auter clothes and the vestmentes shulde be very clene,
nat baudy (obsita) nor torpe, nor pollute with spotte or
wemme.— /^., p. i6.
Baudy tablecloth. — Bar., £(?/., ii.
Within this temple * minister baudy cooks. — Ih.^ ii.
• The kitchen.
Bought, 5. Bend.
The bought of my arm. — Horm., V., p. a8.
The sea term, Bight.
Boughtes. Chartae complicatae. — /^., 83.
Boon.
I thanke God I have my boone peticion or wisshe. — Ih.^ 1519*
Bugle i. A buffalo.
Precious cuppes be made of bugull hornys. — Ih.^ 166.
2. What be our bugles in respect of this diamond ? — T. Adams,
Wks.^ 1212.
Calk, v. To calculate.
He calketh upon my natyvyte. — Horm., K., p. 23.
Carve, r. To castrate.
A cocke after he is carved* ceaseth crowing, and his comb
waxeth white. — Ih.^ 109.
* Castratus.
Carrack. B. and F., The Two Noble Kinsmen^ iii. 4.
He sent a caricke* to receive M. fyghtyng men. — Horm., F., 272.
• Cetea.
Clap.
They that serche the ende of a mannys lyfe by nygrymanciars
be payed at a clappe. — ^/J., p. 19 (clade involvuntur).
CoucHER, 5. A codex.
A volume is less than a boke, and a boke lesse than a coucher. —
lb., 84.
Conveyance, 5.
He that hath . . . (solertia) and seeth what wyl com of a thyng
is more set by than he that can lift and shift (cum vasta
mole luctat). — Ib.y 239.
Cruettes.
Have pure wyne and water in the cruettes*. — lb., p. 16.
• At the altar.
Depart, v. To separate.
They can nat live in rest till they be departed in matrymonye. —
Ib„ 145.
With that word they departed a twaine. — lb., 289.
24
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Do ON, V.
The doing of our hats.— Melb., Phil., N. a.
There was done on upon Christ a garment of purple velvet for a
mock and a scorn. — Horm., K., no.
The cooper . . . doth the hoops upon the vessels. — ^76., 237.
Do all out.— /ft., 163; Whit, Vtd., I 20.
J^esus. Where have you done him (Lazarus). — Chest. Pl.^ li 229.
Doing on him a wede. — Udall, Er. Ap.^ 322.
Dalbys, 5.
Cut this fleshe into daleys (tessellas). — Horm., V.y 158.
Men play with iv dice and children with iv dalies. — Ib.^ 280
and 281.
Dblb. a portion.
Put a very lytell dele of oyle to it. — Horm., K., 159.
A great dele. — Ih.^ 287.
Halvendele. — Chau., TroUus S» Cressida^ v. 335.
He is to be mystrusted or mysbelieved never a dele. — Horm.,
v., 292.
A small dele of money. — Udall, Er. Ap.y 358.
Dronkblbw, 5.
He es named dronkeleu for to do any good.
Ebrietatis nota laborat ad quicquid strenuum. — Horm.,
F., 74.
Dangbr. Dominion. — Whitinton, VuLg.^ 1520.
In the power and danger of his enemies. — Horm., K., 265 ; Baret^
Alv.
I have the man in my daunger.
Habeo hominem mihi obnoxium. — Horm., F., 289.
Dangbrous.
They that came to a feste make daungerous courtseye (urbanam
ctmctationem) how they shall sytte in order. — Ih.^ 159.
Drastis. 5. Dr^s.
The drastis of the wyne be medednable. — /ft., 161.
Dagswayn.
My bed is covered with a daggeswayne and a quylt. — Ih.^ 167.
With dagswaynes and roudges* we be content.— (Shetlander
Borde. /»/. to jK"., v.
•Rugs.
Easily. Slowly.
For lacke of tethe I cham my meat but easily. — Horm., V.y
p. 34.
Aryse up easelye. Pladde te attollas. — Ih.^ 37. Su under Galp»
25
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Easy agrement foloweth where women be married not for love
but for good. — Ib.^ 147.
Languida succrescit concordia ubi nubunt faeminae non
moribus sed praemiis.
That ground boweth best that is easily stickle*. — Ib.^ 177.
* Gradually rises.
This matter goeth forth but easily*. — Ib.^ 225.
* Pamm cedit.
Ear-rounder. A whisperer, mischief maker. — R. Wimbledon,
Serm. at PauPs, x. 1388.
Embbsblb, v. Embezzle. Imbeazell. — Lily, Mother BonMe^ iv. 3.
The sexten hath embeseled offerynge money and jewelles.
Edetuus intervertit sacram pecimiam et donaria. — Horm.,
v., p. 9.
Bear heavy.
They bear hevy that fortune went still with him in all matter.
Perpetuam felicitatem invidebant. — Ib,^ 128.
When he was ones suspect he understode that he was borne
very hevy. — Ib.^ 130.
Brygous, adj. Quarrelsome, contentious.
Beware of such brygous matters.
Abstineas omni calumnia. — 76. , 128.
Beck, v. To nod. [/j., 175.
This come is almost redy to be rept, for the earis becketh. —
Fernb, adj. Old.
It is not worth the while ever to talk of fume yers (vetera con-
sectari). — Ib.^ 298.
Wordis of feme years (a vetustate^ so that they be not to old
and out of knowledge, nor studed for a purpose nor to ofte
brought forth, make the language substandall and pleasant.
—lb., 97.
Old feme years. — He., Dial., I., ii.
Flicker, v.
His wife hath made him pjrvysh and mad with her flickering in-
tysements (illecebris). — Horm., K., 145.
Forbear, v. To suffer, put up with.
Bacars crafte may nat be forborne. — lb., 153.
Franch, v. To crunch with the teeth. — HU.
He is ever fraunching.
Perediae deditus. — Horm., F., 39.
Franchars. Degulatores. — lb., 77.
Frount. [Obsolete form of front, New Eng. Diet,, but qu. = anger,
frounty. HU.—Ed.]
Two rammes runnyng together on a frount gyve a great crashe
with theyr stroke in theyr metynge. — lb., 108.
26
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Flaik, s. a wooden frame for keeping oat-cakes upon.— (North)
rill.
Ley this meate in trayes and fields (aludos). — Horm., 7., 156.
Fling, v. To kick out the heels. — Gammer GurUm's NeedUy i. 2.
A great kykar or fiyngar. — Horm., K., 170.
Fordone, pr. Done for. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., 100.
Wolde God the debate of princis of Italy were fordone by tyme,
by the means of the Pope. — Horm., K., 193.
To fordoo myself or make an end of ma — PaL, Ac, ; Occleve,
Reg, Pnn,, 94.
i,e, commit suicide. — Warning for Fair Wom.^ ii
Fell, adj. Sharp, stinging.
That was a fell reason.
Salsum dicterium. — Horm., 7., 199, y. 4,
Give, v. To allow ot
A man must set himself awarke and occupy himself in hus-
bandry as the weather will geve. — Ib,^ 181.
Gang-days.
We two must beare the feretrum a procession in the gang-days.
Nos duos oportet tensam gestare in suppliciis ambarvali-
bu& — Ib,f p. 13.
Gays, s.
This baby hath many gays (crepundia) hanging at his neck. —
lb., 147.
Given. Addicted.
He is greatly gyven to that game. — lb,, 281.
Gig, 5. A top. Cf, Shak., Whirligig of Time.
Homer declaring a very foolysshe and an haskard felowe under
the person of Thersvte saith that he was streyte in the
shulders and coph^ed lyke a gygge, and thyn heryd full
of scorfe and scalle. — Fhilotus, 1603, C. 4 ; Shak,, T. of Sh.
Green, adj. Recent. Raw, young.
Green meat. i.e. underdone. — Elworthy, W. of E. Glossary.
Brede of yesterday's baking and a cuppe of green wine (vinum
austerum) that in his own maner doth a man much
good. — Horm., K., 41, 160.
Our green preachers now of dales. — Udall, Er. Ap., 347.
He went in a green gown (prasina veste) in myddel winter. —
Horm., v., in.
Haynish. ? Heathenish.
It is a haynyshe cruelte to slee babys and women with child. —
Horm., F., 138.
Hainous faults. — Melb., Phil., H. 2.
Hainous quarrel. — Occleve, Reg, Prin,, 106.
27
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
HoGY, adj. Fearful.— HIL
Huge (immensis). — Horm., K., 44.
Hougy.— /ft., 102, 188, 216,266.
Hogious. — lb., 236, 244.
He lepte down heedlynge from a hogy rocke (eminentissima). —
lb., p. 34.
HousELL. The Eucharist.
He is departed without shryfte and housyll. — lb., 125.
When the people were housild. — Dial, of Creai., xix.
HiLD, V. To flay.
That stoufife that we write upon and is made of beastis skynnes
is sometyme called parchement, sometyme velem, somtyme
abortyve, sometyme membran. Parchement of the cyte,
where it was fyrst made. Velem, because it is made of
a calvys skynne. Abortyve because the beeste was scante
parfete. Membraan because it was pulled oflf by hyldyne
fro the beestis lymmes. — Horm., V., 80.
Hoar, adj. White, mouldy.
This bredde is moulled or hore for long kepyng. — lb., 142.
Halb, v. I. To vex, worry. 2. To drag. — lb., 244.
A dog hath all to haled my gelded bore.— /ft., 176.
'* I 'U haul *ee up," as, a boy trespasser, I was threatened with.
Ingins, s. Contrivances, wrinkles.
One crafty man may remove by wysdom and ingins that weight
that many thousans can not do by strength. — /ft., 239.
JoLLB, V. To beat. — Palsg.
I will geol (coUidam) thy head and thy buckler together. —
Horm., v., 138.
IsiNGS. A kind of sausage.
Ysinges (isicia) blodynges and other podynges. — /ft., 162.
Knot, s. Flowerbed.
He that digs the ground is not to be despised tho' a more
exquisite gardener draws the knots. — T. Adams, Wks., 202.
The knotte garden serveth for pleasure, the potte garden for
profit. — Horm., V., 122.
Apacb. To go apace.— Horm., V., 287.
Apbrt, ada. Openly. — Bar., S. of F., i. 160 ; Horm., V., 279.
Apertly.— CA#s#. Fl., 61.
Privy or apert. — Bar., Ed., ii.
Aroint, v. Shak., Macbeth, i. 3, 6 ; Lear, iii. 4, 122.
And here sculd men arunt feynt penytaunsers, confessours and
ober prestis fat assoylen for money. — Wycliff Tract MS.,
C., V. 6, Trinity College, Dublin, 1. 157.
And here schul men arunte pe feend ])at stirip men to last in ]ns
erroure.— /ft., 1. 159.
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Abie, v. To pay for. — Chest. jPl.^ 85; Jacke Jugeler, H., O.P.,
ii. 116.
O man myschevous by whom Christ is reviled
Thou worthy art to die in soul and in body
That Juge that is suffireth sore shall it able.
Bar., S. of F., ii. 128.
Access, 5. A fit, an attack of periodical illness. Fr., acces (still
in use).
Axis. Febrise. — Horm., K., 38.
So that he can right soon espy
If ony be disposed to malady
And therefore can give such a medycyne
That maketh all accesses to dechne.
Hyeway to the Spital-ho,t 453, 466, 507.
AccBY. The ague. — Lane.
All AND SOME. 5^^ p. II. Tonm, Myst.f $00; Occleve, i?^^. /Vw., 107.
Whole and some. — Edwards, Damon and Pithias^ iv., 70.
All and more. But all and more he wasteth out at large. —
(Prodigal) Bar., S of F., i. 30.
Cf More and less. — Disobedient Child^ H., O.-P., ii. 307.
All, for Any.
He which by his power wrongfully
His friends and subjects labours to subdue
Without all law, but clean tyranny. — Bar., S. o/F., i. 67.
Without all mercy. — Becon, i. 660.
Allonly. Only. — Dial, of Creat.^ xxxv,, cxiv.; Ga,sc.f Steele Glasu ;
Fitzherbert, Book of Husbandry^ 57. 1534.
Blame, v. To curse.
Blame it, blynd dryvyll; by the law so thou sholde. — Bar.,
S. of F., i. 173.
Beery. Burrow.
I have nede of a feret to let into this beery to styrt out the
conies that they may be take above ground. — Horm., F., 283.
Bewpeer. Accomplice.
In her [Dalilah*s] lap clipt off his hear,
Betraied her Lord and her bewpeer.*
Scholehouse of Women, 773. 1541.
* i.0. Samson.
Bbwpere. Hyeway to the Spitai, I497*
Bribb-sick. An extortioner. — CI.
Bribe, v. To steal.
" I pull, I pyU."— Palsg.
The brybour Gehazi.— Ba/Zo^/s, Huth Library.
Brybour, backbiter. — Bar., S. f/F., ii. 256.
Thief. — Lydgate, Trag.^ 152.
29
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Bribous knaves. — /J., 387.
Brybre, robbery. — Totem. M., 194.
That have servd the Kyng beyond the se,
And now that they out of wages be,
They must beg or els go brybe and steal.
Hyeway to the SpUal^ 281.
So Fdstaff: " Divide me like a brib*d buck, each a haunch.** —
Shak., M. W. W.y v. 5, 22.
Also fig. Eche of them (husband and wife) is glad to bribe
away from another. — Becon, B, of Matrim,^ pref., i. 564.
All such servants as be neclygent
In their service and will not be content
To do their work and slack their business,
Bribe and convey firo mayster and maystres. — Ih,^ 778.
Blind, adj. Obscure. ? Abortive, the blind hop. Of no value, a
blind hedge. — Jackson, Shropshire Word Book.
And whan they have goten what they may,
Than to theyr lodgings they do take their way.
Into some aUey, lane, or bl)mde hostry.
And to some corner or hous of bawdry.
Where as ben folke of theyr affynyte,
Brothelles and other such as they be.
Hyeway to the Spital^ 351.
Brawn, s.
X. Muscle: If we purchase an inheritance on earth we make it
as sure and our tenure as strong as the brawn of the
law, or the brains of the lawyers can devise. — ^T. Adams,
Wks., p. 898.
2. Meat : He hath eate all the brawn of the lopster*. — Horm.,
7., 164.
• Galium.
By his rash mind, his mad brawn and self-will. — Bar., S. of F.,
i. 252.
Blbar, Blerb, v.
Some goeth on four, disfourmed as a here,
Some &i^e them croked, and some impotent,
Some with their fyngers theyr iyen abrode blere.
I smile to see how you devise
New masking nets mine eyes to bleare.
Robinson, Pleasant Delites^ 1584, p. 45, rep.
Cautel, 5. A cunning trick. — Bar., S. of F., i. 168. So cautelous.
Caduke, adj. — Horm., V.
Falling, frail, caduke, and mortal . . . — A. Bare, Sh. of Fo.^ ii.
270, rep.
Roughnes is smothed with a toothe, but then the letters be
made caduke.— /ft., 130 ; Horm., F., 8.
30
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Clunbr. a Cluniack monk. — Wright.
For by letters they name them as they be :
P. a Pardoner, Clewner a C,
R. a Roger, A. an Aurium, and a Sapyent S.,
Thus they knew eche other doubtles.
Hyeway to the Spital-hause, 555.
For a score of pynnes and needles two or thre
A gentle Cluner two cheses had of me ;
Phylys gave coyne because he did her charm,
Ever syth that tyme lesse hath she felt of harm.
Bar., £rf., v.
CoKBRS. Iron rims roimd clogs.— (Cumberland) Wright.
Alas, Amyntas, nought bideth that is good —
No, not my cokers, my tabert, nor my hood :
All is consumed, all spent and worn be,
So is all goodness and welth of the cate.
Bar., Ecl.f v.
Convey, v. See in MS. Prov. under The grand thieves.
CoPYNTANKB. A couical crowned hat. Su Copatain. — HU.
Copped like a tankard or a sugarloaf. — Udall, Er, Ap,, 203.
i^, coping-tank. Coppin-yam wound on a spindle, which is
then withdrawn.--G/(?55ary to Town, Myst.
Coppentante. — (Cardinals) Ym. of Hypoc.^ 1166.
Deck.
Do on your Deck, Slut, if ye purpos to come oft.
I mean your copyntanke. And if it will do no good
To keep you from the rain ; ye shall have a foles hoode.
Bar., S. of F., i. 38.
[Patroclus did on the aparayle of Hector.— /&., i. 68.]
Mr. Jamieson, in his Glossary to Barclay, has made the blunders
of treating Deck as an adj. "trimmed," and Slut as
having the prov. meaning of "apron" given in HU.
Pointed as above, it is clearly an address to a slatternly
woman to put on her deck (a pile of anything — HU.) or
copyntake, i.e. her head-piece. Ornamental but of no
service.
With a hode shaU he unwars be overdeckt.
Bar., S. of F., i. i68.
CouNTERWAiT and watch. — Bar., S. of F., i. 168, 166.
Dbiiy, s. Next but demies, nor boys nor men
Our dangerous times succeed.
Warner, Alb, Eng.^ v. 27.
C/. Demy of Magdalen College, Oxford.
31
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Easings, s. Eaves of the roof. Spelt Hewys by Barclay, Ecl.^ v.
Easings droppers. — Melb., /%»/., R. 4.
King Solomon both witty and wise
A woman doth assimilate
Unto a dropping easing guise
Distilling down after rain late.
Scholehouse of Women, ix. 10. 1541.
Little Boy Bunting sat on the house-easing
With a bow and a bolt. — Booke of Merry Riddles, 1629.
The eavesing of an house. — Baret, 1580.
Enormity. ? Lawlessness.
So if the elders use enormity
And before their children bost them of the same»
The son and daughter shall follow sire and dame.
Bar., 5. of F., i. 236.
Fart, 5. A fig.
Partes of Portingale or other like sweet conceits. — Huloet.
Face, v. [Extortioner.]
Fasynge and bostynge. — Bar., S. of F., i. 43.
Favell, s. Flattery, falsehood. — Paradise of Dainty Devices ; Skelton,
Bowge of Court, 134; Occleve, Reg. Prin,, p. 106.
Fen, 5. Mud, mire.
And to an asse most like he is doubtless
Which taking on his back sacks nine or ten
Destroyeth himself, them leaving in the fenne.
Bar., 5. of F,, i. 157.
Fume, 5. Smoke or soot.
Pajmteth his vysage with fiime.— /J., ii. 268.
FoRSLOW, V. To delay, put off".
" * Serve God,* a service of such charge
As should not be forslowed day or night."
Par. 0/ D. D., p. 118.
FoRESLOW. To slack and linger. — Baret, 1580.
Fog, s. Or the after grass o hay. Postfaenium.—/ft. [Still in use
in Somerset. — Ed.]
FoGGiSH, or fat body. Corpus obesum. — Ih.
Foggy chekes that shaked as I went. — Pal., Ac, H. 2.
Geer.
Whan menne doo things in a haste, or a hedde, or in a geere,
shortly after they do repent them or they be wont to for-
think them. — lb., D. 3.
Harnbs, 5. Brains.
This fole styll fereth if she be out at large
Lyst that some other his harnes should overcharge.
Bar., S. of F., i. 167 (" The Jealous Fool ").
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Hurt, v. And many workmen as we may daily see
Wandreth as fools in sloth and idleness
Hurting their wages by their foolishness. — Ib.^ ii. 314.
Hbadkbrchef. — Horm., K., iii.
Homely. Primitive.
In the banning of the hombly world (mundi rudimento) men
yete acomes.
This was done in haast, and therefore it must be but homely
(inchoatum). — Ib.^ 294.
** A western phrase.*' To keep in expectation with false hopes.
—Dr. W. Pope, Life of B. Ward, 1697.
Hand. To bear in hand. i.e. i. To accuse. — Shak., Af. far Af.,
i. 4, 51 ; Hamlet, ii. 2, 67 ; He., Ep,, iv. 145. See Palsgrave,
VerbSf f. 152. 2. To make one believe. — Melb., PhU.f C7.
4, y. 5^ under Means.
Borne on honde. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., p. 42.
Pray you let no man be blamed for this false bearing an hand. —
Horm., K., 210.
You bore me in hand that the greatest part of your heart is in
my custody. — Melb., Phil., p. 55.
They were suspect and borne an {sic) hand that the derth of vitayle
was cauawi by them.— Wither, Sat., ii. 2 ; Horm., 7., 218.
Se thou be that thou art reported and borne in hand to be.—
Tavener, Prov., f. 67.
I trow your tenants will provide both capon, pig, and goose
Bear them in hand their coppies naught and that the lease is
loose. — Fulwell, Ars Adul., H. i.
Incontinent, or forthwith. — Palsgrave, Ac, B. 4.
Pourquoy les enfans croissent ils plus-tost durant ou incon-
tinent apres leurs maladies que constant leur sant6. — Bailly,
Quest. Nat. et Cur., 1628, p. 11.
Joy, v. To enjoy.
He is a mighty joyde man (Matticus est). — Horm., V., p. 29.
(? thoroughly enjoys himself.)
Jet, v. To strut. Spelt Get by Bar., S. of F., 163.
Jet it or whip or frisk about.— Pal., Ac, S. 3.
Javbl, 5. A worthless rogue. — Hyeway to the Spital, 538 ; Cand. Day
[Digby My St.] , 369 ; Tom Tyler and His Wife, 1598, p. 9.
Villain javell, backbiter. — ^T. More, Utopia, Ar. 6, rep., p. 53.
With hawvelle and jawvelle
Syngyng of Lawvelle.* — Town. M., 314.
* ? A salutation to a bawd.
So at the. last departed this Javell
With the money and straight rideth he
Where the thief his fellow and divers others be
And there they prate and make their avaunt
Of their deeds, and drink adew taunt.
Hyeway to the Spital-house, 538.
VOL. III. 33 8
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Good ale he does so haunt
And drink a due taunt. — Doctor Double Ale, loi.
Hll. says : Taunt, a certain quantity.
Talewes and talkyng and drjoikynge ataunt. — A Treatise of a
Galaunt., io8. 1510. (But see Bibliog. References.)
A dronglew fole ])at sparythe for no dispence
To drynke a taunte til he slepe at ])e tabille.
Lydgate, Order of Fools, 91. 1460.
Rufflers and masteries men that cannot work
With comyn women daily for to haunt
Making revel and drinke adieu taunt,
Saying make we merry as long as we can
And drinke apace ! the devil pay the maltman. — 675.
Tancards of milk and cream fletyng fiill. — Bar., Eel., v. Pails. —
lb., iv. [^See Copyntanke, supraJ]
Ancomb, 5. Adventitius morbus. — With., 1568 ; oncome, 1586.
Fellon, uncomme or cattes haire : a bile or sore that riseth in
man's bodie (Furunculus). — Baret, 1580.
Agnail. An agnail or little com growing upon the toes (Gemorsa
Pterygium). — Baret ; Boorde, B. of H., ii. 7.
Abbring. Behaviour.
What suerte wilt thou find me of thy truth and good abering ?
— Horm., F., 192.
A law term. — Hll.
Angletowche. The worm in the ground called Angletowche or
eyse (Lumbricus). — With., 1568.
Abiding. Patiently waiting.
The peple stode about abyd3nige what wolde come of the wager.
— Horm., v., 210.
Bait. To lay a bait ; to deceive.
Pec, And what shall che zay toom 7
R. Nothing, but bee a bayte
Till take them all here suddainly I may await. — Respub., v. 7.
Better. My gown was sought and better sought, and yet it coulde
nat be found. — Horm., K., 289.
Bass.— The basse in the hand (Palma). — Vulgaria Stanbrigii, 1518.
Ball of the cheek (Mala).— With., 1568 ; Vulg. Stan., 1518 ; Ward,
England's Reformation, i., p. 13.
Baudkin. a weaver of cloth of baudkin (Barbaricarius). — With.,
1568. SuUVL.
Baselard. a crooked baselard (Bizachius). — lb. ; Sua, XIV. CiHt.
[Wr., p. 181 ;] Horm., V., 256.
34
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Bandog, A. Catenarius canis. — ^With., 1568. i^. a dog chained up
at a farmhouse to alarm by his fierce barking. Also called
a Tye-dog. — Lydg., FaU of Princes^ iii. i ; Udal, Er. Ap.^
143, repr.
Bawson. a grey, bager, bawson or brocke (Castor). — W. 1568.
Barrow. Baroies or gelded hogs. — Ih.
Bbbtlb, 5. A betill (Malleus ligneus). A mallet (Malleolus ligneus).
— Ih,
A wasshing betele (Pala lotoria). — Ih.
Fet four battyllnjmge roddis to bete this wolle. — Horm.» K., 239.
BouTBLL. Subcemiculum excussorium. A fine boutell. Cribrum
pollinarium. — Ih,
Coarse boutell (Excussorium rude). — Ih.
Bottle, s. A bundle.
A botell of hay (Fasciculus faeni).— /ft. ; Barclay, EcL^ v. ; Did.
of Great, f 105.
Mark the increase of straw and hay, and how
By thrift a bottle may become a mow. — Corbet, Iter Boreale.
Blbtch, 5. Black, greasy, viscous matter. The grease of wheel-
axles.— (Staflford) HU.
Wrytter's inke shuld be fyner than blatch. — Horm., K., 81.
Blacke or bletche to colour the ledir with (Atramentum suto-
rium).— With., 1568.
Ynke or bleche (Atramentum). — Vulg. Stanh., 1518.
Brbwessb, 5. Ofiulae adipatae. — ^With., 1568.
Boll, 5. A swelling. — Pal., Ac.^ G, 4.
Her cheeks are bolne. — Melb., PhU.^ N. 4. Her throat-boil. —
Ih., N. 4.
The throat boll (Frumen).— With., 1568; Vulg. Stan., 1518.
i.e. Adam's apple.
Bush of Hair.
Some ar busshed, theyr bonnets set on side. — Bar., Sh. of F.,
i. 63. See the Italian pictures of the period.
The whole bush of hair (Coma, Caesaries). — With., 1568;
Horm., F.
Another by pride his wit hath so obscure
To hire the busshe of one that late is dede,
Therwith to disguise his folyshe doting hede.
Bar., Sh. of F., ii. 268.
Brauncb, 5. The braunce of the arm or other place (Musculus). —
W., 1568. ? Brawnche (Frons.), 15th Cy.
Conditions. Temper.
Hinnulus, this fawn was variable both in colour and condition.
— With., p. 244; Dial, of Creai., 92.
35
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Canbll-bonb. The Os jugale. — With., 1568; Udal, Er. Ap.^ 186.
Collar-bone.
Carnbl. The caraelles in the throat (Consillae). — ^With., 1568.
Glans, Vulg. Stan.^ 1518.
Camelles nigh to the ears (Parotis). — ^With., 1568.
Caul. A caul to cover the hair of the head with, as maidens use
(Reticulum crinale).— Kail, Vulg.Stan.; With., 1568; Lily,
Maid^s Metamorphosis^ G. 4, 1600.
Caltrop, 5. A Mutrix. — With., 1568 ; Horm., F., 257.
A ball with four spikes, always presenting one.
Then at last home they come and prove calthropes to wound
the country's sides that bred and fed them. — T. Adams, Wks,^
p. 323.
Cheshop (Cheslop). Multipedo. — With., 1568. A woodlouse.
Chamlbt, 5. Camelot. — Gasc., A Delicate Diet, p. 12; Testatnenta
Vetusta, p. 434; Unton Inventories^ p. 33 ; Hll.
Chamblet. — Baret. A spirit in the brain which showeth to the
eyes that the earth is waved water Chamblet-like, "and
therefore do they tumble for the season such as be possessed
with it." i.e. are drunk. — Withals {The Sea, S»c.), 1608.
Chamlet, 5. Pannus undulatus vel Sericum undulatum sive
cymatile.— With., 1568.
CocKERELL, Pullaster. — lb.
Cod. Poddes or coddes that the beanes or other grow in, — lb,
CoLMOSE. Ficedula. — lb. The sea-mew. — Hll,
Crasb, 5. A crack, breach.
A erase in the wall (Rima). — With., 1568.
So crazy and cracked, to express mental unsoundness, are used
convertibly.
Croud, s. The crypt of a church.
A vaute or croudes, as under a church or other place. — lb.
Chip, v. To cut in sections.
To chip bread (Praeseco).
The chippings (segmina) of bread.
A chipping knife to chip bread with (Culter panarius). — lb.
To chip an hair. — Ym. of Hypocr., 341. 1533.
Crowle, v. To make a grumbling noisa
The crowling of the bealye (Bothorigmon).— With., 1568.
See Corle.
Cralle. — Pals., Ac, 5.
Crolling.— /J., H. 3.
CosTREL, s. Onophorum. — Voc. Stanb., 1518,
The wooden bottle used by labourers at harvest-time, — Hll.
36
Digitized by
Google t
WORDS AND PHRASES.
DoRTORy 5. A dormitory. — Bar., Sh. of F., i. 294; J. Heiwood,
Ep.f vi. 2.
A sleeping-place, a bedchamber. — Baret, 1580; Huloet.
DiSARD. Feigning and counterfiaiting all men's gestures, a gester
(Pantomimus). — Baret, 1580.
He can play the desard (morio) with a contrefet face properly. —
Horm., v., 279.
Disours or scoffing fellows. — Pals., Ac.^ H. 2 ; Disobedient
Child, H., O.P., ii. 304.
Doll, s. The doll of the hand (Vola). i.e. the palm. — Levins,
Man. Voc.f 1570.
Drad. Feared.
It is nat ynough for a cow-herd to have wyt and cunning in his
occupacion, but also he must be drad of his bestes for his
cryenge voyce and sturdy stature and aray. — Horm., K., 181 .
Dblay, v. To allay or alloy. — Spen., F. Q., ix. 30. ; Prothalamium, 3.
Seven times Autumnes heate hath been delaide
with Hiems boistrous blasts and bitter cold. — ^Tusser, Hush,
Duckbill. Ador is also another kind of wheat that was wont to be
used in sacrifice, which we do now call duckbill, and hereof
Cometh Adorarei propidare religiones. — ^With., 1568.
Ear, $. The ear or handle of the tankard. — Ih.
A vessel with two ears (Amphora). — lb.
So, Little pitchers have wide ears.
£rb, v. To plough.
A plughe and teame craftily to devyse
To ere the path that folys erst have made.
Bar., 5. of F., i. 58 and 60.
EwRY, Ewbry. a lavatory. — With., 1568.
Eysbll, or gall (Acetum). — Voc. Stan., 1518; Huloet.
Jes. Instede of drink the^ gaf me galle,
Aselle they menged it with alle.
The Jues fell ; Town. M. , 260.
7 Fr. oseille, the sorrel.
Feat. ? Fit. Neat, apt, handsome. — Baret, 1580.
Foot it featly.— Shak., The Tempest.
She wereth corked slippers to make hir tal and feet. — Horm.,
v., 113.
He picked him thens featly. — lb.
Febsb. a fesse or race (Procursus).
To leap without fetching any race or feese. NuUo procursu
safire. — Baret, 1580.
Faint, adj. Segnis = Feint unfertill or slouthfull.— With., 1568.
Fardbll, 5. A pack or fardell (Sarcina). — lb.
37
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
The Falling III (Morbus comitialis). The falling evil (Morbus
Herculeus). — /ft., 1586.
Felon, 5. A carboncle or felon. — lb., 1568. Paucitas.
A cattes-here.~Wr., p. 267, 15th Cy.
Cattes-heere, otherwise called a felon (Furunculus). — Huloet.
A white-flaw. — Baret.
Fraiter. a fraiter or place to eat meat in (Refectorium). — With.,
1568.
FoRSET, 5. A little coflFer. — Baret.
V. To shut up. — Tusser.
Forcer-makers. — Lib, Alb,, p. 642.
Frail. A limp basket made of matted grass, now used to transport
game, &c. — Prompt, Parv. ; Lyly, M, Bo,, iv. 2 ; Palsgr. ;
Horm., Vulg,, 149.
A frail of figs or raysons (Syriscus). — With., 1568.
Frail-bent, whereof fig- frails be made (Spartum herba). — lb,
i,e, esparto-grass, which grows freely on the shore N. of
Ramsey, Isle of Man.
In frails and flaskets (grapes at vintage). — Sylvester, Magnif.,
1 140.
FuLMET. A fichewe, powlcatte or fulmer (Martes). — ^W., 1568;
Marriage of Wit and Wisdom, p. 39 (Sh. Soc.).
Fuel, 5. " Garden stuff, Hereford."— Hll.
Shyppis lade with fiiell and other vytayle be come nowe into
the temys (Caudicariae naves). — Horm., V,, 251.
Garded or PuRFL|LD garments (Vestes segmentatae). — With., 1568.
A hemme or purfle (Fimbria). — lb,
Glie, V, To glie or looke askue, overthwart. — Baret.
Glaye or loke askoye. — Huloet.
A glyer (Strabo). — Voc, Stanbr., i, 1518.
Gymew (now Gimmal). A ryde henge or gymewe of a door or
other (Planula ferrea). — W., 1568.
Gymmow or ring to hang at one's ear, as the Egyptians have. —
Huloet.
Hicwale or Gale. Vireo vel picus marcius.— With., 1568. A
woodpecker.
Horse-leach, s, Veterinarius medicus. — With., 1568; Levins,
Man, Voc,; Horm., V,, 41.
Hoese-corsbr, 5. Hippocomus. — lb.
HucKLE, s. Hip. The pain in the huckle bone (Morbus coxen-
dicus).— With., 1568,
38
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Hem, V, To hem (Excreo).— W.
A cloke for the ra3nie. The lat3aie proverb (Tussis pro crepitu)
rose of them which with a lowde coughe or hem hyde and
dissemble theyr fartynges, which kynde of people even this
day not without great laughter be found out. — R. Tavemer,
Proverbs, f. 59. 1539.
HaB£RDASH.
He set up his shop with haberdash ware,
As one that would be a thriving man.
Wife lapped in Morelles Skin, 596. 1575.
JocKUM. He is an old dotarde or a iocham : death hangeth in his
nose, or he is at death's door. Silicernus est, capularis,
acherontius vetus decrepitus. — Horm., V,, 36.
Jew's trump. f.e. jeur trompe (toy-trumpet). — With., 1608.
What we now call a Jew's harp. — W. Chettle, Kinde-Hart's
Dream, p. 48. 1592.
JoRNEY. The day's length.
Fr. journee.
There be jomey ryngis and instrumentes lyke a hanging pyler
with a tongue lylling out to know what tyme of the day. —
Horm., F., 238.
Kbverchefe. Flameum. — Vulg. Stan., 1518.
Fr. couvrechief. — G. Coquillart.
Knit, v. To join.
This daunce hath many madde turnys and wyndis in and out
and knyttynge together. — Horm., 283.
ASKAUNCES.
Chau., C. T., 7327, 16306; Troilus and Cressida, i. 205, 292.
Shak., Ham., iv. 7, 167. [Camb. ed. has aslant. — Ed.] ;
T, of 5., ii., I, 240.
In foremost rank I stood before the rest,
And shook my flag, not all to show my force,
But that thou mightst thereby perceive my mind :
Askaunces* Lo, now could I kill thy corse
And yet my life is unto thee resigned.
Gascoigne, D. Barth. of Bath, Wks., i. 113. 1575.
* As who should say.
Therewith he raised his heavy head alight,
Askaunces " Ha ! indeed I " and " Think'st thou so ? "
lb., p. 136.
Askauns she may nat to the letters say nay. — Lydgate, Minor
Poems, Percy Soc., p. 35.
Ascaunce I am of manners most chaungeable. — Lydgate, Trag,,
fol. 136^.
39
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
His felaw had a staf tipped with horn,
A pair of tables all of ivory,
And a pointel ypolished fetishly,
And wrote always the names as he stood
Askaunce that he wolde for hem preye.
Chau., Sompnoufe*s Tale, 7327.
Whoso that listeth uttren his folie,
Let him come forth and lemen multiplie,
And every man that hath ought in his cofre,
Let him appere, and wex a philosophre
Ascaunce that craft is so light to lere.
Chau., Chanoun's Yemmanne's Tale, 16302.
Tho Troilus right wonder well withal
Gan for to like her meaning and her chere,
Which somedele deignous was, for she let fall
Her look a little aside, in such manere
Ascaunces, "What ! may I not stonden here ? '*
And after that her looking gan she light,
That never thought him seen so good a sight.
Chau., Tro. and Ct., i. 292.
And with that word he gan cast up his brow
Ascaunces " Lo, is this not well yspoken ? "
At which the god of love gan looken low. — Ih., 205.
Garcio, We out upon the, thefe !
Has thou thy brother slayn ?
Caym, Peasse man, for Goddes pa3m
I saide it for a skaunce. — Town. Myst., p. 17.
F. Why must he S)rt soft with a mekylle mischaunce
That has tendyd us so oft ?
P. T. Sir, we do it for a skawnce.
If he stood up on loft we must hop and dawnce
As cokys in a croft. — /ft., 199.
Quassi dicesse " E no ci si puo stare ? " — Boccaccio, Filostrato,
And al astaunce* she loved him weU, she toke him by the swere.
— Urry, Cont, of Cant. Tales, Prol., v. 361.
* ? at once.
And soo the Kynges astaunce came to Sir Tristram, to comfort
hym as he lay seke in his bedde. — Morte d* Arthur, i. 268.
AvYB, 5. [Qy. adv. in contest, for the mastery. — Ed.]
I blame nat craftismen that worke auye. Non damno concer-
tantes artifices. — Horm., V., 239.
Su MS. Lansd., quoted in Hll.
Baven. a bundle of brushwood.
Or winter doe come while the weather is good
for gutting thy ground, get thee home with thy wood,
Set baven alone, lay the boughes from the blockes,
the drier, the les maidens dablith their dockes.
Tusser, A hundreth good Points of Husbandries B., 1557.
40
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
With shallow jesters and rash bavin wits,
Soon kindled and soon burnt. — Shak., Hmry IV ^ iii., 2, 61.
Bavin bums bright, but it is but a blaze. — Melb., Fhil,^ U. 2.
Breast, 5. The singing voice (Thorax). Shak , Twelfth Nightt ii, 3»
18 ; Tusser, Life ; Horm., F., 180.
Some frute marre or hurte one's brest or voyce. — Ib.^ 28.
Syng a tryple : properly to fe3nie a smal breast. — Huloet.
BowD, 5. A weevil. And see under Soller.
Best dried, best speeds,
111 kept, bowd breeds. [Malt.] — Tusser, Huswifery, p. 9.
They drynke dronke and are very malt bowds. — Becon, iii. 254.
BiRLB, V. To pour out or draw wina Pincema, byrle, nth Cy.
Wr., Vol. of Voc., 74.
Big. The teat. A.S., bige, a bosom.
Give child that is fitly, give baby the big.
Give hardness to youth, and to rope-ripe a twig.
Tusser, Huswifery^ p. 14.
Bloodshooting in the eye (Suggulatio.) — ^With., 1608. Hence
our part., Bloodshot.
Brunt, s.
Favour and pity at the first brount have great strength, but
when advisement and reason come in place they feynt a
lytell and a lytell. — Horm., F., 190.
Bide all brontes. — Gasc., Glasse ofGovt.f i. 5.
Claw, v. To flatter.
Take therefore heed, my son, and mark fiill well this song,
Learn thus with craft to claw the devil, else live in rest not long»
Tusser, To light a Candle before the DevU, p. 62. 1573.
Creek.
Crekyn or clokkyn of hennes. — Prompt. Parv.
When tilth plough breaks
Poor cattle cries creak. — Tusser, Five Hun. [Aprif], 1573.
Thy melling is but mocking.
Thou must give up thy coddng,
Give it up every creke
Like an huddypeke. — Skelton, Duke of Albany.
And see under Hoven.
Chief, adj. Standing well with, intimate. — Bar., S. of F.^ ii. 211*
Day, v. To procrastinate.
Philotimus did not day the matter. — Melbancke, Phil., p. 55.
Ill husbandrie dayeth or letteth it lie.
Good husbandrie payeth the cheaper to buy.
Tusser, Five Hundredth Good Points of H., 1573.
41
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
DouT, s. Fear. v. Bar., i. 186.
Of one doute, thou fole, thou makest twayne. — Bar., Sh. of F.,
i. 167.
V. To be put out.
By his great ire doth he covet and desire
Douted to be of the poor comonty. — Bar., S. of F.^ i. i8a.
Douse. A doxy strumpet.
Who loketh to marry must lay to kepe house,
for love may not alway be playing with douse.
Tusser, Ladder to Thrifts p. 8. 1573.
Drivel. A drivel, drug, or kitchen slave. A low fellow. — Bar.
S. of F,^ i. 173 ; Prom. Par. Drivil (Mancipium). — Levins,
Manip. Voc, 1580.
New bread is a drivell,
Much crust is as evU.
Tusser, Huswifery^ p. 7. 1573.
Knaves and dryvelles. — Horm., 7., 70, 72, and 73.
DreviU or spattreyng of the mouth. — Udall, Er. Ap.^ p. 6a.
Droy. Droll, a drudge. C/. Droiches (characters ^in play).
Dwarfs. — Dunbar, p. 33.
Good droy to serve hog, to help wash and milk,
More needful is truly than some in their silk.
Tusser, Huswifery, p. 8. 1573.
Ey. ? Awe, respect. C/. Mind your eye.
Such waiter is fauty that standeth so by*
Unmindful of service, forgetting his ey.
If master to such give a b<)ne for to gnaw
He doth but his omce to teach such a daw.
Tusser, Huswifery^ 18.
* [near]. i.e. at table.
Hardhead. Hard, miserly, covetous. — (North) HU.
Niggards and hardheads (Sordidi). — Horm., F., 63.
I serve for a day, for a week, for a year.
For lifetime, for ever, while man dwelleth here ;
For richer, for poorer, from North to the South,
For honest, for hardhead or dainty of mouth, etc.
Tusser, Five hundredth Good Poyntes of
Husmfery^ 1573, p. 2.
Force, v.
I will not forse of the ignorant which at my travel grudge. —
Bullein, Gov. of Healthy E. Ded., 1558.
Force nothing.—Bar., S. ofF., i. 172.
Ft. Have no force nor care. — Bar., S. ofF., i. 116.
What force of the country so that the man be good ? — Bar.,
Myrrour of Good Maners.
Force nat of their souls.— Bar., S. of F., i. 93.
42
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
FoRCBy Make no. Have no care or regard.
Give no. i.e. heed. — 76., i. 68.
They therefore such as make no force what comely thing they
spill,
Must have a cabin like them themselves, although against their
will. — Tusser, Huswiferyy p. 19.
Such as forseth not her name (a whore). — Bar., EcL^ ii.
Trust me, Amyntas, no force who hereth me,
The coyne and conning doth not alway agre. — Ih,^ v.
The one is a murderer, the other a fearless thief,
I'he one of God nor goodman hath no fors ne care.
Bar., S. of F., i. 51.
Forst men are wont of that to dreme certayne
Wherewith their minds in walking* troubled be.
♦ ? waking. Bar., Ecl.^ iii.
Hooper, 1568. Hopper, 1608.
A hopper or wild swan (Onocrotalus). — Withals.
Hoven, adj. Swollen.
Judas is hoven with covetousness. — T. Adams, Wks.<t 592.
Tom Piper hath hoven and puflfed up cheeks,
If cheese be so hoven make Cisse to seek creekes.
Tusser, A Lesson for dairymaid Cisley] Husb.^ I573«
Heisding. a low person. — Hll,
And of a helding is become a jade. — T. Cranley, Amanda, 1635,
p. 48, repr.
Now begins the curst mistress to put her girls to their taskes,
and a lazy hylding will do hurt among good workers. —
Breton, Fantasticks. 1626.
Hards. Hirds. — Chaucer. Coarse flax, or ends of linen rags.
Haires or hirdes be wrapped about the feet of pullaine, that let
them to go (Tricae). — Baret, 1580.
Haver, 5.
For where there is dronkeness there madness is by kind,
Gydjmg the haver to all enormity. — Bar., S of Fools , i. 97.
Head, 5. The title : what we now call the handle of a titled man*s
name. — Douce, ///. to Shakespeare, i. 411.
North. Your grace mistakes me : only to be brief
Left I his title out.
York. The time hath been
Would you have been so brief with him he would
Have been so brief with you, to shorten you
For taking so the head, your whole head's length.
Shak., Richard II., iii. 3, 14.
HocKERLY, adv. Hocker-headed, rash. — Hll.
Outher full symple is thyne intellecte.
Or hokirly thou hast them overshake,
Or thy gost slept hathe.— Occleve, Reg. Prin., p. 66.
43
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
AuATf V. To daunt, dismay.— Hll. ; Cov. Myst.f p. 294.
He is amated and amazed. — Draxe, Bib, Schol,^ ^^ZZ*
Amated with error and amazed with terror. — T. Adams,
Wks., 751.
All to-torn. — Cov. Mysi., p. 326; Occleve, Reg. Prin.f p. igi ;
Horm., Kf 22.
All to tottered, torn and rent. — Withals, 1608.
All to-brent.— Bar., S. of F., i. 80.
Bastb, v. To moisten.
Baste [linire]. — Lev., 1570.
Then they command that I the wine should taste,
So bids mine Art, and so my throat I baste.
Gascoigne, Art of Venery (" Huntsman's Blazon ").
Beanb. 7 bone.
And yet forsooth these love to live in war.
When (God he knows) they know not what it means,
Where, if they saw how much deceived they are
Whiles they be brought into mine uncle's beanes,
And hop in hazard by their heady means,
Then woidd they learn and love to live at home,
Much rather yet than wide in wars to roam.
Gascoigne, Dulce Bellum Inexpcrtis St.t 75.
Su Grandame's beanes.
This would seem to be an expression for a state of extreme
fear. Uncle meant any elderly male, as Tio still does
in Spain. I was addressed there (when under 40) by a
saucy boy in this way, and now that twenty years have
passed am often dubbed " Gaffer."
Bent.
Such toils and toys as hunters use to bring me to their bents. —
Gascoigne, Art of Venerie, 1575 (*• The Hart ").
BuLLACE. Su Florio— Bulloi, bulloes.
The sparkling bullose of her eyes
Like two eclipsed suns did rise
Beneath her crystal brow,
To show, like those strange accidents.
Some sudden changeable events
Were like to hap below.
R. Fletcher, Poems ("On Clarinda's Wedding"), p. 227. 1656.
Bbrb, 5. ? A noise, disturbance.
Who maketh such a here ? — Town, ilf ., 109.
BuRLBT or Tiers. Mitrum. — With., 1568. Some article of a
woman's head-dress. — With., 1568. See Hll.
Fr. bourrelet still worn by small children to protect their heads.
Mitella, a payre of burlettes. — Voc. Stan.^ 15 18.
44
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Bug. The common Burse where none but Bugs repair,
An Harbour full of horror and despair.
Davies of Hereford, Humours^ Heau'n on Earthy 137 ;
and see 162, 183.
Moors or men of Muscovy,
or lyke bugges of Araby. — Ym. of Hypocr., 404. 1533.
He swears by no small bugs. — Lodge, Wit* 5 Mis.^ p. 17.
BuRGBN, V. To bud. — Fr. ; Prompt Par. ; Palsg. ; Lev., 1570.
Trees beginning to burgen. — With., 1608.
A bud or burgen. — lb.
Coup (Coop). A prison. — Gasc., Gl. of Gov.^ iv. 6, 7.
Coupe, a pen [caula] . — Lev., 1570.
Criblb-br£ad.
Panis vulgaris, secundarius. — With., 1574 ; Rel, Ant., i. 9.
(fine bran).
Panis blebeius vel cibarius (household bread). — lb.
Chary, adj. Cautious, careful. — Palsg., Ac.^ D. y.
CusHiONBT, 5. A box on the toilet-table with a cushioned top or
cover stuffed to receive pins.
Levitia. I like all well but my allowance for pins [;f 10] ; it is
not enough; for it is a base fashion nowadays to
use cushnets and save pins. The very warmth of
our bodies will change their colour in three hours,
and they will be crooked with pulling off; fie upon
them ! — Two Wise Men^ Sk., 1619, vii. 3.
Couth. Known.
Clauditur os hujus sunt publica crimina cujus. Shut up his
mouth whose faults are well couth or known. — With., 1586.
Cutter, s. The word is in use for him that hunteth after confiscate
goods. And it soundeth to a cheator in the highest degree
as that selleth his soul for gain ; [suae salutis (animae) sector]
—With., 1608.
Chbson, 5. Reason, motive.
Hym to trust we have no cheson.
For it is proved, in trust is treason.
P. of Byrdes, c. 1350.
CuMBBR. Care, trouble.
It is a comberous (moiestum) thing to wayt on the for thy
waywardnes. — Horm., F., 290.
Dbpravb, v. To vilify, run down.
I pray,
Howe*er it prove, don't call 't a pritty play :
Lret it be good or bad ; that slight word pritty
Shows the play nought, and the depraver witty.
Th. Jordan, A Royal Arbor of Loyall Poesie^
prol. to " Love hath found his eyes," 1664.
45
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
DiLLiNG, s. A darling.
The youngest and the last, and lesser than the other,
Saint Helen's name doth bear the dilling of her mother.
(Dorset) Drayton, PoL, ii. 113.
Dover. ? Jack of Dover.
Jack or whittle, nicquet. — Palsg.
Brother, adieu ! I see y'are closely girt,
A costive Dover gives the Saints the squirt.
R. Fletcher, Pocms^ 1656.
Drounslet, 5. A drum, a Timpany which doth make one's belly
to swell like a tabor, or a drounslet.
Eftsoones. As soon as. — Gasc., Gl. of Gov,^ ii. 5. Again. — Baret,
Alv.f 1580.
EssEs, 5. I. The serpentine wanderings of a river's course, forming
S. 2. Chain links.
Cupid. My scourge itself are golden tresses,
More richer fsur than chains of esses.*
Sharpham, Cupid's Whirligigs Prol., 1630.
* Allading to the Lord Mayor's collar of office. — S. S.
Or to a mead a wanton river dresses
With richest collars of her turning esses.
Browne, Brit. Past., i. 4.
And meads and pastures trims, bedecks and dresses,
Like an unvaluable chain of esses. — Taylor, On Thame-isis.
For. To prevent, understood.
I will have raylis in my stayris and loftis for fallynge of a man
going up and down and passin. I will have a latesse before
the glasse for brekynge. — Horm., K., 242, and passim.
FORDEALE.
Among mine other mischiefs this I have too for advantage or
fordeale : a harder fBunine occupieth the whole region than
hath been seen for many a day. — Pal., Ac, U. 4.
Halliwell says advantage, and Stratmann follows. — Sed qu.
Fenowe, or horeness (hoariness) in bread.— With., 1574. Moodi-
ness.— /ft., 1608.
This bredde is old and venyed. — Horm., F., 162.
It is a pantry of wholesome food against fenowed traditions. —
T. Adams, Works^ p. 283.
Foster-father. A foster-father that keepeth a child of alms or for
God's sake (Nutricius).— With., 1608.
FoiSTER. ? Fusty.
In placis under the ground is jrvell dwelling and keeping of
geer for foyster and moyster. — Horm., 7., 152.
Field-bed, s. A rich field-bed to me was sold.
With canopy of alk and gold.*
R. Tofte, FfuUs of Jealousy, p. 76. 1615.
* Part of the famiture of a kept mistress's house.
46
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
A fellow poor and improvident compelled on a time to take up
his lodging on the ground, which may be termed a Reld-
bed. — Help to Discourse^ p. 197. 1636.
This field-bed is too cold for me. — Shak., R. and]., ii. i., 40.
The prophet Eli's lodging was but a field-bed, yet even then
and there the lions were a guard about him. — T. Adams,
Man's Comfort.
2. The grave. — Brathwait, Shepherd's Tales^ p. 164. 1621.
Frowish, adj. Stale-smelling firom dirt. Rank or frowish in savour
(hircosus). — With., 1574. Germ., Frau.
GoGGLB-BYBD. Squint-eyed or gogle-eyed. Strabus, qui oculos
habet distortos. — With., 1568.
GoRB-BBLLiBD, or great-bellied. — With., 1574.
Gore, the lap. — Levins, 1570 ; Chau., Rime of Sir Topas.
Gorbely. — Horm., K., p. 30.
Haskard. a haskard or of low degree. — Horm., K., pp. 31, 204.
Proletarius. — With., 1574.
Wyne was not made for every haskerd.
But here and ale for every dasterd.
Hyeway to the Spital, 683.
Handfasting. Contract [of marriage] or handfasting. — Levins,
1570; With., 1568.
Handfast-maker (pronuba). — Camden, Brittania [by Holland] ,
p. 388.
Hbarsb, 5. I. A bier. Jair, the widow's son, dead and lying on
the hearse. — Cawd., 541.
2. A triangular iron frame to hold the candles at funeral
obsequies.
Ho.— Ud., Er. Ap., 186.
Es. If we have luck this day to kill hare, teg or doe.
Thou shalt eat thy bellyful till thou criest Ho.
Jacob and Esau^ 1568 ; H., O.P., ii. 193.
The most feblest asse ofte counteth him most able
To bear of ambition the sacke insociable :
The sacke without bottom that never can say hoo.
The moo they receive allway they gape for moo.
Bare, Myrrour of Good Maners Temp.
He is, alone, but a common soldier ; but if they gather together
and make a muster, there is no hoe with them, especially
when they take their liquor well, for then they will assault
the stoutest man of the guard. — § 14 " The Mustard-seed,"
Strange Metam. of Man^ 1634.
God. I charge you all, fall tell I byde whoo
Into the deep pitte of hell ever to be. — Chest. PL, p. 16.
The wolf that of the murthir nocht say ** ho! "—James V.>
King's Quhair, St. 157.
47
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
HoBLBR, 5. 7 a misprint for babler (babbler).
Pandarina to Lamia. As for that, another time shall serve
between you and me.
Echo. Why, and shall I be cast up for a hobler then ? I am
sure I was never yet untrusty to any of you both. —
Gasc, Gl. of Go., 15.
HuRLEBATS, 5. Adides. Clubs having pikes of iron in the end. —
With., 1568.
Jeopard, v. Jopardy. — Whit., Vidg.^ f. 30.
Lo, now he blows his horn ev'n at the kennel door.
Alas, alas, he blows a seek ; alas, yet blows he more !
He jeopardes and rechates : alas, he blows the Fall
And sounds that deadly doleful note which I must die withal.
Gasc., Aft of V entry, " Blazon of Hart."
Jncony, adj.
Oh, I have sport inconey i' faith ! I have almost burst myself
with laughing. — Porter, Two Angry Womm [H., O.P.,
vii. 352].
IcLBi 5. The Ise icles or pypes hanging upon the eaves of a house
or other place. — With., 1568.
Kbllb, 5. A caul ; part of a maiden's head-dress.
M. Mag. Why, sir, ween ye that I wear a kelle. — Digby MS.
(Abbd. CL), p. 86.
Knap, v. To rap.
Knap boy on the thumbs
And save him his crumbs.
Tuss., Husw., p. 10. 1573.
Jack Holdmystavbs and Knockyldbboynards, Amongst a meyny
of. — Pal., Ac, Y. 4.
John Hold-my-staff. — The FiHun Comforts of Matrimony. Knuckle.
Buinard imbecille, O. r r.
Kybb, 5. Parnio.— With., 1568. Peruda.— F. Keybe hele. XV. Cent.
Wr., p. 267.
Ago. Gone.
Wylt thou nat be ago, thou precious knave ? — Horm., V., 287,
294, 299.
Batb, v. To flutter.
And as the hooded hawk which hears the partrich spring.
Who, though she feel herself fast tied, yet beats her bating wing.
Gascoigne, Herbs, i. 359.
He hath broken up the bates* in his raging anger. — Horm.,
v., 297.
• Cancellos.
Backside of a house. — With., 1608.
Near the back-door. — Tarlton, News out of Purgatory, p. 71.
48
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Backstrsss. a baker or backstres must be well ware that a stack
or a pile of wood be nat near the fire. — Horm., K., 153.
Bye and Main. A gaming term. — Chapman, Andromeda Liberata,
1614, c. a ; Killigrew, M. and W.^ ii. 5. ; B. and FL, WUd
Goose Chase^ iii. i ; and Dyce's n.
{See Lurch; Brathwait, Whimsies; A Gamester , 1631.)
At all cries Death, then down by heaps they £all,
He draws in By and Maine, amaine he draws
Huge heaps together and still cries ''At all,"
His hand is in and none his hand withdraws.
Dav., PicL of Plague, p. 241.
By. Of.— Bar., Sh. of F., i. 237.
By-and-by. Explicitly. — Chest. PI., ii. 21.
Immediately. — Ch. PL, ii. 92; Jacob and Esau, 1568; H., O.P,,
ii. 232 ; Disobedient Child, H., O.P., ii. 304 ; P., Ac, N. 2.
Bane, v. (not ban, as Gros. says). To afflict with a bad disease. —
(West.) HU.
On that bank lies another, breathinc^ fast.
And passers-by he baneth with his breath.
J. Davies (of Hereford), Pict. of Plague, p. 231.
It was confusion but a friend to meet.
For like a fiend he baned with his breath. — lb., p. 233.
Who, wanting burial, doth the air infest,
That, like a Basilisk, he banes with sight. — lb., p. 239.
Bulk, s. Cf. Shak., Cor., ii. i, 200; Othello, v. i, i.
1 . The open slab or shop-board of a stall. Not beam, as Grosart
suggests. (See post.)
The London Lanes (themselves thereby to save)
Did vomit out their undigested dead,
Who by cartloads are carri^ to the grave,
For all those Lanes with folk were overfed.
There might ye see Death (as with toil opprest
Panting for breath all in a mortal sweat),
Upon each bulk or bench himself to rest
(At point to faint), his harvest was so great.
J. Davies (of Hereford,) Pict, of Plague, p. 231. 1603.
Keep she tavern or keep she inn,
Either bulke, bouth, or stall.
Please one and please all. — [Huth,] Ballads.
Florio gives it under Balcone.
For now the heroes of the yard have shut
Their shops, and loll upon their bulks.
R. Fletcher, Po., p. 198. 1656.
2. The trunk of the body. — S. Sheppard, Epig., vi. i. 1651.
Gates, s. Aschats. — Taylor (W. P.), On Thame-isis.
A pvuveghour for victuals or cates. — With., 1568.
Obsonator. Comest thou hither to the pultry to buy cates. —
? Pal., Ac, H. 3, M. 2.
VOL. III. 49 4
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
For cresses, roots, hips, haws, sloes, and such cates
Are common as the air to take and eat.
This meat serves nature, though it serve not States,
And longest livers had no other meat.
J. Davies (of Hereford,) WifsPilgr., T. ir.
But common cates the Epicure doth loathe. — Id., Sc, of Fo.,
p. 53 ; and dainty cates in contrast, p. 54.
Cote, s. A cottage or shelter.
The wildest wastes and places most remote
From man's repair are now the most secure ;
Happy is he that there doth find a Cote
To shrowd his head»h:om this Plague's smoking show'r.
Id., Pict. of PlaguSf p. 233.
Cronb, 5. An old ewe.
The Sheep master his old cast croanes can cull. — Gascoigne,
Dulu Bellum Inexpertis^ 63.
An old woman. — Shak., Winter's TdU^ ii. 3, 76.
Cassat, part, of casse. To break.
This testament is cassat (abolitum) and anuUed. — Horm., F.,204.
Carriage, s. Baggage of travel. See Cawdray, Tr. of Sim., p. 228.
Cf Shak., Tempest, v. i, 3.
The eldest [sons], turninc^ to their vomit, take their cariage
with them and travail the world. — Gascoigne, GL of Gov,,
1575; Argument.
Sirrah, are the wagons ready and is their cariage placed therein
with all things convenient ? — lb., iv. 4.
Philosarchus and his cariage. — lb., v. 9.
The Kyng's stouff or cariage was a hole day coming in. — Horm.,
v., 289.
Men, beasts, and all cariage. — lb., 245.
Changeling. Puer subditus, suppositus. And the same is for a
child that is laid and found in the street, or highwa}r, or
elsewhere, which they call commonly a foimdling. — With.,
1608.
CoNTiNGATE, s. There be four principal contingates to Wine: i. To
be kept uncomipt. 2. To be kept sweet. 3. Being cor-
rupt, to be restored. 4. To be changed into vinegar. —
Buttes, Dyefs Dry Dinner, Pr., 1599.
CoRLE, V. See Crowler.
His bellie rumbleth, or his guttes corles and crooks. — Baret,
1580.
Con, v. I con thee good thanke. — Pal., Ac, H. 4.
Qui bien dort, pisse et croUe
n'a besoin de maistre Micoile.
Joubert, Err. Pop., ii. (59).
50
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Date, s. End, appointed time.
The doleful days draw slowly to their date. — Paradise of Dainty
Devices^ p. 75.
Dankish, adj.y or moist. — Huloet.
Dayment, s. ? Arbitration. Reynard the Fox^ p. 19, repr.
Wilt thou be tried by the law or by da3rment ? — 1 Cor.^ iv. 3 ;
[Coverdale].
Vis rem jure finiendam ? an ex aequo et bono ? — Horm., K,, 204.
I trust upon thy consciencei and therefore I will none other
tryall or dayenge. — Ih,^ 211.
This matter is put in dayenge (ad viarium). — /&., 212.
Drift, 5. Subtyle dryftis (callida consilia) ought nat set a judge out
of the right way. — /ft., 206.
Dashed, pt. All this matter is utterly dasshed.
Actio penitus antiquata est. — Ih.^ 211.
Dome [doom], s. Judgment.
For bad custome and use false juges and vocates be wonte to do
moche hurt in ther domis and besynesse.— D>a/. of Great,, 73.
Enairb, v. To air.
Who when she lists with balm-breath Ambrosie,
She it* enaires in Prose or Poetry
That flow so boldly from her fluent tongue,
As if they could not, though they would, go wrong.
J. Davies of Hereford, Wifs Pilg.,
Pict, of Formosityy N. 2r.
* Her tongue.
Frain, v. To ask. — Occleve, Reg, Prin., p. 134.
Jos. Bot of a thing frayne the I shall
Who owe this child thou gose with alle ? — Town. Af., 76.
Foot. The burthen of a song. Idleness. Measure in poetry.
See Stain.
Thou hast songs good store : sing one,
And we three the foot will bear.
Brigle ? A misprint for bridle, as earlier in the play we have :
" I laid my bridle on the shelf." The beginning of a song.
Moros, My brigle lieth on the shelf:
If you will have any more
Vouchsafe to sing it yourself.
For here you have all my store.
? W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest, c. 1568, D.
Garnappe (1574), Garnep (1608). Garnop. — Levins, M. K., 1570.
Basis.
To be laid under the pot upon the table to save the table-cloth
clean. — Withals.
Galeach (Galeche, 1568), which women used in time past
(Crepida). — Withals, 1574.
51
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Galatch, or pattens. — With., 1608. Galache, galoche. — PrompL
Parv. Galage. — Huloet, 1532.
Shoe called a Callage or patten, which hath nothing but
lachettes. — Huloet.
Gate, 5. Way.
Pris. Her birth requires a better bridegroom than such a groom.
Spe. And his bringing-up another gate's marriage than such
a minion. — Lyly, Af. Bomb., i. 3.
But as the hawk which soareth in the sky
And climbs aloft for solace of her wing,
The greater gate she getteth up on high
The truer stoop she makes at anything.
Gascoigne, Dulce BeUum ImxfertiSf 34.
Gbason. Rams. Thinne, seldom or geason. — With., 1568.
The highest tree that ever ^ret could grow.
Although full fair it flourish'd for a season.
Found yet at last some foil to bring it low :
This old said saw is (God he knoweth) not geason.
Gascoigne, Earth, of Bath. ; The Reporter^ i. 109.
Cle. (lamenting the loss of his boy) : Yea, I had rather have lost
all the goods in the world.
Pa. Alas, alas 1 by God and grafts of such a stock are very
geason in these days. — Id., Supp.^ i. 2.
Care not if thy dishes or meats be geason. — Barcl., M. of G. M.
ITmp.]
** Do thou admire in silence this so geason.
Because the cause thereof surmounts thy reason 7 "
[Redemption] Davies of Her., St. 90. The
Holy Rood or Christ's Cross^ 1609.
A good man is geason : not easy to be found. — Bare, Eel., v.
So Schol. of Wom.f 942.
Good women he [Bocas] wrot were very geason.
Since of them is no plenty but great geason.
Baret, Sh. of F., ii. 10.
And scom'd her mind that scorn'd his love
To her so firmly geason.
For why ? she offer d double wrong
To wrong and scorn a reason. — Warner, Alb, Eng.t vii. 36.
So by reason theyr gaynes be geason.
This way they rene many a season.
Hyeway to the Spital-house, 601.
Temperate he was in every deep extreme.
And could well bridle his affects with reason.
What I have lost in losing him then deem
Base death, that took away a man so geason
That measured every thought by time and season.
Robert Green, A Maiden's Dream on the Death of Sir
Christ. Hatton, 1591 ; Shak. Soc. Papers, vol. ii.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Gromhbl-sbbd. Money.
Followed those persons that had the grummle-seed and muck
of the world. — Udal., Er. Ap.^ p. 86.
Grumle-seed. — Respub.f i. i. 1563.
Grasp and gape for grumble-seed. — lb,, ii. a.
If I trusted you not, I swear by my Cay
You should not come so near my grommel-seed
And take no more than I you bede.
Jssts of Wid. Edyth., vii. 1525. [Haz., O. E. J. B.]
Galibnist, 5. Above all the Galienists of Italy.— Lodge, WWs
Mis.f p. 9.
Hutch. [T. S.).
Fr. huche. Whicche. — Morris, E. AlliU Poems, P. 2, 362 (Eng.
Hoche or whyche. (Cista, archa.) — Protnpt. Parv,
Rabbit-hutch. Wych-elm, from being used to make them.
Wyche. — Rel. Ant,, i. 43. ? The Wyche at Malvern.
God help you to a hutch [hut] , for you *11 never get a mailing. —
Kelly.
'* Un anel d'or avec un ruby qe ma femme me devise qe ad tout
pleni de coups, et est en un petit forcer en ime grande
husche au bout de la basse garde-robe." — Will of Humphry
de Bokun, Earl of Hereford, slain at Boroughbridge, 1321.
A witche tree (Opulus). — With., 1568.
Where all thing is common, what needeth a hutch ?
where wanteth a saver there havoc is much.
Tusser, Huswifery, p. 6. 1573. Again p. 8, huch.
Not unlike to him that had rather have a new- painted box, though
there be nothing but a halter in it, than an old barrel-
hutch with treasure invaluable. —Nash, An. of Ahs,, 1589.
Let greedy need make old wives trot to fill their rusty hutch. —
Fulwell, Ars Adulandi, C 3.
Show Thomas Edwards, my servant there.
Where I am and that I sent you thither.
Commanding him for to deliver
My keys to you by such a token.
The which keys were made to open
The new chest at mine own bed's feet,
And eke my whuch that is fast ishyt.
Wherein remaineth all my plate.
Jests of Wid. Edytk., xii. 1525, [Haz., O. E. J. S.]
A boulting-hutche. Area excusoria vel cribraria. — With., I568«
A maund or hutch. — Florio, p. 5.
"An ambry . . . any hutch or close place to keep meat left
after meales, which at the beginning of Christianity was
ever distributed among the poor people." — Baret, Alv.
An hutch full of gold.— Melb., PhU., X.
Bread-basket, hamper, or hutch (Mastra). — Huloet.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Appose, v. To question, now Pose. — Horm., 7., 219, 223. To
puzzle. — lb,, 246.
How in the temple he dede appose
And answerd doctoris ryth wyse and sage.
Cov. Myst,, p. 9, 1468 ; Bare, Sh. of F., i. 288.
Who was so busy as the maid
With crooked language Peter to appose ;
Once, twice or thrice to him she said.
And thou, felowe, art one of those.
Sch, of Worn., 714. 1541.
All-bbdbnb.
Chest. Pl.f 49, 153 ; ii. iSs; Town. AT., 216.
Now have we told yow alle be-dene
The hool matter that we thynke to play.
Cov. Myst., p. 18 ; and see p. 205.
Bedenb. Soon. — Town, Myst., 105, 306.
Thyn halyday thou kepyst not clene
In gloteny to lede thi lyff
In Goddys house 3e 3ulde be-dene
Honoure your God, bothe mayden and wyff.
Cov. Myst.f p. 62.
Benbthb, v. Begin.
3itt women benethe to greve whan thei be with child. — Cov.
Myst., p. 145.
Bill, s. A writing, list of names. Bylet, scrowe. — Prompt. Parv. So
Billet, Fr.
The passengers' names used in old times to be entered on a
way-bill.
Synne offendeth God in his face
And agrevyth oui Lorde ffuUe ylle.
It causeth to man ryght grett menace
And scrapyth hym out of lyvys bylle.
That blyssyd book. — Cov. Myst., p. 41.
Braid.
He wylle byn here within a brayde
As he me tolde, he cometh in rape. — Cov. Myst., P* 23i«
All in a breade. — Chest. PL, ii. 155.
Brayde, or hastynesse of mynde. — C0II6, s. f. Palsg.
This conqueror up brayde
And to his knyght in wrath this word sayd.
Bar., Sh. ofF., i. 95.
Broklettbs, gubbins of booties and praies.
The glenyngs, the casualties. — Respub,, i. i. 1553.
Brim, s. The brim or brink of the bank next the sea, water or river
side. — Withals, 1608. The horizon. — Spenser, F. Q., V.
XXXV. 2 ; Sylvester, 2nd Day, 1st Wuk, 1050 ; Davies, Sc.
of Fo.^ p. 260.
04
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Melchizar, In Tarys I am Kynge with crowne,
By bankys and brymmys browne
I have travelled by many a towne.
Cov. Myst.f p. 162 (" Adoration of Magi ").
Halliwell turns it to " brynnys, streams," in his Index.
Bob, v. I. To strike. — Cov. Myst., p. 332.
2. And for that he should not too much exalt himself above
himself . . . the same servants sitting with him should
bobbe him and say to hira "Know thyself." — Dial, of
Creat.f 60.
. . . whan that Cryst our Savyour was bobbed and His
visage alle bespette. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., 130.
Chbsil. Gravel, pebble. Chysel or gravel. — Prompt. Parv,
As sond in the se doth ebb and flowe
Hath cheselys many unnumerabylle. — Cov. MysU^ p. 56,
Charlet. Vitalium Charlet, 15th Cy. — Wr., p. 266. Forme of
eury. — p. 27. C/. Apple Charlotte.
Clicket, 5. Serula, a clyket, 15th Cy.— Wr., p. 261.
Carage, s.
Having small hope within thy dull carage
Of heaven where thou might bide perpetually.
Bar., Sh. of F., ii. 173.
Commune, v. To discuss.
I have matters that I wolde comon with the alone.— Horm.,
7., 386.
Deer.
Stigma. The dere yn a mannys hede. Cf. Shakspere*s small
deer.
Smigma* capud mundat, stigma dolore gravat. — Pid. Voc.^
15th Cy. ; Wr., p. 269.
♦ Soap.
Dere, 5. Harm. See Stratm. Deir. — PhUotus^ C. 2. 1603,
Which ire unto the stomach doth great dere,
Busying the mind privily within.
Bar., Sh. of F,^ ii. 71 ; Bar., M. of G. M. Temp.
V. For what man is foultless ? what needeth him to fear ?
Oft blame may he bide, but nothing can him deare.
Occleve, Reg. Prin.^ p. 80.
DoDEMUSED. Cov. Myst.y p. 395.
DiHTNBR. ? from V. To dight, i.e. dispose, deck out. Dispensator,
a dihtnere, nth Cy. — Wr., V. of Voc^ 74.
DwsoRH. Nanus, nth Cy. — Wr., V. ofVoc.y 73. Omunculus, a
duorow, 15th Cy.— /ft., 275. Whence ? Dwarris, the
surname. So Urling, a dwarf.
Duergur (Su. Goth.^ nani vel pygmaei, spiritus auxiliares
nabebantur, qui m montibus et silvis diverticula haberent.
— Jonas Moman, De SupersHtionibus HodietniSf p. 15. 1750.
66
Digitized by
Google
DWBRE.
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
And alle tho that sees of laboryng here
The vij* day withowtyn dwere
And wurchyp me in good manere
They xal in hevne have endles pes.
Cov. Mysi.f p. 23.
Alle hese apostele there xul be
And woundere sore and have gret dwere
Of that fferly syth. — (Ascension) Cov. Mysi.^ p. 17.
Take this appyl in thin hond
And to byte thereof thou fifond,
Take another to thin husbond,
Thereof have thou no dwere, — Cav. Mysi.^ p. 25.
Dbvisb.
But divers toyes and japis variable
They spread abroad, encombring the service,
And namely with their tongue wherewith they bable
Each one to other, as if they took advise
And counsel together their cartis to devise
Unto our ships their company to carry,
For loth they be to long from them to tarry.
Bar., Sh. of F., ii. 151.
Ethb, adj. Easy. C/. Un-neth.
That is ethe to wyte ! (Scilicet). — Pal., Ac, H. 4.
Entachb, v.
First and foremost make, i,e. loke thou entache (foe). — Pal.,
AC.y G.
I[roDB, V.
To fode forth with vain hope through thy fair words. — Pal.,
Ac, U.
Fooded me forth. — Ib.^ U. 2.
Foggy, adj.
Those who on a sudden do grow rather foggy than fat by
feeding on sacrilegious morsels do pine away by degrees. —
Fuller, Pisgah, III., iii. 12, § 2.
The foggy epicure. — Adams, Wks,, i. 40.
FOGGINBSS, s,.
Pinguedo in England is liamed fatness or fogginess. — Boorde,
B. of Health, 2S0.
Farb, v.
Till he came at a comer by a shop's stall,
Where boys were at dice, faring at all ;
When Careaway with that good company met
He fell to faring withouten let.
Jacks Jugeler; [H., OJ^., iL 115.]
Fawb, adf. Glad. — Cov. Myst, p. 293.
Flawn, s. Flaon. — Menagier de Paris {c 1393), ii. 108.
56
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Fond. And see Dwere.
Take this fikyr appyl alia in 3our bond,
Thereof a mursd byte and asay
To ete this appyl, loke that ye fonde
Goddys ffelaw to be alway. — Cov, Myst.y p. 26.
Fop, 5. Fool, a term of contempt. — Ib.f p. 295.
Full-butt. Eras., Ap., p. 29.
It standetb fulbut ageynst Caleys.
Sessoriacum e regione contuetur. — Horm., 7., 253.
I shall hit the mark fulbut at the next time. — lb,, 279.
Flbshamyls, 5. Shambles. — Dial. ofCreat.f 81 •
Flagging. Flapping.
Lend me a pinne to fast3m my flaggyng clothes.— Horm., F., 293.
Frbkb, 5. A fellow. Frecke. — Chest. PL, i. 83, 153.
Yet was he to si&^ht a stout and lusty freake.
And as he hosted he borne was in the peake.
Bar., Eel., i.
Gainsay, v. Contradict.
Contraried and againsaid the minds and sentences of all the
universal multitude. — Ud., Er. Ap., yi/^.
I will nat ageyne saye you. (Tuis verbis non contra nitar.) —
Horm., v., 292.
To him that is curteys and lowly every man dare againsaye. —
Bar., CasteU of Lab., E. 2.
Gramb, 5. Anger. — Town. Myst., 44 ; Occleve, Reg. Prin., 130; Chau.,
Cant. Tales, 13331.
Than was our Lord wrothe and grevyd al with grame. — Cav.
Myst., p. 2 and p. 27 v.
aif. And forbere your husbonde when he is grame. — Proude
Wyues Paternoster, 190. 1559. [Haz., E.P.P., iv. — Ed.]
Gent, adf. Courteous. — Chest. PL, i. 174, 175.
Gbany, adf. Profitable.
Loiterers I kept so many.
Both Philip, Hob and Cheany,
That that way nothing geany
Was thought to maie me thrive. — Tusser.
GN0FFB9 ^. A fool, a churl. — ^BuUokar.
Hack, v.
Therefore the Fool that should say trouth is dum,
Hacking his words that no man may them here.
Bar., Sh. ofF., ii. 232.
Halter, s.
I say nat nay but fayre thou art to see
And alway wrappyd in halters of pleasaunce.
(Virtue to Lust) Bar., Sh. ofF., ii. 297*
67
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Half, s. Part, side.
A Goddes half, sone, I am wele apaide. — Occleve, R$g. Prin.,
p. 38.
Halsb, s. The neck. — yests of Wid. Edyth^ vii.
" Armyd clere, both hed and hals." — Cov. Myst.^ p. 342.
V. To embrace. — /i., p. 323.
Halsynges and kissings. — Pal., Ac.^ B. 63.
To haylse or to be haylsed moche (saluere plurimum). — Pal.,
The hawse of a ship is probably the same word.
Haras, s. A stud of horses. — Fr.
)onder is an hous of haras that stant be the way
Among the bestes herboryd may 3e be.
Cav. Mysi.^ p. 147.
Haro. a cry for aid. — Town. M., no ; Chest. PI., p. 17.
V. Away! fie! — BuUokar.
Hog, 5. A young sheep.
Hogges and theves. — Paston Lett., 978.
I have sought with my doges
All Horbery shroges
And of XV hoges
Fond I bot oone ewe. — Town. M., no.
Hyll. To cover.
A hillinge.— CA^^. P/., p. 29.
And with this clothe anon also
This bestys bak we xal sone hylle.
(Christ's Entry into Jerusalem) Cov. Myst., p. 253.
He xal hereafter nevyr ete brede.
With this gresse I xal hym hylle.
(Cain and Abel) Cav. Myst., p. 38.
Hold with, v. To consent, to accept. Approve. — Horm., V., 177.
Agree with. — lb., 211.
Joseph. Octavian our emperor sadly hath besought
Our trybute hym to bear flfolk must forth ichon
It is cryed in every bourgh and cety be name ;
I that am a poor tymbre wryth, bom of the blood of David,
The emperores commawndement I must holde with
And elles I were to blame. — Cav. Myst,, p. 145.
Harragb, v. In sense of harass.— Fuller, Ch. Hist. Cf. Harageousc,
violent, stem, in Hll.
Agate. A-going.
Let us be agate. — Interlude of Youth ; [H., O.P., ii. 25] ; Disobedient
Child, ib.f ii. 306.
68
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Alarum.
Al-arme! al-arme! quod J)at lorde eche lyf keep his own. —
P. Plow. Vis.f XX. 91.
Skeat derives it from It. all'arme. — See B. & F., Custom of the
Country^ i. i.
The akrum clock is mentioned. — Horm., K., 238.
A £alse alarum. — Dr.
Algrime. Arithmetic. Science of Algryme or Algorisme. — Huloet.
Ace, 5. A point, an imit.
Christ sat [at the Last Supper]; ye sometime stand right up,
sometime lean upon your elbows, sometime crouch down-
ward, sometime knele, but sit do ye never because ye will
still contrary Christ and be one ace above him. — feecon,
Works, i. 37. 1560.
Already, adv. Immediately.
Alle redy lord at your bidding it shall be done. — Town. M., 131.
AwBE (Brandlbt). The Bramline or mountain Finch. — (Fringilla.)
Bramlin, Montifringilla. — With., 1568.
The Brandlet ♦ saith, for singing sweet and soft
(In her conceit) there is none such as she ; . . • •
The tatling awbe doth please some fancie well,
And some like best the bird as black as cole.
Worledge, Sy sterna Agricultural 1669.
* Brandling.
? Alpe, the Bullfinch. A nope = a bulphinch. — Gascoigne's Compl.
ofPhU.
Brambling. Moineau de bois. — Cotgr.
In many places nightingales
And alpes and finches and wodwale.
Chau., Romant of the Rose, 658.
Ayger. ? 5. Vinegar, not adj. as in Hll.
I lye lurkynge at home all this hole moneth longe, there drynke
I refuse wyne, i.e. that hath almoost lost his colour and is
almoost ayger and mounch up browne bread. — Pal., Ac,
H.3.
Bate, At the. At variance.
Ere he comes to man's estate,
God*s word and his living shall be clean at the bate.
Lusty Juventus [H., O.P., ii. 67] .
Bodword, s. a message.
Moses. Gladly they wold me greyf
If I siche bodword broght. — Town. M., 58, 253.
Bolster, s. The porter's knot ?
Bolsters which bearers of burdens, as porters, do wear for
freating. — Huloet.
An idle man is the devil's bolster. — Hen., Scotch Prov.
V. To sustain, support. Ye bolster sin. — D. Rogers,iVaaf«a»,4i7.
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Board, s. The table top for meals which was placed on trestles.
Let hem abide till the bord be drawn. — P. Phw. Vis.^ ix. aSg c.
So now " the cloth is drawn."
Brewbt, 5. Brose, broth.
Isaac, Who was that that was right now here
And brought me bruet of a dere 7 — Toum. Myst.^ 43.
BuLKf 5. The upper part of the trunk of the body. The sides of
the stomach and entrails.
The boulke, called in Latin thorax, which containeth the brest.
— Elyot, C. ofHea.^ 89. 1541.
The bulke or uppermost part of the body. — ^/J., 85.
Of the bulk and lungs the proper exercise is meving of the
breath in singing and cr3dng. — /&., 47.
May your deformed bvdks endure the edge
of axes feel the beetle and the wedge.— Corbett, IU¥ Boreale.
Chop, 1.
At another season efksoons it fortuned that while Philippus in
the daytime toke his rest and slepe, a sorte of the Grekes.
(which had in a great nombre assembled about his dores)
toke peper in the nose and spake many words of reproach
by the King, for that by reason of his slugging they might
not at the first chop be brought to his speche. — Udall,
Er. Ap.f 198 ; see also Md., p. 293.
<« At the first chop of encountreyng." — Ib.t 300.
Clout, s. A blow.
And with this dagger thou shalt have a clout,
without thou wilt but lightly be gone.
Hickscomer [H., O.P.t i. 169] .
Cote, 5. Salt-cote, or place where salt is made. — (Salina) Huloet.
Consumed, part. Wasted away as in pulmonary complaints.
Them whose flesh is consumed, specially about the breste and
shulders. — Elyot, C. of Health, p. 50. 1541.
This [broth of an old cock] is a most excellent broth for them
that be sick, weake or consumed. — Bullein, Gov. of Healthy.
P- 93- 1558.
Cockney. Chau., Reve*s Tale, 4206.
To be dandlyd any longer upon his father's knee, or to be any
longer taken for his Other's cockney or minyon or darling.
— Pals., Ac.y C. 4.
Debate, v. To bring down.
I am a poor soldier, come of late from Calais ;
I trust, ere I go, to debate some of his malice.
Thersites [H., OJ^., 1. 412].
I will debate anon I trow the bragging cheer. — lb., 414.
00
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
WORDS AND PHRASES.
DsukYy V. Dilute, mix.
Pure French wine, partly delayed with water.— BuUein, G. of
Health, 37, no. 1558. See also Davenport, The City
Nightcap, i.
Dacbs, or taxes. Lodge, Wit's Mis.^ p. 8$.
Drawlatch, 5. A term of contempt.— /ac. S* £s., [H., O J^., ii. 222] ;
Rich. II., Act 7, c. I, § 5 ; A Warning for Fair Wonan, i. 394.
Lacchedrawers. — P. Plow. Vis., ix. 288 c.
Catch, s. A small trading vessel used in inland navigation. —
Brogden, Lincoln Prov. Su Ketch.
Alengb ?. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., 121.
Elengenasse. — Chau., R. of R., 7406.
Elyngb, adj. Sad, solitary.
Elynge is the halle uche day in the week
fere }e lord ne the lady lyketh nought to svtte.
P. plow. Vis., X. 94.
EUengness. See Skeat's Note, p. 24.
Be not to elenge, to Excellent, ne to emeful no)>er. — A B C of
Aristotill, c. 1450; Harl. MS., 1304, f. 103.
Alisaundre that al wan
Elengliche ended. — P. Plow. 7531, ed. Wr.
Elengere, adj.—T. Occleve, Reg. Prin., 37.
Frakmbs, 5. Freckles.
A few fraknes in his face ys preint.— Chau., Knight's TaU, 2173.
Fallas. Trickery, deceit.— Pim Plow. Vis., xii. 22 C. ; Gower,
Confessio Amantis, vii. ; Test, of Love, 11.
Fallaces,//. — lb., xvii. 231 C.
Flockmbal, adv. In a body or flock. — Pal., Ac, L. 3 ; Wyclifie,
2 Mace, xiv. 14; Chau., Cant. Tales, 86. See MeaL
Foist, s. Called a great or light ship (Corbita Liburna). — Huloet.
Getting him privily into a little foist, he assaied to pass over the
sea of Adria. — Udall, Er. Ap., 298.
Fow, v. To cleanse. Bevis of Hampton.
Sope* is by circumlocution anything that cleanseth, purgeth,
foweth of skomreth. — Huloet.
♦ Soap.
Frbly, adj. Beautiful, noble.
Ahr. Ryse up now with thy frely face. — Town. M., p. 42, 226.
Gaudy, 5. A feast.
Keep our gaudees or let us set cock on the hope and make good
cheer. — Pal., Ac, G. 4.
Gathbr, v. To reunite as in healing.
They claw of their own skabbe, i.e. their new-gathered scurfe,
ther-by makinc^ their skin raw again or therby fleing off
their ^dn that began to gather. — Pal., Ac, B. 3.
61
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
GoRB, 5. A Strip of land tapering at one end.
Pinum promontorium is the elbow or goore about Sandwich
extending to the sea. — Huloet.
An elf-quene shall my leman be
And slepe under my gore. — Chau., Rime of Sir Thopas.
Gryse, v. To fear, dread.
Ahr. When I look on him I gryse. — Town, Myst.f p. 41, Hence
" grisly bear."
Haniper. The Hanaper Office. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., p. 68.
So called because writs deposited in a hamper or basket. — Hll.
Handband, 5. Possession.
God fi;ive the to thine handband
The dew of heaven and frute of land. — Town. Myst.f p. 43.
Hbrne, s. Comer.
Oppresdon regneth in every heme. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., p. 91.
Handsmooth. Quite flat. — Palsgr.
They chide handsmooth (Brawling). — Dr.
His souldiours sodainly with all their mi^ht assailing the camp
of their enemies, wonne it and beat it down handsmoothe.
— Udall, Er. Ap.^ p. 313.
Hay, 5. A hedge, enclosure.
Now is the pray within our hayes or nettes. — Pal., Ac.^ M. 4.
Hawksmeat.
For whence they once have that they desired of their wives . . .
then cast they their wives up for hawks meat, as they say,
then are they weary of their old pasture, and will look for
new bait. — Becon, B. of Matr., Pref. i. 563.
Hist ! To whistle or hiss (Sibilo). — Withals, 1574 ; T. Heywood,
Royal Kingf iii. p. 54.
H'st. — Timon^ i. 4, c. 1600; Shak. Soc., pp. 11, 12, 24.
Hist to him ! (listen). — W. Rowley, Witch of Edmonton^ iii. i.
St, a voyce of silence or tacitumitye or thus husht, or els it may
be said st, st, whereby dogges incited or provoked to fight,
they both be voices imparative. Est vocabulum a Ther.
et Erasm. autumatum. — Huloet.
'Tis not that hiss when one says " Hist, come hither." — Porter,
Two Angry Women [H., O.P.i vii. 383].
Hist, hist ! here quickly, hist. — Fielding, Intrigg. Chamberm.f i. i ;
Vanbru^h, False Friend, iii. 2 ; Congreve, Old Bachelor^ iii.
2 ; Garrick, Bon Ton, ii. (in dark^ ; Mrs. Centlivre, The
Wonder, iv. i ; Otway, Sold. Fort, u. 1681.
Fan' il pissi pissi. To whisper very low and to lie upon the catch.
— Torr.
Handsome, adj. Cf Handsomely. Not in the modern sense of
good-looking as Mr. Ebsworth seems to think.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
The middlemost man to her cousin he went
with a hye down, ho down, langtredown derry,
she being handsome he gave her content
without ever a stiver of money. — {Bagforct] Ballads^ i. 53.
Hand-dold. Se4 Dold in Hli.
Prim. Past. Lord, what these weders ar cold and I am ylle
happyd
I am nare hande dold, so long have I nappyd.
Town. Myst.^ 98.
Idle, Idly. In vain. — Shak., Oth.^ i. 3, 140 ; R. 111.^ iii, i, 103.
If God ne kepe not the citee, in ydel waketh he that kepeth it. —
WycliflFe, i Cor., xv. 2, 58.
So love in idleness. — Ellacombe.
The other heste of Him is this,
Take not in ydel my name or amys.
Chau., Pardoner's Tale,
The erthe was ydle and yoyde. — Aelfric, Gen. i.
Kyd, part, of Kythe. Known.
So Unkid, the prov. word, is unknown ; and so fearsome.
Jesus. My Godhed here I hyd
In Mary moder of myne,
Where it shall never be kyd
To the ne none of thyne. — Town. AT, 250.
Katch, 5. Some kind of ship. — ^Taylor (W. P.), Navy ofLandships ;
Ho., Fam. Leti.^ I., iv. i ; Pepys, Diary^ Ap. 25. 1665. Cf.
Catch, a tub.
? A lighter. The Ketch, a riverside tavern near Worcester, may
be this.
Catches and hoyes (on Thames below bridge). — Wame, Fair
Women^ ii. 1540.
Aldbrman.
And as for the reverend Bishop Caiaphas with all the Aldermen
of Jerusalem, &c. — Wager, Life and Repentance of Marie
Magdalene^ G. iii. r.
Appair. Appejrre, v. Fr. empirer, to worsen, impair. — Skelt.,
Col. CI., 190 ; Speake Parrot, 171 ; Bare, Sh. of F., i. 35 ;
Heiwood, Epigrams, iv. 40; Chester Plays, 11 ; E. More^
Defence of Women, no, 1557 ; Baret, Alvearie.
Christis clothing with still werynge never apeyred. — Horm.,
Vulg., p. 15.
Resp. The more I do him cheer, the more he doth despair ;
I say his wealth doth mend, he saith it doth appaire.
Respuh., iv. i.
Some do amend when they cannot appair. — Davies, Epigrams^
265, as proverb ; and p. 254.
6.3
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Battung.
Battle their money together.— Dekker, S&ven Deadly Sim of
LandoHf 3.
But if their hard commons were the worst, that might be
mended with after-noon's battling, for there is good ale atid
bread in Paul's petty Canons.— Hsaiih to GenUmmdy Pro-
fessioH of SirvingmiH^ p. 125, Hazlitt's repr., Red Rob.
Battlbdoor.
Soap, though it be black, soileth not the cloth ; but maketh it
clean ; so doth the black cross of Christ help us to more
whiteness, if God strike with the battledoor.— Latimer,
Letter 51^ Parker Soc., il. 44a.
Carpbt-Knight. ?
As carped Knight thus stands my case, woe to me woeful wight.
Whose heart is like to iEtna's hill that bumeth day and night ;
Yea thus the shell of carping care hath put my joys to flight,
That joyfiil times increase my woe : thus do I mourn aright.
Grange, Golden Aphroditts: Garden^ L, 4 I., P* n-
He is no Carpet-Knight that danceth on strew'd tapestries, for
he will dance upon a tree without any music. (The
Squirrel.) — Strange Metamorphoses of Man, 1634, p. 4 I.
<^ATBH-COUSIN,
And so to be natural [humane] may seem to be cater-cousin
or cousin-germain to diabolical. — Latimer, To a Certain
Gentleman [1547], Remains, Parker Soc., ii. 425.
Chop, v. To deal or chap. So to chop and change.
And with them come gaderers of cony skins
That chop with laces, points, needle and pins.
Hyeway to the Spital, 1056.
<^HOPIN.
Meat was brought and laid by him, and a choppin of wine, for
so they call it there [Edinburgh]. — Armin, Nest of Ninnies^
p. 32.
CuMMBR. ? Overcomer. Victor, a cummer. — Wright, Vol. of Voc,
p. 275-
Clinch. Ho., Parley of Beasts^ 73.
Speak not before thou thinkest what thou wouldst deliver, and
in the vulgar language. And make not a show of nimble
conceits and clinches. — Fras. Hawkins, Youth's Behaviour,
4, £d. 1646.
Custom,
Pay for your passage or custom.— Horm., Vulg., 248.
Portitor, The customer or a fearyman. — Voc, Stanb., 474.
64
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Club.
On Resolute Bai.
As rough as bearskins for behaviour,
A biscuit £ace as hard for favour,
As blunt as back of knife, as dull
As whetstone, or cramm'd capon full,
His talk as women backward flat.
And though laugh'd at he's Resolute Bat.
He '11 to the Club and prate his share
Or more, pay less than any there :
Oh, what a pretty thing is it
To be but bold though without wit !
Rob. Heath, Epigrams, 1650, p. 40.
Coffee. Burton, Anat. of Mel.^ 1621 (H. 398, ed. 1886.— Ed.).
He hath also a drink called Cauphe, which is made of a brown
berry, and it may be called their clubbing drink between
meals, which though it be not very gustful to the palate,
yet it is very comtortable to the stomach and helpeth the
sight. — Howell, Fam, Lett,, 1650, Bk. H., No. 54.
Nares says the first Coffee-house in London was opened in 1652.
Canvas, v.
Hore, hore ! by cok's blood, even here
Sayd Cotes, and it were not for shame
I should canvas thee and make thee lame.
]fests of Widow Edyth, xii.
s. A dismissal, getting the sack. — R. Tofte, FruUs of Jealousy ^
p. 70. 1615.
Cling, v. To shrink, dry up. — Shak., Macbethf v. 5, 40. [Till famine
cling thee. — Ed.]
Strat But 3itt the ffadyr to sle the sone
My hert doth clynge and cleve as clay.
Cov. Atyst.f p. 54.
Gardener. Scarce once in a moon you mount from the ground.
And another trade too, or you'll starve, must be found ;
I ha' still pleasant work that holds all the year round.
Thatcher, No doubt on't and winter must never infest
Your " fortimate Regions " with Summer still blest,
Nor fix you like a cuckow clung up in his nest.
(Dialogue between a Thatcher and Gardener for Precedency)
S. Wesley, Maggots, 1685, p. 129.
More wretched than the cuckoo in winter that dares not be
seen.— Ddcker, Seven Deadly Sins of London, i. 1606.
CoRUM. For Coram nomine. [Used by confusion for quorum.
New Eng. Diet.— Ed.^ Cf. Skelt., Col. CI., 379.
Again in providing your necessaries
I will in such a sort canvas the law
That such as be your adversaries
Shall be brought to corum and awe.
W. Wager, The longer thou livest, F. r.
VOL. ni. 65 5
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
I am none of those which are brought under coram. — Ud.,
Erasm. Apophth., 380.
Chest, s. A coflSn. — Dial, of Creat.^ 81.
Crue.
Her temples smooth and eke her veins stand full of lusty crue,
I liken them therefore as lik'st to Indie-sapphire blew.
Grange, Golden Aphroditis^ Gr.
Hence cruettes for the consecrated wine and now for our table
service.
Counterfeit, v.
5. Portrait. — Gsiscoigne, Dulce Bellum ItuxpertiSf 127; Sylvester,
[Du Bartas] Magnif.^ 770.
Of Momus, his counterfetting.
Momus still wears his mistress* counterfet
Next to his heart that so his heart may learn
To counterfet his mistress ; so to get
The principal, which he by art would earn.
But she being for his skill too fair and wise
Gives but her picture for his exercise.
Da vies, Scourge of FoUy^ 72.
Derrick. The Hangman of London. — J. Davies of Hereford,
autograph copy of A Cordiall in the Grenville copy of
Hufnour's Heaven on Earthy B. M., 1612.
Moros. But yer I go, let me know your names ;
Declare them, I pray you, at my request.
Discipline. You know that my name is DiscipHne.
Moros. Very well, very well, Diricke Quintine,
You are maister Diricke Quintine.
W. Wager, The longer thou livest^ B. 4 r., c. 1568.
The thief that dies at Tyburn for a robbery is not half
so dangerous a weed in a commonwealth as the Politic
Bankrupt. I would there were a Derrick to hang him up
too. — Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins of London, 1606, p. 32.
Deck, v. To array.
In all our parish was none better decked. — Hyeway to Spital, 968.
s. A pack of cards. Still current U.S.A. and in Shropshire. —
Armin, Two Maids of More clackc^ 1609, p. 92, repr.
Pecunia is a Queene for her desarts.
And in the decke may go for Queen of harts.
Rd. Barnfield, Lady Pecunia, 31. 1598.
Disable, v. To disparage. — Gasc., The Story of yeronimi, Haz.,
i. 417-420 (his note wrong).
And when I did disable me
I was commended much by thee.
R. Tofte, Fruits of Jealousy, p. 68. 1615.
B. and F., Island Princess, iv. 3.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Farm, v. To cleanse or empty. — (West) Hll. ; Armin, Nest of
Ninnies, p. 30. 1608.
A doong farmer. — Withals, 1568.
Frampal. Frumps, 5. — Scoff. — Paradise of Dainty Devices, p. 70.
A frump, flout or mock. — Baret,i58o. ? Ruffled. Frumpils,
5. Ruga. — Prompt. Parv. Cf. Frompill, v. — Skelt., Mannerly
Maistresse Margery, 17.
What a gudyere* ail you, mother, are you frampall ? Know
you not your own daughter ? — Day, Isle of Gulls, v.
Fr. goujere, pox.
A good year take her for using me so. — T, Tyler and kis Wife,
P-I5-
I think the fellow's frompall. — Day, Blind Beggar of Bednal Green,
ii. 1659.
Gaudbs, s. Jests. — Skelt., Magn,
Look that thou do thyself honestly behave,
For I purpose to see you every day thrice.
Neither mocks nor gaudes shall your skin save ;
I advise you therefore to be honest and wise.
W. Wager, The longer thou livest, B, iv. r., c. 1568.
Ver. Come off, no more gaudies nor japes. — Respub., v. 9.
Garboil. (O. Fr. garbouil, querelle, rixa. — La Combe.)
Gascoigne, The princelye Pleasures at Kenilworth; Melbancke,
Philot., p. 46 ; Manningham, Diary, iii. b., 1602, Camd. Soc.
Messenger, The two bold dukes of Mantua and Ferrara after
many bloody garboils have entered league and within these
two days mean to enter Florence to make your Court a
witness of their late concluded amity. — ^T. Heywood, The
Fair Maid of the West, 1631, II., iv., p. 148 (Shsuc. Soc).
Glib, adj. Smooth, polisht.
Chamber-pot. Stand off! nor with rude smut disgrace
The glories of my brighter face.
Frying-pan. Though not so glib my face be seen.
Yet all I *m sure 's as sweet within.
S. Wesley, Maggots, p. 142. 1685.
Jimp. Gymp, jolie and gent. — Dunbar, The Twa Mariit Wemen and
the Wedo, 69.
JoYSE, s. Jouissance.
If I would do as some say my Lord (Dr. John Stokesley, Bp. of
London) doth, gather up my oyse (as we call itj warily
and narrowly, and yet neither preach for it in mine own
cure, nor yet otherwise, peradventure he would nothing
deny me. — Latimer, Letter VL, 1531 (Parker Soc.)
Jug, 5.
Mine own true loving Jugge. — Wager, Life and Repentance of
Marie Magd., D. iv. 1567.
67
pigitized by
Googk
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA,
LsAREy s. Skin. — Skelton, Phillip Sfarraw, 1034. L,yre.-^Philotu5^
B. 2. 1603.
The precious orient pearl, so fair and gorgeous clear,
Doth testify unto her mates the whiteness of her leare.
Grange, Gold. Aph.^ G. 1., 1577.
Your lyre the lily like.—r(wii^ Myst,^ 325.
And gif his lust so be lent into my lyre quhit
That he be lost or with me lig, his lyf ssdl nocht
Haif danger. — Dunbar, The Twa Mariit Wemen, 499.
LiTHBR, adj.
The founta3rne Granus giveth strength unto the weakend bone.
And eke the force of Spawe doth help all those that have the stone,
Who hath the lither fever nms to Padoa for help,
And to Verona's well he hies whose want of blood doth yelp.
Yet as by proof Buckstones do stand in those that here doth
dwell
Insteede of Grane and Padoa, of Spawe and Verone well :
So mightst thou heart's ease be to me that all these things do need
Insteede of Buckstones present help, if so it be thy meed.
Grange, Gold. Aph.^ G. iv. r. 1577.
Sluggish, dull and litherly. — Cawdray, p. 756.
So imlusty, so sluggish and lither. — Hyeway to Spital^ 867.
LiTSTBR. Lytster, 5. A dyer. — NominaU MS.\ Cawdray, 517;
Chaucer, Cuckoo and Nightingale.
Launch, v. Lanchc—Gasc., Grief of Joy^ i. To lance.
As the physician who goes on to launch the wound and hears
not the patient though he cry never so, till the cure be
ended. — Cawdray, p. 569.
Limp-halt.
"Vulcan, that halting, lymphalt smith." — Grange, Gold. Aph.y
K. 1.
Male, 5. A trunk. Fr. malle. — Horm., Vulg.^ 253 ; Voc, Stanb.f 1578.
Foul male some cast on fair board, be carpet ne'er so clean. —
Tusser, Husmfery^ p. 19. 1573.
Like as iEolus left all other winds which might have been a
trouble to him with his friend Ulysses to be packt up in a
Male and kept only the Western wind for his own use to
bring him home to his country. — Cawdray, p. 603.
Marroll. For marrow, partner.— Grange, Gold. Aph., F. iii. r.
May. This is simply the v.
As little flies are fast tied and easily held in the copwebs, but
the drones and great flies break and escape through them :
so likewise poor and mean men are fast wounden and
holden in the penalties and dangers of laws, but lords and
men in great authority daily break laws and are not
corrected : so that the weakest goeth to the walles and the
worst may holdeth the candle. — Cawdray, Tr. of Sim. ^ p. 452.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
She that worst may the candle doth hold.
Faith, then she is too young or too old.
J. Davies, Epig.^ 335.
Affer clap, s. An extra demand; a bill sent in after it has been
paid. — Brogden, Lincolnshire Words.
And I so sore ay dreede an after clap
That it me reveth many a sleep and nap.
T. Occleve, p. 75, Ed. Mason.
Alfyn (at chess). The bishop now. ? Elephant. S$$ HIL (in v.) ;
Horm., r., 282.
As FAR FORTH. As fer foorth. — Ih,^ p. 78.
Anon. ? Identical with the Scot, onane, onone {Towneley MysU^
292 ; Dimbar, The Twa Mariit Wemen and the Wedo^ 239,
264), which Jamieson explains as immediately, forthwith.
Anone. — Gasc., Supposes^ i. i.
A PER SB. Urge him in Musike ; he will swear to it that he is A
per se in it. — Lodge, Wifs Mis,^ P« 5 ; R« Brunne, p. 99.
Atone. Reconcile. — Horm., Vulg,, 191.
All 's made even,
My peace with earth and my atone with heaven.
T. Heywood, The Fair Maid of the Westy I., ii. ;
Marston, The Insatiate Countess^ iii. i ; B. Jon.,
The Silent Woman^ iv.
And so let us be at one. — Wager, Repentance of Marie Magd,^
A. iii., 1567; Lyndsay, Three Estates^ p. 14.
So they which life could ne'er attone
Now lie in death as they were one.
Davies, Scourge of FoUy, 65.
Brace, v. To bully.
He was wonte to boste, brage and brace. — ^J. Skelton, Magnify
1. 1772 ; see 2248.
Bracket. Bragett, drynke. — Mellibrodium, Prompt. Parv. A name
for mead. Cf Braget. — HU.
A beadsman or outbrother of brachet. — T. Nash, Unf Trav.^ CI.
Bodge, 5. To blunder. ? to bitch. — Shak., 3 Henry K/., i. 4, 19.
Here is a bodge : Bots on *t : farewell my pen.
My Muse is dull*d : another time shall serve.
Dav., Sc. of F.f p. 51.
Bungle. Bungler. — Horm., Fw/^., 95, 301. Bungerly. — T.Adams,
Works, 356.
The most bungarliest tailors in this country. — Wager, Repentance
of Marie Magd., A. iv.
My garments that so bimgarly do stand. — lb,, A. iv,, r.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Byzon. Peace.
Heaven may give these byzoned eyes their sight,
Stretching these crooked limbs straight and upright.
Day, Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green, iv. 1659.
Cantel, 5. O. Fr. cantle, comer. — Chaucer, C. T., 3008.
Cantel or shief of bread (Minutal). — Huloet.
Dyce says a corner piece, fragment of what ever hyt be
(Quadra^. — Pr, Par. See Davenport, A New Tricke, iii.,
1639; Shak., / Henry VI, y iii. i, 100.
A lump or cantell of bread. — Palsg., Ac, B. 3.
? Quintal, the weight.
Cantell or shyver (of bread). Chanteau. — Palsg.
Douce says quantulum. — ///. Shahs., ii. 432.
And yet she brought her fees,
A cantell of Essex cheese.
Was well a fote thycke,
Full of maggots thycke ;
It was huge and great.
J. Skelton, Elynor Rummin, 428 (1460 — 1529).
W. What a cantlet of chaos was spent in my frame
When Nature the Whale into being did bring !
(Dialogue between Whale and Herring)
S. Wesley, Maggots, 1685, p. 134.
CoYSTROWN, 5. — Skelton. A minstrel, whom he also calls a Lixe a
quystrone. — 15th Cy., Wr., p. 194.
A runnygat hedgebrat, a tarbreeche quystroun. — Stanihurst,
A etuis, iv. 393 ; Chaucer, Romaunt of the Rose, 886.
Quistron. — Chau., R. of R. So .that I think Urry was right in
reading it questeur, beggar. [Skeat, in loc, dt., says a
kitchen boy, a scullion. — Ed.]
Prbndbrgbst. (Giest, taille, impot, taxe. — La Combe, Diet, du
Vi^x Langue Frangois, 11.)
Gist-takers were persons who received payment for the agist-
ment of cattle. i.e. the pasturage of cattle in the Royal
Forests. — CoweFs Law Diet.
Dais. Dese, of hye benche (desse or heybenche. — K. Dees. — H^.
Subsellium. C. F. Dindimus. Orcestra. — Ug., C. F.
\Promp. Parv., Camb. Soc. — Ed.] Dese, Town. Myst., 204.
So dreade a ducke sate never one dese. — Chest. PL, 102.
To the halle gate he com right,
And ther he is adoun y-light ;
An hore y-blowe knight, he saye,
At the des sitten on heye.
(XlVth Cy.) Sir Gy of Warwihe, i. 6427.
A God's name I was set up at the hie dease.
Like an honest man I had the first mease.
Lewis Wager, Repent, of Marie Mag., A. iii., r. 1567.
70
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
He is so fair withouten les
He semys fiille welle to sytt on des.
Toum, Myst.f p. 4.
Wedgwood considers it meant the table itself (discus). —
Skelton, EL Rum.^ 175.
Ne none so dere in deese. — Town, Myst.y 324.
Moros. I will love porridge when they be sod beei and all
For mutton good sauce is salt and onions
Up unto the hie dishe when my Dame they call
While she openeth the pie I pick the pinions.
W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest the more Fool^ B. iii. !., c. 1568.
Deem, v. To judge.
To Magistrates in like degree thou must like duties bear,
Love, honour and obedience, since they betoken here
The majesty and represent the King in every place
And bear his sword and maintain peace and deeme each doubtful
case. — Gasc., Glass of Government, iii. 6. 1575.
Depart, v. To separate. — Wyclife, Matth,, x. 35.
Fy, lack of coyn departith compaignie. — T. Occleve, La Male
Regie de T, O., 1. 133.
Till death us depart. — Bale, K. Johan,, p. 62.
They were departed all to rathe
That neyfer oder dud no skathe.
Guy of Warwick, 2661 (E.E.T.S.).
So, to distribute.
While thyself livest depart some to the poor
With thy own hand.— Bar., Sh. of F., i. 31.
Dime. Dyme, tythe. Disme. — Palsg., Lesel\ Occleve, De Reg,
Prin., 159.
And of the pied monks he entendeth to take a dime :
All will be marred if I look not to it get in time.
Bale, K, J^ohan., c. 1550 [Camb. Soc., p. 37] .
Document. — Gasc., GL of Gov,, i. 5 ; Melb., Phil.f Y, 4. C/. No-
cumenta, documenta. — F. W.
Fear of a vile mind is an argument,
Conscience accuseth the foolish beast,
That he hath forsaken wholesome document.
W. Wager, Longer thou Livest, D. iii., 1.
I am too young to understand his documents. — Wever, Lusty
yuventus [H., 0,F,, ii. 50] .
Dor, 5. I. Stupid fool. — Sir G, Goosecap, v., 1606. 2. A beetle. —
Cawdray, p. 230. Cf, Dumbledore.
Oh may their lives and labour'd industry,
Though worthy of Apollo's plaudits, be
The dearest thought in loysdty excelling
Be by some Dor presented for libelling.
J. Day, Isle of Gulls, 1606, iv.
71
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Endew, v. To digest. — HU.
My flesh is dry and hard for to endew. — Gasc., Art of Venery.
The Hare.
Your gorge not endewed
Without a capon stewed. — Skelt., Colin Clout, 216.
Her meat was very crude
She had not wel endude.
Skelt., Ware the Hauke, 77.
She [the hawk] enduyth whan her meete in her bowelles £aile
to dygestyon. — Book of St, Albans, *< Juliana Barnes."
Pledge for fledged, pt. Cawdray, 502.
Frame, v. Succeed. — Bar., S. of F., ii. 253.
5. Power. — Bar., S. of F., i. 164.
A.S. framien, prodesse. — Stratmann.
The feldfare wolde have fydled and it wolde not frame
The crane and the curlewe thereat gan to grame*.
Skelt., Mag., 1863.
• ? scold.
Par out of frame. — Cawdr., 819.
Latimer, Lett., v. 1531, says: " His head is so out of frame.*'
A varice. And you. Insolence, do you think it would well frame
If ye were presented to her under that name ?
Respuhlica, i. 4, 1553 ; v. 6, v. 2, and iii. 5.
PiNADO.
Here let Moros between every sentence say: " Gay gear, good
stufi*, very well, finado, with such mockish terms." — W.
Wager, The Longer thou Livest, B. iii., r. 1568.
Geason. Scarce, wonderful. — Gasc., Supposes, i. 2 ; Skelt., Against
Gamesche, 129 ; Why come ye, 997 ; P. PI. V., xiii. 270.
We do not only them fools call here
Which have not the perfect use of reason,
Innocents whereof be many far and near
In whom discretion is geason
But those are the greatest fools properly, &c.
W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest, &c., G. ii. r.
Glbnt. ? a fall. — Chest. PL, i. 150, 163 ; ii. 148. See Cov. Myst.,
p. 389.
But for all that he is lyke to have a glent. — Skelton, Magn,, 1687.
GooDYBRB. — Shak., M. W. W,, i. 4, no; K. L., v. 3, 24; 2 Henry
I v., ii. 4, 56. See Prampall.
II mal annoche Dio te dia.
With a good year to thee. — Plo., 2d Fr., 1591 ; Davies, Sc. of
FoL, Ded. and p. 49.
72
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Grb, 5. 1. Poverty. Fr., in good part.
Nowe syth 3rt wyll no nother be
All that God sendeth take it in gre,
Skdton, Magn.f 2005.
2. The prize. — P. PL K, viii. 98 ; Chaucer, C T., 2735.
Gyn. 1. Ingen. — Ud., Er. Ap.^ 381 ; Town. M., 23.
Cr. Can. And I bequeath him the gowte and the gyn*.
CI. Cold. And I bequeath him sorrow for his syn.
* t.#. engine, rack. Skelton, Magn.^ 2283.
2. Contrivance.
Cor. Of our poor houses men may soon know the gin. — Barc.^
Ecl.^ III.
Gratb, v.
As we are loth to have our wounds often grated upon, and
cannot well away to have our sores rifl^, seared, lanced,
but rather covet to have them fed with healing salve. —
Cawd., 698.
Gape.
When these transitory things as riches, health,* beauty, honour,
and dignity happen imto us, if we will once gape upon
them and delight so much in them, &c. — Cawd., 761.
Hassock, s. A basket made of twigs or rushes. (Scirpiculum.) —
Baret, 1580.
Habbrdashbr. Minutarius. — Baret, 1580. Grocers and habber-
dashers. — Huloet. ? habe das hier.
Crafty Counsel. But I say let se and yf thou have any more.
FoUy. I have an hole armory of such haburdashe in store ;
For there be other that foly doth use
That folowe fonde fantasyes and vertu refuse.
J. Skelton, Magnyfycence^ 1293.
Hampbr, s. a basket or calathus. — With., 1568. Straight beneath
and wide above to bear bread in. — Ih.
V. To encumber. — Woman in a MoreVs Skin^ 469.
Hamper for women to put in spindles or bottoms of thread. —
Huloet.
Haft, v. Cheat. — Will, of Paleme, V. 469.
Hafting and crafty ways, i.e. cimning. — ^J. Skelton, Mag.^ 1698.
Crafters and hafters. — 76., 2485.
A hafting point, or scoflf; cavillum. — With., 1568; Horm.^
Vulg., 66.
To cavil, roar. — With., 1586.
Haft not to Godward for that he doth send. — Tusser, B. 4. 1557.
Handsomely.
Like as a shipmaster being upon the water and foreseeing a
tempest . • . hath a sure eye to the stem, to rule that a
handsomely and cunningly as he can. — Cawd., 762.
73
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Haynyard. a term of reproach.
But if I could tell in what wise and how
To anoyd the heynard, he should not long abide.
yests of Wid. Edith, xiii.
Hain is common in Scotch proverbs = to save. — Skelton, Mag.,
1745-
Niggard or hayn.— Udall, Er. Ap., 56, 120, 38a f.
HiNCH-PiNCH. See Nares.
And the arrand knave when I come he will hun hide,
Making him as bare as a bird's tail ;
And when I speak with him, he will not fail
To tell me a tale, hinching and pinching.
yests of Wid. Edith, xii.
Hugger-mugger.
Alas ! they make me shudder ;
For in hoder-moder
The Church is put in faute.
The prelats ben so haut.
J. Skelton, Col. Clout., 68.
Susurrones, that is to say, whisperers and blowers in men's ears,
which will spew out in hudder-mudder more than they dare
avow openly. — Latimer, Letters, vi.
Hull. Holly.
Get Ivy and Hull. — Tusser, Christinas, 1557.
Inward, adj. Intimate.— Taylor, The Great Eater.
** My very inward friend M^ Lodovicque Martelli." — R. Tofte,
Trans, of Varchi's Blazon of yeal., p. 59. 1615.
Jar, At a.
He [Adultery] is ready at a jar to set strife between husband
and wife. — Lodge, Wit's Mis., p. 49. Cf Shak., Winter's
Tale, i. 2, 43.
LowTE, V. To make obeisance. — Becon, i. 607.
Lowt with the body and with obedience beck. — Bar., 5. of F.,
i. 146.
Mag. Of all doughty I am doughtiest duke as I deme
To me all princes to lowte may be seen.
Skelton, Magnif, 1517.
For myrth I have hym coryed, beten and blyst*,
Hym that I loved not, and made him to loute.
♦ Fr. blesser, to wound. Ib't l8o2.
And mannerly she was, for she could lout. — R. Brathwait,
Shep. Tales, Eel., ii. 1621.
s. Avarice (speaking of Church goods) —
Of their plate, their jewels and copes we made them lowtes,
Stopping people's barking with linen rags and clowtes ;
They had the altar-clothes, the albs, and amices,
With the sindons in which were wrapt the chalices.
Respub., iii. 6 ; in ordinary sense, iv. 4.
74
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
SiNDON. Cov. Mysk.^ 336. Su Cendal. — Hll. A species of
rich, thin, silken stuff.
Lop. a flea.— Hll. [5^ Vol. I., p. 162. "Tokneebandlops."— Ed.]
For it is but a small dede to sle men that be levynge. For the
smallest bestis that here life may do that, as loppes and
spidirs and also venymous serpentes may sone sle a man. —
Dialogues of Creatures^ 81.
Abatb, v. To flutter, shake the feathers. ? To lower.
As the Peacock so full of fair feathers, having only two foul feet,
standing proudly in the circle and contemplation of his
beautiful trains, so soon as he seeth his feet which he
thinketh to be foul, straight humbleth himself and abateth
and seeketh to hide his feathers. — R. Cawdray, p. 32. 1600.
Aim, 5. Conjecture.
As a carpenter that should square all by his rule, but sticks
it at his back and works all by ayme. — Id,, p. 360. C/. Shak.,
T. G. v., iii. I, 28.
Auk, adj. Sinister. Cf. Awkward.
Ill husbandrie drowseth at fortime so auke.
Good husbandrie rouseth himself as a hauke.
Tusser, 500 Pts. 1573.
Araib. a row. — Skelt., EL Rum., 163; MorU d' Arthur, B. xix.,
ch. 6.
Ins. How goeth all ? tell us.
Avarice, My lady is waxt fro ward :
Our names be all known, so there is araie toward.
Resp., V. 8.
Apaid, pr. Satisfied. [Ang.-Norm], — Skelt., Bowge of Courte, 298 ;
Cov. Myst., 67; Bar., Sh. of F., i. loi, ii. 256; Pals.,
Ac, 134.
As they [Joseph's brethren] went home, hue and cry came after
them for Joseph's cup which was in policy conveyed into
their brother Benjamin's sack; search was made; they
thought themselves clear. But when it was foimd in
Benjamin's sack they were worse appaide than they were
before : whereupon Benjamin must stay by the reckoning
and answer the matter. This passed all the rest.— Cawdray,
p. 440.
Evil paid. — Cov. Myst., p. 123.
Ill paid. — Town. Afyst, 194.
By and by. Soon. At once. — Four Elemmts, H., O.P., 40.
As seed cast into the earth doth not by and by sprout, encrease
and come to perfection, but by space and length of time it
attaineth to his perfection and ripeness in that season that
God hath appointed. — Cawd., 620, 652, 712, 760.
75
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Bbdlam. a lunatic. — Hysway to SpUal^ 480.
Such a madde bedleme
For to rewle this reame.
Skelt., Why come ye nat to CourU?
People. Though zome be stark bedlems, yet wise volkes beeth
no dawes. -^Respub., iv. 4.
BaggagBi 5.
As in a well except there be some water in it, we cannot
easily see the baggage that lieth in the bottom. — Cawd.»
699 ; Lupton, A ihousand Notable Things.
Boot. Use. — Town. M., p. 16.
Nem, Come forth Avarice, to spare thee will be no boot,
Thou must be plucked up even by the very root.
Resp.f v. 10.
That bojrtte of all our baylle shall bring. — Tonm. Af., 132.
Braid, 5. A start.
Like as the runners look ever at the mark, and the champions
employ all their shifts and practices to smite their adversary
and start not aside with blind braides, ne beat the air with
rash strokes, &c.— -Cawd., 472..
Brim. Public. Known. — Warn., Alb. Eng.^ ch. 20. 1502.
Res. Hearest thou any joyful news abroad or not ?
Adulation. Yea, I hear certain news which are both brim and hot.
Respub.f V. 2.
Yet that thou dost hold me in disdain.
Is brimme abroad and make a gybe to all that keep this plain.
Warner, Alb. Eng.^ IV., ch. 20.
BouGE OF Court, It is a.
Ceremonia aulica est. — Horm., K, 231.
A livery of meat and drink (Sortella). — Huloet.
A livery of bread and beer. — F. W., p. 173.
Buxom, adj. Obedient. — Town. M., 82 ; Chest. PL, ii. 182.
Sturdie without buxomnes or obedience. — Huloet.
The stony and hard hearts of men through heaviness and
adversity are made more buxom and pliant that a man
may wind them round about his finger.— Cawd., 759.
Buxomness. Clemency. — Dial, of Creat.^ 62.
Bocsome. — Bar., S. ofF.^ 169.
Buxum. — Horm., F., 236.
Unbuxom. — Chest. Pl.^ 37.
Alle xall be buxum at thi byddyng. — Cov. Myst.^ p. 22, 52.
Clog ?
R. No, hence, avaunt.
Avarice. Have had of you such a clogg.
And now bid me avaunt, and make me a dog ?
Resp.f V. 6.
76
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
•
Cartbrly, adj. Rough, unmannerly.
Some have most pleser in a carterly or rebaud song that is
peyne to an honest man's earys to abyde. — Horm., Vtdg.^ 279.
Cob, 5. Udall, Er. Ap.^ p. 147. A rich swell. — Nash, LenUn
Stuffe ; Occleve, Reg. Prin.^ loi, a nob.
Susteynid is not by personis lowe.
But cobbis grete this riote sustene.
Occleve, [MS. Soc. Antiq.], 134, f. 26 r.
Ryche cobbes. — Udall, Er. Ap.^ p. 147.
People. They have all the woods throughout all the realm destroy'd,
Which might have serv'd long years being well employ'd ;
And then the great cobbes have zo take the rest to hire,
That pore volk cannot get a stick to make a fire.
Resp,^ iv. 4.
The comynalte is oppressed of the great cobbis (divitibus).
Horm., V.^ 215.
CouRTNALL. Courtuoll. A contemptuous name for a courtier. —
Resp.^ V. 7.
Cop, v. ? Couple.
Both the hostis wolde fayne have been in hande and copt
together. — Horm., Vulg.^ 261.
I dare nat copte with m^e ennemyes for my meyny be sick
and wounded (conmittere). — Id.^ 264.
CoPWBB, for Cobweb. — Lodge, Wifs Misery^ p. 39. 1596. Cf.
Attercop. — Cawd., 452. Flem. kop, koppe, a spider.
Counterfeit, adj.
As a Father casteth not away his children because they are
sick, crookbackt, blind or maimed of hand or foot, or other-
wise counterfeit and imperfect, but handleth them more
tenderly and dealeth more softly with them than with the
others, respecting their debility and feebleness. — Cawdray,
402.
Champ, v. To munch. — Baret.
Shampe. — Horm., F., 623.
Chammed wheat (triticus). — Id.^ 239.
As a hare or a coney cannot chew their cud unless they have
champed it before. — Cawd., 743.
Cresses holden under the tongue or champed in the mouth do
help a speechless man. — Bullein, B. of Def.^ 41.
So to champ the bit, i.e. make a noise by snapping the jaws
together.
Like mules champing upon thistles. — Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins
of London^ Ep. to R.
Chaw.
We cannot feel the flavour and taste of any meat unless we
chaw the same. — Cawd., 8io.
77
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Dudgeon.
The most knotty piece of Box may be wrought to a fair
Doogenhaft. — Gascoigne, Poesies.^ 1575. Advt.
Have at the bag with the dudgin bafte, that is, at the dudgen
dagger, by which hangs his tantonie pouch. — Lyly, Mother
Bombiey ii. i.
DowLE, 5. Fluff of feathers. — Shak., Temf.f iii. 3, 65.
His hat, though black, looks like a medly hat.
For black 's the eround which sparingly appears ;
Then here *s a do^e, and there a dab of fat
Which as unhandsome hangs about his ears.
J. Davies, iSc. of F., " Agst. Gorgomus
his Slovmry "], p. 47.
Eagerness, s. Anger.— Udall, Er. Ap.^ p. 7.
Misericofdia. Scarce any amends may man's eagreness appease,
Yea, though he forgive, he will not soon forget.
Resp.i V. I.
Eager, adj. To be eager or tart (Aceo). — With., 1^74; Sh., Ham., L,
V. 69. Sour, sharp.— Baret, 1580 (Fr. aigre).
FiTTONE, s. A falsehood. Fytten (Mensonge). — Palsg.
Let not dame Flattery in your bosoms creep
To tell a fittone in your landlord's ears.
G asc., Dtdce Bellum InexperHs, 24.
Foreman.
As in a Quiar or company of singers, when the foreman hath
given the first tune or note there ensueth presently a sweet
harmony and consent of all other voices, both great and
small, sharp and mean. — Cawd., 831.
FoR-THiNK, V. To regret.
Whom after it had for thought of his hunger.
Cum pertaesvun inedue esset. — Pals., Ac,^ C. ; How a Wyse
Man taught his Sone — Ashmole, MS. 61, f. 6.
Foreslow, V,
As a man having a servant that is an idle fellow that fore-
sloweth his Dusiness, mindeth other matters and goeth
to his work lazily and like a bear to the stake, would not be
pleased with his service, but rather would shift his hands of
him and send him packing. — Cawd., 1321.
Franch, v. To feed. Frank. — Id,, 786.
And he hath the powr
To feed on fish that sweeter were than sour,
And had youn^ flesh to banquet at his will.
Were fond to &aunche on garbage, grains or swill.
Gasc., Art. of Ven,, The Otter, 1575.
5. AttUes. All things franked to be made fat, be it beast, fish
or fowl.— With., 1568.
78
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Fleer. To look scornfully at. — Shak., Much Ado, v. i, 58 ; Paradise
of Dainty Devices^ p. 97 ; B. Jon., The Foxe, iii. i.
As subs,, Othello, iv. i, 82.
As adj., Julius Casar, i. 3, ii8.
To flatter and to flery. — Skelt., Magn., 748.
To make an evil countenance with the mouth by uncovering the
teeth.— Palsg.
People. There is vorste and voremost Flattery ill a thee,
A slypper sugar-mouth'd howrecop as can be,
He fliereth on you and beareth us fair in hand,
And therewhile robbeth both you and we of our land.
Respub., iii. 3. 1553.
Never true nor playne.
But flery, flatter and fayne. — Skelt., Duke of Albany, 134*
FuGE, To take flight.
I to fuge and away hither as fast as I could to bring word, &c.
Gasc., Supp., iv. i.
God's good. Alms ? — Lyly, Eup. and his Eng. [=Grace after meat
God is good. See New Eng. Diet. — Ed.]
Amend your folly and learn ye this of me
That God's good sholde not be spent in syn.
Bar., S. of F., i. 306, " Of foolish Beggars
and of their vanities. *
Res. Truly, I feel myself hitherto worse and worse.
People. And Is vele the same, both in my grounde and my purse
Vive or zixeyeare ago chad vower kine to my paile,
And att this prezent howre cham scarce woorthe a good
cowe taile
And that time chad a widge and her vole and tenne shepe,
Now Is can geate nothing my zelfe and my wife to kepe :
Than an chad I bee with the kinges, masse counstable,
Choulde zotte myselfe woorth pretelye, and zo chwas hable :
Now, vor lacke of a sallet whan my lyege hath neade,
Cham vaine to take an hatte of God's good on my heade.
Respublica, W. 3. 1553.
God's blessing. — Nares by Hll. & Wright. Halliwell refers to
Florio and suggests yeast ! in opposition to Forby.
I leave Philotimus to his own discretion, being a man, and
God's good direction, who I trust will man him. — Melb.,
PhU., B. 4.
God make him a good man (Valeat). — Huloet.
Men-gods, God's men, God's good men, good God's men
(In termless Time) they term'd, and should be then.
World-blessing creatures, creatures like creator.
Heralds of Heaven to blaze the arms of Nature.
J. Davies, 5^:. of Fo.t ** Against over weening Wit,** p. 37.
Have at. [v. io.
Avarice, Now to thee Avarice: have at thy petticoat. — Kespub.,
79
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Herb-hbncb for Hence. — Dav., Sc. ofFo,, p. 59, 35.
Here-hence it is that. — Sanderson, ii. 52, v. 353.
HoRB, V. To grow to age, to become hoary.— Occieve, Rig. Prm.^ loi .
Hbst. Promised.
He grippit her abowt the west
And handlit her as he had hest.
Dunbar, Tod and Lamh^ 29.
Ho Stop ! Haweback.— Chau., Man of Lawe Prol.f 3597 ; Occleve,
Reg. Prin.f 178. A carter's cry to his team.
Lambard was one of them that God bade Ho !
But 'twas when he was hanging to and ho.
Davies, Epi., 30.
InsoUnci. Respublica shall feed thee till thou wilt say hoo ! —
Respub.^ i. 3. 1553.
It is an old proverb, He is well at ese that hath enough and
can say ho. — Dives 6» Pauper^ 1493.
Hutch (?). A cupboard or chest.
Heap up both gold and silver safe in hooches. — Tusser, Good
Husbandries L. 38, 1578; Gasc, Flowers; Haz., L 67.
Bolting-hutch (for flour). — Shak., / Henry 77., il 4, 434.
Hutch or cofer, called in the North Country an arke. — Huloet.
HucK, V. To haggle, hucke, dodge or paulter.-^Cotgr.
Avarice. Dwell ye in heaven and so mad to come hither ?
All our bucking here is how we may get thither.
Respub.y V. 9.
HiCHBL, 5.
Hamus vel pecten. — Withals, 1568.
Host, At. Enmity.
Crows and ravens who commonly seize upon all kind of carrion,
pick up each sort of new-sown seed, and are at hoste with
every kind of fruit in the orchard. — A not. of Absurd. ^ p. 44.
Insbnsiblb, adj. Not to be felt or understood. Cf Shak, i. Hen. /7„
V. I, 137.
Which he with submisse voice (scarce audible)
Utter'd as one that would not well be heard.
But Jupiter ^although most sensible)
Took on him not to hear and pressed him hard
To speak, through fear, not so insensible.
Dav. of H., Civile Warres of Death and Fortune, 106.
Indifpbrbnt, adj.
As the Chirurgion (in healing them that hath the toothache)
doth not so sorrow for the otber*s grief as he doth rejoice
for his own health, but is indifferent and pleasant. So he
which goeth about to remedy another's anger ought not to
be moved himself, but pleasantly to handle the sick mind
of his neighbour.— Cawd, 552.
80
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Ordeyne two judgis and rulers . . . and se that they vary not
from equite into noon other way for love nor for drede, but
do rightfully and indifferently at all times to every persone. —
Dial, of Create 89. 1526.
A MANY. With grave discretion's mild and gentle breath,
Shielding a many subjects' lives from death.
Sir T. More (Shak. Soc.), p. 57.
Ancient, 5. A flag, ensign.
Captaines that wore a whole antient in a scarfe which made
them go heave-shouldered. i.e. high-shouldered. — Nash,
LenUn Stuff.
He hath in either shoe as much taffety for his tyings as would
serve for an ancient.— Nash, Unf. Trav., M. i.
Abscbdary. They, knowing the rudiments only, contemn arts as
unprofitabe, contenting themselves with a little country-
grammar knowledge, God wote, thanking God with that
abscedarie priest in Lincolnshire that he "never knew
what that Romish popish Latin meant." — Nash, Anat. of
Absurdity f 1589.
Ames ace. The lowest throw of the dice.
Almesace. — Pal., Ac, T.
Causeless distrust is able to drive deceit into a simple woman's
head. I durst pawn the credit of a page (which is worth
am's ase at all times) that she was immaculate honest till
she met with us in prison. — Nash, U. T., G. 4 1. Used
also in a good sense in Introduction.
Ambesace. The throw of two aces. — B. and F., Quern of Corinth^
IV. I.
Aums-ace, dewce-ace [games]. — Int. of Youth [H., O.P.'], ii. 35 ;
Ym. of Hypocr., 1883. 1533.
Boss. Day, Blind Beggar of Bednal Green, ii.
Bottom, s. Base. — Horm., V,, 737.; Skelt, Gar, of Lau., 799;
Gasc., Story of Ferd. Jer., pp. 416, 418.
She makes of his verses a bottom whereon to wind her silk that
waste paper would aptly serve her turn. — Grange, Golden
Aph., D. iv. r., Q. iii. r. ; Taylor, A Bawd.
Globus, a clew. — 15th Cy., Wr., p. 269.
To wind up as upon a bottom or clue of yam. — Withals, 1568.
BooTHDLER. Nash, U. T., M. 4. Fr. Butineur, Cotgr., a robber,
plunderer.
Bug. Cawdray, p. 383 ?
Not applied to the insect till end of 17th century. {See Cymess
infra-, Rowley, Shoemaker, iv.) Baret, however, in his
Alvearie, 1575, has Bugge spectrum, larva, lemures. Cf.
Boggard in Jamieson.
Swear by no bugges. — Gasc, Barth. of Bath, i. 134.
VOL. III. 81 6
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
As though the warning of Christ were no more earnest and
effectual than is the warning of mothers when they trifle
with their children and bid them beware the bug. — Latimer,
Lett., X.
CooLSTAFF. Ho., FatH. Lett., iv. 7.
Another had a monstrous spite at the pommel of his rival's saddle,
and thought to have thrust his spear 'twixt his legs without
raising any skin, and carried him clean away on it as a
coolstaffe. — Nash, U. T., J. 3 r.
Cymesses. Cimici. — B. Jon., Mag. Lady.
There was a poor fellow during my remainder [at Rome] that
for a new trick he had invented of killing cymesses and
scorpions had his mountebank banner hung on a high
pillar, with an inscription about it longer than the King of
Spain's style. I thought these Cymesses, like the Cimbrians,
had been some strange nation he had brought under, and
they were no more but things like sheep-lice, which, alive,
have the venomost sting that may be, and, being dead, do
stink out of measure. Saint Austin compareth heretics
unto them. — Nash, U. T., J. 4 1.
Barclay, Eel., iii., calls them /tt«a»5«5.
DoDKiN, 5. A small coin, dim. of Doit.
All day wouldn't he study a dodkin. — Nash, XJnf. Tr., M. 3 1.
Well, without halfpennie all my wit is not worth a dodkin. —
Lyly, M. Bom., ii. 2.
CoNTAKE, s. Debate, dispute, reviling.
Contek, cuntekis. — Wycliffe, Matt. xxii. 6 ; Luke xx. ii.
And therwithal I termed have all strife,
All quarrels, contecks, and all cruel jars,
Oppressions, bryberes, and all greedy life
To be in genere no bet than wars.
Gascoigne, Didce Bellutn Inexpertis, 33.
Cladder, s. R. Davenport, City Match. Nares says the only
instance, but
" Philautus thinks each woman that doth view
His proper person straight must love him too.
Alas ! Town-cladder, thou 'rt mistaken I see,
Thou lov'st thyself, and them, they laugh at thee."
Rob. Heath, Epigram, p. g. 1650.
Cricket. A low stool.
The cricket and high throne alike near heaven. — Sir T. More,
p. 79.
CuMBERi s. Trouble. Used by Scott in Coronach.
** Sage counsel in cumber."
Cicero found his wife coumbresome, crabbed, and snappish.—
Udall, Er. Ap., 355.
82
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
I know not how.it comes to pass, but many are so delighted to
hear themselves that they are a cumber to the ears of all
other, pleasing their auditors in nothing more than in the
pause of a mil point, when as by their humming and
hawking respite they have leisure to gesture the misBke of
his rudeness. — T. Nash, Anai, of Absurdity^ p. 50.
Crumpling or Crinching. A kind of apple.
Nor Crumpling sweet with cheeks divine,
Yet not so fair, my Dear, as thine.
S. Wesley, Maggots, p. 24. 1685.
Curmudgeon. Richard Percival, Spanish Grammavy p. 80. 1599.
** The clouds like a number of cormorants that keep their corn
till it stink and is musty kept in their stinking exhala-
tions till they had almost stifled all Rome's inhabitants/' —
Nash, U. r., K. 2 r.
" (The devil.) A cooper or a curmogionly purchaser." — Nash,
The Terrors of the Night, E. iii. r., 159.
Curtail. His tail is so essential to him, that if he lose it once he
is no longer a Horse but a curtail. — Strange Metamorphoses
of Man, The Horse, p. 16. 1634.
Deboist, for Debauched. — Hall, Funehra Flora, pp. 21, 32. 1660.
C/. Shak., Deboshed. — Temp., iii. 2, 25.
Deuas. Quosdam daemones quos Dusious Galli nuncupant. —
St. Augustine.
C/. They ar fayne to play dew-decke*.
They ar made for the becke.
Skelt., Co. a., 166 r.
* To bow to or serve the devil, timeservers.
Dotes, s. Endowments, good qualities (A.N.). Latin, dotes.
Then all thy dotes came powdring in,
Thy Mother's manly nose and chin, &c.
Sam Wesley, Maggots, 1685 ;
To my Gingerbread Mistress, p. 25.
Disease, v. To disturb, s. Discomfort. — Hyeway to the Spitalhouse,
938 ; Baret, C. of Lab., H. 4 ; Chest. PL, 190 ; Becon, ii. 43.
I perceive it is no safe playing with Uons but when it please
them,
If you claw where it itch not you shall disease them.
Edwards, Damon and Pithias, H. O.P., iv. 46.
Will Somers, walking in the park of Greenwich, fell asleep on
the stile that leads mto the walk, and many that would
have gone that way so much loved him that they were loth
to disease him, but went another way. — Armin., Nist of
Ninnies, p. 42, i6o8.
Faburden. Nash, U. T., I. ; Saffron Walden, K. 4.
A high-sounding tone. — Hll.
Faburthen words. — Lodge, Wifs Miserie, p. 9.
83
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Frump, 5. Worthy of a frump for his folly, — Breton, Praiu of
Vertuous Ladies.
This man and his mates will counterfeit Diogenes (that is to
say) because I render not a Peripatetical reason for every
syllable I write they tender a Stoical frump for every word
they read. — R. Scot, Platform of a Hop-garden ; EpU.
"A leery frump." — Dekker, Seven Deadly Sinnes of London^ 7.
1606.
Motion. i.e. puppet, marionette. — Midd., Father Hubhurd^s Tales;
G. Wither, Abuses Stript and Whipt, ii. 2.
His eyes turn in his head like the puppets in a motion. — Lodge,
Wifs Miserie^ p. 8. 1596.
She has a motion of the Prodigal Son. — Shak., Two Gent,,
ii. I, 85 ; T. Adams, p. 937.
To show anticque motions. — Lodge, Wifs Miserie, p. 84.
Niece. What motion's this ? The model of Nineveh ? — B. and
F., Wit at Several Weapons, i. i.
Sure, he has got
Somid bawdy pictures to cause all this ging ! *
The friar and the nun ; or the new motion
Of the Knight's courser covering the parson's mare ;
The boy of six years old with the great thing ;
Or 't may be he has the fleas that run at tilt
Upon a table, or some dog to dance. — B. Jon., Alch., v. i.
♦ Gang.— Midd., Sp. Gipsy, iii. i ; T. Heyw., Fair Maid of West, pp. 49, 54»
57 ; Shak., M. W. W., iv. 2. 103 ; Ben. Jon., Every Man in his Humour ;
Milton, Ap./or Smectymnus, i.
He looks like one of these motions in an antique clock. — Id.,
E. M. in H., ii. i.
1st Merchant, 'Twere a rare motion to be seen in Fleet Street.
2nd Merchant. Ay in the Term.
Isi Merchant. Or Smithfield in the fair. — Id., Volp., v. 2.
The perpetual motion is here and not at Eltham. — Id., The Silent
Woman, v.
On the New Motion :
See you yond' motion ? not the old fa-ding.
Nor Captain Pod, nor yet the Eltham thing.
Id., Epig., 97.
**The amorous conceits and love songs of Captain Pod, of
Pye Comer, and Mr. Pump, of Ram Alley, never described
before." — ^J. Day, Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green, iv. 1659.
In. Where 's the little sweet lady, your daughter ?
Moth. Ev'n at her book, sir.
Pos. So religious ?
Moth. 'Tis no new motion, sir. Sh'as took it from an infant.
Midd., Mad World, i. i.
See B. and F., City Match ; Day, Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green,
iii., 1659; and other instances in Nares.
84
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Waits (at private theatricals) :
More. Where are the waites ? Go bid them play
To spend the time awhile. . . .
ijhe Waytisplay, Enter Lord Mayor ^ Aldermen^ S»c.)
Sir T. More (Shak. Soc.), p. 57.
Such another. Sh., Tr. and Cr,, i. 2, 238, 251. {UdBli, Ralph
Royster DcysUr, iii. 5. Fielding, Tom Jones^ IX., vi. Tu
quoque.)
Mag. Cockes bones» herde you ever such another? (tale). —
Skelt., Mag., 1867.
Sin. I pray thee what is thy name ? Art thou either vicar or
parson?
Sir L. Sir Laurence Livingles without either living or mansion.
Sin. Bv the Mass I thought thou wast even such another.
I knew by thy countenance thou wast never a doctor.
All for Money, 1578; Hll., ///. (i6th Cent.), p. 157.
Avarice. This same I got by sectourship to my mother.
Vengeance on her, old witch, for such an other.
Respublica, iii. 6. 1553.
Thou art such another mad merry Urse still. — B. Jon., Bart.
Fair, ii. i.
Dame. Turfe: Come: you are such another man, Turfe. —
B. Jon., Tale of a Tub, ii. i.
Don. Here 's hope yet if my nephew would have wit ;
But he is such another dimce, I fear
He *11 never win the wench.
Ford, 'Tis Pity She*s a Whore, i. 4.
But 'tis such another,
A has a wit in all the world like *s mother.
G. Wither, Sai., ii. 2. 1613.
You are such another man [for women]. — Killigrew, Parson's
Wedding, ii. 2.
You are such another gentleman. — Midd., Anything for a
Quiet Life, ii. 2 ; Nabbes, Tottenham Court, iii. 3 ; Midd.,
Widow, 1. 2 ; Chaste Maid, ii. 4 ; Davenport, A New Trick
to Cheat the Devil, iii. i ; Sharpham, Cupid's Whirligig, v.
Isabella. Away! you're such another meddling lord. — Marst.,
The Insatiate Countess, i. i.
Carter. But that Warbeck is such another (disparagingly). —
Witch of Edmonton, i. 2.
Eugenia. Beshrew my heart, my Lord, if you go these three
hours.
Momford. Three hours! Nay, Niece, if I dance attendance
three hours (alone in her Chamber) with a Lady so near
allied to me I am very idle i' faith, marry with such an
other I would dance one, two, three, four and five, though
it cost me ten shillings. — Sir Gyles Goosecap, ii. i. 1606.
85
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Black Psalm. P. Holland, Livy, v., c. 37. (See The Monke's Hymn
to Saunte Satan. — Harington, Metamorphosis of Ajax^ 1596.)
Black sant. — T. Nash, Unf. Trav.f 1594.
Nr. With a black sant he speans to be sportly at his chamber-
window.
Sin, I knew I would soon make him change his note ;
I will make him sing the Black Sanctus, I hold you a
groat.*
* For calling him the fidlestick of Oxford. — Nash, Saffron Walden, v. 2.
Lyly, End.f iv. 2, ** the tune of the black saunce " ; T. Lupton,
All for Money y 1578; Hll., ///. of Lit. of 16th Cy., p. 124;
B. Jon., Time Vindicated^ Gifford's n. ; Cotgr., v., Tintamarre ;
Tarlton, News out of Purgatory, p. 61 (Shak. Soc.), repr. ;
and Sylv. [Du Bartas] Furies, 278.
Let 's sing him a Black Sanctus, then let 's howl
In our own beastly voices.
B. and F., Mad Lover, iv. ; and cf. B. and F.,
Wild Goose Chase, iv. 3.
The language that they speak
Is the pure barbarous blank sauret of the Geate*.
Marston, School of VUlany, vii. 84.
* i.e. G6te, Goth.— Melbancke, Philot., p. 4. 1583.
When Ovid writ his Elegies among the barbarous Getes. —
J. Day, Peregrinatio Scholastica Tr., xv.
I knew one that was crampt, and he dreamt that he was torn in
pieces with wild horses ; and another that, having a black
sant brought to his bedside at midnight, dreamt he was
bidden to dinner at Ironmongers' Hall. — T. Nash, Terrors
of the Night, 4to., 1594. ^^*
Dint. Blow. Dent. — Cov, Myst., p. 185.
Bensell. ? handsel.
Thus has she won my heart, my purse is never tied ;
Good will hath given a dashing dente, from thence I may not
bide.
In hope I spend my time, in hope to gain my will,
I dance attendance every day, in hope to have my fill.
Sometime I have my wish, the bensell of hir bowe.
Sometime I have my heart's desire, of certain this I know.
Sometime again I want what is my heart's desire,
Which as dry wood and kindling coals doth set my heart on fire.
J. Grange, Golden Aphroditis, O. ii. 1.
Break the Face.
Cf Break the law, wind, news. See Transactions of Somerset
Archaological Society for 1876. Break his day. — Shak.,
Merchant of Venice, i. 3, 158 ; Breton.
Then may he break his mind and talk with me his fill. —
Marriage of Wit and Scienu^ H., O.P.f ii. 346.
86
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
As a mother sets down her young child and hides herself,
suffering it to cry and break the face, not because she hates
it, but that she may teach it to depend upon her and love
her. — Cawdray, p. 331.
C/. Broken surplice with many an hole. — Chaucer, Testament
of Love, pr. ii. Broken sheet. — P. Plow. Vis., B. v. 107.
Flaking fern.
He spake of a fox, but when all came to all it was but a fern
break. — CI.
[He has offended his mistress by kissing another in the dance.]
She suddenly departed from their companies, whom N.O.
perceiving, pursued hastily— desirous to know the cause
thereof, to whom she answered snappingly: "One perch
may not suffice a bird to prone and prie upon.'* Who,
knowing what she meant thereby, preaceded to have entered
the chamber to have excused himself, but she, locking the
door, said, " Avaunt ! Go, rouse thyself in flaking fern ! "
Who answered, " The privie is past and flaking fern doth
wither." — Grange, Golden Aphtoditis, F. iii. r. ; and see also
C. ii. r.
Cf. Privy evil.— Hll.
Frost in fire. (Making love.) ? the formula in charm for bums
and St. Anthony's fire.
[He has fallen in love with her to whom he writes concerning
the natural climate of the country.] ** I must say that I
have found fire in frost. And yet comparing the inequality
of my deserts with the least part of your worthiness I feel
a continual frost in my most fervent fire." — Gasc, Storie of
Ferd. Jer., p. 416.
" It is great good will that gravelleth me, and the fear of
repulse maketh my heart to freeze. Wherefore, I beseech
thee, grant ^w in time to thaw"
"Good sir," quoth she, " to find fire in frost*, I count it better lost''
" I grant," said N.O., " who findeth fire in frost he finds but
yet he lives by loss, but who findeth frost in fire he gapeth
for good luck." — Grange, G. Aph,, D. r.
* ? old age.
Cf. Shak., Merchant of Venice, ii. 7, 75.
In T. Heywood's Royal King, iii. 3, the bawd says to the
fastidious gentleman, " Marry, farewell frost."
But who will seek for unknown gain
Oft lives by loss and leaves with pain.
Spen., Sh. KaU^ I. 4, rep.
And being but once prov'd then farewell frost for me,
My piece, my lock and all is lost.
Gasc, Comp. of Gr. Knight.
Some whores live by loss whose tongues run at rovers,
But they soon at butting their losses recovers.
Davies, Epig., 84.
87
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Great boast and small roast,
If it be so then farewell frost. — lb.
Farewell, frost,
nothing got nor nothing lost. — R.
Intimating indifference. — Nares.
St John's axe.
Like as in times past those trees which did bear fruit might not
be cut down: So those Christians which have a care to
lead a virtuous life according to the prescript rule of God's
word are not in danger of St. John's axe: to wit, of the
judgment of God for sin. — Cawdray, p. 362. 1600.
Flunkey. Piatt Deutsch. Flunkem, to be gaudily drest.
Jamieson, Sc. Diet., suggests Wlonk, gaudily drest, a word used
by Dunbar {Twa Mariit W$mcn and the Wedo) as a noun for
a richly attired woman.
Tanner. ? Tawnier, blacker. Su As swart as tan. — Skelton,
Phyllyp SparowCf 911.
With his ladder eye
And cheeks dry,
With visage wan
As swart as tan. (Envy.)
There are many in London nowadays that are besotted with
this sin (Curiosity), one of whom I saw on a white horse in
Fleet St., a tanner knave I never looked on, who with
one figure (cast out of a scholar's study for a necessary
servant at Bocardo*) promised to find any man's oxen
were they lost, etc. — Lodge, Wifs Mis.^ p. 13.
* The North gate of Oxford.
Your skyn scabbyd and scurvy.
Tawny, tannyd and shurvy.
Skelton, Against Gamesche^ 131.
Muff, s. ? Muscovy.
Who is this with the Spanish hat, the Italian ruff, the French
doublet, the Muffes cloak, the Toledo rapier, the German
hose, the English stocking and the Flemish shoe ? . . .
Lying. — Lodge, Wifs Mis., p. 341.
Say utimn. A misprint. See Grosart's edn. of Armin, p. 40.
[A cobbler has to pay five shillings to a customer whose boots
were lost by the messenger who carried them home
mended]. " Nay," says the cobbler, *« if my money can be
booted and ride post so by five shillings at a time, it is no
boot for me to say utimn*, but the next boots I '11 make a
page of my own age, and carry home myself, for I see fools
will afford good pennyworths."— Armin, Nest of Ninnies^
1608, p. 53.
* utinam !
Berry. Morning's berry. ? the morning drink. See Aleberry
inHU.
88
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
He [Lying] will hold you prattle from morning's berry to
candle lighting. — Lodge, Wifs Mis., p. 35,
Croscia d'acque. . . . A berry or flaw of wind and rain. — Florio.
Taylor {Christmas In and Outy 1652) speaks of Berry browne
Ale.
Medb, s.
It was Ambition at first that of Deioces, a just judge, made
an unjust Mede and a tyrant. — T. Lodge, Wit's Mis.^
P- 5-
Half-pail.
Ladies of honour, court-like Dames and Ladylike gentlewomen
are seldom runners forth of their doors, but much less
strayers abroad least the sharp winds of iEolus or the
boisterous blasts of Boreas should nip their lively blood,
or the excessive heat of Titan's parching beams should
turn their rosed looks, which are so crystal clear, into a
berry brown; which maketh them either to refrain their
feet from straying abroad, like housedoves, or else, if they
peep never so little into the open air, either to cover their
front with a halfe paile, or else wholly to shade that
phisnomicall face of theirs with a large silken or lawn scarf,
like unto the stately grace of Persian Kings when they
stray forth of their doors. — Grange, Gold. Aph., K. iv. 1.
Palet, armoure for the heed (Pelliris). — Pr. Par. (A helme of
lether.)
Cloth of issue. A purfle garde, or border of a garment (Segmen).
Sunt qui putant esse Cloth of issue. — W., 1568.
Lurch, v. To greedily eat. — Baret. Cf, Shak., Merry Wives of
Windsor, ii. 2.
He 's in my lurch (Periculum). — CI.
You lurch the Commons (Rapacitas). — CI.
So oft thjr neighbours banquet in thy hall
Till Davie Debet in thy parlour stand
And bids thee welcome to thine own decay.
Gasc., Posies, 1575, i. 66.
Sir Davie Debet, with vi. or viii. tall fellowes attending him [^in
Paul's middle walk], whetting their knives ready to dme
with Duke Humphrie ; but though they be sharp set they
may take leasure enough, for there all Urching is barde by
and maine*. — Health to the Gentlemanly Profession of Serving-
men, 1598, repr., p. 125 ; Hazlitt, Roxb. Lib., Inedtted Tracts,
1868.
* Allusion to dice-play.
Priusquam sortitio facta est communia devoras. You lurch
commons. — With., 1616.
A Lurcher. A Gulligutte, a devourer of his own substance. —
Baret, 1580.
89
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Wbb.
I am not ignorant that many times the covetous ignorant
scrapeth that from the tail of the plough which maketh all
his after posterity think scorn to look on the plough, they
overseeing that by a servant on which their father was as
tillsman attendant, being translated by his toil from the
parish goodman Webbe in the country to a portly gentle-
man in the Court. — Nash, Anat. of Absurd, ^ 1589.
Due-garde. (? Dieu vous garde.)
" These fond fained fancies [his extravagant praises],*' quoth
she, ** and wanton foolish eyes deserveth a glass of dis-
sembling water, but an x or a nod shall serve for a due
garde, and yet, what make you then of beautie by this ? "
quoth she. — J. Grange, Gold, Aphroditis, F. r,, 1577.
Unto the Kirk he came, befoir the King
With club and cote, and monie bell to ring,
Dieu gard Sir King, I bid nocht hald in hiddill,
I am to you as sib as seif is to ane riddel.
Tales of the Preists of PebliSf 1. 476.
A Beck *s as good as a Dieu-gard,
It neede to be so, it 's a Noble's reward.
J. Da vies, £/>., 315. 161 1.
Who seeing the wild horses to have gotten their reins at will
from unskilful Phaeton, who wilfully would have the
guiding of the chariot which carried the radiant sun about
the world, and knowing the same of force to provoke a
great hurlyburly among the Gods and Goddesses in heaven
repaired thither in haste, who according to his expectation
he found almost beside themselves, fearing the consuming
both of heaven and earth by fire. Where seeing the
goddesses most of all skuddelyng and fekyng to defend
themselves longest from smothering, he besought Diana
upon his knees as she loved her natural daughter, to help
her with the same. — Grange, G. Aph., G, iv. 1.
Milliner. A man's calling.
I then in private crav'd of thee
Thy husband's trade and mystery ;
Thy answer was a Milliner
That sold small wares and such small gear.
R. Tofte, Fruits of Jealousy^ p. 69. 1615.
Cross-cloth. A crosse cloath, as they term it, a Powting cloth.*
(Plagula.)— With., 1615. ? a fichu. Su'V,CxB.n\ey, Amanda,
p. 48, repr.
* Some article for women's use.
WiNK-ALL-HiD. Middl., Father Hubburd's Tales; Shak., L. L. L.,
iv. 3, 74.
Thanatus. Upon a spade he leans, as if he did
By his day-labour live call'd Wincke, all hid.
J. Davies of Hereford, Hum. Heav. on E., iii., Talei, 38. 1608.
90
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Or else the shaking of the sheets perchance
Which he would dance untired night and day
Wherein he put them down, so that he did
Drive them from dancing unto Winck-all-hid.
lb., Tale ii. 4, p. 184.
But soft a light ! who *s that ? soul, my mother !
Nay, then, sill-hid ; i*faith she shall not see me.
I '11 play bo peep with her behind the tree.
Porter, Two Angry Women, H., O.P*, vii. 341.
These birds of darkness cannot abide the light, because their
deeds are evil. Thus they play at All- hid with God, but
how foolishly. — T. Adams, Whs., p. 885.
Mbrrygall, s. a sport so called.
May be he seeks to have my suet for himself.
Which sooner heals a merrygald than Pothecary's pelf.
Gascoyne, Art of Venericy " The Hart to the Hunter," 1575.
Sent to Jericho.
Who would to curb such insolence, I know,
Bid such young boys to stay in Jericho
Until their beards were grown, their wits more staled.
T. Heywood, Hierarchie, B, iv., p. 208.
N., who infers that a prison is meant. And so Halliwell.
LrONG-MBN. ? tall, great. But cf, following.
And some in seeking somewhat did rebel
But Fortune brought them soon to wretched case
Some strong, sent long men to Jerusalem
Out of the way to make a way for them.
Davies of Hereford, Civil Wars of Death and Fortune, 53.
LrBTTBR Freeze. ? German text-hand.
As some sought Tongues, so others Hands did seek
Italian, Romane, Spanish, French and Dutch,
With Letter Freeze among, and Letter Creeke [?]
Those with their hands did Fortune seldom touch
For they would needs teach those hands in a week
So sold for little that they sold for much.— /&., 92.
When at the last they had fetched their freeze
And mired their stomachs quite up to the knees
In claret for and good cheer.
R. Fletcher, Po., p. 229. 1656.
Here it seems to mean drink.
Ming, v. A.S., mynegian memorare. — Stratmann. To bring to
mind or remind. Ay ming'd ay moum'd. — Hall, Elegy on
Whitaker; Id., Sat., VII., ii. 30,
Touching this world ^to my blame be it said)
I think of nothing out what nothing brings ;
And yet no thing more musing than my head
And yet my Muse my head with nothing mings :
91
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Both* feed on airf, wherewith is nothing fed
But dead or dull or else mere witless things.
Da vies of Hereford, Civil Wars of Death S» Fart9m4t]y2.
* Head and Muae. t Praise.
Ling, s. ? salt fish.
[the World] Like to the oldest Ling
That limes their fingers that on it do feed
So that all things they touch to them do cling
And letfs] them so from doing purest deed.
If so it be, how mad are men the while
To cleave to that which do them so defile }—Ih.^ 98.
Genyfenyc. Vain, dressy wife.
Such genyfenycs keepeth many one lowe
Their husbondes must obey as dogs to bowe.
Hytway to the Spital, 1030.
Poll, s. The head.
For when an heap confus'd are called by Poll
The many parts do make the number whole.* — lb., 100.
* It makes the nnmber appear as it is.
Fifteens. Tyndale, ii. 204 ; Shak., 2 Hen. VL, iv. 7, 20 ; Habington.
The 15th part of a subject's personalty.— Holinshed, ii. 632.
Lambarde, Per. of Kent^ says a loth was the tax on dty and 15th
on country villages.— p. 55.
Our puling puppets, coy and hard to please,
My too strait-laced all-be-^arded girls.
The scum of niceness, (London Mistresses)
Their skins embroider with plague's orient pearls
For these for first-fruits have fifteen to spare
But to a beggar say, " We have not for ye."
Then do away this too-fine wastefull ware
To second death, for they do most abhor me.
Davies of Hereford, Picture of the Plague, p. 227.
Tandem fines Parliamenti erat taxa levanda ad opus R^;is.
i.e. dedma de clero et quinta-decima de populo laicali. —
Walsingham, Historia Brevis, ed. Riley, ii. 177.
Tales, I am a goosecap by the mother's side, madam; at
least, my mother was a goosecap.
Penelope. And you were her white son, I warrant, my lord.
T. I was the youngest, lady, and therefore must be her
white son, ye know : the youngest of ten, I was.
Hip. And the wisest of fifteen.
Sir G. Goosecap, iv. i. 1606.
Fifteens for the King.— Taylor, The Goose.
Contemplation. Why, sir, without me they [priests] may not
live clean.
Pity. Nay, that is the least thought that they have of
fifteen.
T. Adams, Wks., p. 541 ; Hickscomer, H., O.P., i. 153.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Oaths. Ud's death.— Shak., Othello.
Mezentius speaks no word but God he minds ;
If not whole God, yet at the least some part ;
Nay, all his several parts of sundry kinds.
Blood, Wounds, Death, Soul, Nails, Flesh, Sides, Guts, and
Heart.
And thoufi^h by him these parts be still exprest,
Yet is he but a most blasphemous beast.
Davies, Scourge of FoUy^ p. 42.
In the 15th Century the French softened Dieu into Bieu or bleu
to evade the penalties for blasphemy, as Mort bleu, Ventre
bleu. — Coquillart, CEuvres^ Note ii., 62.
Wren, Estridgb. Estrige. — Strange Metam. of Man, p. 16. 1634.
Estruci. Autruche. — La Combe, Dtct. du Vieux Langue
Frangois, V, ii. 1767.
To Sir JPohn Harington,
Dear Knight, thy nature is too like mine own
To leave thee out of my Remembrances ;
Thv muse, of yore, this very way hath flown
And plum*d on Woodcocks, Wrens and Ostridges,
And now my Muse with pownces not so strong.
Having some geese to pull, invokes thy muse
To bear the burden of her merry song.
To make them sorry who the world abuse :
Thine can work wonders in this kind, and mine
Perhaps may make them groan she pulls like thine.
Davies, Scourge of Folly ^ p. 61.
Joffev. Whence comes it* then ?
Spencer. From that whose pains as far surmount all those
As whips of Furies do, the ladies' fans
Made of the plumes o' th' estridge.
Ih,y II., ii. p. 120.
* His weeping, which he says that no physical tortures could produce.
Honesty.
To our English Terence, Mr. Will. Shakespeare.
Some say, good Will, (which I in sport do sing)
Hadst thou not play*d some kingly parts in sport,
Thou hadst been a companion for a King,
And been a King among the meaner sort.
Some others rail ; but, rail as they think fit.
Thou hast no railing, but a reigning wit ;
And honesty thou sow'st, which they do reap.
So to increase their stock which they do keep.
lb., p. 76.
Side, adj. Long, flowing. — Wyclif, Gen,, xxxvii. 23 ; lb., xliv. 4 ;
Fitzherbert, Book of Husbandry, f. 66, 1534.
Wide or side. — Taylor, OdconiVs Compliments^
Side robes of Royalty. — Hall, Sat., I., iii. 23.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
She is homed like a cow .... fon syn,
The cuker hangs so side now furred with a catskin.
Town, Myst., 212.
The most sidest-bealied felowe of all gluttons or stroy goods
upon their deyntie mouth. — Pal., Ac.
Poliphagus a suit of satin ware,
Made wide and side; and yet his sides did swell,
So that his Trusse* did cover scarce the bare,
And so his paunch (an homely tale to tell)
Was fiird with filth, that every stitch did stare f
Of that which eas'd it and of grease did smell :
Which so regloss*d the satin's gloss, that it
Was vamisht like their veils} that turn the spit.
Davies of Hereford, Humours^ Heaven on Earth, 4.
• Mr. Grosart misprints *' Truflfe *' with a note : turf or cover ; so *' Scotice
still"!
t Stare : shine.
{ Spelt " vailes." Probably worn by cookboys to screen from heat of the fire.
Brown-paper merchant. Douce seems to consider " shop-goods "
are intended. — ///. Shaks., ii. 161.
Brown-paper Merchants (that do vent such trash
To heedless heirs, to more wealth born than wit
That 'gainst such Paper-rocks their houses dash.
While such sly merchants make much use of it)
Use them as they do use such heirs to use,
That is to plague them without all remorse
These with their brokers, plague ; for they abuse
God, King and Law, by law's abused force.
Davies, Pict. of Plague, p. 228.
Brown-paper warrants. Those given by a captain, and which
he can cancel. — Smyth, Sail. Wd. Bk. See extract from
Gasc., St. Glass, " Darbies."
Pompey (in the prison). First here 's young master Rash ; he *s
in for a commodity of brown paper and old ginger nine score
and seventeen pounds ; of which he made five marks ready
money. — Shak., M. for M., iv. 3, 4.
Remorse. Pity, compassion. — Hll.
Inglb, s. a parasite, a tuft-hunter. — Earle, Micro-cosmography, xxv.
Derived by some from Angel.
To the Reader.
Instead of ingling terms for the goodwill,
Reader fall to, reade, jest knd carp thy fill.
Edw. Guilpin, SkialetJieia, 1598, Collier's reprint.
Irk, v. Baret, 1529, 1599.
« Sometime art thou yrked of them at the table." — Bar., EcL, ii.
i.e. annoyed.
Such hurt as cometh by eating medlars, the like also ensueth by
dealing and meddling with meddlers or common smatterers :
94
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
they are hard and dry meat, hardly digested : not soon
brought to any reasonable order : besides they hinder disturb
and interrupt the course and orderly proceeding of other
men's matters, and if you deal much with them they will
extremely irck and loathe you. — Hy. Buttes, Dyefs Dry
Dinner y D2, i.
Irketh or greveth me. — Pal., Ac, y 4.
Thou.
Gluttony, I pray thee for our sakes once back again to turn,
For thy departing will cause him [Satan] still to
mourn.
Sin. Thou thy dogs and cats, thou evil-favoured knave !
Use me so again and your nose from your face I will
have.
All for Money, 1578 ; Hll., Illustrations of
16th and 17th Century, f. 124.
Imp, 5. I, a shoot ; 2, a child. — Occleve, Reg, Prin., 195 ; F. Flow.
Vis. XIX., 6 C. (a sapUng).
Brawnches growing out of the rootes or stemme of trees other-
wise cadled Impes (Stolones). — Huloet ; Paradise of Dainty
Devices, 6, 1576; Pad., Ac, L. 3.
Then of her lordes .... two other imps there be. — Gasc.,
Grief of Joy, ii.
As a Syence or imp that is grafted into a tree, &c. — Cawdray,
Treasurie of Similies, p. 308.
The Husbandmen say it [the Pistachio] grows of an almond-
tree imp inserted to a mastick stolk. — Hy. Buttes, Dyefs
Dry Dinner, 1599, D. 8.
As when trees be hewen down, much moe impes do spring
up then the bou^hes were that were cut off. — Rob. Cawdray,
Treasurie ofSimtlies, 1600, p. 2i.
V. To clip ?
If he perceive any that by right judgment conceiteth his
courses, with him he joineth as if he sought his only
protection under the wing of his glory, but the very
truth is he hath no other intent but this, to impe the
wings of his renown for fear he fly beyond him. — Lodge,
Wifs Mis., p. 7.
KiND-HBART. A tooth-drawer. — B. Jon., Bart. Fair, Induction.
Kind-heart shall not show you so many teeth tipt with silver in
his country hat as I Devils incarnate in cloaks of the new
fashion. — T. Lodge, Wifs Miserie, "To the Reader," 1596;
again at p. 38 ; B. & F., Fair Maid of the Inn, iii. i ;
Chettle, Kindharte's Dream (Percy Soc.)
Whetstone. J. Heiwood, Ep., v. 98.
The chariot then that Lying is drawn in is made all of whet-
stones,— Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins of London, ii. 1606.
06
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Post. See Nares.
Worshipfully is this lord of Limbo attended, for knights them-
selves follow at his heels : marry they are not post and pair
knights, but one of the post. — lb.
TopSY-TURVEY. Gasc., Supp.t iii. 215, p. 5.
Overterve for overturn. — Occleve, Reg. Prin.^ p. 65.
That which breaks lovers' chaste designs in twain
And gives to Many what (to one) doth appertain
Is that which fills men's hearts with furious fire
And (topsi turvi) turns each amorous desire.
R. Tofte [Trans, of Varchi], Blazon of
Jealousy, p. 43. 1615,
Boys acting Women's parts.
More. How many are ye ?
Player. Four men and a boy.
More. But one boy 7 then I see there 's but few women in the
play.
Player. Three, my lord. Dame Science, Lady Vanity, And
Wisdom, she herself.
More. And one boy to play them all : by 'r Lady he 's loden.
Sir T. More, c. 1590 (Shak. Soc.)
Thos. Jordan in his Royal Arbor of Loyal Poesie, 1664, has a
Prologue to introduce the first Woman that came to act on
the Stage in the Tragedy called ** The Moor of Venice,"
p. 24. — Collier, Illust. of 0. E. Lit, iii., repr.
Naked Bed. Dek., Seven Deadly Sins of London, 3; Romance of Sir
Isumbras, 102.
Who sees his true love in her naked bed
Teaching the sheets a whiter hue than white. — Shak., Vmus and
Adonis, 397.
To bed he goes and Jemy ever used to lye naked as is the use of
a number, amongst which number she knew Jemy was
one. — Armin, A Nest of Ninnies, p. 24.
Nightgowns were first introduced but not usual in i6th century.
— HIL, note Tarlton, p. 127 (Shak. Soc.)
Old Jeronimo. And I as one new-bom
In stretching forth my slothful limbs amid my
naked bed.
Grange, Gold. Aphrod. R. 11, 1. 1577.
The bed is like thy grave, the earth presents the sheets.
The firisking fleas are like the worms dead corpse which greets.
For going to thy naked bed thou goest to thy grave.
Good Night to his Mistress, A . T. — lb., S. ji, 1.
Weeks.
As there be divers sorts of candles, some of rushes which give a
small light and are soon forth, some of Weeke, but will not
burn unless they be often snuffed ; but the best sort are of
cotten and burneth clearest.— Cawd., p. 470.
96
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Alderman's post.
Emilia, I know no other painter but one, and her name is
Modesty, and she sometimes throws a blush into my
face to make my pale cheeks red, but else you shaU
never take me for an Alderman's post.
Po, Why, an Alderman's post ?
Em. Mark but where great posts are newly painted, you
shall see much ^ress and regress in and out; and
where you see a face newly ochred, *tis a sign there *s
great traffic and much stirring to and fro. — ^J. Day,
Law Tricks^ iv. 1608.
A new Lord Mayor's posts. — Nash, Pierce PenmHesse^ p. 43, repr.
Cf. Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins of London^ ii. 1600, p. 29, reprint ;
Middleton, WidoWfii. i ; B.& F., Fair Maid of the Inn, iii. i.
Basb-born, Base child. Bastarde. — Baret, 1580; Ud., Er. Ap.^
1555.
Spurius, a, Comyn of ungentyl fader and gentyl moder.
Nothus, a. Comyn of fadyr gentyl and moder ungentyl.
Prompt, Par,
Bastard begotten between base and gentle or between conjugate
and single (Spurius). — Huloet.
Enfant de bast. Baaste. Not wedlock. Bastardia.— Pwiw//. Par,
Cil olla soer au Bourgoing Auberi
Fille de bast. Basin. — Le Roman d'Auhery le Bourgoing, p. 11.
See also Mouskes, Chronique Rimie, v. 1421 and 11610.
Chanter lb bast. An epithalamium sung at weddings by the chief
minstrel whilst he held aloft a naked sword, on the point of
which an apple or an orange was impaled.
** Icellui Robin dist au suppliant qu'il iroient chanter le bast que
on a accoustum6 chanter on pays (Normandie) la premiere
nuit des nopces." — Lettres de Grace (1424) ; Ducange, i. 577.
Du M6ril CDes Formes du Mariage, 1861, p. 63) says the word
"signinait certainement Union chamelle," and he derives
it '* Probablement du vieil Allemand Bast, peau, on disait
dans le m6me sens que les veuves qui se remariaient
' changeaient de peau,' et le Latin pellex avait sans doute
une origine analogue. Le vieil Allemand Beston signifiait
cependant 'Unir grossi^rement et mal, faufiler ; on dit encore
dans le m^me sens < B&ter un habit ' et un homme gauche
et d6gingand6 est ' mal biti ' : ce serait alors une Union
incomplete."
Base. Born of a common woman that knoweth not his father.
—Baret.
They have also another cast
In case the husband be present,
The child I warrant shall be bast
And to her lover therewith sent.
Scholehouse of Women, 322. 1541.
VOL. ni. 97 7
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
DuRGEN. A dwarf ( West).— HU. ; Fielding, Tom Thumb, ii. 3.
Daft, adj. Stupid.
But Bartholmew his wits had so bedaft.— Gasc, Dan Barth, of
Bath.
DafFard or foolish fellow. — Pal., Ac. L.
I shall be halden a dafFe or a cokenay. — Chau., Revcs Tale, 4206.
Glout, v. To stare vacantly. Same as Gloat.
He winks with one eye while the other doth glout.
That may well be, for one eye is out.
Davies, Sc. of Folly, p. 156.
Gup! Get up I Come up! — Warning for Fair Women \ Ind., 1599.
A Ruffian? Guep, Jack sauce box with a wannion,
Nay he *s a merry and a boon companion.
With., Sat,, i. 3. 1613.
Go ABOUT.
As they which have the Tenasme of body often go about to
avoid the filth of the body and cannot. — Cawd., 827.
Baven, s. a faggot.
Bavins will have their flashes and youth their fancies : the one
as soon quencht as the other burnt. — Lily, M, Bomhie, iv. i.
As you may not with any kind of might break the faggot or
baven that is whole, when as you may lightly break the
sticks thereof severally or being asunder. — Cawd., 770;
Taylor (W. P.)
Spoil, v. Spill.
As a wild horse, if he cannot by kicking and rearing cast his
rider, watcheth the time till his rein be slacked, and getting
the bit between his teeth, setteth his tail an end and
nmneth his rider against the trees and walls and through
hedges to spoyle him if it be possible, and when he is down
giveth him a farewell with his heels. — Cawd., 791.
GoBBBT. A mouthful.
Meats do nourish better being cut and shred than being eaten
in gobbeth. — Cawd., 803 and 853.
His carcase did divide in gobbets small. — Dav., Sc. of Folly, p. 27.
Glide.
Let none outlandish tailor take disport
To stuff thy doublet full of such bumbaste
As it may cast thee in untimely sweat,
And cause thy hair thy company to glide
Strangers are syne in many a proper seat.
Gascoigne, Herbs, Counsel to Bart. WithypolL 1572.
Gain, A.S. gein. Convenient. — Pro. Parv.
His grace to me was ever more gain. — " Lam. of Duchess of
Gloucester,'' Wr., Pol. P. S- S., ii. 207.
Wrath. Why whoreson ; take thy sword in thy hand
And at the gaynest upon him lay.
W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest, D. 11 n
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Gamashes, s. Overalls.
Daccus is all bedaub'd with golden lace,
Hose, doublet, jerkin and gamashes too.
Davies, Sc. of Folly, p. 7.
He goes very spruce in his Spanish leather boots, but black,
because suitable he thinks ; and is so neat that he wears
gamashes over them of what colour he cares not, though
they be red, for so he shall be more conspicuous. § 26
(The Daw), Strange Metam. of Man. 1634.
Gibbet, s.
I scorn to soil my hands about ye ; but and I had thee alone
with a tough Ashen Gibbet in my hand, and I did not dry
bang ye all one after another, I 'd eat no meat but mustard,
sen ye ? — J. Day, Blind Beggar of BednaU Green, iv.
Gibby-stick or Gibbon. ? from face carved on handle. Cf
Sponge's sporting Tour, i. 6, v.
Favour. Kissing goes by favour. i.e. according to looks. — Lyly,
End,, iii. 3.
Tetrus. Worst favoured.— Horm., V., 57.
" With her three daughters of favour so sweet," — [Huth Ballads J]
Like as natural children are like their natural fathers in favour,
in speech, in laughter, or in some lineaments of their bodies.
— Cawdray, p. 150. 16 .
" He was a youth of fine favour and shape." — Bacon, Hen, VIL
BissE. Thou must be stript out of thy costly garments al
And as thou camest to me
In homely gray instead of bisse and purest pall*.
Now all thi cloathing must be.
Ballad of Patient Grissell [Huth Ballads],
♦ U, white.— Barclay, Sh. of F., ii. 283.
Hyll, V. To cover, hide.
Hill happe or cover. — Health to Gent. Prof, of Serving Men, p. 137.
I being fayre, nice, and small.
If I had gay clothes my body to hyll.
Then gentlewomen for me would call.
Good husband, let me have my own wyll.
[Huth Ballads.]
Want. Shak., Macbeth, and instances, Edin. Rev., vol. 130, p. loi ;
Barclay, Sh. of F., ii. 215.
The hasty man never wants wo. — Davies.
As fire is an element exceeding pure and clean, and so necessary
for man's life that we may in no wise want or forego it. —
Robert Cawdray, p. 318. 1600.
Cause you do say you want it ; for 'tis mad
To say one wants that which he never had.
Robt. Heath, Epigrams, p. 51. 1650.
99
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
The greedy rich do want the wealth they hold,
Who pine with Tantalus amidst their store.
Davies of Hereford, Wifs Pilg.f T, r.
Be without. — Pal., Ac.^ P.
For you shall miss a matron grave
In daunger you to cheer,
Whose counsel in their neede
Her neighbours could not want :
Her help unto the comfortless
Could never yet be scant.
Death of the Lady Mayoress.
Jeobardies. i.e. jeopardy. — Huth BaUadsy 203.
Jepardye. — Horm., 7., 120-22 ; Lodge, WU*s Mis.^ p. 27. 1596.
Jubarde. — Dial, of Cteat., 34. Jopard. — W., 1568; Dedn.
ubardye. — Dial, of Great., xxix. Jeoperdy. — Bare, S. of F.
1. 60. Jeopartie. — Lady Bessy (Percy Soc.), p. 26. Juparte —
Libell of Eng. Pol. ; Wr., Pol. P. and S., li. 183.
Adulation. There will none beleeve, I dare jeobard my hand.
That Pleasure shall die so long as the world doth
stand. — T. Lupton, A II for Money , p. 1 1 7. 1 578.
I will jeopard (certabo) with thee at any game. — Horm., F., 279.
Habbrdinb. Habberdine fish. — Baret, Aiv., 1580. Salted cod
(morue paree. — Cotgr.).
Sherwood gives Habordean, Abordean, Labordean. ? dried cod
or ling sent firom Aberdeen. Howell {Lexicon Tetraglotton)
gives merluzzo as the Italian equivalent. Smyth, Sailor's
Wd. Bkd., 6 n. ; Hall, Virgidemiarum, IV. 4.
Ho. Would not my lord make a rare player ? Oh, he would uphold
a company beyond all hoe. —Sir T. More (Shak. Soc), p. 67,
c. 1590.
She is one of them to whom God bad who
She will all have and will ryght nought forgo.
J. Heiw., Dial.f xi.
But howe ! Robyn, howe !
wiche way doth the wind blowe ? — Vox Populit 351. 1547.
Apposb. To question.
" How didst thou with the bishop when he did apose thee ? " —
Lupton, All for Money, 1578; Hll., rep., p. 158.
To oppose, set against. — R. Scot, Platform of a Hopgarden^ p. 61.
1578.
PiNGLiNGLY, odv. With little appetite.—T. Nash, Unf Trav.f A/. 1.,
1594. Ray, Prov., p. 33. 1670.
Let me be counted nobody— a pingler. — Porter, Two Angry
Women; H., O.P., vii. 307.
Suffer them not to pingle in picking [hops] one by one, but let
them speedily strip them into baskets prepared ready there-
fore.— Scot, Platform of Hopgarden, p. 35.
100
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Pbstbrbd. Crowded. — Nash, XJnf. Trav.^ N, 4 ; Davies of Hereford,
P. of Plague, p. 231.
Fash. A man that hath an inevitable huge stone hanging only by
a hair over his head which he looks every Paternoster,
while to fall and pash him in pieces will not he be sub-
missively sorrowful for his transgressions, &c. 7 — Nash,
Unf. Trav.^ K. 4.
Thrush. Three kinds: (i) A mavis, which singeth in the cage
(Turdus pelaris^. (2) A bow-thrush (T. iliacus). (3) An
owsill, csdled a blackbird (merula). — Withals, 1568.
To TO. Udal, Er. Ap., 98. See Halliwell's n. ; Mar. of WU and
Wisdom (Shak. Soc.) ; S. Rowlands, Good Newes and Bad
NeweSfE. 3; Warner, Alb. Eng.y vii. 36; John Day, Isle
of Gulls, 1606, F. 3.
To to out of harre. — Skelton, Magn., 2121, and at 881 ; P., Ac,
0.4.
*' To see even a Bear (which is the most cruellest of all beasts)
to too bloudily overmatcht and deformedly rent in pieces
by an unconscionable number of curs, it would move com-
passion against kind, and make those that beholding him at
the stake yet uncoapte with wished him a suitable death to
his uglv shape now to recall their hard-hearted wishes and
moan nim suffering as a mild beast in comparison of the
foul-mouthed mastiflFs his butchers." — T. Nash, Unf. Trav.,
E. 2 r.
By my soul I love thee too too. — ^J. Heywood, Johan Johan,
p. 10 ; Davies, Scourge of Folly, 227.
A subject known but too- too well to many.— Varchi, Blazon of
Jealousie, Ep. Ded. of R. T., pp. 30, 41, 56, 58. 1614.
Too too will in two. — Chesh.
Strain a thing too much and it will not hold. — Ray, 1670.
To, USBD FOR TOO. Pronounced so in Suffolk. — Skelton, Mag.,
21 14 — 2124. Again, Scot, Platform of Hopgarden, p. 65.
(Su under Hop.)
Clergy. Your Grace is far gone ; God send you a better mind.
K. F. Howld your peace I say ; ye are a lytyll to fatte.
In a whyle I hope ye shall be leaner somewhat.
Bale, K. John, C. S., p. 15.
I. O. U. Chri.st*s Cross be my speed and the Holy Ghost : for fear
the devil should be in the letters of the Alphabet, as he is
too often when he teacheth odd fellows play tricks with
their creditors, who, instead of payments, write I. O. V.,
and so scoff many an honest man out of his goods. —
N. Breton, The Court and the Country, p. 188. 1618.
Huzza. '* It is usual among Nations in time of War to call upon
their Patron Saint, which is called the Cry of War. So
the French cry * Montjoye, St. Dennis ' ; the Spaniards
cry * Saiojago * — that is, St. James ; and the English use to
101
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
cry 'St. George*; but this being now looked upon as
superstitious, is at present reduced only to Huzzas. —
Agreeable Companion, p. 26. [i745].
Tall, adj. Bold, stout.
By St. Mary, he is a tawle man. — Skelt., Mag., 830 ; Shak.,
Tw. N., I., iii. 18 ; Hyeway to Spital-house, 287.
" Jemy, who was, as you have heard, a tall, low man, and was
swift of foot, on a time challenged the King's best foot-
man, &c.** — Armin, Nest of Ninnies, p. 21. 1608.
Fight a tall fray.— T. Heyw., Fair Maid of the West, 37.
BoNEFiRE. Pyra or Rogus. A fire wherein dead bodies were buried,
called of some a bonfier. — With., 1568. Bonfire. — 1608.
Firbome. — Prompt, Par,
Leaning. Bad manners.
He hath no manners at all in him, for he will still be leaning on
some tree or other, and is so heavy and lubberly that
sometimes the tree will fall and he lie sprawling on the
ground. (The Elephant). — Strange Metamorphoses of Man,
p. 19. 1634.
Male. A valise to be carried'on horseback (hippopera). — Withals,
1568.
Almond, Mulberry. **No frosts to make the green almond-tree
counted rash and improvident in budding soonest of all
others, or the mulberry-tree a strange politician in blooming
late and ripening early." — Nash, Unf, Trav,, iiT. 2 1 ; Gawd.,
372, 598.
Bow-net. As into the well or bow-net is an easy way or entering,
but the way and going out is altogether hard and uneasy. —
Cawd., 774.
Dog. Fire or Andiron.
Base copper dogs, being made themselves to bear
But logs and faggots (for a starving fee),
And in a chimney's end away to wear.
Davies of Hereford, Civile Warres of Death and Fortune, 88.
Cruell, or thread work. — Strange Metamorphoses of Man, p. 23. 1634.
Laurba, the Bay-tree leaf, which the barbers put in their basons.
—Withals, 1608.
Wallet.
Time has a wallet on his back
In which he puts alms for oblivion. — Shak.
** It is a double poake, bagged at both the ends, and hangeth
behind and before on his shoulders that doth wear it, and
thereof is our proverb, Non videmus manticae quid in tergo
est. We see not that wallet that hangeth behind. It is
spoken of reprehension in other men's faults by such as
cannot see their own, who be supposed to put other men's
102
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
faults in the wallet before them and their own in that
behind them. — Withals, Dict,y 1608.
This is like the Eastern saddlebag (las Alforjas of Spain),
which a man can also carry fore and aft, putting his head
through a slit in the middle.
Fuller. Thyckers of cappes (FuUones birrhetarii). — Whit., Vulg,^
f. 16.
Fullones nudi fuUantes* fullant pannos laneos et pilosos in
alveo concavo, in quo est argilla et aqua calida. Post
hoc, desiccant pannos lotos contra solem, in aere sereno,
quos ipsi radunt cum carduis multis, ut sint vendibiliores.
— ^John de Garlande, 13th Cy.
* Wright, V, of v., adds that the Paris text reads "nudi et sufflantes."
FuUones vulgale est. Dum fullant pannos, laboriose et turpiter
se gerunt, unde dieuntur fullantes vel sufflantes. — (Gloss, ^
13th Cy., Paris MS.)
See ** Art of Woollen Manufactures," Eng. Cyclo.^ and Skeats'
n. to P. Plow,y p. 364.
Cherry-stones. {See Cherry-pit. — Hll.)
Playing at cheriston (ossiculis ceraseorum) is good for children.
— Horm., F., 281.
Jug. a prison. Cant.
At Abernethy (an old Pictish capital in Perthshire) is a round
tower (of the 12th Century). About 6 feet from the ground
is fastened ** the joug,** an iron collar in the wall, used to
confine prisoners before it was thought worth while to
build prisons or cages for them. This name, derived from
an old Celtic word which was also the parent of the Latin
"jugum," is in all probability the **jug" that in thieves'
slang signifies "prison.** — Murray, Hdhk, Scotland.
Devil way. See Hll. Chau., Reves Tale^ 4255 ; Hei., TJu Pardoner
and the Friar ; H., O.P., i. 225.
Pick the hens in the gallowes names or in the weniand or in the
XX. devil way. — Pal., Ac, L 2.
Go home in the devil way. — Cd. and MeL, H., O.P., i. 82 ;
Chester Plays, i. 53, ii. 166 ; Town. Af., 18 ; Ih., 130.
Welcome Riot in the deviPs way. — Int. ofY., H., O.P,, ii. 13.
What reason is that in the twenty dyvell way that he shulde
here such a reule ? — Horm., 291.
And oft returning he said, but all too late,
Adieu all courting in the devirs date. — Bar., Eel., i.
Oaths.
By Sr. Hugh's bones, St. Luke's face and ventre St. Gri. —
Wilson, Belphegor, v. 2.
With horrible othes swearing as they were wood,
Armes, nayles, woundes, hert, soule and blood,
Deth, fote, masse, flesshe, bones, lyfe and body,
With all other words of blasphemy.
Hyeway to the Spital-house^ 361.
103
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
So help me God and hollidame. — Bullein, B. of Def.^ 49.
By Lacon. i.e. Lady Kin. — Tom Tyler and his Wifif 1598.
By God's fish.—/*., p. 18.
God's fish-hosts. ? hooks, Zooks. — Marriage of WU and Science^
V. I.
By Gog's body. — Four Elements \ H., OJP.f i. 24.
Gog and Magog (Mahomet).
Some swereth armys, nayles, herte and body,
Terynge our Lord worse than the Jowes hym arayed.
Bare, Sh. ofF.^ i. 96.
The wounds of God are sworn.
His armys, herte and bonys. — 76., ii. 72.
Christ's head and brain, ail his members, blood, face, heart,
crown of thorns, five wounds, hands, feet, Cross. — Ib.y
ii. 130.
The Mass. — Ih,^ 132.
By God's blew hood. — T. Tyler and his Wife^ 1498, p. 5.
I swear by God's sockes. — Bare, Ecl.^ i.
„ „ by the rood.— 76.
By our Lady of Crome. — ^J. Heiwood, Husband^ Wife and
Priest.
Lachbsys. Gower, Confessio Amantis^ iv.
For lachesys (whan that thou hast left drede)
Of thy lyve days shall shortly breke the threde.
Bare, SA. o/F., i. 188.
Jews. Spoken of as foreigners or heathen. — Hyeway to the Spital-
house^ 511.
Though the Jewes lyve in errour and darkness.
Given to usury (as lobourynge men oft says).
Yet ar they more given to pyte and mekenes
And almes than Christen men ar nowadays.
Bare, Sh. of F,^ ii. 168.
Cat in pan. To turn. — Edwardes, Dam. and Pyth., 1571.
As for Bernard, often tyme he tumeth the cat in the pan. —
Shacklock, Hatchet of Heresies, 1565.
Say coin can make a painter draw a face
He cannot give it life, do what he can ;
And though that coin can give an outward grace.
It cannot make a knave an honest man,
It cannot turn the cat so in the pan.
N. Breton, PasquiTs Madcap, 1626.
The shepherds [priests] are without all knowledge. All follow
their own ways : every one of them is given to covetousness
from the highest to the lowest. God saith " Cry and cease
not," but they turn cat in the pan and say " Cease, cry not."
God sayeth ** Lift up thy voice as a trump," etc. — Becon,
i. 109.
104
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
There is a cunning which we in England call turning of the
cat in the pan, and that is when that which a man says to
another he lays as if another had said it to him. — Bacon in
Bailey, s. v,
Carpbt-knight.
Aptus chords et jods. — With., 1574.
Carped knight. — Melb., Phil., p. 45.
See Stanton's n., Shak., Twelfth Nighi^ iii. 4.
" Mean'st thou good faith ? "
*« What else ? "
** Hop'st thou to speed ? "
** Why not, O fool, untaught in carpel trade ? "
Par. of Dainty Devices^ p. 69. 1576.
So in Collier's reprint, but I think the context indicates
"carpet."
Bos ad praesepe. A proverb to be applied against those that
do not exercise themselves with some honest afiaires : but
serve abominable and filthy idleness, and as we use to call
them carpet knights. — Baret, Alvearie, 1580.
Tenderlings or carpet muses (ladies). — Bullein, B. of Def., f. 56.
1562.
Carpet squire. — lb., f. 3.
Hance, v. To devate.— Stan., Virgil^ iv. 468. Cf. Enhance.
And being at dinner, because I was a stranger, I was promoted
to the chiefest place at the table, where to observe an old
custom every man did his best endeavour to hance me for
my welcome, which by interpretation is to give a man a
loaf too much out of the brewer's basket. — Taylor, Trav. ta
Hamburgh.
Drink adieu taunt. See under Javell.
WyU. And of lechory to make avaunt
Men forse it no more than drynke ataunt ;
These things be now so conversaimt
We seme it no shame. — Moral., Digby MSS.
But the Fflemmyngs among these things dere
In comen lowen beste bacon and here ;
Thus am they hogges and drynken wele ataunt,
ffare wel, Flemmynge ! hay, harys, hay avaunt !
" Libetl of English Policy "
[Wright, Pol. Poems, ii. 169, Rolls S.].
Whip and whir.
Whip and whir
Never made good furre. — Udall, Roister Doister^
i. 3.
She will boimce it, she will whip,
Yea clean above the ground.
Four Elements, 1570 [H., O.P., i. 35].
105
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
The seelie poor mice dare never play,
She snatcheth and catcheth them every day,
Yet whip they and skip they when she is away.
C. Robinson, Handeftd of Pleasant Ddites^ p. 35. 1584.
Mind. Lo me here in newe aray
Whippe whyrre care away.
The Devil is up.
And I [glory] in lust of lechory
As was sometyme gyse of France
With why whippe
Farewell, quod I, the devill is up.
Morality 518 Digby, MSS., Abbotsford Club.
Cf. Heigh, heigh ! the Devil rides upon a fiddle-stick : what 's
the matter ? — Shak., / Henry /F., ii. 4, 470.
I must go see him presently.
For this is such a gig : for certain, gentleman,
The fiend rides on a fiddlestick.
B. and F., The Humourous Lieutenant^ iv. 4.
The devil rides, I think. — /i.. Wit at several Weapons, i. i.
This is an exclamation of surprise, I fancy, which we have
softened into " Something 's up ! "
Devil's date.
In the date of the devyll this dede ys a seled. — P. Plow,, iii.
114 C.
In the devil's date. — Skelt., Bowge of Courte, 375, 455 ; Magn.,
954, 2198.
The Pope understanding this played the devil speed him and was
not a little mad. — Becon, i. 590.
Carving.
'Tis generally agreed that of all Wild Fowls the wings are the
best, next to the breast-piece; and of Tame Fowls the
legs, because they are most in use, the one by flying and
the other by walking or scratching. — The Ladies' Dictionary,
Dunton, 1694, P* 4^3*
Buttes, Dyefs Dry Dinner, K, 8 1., says the liver and wings are
the best parts of a Duck.
In a leg of Mutton the little bone on the outside of the Joynt
is fancy'd by many for a rarity. — lb.
In Hares, Leverets, and Rabbits that which is called the
Huntsman's piece is preferred, which is by the sides of
the Tail.— /^.
BoNYCLABBER. ? curds. — Stuclcy, p. 122 ; Simpson, School of Shah.,
i. 192.
The Irish tough bonyclabber. — Robert Heath, Satires^ 1650'^;
Ho., Parley of Beasts, p. 11.
106
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Caviary (sic) and Porpoise-pie. Spoken of as delicacies, though
disesteemed. — N. Breton, Court and Country^ 1618, pp. 206-7.
Jews' bars, or the Jews' Locusts with their Elder ears.— R.
Heathy u. 5.
Forks.
But for us in the country when we have washed our hands,
after no foul work nor handling any unwholesome thing,
we need no little forks to make* hay with our mouths to
throw our meat into them. — N. Breton, Court and Country,
p. 20J. ♦ ?rake.
Cruettes. Bale, K. Johan,, c. 1550, p. 70.
MiSONS.
** If you talk with him he maketh a mere dishcloth of his own
country in comparison of Spain, but if you urge him more
particularly wherein it exceeds, he can give no instance
but in Spain they have better bread than any we have,
when (poor hungry slaves) they may crumble it into
water well enough and make misons with it ; for they have
not a good morsel of meat, except it be salt pilchers, to
eat with it all the year long.'* — T. Nash, Unf. Trav.^ M. 1.
Church and Tavern.
" But beardless Brian and long- toothed Tom (whose teeth be
longer than his beard), saith the inditer of this ditty, * 'Tis
merry in hall when beards wag all,' was so far overseen in
mistaking a word as the founders of Broughton Church
Craven in Yorkshire was in placing it without an Alehouse,
or he that giveth his friend a pot of ale in a frosty morning
without a toast, for that is the appurtenance thereto
belonging. Beards for Chops, say they, is the right of it ;
for It is merry in hall when chops wag all." — Health to
Gent. Prof, of Serving-men^ p. 112.
Pap. Pappe for children. Pappa. — With., 1568.
Pap of a hatchet. — Sh^k,^2 Henry F/.,iv. 7, 86. See Staunton's
n. [Camb. ed. has * help of.' — Ed.]
Powder, v. To sprinkle with salt.
K. J. Thou canst with thy mirth in no wise discontent me,
So that thou powder it with wisdom and honesty.
Sedition. I am no spycer, by the messe, ye may beleve me.
K. J. I speak of no spice, but of civil honesty.
5. Ye spake of powder, by the holy Trinity.
K. J. Not as thou takest it of gross capacity.
But as St. Paul meaneth unto the Colossians plain
So season your speech that it be without disdain.
Bp. Bale, Kynge Johany c. 1550, Camd. Soc., p. 3.
Stuart for Steward. — Sir T. More, Shak. Soc., p. 83.
Spruce. i.e, Prus^. — Bale, Kynge Johan, p. 9. Spruce beer.
107
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
What stii£f contains it ? Fustian, perfect Spruce,
Wit*s galumalfrey or Wit fried in steaks.
Davies, Scourge of Folly^ 255.
Cf. Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia.
Skoymosb. Squeamish. — Th$ Knight de la Tour Landry^ c. iv., 1372^
Their stomachs never squeame. — Gasc., Art of Veiury^ "The
Otter," 1575.
Avarice, Be not ye then skeymishe to take in hand the stem.—
Respublica, i. 3. 1553.
Thou art not skojrmose thy fantasy to tell. — Bale, K, J.^ p. 8.
Skeymowse (abhominativus.) — Prompt. Par.
Back. Bat.— D. of Great., 87.
Like backes, in the dark ye always take your flight.
Flittering in fancies, and ever abhor the li^ht.
Bale, K. J., p. 8.
Bakke (vespertilis.) — Pr. Par., 15th Cy., Wr., p. 220.
Sen ye?
Caiaphas. Say Jesus, to this what sen ye ?
Thou wottest now what is put on thee.
Chester Plays, ii. 34.
What say'st thou to it now, sen ye ? — ^J. Day, Blind Beggra of
Bednal Green, W., 1659.
And I do not I *11 give thee leave to call me Kut, sen ye ? — lb.
Tobacco.
Sir Gyles Goosecap, in the play so entitled (1606, v.), cites as a
quality that he can take tobacco.
Ursula. Threepence a pipeful I will have made of all my whole
half-pound of tobacco and a quarter of a pound of
colt^oot mixt with it to [eke] it out. — B. Jonson,
Bart. Fair, ii. i ; and see J. Taylor, (Water Poet) ;
Wit and Mirth, No. 107.
Tobacco a crown an ounce. — Davies of Hereford, Scourge of
Folly, p. 74.
[Brocage.'] He may sell Walnut leaves for Tobacco.— Lodge,
Wit^s Mis., p. 33. 1596.
And so in England some women use it often as well as men;
yea in the West parts of England the children are so
addicted to it that at their breakfasts and beavers (when
they either go to or come from school) they had rather
have a pipe of tobacco than a piece of victuals. And so
in some other places too, as I have heard it credibly
reported. — ^John Swan, Speculum Mundi, 3rd Ed., 1665,
p. 226.
Fumi-vendulus is the best epithet for an apothecary. — H.
Buttes, Diefs Dry Dinner, P. 6 r.
Tobacco far fetched and dear bought. — Ih., p. 17.
108
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
The West is the Tobacco-pipe's chief throne ;
He there, like Saxon Monarchs, reigns alone ;
Wild-Irish Bratts, as soon as breath they draw,
Are dosed with a kind cup of Usquebaugh . . .
Thus Western children, tho' not quite so ripe
As theirs, are weaned on a Tobacco-pipe.
This does the sucking-bottle's place supply,
'Tis pap-meat when Uie 're hungry, drink when dry.
'Tis common in some parts of the West for children no higher
than their lace-peels (?) to sit working and smoking. —
Maggots or Revested ^ 1685, p. 51. By Sam. Wesley ?.
Hop.
Note that commonly at St. Margaret's day hops blow and at
Lammas they bell, but what time your hops begin to
change colour that is to say somewhat before Michaelmas
(for tnen you shall perceive the seed to change colour and
wax brown) you must gather them, and note that you were
better to gather them to (sic) rathe than to late. — Reynold
Scot, Platform of Hopgarden, p. 33.
Rbarb. Late : arrier souper.
O Candlelight, Candlelight I to how many costly sack possets
and reare banquets hast thou been invited by 'prentices and
kitchen maidens I — Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins of London, 3.
1606.
Reare suppers and drunkenness. — Bullein, G. of Health, f. 39.
Obsonium. A rrure soper. — 15th Cy., Wr,, p. 266.
A rere supper (commessatio). — With., 1605. (procaenium). —
/*., 1608.
Parsonage. Person, appearance.
Inferior to himself in knowledge, birth, and parsonage. —
Gasc., Posies, i. 89, 100.
Parsnip.
Lincoln. They [foreigners] bring in strange roots, which is
merely to the undoing of poor prentises ; for what 's
a sorry parsnip to a good hart [sic] ?
William. Trash, trash ; they breed sore eyes, and 'tis enough
to infect the city with the palsy.
L. Nay, it has infected it with palsy ; for these bastards
of dung, as you know they grow in dung, have
infected us, and it is our infection which makes the
city shake, which partly comes through the eating
of parsnips.
Clown. Betts. True ; and pumpions together.
Sir Thomas More, Shak. Soc., p. 24.
KiCHSLLy 5. A small cake. — Hll.
Yeve us a bushel whete, or malt or reye,
A Goddes kichel, or a trippe of cheese.
Chau., Sompn. T., v. 7328.
Eggs make the face freckled.^ Buttes, Diet's Dry Dinner, L. 6.
100
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Shotterell. a pike in tBe first year. — Lawson, 1653; Arb. E.
Gamer, 1407.
As though six mouths, and the cat for the seventh, be not
sufficient to eat an harlotrie shotterell, a pennyworth of
cheese, and half a score spurlings ! This is all the dainties
jrou have dressed for you and your family. — Gasc., Supp,y
li. 4.
Gru. That in hemself they deemen great vertu,
Wher as ther is but small or not a gru.
Occleve, Reg. Prin.f p. 70.
Gargoyle, v. A grotesque head serving a water-spout.
At every spout that stands about a tower
Men may behold such Gorgons in their grace
When painters please to make a thing seem sour
They portrajr then the form of some such face
And yet then: own blind judgments be so base.
We think that Joy to lend us some relief
Which we behold exprest and done with grief.
Gasc, Gr. of Joy^ iv.
Gargyle in a wall (gargoille). — Pal. Gargels. — With., 1608.
Make me a trusse (podium suggestum vel pulpitum) standing
out upon gargellys that I may se about. — Horm., F., 241.
Gargarism, s.
A poiton or drink which they Gargel or Wardell in the throat,
not suffering the same to go down. — With., 1608.
Galp, v. To gape or yawn.
He that galpeth (oscitans) or claweth his heed or panteth hereth
for that time but easely*. — Horm., F., 46.
* ij, slowly.
Gite, V* A robe.
She (girt in Bacchus gite)
With sword herself doth arm.
Gasc., Comp. of Phil.
A stately nymph, a dame of heavenly kind.
Whose glittering gite so glimsed in mine eyes
As (yet) I not what proper hew it bare. — lb,
Agreat. Altogether. See Hll.
They that take an house to build by taske or a great oftentymes
fulfill theyr bargeyn shrewdly. — Horm., K., 243.
Craftes men that take a thing in great or taske warke goeth the
lyghtest wey to. Opifices si quid redimunt, perfunctorie id
transigunt. — Ib.^ 244.
Ascertain, v. To assure. — Melb., Phil. O. ; Heiw., Ep.^ iv. 18.
After a sowdiar*s pace xx myle must be gone in v houris in
a sonier day, and after a faster pace xxiiii. And ye wyll
any more it is rennunge, and that can nat be at a certayne
(non potest definiri). — Horm., K., 254.
110
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Agood. Con amore.
A good shot requ3rreth that the shoter hold his bow cuningly
and stedfastly with hys lyft hand and the ryght hand draw
streyght up agood. — lb., 254.
Before.
I will sayl to Calys to-morrow and God before. — Ib.f 249.
Cras gessoria cum vela faciam, praefata dei ope.
Break, v. To train.
A few broken in war be trusty to have the victory.
It is better to break a mannys own people in war than to hire
strangers. — lb., 254.
Brief, 5. A written statement or mandate. — Town, A/., 127.
Bicker, v. To fight.
Anon after the fylde began to beker (contractiun est certamen).
— Horm., V.f 265.
Blunder, s. Confusion.
An host that is out of array and in a blounder scatered is nere a
shrewd tume of their enemies. — Ib», 270.
Cast, v. To consider, calculate.
No manly man will cast all parell. Nemo fortis omnia pericula
metitur. — lb., 199. See Parell.
This matter ought nat to be leyde to my parell or charge. —
Ib.f 200.
Many things make warriours to cast forre and take thought. —
/ft., 263.
Dayless. In vanum. — Hig., Trev,, v. 159.
Cf. To go [be dismissed] without day. — Lib. Albus, pp. 263 and
351.
He came again dayless or nothing done (Re infecta). — Horm.,
V.y 247.
Dance the hay.
Let us daunce the hay, shypmen's, sarson (Saracen) and Maury's
daunce. — lb., 279.
Fetch a compass.
Another fetteth a compass about (in a mel6e). — lb., 274.
Let us fetch a walk in those flowery fields.— Ho., Parley of
Beasts, p. 5. 1660.
Facing. Threatening.
He cam facynge (minaciter) upon me. — Horm., F., 270.
Fresh, adj. Gay, ornamental.
The building is more firesshe than profitable. Oedificium
majoris ostentationis quam usus. — lb., 243.
Fresh array. — lb., 267.
Our church hath a sharp steeple with a firesh top (omato). —
/*., 245.
Ill
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
FoiN, 5. A push in fencing.
Yf thou wylt fight for a vantage thou must smyte with a foyne
and nat with a downe stroke. — lb., 254.
Some at me foyned, some smote downright. — Barclay, Castell
of Labour, A . 4.
Grynnies, s. Snares. Grinnes. — Pal., Ac, L. 3.
I have laid many gynnys, grynnys*, pottis and other for to take
fysshe. — Horm., V., ayy.
* Laqaeos.
Happy, adj. Lucky.
August was more happy to victory, &c. — lb., 273.
Ye are happy, ko I, that ye are a woman. — Udall, Ralph Roister
Doisier, iii. 3.
Hard and sharp. Scarcely.
Sometyme of many thousandis of hardy fyghtyng men scapeth
a few hard and sharp (aegro). — Horm., V., 269.
Then shall his hosen be stryped
with corselettys of fine velvet slyped
Down to the hard kne.
Hy. Med wall, Nature, an Interlude, D. ii. 1500.
Half, 5. Part, side. — HU.
He worketh nat of Goddis halfe (Deo invito pergit). — Horm.,
F., 284.
Hunt. A huntsman. See Leash.
JuTTY. A part of a building projecting beyond the rest. — Shak.i
Mac., i. 6, 6.
Buyldynge chargydde with jotyes is parellous whan it is very
old.— H., 246.
So jetty, a projection into the water. Fr. jeter. See Jet.
Lain, v. To conceal.
The sothe es noght to layne.
To keep lain. — Toum. M., 143.
Abraham. Now son, I may no longer layne.— /ft., p. 39, 295.
Leash, s. A pack of hounds.
The maister of the leshe or chief hunt. — Horm., V., 278.
Lin, v. To stop, g^ve over. — Rare Triumphs cf Love and Fortune ;
H., O.P., vi. 234; Middn., Your Five ddllants, i. i.
The laudable life of lechery let her never linne. — M. Magd., 558 ;
Digby MS.
LivisH, for Living, pt. Becon, passim.
LUMPBRING.
All our joumepr was by lumperynge ground and bousses and
bryry placis (tesquosa* loca). — Horm., V., 247.
[* Ssi tesca or tesqoa. Forcellini. — Ed.]
A lumperyng horse (cespitator) cast me.— 76 , 248.
112
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Let, v. To postpone.
I let my jorney for the lowring weather (distuli). — /A., 248.
Lucky.
There is no man that is more lucky to a shrewed turn than I
(magis injuriae obnoxius). — /6., 287.
Largb, adj. Liberal (A.N.).
He rewarded all his hoste at the largest (profiisissime). — Ih.y 271.
We still speak of a " large-hearted man."
At their large. At liberty. — Occleve, Reg. Prin.y 107.
Miscarry, v.
Gentylmennys children be sometyme myscarried (supprimuntur)
and beggers chyldren brought up in theyr stede. — Horm.,
V.y 294.
NiMBLB, V.
Cattes and dogges when they shall foil from hye, so nymbleth
themself (ita corpus librant) that they wyl pitch upon their
feet — lb., 300.
Need's cost. ? Our * Needs must'. — Chau., Knighfs Tale, 1479.
See HU. Chost [arbitrium], from cheosen, choice. — Strat-
mann. Sir Gawayne, 546.
Cf. Nedwayis. — Barbour, The Bruce, xiii 514.
Hjrff nedis coste correction must be done (Si fieri medicinam
necessitas extrema persuaserit) the best wey (after wyse
men's practise) is to punish the chyeffe trespassours that
all may take an example and a few smart. — Horm., F., 272.
Ordain, v. Provide.
Orden me a lokyng place in the play (Para). — lb., 281.
Pastime, v.
This is a good thing to pastime with (qui transmittatur
tempus). — lb,, 281.
Party.
Bold chydyng parte to parte is a smack of rebellion — lb,, 273.
Liberior inter mutuas querelas dolor est desciscendi argu-
mentum.
Paiant, s. Pageant.
Alexander played a paiant more worthy to be wondred upon for
hys rasshe adventure than for his manheed.
I made as though I saw nat thy leu de paiants (ineptiae). — lb,, 289.
It is a wounder to consyder the diverse paiants of nature in
birds and beasts. Stupori adsimilis est variorum animan-
tium consyderatio, quibus documentis suum prodant
ingenium. — lb,, loi.
There were v coursis in the feest and as many paiantis in the
pley. Erant in convivio quinque missus, et in ludis
totidem. — lb , 189 and 278.
VOL. III. 113 8
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Parbllb. Peril. Su Cast.
What shall we cast any more parelle but he will hold with us ?
Quid est quod dubitem ? qui stabit k nobis ? — Ib.f 193.
PiB. Edwards, Damon and Pithias; H., O.P,, iv. 25.
So that he shall cry "Wo the pie of his winning." — Lodge,
Wifs Mis., p. 37.
In lerland is stupendous thynges, for there is neither Pyes nor
venimus wormes. — Borde, Int. to Know., ch. iii.
Pertinax. . . . That will do it ; yea, marry will he, maugre, or
in spite of, the Pie.— With., Diet., 1608 ?
Magpie. Bacon is good for carters and plowmen . • . but
and if they have the stone and use to eat it they
shall synge "Wo be the pye." — Borde, Dyetary^
ch. xvi. 1547.
Beware of such wily pies, i.e. rogues. — T. Tyler and his Wife,
p. 15. 1598.
Prettily. Craftily.
They hid pretely* under the grounde caltroppys of yron to
steke in horse or mennys feete. — Horm., V., 266.
* Leviter.
Shot, s. Stakes.
Let us gether or make a schotte or a stake (corollarium) for the
mynstrels rewarde or wages. — Ih., 283.
School of fish.
Some fisshe go in scoUys, some wander about alone. — /6., 278.
A scoole of feshe. Examen piscium.— 76., 106.
Spinnbr. a spy (Espion).
Send forth a spinner (cathacopius) to loke what those shippis do
mean or be. — lb., 273.
Stilly. Silently.
Thevys of the see sayle stylly upon theyr pray. — Ih., 272.
SUAGBMBNT, S.
a playted (striata) pyller gathers dust in the swagementis
(strigilis). — Ih., 241.
Suit. Pursuit.
The spanyells and bloddehundes with theyr hanging ears seke
out the game by smellyng of sute of the foote. — Ih., 277.
To GO.
He togo in all the haste. Raptim fuga properavit. — Ih., 253.
In the middle of the fray he with a few mo quickly to goo and
pycked them thens. Media trepidatione se cum paucis inde
corripuit. — Ih., 268.
Demosthenes even at the first meeting cast his shelde and al
awaie from him and to go as fast as his legs might bear
him. — Udall, Er. Ap., 372
114
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Taste, v. To handle, touch, tamper with.
These sealys have been tasted by some £alse wylis to touch
Him, or to taste Him or take Him down of Rode. — P, Plow,
Vis., xviii. 84,
Signa confusa sunt aliquo dolo malo. — Horm., K, 291.
Tresawnte. a passage in a house. — HIL
I met hym in a tresawne (deambulatorium) where one of the
bothe must go back. — Horm., F., 291.
Trip, v.
As soon as I began to speke, he trypte (interpolebat) me of my
tale. — H., 302.
Lightly. Commonly, usually. — Cawdray, 497. Quickly. — Horm.,
V,, 87. Easily.— /ft., 97.
It is lighter to command or bid than do a thing. — Ib.^ 77.
I sped me and took the greater pain
Because I would lightly be with thee again.
Bar., Ecl.f i.
LiNSBY woLSEY. T. Nash, Terrors of the Night, D, As term of
contempt.— Rowley, All's Lost, 1633, 181; Wolcot, Peter
Pindar.
Lindsey woolsey (Lenostena). — With., 1608.
Bombast.
" Not bumbasting the same [his style] with the figures and
flowers of eloquence to tne glory of my pen or to the
obscuring of this mystery." — Reynold Scot, Perfect Platform
of a Hopgarden, 1578, Ep. Dedy.
Dryfat. Driefattes, Barrelles, or such like vessels. — lb., p. 56.
Bane. Bale. Skelton, Magnificence, 754.
Cum patriam amisi tunc me periisse putato.
When I was banished think I caught my bane. — Nash, Unf.
Trav., M. r.
" The potentates, as good physicians, had always an eye that no
hurt should happen to hinder the health of this blessed
body, the blemish whereof might brin^ bane and bayle into
their own bosoms." — Health to Servingmen, 1598, p. iii
and 146.
To the dyne dale
Of boteless bale.
J. Skelton, On a Death's Head, p. 15.
Bale or Bane. Mortiferum, toxiciun, etc. Bane or poyson. —
Prompt. Par., Way's n.
Hampton, in The Prick of Conscience, calls Doomsday the day of
bale and bitterness.
115
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Grandame's bbanbs. (? bones.) S$e Beane.
<* Then was the maid m her grandame's beanes and knew not
what should become of her '* (having accidentally poisoned
her mistress). — Nash, Unf. Trav.^ 0. 1.
Keep the cat prom the tongs.
And why will the good old yeoman be at all this charge since
his son would otherwise [than in service] earn him much
more profit and do him much more pleasure? Why?
marry because his son shall be sure to keep the cat from
the tongs at home when other his neighbours' children
shall trudge into France, Flanders^ and other nations to do
their prince and their country service. — Health to Serving-
fnen, i6.
Orlop. (Sea.) Nash, Unf. Trav.^ M. 2 1.
Parcel. Skelton, Magnificence^ 56.
In lordes courtes thou pleyest thy parcelle. — Occleve, Reg.
Pfin.y 109.
A Christian looking into the volume of the sacred Scriptures
and reading sometimes this parcell thereof sometimes that
shall receive by every book, etc. — Cawdray, 630.
Parget, v. To plaster a wall.
** You should build all the walls of this room (drying-room of
Ost-house) with brick, or else with lime and hair pargit
them over." — R. Scot, Perfect Platform of a Hopgarden, 1578,
p. 49.
Parget or plaster for wallys. — Prompt. Par.
Perget. — Horm., V., 241.
Pease for poise, s. Weight. See Par. of Dainty Dev., p. 80.
As a clock can never stand still from running so long as the
peases and plummets do hang thereat. — Cawdray, p. 60.
1600.
Peyse. — Occleve, Reg. Prin.y p. 61.
Pickerdevant. a goatee beard, cut to a point.
Pic-adevant. — Lyly, Midas, v. 2 ; Nash, Unf. Trav., F. r. ; T. of
a Shrew, p. 184.
Pickdevant. — Rob. Heath, Satires, W., 1650.
PossET. A drink.
Pose. A catarrh. — Prompt. Par \ Chau., Ma». Pfo/., 17010 ; Skelt.,
El. Rum., 364.
Prevent, v. To come before. — Nabbes, Totenham Court, iii. 3.
Pruin, v. To clean, trim, as a bird its feathers. — Christmas Prince,
1607, vii. [Misc. Ant. AngL]
Pruin or provjm (Probo, Proyne). — Gasc., Gr. of Joy, 11.
Prevyn or a-sayn (Examine). — Prompt. Par.
116
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
As a woman of discretion will in no wise mar her natural com-
plexion to recover it with slime or artificial trash : so ought
the husband to be in no sort consenting to her filthy
sponging, proyning, painting, polishing and to such like
follies. — Cawdray, 571.
Spruce wears a comb about him always he.
To prune and smooth his polisht hair.
Rob. Heath, Epigrams^ 1650, p. 47.
PURSUBy V.
Like as Parents, when their child is hurt by the biting of a dog,
are wont to pursue the dog only, but the weeping child
they bemoan and speak fair unto it, comforting it with
most sweet words. — Cawdray, Tr. of 5m., 493.
PlMLICO.
When Courtly Dames so gaudy, tho'
They dress their mouths in pimlico,
A Dog won't touch 'em, they are so
fepe-rotten. — S. Wesley, Maggots^ 1685, p. 79.
See Pimlycot or Runne Red-cap^ 1609 (Bodleian) ; and To keep a
house in Pimlico, i.e. neat. — Haz., Eng» Prov.f p. 421.
Race (of ginger). A slice. Fr. raser.
If one man should send a gift or token unto another man (as a
piece of bowed silver, a nutmeg, or a rasing of ginger), etc.
— Cawdray, Tr. of Sim,, p. 53.
Sbbn. Skilled, informed.
A schoolmaster, well seen in music. — Shak., Taming of the
Shrew f i, 2.
A yonge fresshe lusty wele bysene man. — Occleve, Reg. Prin.^
123.
Ignorance. Some would have you seen in stories.
Some to feats of arms will you allure ;
All these are but plain vain-glories,
Marry, I would have you seen in cards and dice.
W. Wager, Longer thou Livest, F. 1., c. 1568.
Shuttle, v. ? to shift.
As he that hath a heavy burthen upon his back, the more he
struggleth and striveth, shutleth and moveth the same, the
more doth it grieve him.— Cawdray, Tr. of Sim., 573.
Shbad, s. a division, parting. — Peacock, Lincolnshire Glossary,
To make the shead in the hair with a pin. — Baret, Ah.
So Watershed, Gate-shead.
Skink, v. To draw liquor. — S. Wesley, Maggots, 1685, p. 114;
Greene, A Looking Glassefor London and Engd., p. 140.
Skinker. — Massr., The Virgin Martir, iii.
Stripe, s.
As the wings of eagles with their stripe or blow do mar the
wings and break the feathers of other birds. — Cawdray, 769.
117
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Stint. At a stint or fixed limit. — Bar., Eel., ii.
Then print this same, since Foolery in print
Most men approve, the World is at this stint.
J. Davies, Scourge of Folly, " To the Printer."
Smally, adv. Health to Servingmm, Haz. rep., 145 ; Cawdray, Tr.
of Sim., 637; Horm., F., 1519.
Exigue, tenuiter.— Baret.
Snarl, v. To entangle. — Becon, ii. 146.
Mary. If there be no more comfort in the Law than this
I wish that the law had never been made ;
In God I see is small mercy and justice
To entangle men and snarle them in such a trade.
Wager, Life and Repentance of Marie Magdalene^ F. 1.
Sounded, for Swooned. Nash, Unf. Trav., G. 2 r. ; Lodge, Wit's
Mis., p. 93.
Oh, what a fragrant Hogo rose
But now, to twinge a swounding nose.
{Dialogue between Chawber-pot and Frying-pan),
S. Wesley, Maggots, p. 143.
Stub, j. Root.
As a tree whose stubbes remaining in the ground are enough to
give one a fall. — Cawdray, 607.
Sbminary. a nursery-ground.
As a man that hath divers orchards will also have a semenarie
full of young plants to maintain it. — Cawdray, 704.
Stele. Steyle or Steyre (Gradus). — Prompt. Par. Also a handle.
" A ladel with a long stele." — P. Plow., xix. 274. .
" From the highest to the lowest, from the Judge to the Hang-
man, from the top of the Gallows to the nethemost steale
of the ladder." — Scot, Perfit Platform of a Hopgarden, Epil.
This helve show bow somewhat like to a Snythe, or to the
steale of a Scythe, and it must be little more than a yard
long. — Ib.f p. 28.
Surbatted, pt. Galled. Fr. soubattre.
As a soldier if he be not shod but barefooted shall quickly be
surbatted and unable to travel, etc. — Cawdray, p. 178.
Teen, s. Tene, or angyr, or dyshese. — Prompt. Par. ; Chest. PL, i.
Ill ; School of Women, 272. 1541.
How strange ! when men grieve us to turn our teen upon God
and rent him to pieces. — T. Adams, Works, p. 25,
And Chedder for mere grief his teen he could not wreak,—
Drayt., Poly., iii. 283.
V. To trouble, weary. — T. Occleve, De Reg. Prin,, p. 7.
adj. Angry. Tein, teyne. — Wm. Dunbar.
TheweSi s. Good qualities. — Gasc., Posies, i. 89; S. Wesley,
MaggotSf 1685, p. 67.
118
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Tradb, s. Path of life.
As the sick man cannot away with the sight of his wife, blameth
the physician, is grieved at his friend that comes to visit
him, and yet being gone is displeased again at their
departure : even so is the wavering way and trade of life
and the wandering and inconstant mutability of the mind
which seldom doth arrive at the quiet and desired port and
haven. Cawdray, Tr. of Sim., p. 466, speaks also of such
'* as ever anon choose now one and now another trade of
life."
Ure. Gasc., GL ofGov.^ ii. 6 ; Grange, Gold, Aph,^ D. ii. 1.
Put in ure. i,e. in practice. — Nash, Unf, Trav.y K, 3,
Cometh in ure.— J. Heiw., WU and FoL, p. 23 ; Udall, Er. Ap,^
251.
Put in ure and use. — Health to Servingmen, 1598, Haz. rep., 152.
An odious woman in weddings ure. — School-house of Women, 963 ;
Prov., XXX. 23.
(Luck.) Wherefore he hath good ure
That can himself assure
Howe fortune wyll endure.
Skelton, Colin dout^ 1003.
(Opportimity.) — T. Heyw., Fair Maid of the West, I., p. 10.
Eur happe or lucke with his compounds. Boneur, malheur. —
Pal^., p. 166.
There is no thing so out of ure
But to his kind long time it frames.
Par. of Dainty Dev*, 25.
Uri act.— E. More, Def of Worn., 463. 1557.
Inure, v. See Bare, Ship ofF,, ii. 82.
Venny. Fillip. Shak., Love's Labour Lost ; T. Heyw., Fair Maid
of the Exchange, p. 19.
As David having heard Golias prate and talk his pleasure, when
they came to the point at the first stroke overthrew him :
so Christ with that self same spear, which at his death
gave him a little venny in comparison (or if it be lawful so
to speak) but a philip on the side which was soon after
recured, gave the divell a deadly wound in the forehead
which with all his paws he shall never be able to claw off.
— Cawdray, Tr. of Sim,, p. 167.
Wainscot, or brazenfaced. — CI., P. P. ; Dav., Wifs Pilg., Sonn.
II., 40.
" Why," said she, ** do you fear the alteration of your com-
plexion ? Assuredly me thinketh you need not, for it must
be a whote restoritye* that moveth your waynscot face
and brazen countenance to blush." — Grange, Gold, Aph,,
H. ii. 1.
* Hot restorative.
119
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Wap, s, a dog.
Yea, the country ploughman feareth a Calabrian flood in the
midst of a furrow, and the silly shepherd committing his
wandering sheep to the custody of his wappe in his field
naps dreameth of flying dragons which for fear lest he
should see to the loss of his sight he falleth asleep. — T.
Nash, Anat. of Absurd,, 1589.
Wardrop. Nash, Unf. Trav,, N. 2 1. ; Vulg. Siahb,, 1518 ; Fulwell,
Ars Ad.f C. 3, H, 4.
(It. guardaroba). Warde rope of clothys,— Prompt. Par.
Walm, v. a bubble in boiling.
The sea 's unfit to sail on if too calm
As it is when it is too turbulent,
Then the mean motion sets it so a-walme
As doth the sailor's eye and ear content.
J. Dav., Wit's Pilg., Sonn. IL, 46.
[Death! was a walme he would not stay impeaching. — Davies
of Hereford, Pict. of Plague, p. 236.
Wem. Horm., Vtdg., p. 8 ; Town. M., 73 ; Chau., Romaunt of the
Rose, 930.
Not a wemme on her flesh. — Nash, Unf. Trav., N. 2.
Wemme or spot (Macula). — Prompt. Par. ; Cov. Myst., p. 5. 1480.
Not see a wemme on your coat. — Respuhlica, ii. 3. 1553.
See under Windshake, W. Dunbar.
Went, p.p. of Wend. Gasc., D. Bell. Inex., p. 32, 166.
This wikked world away is went. — Town. M., 315.
Alas, alas 1 myn hert is wo.
My blyssyd babe awey is went. — Cov. Myst., p. 195.
I had went. — W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest, C. ii.
BuUokar, in 161 6, marks wend as out of use.
But whither am 1 went ? What humour guides my brain ?
I seek to weigh the woolsack down with one poor peppergrain.
Gascoigne, " Praise of his Mistress,'* Posies, 1575, i. 55.
WiTTOME, X.
Whoso snatcheth up follies too greedily, making an occupation
of recreation and delight his day labour, may happes prove
a wittome whiles he flsheth for finer wit and a fool while
he finds himself laughing pastime at other men's follies,
not imlike to him, who dnnking wine immoderately besides
that he many times swallows down dregs, at length proves
stark dnmk. — T. Nash, Anat, of Absurd., 1589.
Yaw, v.
If you long to know him [Vengeance] he hath these marks : his
face pale, his eyes inflamed, his brows bent, his hand
shaking, his nostrils yawing, his passion expressed with
oaths and satisfied with blood : he will not stand lawing to
disjest his injuries, but a word and a blow with him. —
Lodge, Wifs Mis., p. 71.
120
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Ybrk. To lash with the whip.— Skelton, Mag.^ 489; Cawdray
Tr. of Sim. f p. 341 and 757 ; Baret, 1580.
Jerk, V. To beat, overcome. — Davies, Scourge of FoUy, Ded. ;
Tusser, 1573, p. 62 ; Edw., Da. and Pyth. ; H., O.P,^
iv. 74.
The coachman is a chandler, who so sweats with yearking that
he drops tallow. — Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins of London, iii.
Yellow, for Jealous.
A certain gentleman (a friend of mine) wrote to his mistress
(who took some exceptions against him because he seemed
to be a little yellow of her), etc, — R. Tofte [Trans, of
Varchi], Blaxon of Jealousy, p. 56. 1615.
LusKiSHNBSS. Idleness. {See Yeaning.)
LoNG-TONGUE. A babbler.
Avarice to Veritas:
Welcome fair lady, sweet lady, little lady,
Plain lady, smooth lady, sometime spittle lady,
Lady longtong, lady tell-all, lady make-bate.
Respub., V. 9.
A long-tongued Maid is right the divel's dry nurse. — R. Tofte
[Tr. of Varchi], Blazon of Jealousy, p. 34. 1615.
Lime, v. 2. A liem to lead dogs with. — Withals, 1568. Fr. lier.
If she (the Fly) wallow and tumble in the honey, then is she
limed and taken in it.— Cawdr., p. 649.
Belime the wings.— 76. ; Dav. of Hereford, Wii*s Pilg., p. 23, ry.
For who so wol his hondis lyme.
They mosten be the more unclene.
MS. Soc. Antiq. ; Gower, f. 65.
Hor yi thin handys lymyd be. — Cov. Myst., p. 53.
Meare-stonb, 5. A landmark.
Thou art but shent, thy name is lore,
Mark your mead with mears. — Gasc., Dul. Bell In», 24.
As a Mearestone which directeth the poor travellers aright in
their viage, but yet it standeth still itself at a stay. —
Cawd., p. 526.
Meer-marke between ii. londys, meta. — Prompt. Parv.
MiCHBR, 5, or truant, that absenteth himself from school too much
(Vagus).— Withals, 1568. [See HU., suh Mich. To mooch
is still to do.— Ed.]
Plat, 9. A plan or map.
As there is much difference betwixt the drawn plat and the
builded house, betwixt the figure and the thing figured. —
Cawd., T. of 5., 540.
121
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA,
Pinch, v. To pin down. To hang on a pin 7 C/. Chapman,
Odyss.f xix. 318.
Late, in a lodging where I us'd to lie,
A picture pincht hung therein in my walk.
Davies, Wit*s Pilgr.^ Sonn. IL 40.
Pebvish, adj. Foolish. — Horm., 7., 45 ; Chest. PL, i. 158.
As children do much wonder and praise those players which on
the sca£fold be apparrelled in pied and peevish garments. —
Cawd., 523.
Skelton, Why Com Ye ?, 606, has «• peevish pye."
There was never, nother is any relygion of the Gentyles but in
some pojrnt it was pevysshe or mad. — Horm., 7., p. 18.
Perk, v. To perch, dt. — Skelton, Ware the Hauke, 70.
Nemesis. Come near when I bid thee.
People. Marry, but I ninnat : I nam not worthy to perke with
you, no I nam not.— Respub., v. 10.
PouLDER, for Powder. — Cawd., 783.
Organs.
Avarice. A vengeance upon him and God give him his curse !
I am besieged now of every cut-purse.
I can go nowhere now in city, neither town.
But Piers Pick-purse plaieth att organes under my
gown.* Respub.f v. a.
* ? allndon to the fluted gatheri at the back of his gown.
Peak, v. I peke or prie. — Palsgr. ; Skelton, Magn,, 667; Borde,
Int. to K.J XXX., P.
Res. Shrink not back from me, but draw to me, my dear
friend.
People. Chill virst know an ye bee alone. Zo God me mend.
Res. Come, here be none but thy friends, me believe.
People. Well, than chill bee zo bold to peake in, by your leave.
Resp.f V. 7.
Pick, v. i. To pilfer. 2. To go forth.
A great pykar maketh a profer to a stronge thief. — HU.
Furax gradum facit ad insignem latronem. — Horm.,
v., 77.
They bade me pieke me home, and come at you no more.
Pick the hens or holde the peace, or I wyl make thee. — 76.,
285, 286; Udall, Er. Ap., 89, 143, 152, 210; Pal., Ac,
F. 4.
Prank. Cf. Spen., F. g., V., i. 15 ; Pryde and Abuse of Women, 58,
c. 1590; H., O.P., iv. Cf. Prancome. — Still, Gammer
Gurton's NedU.
Then pranketh she her elbows out under her side
To keep back the heady and to temper their pride. — Resp., v. 9.
122
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Queasy, adj. Dangerous. (Queysy mete. — Skelton, Magn., 2295.)
Quaisy as meat or drink is (Dangereux). — Palsgrave.
Since the time is so quesisj.— Jacks Jugeler ; H., O.P.^ ii. 112.
Avarice. Bid them well remember the world will wax quaisie
Some of as ere long may hap leap at a daisy
Or put out the i of Misericordia
And without an i plaie een plaine trussing corda.
Resp., V. 2.
ISu HU.— Ed.]
Ragman's roll. . . . rewe.— Udall, Er. Ap., 273.
Raggeman, the devil.— P. Pfoa/., 7*$,, xvi. 89.
To speik quoth scho, I sail nought spair : ther is no spy neir :
I sail a ragment revdl fra the rute of my heart.
Dunbar, Twa Mariit Wemen and the Wedo, 161.
Ray, v. To foul.
As it is one thing to ray a body's feet after they be washed and
another matter to go tumble all the body again in filth
and mire like swine. — Cawd., 702.
Raught, fret, of Reach. (Stretcht.) C/. Chau., Prol. C. T.
The Lord that raught was on the rood. — Ritson, Ancient Sofigs^
p. 44 ; Hall, Sat.y Postscript.
Avarice. I would have brought hauf. Kent into Northumberland,
And Somersetshire should have raught to Cumberland.
Resp., V. 6.
Rbfbll, v. When a man will not believe that the word of God
doth teach, or refell and confute this or that. — Cawdray,
Tr. of Sim.f 493 and 708.
Rbpinb, v. It is said of Minerva, that being delighted in the music
of a comet she once played by a transparent and crystal
fountain's side, wherein spying her cheeks mightily pufit
and swollen with winding, she cast away her instrument
and repined the further use of it.— Lodge, Wifs Mis., p. 75.
Roil. ? for Rule.
Peoph. Zoft ! whither wilt thou ? nilt thou not be roylled ?
Stand still, skit-brain'd thief, or thy bones shall be
coilled. Resp.f v. 9 and 10.
Ero: What noise, what a rule is this? — Gasc., Supp., iii. i.
Room, s. Place.
As husbandmen that misuse their landlord and his servants
which he sendeth to them for the rents and profits of his
land are worthily and justly thrust out and others planted
in their rooms. — Cawd., T. of 5., p. 183.
Row, V. To look for.— (Hereford) HU.
As he that roweth in an eye for the getting out of a mote where
a beam is sticking, there is small hope that he shall clear
that eye but rather do more harm to it than good. — Cawd.,
Tr. ofSim.f 517.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Sort. Company. — Skelt., EL Rum.^ 139 ; Bare, Ecl.^ i. ; Ib.>
5. of F., i. 112, 298; Spen., F. Q., VIL, x. 5.
V, T. Adams, Whs.^ p. 893.
Nemesis. To her therefore, dear sisters, we must resort.
That she may give sentence upon this naughty sort.
ScoNSE,5. A fort. Resp., y.g.
As a captain that hath, taken some hold or sconce doth rule and
govern all therein, and disposeth it at his will and pleasure.
— Cawd., 726.
Shog, v. As continual shogging doth much bruise and shake the
body ; so dayly anger doth wound and marre the mind. —
Pfoverbsy xvi. 32 ; Cawd., Tr. of Sim., p. 24.
Slip. A narrow passage. — William of Wyrcester, It$n.j 192.
Counterslip, Bristol. Hll. says one on S. side of
Worcester Cathedral.
Squat, Train. Bar., S. of F., i. 77, 164 ; Spen., F. Q., I., xviii. 9 ;
Shak., Mac, IV., lii. 118 ; Fairfax, TassOf i. 86 ; Horm., V.,
53 ; Dial, of Creai., 98.
Treigne, a snare, deceit. — Gower, Conf. Atnant.^ v. 11.
Subtle and train. — Barcl., EcL, v.
Res. They will be here soon : bide you them here for a train.
People. Mass, but I nynnat. Would ye have om squat out
one's brain ?
Res. I left People here for a train to hold them talk.
Respub,, y. 9 ; /. 4.
I sent the good man out of the way by a train. — lb.
Traw. Artifice, stratagem. — Fviyfe]l,Ars Adul.fF. ^; Town.Myst.tjg.
Compasand and castand cacis a thousand,
How he sail take me, with a trawe, at trist of ane other.
Dunbar, Twa Mariit Women and the Wedo^ 123.
Starb-pirb. ? Blazing.
As if a man blow a spark he doth many times make a great
starre-fire, but contrariwise if he spit on it he quencheth it
clean out, &c. — Cawd., Tr. of Sim., p. 25.
Stare. To shine, to glitter.— iV. Parv.
State, s. i. A j^eat personage. 2. A chair or throne. — Shak.,
Tw. N., h. 5, 42. A place of estate (otium), — With., 1574.
Bar., S. of Fs., 63, 67, 298; Horm., V., 82.
Potestate Magistratus. — Horm., V., 188 ; J. Heiwood, £/., v. 81.
If (according to MachiaveFs doctrine) he have a great State
opposed against him to prevent his increase, with him he
playeth as the Ape with his young ones, he kills him with
coaxing him, he gives dim to his error, shows patience if
he thwart him, encourageth him to dangers, urgeth on his
rashness, and thus like a little worm eateth through a great
tree, and by observing times winneth his triumph. — Lodge,
Wifs Mis., p. 79.
" When he is set in his astat." — Cov, Myst.^ p. 12. 1468.
124
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Shawm, v. ? To shamble.
" If you mark his [Duhiess of spirit's] gait in the streets, it is
sausages and neats-tongues : he shawmes like a cow had
broke her forelegs." — Lodge, Wit's Mis., p. 79.
Truchman. Dragoman, interpreter. — Gascoigne, Masque of Montagues,
The truch-spirit or herald of the gods. — Stanih., JEw., iv. 375.
Until. For, during.
As a beggar will never go forth a begging until such time as he
can have provision or maintenance at home : so we will
never come to Christ for mercy so long as we see any
goodness in ourselves. — Cawd., Tr. of Sim.^ p. 465.
Verdure. Like as a choice and good wine loseth his verdure and
strength if it be put into a vile and impure vessel. — Cawd.,
Tr. of Simp., 432.
Upright, adj. Straight.
The cedres hie, upright as a line. — Chau. [John Lydgate],
Complaint of the Black Knight, 66.
As a man in travelling from Berwick to London it may be that
now and then he doth go sometimes amiss and out of his
way, but he speedily returns to the way again, and his
course generally shall be upright. — Cawd., 619.
As upright as a die. — Davies, Scourge of Folly, p. 263.
Fie, out upon 't, this verse's foot is lame.
Let it go upright, or a mischief take it. — lb., p. 51.
Welt. " Band wears he none, but a welt of coarse hoUand, and if
you see it stitcht with blue thread it is no workiday wearing.
[Avarice] — Lodge, Wifs Mis., p. 27.
Ween, v. To think, suppose. — Horm., V., 57.
Part. Went.
•« Wening for to live more easily." — Hyeway to Spital-house, 672.
I had went my son had been utterly lost. — Horm., V., 149.
WoNNE, V. To dwell. To stop, hesitate. — Chest. PL, i. 79, 80.
I count me happy which won in the village. — Bare, Eel., v.
To the most nobly -disposed Knight, Sir Hugh Smith.
To thee that art the glory of the West,
And comfort of the coast where thou dost wonne.
The staflf of stay to all that are distrest,
To whom (none more) imcessantly they runne.
Davies, Scourge of Folly, 92.
Worm, s.
The kind and loving worm that would his lady please
May light on some such med*cine here shall do them both much
ease.
T. Churchyard, Prefatory verses to Gascoigne's Posies.
Women are kind worms. — Like will to Like ; H., CP.^ iii.
125
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
I have ane wallid rag, ane worme, ane auld wobat carle,
A waistet walroun, na worth but wourdis to clatter.*
Dunbar, Twa Mariit Women and the Wedo, 89. 1508.
* Her husband.
A werm with an aungelys face. — Cov. Myst.^ p. 29.
The loving worm, my daughter. — Lyly, M. Bom,^ ii. 2.
The pretty worm of Nilus. — Shak., A. and CI., V., ii. 242.
Whist, 5. A promise ? or, in a whisper ?
I took thee up when thou me kiss*d.
And in mine ear thou wot'st what whist ;
I then again did crave of thee
That thou wouldst constant prove to me, &c.
R. Tofte, The Fruits of Jfealousy, p. 80. 1615.
Ybske, V, ? Yest.
And likeways I shall exhort all men not to mocke and yeske
with any physician (as some light wits do), tempting them
with Beasts' stale instead of men's Urine : other bringing
to them men's water for women's, and with lyke other
things. — Record, Urinal of Phys., 1567.
Vaw. Look in a morning when you see a fellow stretching himself
at his window, yawing, and starting, there be assured this
devil [Somnolence] hath some working. — T. Lodge, Wifs
Mis., 103.
Ybx, v. To hiccough after crying. Yexing or belking. — Elyot,
Castle of Health, 86. 1541.
Put up your hose : leave yexing : so 'tis well. — Davies, Scourge
of Polly, p. 103.
Ybskb. With., 1568. Singulto. To sob, yex. — Baret, 1580.
Yrne. Yemfiil. — R. Green, A Maiden's Dream, 1591.
For Nature's heart doth yrne with extreme grief
When well she weighs her children's strange estate.
Davies of Hereford, P. of Plague, p. 246.
Meyny. Company, retinue. Fr. mesnie. — Pal., Ac, D.
2. Meanie.— CAw/. PL, ii. 68 ; Chapman, Mons. D*Olive, v.
Household servants. — Wife lapped in Morelles Skin, 641, 647.
The many rend the skies with loud applause.
The byshop hath a great meyny going before him. — Horm., V.,
189.
A great meny of men. — Ho., 242.
The meanie are (besides some persons aforenamed) skeldering
soldiers and begging scholars.— Dekker, Seven Deadly Sins
of London, 6.
A fellow servant with the rest of the meany (ovi/^ovXc?). — T.
Adams, Wks., p. 934.
All servants under one lord, though some superior in office to
the rest.
126
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
MoozBLL. Fr. muzeau, the muzzle. To move about with the snout.
As swine will moozell up and down in the mire whatsoever
precious thing shall be oflFerai them, &c. — Cawd., Tr. oj
Sim.t p. 178.
May. a maid.
But the child Jesus is called a clean may. — Chest, PL, i. 118.
ben semys the lagh wit reson right
Byclepis ))at man for male Light
fat has na bairn ne mai ne knave.
Cursor Mundi, 1026.
Mould, 5. Nature, disposition.
As children that are of such heavy sad mould as that they are
never moved with mirth nor with the crying of other
children. — Cawdray, p. 359.
Naughty.
Counterfeit money which is of ill and naughty metal how good
a print so ever it have. — lb., p. 834.
Byrdis that lyve by carren be naughty meet. — Horm., Fl, 106.
Naughty perles be sold sometime for great price. — lb., 112.
Nall, v.
The Israelites when they lay in Egjrpt a long time in obscurity,
thraldom, bondage, and slavery to Pharaoh and his people,
and were even naUed as it were to the earth of all contempt
and cruelty, were then taJken up and set in great and high
dignity. — Cawd., 781.
Nbsh. Tender, delicate. Soft (of cheese). — He., Ep., iv. 92.
I can find no flesh,
Hard nor nesh,
Salt or fresh. — Town. M., 113.
Wraih. The fool as yet is young and nesh
And the fear of Discipline is in his mind
After that he is noseled in woman's flesh
The knave he will play in his kind.
W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest, D. iii., 1,
The soule is more tendre and nesche
Than the bodi that hath bones and fleysche.
R. Hampole, AyenbiU of Inwyt., E.E.T.S.
Our hap was hard, our wits was nesche
To paradyse when we were brought. — Cov. Myst., p. 32.
Wummon is nesche flesche. — Owl and Nightingale, 1387.
Every woman generally hath more nesh and soft hair and more
fleacent than a man. — Glanvil, Batman upon Bartholomew
73. 1582.
If guests come to thee unawares
In water mixt with wine
Souse thou thy hen, she will become
Short, tender, nesh and fine.
[Tr. of Horace] Cogan, H. of Health.
127
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Nbatress, 5. A female guardian of cattle. — Roxb., Ball., i. 612,
616 C'The Lovers' Delight").
OvERTHWART, odv. Across. — Baret, 1580 ; AUtt. Fo,, " The Deluge,"
(1360), E.E.T.S.
As a river that glideth and runneth very swiftly until there be
a dam or beam put overtwhart {sic), then it makes a swell-
ing and a roaring, neither by any means will be quiet. So
man's dnful life doth pass quietly without any noise, till
the beams of God's justice overtwhat him. — Cawd., 694.
Overly, adv, Perfunctorie.
Thou doest this overlie or only for an outward show. — Baret,
1580.
B^olding them by the way or overly. — Becon, iii. 109 ; Hall,
Sat., IIL, ui.
Ondowghted for Undoubtedly. Bale, K. yohan., c. 1550, Camd.
Soc., p. 16. Su Quarry.
Pitch, 5. Point of the shoulders. — HU. Spinalis medulla.— With.,
1568.
Because his shoulders stood in his head's stead
Which hardly did above their pitch appear.
Davies of Hereford, Humour's Heaven on Earth, 7.
Port, 5. State. — Ho., 139.
Like as if a great Lord should receive some poor man into his
house, giving him nothing but wherewithal he might main-
tain himself m mean estate, and should perceive that within
two or three yeats after he purchased lands, put money to
usury, kept a great port, and to be at other excessive
charges, his master might have good occasion to think he
were a thief. — Cawd., Tr. of Sim., 599.
Keep thyn householde or aporte after thy estate. — H., 139.
Making a great porte and be little worth. — Hyeway to the Spital,
822.
Porture, v. Portray.
As Mendesu formed their God Pana with a goat's face and
goat's legs, and thought they did their God great honour,
because among them their herdmen of go^ts were had in
most estimation : so do the Papists, who would yet be
counted Christians, paint and porture God and his Saints
with such pictures as they imagine in their fantasies, viz.
God like an old man with a hoar head as though his
youth were past, which hath neither beginning nor ending ;
Saint George with a long spear, upon a jolty hackney that
gave the Dragon his death's wound [as the Painters say]
in the throat ; Saint White with as many round cheeses as
may be painted about his Tabernacle. — Cawd., Tr. of Sim.,
560.
128
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Pamphlet. (A.N.). Gasc., Works, Pre/. Ep., Ed. 1575 ; Grange,
Golden Aphroditis, D., 1577 ; Melb., Phil,, F. f. 4.
Pamflet. — Chaucer, Test, of Love, p. iii (end).
Paunflettes.— Caxt., Pref. Virgil (par un filet).
Pamflette. — Sir Henry Gilbert, 2 Elizabeth Acad. Paunflet. —
Chau.
Pamphelet. — Skelton.
Go little Pamfilet. — ^T. Occleve, De Reg. Prin., c, 1420.
Pampflat. — lb., p. 74.
Begynnyng with small storyes and pamfletes and so to others. —
Prol. Kynge Appolyn of Thyre, 1510.
Push, s. A pimple. — Udall, Er. Ap., 79. Lat. pus. — Chapm.,
Mons. D'Olive, n.
Even as filthy matter or rottenness of a boil, blaine, or push
being within the flesh doth greatly grieve and vex sore the
body that is sick, but if it break or run out the pain is
mitigated. — Cawd., 722; Levins, 1570.
Pine. ? shoulder. Cf Pinion (used still in this sense in Worcester-
shire). HaUiwell gives Pins, hips (Somerset).
The knyght rase and his paynes sett. — MS. Lincoln, 17, A. i.,
fo. 143, which Halliwell reads " A coat of mail."
Goosecap (to Foulweaiher, who has been thrown from his horse).
How now. Captain ? Dost feel any ease in thy
payne yet?
Rud. Ease in his paing, quoth you ? He has good luck if
he feels ease in pain, I thinke.
Sir G, Goosecap, iii i. 1606.
A man but of a mean stature.
Full well compact in every feature,
Broad he was firom pine to pine.
And red in the face when he drank wine.
Jests of the Wydow Edyth, Pref., 1525 ; H.O.J.B., iii. 33.
Puke. ? puce.
As they which dye cloth do not immediately change one
contrary into another, but first turn a white into an azure
and then make a Puke of it ; so we can never hold azure
as a good Puke, except first our white be turned into an
azure. — Cawd., Tr. of Sim., 602.
Color between russet and black (Pullue). — Baret, r58o.
A pitche colour or puke. — Voc. Stanb,, 47.
Rise, s. The green boughs and twigs. — Owl and Night., 91.
Bothe appel and pere and gentyl rys. — Gov. Myst., p. 22.
And thereupon he had a gay surplise
As white as is the blosme upon the rise.
Ch., Miller s Tale, 3324.
VOL. III. 129 9
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Hot peasecods one began to cry,
Strawberry ripe, and cherries in the rise.
Lydgate, London Lackpenny.
I am royal arrayed to reven* under this rise. — The World and thi
Child.; H., O.P., i. 252.
* Dream.
And rakit home to their rest through the rise blumys. — Dunbar,
Twa Mariit Wemen and the Wedo^ 524.
Doxm throu the ryce a ryvir ran wyth stremys. — Dunbar, Golden
Targe, 28.
Shakes. C/. In a couple of shakes. No great shakes.
Folly. For frantyke Fansy thou makest men madde
And I Foly bryngeth them to qui fuit gadde*.
With qui fuit brayne seke I have them brought
From qui fuit aliquid to shyre shakynge nought.
J. Skelton, Magnificence, 13 15.
♦ ?goad.
They be wretchockes thou hast brought,
They are shyre shakyng nought.
Id., Eleanour Rumming, 465.
Sweetheart.
Swete hart rote. — Skelton, Why come ye nat ? 664.
Her swete harte. — End3rmion Grange, G. A., c. ii.
Slick, adj. Smooth.
To look in glass and spy Sir Wrinkle's chair
Set fast on fronts which erst were slick and fair.
Gasc., Gr. of Joy, ii.
Flatteries and humble slick speech. — Melb., PhiL, N. 3.
Slidder, adv. Slippery.
I trowe it be a frost, for the way is slydder
Se, for God avowe, for colde as I chydder.
Skelton, Magnificence, 1840.
Shouldering for Elbowing.
0pp. Shouldering amongst them for a piece of a living. —
Respublica, iii. 5. 1553.
Spectables. Spectacles. — ^John Day, Isle of Gulls, i. 4.
Sedition. By the mass methinks they are singing of placebo.
P. Peace ! for with my spectables vadem et videbo
Cok*s sowl ! it is they : at the last I have smell'd them
out.
J. Bale, Kynge Johan, c. 1550, Camd. Soc., p. 30.
I wold sum manys bake inkhorne
Wher thi nose spectacle case ;
It wold gamysche wyll thy face.
Skelton, Against Garnesche, i. 133.
A spectacle case
To cover thy face
With tray deux ace.— /rf., Caudatos Anglos, 37.
130
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
A payre of spectacles for to shew every man what his duty is
towards his neighbour. — Becon, 119.
His [Avarice's] spectacles hang beating over his codpiece like
tne flag in the top of a maypole. — Lodge, Wifs AUs.i p. 27.
Stare. With., 1568. Stare- blind. — Owl and Night,, 241.
This would seem to mean death, i.e, to stare with fixed eyes.
See Stratmann.
James. Husbandman's plowyng, or earing and sowing,
Hedgyng and dychyng with reping and mowing ;
In carting such lyftyng, such burdenns bareing
That payne of the body bryngeth thyese to stareyng.
J. Heiwood, Did. of Wit and Folly , Percy Soc., p. 4.
Folly. Ye but tell me one thynge ?
Crafty Conveyance. What is that ?
Fol. Who is mayster of the masshe fatt ?
Fancy. Ye, for he hath a full dry soule.
Cf. Con. Cockes armes, thou shalt keep the brew
house boule.
Fol. But may 1 drynke thereof why lest that I stare ?
Cr. Con. When mesure is gone, what nedest thou
spare.
J. Skelton, Magnificence, i335-
Staryn wythe brode eyne. Patentibus oculis respicere
Staryn or schynyn and glyderyn. Viteo, rutilo. — Prompt. Far.
TiTYViL. Dyce, n. Skelton, iii. 275. Tutivillaris. — Jamieson, Sc. D, ;
Plautus, Casina, ii, 5, 39, Ed. Var.
Folly. There be two lyther, rude and ranke (in her school)
Symkyn Tytyuell and Pers Pykthanka
J. Skelton, Magnyfycence, 1. 1282,
And talkys lyke tytyuelles
Howe ye brake the dedes wylles
Tume monasteris into water milles
Of an abbaye ye make a graunge.
Id., Colin Coult, 418.
Theis titiuyllis with taumpinnis were towchid and tappid. — Id.y
Garld. of Laurel, 642.
The People Accusing the Prelates.
And propyrly Titivillus sygnyfyth the fend of helle
The flesch that is, the unclene, concupyssens of your body.
" Mankind," quoted Collier's Hist. Dram. Poetry, ii. 293, 297.
Tytyuylles tyraunts with tormentoures. — Lydgate, Le Assemble
de Dyeus, c. i., 4to.
There is no moe such titifyls in Englandes ground
To hold with the hare and run with the hound.
J. Heiwood, Dial., ch. x.
Tack, 5. Taste, flavour. — Taylor, i. 145.
Martinmas beef doth t)ear good tack
When countrie folks do dainties lack. — Tusser.
1.31
Digitized by
Google
1
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
TiTE, adv. Soon, quickly. Titte. — Chest. PL, p. 26 ? ; P. Plow, Vis.,
XX. 53.
Bot they shall never the tytter gayng. — Town, M., 62.
He took his leave of that lady fair,
And to her chamber she went full tight*.
Lady Bessy, Percy Soc., p. 11.
* ful tyth.— C<7v. Myst.t p. 235.
Vie, v. To bet. — Dunbar. ? fay, faith (oath).
Avarice. To study for both your wealths I am a debtor.
People. Vaye then, as good neer a whit as neer the better.
Av. I do nothing but compass therefor without doubt.
Pe. I vey then thee vet * too far a compass about.
Respublica, iv. 3. But see iv. 4, p. 48.
• i.e. fetched, made vent by.— C.
Whist.
Airs whist. — T. Heyw., Golden Age, iv.
By our Lady masse then all is not right,
But whist ! no more : she wyll be here to night.
Jfesis of Widow Edyth, v. ; H., 0. J. B., iii.
Whip. ? whoop !
But I wolde we had one that this cup wolde fil
With Malmsey that we might drink to bedward.
Whip quod Thomas and got him downward
And commeth again with the cup full.
Jests of Widow Edyth, x. 1525.
Weed, s. Dress. — Horm., V. ; Tom Tyler and his Wife, 1598, pp. 10,
17, 22.
Moros. Here be six honest persons indeed
By St. Malkin it is an honest train
You shall have all one livery and weed
For you all intend my profit and gain.
W. Wager, Longer thou Livest, F. 1.
Umfrey.
Your servant and umfrey. — Bale, Kynge yohan, p. 44.
Utas. The octave or eighth day after a Festival. — ^Jacob, Law Diet.
Worship, s. Honour.— Barclay, S. of F,, i. 44.
Adversity. And where the fader by wvsdom worshyp hath wonne
I send oft tymes a fole to nis sonne.
Skelton, Magnificence, i960.
Yare. Ready. — Chest. PI., ii. 46; Town. M., 37, 131.
John Clark in the morning made him yare
Thought he now wyll I yander away faire.
j^ests of Widow Edyth, xl, 1525 ; H., O. J. B., iii.
Wynch, v. To kick.—Gasc., Complaint of the Green Knight.
Poverty. Sir, remember the toume of Fortune's whele,
That wantonly can wynke and wynche with her hele.
Skelton, Magnificence, 2048.
132
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
N. RHYMED TO M. Sm Rd. Brathwait, passim.
G. Your folly it harmeth.
F. As wisdom you wameth
Yet be not too strange.
Grange, Golden Aphrod.y M. iv.
To Andrew all the lovers and the lusty wooers come
Believing through his ayde and certain ceremonies done
While as to him they presents bring and conjure all the night
To have good luck and to obtain their chief and sweete delight.
B. Googe, Popish Kingdom^ p. 55. 1570.
New-fangled. Lover of new fangels and trifles. — Huloet.
This green fruit, being gathered before it be ripe, is rotten before
it be mellow, and infected with schisms before they have
learned to bridle their aflisctions, afifecting innovations as
newfangled and enterprising alterations whereby the church
is mangled. ~ Nash, Anat. of Absurd.^ p. 40.
Newfangylnes. — Pals., Ac.^ B. ^,
Newfangled fellow. — Whit., Vulg.j f. 20.
Ought for owned. T. Heywood, Fair Maid of the West^ p. 58, Shak.
Soc. ; B. & F., Double Marriage^ iii. 3.
Owed.— Grange, G. Ap,, L iv. r; Wager, Repentance of Marie
Magd.f III, 1.
More. Larger.
P. Whereof shall these sommes of money be raised ?
Ep. God hath blessed me aboundantly : ye shall have it in my
coimting house with a more somme. — Becon, ii. 236.
Pane. Heathen.
On his left hand was placed first and highest of all Cybele, the
mother of the Gods, with divers panes and wood nymphs
waiting upon her. — Gr., G. -4/., Jf, 11, 1,
Paynin (Paganus). — Pr. Par.
Perbgall. An equal. — Dav. of H., Verses to Coryat, Fr. paregal.
Paragon. A male lover, wooer.
Jupiter willed them (according as the time required) to frame
their song upon tne discourse of wooing and to divide them-
selves into two companies, five on the one side and four on
the other : whereby they should seem not only to declare
the order of wooing but rather as it were in lively order
to do the thing itself (the one side taking the Paragon's
part and the other the paramours). — Grange, G. u4/., M,
iii. 1.
Prodigy.
" Else let me die a prodigy." — T. Heywood, F. M, of W.^ /. iv.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Plat, adj. Plain, flat.
Fear of denial is that plat soldier who with open mouth and
continual cry calleth upon me to adventure the dangerous
Lethe which I see by no means can be compassed without
the ferry of Charon. Wherefore it is justly alluded, not all
the weapons of Brescia are able to arm fear. — Grange,
G. Ap.f D. iv. 1.
A platte sothe and a pleyne. — Occleve, Reg. Pnn,, p. 45.
Patron (? poltroon).
DisdpiiM (speaking of young Moros, who is fooling them) :
Lo, you here, what a patron this is.
Think you that he is not past grace ?
W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest the
more Fool thou art^ B. ii. 1. 1568.
PiLCROW, (j;T A printer's mark for a paragraph. See Tusser, Pref. ;
B. & F., Nice Valour , iv. i.
Moros. God's santie, this is a goodly book indeed ;
Be there any Saints in it and Pilcrowes ?
W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest , B, iiii. 1.
Platform, s.
How Fox and Badger both make patterns in their den
Of Pktformes, Loopes and Casamats, devised by warlike men.
Gascoigne, Art of Venerie, In trod. 1575.
** Promise that I should be the Platform where she would plant
her goodwill and the only groimd where she would graft
her grace."— Melb., Phil,^ E. e. 2.
Quail, v. To diminish.
As Agis the last king of the Lacedemonians was in his youth
given to all lusts and pleasures, but being established ruler
of the land he quite gave them over and showed such
an example of temperance and sobriety, that the use of
pleasures quayling among his subjects they also addicted
themselves to sobriety, &c. — Cawdray, Tr, of Sim., p. 458.
Quest, 5. An inquest, jury.
When peerless princes' courts were free from flattery
The Justice from unequal doom, the quest from perjury.
Gasc, Posies, i. 71.
Repair, v. To return.
Repair to your house. — Gasc., G/. of Gov., v. 2.
Repend.
Mary. To Thee, what tongue is able worthy thanks to repend ?—
Wager, Repentance of Marie Maga., F. iv. 1.
Digitized- by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
RovBRSy At. ? At random, marks on target.
We must learn what God is within the bounds of his Word ;
not at rovers, imtil he mercifully delivered us from this
bondage and out of the dungeon of the body and grant
us to behold him face to face. — Cawdray, 8ii.
Row, On a. Chest. PL, ii. 4 ; Cov, Myst., p. 164 ; Becon, ii. 168.
Great I, indeed you well may say, but I
Am little i, the least of all the row.
i,e. the chris-cross row. — Da vies, Sc. of Folly ^ p. 255.
The dredefull dinne drove all the rowte on a row. — Skelt., Gar,
of Lau,, 264.
I shall tel thee arowe all that I saw. — H., 288.
They laughed on a row and some of them shoke. — Jfests of
Widow Edyth, x. 1525.
There was a dole made a rew by every man. — Cov. Myst,
p. 40.
The dance of death which all must run on row. — Par. of Dainty
D$v,, p. 74.
As the stags when they swim over a great water to feed in some
meadow they swim on a row and lay their heads over one
another's backs, carrying the weight of one another's horns
and when the first is weary, another taketh his room and
so do it by course, &c. — Cawdray, Tr. of Sim., p. 330.
House. — Horm., V., p. 12.
A rawe. — Early Eng. Allit. Poems, Morris, H., 544.
Rub, 5. Obstacle.
Ay ! there 's the rub. — Shak., Hamlet.
Look to those wheels then ; let them not decay
And they '11 o'errim the high'st rubs in thy way.
Davies, Sc. ofroUy, p. 41.
Sallbt, salet. A head-piece. — Horm., 265 ; Withals, 1563 (cassis).
See Godsgood.
Morbs (who has had a feather given to him) :
This will make me a gentleman alone :
Make it fast, I pray you, in my cap ....
This will bear away a good rap
As good as a sallet for me verily.
W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest, F. 2 r.
Squat (used heroically).
Thus squatted upon this pleasant mount from morning to
evening they* spend their time most earnestly in their
vocation. — urange, G. Ap., L. iii. r.
* TheMases.
Strike, v. To anoint, rub gently (Dev.). — HU.
The surgeon stroketh whom he means to strike. — Gasc., Gritf
of Joy ^y^^
186
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA,
Snout-fair. Becon, 1664. Su Snout.
But then, no doubt, as the company changed, so their talk
altered: for, sure in my mind the company of men is
nothing worth if women be not in place, whose painting
form and lively shapes importeth such virtue as sufficeth
alone to make an eloqant tongue : for proof declares their
fair words maketh fools fain especially be they somewhat
snoutfayre and cleanly, under the cloak whereof let them
use what pride they will. — Grange, G, Ap.y /. iv. 1.
To this their rustical harping came Polyphemus boisterously
stamping with a snoutfair trull in his hand to foot and
cheek by cheek.— /^., M, 11 r. Used by N. Breton,
Wondersy 1602; Warn., Alb. Eng., iii. 14; B. & F., The
Coxcomb y iv. 3.
Her twinkling eyne both steepe and grey
They seem like crystal clear. — Grange, G. Ap.^ G. r.
SuBLABBS (? tuft under lip, an imperial).
Lover beautifying his face cuts. — Grange, G. -4/., E. iv. 1.
Snaphance. Snappance Vouchers.— R, Fletcher, Poems^ 1656,
p. 244 ; Lyly, M. Botnbie, ii. i. See Nares.
Lufdan. A parlous girl, her wit *s a mere Snaphaunce
Goes with a firelock : she strikes fire from stone.
Day, Law Tricks^ 279.
Adventurers, spoylers, snappehaunces, forlorn-hopes, cormorants,
ravenours. — Becon, iii, 538.
TiNTERNELL. ? A Tarantella.
And calling the musicians caused them softly to sound the
Tyntemall when he, clearing his voice, did a la„Napolitana
apply these verses following unto the measure. — Gasc.,
Storie of Ferdinando yeron., Haz., i. 430, 437.
In the second chair and middle room sate Neptune the God of
the land and sea, with his three-forked mace in hand, and
also with a rich tarantyne robe coming down to the ground.
— Grange, G. Ap.^ M. r.
TiLE-PiNNE. Clavus ligheus vol tegularius. — W., 1568.
Moras, Body of God ! laugh you me to scorn
I will tell Maister Diricke Quintine
By these ten bones I will I have swome
And he shall teach you to make tile pinna
W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest, C. iii r., c. 1568.
He that buys a house ready-wrought
Has many a tyle-pin for nought. — Camd., 1629.
TwY-cHiLD. In one's dotage.— Davies, Sc. of FMy, 218.
TosTED for Tossed.— ^awdray, 77U
136
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Tems.
Old Siro, I am as proud
And think myself as gallant in this gray
Having my table fumisht with good beef
Norfolk temes bread and country home-bred drink
As he that goeth in rattling taflfety.
J. Day, Blind Beggar of Bethnal Greeny 1659, ii.
Voider. A tray.
. . . Set [the epicure] the voider of abstinence instead of his
table of surfeits. — T. Adams, Wks.y p. 435.
Man's life .is well compared to a feast
Furnisht with choice of all variety,
To it comes Time and as a bidden guest
He sits him down in pomp and majesty
The threefold age of Man the waiters be
Then with an earthen voider made of clay
Comes Death and takes the table clean away.
R. Bamfield, 1598.
Veney. Assault, bout.
One vennie more with thee and then I have done. — ^Dak., Seven
Deadly Sins of London^ 3.
ViLLiACO, 5. A villain. — Sir G, Goosecap, iii., 1606. See Nares.
Vade for fade, consume.— Grange, G. Ap., F. iii. ; Par. of Dainty
Dev.y p. 95 (Surrey).
Life did vade. — Robinson, Handful of Pleasant Delites, 1584, p.
32, repr. ; Thersites^ H., 0,F., i. 424 ; Shak., Pass. Pilg.
Vambrish, v.
Jupiter touching the heavens with his wand caused them to
thunder and vambrishe lightnings. — Grange, G. Ap.^ N. 1.
Wealth (welfare). — Udall, Roister Doister^ iv. i.
Health and wealth.— C, Pr.
Wellaway.
. I may cry out Alas now and Welaway. — Wager, Repentance 0/
Mane Magd.^ E. iv. 1.
Alas alas and Wele away
That avyr towched I the tre.
Cov. My St., p. 31 and p. 38.
My songe may be wayle-a-waie. — C?test. PL, i. 70.
Whist.
But after all these came the Muses themselves in a rank, vaunt-
ing it so smoothly upon the ground as if a ship had launched
upon the seas : they were in number nine and (as the Poets
feign) the daughters of Jupiter and Mnemosyne, at whose
presence all thmgs were whist. — Grange, G. Ap., Af. 11 r.
137
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Worth.
Discipline (of Moros, whom they hope to reform by good com-
panions) :
Custom may all kind of manners bring forth
This to be true we know by experience
But if he decay we must take it at worth
At least let us do our diligence.
W. Wager, Longer thou Livest, P, 1., c. 1568.
Zany.
Roberto. Suppose her sung through famous Italy
More common than the looser songs of Petrarch
To every several zany*s instrument.
Marston, Insatiate Countess, v. i.
Man is God's ape, and an ape is Zani to a man. — Dekker, Seven
Deadly Sins of London, 5.
[Scurrility] The first time he looked out of Italy into England
it was in the habit of a zani. — Lodge, Wifs Mis., 81.
His best trade is a true comedian, to play a Zany or Pantalon
on the stage. — Str. Met. of Man, p. 28. The Ape.
Wandlb, v.
Moros. I must be doing of somewhat alway
My weapon once again I must handle
How my dagger will cut now I will assay
Beware how with me they wandle.
W. Wager, The Longer thou Livest, D. ix 1. ; and E. iii. r.
Latch, v. Eludo.
I ape can latch the dartes which men will cast at me,
And if I had a tayle a monckeye should I be. — Huloet, 1552.
Legister, s. a lawyer. — Bullokar.
Lettice. a kind of grey fur. — Hll. Letice, a furre. — Palsg.
Lettice bonnet or cap for a gentlewoman. — Huloet.
Lull, v.
I could shake him even as a dog that luUeth a sow. — Jacob and
Esau; H., O.P., ii. 211.
Level-coil. Leva culum. Levez le cul. — Torr.
Leve cul ... is a kind of gaming at the tables coursely at
many hands, that wher as one hath lost a game another
enterpriseth by turn, and so every man in his turn.—
Huloet.
Milch-heartbd.
Weappynge lightlye called mylch-herted (Lemosus).— Huloet.
Mammering, s. a quandary. In trivio sum.
I stand in a mammering. — Pal., Ac, Y. 2. See n. to W.
188
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Mbans.
When Crassua was • • . more desirous to leave Cicero his
frende than his foe when he should be gon, he saluted
Cicero diligently and said that he would sup at home with
him that night. Whom Cicero with a chereful and glad
countenance received and entreteined. Within a fewe
dales after this certain of his frendes went in hand with
him and made means unto him for to be one with Vatinius
also. *' Why," quoth Cicero, ** is Vatinius disposed to have
a supper at my house to ? " Signifying that the same
Vatinius did make meanes more to have a supper than to
have his friendship. — Ud., Er, Ap,^ 364.
Naken, v. To make naked (Nudo). — Huloet.
Patish, v. To stipulate.
For being let go immediatly upon the bringing of the money
which the pirates patished for his raunsome ... he
caught the self same robbers and hanged them up but first
hedded that the severity might not be imtempered with
mercy. — Ud., Er. Ap.^ 293.
Plaw, v. To commence to boil.
Bubble, like plawing water. — Huloet.
Point-device.
As parfitely as can be or point devyse.— Pal., Ac.^ L. 3 ;
Chaucer, Cant. Tales, 3689.
PoRTSALB of goods confiscated or spoyle (Auctionarius). — Huloet.
Prejudice, s,, which is a mere wrong contrary to the law.
It may be also taken for a sentence once decided and determined
which remaineth afterward for a general rule and example
to determine and discuss semblably : or else it may be as
the ruled cases and matters of the law be called bokecases
recited in the yeres, which be as precidences, and thereof
Cometh this verb praejudico. — Huloet.
PiONiED. Tunnelled, as in Shak., Tempest, iv. 164 {see my note, Notes
and Queries, V.).
Whene Pionzer. — Shak., Hamlet, i. 4 ; Help to Discourse, 1636,
p. 67, also p. 78.
Which to outbarre with painful pyonings
From sea to sea he heapt a mighty mound.
Spen., F. Q,, H., x. 46.
QuEACHY, adj. Wet, saturated. — HU.
Saturn our eyes half buried in our quechyplots,
Consumption and cold agues have devoured
And eat up all our flesh.
T. Heywood, Golden Age, v., p. 72.
QuBRT, s. Joy. God hold me long your life in quart. — Town, M.,
P-37.
189
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Whartfulle shall I mage thi gate,
I shall the help erly and late
And all in quart shall I bring the
Home again to thy countre. — lb., p. 43.
Without skat he and inquart. — lb,, p. 44.
The foiut commandment is by taylle
Fader and moder worship thou shall
In povert and in quart. — Ib.y p. 50.
How stands it with you, dame, of quart ? — lb., p. 81.
The hungry with all good he fild
And left the rich out shild
Thaym to unquart. — lb., p, 82.
adj. Sike or quert. — Occleve, Reg Prin,, p. 39.
QuBTHE, V. To speak. A.S. c]ndan.
Quick and quething. — Pal., Ac.y Y, 3.
Rbakbs. ? Rigs. Pranks.
To play reakes (Ciere turbas). — CL, Phraseol. Puerilis, 1638.
ScATH, 5. Hurt.
He that doth boost and show what he hath
Shall have noon advantage, but sometimes great scath.
Dial, of Creat.f 53.
One doth the scathe and another hath the scorn. — Ho.
SCRATT.
The marks or scrattes of the stripes declared as plainly as if he
had spoken it with his tongue how he [Diogenes] had been
handled*. — Udall, Er. Ap,, p. 95.
* Scourged.
Shirb, adj. Poor, thin.
I will not give thee sole i pure or shyre hope but the thing. —
Pal., Ac, L.
Non spem meram sed rem dabo.
Sparple, v. To disperse.
Scater or sparple about abundantly (Conspergo). — Huloet.
Squall, s, ? same as scall.
This it is that makes me look so lean.
That lets my growth, and makes me seem a squall.^
Marriage of Wit and Science, v. 3 ; H., OJ^., ii. 387.
Squamish, or wanton. — Huloet. 7 squeamish. See Wanton 2.
I was not squeamish to crave. — Edwards, Damon and Pithias ;
H., O.P., iv.
Some like the fair, but there 's not all the grace.
She may be fair and have a squemish face ;
Some like the wanton, some the modest eyes.
G. Wither, Sat., i. i. 1613.
Squich, v. To skip. — Morris. Sed qu. — Marriage of Wit and
Science, v. 3 ; H., O.P., ii. 387.
140
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Staggerer in reading, who can read neither good English nor good
Latin (Oflfensator). — Huloet.
Stroy-good, s. Prodigus. — Pal., Ac.^ b. 4, 7.
Stickler, 5., or indifferent person between two that be at variance,
as in playing of prises (Intemuncius). — Huloet.
Stvre, V, To allure or provoke unto. — Pals., Ac, B. 3.
Strakb of a cartwhele wherein the spokes are framed (Absis). —
Huloet.
Strain, v.
1. Streyning or biting as ginger, pepper or red wyne (Stipticus).
—Huloet.
Streyne or bite as ginger, &c. (Stringo).
2. To restrain. [IV., i. 184.
The quality of mercy is not strained. — Shak., Merchant of Venice^
5. Race. Of the half-strain. — Dryden, Limberhamy iii. i.
SUNDERLY, adj.
Walke sunderly here and there scatered (Palor). — Huloet.
Translate, v. Cote, garment, or such lyke whereby it is made as
new again (Reconcinno).^*Huloet.
TuT-MOUTHED. Having the lower jaw projecting further than the
upper. — Hll. ; Bullokar (Bruncus). — Hidoet.
TiTTERER, 5. A tatler.
AUe tale-tellers and tyterers in ydel. — P. Plo. Vis., xx. 297.
Undertaker, s. A contractor of any kind. fStill used in this sense^
especially in connection with Private oill Legislation. — Ed.]
This doth not entrench on those who are undertakers of buildings,
but insisteth only on the necessity of sufficient master-
workmen actually employed in every work. — Sir Balthasar
Gerbier, Of Buildings, ii. 59, 1664; Ih., 91, 92.
Waier, s. A wager.
Pleggis and waiers. —Dio/. of C features.
Waiers to lay of things unknowe
Is no wysdome but madness I trowe. — Ih., xxx.
Wanton, adj.
1. Foolish or tendre. Cf. Squamish (above). — Huloet.
2. Or malapert in asking (Procax). — Ih.
Wantonnes or saucelines in asking or craving. — Ih.
Wherry, s. A small, light rowing boat.
Boat or wherye. — Huloet.
Rather than his children shall be crossed in baptism he will out
of the ark into some fantastical wherry. — T. Adams, Wks,,
p. lOIO.
Whirry. — Cath. AngL, 1024; Herrick, clvii., ii. 244.
" A boat, a boat, haste to the ferry."
141
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Whittle, s. A thing small or sharp like a shaft (Inspico). — Huloet.
Whitled 2, V. Drunk. — Lyly, M. Bomb.y ii. 12.
When men be well whitteled with wyne they take no care for
nothing. —Pal., Ac, 5. 3.
Pall, ». Forsakythe fresshe wyne and drynkyth ale a-pallyd. —
Lydg., Order of Fook, 119. E. 2, T.S.
" I palle as drinke or bloode doth by long standyng in a thing
je appallys." — Palsgrave. Still in use. — Hll.
Change not the Name : for Dinners should be dry.
*Tis now the fashion : on a Cupboard by
The drink must pauling stand : For once I sate
At Pontus* table, and withal forgat
(Or else it was my blushing modestv
Asham'd to shout for drink so openly)
To call for beer. From dinner I rose up
And never toucht of Pontus' foamy cup :
With Pontus then ere any more I dine
Buttes (by thy leave) I '11 bb a guest of thine.
Joa. Weeueri Epictisis ad Henricum Butsum Palinodia ; Hy.
Buttes, Dyet*s Dry Dinner, p. 7, Ed. 1599.
Plunge, s. A strait, diflSculty.
An' I scape this plunge I care not for the next year. — Respub,^
V. 6. and, God save me from this plunge. — Ih.^ v. 10.
1553-
I am put to a plunge, as moche as I am worthe. Omnes
fortunae meae periclitantur. — Horm., F., 205.
Pitch, v. To fall or slope.
That field is best that is nat playn evyn and level, but some-
what pytchynge. — Horm., F., 177.
Cf, Chances Pitch, near Ledbury.
Pall, s. The great [thief] sitteth on benche in costly furres of
pall. — Barclay, Myrrour of Good Maners^ Justice.
See under Bisse.
PiLHOG. See Urchin.
Purchase, v.
O blear-ey'd fool, are both thine eyes beblast ?
Can'st thou not see ? look up : what, man ! God mend thee.
Look at these Lawyers how they purchase fast,
Mark well these Marchants (better mind God send thee),
See how the suits of silk that they would lend thee,
And many mo so fine in fashion stand.
Till at the last they pay for unthrift's land.
Gascoigne, Dulce Bellum Inexpertis, 62.
The Lawyers hope to purchase wonderous things. — Ib.^ 88.
Placard, s. I have gotten a placard or a protection for dette and
felony. — Horm., K., 205.
142
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Plag» 5. Plague.
Hereof cometh so much devorcement,
Hereof cometh so much good spent,
Hereof cometh so many plages sent from God.
Becon, InvecHve against Whoredom.
I. This no fiction nor inferred by poetical license. But this
verily was performed in the Borough of Leominster in the
Co. of Hereford: the one at the commandment of Sir
Herbert Croft, Knt., one of the Council of the Marches
of Wales; the other by the instigation of Satan and
provocation of the disease.
Some common Carriers (for their own behoof
And for their good, whose souls for gains do groan),
Fetching from London packs of Plags and stun.
Are forct to inn it in some barn alone,
Where lest it should the coimtiy sacrifice
Bam, com, and stuff, a sacrince is sent
In air-refining flames to the angry skies,
While the owners do their faults and loss lament.
The carriers to some Pest-house of their own
Carried, clapt up, and watcht for coming out.
Must there with Time or Death converse alone
Till Time or Death doth free the world of doubt,
Who, though they carriers be, yet being too weak
Such heavy double Plagues as these to bear,
Out of their houses some by force do break.
And drown themselves, themselves from plags to clear.
Davies of Hereford, P. of Plagne^ p. 242.
Snout, 5., of the plough, of a ship. The forepart. — ^Withals, 1568.
Stick, s.
The unthrift, he that sells a rood of land
For Flemish sticks of silk and such-like wares,
Weens yet at last to make a happy hand
By bloody war, and hopes to shred such shares,
In goods ill-got to countervail his cares.
That he may once recover his estate,
And roist again in spite of Catchpoll's pate.
Gascoigne, Dulce Bellum Inexp$rtis^ 76.
Stickle, s. Steep.
My horse could nat up upon the stykel of the hill.
Scansile, Stig-rap. A stirrop or rope to climb up by. Clivum
montis.— Horm., K., 247; XI. Cy., Wr., V. of V., 84.
Sandbr, 5. Slander.
That Saunder-snufT which swears the matter out
Brings oftentimes the noblest minds in doubt.
Gascoigne, Dulce Bell, Irnxp,, 191.
Saw. An old said saw. — Gascoigne, Wks,, i, 109.
Saga. — Chaucer, Cant, Tales.
148
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Tower or Toor, s. A lofty growth or ornament (afterwards applied
to a lady's head-dress). Not in HU. S^^ N. H. W.
In a garden rich of flowers,
Wall'd with bays and hawthorn towres ;
In a towre, the rest forsaking,
Woe kept Philomela waking.
Talwood. Cutwood. Fr. tailler.
Our talwood is all brent,
Our faggotes are all spent.
We may blow at the cole.
Skelton, Why come ye not to Courte ?
Tut. Yet have I shot at master Bellum's butt,
And thrown his ball, altho' I toucht no tutte :
I have percase as deeply dealt the dole
As he that hit the mark and gat the gole.
Gascoigne, Dtdce Bell, Inexp.y 94.
Undermeal. Supper or undermeal. — With., 1608.
Uplandish, adj. Rural. The Uplandish house or dwelling-place.
(Villa tugurium.) — With., 1574.
The monke stole away in an uplandish man's wede. — Horm.,
v., 288.
Uplond-man (Rusticus).— XIV. Cy., Wr., V. of V., p. 182.
The uplandish village. — Pal., Ac.^ x.
My countray or uplonde. — /ft., x. 2.
Rusticall and uplandish men (agrestes). — Baret, 1580.
In country or upland. — Barclay, M.of G. M.
Agricolae. — Horm., 7., 53.
In as moche as marchaundis is nat lucky with me, I shall go
and dwell in uplande (Rus.). — Horm., F., 235.
Urchin. A hedgehog. Urchin or pithog. — Withals, 1586. Irchen.
Levins, 1570; 7. Stam.f 1518. Norchon. — (XV. Cy.), ReL
Ant.f i. 81.
Wasb. a bundle of straw, &c., to relieve a burthen carried on the
head. — Hll. Circus. — Levins, 1579; Baret.
A wase or wreath to be laid under the vessel that is borne upon
the head as women use* (Cesticillus). — With., 1568.
i.e, milkmaids.
Ward {as suffix). He that fighteth against the hill-ward hath war
both with his enemy and with the place. — Horm., K., 273.
Rereward. — Horm., F., 259; Lodge, Wifs Mis,
Vaward. — Horm., F., 268.
Toward.— Shak., A.Y.L.
I went to London downward the temys (Thames). — Horm., F.,
250.
Want (?) What should I think of courage ? If it wants.
The wanters are despised of gods and men.
Davies, Scourge of Folly ^ p» 21.
H4
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
That covetous wretches not only want that thing
Which they never had in title nor keeping,
But that which they have also they want and fayle,
Sith they it having of it have none avayle.
Barclay, Eclogue^ i.
He that is robb'd, not wanting what is stoFn,
Let him not know *t and he 's not robb'd at all.
Shak., OthellOy iii. 3, 342.
. . . Her tongue like Lydian music doth delight,
Then how can I (friend Vamis) want her sight ?
Her presence can alone preserve my breath,
Her loss to me is famine, war, and death.
S. Sheppard, Epig., iii. 2. 1651.
Fowls of the air do yield both fans and plumes,
And a poor civet-cat allows perfumes ;
Freestones and artificial bricks, I grant,
Are stones which men in building cannot want.
Taylor (W. P.), Superbia Flagelhm.
Our lives shall never want to do him good. — Maid's Metamor-
phosiSf B,y 1600.
A wheelwright or a maker of carts is an ancient, a profitable,
and a Trade which by no means can be wanted. — Taylor,
The World runs on Wheels.
LiBBBT. A little staff. Bacillus.— With., 1568.
Libbets, s. Rags in strips. — ^Jackson, Shropshire Word Book.
Ling, 5. Calluna. Not heath. — Shak., Temp.f i. i, 70.
And this gallant Advancing-way shall certainly destroy both
Bryars, Brackin, Feame (Goose-Tansie also if anything
will do it), Gosse, Ling, Heath, or anything else whatsoever
occasioneth unfruitfulness. — England's Improvement, by Capt.
Walter Blith, p. 158. 1649, 4to.
Brome . . . heth, firze, brakes, whinnes, ling, &c. —
Harrison, Description of England,
Latbward, adj. A backward, slow, or latetward winter. — With.,
1608.
Loop. Cf. Loft. Aloof. See Lovir.
You mean the thacked house by the waterside
Whitch is white-limed above in the loof.*
W. Wager, The Longer Thou Livest, &c., D. r.
* i,$. the deling which was whitelimed after the smoke had fonled it.
Lore, s.
It is hard to make men that be roted in a custome or lore to
chaunge it. — Horm., F., 226.
Lovir. The lovir or fomerill. Fumarium et infumibulum. — ^With.,
1568.
VOL. III. 145 10
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Lover (Impluvium). — Horm., 7., 140.
This is the Fr. Louvre, the opening in the roof, whence the
Parisian palace.
Loupe. A loupe to look out of a house or wall.— With., 1568. So
loophole.
Mart, s. Market.
Andwarpe is a marte town (emporium). — Horm., 7., 234.
A marte or market.— T. Adams, Works, p. 507.
How we to York upon a mart were bound.— Taylor, Wherry
Ferry Voyage.
Mafflb, v. To maflSe in the mouth as not able to sound his words ;
to stammer or stut.— Baret, Alv., 1580.
Malkin, j. a Scovell, Dragge, or Malkin wherewith the floor of the
oven is made clean (Peniculus). — With., 1568.
Meagram. That disease in the head which is called the Hemicra-
nium. — lb,, 1608.
Mote.
With the blowynge of that mote the fight abated.— Horm., F.,
265.
Blowyng of certain and divers motes (tesserae) and watches
gydeth an host and saveth it firom many parellys. — lb., 269.
Niced, 5. A niced wherewith women cover their paps. — Baret,
Ah., 1580.
OWYS.
The workemen and the sh3rpmen go about to have the new shyp
from the stockis, or out of the owys (a navali) into the see.
— Horm., v., 250.
OsT, 5.
An ost or maulte kyll, to drye corne upon. — With., 1568.
Pad.
The tad powles of toads or frogs called pad blowes in water
which in March doeth appear. — lb., 1568.
Pickerel.
Luaculus, a pykrelle.— 15th Cy., Wr., Vol. of Voc, p. 253.
Peele, a peele to set in (the oven) the bread, and to take it out with.
—With., 1568 ; Horm., V., 153. Pyle.— 15th Cy., Wr., 276 ;
T. Adams, Works, p. 189. 1629.
Peterel, 1568 ; Pintrel, 1586; Poitrel, 1608; Petryl.— CA^. PL,
i, 60 ; Antilena (harness of a horse).— With. ? Fr. lorain ;
so Loriner, a martingale.
V. Stanbridge, Vulg., 15 18. Paytrel.— Horm., F., 170.
Pumps, 5. To put on the shoe pumps, pinsons, socks (Calceo). —
With., 1608.
Calceolus, a pynson. — Stanbridge, Voc. A pinson or pump
(Calceamentum). — Baret, 1580.
146
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Pump,
Pastillos Rufillus olet, Gorgonius hircum (Rufillus smells of
sweet perfume, Gorgonius stincks of the pump). — With.,
1586.
Plant. Of thrfoot (Planta). Sole of the foot (Solea).— /^., 1568.
Parbll. Apparel.
The apple within the parell (Caro mali, vel secundum quosdam
pulpa). Anglice, the meat within the skin. — lb., 1568.
Paroch. Paddock. A little park.
A franke or paroche wherein bores be fed to be made brawn
(Vivarium aprorum). — Ib.^ 1568.
Panel. i.e. a pad.
Dorsualia dicuntur operimenta, quibus equorum dorsa teguntur,
as with a panel or such other.-— /^., 1568.
PosNET, 5. Ollula, or skellit. — Baret, 1580. Possenet. — Horm., V. ;
Stanbridge, Voc.
QuBVER, adj. Active, nimble. — Mayd Etnlynj 361, c. 1520.
A quyver jester. — Horm., F., 281.
Flaterers have quiver wits, for they serve the time. — /ft., 230.
Quave (Tremo). — Prompt. Parv. See Way's n. (temporaria).
Thou playest featly at the tynis and very quiverly (agillime). —
Horm., V.f 279.
A quavery or maris and unstable foundation. — /ft., 240.
Ratheled.
A hart heled wall, or ratheled, with hasill roddes, wandes, or
such other (Paries craticius). — With., 1568. ? Wattle and
Dab. 5^H11.
Ripe, adj. Ready.
Halting-ripe. i.e. ready to halt. — lb., 1608.
Rout, v. To snore.
Rising, s. Rebellion.
He is redy to go about chaunge or rysyng (Pronus est ad res
novas). — Horm., V., 191,
RuNK, 5. Noise.
If I here any runk or rowne.— Totew. Myst., 68.
Ship, $. A censer.
" A box or shippe for frankincense to be kept in" (Acerra). —
With., 1568.
adj. Headless, pert, giddy. — (East) HU.
Spalt, 5.
He is a very spalt that carries his head so like a shettle-cock
and no marvel who hath such a shettle brain of his own.
— § 26, ** The Daw," Sir. Metam. of Matty 1634. See inf.
147
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA,
Stale, s. A decoy, pretence.
Birding-perches whereupon the stale is set. — With., 1568.
A stale, as with an owl or other bird.— -/^.
Wilt thou be made a stale ? — Nobody 5- Somebody ^ 1592.
Stertup, 5. A high shoe or stertup. — With,, 1568. A sock or
startup. — Ib.^ 1608; Warn., Alb, Eng., iv. 20. Startop.
Swart or pale colour (Lividus). — With., 1568.
Ater, teter, sweart. — Aelfric, loth Cy., Wr., F. of V.
Cenileus, sweart. — Ib.^ p. 46.
Tache, s.
1. Uncus (Tatch, 1608).— With., 1568; Horm., K., '293.
Hence, To attach. Spinter. — Stanbridge, Vulg,^ 1518.
2. Trick, manner. — Pal., Acy R. 2.
A chyldes tatches in playe shew plainly what they mean. —
Horm., F., 94.
Set some tack nayles or rack nay lis arowe (Uncinus). — lb., 237.
Knaves tacches. — A B C of Aristotle^ cir. 1450.
Tent, s. Taylor (W. P.), Works, i. 395.
A teinte to be put within the sore to keep it open. — With., 1568.
Fr. Tendo.
V. Search my wound deeper : tent it with the steel
That made it. — Webster, White Devil, p. 50.
Tale. An account.
As the birds when they fly do guide themselves with their tails,
and the ship is guided by the stern, so we should look
to our taile, viz., that we are but dust and ashes. — Cawd.,
T. o/Sfffi., p. 495.
TowLER, 5. ? A tax-collector.
Wherfore be no towler, catchpoll nor customer
No broker nor botcher, no somner nor serjeaunt
Be thou none Innholder, hostelor nor Tavemer
No bribing Excheatour, nor yet BayliflFe errant
An official or Sheriff are honest but right scant
The most of this number liveth by double towling
By cloked extorsion, by frauds and by polling.
Barclay, Myrrour of Good Maners.
Treacle. Triacle. Gr. Orfpiaxa. A panacea. It follows A mede-
cine in With., 1568.
Is there no treacle in Gilead ? — L. Wright, Display of Duty, 19 r,
1614.
True-penny, 5. A familiar term for a good fellow in the secondary
sense.
A true peny may nat be refused (nummus probus vel legitimus).
— Horm., F., 223.
148
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Unkind, adj. Unnatural.
And therefore he of full avysement
Nolde never write in none of his sermones
Of Swiche unkynde abominacions.
Chau., Man of LawCy ProL^ 86.
Blow, blow, thou winter's wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man's ingratitude. — Shak., As You Like It, ii. 7, 175.
Uncouth, adj. Unknown, obscure, and so ignorantly rude.
Awkward. — Dial, of Great,, 55,
Uncouth lands. — Rare Triumphs of Love and Fortune Haz., O.P,9
vi. 171 ; Chest. PL, i. 58.
As for tydyngs be none couthe but Ponyngs is qwyt and
delivered of all tresons. — Past. Lett., 252. 1455. Udall,
Er. Ap., pp. 182, 289, spells it Unquod, which brings to the
provincial form — Unked, dreary, uncanny (omne ignotum
pro mirifico). Mr. Roberts in his note gives it a wrong
meaning, that of untold — it should be " unheard of."
Unthrum. i Slack-twisted. Met. from Weaver's work (applied to
the cubs).
He is very unthnmi at everything he goes about, and brings his
work but rawly forth till with the fyling of the tongue with
much ado he brings them at last to some perfection. —
"The Bear," Str. Metam. of Man, p. 13. 1634.
Wbel, 5.
A weele to keep fish in (Nassa). — With., 1568. Gurgens woel,
nth Cy., Wr., p. 80. Lancashire, Wr.
A Wbarb, dame, or Sclusb in the river or other (Catarhacta). —
With., 1568. Weere, 1616.
Pissina, a wayir, 15th Cy., Wr., p. 272.
Wink, v. i. To connive. — Acts, xvii. 30.
Towynkle (Connivio).— Stanbridge, Vulg. 1518.
2. To shut the eye, winking (Marybuds). — Shak.
So Justice while she winks at crimes
Stumbles on innocence sometimes.
But., Hud., I., ii. 1 177.
Should I, your ^de, wink when ye go astray
Or see you run m by-paths of ofFence ?
Davies of Hereford, Humours, Heau'n on Earth, i. 85.
However most divines contradict it, it must be winked at by
politicians. — Burton, Anat. of Mel., ^. 62.
To shut the eye. — Shak., Two Gentlemen of Verona, v. 2, 14.
O let no Dane have cause to say or think
We at our ods * made their love's eyes to wink.
Davies of Hereford, Bien Venn. Great
Britain's Welcome to the Danes, St. 30, 1606.
* f.#. Differences.
149
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Waits.
The trumpette or waites (Tuba).— With., 1568.
Whipshitten*s pace [Measurement of land].
A pace that they call a whipshitten*s pace which they tread by
measure (Passus dimensus). — /ft., 1608.
Wag, s. a younker. — Maid's Metamorphosis^ B. 2, 1600.
Lawnd, 5. A small park. — P. Plow. B., viii. 65 ; Chau., Kn, T., 833.
The lawnd in woods (Saltus nemorum). — Baret.
Swete pleasaunt valleys, lawndes, or playnes. — Bare, Ed.y ii.
Laun, s. — Ho., Parley of BeasiSy 65 ; Brathwait, 1621.
Layer, 5. Country.
They were both rabbits of one laier. — Breton, Merry Wonders^ p. 8.
I wyll nat dwell there with my wyll, for it is a maresse leyar
(Palustris). — Horm., F., p. 32 ; and see /ft., 178.
It came to pass that bom I was
Of lineage good, of gentle blood.
In Essex layer, in village fair.
That Rivenhall hight.
Tusser, 1573, " Author's Life.'*
Ley or lay land seems to have been uncultivated ground left to
itself either to form pasture or woodland.
LOVBDAY.
It [drunkenness] breaketh lovedays and causeth robbery. —
Bar., Myrrour of Good Maners, lemp.
Law-day.
I coude nat be at the laweday Qudicium).— Horm., F., 207.
Lapidary. (The art.)
He is very cunnynge in lapedarye or knowlege of precious
stones. — Ib.y 239.
Level, v. To assess.
He was dispoynted or cam to short of his purpos for money to
be craftely levelde by bribery [i.e. robbery]. — Ib.^ 223.
5. Aim.
A dart must be thrown with great myght and level (Destinatio).
—/ft., 254.
Mean, adj. Inner, subsidiary.
There be many other meane pyllers besyde (Medianae). — /ft.,
241.
Cf, " The mean man," i.e. the humble, lowly. — /s., ii. 9.
Neck, Nick, v. To make an indenture.
And in the same inn there dwelt a prety pryme
She couthe well flater and glose with hym and hym
And necke a measure, her smyrkynge gan her sale
She made ten shyllyng of one barell of ale. — Bar., Erf., v.
liO
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
NamelYi adv. Specially. — ^J. Heiw., £/., vi. 91 ; Northbrook, Tnatise
agst. Dicing^ i577» Shak. Soc., p. 136 ; Whit., Vtdg.y f. 13 ;
Bare, Sh. of F.^ i. 26, 37, 54.
What tyme the shoppes be all closed and shyt
Than is the market with Thais, Beale and Kyt,
On hyest days such ware is namely sold
For nought it waxeth yf it be ones old. — Bar., EcL, v.
Nome, pt. Taken.
He his way hath nome. — Occleve, Reg, Prin,, 107.
Ynome. — lb., p. 133.
Outrageous in sense of extraordinary. — Horm., K., 297. Extrava-
gant cost. — Ib.f 243. Buildings. — Ib.^ 245. Array. — lb,,
186.
Pash, v. To smash (Impactus). — Marlow, Tamky I., iii. 3.
He was pashed on the pate with a pot.—Baret, 1580.
Enc. Do thou stand still
Whilst I the foes of Titan pash and kill.
T. Hey wood, Golden Age, iii. 161 1.
I care not to be like the Horeb calf :
one day adored, the next pashed all in pieces.
yack Drum*$ Ent,, i. 1681.
Pass, s. Expenditure, v. To go.
Rich and well to pass.— Scott's Philofnythie, 1616.
Law biddeth free eleccioun in chirches pass. — Occleve, Reg.
Frin., 104.
At meals my friend who vitleth here and sitteth with his host
Shall both be sure of better cheer and scape with lesser cost ;
But he that will attendance have, a chamber by himself,
Must more regard what pains do crave than pass of worldly pelf.
Let no man look to purchase linne with pinching by the way,
But laie before he taJces his Inne to make his purse to pay.
Tusser, Huswifery, p. 17. 1573.
V. To think, to care. — Shak., 2 Henry 77., iv. 2 ; Latimer,
Ser. Ded.
Many shoulders pass small of great burthens. — Bullein, B. of
Def. [Sorenes & Chyrurgi], f. 8. 1568.
[Parents] desire their [children's] welfare in this world, but
they passe not what they shall suffer in another. — R.
Wimbledon, Sermon, 1388.
The wise will spend, or give, or lend, yet keep to have in store ;
If fools may have from hand to mouth, they pass upon no more.
Tusser, Huswifery, p. 18.
Thoue^h boots and spurs be ne*er so foul, what passeth some
thereon
What place they foul, what thing they tear, with tumbling
thereupon ? — lb., p. 16.
There was costly apparel of household and solemn fare that
some said he passed his estate. — Horm., K, 214.
151
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Pellet.
Pellets of lead made to exercise men's bodies with (Alter»
alteres). — With., 1568. i,e. dumb-bells.
Pilled or bare, without hair. — With., 1568.
The pill of an onion. — Horm., V.
PRINCOX.
Affirming it to be a matter more mete and decent for a marryed
man to entreate and write of than for a bachyler and
prinkokes but of twenty years of age or lytle more. — Edw.
More, Defense of Women, 1557, Dedn.
Rede, v. To explain.
Arede my dreme and I wyl say thou art Godis felowe.— Horm.,
v., 288.
Redeless, adj. Amisi consilium meum. — Pal., Ac.^ Z. 3.
Rede, counsel. — lb., 4.
RoiNiSH, adj. Mangy, scabby. Fr. Rogneux.
The sloven and the careless man, the roinish nothing nice.
To lodge in chamber comely deckt are seldom suffer'd twice.
Tusser, Huswifery, p. 19. 1573.
[He] had ever more pity on one good-paced mare then two
roaned curtails. — Breton, Merry Wonders, p. 6.
Scant, v. To spare.
Ill huswifery wanteth with spending too fast.
Good huswifery scanteth the longer to last.
Tusser, Huswifery , p. 15. 1577.
Mavor has canteth (a misprint of 1580 Ed.), and gives franteth
as being in 1573.
Slea, v. To slay.
What daily watch is made the soul of man to slea !
By Lucifer, by Belzibub, Mammon and Asmode !
Flea. — Mavor (an original blunder of his).
SoLLER, s. Hickscorner, H., O.P., i. 157.
Soler, A loft or soler.— With., 1568.
Solarium Contignatio. — Horm., V,, 241.
Long kept in ill soUer undoubted thou shalt
Through bowds* without number lose quickly thy malt.
Tusser, Huswifery, p. 9*
i.e. weevils.
Galery or soUer set in a sunnye place (Heliocaminus). — Huloet.
An upper chamber in the Hall of the Commandry at Worcester
is still called the Solers.
There was Soleres Hall in Cambridge Univ. — Chau., Rev$*s T,
Sbggons.
Poor seggons half starved work faintly and dull,
And lubbers do loiter, their bellies too full.
Tusser, Huswifery, p. 9.
152
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Suit. Clothing, plumage. — P. Plow. Vis., v. 504.
A suit of hair (Chevelure). — U.S.A.
That clad this earth with herb, with trees and sundry fruits,
With beast, with bird, with wild and tame, of strange and
sundry suits. — Tusser, Huswifery, p. 20.
Strait or drawen, as a sword or other thing (Strictus). — With.^
1568.
2. Strict — Horm., K, 190, 206.
3. Fast
Therefore hold I strait all thy commandments.— Psa/w
cxix. 128.
Cf. Strait-waistcoat.
Taint worms.
Doth damell good among the flowry wheat ?
Do thistles good so thick in fallows spied ?
Do taint worms good that lurk where ox should eat ?
Or sucking drones in hives where bees abide ?
Tusser, Against a Slanderous Tongue, i573*
As killing as the canker to the rose.
Or taintworm to the weanling herds that graze.
Milton, Lycidas, 45.
Touch, To keep. i.e. his money engagements.
Ill husbandry never hath wealth to keep touch,
Good husbandry ever hath penny in pouch.
Tusser, 500 Points, 1573.
Trick, adj. Neat, spruce.
" Handsome, trick and trim.'* — Tusser, 1573, p. 63.
? same as tricksy. — Id., Points of Huswifery, 1573, p. 3 ; Huloet^
Trbbn, adj. Made of wood.
The dysshes of his table were tree. — Horm., V., 159, 241.
Where as a flynt or another stone to smyte fyre can nat be gote^
it must be done with rubbing of two treen pecis together. —
Ih., 154.
Treen dishes be homely and yet not to lack,
Where stone is no taster, take tankard and jack.
Tusser, Huswifery, p. 10. 1573.
A platere of tre. — Dial, of Cr., 109.
Cup. — Paradise of Dainty Dev., 2. 1576.
Treen shoes or pattens. — Becon, iii. 318.
A treen bolle to hold milk or other liquor in (Sinus ligneus). —
With., 1568.
A dish of tree (Catinus ligneus). — lb.
A pipe made of a tree (Arundinea fistula). — lb.
The tree bridge of the Thames. — Horm., V., 242.
15S
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Toot, v. To spy, pry. Here, to look out for fashions.
Ill huswifery tooteth to make herself brave,
Good huswifery looketh what household must have.
Tusser, Huswifery ^ P« 15-
Specula, a totjmg-hylle. — 15th Cy., Wr., p. 270.
That looketh or tooteth much in a [looking] glass. — With., 1608.
Cards be tooted on but on the one side.
Books on both sides : in all places por*d and pried.
J. Heywood, Ep., v., " To the Reader.*'
Witch. A.S. Sorbus. — Prompt. Parv.
Wiche, wech hasell (Opulus). — Huloet.
Weche, wiech-tree (Acer). — lb.
Opulus, the witch-tree. — With., 1568. Weach-tree. — lb. ? the
wych hazel or the rastan.
A witch-hazell tree. — Stanbridge, Voc^ 1647. i.e. mountain
ash.— HU.
The divining rod was made of hazel.
Leave me those hiUes where harbrough nis to see
Nor holy- bush, nor brere, nor winding witch.
And to the dales resort. — Spen., Sk. Kal., June, 1. 19.
After the holly and the briar, the hazel-nut would come
naturally as a hill-growth. The word has been strained
to mean *' a winding sinuous bank," and in the edition of
1845 altered to ditch. Drayton, Pol.^ Sussex ^ xvii. 404,
speaks of the " bending wych."
Walter, v.
To turn or waiter in myre, as hogges doo (Voluto). — With.,
1568.
Make your stomach sore to waiter. — Hejrwood, The Four Ps. ;
H., OJP., I. 365.
The waltering waves. — PhUotus^ E. 4. 1603.
Wallow, v. Horm., K., 100.
To tumble, discompose, lie at ease. — Bar., Ed.^ v. 4.
With curtain some make scabbard clean, with coverlid their shoe,
All dirt and mire, some wallow bed, as spaniels use to do.
p. 19, u. f.
Whelp, 5. A foal or yoimg horse.
Once tried, that Natiure trim hath done her part
And Lady Musick fair in love withal
Be wise who first doth teach thy child that art,
Lest homely breaker mar fine ambling Ball
Not rod in madbrain's hand is that can help
But gentle skill doth make the proper whelp.
Tusser, Huswifery^ p. 16.
Wrall, v.
With brawling fools that wrall for every wrong
Firm firiendship never can continue long. — /*., p. 19.
154
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Lank, adj, Lanke (Strigosus). — With., 1568.
Laskb, The. Looseness of the bowels. — With., 1586 ; Lev., 1570 ;
Horm., r., p. 33.
To have got the Lask. — Taylor, Superhia Flagellum, 1621.
Leasing. Gleaning or leasing of com in handfiilles together. —
With., 1568.
Marchpaine. a marchpaine made with almonds and sugar
(Dulciarius panis). — lb.
Meddle, v. To mix. Fr. mesler.
Lome or dawbing earth medled with chaflF or straw (Lutnm
paleatum). — lb.
To meddle together (Misceo).
The vessel to meddle wine and water together. — lb.
Maslin. Mixed com.
Meat for cattle of divers come medled together as mashelinne
is.— With., 1568.
Mydgyde or mashel3me come. — Vulg. Stam.f 1518.
MiSTLB or MiSTLEDiNE (Viscus). — With., 1568.
Maby. Medulla (marrow). — Stanbridge, Vulg.^ 1518.
So " Down on your marybones ! "
The Bloody Menson (Dysenteria).— With., 1568. Not Menses,
as in HU. Flyxe. — With., 1574.
MoRPHSW, The (Vitiligo). — lb., 1568.
Some morphew of corruption upon the Church's face. — T.
Adams, p. 632.
Nappe of the neck (Cervix). — Stanbridge, Vulg., 1518. C/. Knap.
Nephew, 5. A grandson.
A nephew that is the sonnes son (Nepos). — With., 1568.
A brother's son (Nepos ex fratre). — lb.
Neckkercher or Partlet (Amiculum). — lb.
Ordinate. Love ordinate (Amor Dei, virtutis et bonarum rerum}.
— /*.
Ox-eye or Creeper, The (Certhia). — lb. The larger titmouse. — HU.
OucHE. An ouche or broche (Monile).— /i.
That no ecclesiastical persons should wear any sumptuous
farments nor ryngs or ouches upon their fingers but
Ushops only; yea, and then at such times only as they
say Mass and be in their Pontificalibus. — Becon, ReUqucs
of Rome, iii. 302.
Palmer, s. A palmer to beate or strike scholers in the hand (Ferula).
—With., 1568.
Pastler, 5. (Dulciarius pistor.) — lb.
Pismire. An ante emet or pismer. — lb. Pysmaries. — Horm., V.,
43-
156
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
PiNNocK. A pinnock or hedge sparrow, which bringeth up the
cuckoes byrdes insteed of her own. — With., 1568.
Pin and Web.
That disease in the eye which is called a pinne and a webbe
(Sufiusio).— /*., 1608.
The webbe in the eye (Reticularis morbus). — lb. ; Codrington,
and Pt., Youth's Behaviour^ p. 96. 1672.
He hath a webbe in his eye (Patitur reticularem morbum). —
Horm., V.f p. 28.
Port-pain. i,e. a bread-basket. — lb., 164.
A porte payne to bear bread from the pantree to the table. —
With., 1568.
Pose, The (Gravedo). — lb.
Heaviness in the head as of the pose. — lb.
A catarre or reaume. — Huloet ; Tottm. My$t, c. 1430.
Poose (Catarrus). — 14th Cy., Wr., V. of 7., p. 179.
Plain or even (Planus). — With., 1568.
Pot, 5. ? pock. Cf. Potgun.
I despise thee, and show thee how little I do set by thee, i.e. lo,
here is a pot for thee, the which in these days we make to
a person by putting of our middle finger into our mouth
and point with the same finger to him when we have
done. — Pal., Ac, B, 4, 1546.
A potte made in the mouth with one finger as children used to
do (Scloppus), — With., 1568. [Stloppus or scloppus: the
sound made by blowing up one's cheeks and striking
them. — Facciolati, Ed. Bailey. — Ed.]
Point, s. See Title.
And a man for every trifling sickness should run to the
physician or to the chirurgion, so a man should be at no
point with himself as long as he doth live. ~ Boorde, Brev.
of if., 281.
Let us be at point (constituamus) what is best to be done (on
both sydes. — Horm., F., 194.
Set the [chess] men in ordre in their pointes. — lb., 282.
A point for thy labours thou shalt have.— W. Wager, The Longer
thou Livestf C. 3, 1568.
Therefore I tell thee one point. — Chest, Pl.^ ii. 5.
He was bathed and anoint
Till that he was in lusty point.
Gower, Confessio Amantis, vii.
PuTTOCK. A kyte, gleade, or puttock, (Milvus).— With., 1568.
Pounse, 5. A pounse or printing iron to mark with (Rudicula).— 7*.
to print the money with (Tudicula). — lb.
166
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
QuARBLLE. A quarry.
Aurifodina, a gold quarelle. Saccifragium, a ston-quarelle. —
15th Cy., Wr., 271,
Quick, adj. Living.
The white ashes remaining upon the quick cole. — With., 1568.
Wheder he be whik or dede. — Town, Myst.^ 163.
Rails or Kercher (Mammilare quo mulieres solebant tegere
mammas). — With., 1568.
Which is pinned on either side of the brestes. — Huloet.
Rifle. A rifle to whet the scythe* with (Lignum acuarium). —
With., 1568. ♦ Bieth.
Rock.
1. Saxosus, full of great stones or rocka Saxulum, a little
rock. — Ih.
A supposed Americanism.
2. A rock or a distaflF (Colus). — Ih.\ Horm., F., 149.
Roundel, 1568; Rundle, 1574, or Circle (Circus). — With. A
wrestling place.
Rew.
A rewe of hey. — Striga. Also a rewe of things or a ridge. —
With., 1568.
Rewe (a row), series. — Levins, 1570.
I shall tell all the matter a rewe (ex ordine). — Horm., F., 206,
225.
Ray. Striped cloth. — HU. A raie (Stra[n]gulum). — Stanbridge, Voc.
Rialle, 5. The mother of liquor. — HU. Ryall (Spuma). — Stanb.,
Voc,
Round, 5. A rounde.
When men daunse and sing, taking hands round (Chori
circulares). — Baret, 1580.
V. To round with my pillow. — Pal., Ac.^ C. 4.
Rug, 5. Irish rug friesed on both sides (Amphimallimi). — Baret,
1580.
RUTTER, 5.
He (Dionysius) set his mind to be a rutter and took all upon
him.
Ridge, 5. The back.
A bare-ridged horse. — Horm., K., 250.
Seres. Some garment of silk (Scytharum populi dicuntur). — With.,
1568.
Shide, 5. A shide or billet [of wood] (Cala). — lb.
Schyde of wood (Buche). — Palsg.
Sbxtry. a sextrie of vestrie (Sacrarium). — With., 1586; Lev.,
1570.
167
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
ScATCHES, s. Skaches or high stUts (Grallae). — Huloet. Skachman
(Grallator).— /ft.
Shavb, 5. A shave (Scalprum sutorium). — With., 1568.
A shaver. Such a pla3mer as they use to shave their bows
with. — lb., 1586.
Shaw. A shawe or beir of trees, or a yong spring (Silvula). — Ib.^
1568.
Stilts, 5., or Scatches. — Bar., 1580. Crutches. Used convertibly
for the supports of the lame man, 1568 ; and of the street
performer, 1574. Grallae grallator (also called a Stalker). —
lb,, 1608.
[Walk] on styltes or stoupyng on crowches. — Hyeway to the
Spital'ho.f 263.
Let us daunce, patende or wyth stylts. — Horm., V,, 279.
Starle, Stralb. The starle, 1568. Strale (1574) of the eye
(Pupilla).
SWOLY.
Fervent heate or swoly hot (CEstus). — With., 1568.
Strip, 5.
A flock or strippe of goats. — lb. Lat. stirps ?
Searce, 5. A fine sieve. A cers or cerser to try out the fine powder
from a mortar. — lb. Sarse. — Baret, 1580. Sarce.— Pal. ;
Fr. Sas. Sarcer. — Horm., F., 153. Sers or bulter. —
BuUein, 5. and CA., 58. 1564.
Service. Food rations.
*♦ A mess of meat or servis from the kechin to the table where
it is sette to be eaten. Missus " (Est et Missus participium).
—With., 1568.
Success, 5.
A progenie or successe in bloud, cald of spring (Progenies
dicitur de filio et nepote). — lb.
Taw, v. To tan.
When the ledir is tawed or tanned ready for shoes, gloves or
other things to be made of it. — lb.
A white tawer (Alutarius). — lb.
Task. Piecework or contract.
The street is set out to task to be paved with flint. — Horm., F.,
215.
He hath taken it to task (Conduxit id oedificandum).— /*., 240.
I will set out this house to be made by taske (Redemptoribus).
— Ib.f 240.
Tachmbnt, s.
At Florence there is a tachment and a serche upon ydell parsones
and vagabondys, how they live. — lb,, 218.
158
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Title, 1568; Tittle, 1574. A title point or pricke between
sentences. — With., 1568.
Canicula is the little black title in the dyse whereby the
chaunce is knowne, as sise, sinke, catre, trey, dewse, ase. —
lb.
Trade, 5. A track or rut.
The ladies to the Court do daily take their traydes,
Besydes a trayne of serving men accumpanied with maydes.
E. More, Defence of Women, 115. i567»
A wheele trade (Orbita).— With., 1568.
The uther part of the wheel, called the trade (Orbis). — lb.
Cf Heiw., A Dialogue containing JProv., i. 6. 1546.
? trade winds.
Long did I serve this lady.
Long was my travel, long my trade to win her.
Mass., The Very Woman.
Trully-bub, 5. (Aulicocia). — With., 1568.
TwYBiLL, s. A carpenter's tool (Bipennis). — lb.
Travessb. Lectistemia, ubi sedere solebant in templo ad tempus,
As in a travesse. — lb.
Token, 5. A token or note made with a pen, a fie;ure or form in
speaking (Character, after ** Spottes in the Kice **). — lb.
TowELL. The towell of the chymnaye (Infumibulimi). — Stanb.^
Vidg., 1518.
Toward. Forthcoming.
There is so great besynes and trouble toward that every man
is wary of the state that he is in. — Horm., F., 284.
Voider, 5. A voider to take up the fragments. — With., 1568.
A voider or vessel to take up the table with (Vasculum frag-
mentarium). — lb.
Void, s. A parting dish, the last course ; a slight repast or collation.
— HU.
There was a void of spice-plates and wine. — " Coronation of
A. Boleyn," English Garner^ ii. 50.
Urion, a. Argatilis. — With., 1568. ? what bird.
Wealth. General well-being. Benevolus. Loving or willing wealth
to other. — lb.
Wbel, 5. A wi<^ker basket with a narrow neck to catch fish in.
One hath robbed my wiele (Nassa). — Horm., F., 277.
A fisher's weele or leap. — Pal., Ac.f N. 4.
Westorne or Marten, which breedeth on water banks. — With.,
1568.
Wert-wale, 5. Pterygium. — lb.
Wartwale, an agnail. — Levins, 1570, Su Agnail.
159
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Whelk, s. Papula. — With., 1568. A.S. swelca. A blister from a
stripe. A swelling. — Levins.
The whelke that is in the hand. — And. Kingesmyl, Treatise^ c. 5.
1585.
Wild fire. Sacer ignis. — With., 1568. Erysipelas.
WoDEWosE. Satynis. — lb. Of four-footed beasts. — Aelfric, loth
Cy., Wr.
WiMBLE-WoMBLE. A trey or shawlde to wynowe or womble com
with (Ventilabrum).— With., 1568.
Wood. Wood-colour. Puniceus, i,e. purpureas vel punicus. — lb.
Worms in the ears. That disease of Auris verminosa. — Ib.^ 1608.
Withy. Circus vel circulus, wi2f de. — nth Cy., Wr., p. 75.
So capie to signify a halter. — Pal,, Ac.^ M. 4.
Lightly, adv. Quickly, easily, or nimbly. — Huloet ; Bar., Castell
of Labour; Herrick, Hesp&rides, 179.
Temptations at the beginning are more lightly overcome. —
Horm., v., 53.
Lyghtly he was dede. — Bar., Sh. of F., 68, ii. 181.
And lightly lighted a candell. — Bar., C. of Lab., G, 5.
There was a great pestilence, as lightly ever any was (quanta
non temere alias). ? scarcely ever. — Horm., 7., p. 33.
Mew, 5. I keep partriches in a mew against your coming. — Horm.,
v., 154; Occleve, Reg.Prin., p. 116.
Make, 5. Peer, equal.
With such words the good men they revyle,
Saying one to other : '* Lo, yonder same is he
Which without make thinketh him wise to be.
Bar., Sh. of F., ii. 237.
Marches, s. Boundaries.
the £als Turke also
Which to our faith is mortal enemy,
Our marchys marrynge as moche as he can do
And moche of them annexeth his unto.
Bar., Sh. of F., ii. 195.
Make bate, u. To quarrel.
A break-love, make-bate, adulterer. — Stanihurst.
He is at bate with his mother. — Horm., F., 146.
As long as I am at my boke, so long I fall at bate with no man.
—lb., 95.
None can live by them well nor quietly.
But with eche one they fall out and make bate.
Causing people them for to hate.
Hyeway to Spital, 941.
160
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Maugre, 5. 111. Maugree. — Occleve, Reg. Prin,, i6o.
I thought no mawgre, I told it for a bourde ;
Yf I had knowen I should have said no worde.
Barclay, Ed., v.
Napbry. Linen (household).
They that borrow on their garments and napry,
And do not fetch them again shortly, _
But let them be worn and then pay the some.
Hyeway to Spital, 792 and 826.
Navy. Used for ship. — Bar., Sh. of F., ii. 93.
Occupy, v. To make use of. — Horm., 7., 41, 236.
Occupjdng unthrifty company. — lb,, 593.
For my labour I aske nothjmg at all,
But for the drogges that occupy he shall.
Hyeway to Spital, 527.
Lydia occupied selling of purple. — Becon, i. 535,
Panter, 5. "A snare for byrdys." — Pr. Par, Panter, net, or snare.
— Barclay, Sh of F., ii. 297.
Pantell. — Levins, Manipulus Vocab.y 1570.
Plage. Plage, plaga.— Pr. Par.
Another labours to know the nacions wylde
Inhabiting the worlde in the North plage and syde.
Bar., Sh. of F,, 224.
Pre AS, 5. Press, v. — Pal., Ac.^ L, 3; Paradise of Dainty Devices,
p. 72; Bar., EcL, iii. Preace — Levins, 1570. Presa —
Horm., F., 1519, 289.
And chief of all that doth us encumber
The order of fools that be without nimiber.
For daily they make suche preas and cry
That scant our hous can them satisfy.
Hyeway to Spital, 1068.
Palfrey. Chau. ; Bar., Sh. of F., ii. 217.
Petticoat, s. A tunic.
One maner of correction of the sowdiours was that they shulde
stande forth in the post in theyr pety cotes (tunicati). —
Horm,, v., 257.
Plat, s. i. A plan. He drew out a platte of the house with a
penne. — Horm., F., 243.
2. A place. To sit still or stand in one plat. — Disobedient Child,
H., O.P., ii. 297.
PiGHT, part. Pitched.
The bouthes that be pyght in feyris. — Horm., V., 234 ; Chest. PL,
ii. 158.
V. a. Who pightes his paines and pines for want of food. —
Melb., Phil., U.
That batayle was nat fought lyke a pyghte fylde, but rather by
plumps and chace {i.e. flight). — H., 262 and 274.
VOL. 111. 161 11
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Her caperon with perle was pyght {i.e, fastened). — Bar., C. of
Lab., A. 8.
Plum, adj. Cf. Plim, swelled (Devon).
Plumme-potage, or potage made thick with meat or cnimmes
of bread. — Baret, Alv., 1580.
A plimimy man, a rich man. — Modern Slang.
I will not maserate,
Saith he, my plum-round physnomy.
Select Poetry, Parker Soc., ii. 73.
2. Upright. — Horm., F., 240.
Plump, s. A crowd. Su HU.
Proper, adj. Belonging to one.
Monkis have nothing propre, but all is comen. — Horm., F., 228.
(Monachi suum non habent.)
Purvey, v. Provide.
Fortune doth better for some men than they can purvey.
Fortuna melius quam cura de quibusdam meretur. — Horm.,
v., 196.
Who can blame me if I purvey for myself? (si mihi prospiciam ?)
lb,, 293.
Quaint, adj. Seems to be our word queer. Not in HU. in this
sense.
Money and favour goten by quaynt ways bereth a great roume.
Pecunia et male parta gratia plurimum valent. — Horm., 7.,
222.
Some behave them so queyntly that they be disdayned and
heavily borne of all the comynalte. — lb., 225. (Tarn
insolenter agunt.)
Make it not so quejmt, I pray thee. — Occleve, Reg, Prin., 126.
Rawky, adj.
Theyr noses droppynge, in vylenes is the3rr pryde,
Theyr iyen rawky and all the)rr face unpure.
Bar., Sh. of F,, ii. 261.
RUSTINESS.
Theyr chekis dyrty : theyr teeth by rustynes
Black, foul and rottjm, expresseth the)rr vylenes. — lb.
Rathe. Seldom.
Some man there is perchance that will of me enquire,
Meruayling much that any man with love is set a fire.
And women with the same may or can take skath,
Thinking it to be a thing which chaunceth very rath.
Edw. More, Defence of Women, 264. 1557.
Rather. Sooner. Rather than a man might believe. — Horm., V.,
245-
I shall bring these matters about rather than any man wolde
weene. — lb,, 219.
192
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
He spake no rather the wordes, but he stumbled and fell
downe. — 76., 290.
RowBN,5. Rowens, after-grass. — Wr.; Quarles, H*>ro^(y/Ak;5, xiv. 23.
Gyve to the bestes good rowen in pleynte. — Bar., Eel,, v.
Room, s. Place. — Horm., K., 184, 190.
Such which still on God doth call
For great rowmes, oflSces and great dignity.
Bar., Sh. of F., i. 140.
Some folys purpose to have a rowme Royall,
Or clym by fortunes whele to an empyre.— /&., i. 187.
Sitting in his state or chair of rowme Royal.— /&., ii. 14.
Hye of rowme and name. — Ib,^ ii. 13.
Round. To whisper. — Bar., Sh. of F., i. 222.
SiNARBRBR. Siuarerars or bunglers of physyke take all at a venture
that cometh to hand for a m^ycyne. Adulteri medici
aegrotis quidvis incultant. — Horm., K., 41.
Sbgsions. An oath.
A sessions on it for me.— John Bon and Mast Pirson^ 124.
Sight, s. Multitude.
He was received with the best of the city and a great sight of
the clergy (frequente clero). — Horm., F., 188.
An hogy sight of labourers. — Ih,^ 244.
Shoot, v. To aim at.
Full gladly then this Damocles this proffer'd honour took,
And, shooting at a princely life, his quiet rest forsook.
Paradise of Dainty Devices^ p. 79.
Stagger, v. To hesitate.
I wolde be advysed and stagger to tell this, but if I were sure
of myn author. — Horm., 7., 202.
Stbrvb. To die. Germ. Sterben.
And if that he by his self-will do sterve.
It is but well, since he it doth deserve.
Bar., Sh. of F., i. 192.
Stbad, 5. I. Service.
Gunnys and other pecis of war that be made of brass do great
stede in war. — Horm., F., 264.
2. Place.— Occleve, Reg. Prin.^ 156.
Sewster or Seamster. Sarcinatrix. — Baret, 1580. Seam, sutura.
The sempster hath sat still as I pass'd by
And dropt her needle, fishwives stay'd their cry.
Ben. Jon., Time Vindicated,
SiLLiBUBBE. Lac in cerevisia suflFocatum vel jugulatum. — Baret,
1580.
Stirring. All thynge is dere here, and no money sterynge. —
Horm., 7., 286. (Et aes insolens.)
163
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
SwARTH, adj. Infuscus, Darke. — Baret, 1580. Redde called a
swarte redde (Rubidus). — Huloet
Swash, v., or to make a noise with swords against tergats. — Baret,
1580. So, Swash-buckler.
Thirdbndbal, 5. A tierce, a third part. — BJEuret, 1580.
Thrbadmbal. i,e. thread by thread. — Baret, 1580. C/. Piece-meal,
Part-meal.
Trim, adj. Level, even.
When the tunge of the beam or the triall is streight with the
chekis : than it is just, level, or trymme. — Horm., F., 234.
In the light wherries on the Bristol float was painted, " Trim
the boat and sit still."
Tarry, v. a. To delay, hinder. (Remorari.) ^
A few manly men may kepe aback and tary many thousandes
in a strayte passage. — Horm., F., 264.
Trogbt ? Fr. Trug, r. Trogettars, jugglers. — Ib.^ 282.
A jugler with his troget castis deceveth men's sights (Vafra-
mentis). — ^/i., 280.
C/. A trug-basket. — Sussex.
Tardy. I am sende hither a purpose leste thou were taken with a
tardy. (Ni incautus opprimerere.)— Horm., F"., 283.
Uttbrancb, 5. Sale or issue of goods.
Bakers and brewers that with musty graine
Serve their customers must take it again ;
And many times have they no utteraunce,
For their weyghts and measures is of no substaunce.
And lose both their credence and good
Come this way by all likelihood.
Hyeway to Spital-house^ 693.
Waster, s, A cudgel (Rudis). — Horm., F"., 281.
Watbr-leadbr, 5. Chest. PL Pro. (Shak. Soc.).
Water-lagger, 5.- Water-carrier. Amphorarius. — Horm., F., 222.
Utrarius. — Baret, 1580.
Coblers or tynkers, or else costard-jaggers.
Hostelers or daubers, or drowpy water-laggers.
Barclay, £c/,, v.
He that fetcheth water in a bounge.
Wanion. The wenyand. ? the unlucky period of the moon's waning.
Cf. Glossary Town. Myst.^ Wenyand.
Pick the hens in the wanyon. Apagete in malam rem. —
Horm., Fi, 285 : in malam crucem.
Whirl-bone, s. The knee-pan. Whyrlebone Vertebra.— Stanb., 7o^.
Whippet. ? Skip.
He by chance saw a mouse renning and whipping about from
place to place. — Udall, Ey. Ap,^ p. 77.
164
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
When the hare at pinch turneth from him at a whip. — Heiw.,
£/., iv. 15.
Skipping like Jack of Bedlam in and out whipping.—/*., 48.
Whippet ! turn to another lesson. — Nash, LenUn Stuffs \Hafl.
MisCif vi. 169.]
Thou whippest or skippeth about. — Palsg., AcoL
Frisk about. — Levins.
With whippet awhile, little pretty one,
Pranke it and hagge it well ;
For if you jet not nicelye,
You shall not bear the bell.— H., E.F., iv.
C/. Now whippet apace for the maistrie. Addressed to the
maidservants in R. and D. — Dyde and Abuse of Woman,
57» ^- 1550.
Wylyon ?
Rub a galled horse on the back and he will kick and wince,
And so will wanton wylyons when they have any snaper or
twynche. — lb., 197.
Winning, s. Success in anything. {See under Pie.)
Gain or 'winning. — Pal., Ac, L.
He charged chapmen to chasten here children
And lete no wynnyng forwene* hem fe while j)ey ben yonge.
P. Plow. Vis.f vi,, c. 137.
♦ ».#. spoil. Cf. Weeny, querulous. — West of England,
For is no wit worth now but hyt of wynnynge soune. — lb., xii. 79.
He needs must have a living
Or alles fye one the wynnyng.
Voc. Pop., ^^2. 1547.
Sowninge alway thencrees of his wynnyinge. — Chau., C. T.
JProl., 275.
Lap, Lip, Lobe. Horm., V., p. 27.
1. Labium Ufeweard lippa.
2. Labrum Nijjera lippe.*
Aelfric, loth Cy., Wr., V. of V., p. 43.
♦Of ear.
1. The upper lappe of the ear (Pinna),
2. The nether lap of the ear (Fibra).— With., 1568.
Leach, 5. A kind of jelly made of cream, isinglass, sugar and
almonds. — Holme.
White leach. Gelatina amygdalorum.— Baret, Alv., 1580.
Malary. In an evil hour. Maleuryd. — Skelton.
Then will they swear and stare apace
That thine is it : when it doth fall
Be it malary bom or base. — Sch. of Worn., 133, 1541.
166
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Mischief, s.
Inconvenience or mischief (malum). — Pal., Ac., 34.
There must be found a remedy, lest this yll grow to a mischief
(pemicies). — Honn., F., 198.
I smell a myschevous savour of stynkynge carrea.— /i., 292.
Mokes. ? Neck-kerchief.
Some can flater and some cane lye
And some can set the moke awne.
Rel. Ant., i. 248, « On Women," 15th Cy.
MoKADOR, s. A bib.
Ft. Dr. Goo hom lytyl babe and sytt on thi moderes lappe
And put a mokador afom thi brest. — Cov. Myst., p. 190.
Mockendar for chyldre mouchouer. — Pal., Ac.
Baverette. A mocket or mocketer for a slavering infant. —
Cotgr.
Mulling. A term of endearment to a little boy. — Cov. Myst., p. 160 ;
Horm., v., 295.
Okbr. Okerer, 5. An usurer. — Town. Myst,, 313, 163.
Ocur or usure of gowle. — Prompt. Parv. ; Town. Myst., p. 162 ;
Wycl., Dmt. xxviii. 44 ; Stratmann.
Occure. — Oust. PI., ii. 189.
Okerye.— Bar., CasteU of Labour, C.
Ogyl, v.
Tertius Princ^ps. Now I have levyd this thre skore yer,
But sweche another noyse herd I never er ;
Mjm herte gynnyth ogyl and quake for fer.
There is sum newe sorwe sprongyn I dowte.
*• The Assumption of the Virgin," Cov. Myst., p. 395.
Pan. Head, the brain-pan.
By my pon. — Chest. PI., ii. 57.
As broke I my pane. — Ih., ii. 197.
As brocke I my pon. — lb., ii. 58.
Pete, v. Enjoy.
Eva. I dyd his byddyng, alas, alas !
Now we be bowndyn in deathis las
I suppose it was Sathanas
To peyne he gan us pete. — Cov. Myst,, p. 29.
Prim. Rex. Now lede us alle
To the kjmges halle
How it befaile
We pray to thee.
Wittys to wete
He may us pete
In flesshe be giete
Godys firute fre. — Ib.f p. 165.
Po, 5. A peacock.
As proud as a po.-^Town. Myst., 98.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Pair, s. An aggregate number, not limited to two. — Wr., PolUical
Poems and Songs ^ 159.
A pair (ix. a pack) of cards. — ^T. Heywood, A Woman Killed
with Kindness^ p. 126 ; Taylor, Wit (5» Mirth^ 19.
i.e. a flight of stairs.
PuNCHioN. See Hll.
The dore fell of from the pouncheon. Fores cardini exciderunt.
— Horm., F., 142.
Pyr wyttyng.
I will know the trouthe with pyr wyttynge. Ferreo colo digitis
indito veritatem exprimam.
See Pur, a poker, in Hll.
QUINCH, *.
I will change my copy, howbeit I care not a quinch
I know the gall'd horse will soonest winch.
Edwards, Damon and Pithias ; H., O.P.y iv. 28.
QwBD, adj\ Evil. — Hll. ? Angry.
The body that was hevy as led,
Be the Jewys never so qwed,
Aryseth from grave that ther lay ded
And ffrayth than every knyth. — Cov. Mysi., p. 15.
QuBMB, V. To please. — Occleve, Reg. Prin.^ p. 95, 132 ; Spencer,
Sk. Kal,y May 15. Hence Whim.
Quemyn or plesyn. — Prompt. Parv. ; Town. Myst.^ p. 50, 306.
Maria. Lo ! here thy sone, woman : so bad he me you calle.
And you me moder eche other to queme.
Cov. Myst.f p. 389.
Replete, adj. Dial of Create xxxi., ciii. ; ** Knight of Curtesy"
[Hazlitt, Early Popular Poetry ^ ii. 70]; Bar., C. of Lab.t
1506, B. I, C. 2.
Your cows others {sic) of milk replete and fulL — Bar., £rf., iv.
Lucifer. I reade you all, doe me reverence
That am repleath with heavenly grace. — Chest. PL, p. 15.
Bouls with sack replete.— Herrick, Hesp., p. 233. 1869.
Ropoif, *. Alatum, a rofom.— XV. Cy., Wr., V. of Voc., p. 247.
Rofoam. The waist (Devon). — Hll.
RoTHBR, 5. A horned beast.
It is the pasture lards the rother*s side. — Shak.
Dewlappe or paunch of a rother beast. — Huloet.
ScHAFPALD. Scafibld. — Fulwell, Ars Adulandi^ G. 4; Huloet;
Northbrook, Against Dicing, &»c. (Shak. Soc.), p. 84.
Used for the stage on which a play was acted. — Cov. Myst.,
p. 310.
167
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A stage or scaffold, to stand upon to see the players (Podium).
—With., 1568.
Demosthenes came down from the pulpit or scaffold. — Udall,
Er. Ap.f p. 84.
SowLB (Sowylle Eduliimi), 15th Cy., Wr., pp. 199, 266. Anything
eaten with bread to give a relish.
Kam he never hom hand-bare
That he ne broucte brad and sowel. — Havehk^ L 767.
C/. Souling (Lancashire).
Saoule. i.e, satisfy to the fiill with meat and drink. — PaL, Acy
L 2.
Sakbr, v. To offer up the sacrifice of the Mass or consecrate it.
Sacres Sacraments. — Udall, Er, Ap.^ 295.
Stye, v. To ascend, to mount. — Chest. Pl,^ ii. 133, 135 ; Town. Myst.^
306 ; Sp., Fairy Queen ^ II., vii. 46.
But Cryst byddeth here do way
He bydd3rth his feet that sche not kys
Tyl he have styed to he&e blys.
Cov. Myst.f p. 16.
In the xxxviij pagent up stye xal he
Into hefoe that is so deare. — /&., p. 17.
s. Also a path, a lane.
Tert. Rex. Brother, I must lye the bye
I will go never over this stye
Tylle I have a slepe.— Cov. Myst., p. 170.
By street or stye. — Chest. Pl.^ ii. 179 ; Town. Myst., 16.
Squat, v. To dash on the ground.
Take a l3rtell piece of earth and spring it with water and labour
it in thine hand ; than if it be finish and with never so
Ijrtell touchjmg cleveth to thy nngers lyke pjrtche and
squatted on the ground scattereth nat, it is a token of a
fatte ground. — Horm., V., 178.
Thyrled, v. Pierced.— Cov. Myst.^ p. 287. Thirle. To pierce.—
Bullokar.
Thyther.
He fell into thjrther of misery (Eo calamitatis inddit). — Pal.,
Ac, C.
Timber, adj. Timorous. See under Hold with.
TiMBERSOMB. Heavy, bulky. — Jackson, Shropshire Word Book.
Thrbpb, v. To affirm. — Bullokar ; Jewell, iv. 1091 ; Whit-gift, iii.
309. To obstinately assert. — Greene, James 7F., Induct. ;
Burns ; Palsgr., dispute.
It 's not for a man with a woman to threap
Unless he first give over the play.
Bell My Wife, 61, Percy Folio MSS., ii. 324.
168
Digitized by
Google
To.
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Whereto shuld I threpe
With my staff can I lepe
And men say Lyght chepe
Letherly for yeldys.
Town* Myst.j c. 141O1 pp. 102, 241.
Tyl a maydon m medyl-erth be borne
Thou ffende I warn the befome
Thorwe here thi hed xal be to-torn. — Cov. Myst.^ p. 30.
Who with his tusk will tear and all to taint
Their tender flesh, which filthy lusts defile.
Davies of Hereford, Humours, Heau'n on
Earth, i. 195. 1609.
TooM, adj. Empty.
I can find no flesh
Hard nor nesh,
Salt nor fresh,
But two tome platers. — Tonm. Myst., 113.
Trant, s. a trick, stratagem. — HIL
Hirod. Hard I never sich a trant that a knafe so sleght
Shuld come like a sant and refe me my right.
Town. Myst., 145.
Use, 5. A manner of singing. Cf. Secundum usum Sarum.
And thu were ut of thine rise
Thu sholdest singe an other wse.
Owl and Nightingale, 53.
Unthbnde, adj. Outcast, abject. — HU.
Now good sone, have of me no disdeyne,
Thoughe I be olde and myne aray unthende.
T. Occleve, De Reg. Prin., p. 21.
So thene. To prosper. — Ih., p. 56, 60.
Vath ! an exclamation. — Cov. Myst., p. 321. ? Faith, Mark, v. 29
(Wycl.)
Wallop, s. A gdiXio^.— William of Palerne, 1770. E.E.T.S.
Now hath this greedy gutte meat enough to swallow down by
his wide throat with a chop and a wallop. i.». whole. —
Pal., Ac, N. 4.
Watt, s. ? Wight.
One of the grete wattes.— Occleve, Reg. Prin., loi.
Messenger. Therfore takyth now zour cowncel and avyse zou ryth
weyl
And beth ryth ware that he make zou not amat
ffor be. my thryfte I dare sweryn at this seyl
Ze xal fynde hym a strawnge watt.
Cov. Myst., p. 294. See p. 295, 296.
Thou berest Watt's pakke. — M. Magd., Digby M., 1154. ? Used
proverbially.
169
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Wryth, *. ? twig. See under Hold with.
To wrythe or wrest (Torqueo). — Bar,, 1580.
V. Like wax to be writhen and bent unto vice
But rough tough and stubborn to tutor's advice.
With., 1586.
Whbbl and pill (a game).
To Christ. Whele and pylle ! whele and pylle !
Comyth to halle ho so wylle
Ho was that ?♦ — Cov. Myst.f p. 297.
f.#. that stmck thee.
WooLWARD. P, Plow, Vis.^ xviii. I. Without linen underclothing,
as the Franciscans use. — Becon, i; 602.
And fast and ga wolwarde and wake
And thole hardnes for Goddes sake.
Hampole, Pricke ofConsdmce^ 3512.
Lymtakb.
Brute beestis cherishe up their kind though they be lymtake or
benCLmed. — Horm., F., 106.
LiARD, adj. Nimble, wild. — Bullokar.
Lbvbr, adv. Rather.
He was utterl^e sette that he had lever dye than to do amisse
agejrnst his conscience. — Horm., F., p. 11.
LiVBLOD. Income. — Past. Leti.^ 1/^61. lAffiode.'-^Ib.; Dial.ofCreat.f
39. Victus, usus fructus. — Huloet.
He is rich in coyne and plate, but not in livelod. — Horm., T.,
116.
Lank, v.
As soon as thou arte up lanke thy bely (levato alvum) and spett
out rotten fleme. — Ib.^ 39.
Lbbrb, adj. Empty. [Still used in this sense in Gloucester-
shire.—Ed.]
Unladen.— Udall, Er. Ap., 8.
Let all your leere (inania) pottis stande the mouth downward.
— Horm., F., 158.
Leere barellys. — lb,, 273.
Lbwd, adj. Uninformed.
I am nat so leude, but I know or spige what thou goest about. —
lb., 48.
He did but leudly (parum naviter) his errand or commandment.
—lb., 147.
No warmth if water be lue. — Ray, 1678.
MiCHER. Mychar (Vagus). — Horm., F., 92, 259.
NuRTURB. Breeding.
It is nourture to give place to your better in coming and going.
lb., 58.
170
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Nbck«
He will never cease to be in my neck (in me sevire) while he
liveth. — Ib.f 134.
Off-corn. OflFal com.
Geve the offe com to the hennys. — Ib.^ 176.
OVBRSBB, V.
It is nat accordynge or semynge that he that is charged with
maters of great weight be overseen with voluptuose pleasers.
lb., 49.
Lest his Apothecary should oversee he oversees his Apothecary.
—Ho., Fam. Litt.
Syte not to longe uppe at evene
For drede with ale thou be oversene.
Haw the Good Wyfe, &c., E.E.T.S., viii. 49.
Out of all.
Women that be out of all beauty (quas forma premit dedecus)
bye their housbandis with ryches. — Horm., F., 148.
Paisb, s. Weight.
All the pryce of a pearle standeth in his quantite of gretnes,
roundnes, sh]m]mge, bryghtnes, smothenes and payee. —
/J., 105.
Part, v. To distinguish.
The cock parteth the times of the day (distinguit). — lb., 100.
Parbrbak, v. To vomit (Orexis). — Ib.^ 39.
Spewe or parbreake. — Pal., Ac, R. 4.
Perbraking. — Boorde, Br. of H., 373 ; Spen., F. g., L. i. 20 ;
Hall, Sat, I., V. 9.
Pbbkish, adj.
He rebuked him of his dastardness and pekishnes (Secordia
et ignavia). — Horm., F., 55.
He is shamefaste but nat pekysshe (Verecundus est sine
ignavia). — lb., 61.
Pick thank, s. A flatterer. — Melb., PhU., S.
A thanke to pike. — Occleve, Reg, Prin., 109.
Leve thy flaterynge wordes that goth about to pyke a thanke.
— Horm., r., 66.
Good simple soul ! would you pick a quarrel with them which
as you say would pick a thank with me ? — Lyndsay,
Complaynt of the King's Papingo, 390.
PiNK-BYBD, adj. Having small eyes.
Some have myghty yies and some be pynkyied. — Horm., F.,
p. 30.
Plumpy Bacchus with pink e]me. — Shak., Antony and Cleopatra,
ii. 7, 121.
Ellacombe, p. 162, blunders.
171
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Pinch, v,
A man can nat have a perfytte plesure of th]mgis well done but
envy will pynch at it. — Horm., F., 134.
Prbsbrvbs.
Oyntments and preserves (Ungenta et antidota) in medecine. —
lb., 42.
Popped.
Popyng fool. — Pal., Ac,. M. 4.
He is a popte fole or a starke fole for the nonys (Homo fatuitate
monstrabilis). — Horm., F., p. 75.
This horse is popped or ported up (Mangonizatus). — Ih.^ 235.
Partmbal.
Oftentimes that thynge that partmele is hynderynge is avaimtage
when it cometh all to aU. — Ih, 123.
Quantity, 5. Size.
The papyr syllar hath none of this quantitie (formula). — Ih,, 81.
QUARKEN, V.
(Strangulatus) Snarled or quarkened with extreme himger. —
Ih.f 2.
5^ Pitch— Pal., Ac.
Quarry, adj. Square. Fr. carire.
A quarry and well pyght man (Homo statura corporis quad-
rati). — Horm., F"., p. 29.
Rascal. A lean, worthless animal (Reiculas emit et promiscuas
oves). — lb., 181.
A thousand well-fighting men nother straungers, nor rascals^
nor refuse. — Ih., 262.
Images are the books of the rascal or common people. — Becon,
iii. 326.
Rathe. Soon.
She was delyvered of child the seventh moneth and that was
very rathe. — Horm., F"., 150.
Rather. Sooner, in reference to time. — P. Plow., x. 422.
Earlier. — Spen., Sh. Kal., Feb., '83 ; An Exmoor Scoldings
211, 491.
RuDDES, s. ? cheeks.
They whyte their face, neck and pappis with cerusse and their
l3rppis and ruddis (genae) with purpurisse. — Horm., V., 169.
Rumble, v.
When they had long roumbled this treason in their mynde he
was thought most apte to set the matter abroche. — ib., 197,
and see 222.
172
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
RiVBLLBD. Wrinkled.— £/A., v. 27 (Wycl.) ; Wyatt, Sat.^ iii. 61.
There be iii sortis of or3rng (cotoneorum) : some be coloured
like golde ryvylde and plajrted (striata sive incisuris
distincta), some rathest ripe and swete of taste, some very
late rype, l3rtell of quantitie, but having a strong savour or
an aire. — Horm., F., loi.
Rivelynge or churles clowt3mg of a shoe with a broad clowt of
lether (Pero).— Huteet.
Rbscub, s. Refuge.
They have taken Saint Marye at Westmynstre, the which is a
surd and an auncien rescue (asylum). — Horm., F., p. 15.
Room, 5. Place.
Give roume to thy better. — />., 59, 190, 192.
Root, 5.
Dulcimers or dowble harpe called a roote. — Huloet.
Rush, v.
Do nat only stampe the almons, but also grynde them with
russhynge and rubbing round (Rotando perfricabis). —
Horm., r., 159.
Snatt-nosbd. i^. Snub-nosed.
All mooris and men of Ynde be snatte-nosed, as be gootis, apis
and beeys (apes). — Ib.^ p. 31.
Shrbwd, Shrbwdly.
Unlawful maryages prove shrewdly (Male exeunt). — lb., 144.
Mennys minds gave shrewdly of him (Male de eo ominabantur).
—/ft., 289.
Spbnsb, 5, A receptacle for provisions. — Ib.f 151.
That is a lend spence, larder or buttrye that hath no meate ne
drynke. — lb., 152 ; Pal., Ac, Q. 3.
Spbnd, v. To consume.
Yf anythynge be hurt, ley it asyde to be first spent, and that
that is left soimd ley up and bring it forth at nede. —
Horm., r., 153.
Staunch, adj.
A dry and stanche bam for com (Sicciun atque aridum). —
lb., 151.
Sbvbral.
It is convenient that a man have one several place in his house
to himself free from the combrance of women. — lb., 169.
Stiff, adv. Firmly,
When a woman begvnneth to traveU, against deliveraunce it
shall ease her to Kepe her breth styffe. — lb., 146.
Shift, v. To change one's dress.
Tary here awhile for me tyl I shift myself (Dum muto vestem).
—lb., 293.
173
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Out of Shedis.
Some preyse cheese, some blame it out of shedis. — Ib.^ i66.
Sparvbr, 5. A bed-canopy.
Some have curteynes, some sparvers about the bedde to keep
away gnattis. — />., 167.
Thick. For * those.' (Frequent, plentiful, var. dial. — Hll.)
I coude nat conteyne, but I must out with theke wordes (id
verbum evomerem). — Horm., F., 57.
Top.
He hath set every man in others toppe (Commi^t omnes inter
se). — Ib.f 130.
Every man is in my toppe (Omnibus sum infestus). — lb., 137.
Toadstool.
I shall get me dry tode stoolis or fyne lynnen clothe halfe brent
to make tynder of. — /ft., 154.
Tipple, v.
Women must have one place to themselfeto tyffil themselfe and
keep their apparel (Ubi se tricent et mimdum muliebrem
recondant). — lb., 169.
ViANDER, 5. Dapsilus. — lb., 152.
Tho' she had good helps, holiness and wisdom, yet he [the
devil] outvied her and she lost the game. — ^T. Adams,
Wks,, 1 169.
Cf. Jewel, i. 429.
Vie, v. To bet.
More than who vies his pence to see some tricke
Of strange Morocco's dumb arithmetick. — Hall, Sat.
Utterly, adv. Thoroughly.
I wyll utterly do my devour that your son shall come safe or
sound again. — Horm., Fl, 250.
Upon.
Thou shalt come to dynar the morowe upon that I am maryedde
or wedded. — lb., 144.
He had a great pleasure upon an ape. — lb., 281.
Unhappy. Unlucky.
It is all unhappy that we go about (Deo adverso haec omnia
molimur). — lb., igj.
Uneth, adv. Scarcely. — Pal., Ac, I. 2. Cf. Ethe.
A precious stone of valour uneth estimable. — Udall, Er. Ap.^
187 ; Shak., Ally's Well, iv. 5.
The toppe is uneth parceyved. — Horm., V., p. 9.
Unfaringly.
He all to ruflfeled his heare and loked unfaringly ( Aspectu
incomposito).— /6., 282.
174
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Unpbring. Weak, feeble. — Hll. ; Fulwell, Ars Adtd., H. 3.
He went with an un£arynge chere (vultu abducto). — Horm., V.y
57-
The worst and unfarynge that ever nature wrought. — Ih.^ 73.
Ungoodly.
No man that is a bastarde or hath had ii wyves or hath a
mahayme or a blemysshe that maketh him ungoodly shall
take orders. — Ih^y 14.
This was ungoodly done. — Ih.^ 73.
Webd, 5. Garment.
He was disgysed in a pore mannys wede. — Ih.^ 116.
Wafer, s. A kind of cake or biscuit. — Ih.^ 191. [Fr. gaufire. —
Chau., MUUr T.]
Whistle, 5. The throat, var. dial. — Hll.
Yf I wette my mouth or my whisttyll I shall give a crasshe or
a fytte of myrth. — Horm., F., 107.
Wrench, 5.
All thy works and wrenches (conatus) be com to naught. — 76., 53 •
He getteth favour with all the wrenches (Lenodniis). — Ih.^ 190.
With wrynches and wyles. — Blaspheming English Lutherans^ 184.
1525-
Wag, r. To shake.
Thou must sufire thyself to be holde whyle the arrowheed is
plucked out, for the leste waggyng in the worlde is
jepardous.— Horm., F., 239.
WoDEWosE, 5. A satyr. — Ih.^ 109.
Wood, adj. Wodde for love. — Ih.^ 109. i.e, mad. — Chest Pl.^ i. 54.
A dog in the wood or a wooden dog. Oh, comfortable hearing.
— Peele, The Old Wives Tale, i. i.
Wood-hungry. — Bar., EcL, iv.
Were, s. A doubt.
That is south, Eva, withouten were
The^frute is layer and sweete in fere.
7^., i. 59 ; Chest. PI., i. 28 ; Town. Myst., 276.
I stand in a wef whether I may go or turn agayn. — Horm., V.,
272.
Worship, s. Honour. See Wycl. Bib., John, xii. 26.
I had lever be wounded and dy for the ryght and worship of
England than be taken alyve of England's enemies. —
Horm., v., 272.
Utterly damning the pompeous facion of some people, with
wonderfuU high studie making provision beforehande that
they male be caried to their buriall and that they may be
laied in their graves with all worship possible. — Udall,
Er. Ap., p. 23.
175
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Womb, For belly, stomach, the receptacle of food. — Barclay, £r/.,
passim.
He may be called a foul gloton
That of his wombe a God doth make.
Bar., Castell of Lab^^ C. 2. 1506.
Lag.
They may have shame to jet so up and down,
When they be debtours for dublet hose and gown,
And m the taveme remayne they last for lag,
When never a cross is in their courtly bag. — Bar., £c/., i.
LiTHBS. A limb. — ChesL Pl.^ ii. 93. Whence lithesome and its cor.
lissome.
PUatus. Take you hym that be so gryme
And aiter your lawe deeme you hym.
Annas. Nay that is not lawful, leith nor l3rm
For us no man to reve*. — Chest. PL, ii. 41.
* bereave.
Anointed that they might have their joints nimble and lithe. —
Ud., Er. Ap., 136.
Merowrb.
Ther was sometyme a Turtyll that was a wydowe, for her
husbonde was decesid, wherfore she was greatly hevy and
wolde never walke abrode nor take consolacion. But in
great merowre and lamentacion she continued. — Dial, of
Great., 78.
Meter.
How much more thou [O priest] passest in great aucthoritie
In meter or order, in office or prebende.
So moche loke in vertue and maners to ascend.
Bar., Myrrovf of Good Maners Temp.
Merry-go-down. — Pal., Ac., H. 2. Strong ale.— Hll.
MoDER, V, To subdue.
I go to see whether he moder or measure his cares to to moche
careful (moderetur). — Pal., Ac, 4.
Mortar.
Platters and dishes, morter and potcrokes,
Pottes and pestels, broches with flesh hokes.
Bar., EcL, ii.
Moche, s. Much.
So l3rttall a moche, i.e. so small a thing ? (tantillum ?). — Pal.,
Ac, T. 4.
Pilch, s. A sheepskin jacket. — Bar., Eel., iv. ; A Warning for Fair
Women, Induction.
Pilche, mantle or cope down to the feet. — Ud., Er. Ap., 47.
Clothe me for winter with pilche, felt and hood. — Bar., Ed., iv.
176
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Propacb. — Shak., 2 Henry IV.
B. Good. If ye are for love alone, I '11 leave the lady to the end,
Bian proface, Messieurs.
Woman Turned Bully, ii. i. 1675.
Much good may it do you [Proficiat]. — Buttes, Diefs Dry
Dinner^ P. 4; J. Heiw., £/>., vi., p. i8.
Proface Condon, thus do I here conclude. — Bar., Eel., iii.
Pry, v. To look stealthily. — Gab. Harvey, Trimming of Thomas
Nashe (opening).
Sometime he pried how he became his gear. — Bar., Ecl.^ iv.
Prest, adj. Ready.— rt., i.
Parcel.
Before thy soveraygne shall the kerver stand
With divers gesture, his knife in his hand
Dismembring a crane or somewhat deynteous
And though his parsel be fat and plenteous
Though unto divers thou see him cut and kerve
Thou gettest no goblet though thou shuld dye and sterve.
Ib.f ii.
Peep, v.
To twitter as birds do at daybreak,
For as soon as ever I heard the birds peep
For fear of dreames no longer durst I slepe. — lb., iii.
Proctor, s. A financial agent for a convent. — Dial, of Cr.^ 39.
Procurator, similar to a collector for a modem charity.
QUEAL, V.
Of poor widows and children fatherless
The cause not entreth into the court doubtless
Their matters quealeth, for sold is all justice.
Prophitroles. ? To tell fortunes.
Then is it pleasure the yon^^e maydens among
To watch by the fire the winters nights long ;
At their fond tales to laugh, or when they brail
Great fire and candell spending for labour small ;
And in the ashes some plays for to mark ;
To cover wardens for fault of other warke ;
To toste white shevers* and to make prophitroles.
And after talking oftime to fill the bowls. — Bar., Ecl.f iv.
* i.e. pears for baking.
SiTH. Times.
Coridon his church is twenty sith more gay
Then all the churches betwene the same and Kent.
Bar., Ecl.f i.
Sound, v. To signify. — Ud., Er, Ap., g.
Sect, 5. Retinue, company, followers. — P. Plow* Vt's., xiv. 256;
Id., viii, 130, 137; C. Lib. Albus^ p. 342.
VOL. m. 177 19
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
I graunt some chast what time they cannot chuse,
As when all men their company refuse,
Or when she knoweth her vice should be detect,
Then of misliving avoydeth she the sect. — Bar., Eel., ii.
Suit. Id. ; P. Plow. Vis.^ v. 504. Sect, i,e. suite or sorte of pro-
fession.— Pal., Ac, 7.
Sew, 5. Potages or sewes. — Boorde, Brev. of H., 280.
Square, v. To dispute.
Albeit as touching the stuff whereof every of the said garlands
was made Gellius and Suetonius do square and disagree. —
Udall, Er. Ap., 284.
Conversaunt must thou be with such to thy payne
Which have thy father or els thy brother slayne ;
If thou be busy or squaring of language
Thou mayst peradventure walke in the same passage.
s. Oftimes young men do fall at square ' ^ ** "^*
For a fine wench that is feat and fair. — With., 1586.
Swallow, s. A cavern or hollow. [C/*. Swallet, where a stream
disappears into the ground, as m Mendip. — Ed.]
[at sea] There is more daimger then is upon the lande
As swalows, rockes, tempest and quicksand.
Steracles.5. Bar..£rf..lii.
Why whippest thou it about or playest thou thy steracles in
this fascion. — Pal., Ac, T. 3.
Trice, v. Occleve, Reg. Prin., 51. To betray. — Ih., 96.
To pull [up — HIL] after he was left naked and triced away firom
all his goods. — Pal., Ac, C,
Sometyme thy bedfelowe is colder then is yse
To him then he draweth thy cloathes with a trice.
Tankard, 5. A paU. Bar., £rf., iii.
What ! should a shepherd in wisdom wade so farre ?
Talk he of tankarde, or his box of tarre.— /^., iv.
Better were ye mass-mongers to leave your fat benefices, your
rich prebends, your wealthy Deanries, your honourable
chaplainships, your long gowns, your sarsenet tippets, and
your shaven crowns, and to become water-tankard bearers
m London, or to cobble a shoe or to go to plow and cart,
&c. — Becon, iii. 44.
Villain. Townishman.
Agajme imkynde men may be reportyd the example of the pover
Townysshman that dayly went to the woode with his asse
which also found a dragone oppressyd imdir a tre, and he
delyvered him firome that perell. And afterwarde the dragone
wolde have ete the asse saying all the grettest services be
oftyn tymes loste. But this vil&ne had counsell of the foxe
which brought the dragon agayn there he was first and
savyd both the man and the asse. — Dialogues of Creatures, 48.
178
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Whole and quart. All and every.
We shall from the all yll dyverte
Putting in to thy subgeccyon
Thy wife and children hole and quarte
Whan age cometh the upon.
Bar., Castell of Labour ^ F. 3.
WoDEHBN. ? ornis. — Dial, of Great., 71, 81.
WoKEY, adj.
Ac grace groweth nat-til good will gynne reyne
And wokie porwe good werkes-wikked hertes.
P. Plow. Vis., XV. 24, C. text.
As whoso filled a tonne of a fresshe ryver
And went forthwith that water to woKe with themese.
/ft., XV. 331.
Yeaning or Gaping.
This infirmitie doth come either for lack of sleep or else it doth
come before a fever or some other infirmities or else by
luskishness, brother to the Fever lurden. — Boorde, Brev. of
Health, 262. 1547.
Full many men knowe I that yane and gape
After some fatte and riche benefice.
Occleve, Reg. Prin., p. 51.
Livery, 5. A ration of food. — Whit., Vulg., p. 24; Richard the
Redeles, 182, E.E.T.S.
Livery, or bowge of meat and drink. — Huloet. Sportula.
As Stratonicus never went to bed without his livery (that is, a
cup of beare standing by him), not for that he was always
thirsty, but always mistrusting least he should thirst. —
Melb., 17.
As the married woman is bound to give unto her daughters,
meat, drink, and cloth, so in like manner it is her duty to
see that her maidservants have their covenants, their wages,
their liveries, &c. — Becon, i. 678.
LiRicoMPAUNCH, s. Despair.
A Gorgon-like clown is he to see too, with gourdy gutts and a
graund liricompaunch, made in the waste like a cow with
calf. — Melb., Phil., 22.
Lock, s.
No man will lend a lock of hay but for to gain a load, then why
should I take pains all my life and have no more assurance
of my promised profit but " peradventure yea, peradven.
nay ** ; and if I chance to get it be glad I have mine own,
much like a thwacking thresher or a thumping thatcher,
who must ply their bones all the day and stand at night
with cap and knee before their good maister for their three-
half peny hyre. — Melb., /. 4.
179
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
' Mbnding. a sort of delicate Christian-like oath. See Hll.
The custom of feasts is ... to begin with gross fare and end
with banqueting dishes. I say, the users of such a method
are not so wise as the priest that eate his best plummes
first and let the woorst b^ mending. — Melb., /%»/., /. 4.
NiFLB. A trifle.— Melb., Phil., p. 37.
And Nelle with her nyfyls of crispe and of sylke. — Tatvn, Myst.,
313.
V, To pilfer, steal. — Peacock, Lincoln Glossary,
Occasion, s. Opportunity.
As Dionysius and Milesius, men famous in the liberal arts
because many provoked by great report frequented their
schools to learn, for envy were banished bv the emperour,
when he had no occasion to kill them. — Melb., PhU., O, 3.
Offcome. Melb., PhU.^ p. 28.
Only. i. Alone. Contr. of Alonely.
Keep thee only to him. — Common Prayer, Marriage Service.
Obey your husband as your Lord, and onely love him without
countinance to other. — Melb., PhU., P. 4.
2. Except. Our whole oflBce will be turned out, only me. —
Pepys, 22/8, 1668. See Davies.
Ordinary, s. An ordinary (ordinance) imtb this office.— Huloet.
Organ. Howe'er their gowns be gathered in the back
With organ-pipes of old King Henry's clamp.
Gascoigne, Steel Glass.
Pelting. CEmilius in a pelting chafe, thinking himself derided. —
Melb., PhU., M. 4.
Pelt, v. Yit wold I give of my gold yond tratour to pelt for ever.
— Town. Myst.y 197.
Perk, s. Perch. — Hll.
A trewant-like barrister must nedes be pitched over the peark. —
Melb., PMl., M.
Pernour, or profiles of a thing possessed. Usuarius. — Huloet.
Pick, v. Be ofif! Pick and walk— a knave! here away is no
paiSS3ige.—Jack JugtUer, H., O.P., ii. 124.
QuEYD, s. ? Cad. An evil person, a synonym for the devil. — P. Plow.
Nuncius. Alle redy, lord. I am full bowne
To spur and*spy in every towne
After that wykkyd queyd. — Town. Mysi,, 68.
^UECK, 5. But what and the ladder slip.
Then I am deceived yet ;
And if I fall I catch a queck,
I may fortune to break my neck.
Int. of Youth, H., O.P., u. 8.
180
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
QuiRiE. ? Chary.
Never shall it be said but there is some Ladye in Italie which
will be as quirie in wedlock's rites as the insulans of Pteleon»
who in this point are accounted most religious. — Melb.,
PM., O. 2.
Relevanith, s. What is left over. 5^^ Relevainthes. — HU.
Hesterni jusculi reliquiae.
The relevanith of the brothes of the pottes of yesterday. — Pal.,
Ac.^ S. 2.
RousBy adj. A man with a rouse visage, running eyes and yellow
teeth is of little truth, a traytour and hath a stinking
breath. — Shep. Kalr.^ 1503.
Round, v. To cut the hair round. — Hll.
Forgrowen for want of kemmjmge, rowndyng, and shaving. — Pal.,
Ac.yX, ^; [John Lydgate, Beware of Doubleness, 84. — Ed.]
Rush, v.
Disdain me not without desert, nor leave me not so sodeinly,
So do the stony rocks repulse the waves that rush them violently.
Melb., Phil., p. 20.
Snowt, 5. ? Face. 5^^ Snowt-fair.
" Who being about the emperour as one in great favour had
egres and regres, neither hatch before dore, noe snecke
before his snowte to intercept his patene accesse. — lb., 41.
Shoar ?, 9. She shearing up her eyes as one newly awaked out of
a slumber. — lb., F. 4.
Spaie, 5. A foot-soldier. Turkish Spaies. — Lodge, WU's Mis.f p. 86.
C/. Sepoy.
Sappy, adj. A Flatterer can insinuate with weightiness of sappy
woordes. — lb., N. 3.
Swing, s. Sway.
Huswife which beareth althe rule or swing at a brydall (Pronuba).
— Huloet.
Skirt, s. Lappe or skyrt. Grabatum gremium. — Huloet.
Stert, s.y of a plow. Queue de lachareue. — Palsgrave. Plough
starte, which the tylman holdeth. — Huloet. Stiva. Cf.
the Redstart, a bird whose tail is red, called in Somerset
the Firetaw. — Cecil Smith.
For mending the start of the sanctus handbell, ixd. — Ckurch-
warden's Accounts, Leverton, 1512 ; Archaologia, xii. 344.
Special, s. Youth.
Aback, gallants, and look unto me,
And take me for your special,
For I am promoted to high degree.
By right I am King eternal.
Int. of Youth, H., O.P., ii. 30.
181
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Stout, v. To brave a matter.
Nay, you must stout it and brave it out with the best ;
Set on a good countenance, make the most of the least.
Moral Play of Wit and Science^ iv. i ; H., OJ^., iL 357.
And 3yf he * yn folye begin to stoute,
])an bereth he the devel's baner aboute.
R. Brunne, Handlyng S^mm^, 3406.
• A clerk.
Touch, s, A crafty deed, tour. — Palsgrave.
If he might be even with the rolling and mutabilitie of fortune,
and touch touch like mock her as well again. — Udall,
Er. Ap., 183.
Toy, 5. Whim, Fancy.
I will not wring out welth from others to bring about my own
toy will.— Melb., PAtf., Q. 2.
To take toy (of a horse). — B. and F., Two Noble Kinsmen^ v. 4.
To take a toy. — Earle, Microcosmography (" She Hypocrite ").
Venture, At a. / K.^ xxii. 342 ; Chron.^ xviii. 23. Fr. Aventure.
Men gather flowers here and there at a venture as they come to
hand. — Udall, Eras. Ar., Luke^ f. 2.
C/. The Merchant Venturers, Bristol, and our Adventurers.
Vie, V, I. To stake.
He which hath my misadventures and is enthralled with thy
present state may rue the pair for sorrow, whatsoever the
stake be. — Melb., Phil., Ec, 3.
I 'U outvie him with bidding. — CI.
In summe We may for these and thousands more
Vye viUanies with any age before.
Howell, Parly of Beasts, Intn.^ 1660.
2. To challenge to competition.
And vying fashions with each day i' th* week. — Brathwait,
Odes^ 1621 ; Shep. Tale^ p. iii.
Unbethought, pr. Thought about. — Melb., PhU., p. 24 ; Sir Lionel^
35. [Percy Folio MSS., i. 76.]
Up-and-down. He was even Socrates up and down in this point
and behalf, that no man ever saw him either laugh or wepe
or change his mood, of so great constancie of mind he was.
— Udall, Er. Ap., 324.
Wain, v. To fetch.
Pamphilus wold wayne or bring no geste to Sannios house but
he were riche. — Pal., Ac, O. 2.
Weldy, adj. Tractable, manageable. So, Unwieldy.
When you break a colt you first beat him for his wildnes, and
afterward, being weldy, do cherish your hobby. — Melb.,
i%tf., H. 4.
182
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Whishing, 5. A sighing, soughing sound.
Ha ! what a whishing of the wind is yonder same. — Pal., Ac.^
Aa. 4.
WiSKERS (for Whiskers^ hanging o'er the overlip in the style of a
hackster or soldier, what we should now call Moustaches.
— Timony ii. a, 1600 (Shak. Soc.), rep.
Vails, $. Gifts to servants. — Hll.
I pity you servingmen, who upon small wages creep into your
masters' houses, glad of mean vayles. — D. Rogers, Naaman^
p. 289.
Vanishing, adj. As for faithfulness to their masters, they know
none save to cast on their livery and wait upon them idly
at home or abroad and spend their days and years in a
most vanishing cursed profaneness. — Ih.^ p. 301.
Lewtie, s. Loyalty. — Chest PL, 42.
Ledenb, s. Speech, language. — Hll.
And eche fowle that leden makes
In this shippe now may find. — ChesL Pl.^ i. 52.
Measly, adj. Leprous as swine.
And Symonde also, messiUe was he. — Ib^ ii. 2.
Foule and mescell. — lb.
MiNGE, V. To mention. — lb,, ii. 133.
MuNDAYNE. Worldly goods.
In this extorcion they long endure
By falshode getynge good mundayne.
Bar., CasUil of Labour^ E. 4.
Mo.
It fortuned Diogenes to be present and make one among the
moo at a dmner. — Udall, Er. Ap., 122.
As I late turned old books to and fro.
One little treatise I found among the mo.
Bar., Ecl.y Prol.
As thou told me and other moe. — Chest, PI., ii. 99.
Had among other kings mo forsaken Antonius. — Udall, Er. Ap.,
253-
Nye, $. Annoy.
Therefore that thou may escape that nye
Doe well and be ware me by. — Chest. PL, pp. 36, 85.
NiCB-BESETTER, $. ? A fool-catcher. Niais, nice, fooUsh. See
Bezete. — Hll. (He rhymed to saltpetre.)
Cf, The Nice Wanton. Amorous, wanton. — Douce, ii. 95.
Nobs nicebecetour miserere fonde.— Ralph, Roister Doister, i.4;
Shak., A. and C, iii. 11.
Nycibecetours or denty dames. — Udall, Er, Ap., 135, repr.
Your Ginifince* Nycebecetur. — He., Dial,, i. 11.
* i.0. the widow.
183
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
AflFected nicifinity. — Davies, Scourge of Folly, p. 94.
Farewell, good Nycibicetur,
God send you a sweeter,
A lustie limlifter, a trim shifter.
C. Robinson, Handful of Pleasant Delites,
1584, p. 14, repr.
In the first edition of the Witch of Edmonton a woodcut on the
title-page represents her (Mother Sawyer) with a label
from her mouth, inscribed '< Sanctabecetur nomen tuum.'*
Odible, adj. Hateful. — Pal., Ac, N. 4.
Pall, s. A garment (? pallium). Like our paletot.
2d Jud. This kertell myne I call,
Take thou this paulle (parting Christ's garments).
Chest. PI., ii. 55.
Pay, v. To make amends. Cf. Apaid.
I hope I may pay it with thinking. Thought is free. — Torr.
Tho' he says nothing he pays it with thinking, like the Welch-
man's jackdaw. — R., 1678.
5. Pleasure, hking.
Take of this frute and assaye :
It is good meate, I dare laye.
And out thou find yt to thy paye,
Saye that I am false.— C^^. P/., i. 28, 60, 62.
PopuLARD, $. Popelar. — Pr. Par.
Balak calls Balaam '< a populard " for blessing Israel, and again
tells him : " Thou preaches as populard as a pie." — Chest. PL,
i. 88 ; ii. 32.
PosTiE, $. Power.
He vengyd syn thro* his pauste. — Town. Myst., pp. 35, 67.
God. I, God, most in magistie
In whom beginninge none may be,
Endles also, most m postie
I am and have been ever.
Chest. PI., 20, 25, 58, 61, 63, 78.
Price, s. Estimation.
This place of great prise (Paradise). — Ih. i. 34. See Hll.
Virtue should lose her price.— M. of Wr., 51 ; H., O.P., ii. 328.
Of all angelles you bear the prise
And most bewtye is you befall. — Chest. PI., i. 13.
Whose persuasions he had ever in price. — Melb., Phil., A. 2.
Port. Position, status.
This is like gentlemen in our dales who will be cosins to all of
any great port or great report in the whole street, though
their grandsire's dog scarce leapt over their grandame's
hatch. — Melb., PhU., Aa. 2.
184
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Rerb, adj, Arriere souper. See Brunne, Handlyng Synne^ p. 226 ;
KnigM La Tour Laundry, ch. vi. 1372.
The rere supper or banket where men sit down to drink and
eat again after their meat. — Pal., Ac, R.
Dinner called the after dinner or rere dynner (Secunda mensa).
— Huloet.
2. Reare or scarce, adj, Draxe. Lat. rams.
Reme, v. To cry out from distress.
See flfelowe, for cokes soule !
This frecke begines to reme and yole
That makes great dole for gole
That he loved wel befoe. — Chest. PL^ i. 229.
Rekylls, s. Incense, reek, smoke.
I bring Thee rekylls as is right
To myn ofifrand. — Tottm, Myst., 132.
RoosB, V. To praise.
Cain, What gevys God the to rose him so ?
Me gefys he nocht but soro and* wo. — lb., p. 10.
Rocket. Chymer, s.
The whyte Rochet signifieth puritie and innocency of life ; the
black chymer mortification to the world and all worldly
things. — Becon, i., c. 7.
The chymer would seem to be the Bishop's satin gown.
Safe-guard, s.
1. A permit, lascia passare.
2. An outer skirt or garment. — B. and F., Noble Gentleman^ ii. i.
Unto the gate when I was nye
I wolde have entred without savegadre
But the porter resisted me
Beholding me with chere froward.
Bar., Castell of Labour, Gr.
Sao, adj.
1. Firm. Caught so sad foot. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., 106.
2. Serious. Therefore I advise every man to attend to the
counsel of them that be sad and wise, and not to the
counsel of yong men and folys. — Dial, of Great. , xl.
Every midwife should be presented with honest women of great
gravity to the Bishop as a sad woman wise and discreet. —
Boorde, Breviarie of Health, ii. 51.
Scarce, adj. Stingy, abstemious. Limited. — T. Occleve, Reg. Prin.,
pp. 18, 34.
Therefore let us live scarsely. — Bar., Castell of Labour, 4.
SwBTB, 5. A bird. ? Swift.
Whcrfore [the owl] called forth unto her the porphurion and
the ni^ht crow, the backe and the swete, and also almaner
of night birds. — Dial, of Great., 87.
185
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Shut, v.
To get one out of sorowe must I never be shutte. — Chest. PL,
ii. 184.
Caiaphas, Methinks a maistery that it were
Other for penye or prayer
To shutte him of his dangere
And such a sleight to show. — lb., ii. 33.
Sicking, pi. Sighing.
Mary. A Lorde, what may this signify ?
Some men I see glad and merye
And some all sickinge and sorye. — /(., i. 108.
This " sighing and sorrowful " gives a definite meaning to our
phrase, " Neither sick nor sorry."
Snell, adv. Quickly.
P. MUes, Come heither to me, dame Pemell,
And shewe me heare thy sonne snell. — lb., i. 183.
Singular, adj.
We be bownde to chese rather for to dye for a comune profite
then for to lyve for a syngler avayle.
Talent, 5. Desire.
Mary (to the angel who told them to go into Egypt) :
Sir, evermore loud and still.
Your tallente I shall fulfill.
I wote it is my lordes will
I do as you me reade.
Chest. PL, i. 181 ; see lb., ii. 32.
Throe, adj. Desirous.
^esus. Hye you fast this temple firoe
For marchandise shall be heare no moe
In this place, be you never so throe
Shall you no longer dwell. — lb., ii. 11.
ToPTAiL. The swingle of a flail. — Hll.
Preco. All ready, my lord, by Mahounde
No tayles tuppe in all this town
Shall go further without fayle. — Chest. PL, i. 103.
Wright, in note, says " a tup without a tail."
Till, adj. Agricultural.
Cain. Mother, forsouth, I tell it thee
A tylle man I am, and so will I be,
As my daddye hath taught it me
I vnil fulfill his lore. — lb., 37. (Brings in the plough).
Twining, adj. Divided in two parts.
God. I am the tryall of the Trenitye,
Which never shall be twyninge. — lb., 8.
Twyn, V. T. Occleve, D. Reg. Prin., p. 11.
186
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Maria. Alas full wo is me
In two if we should twyn, — Town. Myst.^ 137, 221.
Twine, s. Of two strands only. — Shak., Much Ado^ iv. i, 252.
Verrey, adj. True.
ycsus. Man, I tell thee in good faye,
For thy beliffe is so verrey,
And in Parradise thou shalt be to daie.
Chest. PI., ii. 64.
Virago, s. A manly woman or a mankind woman. — (Cursor Mundi).
1585.
Therefore shee shall be called, I wisse,
Virragoo, nothing amisse
For out of man tacken shee is
And to man shee shall draw. — Chest. PL, 25.
Unbain, <i4f. Inconvenient.— Hll. Disobedient, C^. Bain.
Noah. Lord to thy bidding I am beane.
Chest. PL, i. 50, 66, 69, 76.
God. Thus shalt thou live, south to sayne,
For thou hast been to me unbayne. — lb., 32.
Underfoe, v. To undertake.
Now will I tell you how you shall doe
God's law to imderflfoe. — lb., 36.
Women be weeke to underfoe
Any greate travell. — lb., 47.
Warison. a gift at parting. — HU. ; Gower, Confessio Amantis, I ;
Tovm. My St., pp. 67, 70. A reward. — BuUokar.
2djud. His face will I stecke
With a cloth or he creke
And us all wrecke.
For my warryson. — Chest. PL, ii. 37.
Cain. But yet will I er I go
Speake with my dadde and mam also ;
And their walson both towe
I wotte well I must have. — lb., 43.
Thy waryson shall thou not thame*. — Town. Myst., 126.
* i.e. want, lose.
With say, v. To deny.
Annas. Yea, Pilate, he that makes hym apeare
Other to King or King's feare
With saith Ceaser of his power. — Chest. PL, ii. 46.
Wary, v. To curse. ? worry.
Isaac. Whoso the blyss ys blyssed be he
Who so the war is wared be he. — Town. Myst., p. 43.
Wytsapb, v. To consent. ? vouchsafe. — Pal., Ac, J.
187
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
LuNGis, 5. A gawky lout
Of stature he was semely, neither dwarfish like a man cut of at
l^ges, nor a lungis Uke one that stands upon stilts. —
Melb., PhU., M. 3.
Lbdb, s. People.
He is of QUI lede. — Pal., Ac, N. 2.
Lbbny, adj. Active, alert. — HU.
Since he could not keep pace when his l^ges were lithe and
leenie, &c.— Melb., Phil., Y. 4.
LoPY, adj. Lope, the faggot-wood of a tree. — HU.
Creeping up to the lopiest and tallest part of the [beech] tree,
where he found 8 young peping sparrows in the leaves,
which he ravened up. — Melb., Phil., A a, 4.
Lurk, v. To lounge, idle.
Winter and summer, what time men must to work,
Whish would'st thou be ? A fool to look on and lurk.
" Of Choice to be a Wise Man or a Fool,"
J. Heiw., Ep., V. 81.
Main, s. Might and main.
Hereof cometh the febleness of brayne.
Hereof cometh the decay of all majme.
Hereof cometh soden death certayne.
Becon, Invective against Whoredom.
Mbacb. ? Mess.
. . . that neither Nsecastron . . . nor Amphion . . .
nor Arion . . . nor all these together could make a meace
of mirth of all the sad sires in the world. — Melb., Phil., K.
Mighty, adv.
His tallness was answerable to the greatness of the elephant
that he rode on, although it was a mighty big elephant. —
Udall, Ef. Ap., 220.
Marmaladb. Quince. — Ch.'Byxtlex, Feminine Monarchie,M. 2x0. 1609.
Poth. And ye shall have a box of marmalade
So fine that ye miay dig it with a spade*.
Heywood, The Four P's. ; H., OJ^., i. 367.
* Iron.
Oybs. Fr. Oyez. The prelude to a proclamation. Hark you, hear
you. — Huloet.
And indede bondmen that were to be sold were wont to bee
made the beste of by the oyes of the cryer. — Udall,
Er. Ap., 367.
Caym. But thou must be my good boy
And cry oyes, oyes, og. — Town My St., 17.
OVBRSBT, V.
Caiaphas. Why shall he over sett me ?
Sir Anna, if ye lett me
Ye do not your dever. — lb., 197.
188
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Plunge, s. A strait or difl&culty.— Hll.
When Alexander was like at a certain toune called Arbeles to
be put to the plounge of making or marring and of habbe
or nhabbe to wynne all or to lese all, &c. — Udall, Er. Ap.f
209 ; lb., 378.
Playfere. Playfellow. — Palsg.
To his plaifeers and such as were brought up at nourice with
him he used thus to say, &c. — Udall, Er. Ap,, p. 204.
Purchase, 5. Booty of thieves or pirates. — Shak., Henry 77., iii. 2, 45 ;
B. Jon., Bart. Fair, ii. 4 ; Spen., F. 0., I. ii. 16. Of hire. —
Smyth, Sailor's Word Bk.
" No purchase, no pay." Buccaneering terms.
To wynnen is alwey myn entente
My purchase is better than my rente.
Chau., Romaunt of the Rose, 6839.
Prest, adj. Ready.
When Pompeius had commaunded his armie, albeit the same
were prest and in full readinesse to fight at Pharsalum, ^et
there to demourre and to tarrie the comyng of their enemies.
— Udall, Er. A p., 299 ; Ih., 331.
Puny, 5. An inferior in degree. Fr. Puisn6.
The emperor Domitian followed his admirable example, and
Heliogobalus went so far beyond them in the art of bawdry
that he made Punies of them both. —Taylor, The Bawd.
QuAFT HALFEs or sjrppe up all, or drynke good luck one to another
(Perbibo).— Huloet.
Rind, s.
Rynde of a country (Fines limites). — Ih.
When God him wrapped in our mortal rynde. — Occleve, Reg.
Prin., p. 128.
Road, 5. An anchorage for ships, as Kingroad in the Bristol
Channel.
These Pirates whom lying yet still at rode with their navy all
at rest and quiet about the said Isle, he took and subdued
almost every one." — Udall, Er. Ap., 295.
ROTTOCK, 5.
Being asked how he would be buried, he bid that his dead
carkasse should be cast out in the fields without sepulture.
Then said his friends, ** What ! to the fowls of the air and
to the wild beasts?" "No, by Saint Marie," quoth
Diogenes again, " not so in no wise ; but lay me a little
rottocke hard beside me wherewith to beat them away." —
Udall, Er. Ap., 173.
He put abrode the dooures of the tent with a ruttocke that he
had in his hand. — lb., p. 241.
189
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Redargue, s.
Sinterisis ... a power of the soul the which doth reluct against
vyces and synne or redargueth or reprehendeth sinne,
having ever a zeal to keep his soul clean. — Boorde, Brev. of
Health, ii. 68.
Round, v. To cut the hair. C/. Round-heads, CromweUians.
When a feloe had in the way of reproach laid unto his charge
that he was a drinker at comon taverns, *< So am I shoren at
the barber's shop to," quoth he again. Signifying that it
is no more dishonestee to drink than to be rounded or to be
shaven. — Udall, Er. Ap., 164.
SooL, 5. Flavouring, relish. Saulee (edulium). — P. Plow, Vis., xvi.
11 B. Sowal.^Havelok, 767 ; Wycl., Wk., i. 63.
Iche cham yll afyngred, ich swere by my fay
Iche nys not eate no soole seois yesterdaye.
(The Comyshman), Boorde, Int. to Know,, ch. i. 1542.
A gryce is gewd sole. — (The Scotchman), lb., ch. iv.
Tytter want ye sowlle than sorrow.— T<7aw. Myst,, p. 87.
Soule of a capon or goose ame. — Palsg., f. 65.
Tom-sawl, the oyster on back of poultry. — Brogden.
Stitch, v. To prick.
A crick or an ach about the shoulders and the neck will prick
and stitch and ake. — Boorde, Brev, of Health, ii. 36.
Whose heart was paynd with stitch and grief. — Touchstone of
Complexions, p. 103. 1575.
So a stitch in the side is a pricking sensation.
Cf. To go thoroughstitch, to prick right through.
Stithe, adj. Stiflf, strong. See under Kjrthe — Toum. Myst., 47.
Stbrkbns, 5. Stififenings.
Divers impediments may come of the loins as ach, sterkens and
such like. — Boorde, Brev. of Health, ii. 37.
Scotch, v. To cut mincingly. — Occleve, Reg, Frin,, 134.
So you have scotched the snake, not killed it. — Sh.
Scarification, which is when a chierurgion doth with an instru-
ment scotch and doth cut little small cuts divers times upon
a place that is apostumated. — Boorde, Brev, of Health, ii. 61.
Cf, Scotch coUops.
Spar, v. To fasten a door by putting a bar across it, or with a key.
— Chau., Romaunt of the Rose, 3326 ; lb., 2656 ; A Hundred
Merry Tales, 78, 1526.
Spear. — Becon, i. 50, 59 ; Town, Myst., 107.
Door or wyndowe or anything that is shut and sparred on both
sides.— Huloet.
Skill, v.
A captain that can skill how to use victory when he hath it. —
Udall, Er, Ap., 299.
s. Astronomy is a perfect skill. — Melb., Phil,, A a, 4.
190
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Snap-share, s. Portion, lot, — Udall, Er. Ap., 279.
ScATHBy 5. Damage.
A herd of wild bulles that did much scathe in all the countree
about.— /&., 133.
Sorb, adj. Without pity or cruel. — Huloet. Severe.
In the beginning of his reign he had been a very sore man, now
being stricken in age he governed his royalme with all
mercy and gentleness. — Udall, Er. Ap.^ 237.
SouTER, s. A cobler. — /&., 280.
SucKiNGLY. Gently.
D. C. used to say that a man's enemies in battail are to be
overcomed with a carpenter's squaring axe, that is to sale
sokingly one pece after another. — Ib*^ 309.
Tie-dog or mastiff for keeping of houses. — Ih. i.e. tied up on
account of his fierceness.
Cruel Orchus the tye-dog infernal. — Lydgate, Fall of Princes^
iii. I. 1558-
Thrag, v. To fell or cut down. — Huloet.
Through. Finished.
Is the bargain through ? hast thou paid him his price.— Jacob
and Esau, H., O.P.
So in U.S.A. a man is said to be ** through " when his dinner
has come to the end.
Treatably, adv.
Read treatably (Redto). — Huloet. -
Verb, s. Spring.
In winter nor in vere.—Jack JugeUty H., O.P.9 ii. 152.
Whister, v. Some can whister and some can crie,
Some can flater and some cane lye
And some cane set the moke awrie.
On Women, 15th Cy., Rd. Ant., i. 248.
Whistbr-snivet, s. Blow.
After a good whistersnefet, truly paid on his ear. — Udall, Er.
Ap., 112.
Whither a way ? Whereunto.
Lo whither i. whither awaye diddest thou appoint thy journey ?
(Ecquo destinabis iter?). — Pal., Ac, L. 4.
Wrabbed.
So crabbed, so wrabbed, so stiff, so untoward.— /a^o& and Esau^
1568, H., O.P., ii. 211.
Wed, 5. A pledge.
Lent for love of the wedde. — P. Plow. Vis., vii. 243 C.
Your Jewells ley in wedde. — Occleve, De Reg. Pttn,, 176.
Worship, v.
As God Himself saith, Them that worshyp me I will worshyp.
— Becon, i. 1559.
191
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Leisure.
Parm. I will be so bold as [to] drink to you, if you will give
me leave.
Antigone. I am not at leasure to give thee leave, but take thou
thy choice of a thousand thanks. — Melb., Phil.y p. 50.
I conjure
That father-like thou fend my daughter deer from scathe
And since I count all leisure long return her to me rathe.
Gascy Compl. of Phil.
Learner, s. A teacher. Learn, v. a. — Becon, i. 518.
For there be two kinds of Chirurgi : the first is Theorica, which
is the mother Schoolmistress, nourish and learner of this
profitable Art, without the which the workers thereof have
but one eye and see this Art but through a dark pair of
spectacles. — BuUein, Bulw, of Def., Aa.. 5.
The second and last part is called Practica, which is to put in
ure that which Theorica hath learned him. — lb.
[I learned him his lesson, W. of E. for taught. — Ed.]
Laund-cloth, s.
.... will heal a burning or skalding of the flesh, covering the
place with a launde cloth and anointing the said launde
with this ointment. — Bullein, Bulw. of Def. \B. of Simp."],
f. 86. 1562.
Nice, adj. Foolish. Fr. niais. Lat. nasdus.
PUaU. What boy art thou nyse ? call me no more.
Town. Myst.f 237.
Many nice people cannot abide it [Rue or herb Grace] crying
" Fie it stinkes."— Bullein, Gov. of Health, f. 61.
Que toute beste, saige au nice
Est tenue de nourrir le sien. — G. Coquillart, i. 59.
Nearhand. Almost, very nigh. — Town. Myst.^ 34, 318.
My hart is full cold nerehand that I swett. — Ih., 197.
Object, v. To expose.
The terrible Lyons and Panthers have been seen in their
manner to render thanks to their benefacto\irs, ye and to
object their own bodies and lives for their defence. — Elyot,
C. of Healthy f. 65. 1541.
Peakish, adj. Ignorant, simple. — Becon, ii. 6.
A peakish grange. — Warn., Alb. Eng.
Her skin as soft as Lemster wool
As white as snow on peakish hull.
Or swanne that swims in Trent.
Drayton, Shepherd's Garland, 1593.
Pennard, s. a pencase (pennarium). — Whit. Vulg., f. 27.
Per-case. — Heiw., The Pardoner and the Friar ; H., O.P., i. 233.
192
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Per accidence. Used in sense of our Peradventure, Perchance.
Also there be things repugnant to tempraments, as moiste and
drienes together, as tier to bee colde, or the water of his
own nature to be hote, which water per accidence of the
fier is mode hote. — Wm. Bullein, Gov. of Healthy L i8.
It is very good against the stone or for wemen which have
a new disease per accidentes called the grene sickness.
— Ib.f 121.
POYLE.
I can neither here nor rede that ale is made and used for a
common drink in any other country than England,
Scotland, Ireland and Poyle. — Elyot, Castle of Health,
f. 65. 1541.
Presydence. a precedent, specimen, example. — Whit., Vidg.,
f. 29, 36.
PURPYLS, $.
Whan they wax elder than be they greved with kernelles,
openness of the mould of the head, shortness of wind, the
stone of the bladder, worms of the bealy, waters, swellings
under the chin, and in England commonly purpyls, measels
and small pockes. — Elyot, C. of Healthy f. 83.
Pity, God punisheth fiill sore with great sickness
As pox, pestilence, purple and axes.
Hickscomer; H., O.P., 175.
Stot, 5. 1. A bullock. — -P. Flow., V,, xix. 262.
Boveau. — Palsg.
Any cow or stott. — Town. Myst.^ 112.
2. A stallion or young horse. — Prompt. Par.\ Ducange [sub
stottus. — Ed.J ; Chaucer, Cant. Tales ProL, 617.
Shilbs, 5.
Much good salt is made here in England as at Witch HoUond
in Lincolnshire, and in the Shiles near unto Newcastell. —
W. Bullein, Gov. of Health, p. 104. 1558.
In the North there is salt made at the Shiles near Tinmouth
Castle.— /i., B. ofDef, 75. 1562.
Stick, v.
It should seme by Domitius Nero, that he was an angry wretch
to murder his mother, to poison his scholemaster and
finally to stick himself. — Bullein, B. of Def ; Sickmen and
Midicen, 77. 1562.
C/. Shak., Mach., V., ii. 17, sticking point.
Smally, adv. In a slight degree.— Pal., Ac, P. 3.
But this shall suffice for the wise and smally profite the fooles. —
Bullein, Gov. of Health, f. 14. 1558.
SouNDFUL, adj. Joyous.
Canora carmina.— Pal., Ac, K. 2.
VOL. III. 193 13
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Stamp, v. To bruise in a mortar. Bullein, Gov. of Health, passim, 66i.
Soss, 5. A mess of scraps of food.
Commonly crusts of bread be very dri and burneth : they do
engender melancoly burner. Therefore in great men's
houses the bread is chipped and largely pared and ordinarily
is made in brewes and sosse for dogs, which will help
to feed a great number of poor people, but that many be
more aflfectionate to dogs than to men. — Bullein, Gov. of
Health, 113.
Sort, s. Number. See Sect.
For what good shall you do to your pacients when they cry for
your help when ye have made a great sort of subtle
arguments whether, &c. — Bullein, Dial, between Soreness and
Chirurgi, f. 23. 1562.
Square, At. See p. 178.
Again sith we see that they which have made mencion
in their books be all at square and none wholly of others*
opinion why do we embrace such losing of time ? — lb.
Springall, 5. A youth.
Purging or relaxing medecens be given to to sondrie sortes of
ages, as to bales springaldes, lustie young men and to the
aged. — Bullein, B. of Def. ; Sichmen and Medicen, f. 59. 1562.
Spring-heel Jack is probably a corruption.
Tuck.
There are a new kind of instruments to let blood withal, which
bring the blood-letter sometime to the gallows, because he
strike to deep. These instruments ar called the ruffin's
tuck and long foining raper : weapons more malicious than
manly. — lb., 68.
Bouquer, v. To take or give a tuck or kiss. — Cotgr.
Tug, 5. A timber carriage : an iron to fasten the traces to. — Hll.
Commend them to the cart,
To the flail and the rake, the trace and the tog,
To the doungfork and mattock, to the sheephoke and dog.
Bullein, B. of Def . (S. and Ch., f. 7). 1562.
Thurlpole.
Abstain from daily eating of . . . great fishes of the sea as
thurlepole, porpyse and sturgeon. — Elyot, Castle of Health,
67. 1541.
Unsittingly. Incongruously.
Fresshe apparaile and hert lecherous
Unsittingly is in a prince joynte.
Occleve, Reg. Prin,, 131.
Whole, adj. Healthy.
It ought to be remembered that as well this as other kinds
of exercise wold be used in a hole countraye and where the
ayre is pure and uncorrupted. — Elyot, C. ofH., f. 50.
194
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Against, adv. Meeting opposite to. — HU.
Let them also be taught to reverence their elders, to rise against
them, to make curtesy unto them, to put ofif their caps and
to give them the way. — Becon, i. 519.
Amend the man whils thou art here
Agane thou go another gate,
Wher thou art dede and laid on here
Wyt thou welle thou bees to late.
Town. Mysf., 326.
Anbndest, adv. Opposite. (Adversus.) — Whit., Vulg., f. 16.
AvAUNT. Sone, as for me, nother avaunt narere. — Occleve, Reg.
Prin,, p. 45.
Arghe, adj. Astonished.— Hll.
Whether I be symple or arghe or bold. — Occleve, Reg. Frm.,
p. 68.
Agilt, pt. Offended.
What thou, God, has agilt in tyme past,
Correct it, and to do so *efte be agast. — /ft., pp. 51, 63.
Arte, v. To constrain. — /ft., p. 78.
Bank, 5. Ridge of a bancke or hill. (Jugum.) — Huloet.
Ye banke of an hill. (ProcUvitas.) — /ft. Rupes.
Ye banke of a river. (Ripa.) — /ft.
The brimme of a bank. — (Ripae crepido.)
The brimmes of the river's bank. (Marginis fluminis.) — Baret,
Alv., 1573-
The brimme or brink of anything. (Margo.) — Huloet.
Banks crownd with curled groves, from cold to keep the plain* ;
Fields batful flow*ry meads, in state them to maintain.
Drajrton, Fblyolh.^ vii.
* Golden Vale, Herefordshire.
Bank is a common expression in Worcestershire for an acclivity.
Dowles Bench, marked in the Ordnance Map on the Here-
ford side of the Malvern Hills. Skeat calls Bank a doublet
of Bench.
Brae was the top of the hill (brow).
Cf. Ye banks and braes o* bonnie Doon.
Bumbled, adj. MufiSed, covered.
The bumbled Cross, %.$. velated. — Becon, i. 50.
BiccHBD BONES. Dice.
Byched bones. — Town. Myst.^ M. ^41.
Cf. Unbychid, unbain, p. 242.
By- LAY, V. hsLy by.
Judas. I slew my fador and syn by-lay
My moder der.^-Town. Myst.^ 328,
196
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Charm, s, A confused, twittering noise, such as an orchestra makes
in tuning up.
Seeing our singers make such a chattering charme in the tem-
ples that nothing can be heard but the voice. — Becon,
iii. 336.
Now the SchoUers make a charm in the Schooles and Ergo
keeps a stirre in many a false argument. — Breton, FantasHcks^
11 o'clock.
Close, adj. Ye know that the custom is among us even at this day,
that so long as we mourn for any of our frendes departed
we use to go with close faces, to wear simple apparel, laying
aside all gorgeous and sumptuous garment. — Becon, i. 48.
CooPB, 5. Basket. (7 Cornucopia.)
This notable stroygood which wyll spend Goddis coope, and he
had it upon hoores at the Lyce. — Pal., Ac.^ N, 3.
He would spend God's cope if he had it. — Whit., Vulg.^ f. 9.
Cut. To draw, i.e. lots. — Chau., Prol. Cant. Tales.
Tert. TortoY. Let us all cutt draw,
And then is none begylt.
Town. Myst., 228 and 229.
PUatus. Yee, so said I, or to draw cutt is the lelyst.
And long cut, lo, thes wede shall wyn. — lb., 240.
Casualty, s. Chance.
Q. What is the choosing of wives fitly compared unto ?
A, Sir Thomas More was wont to say, to the plucking by
casualty Eels out of a bag wherein tor every eel are twenty
snakes. — Help to Discourse^ p. 103. 1636.
These hairs on my head which are but casualties. — Lyly, Midas,
V. 2.
Chokblbw. Me thynketh this is a verray inductjrfe
Unto stelthe, ware hem of hempyn-lane
For stelthe is me^ed with a chokelew&bane.
T. Occleve, De Reg. Prin., p. 17.
Chieve, v. To prosper.
His mercy and His grace kithe and preve,
In you, my lorde, so that your dedes cheve. — lb., 160.
Chinch, s. A miser.
A chynche never kan be plenteous
Though all were his, such is his covetyse. — lb., 161.
Chincks, $. Money. — Da vies of Hereford, Sc. of Folly, Epig., 176.
Dragbb, s. a gilded pill. Primarily a lozenge.
What jugge in doome eye yeveth juste sentence
Awaityng upon a golden dragee.
Occleve, Reg. I^n., 97.
Pepys (Feb. 2, 1665) speaks of a drudger or box to carry them
in the podket, now called an etui.
196
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Enchbson, s. Reason, occasion.
** For what encheson seidest thou/' koth Pa,
" She was thy suster ? take thy wyfe, here."
7i., p. 62.
Little enchousen hath he for to speke.
To whos wordes is yoven no credence. — lb., 80.
Entailed, ft. Sculptured. Intagliato.
Whan a thyng depeynt is
Or entailed, yf men taken of it heed
Thought of the likeness it wole in them brede.
lb., p. 179.
Flbme, v. To banish.
Lawe is nye flemede out of this contree. — lb., 100.
To avoid. — lb., p. 132.
FoNGE, V. To take.
The wynes delicate and swete and stronge
Causeth full many an inconvenience,
Yf that a man outrageousli hem fonge. — lb., p. 138.
Gag, Gat-toothbd. — Chau., Cant. Tales., 470, 6185. Cf. p. 63.
Dentes exerti. Gag-teeth or teeth standing out. — Nomenclator,
1585, p. 29.
A lean, gag-toothed beldame. — Nash, Pierce Pennyless ; Edwards^
Return from Parnassus.
Mystical magic of conjuring wrinkles.
Feeling of piJses, the paUnestry of hags,
Scolding out belches for rhetoric twinkles,
With three teeth in her head like to three gags.
J. Cleveland, Mock Song to M. Ant., 1656.
Gab, v. To deceive.
Thomas. Might I se Jesus goot and flesh gropyng should not
gab me. — Town. Myst., 288.
Ganb, v. To yawn, gape.
So have I plukked at my purses strenges,
And made hem oft for to gape and gane.
Occleve, Reg. Prin,, p. 156.
Gawish, adj. Gay. — Hll.
Furthermore, a good matron shall provide that the apparel of
her daughters be such as become maids that profess god-
liness, not light, not vain, not wanton, not gawish, not
garish, not strange and such as should move light persons
to gase upon her and sober people to lament her. — Becon,
i. 677.
Laertius reports the like of a gawish traveller that came to
Sparta, who, standing in the presence of Lacon a long time
upon one 1^ that he might be observed and admired, cried
at last: <*0, Lacon, thou canst not stand so long upon
one leg ! " " True," said Lacon, " but every goose can." —
T. Adams, Wks., p. 472.
197
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Glopb, 5, Surprise. — Hll.
Oh, my part is rysand now in a glope ! — T<mm. Myst.^ 146.
God's good. Nail, suggests Ger. geist, as origin of yeast. Yeast.
— Lily, Mother Bomhie^ ii.
Dfury. True he is good, but not too good for God.
He 's kind, but can his love dispense with death 7
Warning for Fair Woffien^ i.
Lucas, Now ar we here at this towne
I red that we go sytt us downe
And for to sowpe we make us bowne,
Now of our fode ;
We have enogh, sir, by my crowne
Of Godes goode. — Toum. M.^ 276.
Bring us in no puddings, for therein is all God's good ;
Nor bring us in no venison, that is not for our blood.
Bring us in good ale.
A drinking song, temp. Henry VL See Songs and Carols
(Percy Soc.)
Grbdb, v. To cry out.
Then may they sey and syng and grede.— Occleve, Reg, Prin.,
103.
Goodman, s. The master or ruler of the household.
Primus Magister, Son, where so thou shalt abide or be
God make the [e] good man ever mare.
Town, Myst,^ p. 164.
Hbrbbgagb, 5. Lodging.
With a rich hoost he toke his herbegage. — Occleve, Reg, Prin.^
p. 46,
Hbwb, 5. A workman. — /ft., p. 52.
Hent, V, To seize.
from his cure he him absenteth.
And what thereof cometh he greedily henteth.
/ft., pp. 51 and 52.
Hbry, V, To honour.
Be glad and merry
That thou art as thou art, God thank and hery.— /ft., p. 53.
Kid, pt. Known.
Take all in gree, so is thy vertu kidde. — /ft., p. 49.
Kithe thy love in matter of sadness. — /ft., p. 70. i.e, make
known.
Cf, Unked, the provincial word. i.e, dismal, lonesome.
Kink, v. To draw back the breath as in the whooping cough.
Prim, Damon. Peasse I pray the be still, I laghe, that I kynke.
Town, Myst,, 309.
198 •
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Lbp, 5. A basket.
A lyttyl lap he gart be wroght
And ther I was in bed broght.
And bonden fast. — Town. Mysi,, 329.
Loos, s. Name, honour (A.N.).— Occleve,/?^^. Prin., p. 92.
Good wos decerned is grettest richesse. — lb., 147.
LosBNGEOUR, 5. Liar. — lb,, 109.
LURDAN, 5.
We are compelled daily to hear such anti- Christian trompet-
blowers, such canckered Cormarauntes, such Caym-like
Caterpillers, such ydle Idols, such loytering lordennes, such
lecherous lubbers, &c.— Becon, iii. 2.
Marelady, 5.
It is the part of a heathenish woman and not of a christen
matrone to be decked and trimmed like a Marelady or the
Queue of a game. — lb., i. 516.
. . . homely and base maids to trick and trim their bodies
as tho' they were mareladies or puppets in a game. — lb,
Maundt (mandatum).
Did He not so [return thanks] at his maimdy when He insti-
tuted the most blessed sacrament of his body and blood ? —
lb., i. 88.
Mass, s.
Either therefore loke that ye following the Apostle suffer us
to have wyves or else prove unto us that we be not like
unto other men, made of the same flesh and blood and
of the same nature. — Becon, Boke of Matrimony, i. 589.
Mayn pernour, 5. Bail. — Occleve, Reg, Frin., p. 86.
Menskb, v.
To do honour to Mahowne the menske my lord Kyng
And save the by see and sand. — Town, Myst,, 69.
Modi, adj. Brave, high-minded. — Hll.
Quartus Tortor. Yea, for as modee as he can look
He wold have tumyd another croke
Might he have had the rake.
Town. Myst., 218.
Mister, s. Need. — Hll.
He has myster a night's rest that nappys not in nojrning. —
lb., 234.
NiGHTERTALE. Nightime. — Occleve, Reg. Frin,, 138.
Nick, v.
Jesus. Woman, why wepys thou ? be stylle
Whome sekys thou ? say me thy wylle
And nyk me not with nay. — Town. Myst., 267.
199
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Nygoun 7 Niggard.
Though that my livelode and possessioun
Be skant, I riche am in benevolence
To you thereof can I be no nygoun.
Occleve, Reg. Prin.^ 73.
Pore, v.
Let them [children] hold their hands and feet still : let them
not bite their nps nor scratte their head nor rub their
elbows, nor pore in their ears. — Becon, i. 519.
Passingly. Lavishly.
Tyme and tyme he yave them of his goods passingly.
Occleve, Reg. Prin.^ 150.
Propt! int.
Vah ! Out ! or propt !— Pal., Acy B. 4 ; £. ; /. 2 ; M. ; g. 3 ;
X.z\ Y. 3.
Prou, 5. Profit.
Jesus. It shal be for your prow
That I thus gates shall do. — Town. Myst., 295.
PouKE, s. An evil spirit. — Occleve, Reg. JPrin.^ p. 69.
Quantise, s. Cunning.
There is no trust in women's saw
No trust faith to belefe
For with thare quantyse and thare gyle
Can they laghe and wepe somwhile
And yit nothyng theym grefe.—Town, Myst.y 280.
QUAP, V.
But sore in me quappeth every veyne. — Occleve, Reg, Frin.y
p. 78.
Rbsse, s.
Prim. Tortor. Noght but hold thy peasse
Thou shalt have drink within a resse
Myself shall be thy knave. — Town. Myst.y 228^
Reckon, v. To consider, esteem. In use in U.S.A.
Which to shake oflf
Becomes a warlike people whom we reckon
Ourselves to be. — Shak., Cymb., III., i. 50.
Rule, s.
Tipple. Marry here is good rule [arriving with liquor]
A sight of good guesse [guests].
Bum, 5. Drink.
Strife. Never a one less now Tipple is come.
Tipple. And here is good bum, I dare boldly say.
Tom Tyler and His Wife^ 1598, p. 4, ed. 1661.
Sam, adv. Together.
Joseph. Bot Marie and I played never so sam
Never togeder we used that gam
I cam hir never so nare. — Town. Myst.y p. 79*.
200
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES,
To joy alle sam
With myrthe and gam. — Ib.^ 97, 220.
For what concord han light and darkesam 7 — Spenser, Sh,Kal,^
May, 168.
Caiaphas. Nay sir, but I shall hym styk even with myn awn hand ;
For if he reve and be whyk we ar at an end
Alle sam. — Town. Myst,, 197.
Sendbl, s.
And whanne the bodi was takim, Joseph lappide it in a clene
sendel. — Matt, xxvii. 29, WycliflFe V., 1388.
Sloy, s.
The holy apostle putteth them in remembrance that their wives
be no dish clouts nor no handbasket sloyes, nor no drudges
nor yet slavish people, but fellow-heirs with them of ever-
lasting life. — Becon, i. 512.
Shog, v. To shake from side to side.
Shog him well and let us lyft.* — Town. Myst,, 221.
* Raising the Cross.
I am for greatness now, corrupted greatness
There I '11 shug in and get a noble coimtenance.
Rowley, Witch of Edmonton, v. i.
SouR-LOTEN. i,e. leavened.
She is browyd lyke a brystylle with a sowre-loten chere.
Town. Myst., 100.
He is sour-loten.— 7ft., p. 123.
Stoken, ft. Shut, fastened. — HU.
Though thy lyppus be stokyn yit might those say Mom.
Town. Myst., p. 194.
Snyb, v. To snub.
The riche and myghty man, though he trespace
No man seithe, ones that blak is his eye
But to the poor is denyed all grace
He snybbed is and put to turmentrye
He not asterte may, he shall abie.
Occleve, Reg. Prin., i02»
AsTERT, V. To escape.
Sonde, 5. A message.
And yi the pope to that estate provyde
A persone at your prayer and instaunce
Your sonde he taketh to the better side. — lb., 105.
Stour, s. Conflict.
That in bataile how sharp be the stour. — lb., 140.
Swage, v. To diminish.
This sely man continued his outrage
Till all his good was wasted and gone
And they felt his expenses swage. — lb., p. 151.
201
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Thus-gate, adv. In this manner.
And ees out of your hede thus-gate shall paddokes pyke.
Town. Myst.f 325.
To-NAME. ? Surname.
Judas. The storm unto the yle me threw
That lytyll botte
And of that land my to-name drew
Judas Scariott. — 75., 329.
Tow, 5. A diflSculty.
A, sone, I have aspyede and now see
This is the tow that thou spakest of right now.
Occleve, Reg. Prin.^ p. 53.
adj. ** Julius," kothe he, " make it not so tough,*
For of thy birth thou art not worth a leek." — lb., 126.
* ? Don't give yourself airs.
Warished, pt. Cured. Fr. guerir.
When that a prince in vertu hym deliteth
Then is his peple warisshede of drede. — lb., 103.
Weyve, v. To waive, let be.
Help hym that able is and unable weyve,
Weyve favelle with his polyshed speche
And help hym that wel can do and teche. — lb., 106.
Well afynb. In perfection. — Hll.
Althoughe thou sey thou nouther in Latyne
Ne in Frensshe canst but small endite
In Englysshe tunge thou canst wele afyne.
Occleve, Mg. Prin., p. 68.
Well and good.— 75., 140.
Nor of the reisins have the wyne
Till grapes be ripe and well afyne.
Chau., Rofnaunt of the Rose, 3690.
Werne, v. To refuse.
The request to werne and voide clene. — lb., p. 115.
Whitleather, s. Tough, pliable horse-skin thongs of flails. —
Tusser [E.D. Soc., 1247.]
Wright, s.
Quarius Tortor. Yee as I am a true knight
I am the best Latin wnght
Of this company. — Town Myst., 229.
Warp, v. [187.
Though thou the waters warp. — Shak., As You Like It, II., vii.
Nor are ye worn with years
Or warpt as we.— Herrick, To jPrimroses, i. 165.
Yeme, 5. Note, heed.
And whan this worthy prince honorable
This womman saughe, of hir he toke gode yeeme.
Occleve, Reg. Prin., 132.
202
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Saunter, v. Cf, Black Sant, black psalm. — p. 17.
Ryght thus was and went the scripture saing ;
And when GafFray, vaillant man and wurthy
Had radde thys tablet, he moche mervelling ;
But yut he knew nought verray certainly,
But santred and doubted veryly
Wher on was or no of this said linage.
Fro. thens went Gaflfray with ful fers corage.
Inly faste cerching als both low and hy,
Where that Grymald in any place find might
So thens departed, passing over lightly.
Romans of Partcftaye, 4649, E.E.T.S.
When straungers greate
Yowre presence hath none
Take of yowre nobles
Youe compenye to keepe ;
Doo not your selfe
Sitt santeringe alone :
As wone that weare
In studye most deepe ;
At meale is no maner
Too sitt as a sleepe.
Have communication
As yee beste thynke
Such solace as seemelie is
As meate or dr3mke.
Wm. Forest, preeste, Poesii of Princely$
PractyUf 1548, King's MSS., 17
D. iii., f. 29, B. M. Sent by
Fumivall to N. <^ j?., iv. 397.
Goes sauntering with her highness up to town, — Rochester's
Farewell, 1680.
And santer to Nelly when I should be at prayers. — A. Marvell,
Royal Resolutions, 1678.
Thy Hol3r Brotherhood of the Blade
By sant*ring still on some adventure.
But., Hud,, III., i. 1342.
New Atlantises that our late visionaries and idle santerers to a
pretended New Jerusalem troubled England with. — Sir
Peter Pett, Happy Future State of England, 1688, p. 251.
Chanteth. — Chau., Miller's Tale, 3367.
{Jesus has been praying for his murderers.)
iv. Mil. 1 hope ))at he had bene as goode
Have sesed of sawes ))at he uppe sought.
I. Mil. Thoo sawes schall sew hym sore
For all his saunter3mge sone.
York PI. {c. 1340), p. 351/67.
iii. Mil. Now all his gaudis no thyng hym gaynes
His saunteryng schall with bale be bought.
/*.» P- 354/150-
203
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Hi, Mil. Lorde of your wille worthely
Wolde I witte what wast ?
Cayaphas. To take Jesus, that sawntrelle
AU same, ])at 3e schall. — Ib.^ 249/189.
Whist.
Whist, whisht, whischt : hush !— /«i^., xviii. 19, Wyclijffe Gloss.
Whistrende, whistringe, pr. p.^ whispering. — EccUs.^ xii. 19 ;
xxviii. 15, Ih.
Hwistren, to whisper.
Whistel, whistle. — Stanihurst, Discription of Ireland, ch. 8. 1586.
They say ** Whist, not a word." — Becon, i. 199.
But to what eend labor I, me to press with burden of Mtna. ?
Thee stars too number, poincts plainly uncoimctabill op*ning ?
Whust : not a woord : a silence such a task impossibill asketh.
Stanyhurst, Of his Mistress.
After great stormes the wether is often mery and smothe.
After moche clattering there is mokel rowninge ; thus after
jangling wordes cometh huishte, peace, and be stilL —
Testament of Love^ i., Ed. 1561, cclxxx., col. i.
I hate whisterars (submissim fabulantes) and especially at the
bourde. — Horm., V.
And when they perceived that Solomon by the advice of his
father was anointed king, by and by there was all whisht :
all their good cheer was done. — Latimer, Serm. (Parker
Soc.), 115.
The dredeful dinne droue all the route on a rowe. . . .
Anone all was whyste, as it were for the nonys
And iche man stode gazyng and starvng upon other.
Skdton, Garlat^ of Laurel, i. 264.
The mater was kept privy counsel or hushte. — C, Suppressor,
f. 216.
Such fellow is the devil that doth even what he list,
Yet thinketh he whatever he doth, none ought dare say but whist.
Tusser, To light a Candle before the Devil, 1573, p. 62.
At this sodain arrival of the said Philoxenes when the people
being with fear were sodainly whished and wexed dumme.
— Udall, Er. Ap., 381.
Avarice. If ye will have me tell ytt ye shall your tonges horde,
Whist, silence, not a worde, mum, let your clatter cease.
Respublica, i. 3.
Avarice. But whiste and come apace. — lb., iv. 4.
At calm quiet midnight when all things are whust. — Melb.,
Phil., p. 19. 1583.
In community of life he was very jocund, neither to bablative
with flattery nor to whust with morosity. — lb., M. 3.
All right is whist in time of war. Jura silent bello.— Withals,
1586.
204
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
No sound is heard in compass of the hill,
But everything is quiet, whisht and still.
Maid's Metamorphosis, c, 1600.
Why kinsmen Philip ! Whist 1 and me attend
I '11 answer for thee sith thou art my friend.
Davies of Hereford, " To P. K.,"
Sc. ofFol., p. 216.
Keep thee whisht and thou shalt hear the sooner. — Bernard,
Termce, p. 135.
I took thee up, when thou me kist
And in mine ear thou wot'st what whist.
I then again did crave of thee
That thou wouldst constant prove to me.
And never change . . .
A token then to me thou ^ave.
R. Tofte, Frmis of Jealousy^ p. 80. 1615.
Heave, v. To throw. — W. of FaUme^ 348 ; Chau., FroL, 550. C/.
Heaving days.
Heave at = to attack. — Andrewes, iv. 12; Fuller, Church Hist.,
v., iv. 8 ; Hacket, Life of Williams, ii. 167.
The street-boy's favourite pastime is "heaving stones" (W. of
E.), especially if the passers-by are likely to get a share of
them.
The friendly greeting of the curate in the Black Country, " Bill,
'eave harf a brick at him 1 " is well known.
Dav. says : To oppose, murmur against. (?)
KiCKLiNG, adj. Unsteady, dangerous. See Kickle. — Hll.
Used in my hearing by a nursemaid looking at some out-
riggers on the river Lea.
LoTEBY, s. A paramour. See as to manor of Lotheby, Gentlemen's
Magazine.
And with me folwith my loteby
To done me solas and company.
Chau., Romaunt of the Rose, 6342.
Lystrb, 5. A reader, legister. — P. Plow. Vis., B. v., 138; Higden,
Polychronicon, vi. 257 [Rolls Series].
More, s. A root (Gloucester).— Vis. of P. Plow.
As she that was soth fast croppe and more
Of all his lust or joyes heretofore.
Chau., Troilus and Cressida, v.
Miss, V. To dispense with. — Lyly, Eup. and his Eng. Cf. Want.
We cannot miss him. — Shak., Tempest, I., ii. 311.
I will have honest valiant souls about me
I cannot miss them. — B. & F., Mad Lover, ii.
The blackness of this season cannot miss me. See B. & F.,
Maid's Tragedy, v. i ; H., O.P.
206
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Newfanglb, Shak., L. L. L., L, i. io6.
Be not to noyous, to nyce, ne to newfkngle. — A . B. C. of Aristotle,
E.E.T.S., Ex. viii.
More new-fangled than an ape. — Shak., As You Like It, IV., i. 135.
Like will to like.— H., O.P., iii. 328; Chau., F., 618 (Six Text
Ed.).
New-fangelness. — Taverner, Proverbes, f. 60, r. 1552.
No DID, No HAD, No WILL. Did you not ? Had you not ? Will you
not ? See instances from /. Bon and Mast Person ; Foxe ;
Sir T. More; Shak., King ^ohn^ iv. 2; Dekker, Old
Fortunatus; collected N,, L, vii. 520.
Naughty, adj.
You must also note beside, that in your choosing of old pidgions
to fatte, you must take them that are of a naughtie colour,
imfruitful breeders, and otherwise faultie. — Fitzherbert,
Book of Husbandry, IV., xxiv., 1598.
Orped. Bold.
Be not to orped, to overthwarte and oJ)US )k>u hate. — A. B. C.
of Aristotle, u, s.
Oye, 5. A grandchild.
A bairnless lass like me
Mair meit his Oye nor wyfe to be. — Philotus, 1603.
Pee-dee, s. a young lad in a keel who takes charge of the rudder.
— HU.
1st Boy, I know all their fagaries to a hair. I have not played
such a tryant in my place as to become their pee-
dee during all the time of their restraint and not to
attain the principles of a puisne bolt. — Lady
Alimony, ii. i. 1659.
Peart, adj. Brisk, ready (W. of E.). ? pret.— Fr.
Father, so far I did oflfend
That I may not my miss amend
And am over peart for to pretend
Your daughter to be cald. — Philotus, E. 2, 1603.
Percher, s. a wax candle.
My Lord Mayor hath a perch to set on his perchers when his
gesse be at supper, therefore the Priest when he is at
prayers must have a crucifix to go before him. — Calfhill,
Answer to Martiall, 1565, Parker Soc., 300.
Prow, s. Profit, advantage. — T. Occleve, De Reg. Prin., p. 17. See
Proface, p. 36.
And if fat it forten so by nyght o' any tyme
That }K)U shalt lye with any man fat is Setter fan thou
Shyre him what syde of the bedd fat most best wyll pies hym
And lye J)OU on f* tother side, for that is for thi prow.
^tans Puer ad Memam, 215 ; Ashm. MSS., 61, f. 17,
E.E.T.Ex., viii.
206
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Amende this ! for it is for your prow. — Occleve, De Reg. JPrin,,
vii., p. io6.
Qui peu mange, prou mange,
qui prou mange peu mange.
Joubert, Er, Pop.^ III., 117. 1578.
De peu i prou celui qui se contente
de prou n'a rien celuy qui n'est contente.
G. Bachot, Ey. Pop.^ iii. 4. 1626.
Tousiours le mortier sent ou peu ou prou aux aulx*. — Joubert,
Ey. Fop.<f I., ii. 12.
* %.e. less or more.
Stephano. Then for an earnest penny take this blow.
I shall bombast you, you mocking knave ; chill put
pro in my purse for this time.
Edwards, Damon and Pithias ; H., OP.^ iv. 60.
'* Prosit ! *' is still used in parts of Italy as a benediction in
leaving the table at meals and also to a person sneezing. —
See E. Lear, IllustYated ExcuYsions in Italy , p. 89. [Also used
by German and other students in the like sense. — Ed.]
En avez vous prou [d'argent] retrouv6 ? — Meurier, Coll,, F. i. vo.,
1558.
II £aut droft prou d'eau pour me blanchir. — 76., /. r.
Prou de marchands. — lb., F, 4 r.
J'ay prou de parens mais bien pou d*amis. — Jft., K. 4 d.
Raddle.
Take heed of the shearers in shearing for twitching the sheep
with his shears and specially of pricking him with the
poynt of his shears, and that the sheepheard be always
ready with his tar box [or broune salve] to dress* them,
and see that they be well marked both ear marke, pitch
marke and radle marke. — Fitzherbert, Book of HusbandYy,
i534» P- 35.
♦ salve.
Ashore. (W. of E.)
For were they xx, they must each one.
Look they straight, either els a shore,
Be like the father less and more.
School of Women, 144. 1541.
Amort. All- vexed, sad. — Taylor, Wit and MiHh, 119.
Angry. Of a wound, inflamed. (W. of E.)
It waxeth angry. — Horm., Vidg., 42.
Away with, v. To put up with.
If thou mayst not away with noise (perpeti non possis) stop thy
ears with a clout. — Whit., Vulg., f. 28 ; Breton, The CouYt
and the CountYy.
207
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
After. According to. — Hickscomer; H., OJP., i. 86.
" Go along after the wall," (Somerset.)
Kepe thyn houshold or aporte after thjn estate. — Horm ^
v^g'f 139.
BowBRLY, adj. Tall, handsome. ? Burly. (W. of E.)
Right great and bowerly images and porturatures of soche
persons as had to fore times wonne the victories or chief
prices in the games of Olympia and of Pythea.— Udall,
Er. Ap., 208.
BuTTEL, 5. A comer of ground. — (North) Hll.
Buttel or boimd of land (Meta). — Huloet. i.e. abutting on.
Buddie. A small field of my father's at Lynton, N. Devon.
Bowne, buttell, or merestafe or stone (AmUiarius). — Huloet.
But, 5. A hassock. — (Devon) Hll.
Buttwoman. A pew-opener (who has charge of them). —
J. Dav., S. E. Gloss.
Blake. Yellow. (Northern.)
Ther were flowers both blue and blake,
Of alle frutes thei myth ther take
Safif frute of cunning thei xulde forsake
And towche it in no wyse.
Cov. Myst. (1468), ProL, p. 2.
As blake as a paigle*. — R., 1678.
* Cowslip.
? To beat one black and blue, the skin becoming yellow as the
bruise is healing. i.e. a primrose or cowslip colour.
Chaucer speaks of " wethers blake." — MUUr's Tale, 3533.
Ban-wort. (N. of E.)
White daisy otherwise called the margarite which the Northern-
men call ban-wort. — Huloet.
Clammed. Hungry. (Lane.)
I have clothed these ragamuffins, I have fed these clammed
michers. — Melb., Phtl.f Y.
Chirm, s. (Devon) Hll.
At last the kindly sky began to clear,
The birds to chirm and daylight to appear.
Al. Ross, Helenare, 1768, p. 153, repr.
The bird chirms (gazouille) as he is whistled to. — Wodroephe,
1623.
C/. Milton, " Charm of earliest birds."
Caw, 5. The rot in sheep.
Ps. Past. My talefiU tuppes are in my thought
Them to save and heale
From the shrewde scabe it sought
Or the rotte jrf yt were wroughte
Yf the caugh had them caught
Of yt I coulde them heale. — Chest PL, u 119.
208
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Chute, s. A steep, hilly road,— (I. of W.) Wright, E. D. D.
Chinb, 5, A chink or cleft. — Purs Plow, Vis.f xxi. 287. (S. Coast.)
Cratch, s. T. Adams, Works, p. 160. 1629. (Hereford and Wore.)
Cracche, cratche. — ^ob, vl 5 ; Luke, il 7, 12. pi., Cratchis. —
///. Kings, iv. 26 ; /. Par., iv. 23, Wyclif *s Bible.
Cracche, a manger. — Prompt. Parv. Fr. Cr6che.
His throne a manger and a crach his cradle. — Davies of Here-
ford, Wifs Pilgrimage, V. 4 1.
If the tail of a wolf be hung in the cratch of oxen they cannot
eat. — Howell, Parley of Beasts, p. 116.
One bom in a stable and a cratch, not in a palace. — D. Rogers,
Naaman, p. 67.
Selden, Table Talk (Christmas), says : The mince pie was made
long in imitation.
Clout, *. A rag.
A cow in a clout
is soon out.
i,e. the proceeds of sale in a handkerchief.
Stellio. Silena, thou must be betrothed to Accius and love him
for thy husband.
Silena. I had as lief have one of clouts. — Lyly, Mother Bombie,
iv. 3.
Clean, v. To change dress. (W. of E.)
A maid-servant speaks thus of making her afternoon toilette,
** going to clean herself." — Jackson, Shropshire Word
Book.
Convoy, s. A clog for the wheel of a waggon. — (North) Hll.
Emily. Bot sir one thing I have to say
My father hes this other day
In mariage promist me away
Upon ane dead old man.
With whom thoch I be not content
To none other he will consent
Make to therefore for till invent
A convoy if you caLn.—Philotus, C. 2. 1603.
CocKSHUT. Twilight. (Dev.)
Ist Fairy, Mistress, this is only spite
For you woiJd not yesternight
Kiss him in the cockshut light.
B. Jon., The Satyr.
The woodcock b^ins to mate towards the cockeshoot. — Breton,
Fantasticks.
Cf. Cockshut Lane, Gt. Malvern, and the Cock Lane Ghost.
This would be equivalent to Cock Lane. At Shrewsbury lanes
are called shuts. — Jackson, Shropshire Word Book.
VOL. in. 209 14
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Dawk. A hollow. See Hll., Dalk, where he quotes Ash.
Choice. " Right quinces, small, dimpled or dalked, mode, most
sweetly uragrant, best ripe." — Buttes, Dyefs Dry Dinner^
C. 5. 1599.
DiMORTS. Twilight. (Cornwall.)
DuNCH,aiy. DesS.—Smyth, Berkeley MSS. (Glou.) Stupid. (Som.)
Desight, 5. An uncomely object. — (Wilts., Glou.) Hll.
You dishite me. i.e, you shame me. — Smyth, Berkeley MSS,
Hite, comely ; unhity, uncomely.
Edge o' dark. Hll. Between twilight and dark. — Craven. Night-
— ^Jackson, Shropshire Word Book.
Like the hard old Demea, which neither in the twilight of day
nor in the edge of any evening could ever be found idle
from his husbandry, so neither in the vaile of night nor the
heat of day would lend himself one laughing minute from
dimensions of his spheares. — Melb., Phil,, K.
Flurn, v. To sneer at, despise. — (Lane.) Hll.
And for those abortive births slipped from my brain which can
carry neither worth nor weight in the scale of this pregnant
age, so fraught and furnish^ with variety of gallant pieces
and performances of the choicest writers, give me leave to
flurn at them as the poor excrescences of Nature which
rather blemish than adorn the structure of a well-composed
body. — R. Fletcher, Ex Otto Negotium, 1656, Ep. to
Reader.
Frinnishy, adj. Over-nice.— (Devon) Hll.
Noah's Wife, For all thy frynishe fare
I will not doe after thy reade. — Chest. PI., 48.
Flew, adj. Shallow.— (Som.) Hll.
Flewe or not deape, but as one may wade. — Huloet.
Freathed, adj. Wattled. — (Devon) Hll.
Linus. Here we sport where we are heathed.
AIL Our only care to see our pastures freathed.
Brathwait, Shep. TaleSj Eel. iii. 1621.
Gentleman.
He eats and drinks and lives like a gentleman. i.e. without
working for his living.
A labourer when he is on the shelf, even in the workhouse, is a
gentleman. So a sick woman dependeth on others for
tendance^ and animals past service.
See some quaint illustrations, MontJily Packet , Feb.^ 1874; On
Dialect, Sussex B.C.C.
Hone, s. A circular barrow or place of sepulture. Norse. (York.)
210
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Ha'done! Cease! (W, of E.)
" Have done, and answer." — Bare, Sh, of Fo., ii. 297, repr. ;
/^., EcL, V.
A common exclamation to a teasing child or restiif horse, '' A-
done now." — Maid's MetapMrphosis, A. 3. 1600.
Have do or spede the a pace (Molire te ocius). — Horm.,
F., 247.
J^esus (at Lazarus* tomb). Have done and put away the stone. —
Chest. PLy i. 229.
Haysuck. The hedge sparrow. Cicada, vicetula haeges sugge. —
Arcbp. Aelfric's Voc.^ loth Cy., Wr., p. 29.
Happer. To crackle, to patter.— (W. of E.) HU.
This is a foul anger in the which the mouth foometh, the
nostrelles droppeth, and the tongue happarth (plectra
linguae titiJant). — Horm., F., 74.
Hurts, 5. Whortleberries or bilberries. — Smyth, Berkeley MSS*,
1639. (W. of E.) [Hurtleberries in Newfoundland.— Ed.]
Asur, hurtis. — Sir W. Cummyn, On Heraldry, 1500, E.E.T.S.,
Ext. viii. 98.
Kindly, adj. Fat. (Sussex.)
I was cautioned a little time ago against patting a strange dog
and told that he was very swarly for all he was so Wndly.
— Monthly Packet ^ Feb., 1874.
Jackman, 5. A cream-cheese. — (W. of E.) Hll.
Chease made upon rushes, called a fresh chease or jackman
(Junculi). — Huloet.
Ketch, 5. A cask. — Shak., / Henry JF,, H., iv. 221. (Wore.)
Cf. The Ketch, a tavern on the Severn below Worcester.
LuRB, V. To cry loudly or shrilly. (E. of Eng.)
Extreme lewering or crying. — Boorde, Brev. of if., 374.
Great halo wing or lewrins. — lb,, 370.
Lash, adj. Soft, watery, insipid. — (East) Hll.
It [Veal] is good for sound and able constitutions, not so good
for the weak, sick or languishing stomachs, for it is of a
lash and yet gross substance, not very digestible. — Henry
Buttes, Dyefs Dry Dinner , I., 1599.
Lap, v. To wrap up. — Becon, iii. 325. A.S. wlap. (Wore.)
They cover their expostulation with sweet speech as one that
would lap up a pill in the pap of an apple. — (Wore.) D.
Rogers, Naaman^ p. 321.
And heedless youth's unskilfulness hath lapt my life in thrall.-*
Paradise of Dainty Devices, 138.
211
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To lap or wrap. — Baret, Alv.; Bar., Eel., iii. ; Shacklock,
Hatchet of Heresies^ 1565. 5^ under Hap.
Him and his loveliche lemman to lappe in ^ skinnes. — William
of Palerne, 2576.
Therfore thy sweete body free
In this crache shall lye with lee
And be lapped about with haye. — Chest. PL, i. 1 1 1.
Cf I am so wrapt and thoroughly lapt
In jolly good ale and old.
LiPSBY, V. To lisp. A lypsar. — Horm., K., p. 31. So lipsey-lally.
Lost, v. To lose.
" Better put'un in thee pocket, lest a lost un." (W. of p.)
This hath made the lost the favour of many a men. — Horm.,
F., 291.
Mbaslb. a term of contempt. (Exmoor.) Fr. mesel, meseau, a
leper.— Cotg.
Mesel swyne. — Town, Myst,^ p. 12.
Wat. Che never zince che was able
To keep my vather's voulds
Did ever zee such a stable
As thick a thing called Fowls.
A Mezle in a red jacket
Had like to have knack me down
Because che 'd undertake it
Held all the beast in the town.
Thomas Jordan, " The Cheaters Cheated," x., 1664,
Royal Arbor of Loyal Poesie, Coll. I., iii.
A meazle on them ! (oath). — lb., xi.
Mosey, adj. Softening from decay. (Wore.) See extract under
Dawk.
Formaige moysi. Coquillart, D.N.
Mealy or dawny. Bearde which is moysye or yonge. — Huloet.
(Pieber.)
Mosiness of the face, — of the outward part of fruit. — Huloet.
? Mossiness.
Mother (mauther). (Norfolk.) A girl. — Day, BHnd Beggar of Bethnal
Green, iii. (twice), 1659.
A girl, a wench ; as they say in some places, a moather (puella).
—With., 1608.
Moder (moddyr, s.), servaunte or wenche (Carisia), — Ph>, Par,
MOLEDAY, s. (W. of E.) HU.
Feast made at a burial ... or entierment only. — Huloet.
Molday or terment* day (Silicernius). — Huloet.
* %.$. interment.
Nynth day after the buryall day, called the terment day.—
Huloet.
212
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Marthb, s. Marrow.
What saie you of Mary, which in some places is called Marthc,
contained with in the bones of beasts ? — Bullein, Bulwarhe
of Defence ; \Boohe of Simples^ f. 86. 1562.
Muss, 5. A scramble. (U.S.A.)
Bauble and cap no sooner are thrown down
But there's a muss of more than half the town.
Dryden, iV(?/. to ShadwelVs Fair Widow.
Peart, adj. (W. of E.) Lively, quick (used in praise of a young
person).
(Of Servants) :
Some be forgetful, some peart, some insolent.
Some craftless fools, some proud and negligent.
Bar., Ech^ iii.
This shows that its original meaning was not good, and that
it is our ''pert:*
Pestilent, adv.
Nay be advised (quoth his copesmate) hark !
Let's stay all night, for it grows pest'lence dark.
G. Wither, Abuses Stript and Whipt, ii. i.
CoPESMATES, s. Daniel Rogers, Matr. Hon., 216, 1642 ; Gab.
Harvey, Letter Book, p. 57. 1573.
Planet. Climate.— (North) Hll.
They that by the sea saile to londes strange
Oft change the place and planet of the firmament.
Bar., 5. of F., i. 178.
Pioner, 5. A miner. [See pp. 238 and 246.]
So that if a man be destitute of a house it is but to go to
Nottingham and with a mattock, a shovel, a crow of iron,
a chisel and mallet, and such instruments, he may play the
Mole, the Cunny, or the Pioner, and work himself a hall
or burrow for him and his family.— Taylor (W. P.), Pr. of
Summer Trav. Misc., i.
His nimble ferrets must now become pioners for their master.
— Brathwaite, Whimzies, 1631 (** An Under Sheriflf").
Avarice [may stand] for a Pioner. — T. Adams, Wks., p. 401.
Prill, 5. (Wore, aud Hereford.) A tiny rill on the mountain side.
{Pr. Par., whyrl^gg.) ? same as Purl, q. v. — Davies of
Hereford, Microcosm, pref.
Each silver prill gliding on golden sand. — lb., p. 12.
By some prill that *mong the pebbles plods. — Id., Eel., i. 150.
Water prill. — Rowland Vaughan, Waterworks, 1610 (title).
Not far from his nose-thylls
the venome owt his mouth prylles.
The Blaspheming English Lutherans,
79, c. 1525.
213
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Rare, adj. Rare, underdone. — Horm., F., 165. A.S. hrar. Crudus.
—Pf. Par.
A rere or soft egg (Ovum semicoctum). — Baret, Alv.
A reare poacht egg. — Fitzherbert, Book of Husbandry, IIL, xxxv.,
1598, U.S.A.
Let the egg be new [laid], roast him reare, and eat him. —
Borde, Diet, ch. xiii.
Five pills of assafoetida, taken in a reare egg. — BuUein, Btdwarke
of Def.f f. 60, 1652 ; With., 1574.
Neither must eggs be eaten rere, that is to say little more than
thorow hot, named in Latin ova sorbilia. — MufFett, Health*5
Improvement, p. no.
So, simple. It is a reare bird that bredes on the ground. — Gray,
New Year's Gift, 91. 1551.
Speans, s. Teats.— (Kent) Hll.
He is but a milksop yet and a very suckling who will hang on
the speens of every cow which therefore makes him cry so
much like a child. — Strange Metamorphoses of Man, 1634.
§ 6, The Hedghog.
Sleech, s, (Sussex.) Mud used as a cement. ? our modern ' slush.*
Binding slyche. — Chest, PL, 45.
And I will go gather slyche
The shyppe for to caulke and pyche. — lb,, 47.
Slam, s. One lean and slender. — (York.) Hll.
As tall as a Maypole, an overgrown slam. — Torriano.
Stalking, adj\ Wet and miry. — (Glouc.) Hll.
He went nat the ryght way, but by stalkyng pathis hyther and
thyther. — Horm., F., 289.
Stare, v. To swagger, bully. — (Cant) Hll.
Even so [sleep] hurteth the drunkards bench- wislers, that will
quaff until they are stark staring mad like March hares :
Fleming-hke seinkars, brainless l3ce infernal Furies, drink-
ing, brawling, tossing of the pitcher, staring, pissing, and,
saving your reverence, beastly spuing until midnight. —
Bullein, Bui. of Def
Suffer, v. To permit, put up with. — P. Plow. Vis., xix. 438 ; Bar.i
5. of F., ii. 33. (Wore.)
•* Come away from they cows ; they can't suffer red frocks.'*
(Mother to children in field.)
They that will not suffre their clothe whole
But jag and cut them with many a hole
And payeth more for making than it cost.
Hyeway to the Spital-ho., 730.
ST0KEN,^flr^ Shut, fastened.— (North) Hll.
Though thi lyppus be stoken yit might thou say mom. — Town.
Myst., 194.
214
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
TiND, V, To kindle. (West.)
as late the clouds
Justling or push'd with winds, rude in their shock.
Tine the slant lightning. — Milton, Paradise Lost^ x. 1073.
If I dare call Love, Rogue and Runagate,
It *s like I am resolved to loath his love.
It is the Scourge of God to plague mankind
The Conflagration of a World of Lust
The Match whereat Hell-fire itself doth tynd
The Heat that soonest turns our Blood to dust.
Da vies of Hereford, Wit's jPilgr.^ Sonn. 98.
About candle tendyng the fyghting broke of (primis tenebris). —
Horm., V.y 261.
Vease, v. (Somerset.^ I'll vease the {i.e. hunt, drive thee). —
Ray, 1678; A. Paschall. [5^^ p. 246.]
To break wind (onomatopceic). It has escaped all the commen-
tators.
We are touz*d and from Italye feaz*d (Italis longe disjungimur
oris). — Stanihurst, ^n,, i. 252.
Feaze away the drone bees (Ignavum . . . pecus k praesepibus
arcent). — /^., 435.
Your pride serves you to feaze them all alone. — Puttenham,
Eng. PoesiCf 1589 ; Shak., T, of Sh.^ Ind., i ; ib., Tr. andCr.,
II., iii. 200; *&., M, W. W., I., iii. 9; B. Joh., Alch.f v. 5 ;
B. & F., ChanceSy ii. c. ; Coxcomb^ i. 6.
She for awhile was well sore afFeased. — Browne, Shep. Pipe,, Eel. i.
WiDGB, s. ? See Gosgood, ante, p. 79.
JBiN, 5. A receptacle for bread. Now limited to the stable and
cellar.
Fulfill the Larder, and with strengthening bread
Be evermore these Binns replenished.
Herrick to the Genitis of his Houses ii. 239.
A little bin best fits a little bread. —Herrick, ii. 246, iii. 137.
BuNNEL, s. A beverage made from the crusht apples after nearly
all the juice has been expressed for cider. — Jackson, Shrop-
shire Word Book.
"Bunnel and perry** are coupled in Bamfield's Affectionate
Shepherd,
Box-bill, adj. Orange-coloured.
Colour of blackbird's beak.
The box-bill ouzle and the dapled thruoli
Like hungry rivals meet at their beloved bush.
Quarles, Emblems.
Dapf. And when this jape is told another day
I shall be holden a dafif cokenay. — Chau., Reves T., 4203.
215
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Depart, v. To separate one from another.
And he that will depart you two
God give him sorrow and wo.
Squyer of Low Dtgfu^ H., £.P., ii. 6i»
Out of the garden when thej were gone
Each from other did depart ;
Away was all their woful moan,
The one had lighte[n]d the other's heart.
Tlu Knight of Curtesy and Lady of Fagmll;
H., £.P., ii. 71.
At their departing (death). — L. Wager, Rep, of Marie Magd.^
B. ii. 1567.
Ah ! Death, where art thou so long from me ?
Come and depart me from this pain. — /i., p. 79.
Dow, V. To mend in health, thrive. — (North) Hll.
He '11 never dow egg nor bird. — Upton, MS. and York, Dial,,.
p. 83.
' Doe ' seems the pronunciation.
Do-some, adj. Hearty, thriving; said of animals. — Jackson,
Shropshire Word Book.
Doubt, v. To fear. (North.)
Br. I doubt I trouble ye.
An. Resolve your doubt and trouble me no more.
Warning for Fair Women, i. 1599.
It is also much used where we should say in the South *' I
expect." Lord • Chancellor Eldon from this expression
got the character of indecision.
Grateful, adj. Pleasing. A grateful acid. (W. of E.)
It is said of the leaven, to which Christ compares the word>
that massam acrore grato excitat — it puts into the lump
a savoury sourness. It is acror, but gratus — sharp, but
acceptable. — T. Adams, Wks , 275.
Nor grateful ^lantine regales the smell.— Cowper, Hope, 471.
So nowadays a favourite is pronounced to be a persona grata.
Hbir-word, s. a proverbial or by-word [i.e. traditional ?]. (Shrop.>
— ^Jackson, Shropshire Word Book.
HoDDY, adj. In good health or spirits. — (Suffolk) Hll.
Thy father is pretty hoddy again, but this will break his heart
quite. — Wilson, Cheats, v. 5.
Hoist, v. To cough. [East.]— Hll.
There is another manner of sickness among bestes, and it is
called Long-sought, and that sickness will endure long and
ye shall perceive it by his hoisting ... he will hoist xx
times in an hour, and but few of them do mend. — Fitzherb.,,
B. of Hushy., fo. 36. 1534.
216
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
JouRiNG. See N. and Hll. (W. of E.)
As this way of boorish speech is in Ireland called the Brogue
upon the Tongue, so here [Somersetshire] it is named
Touring. It is not possible to explain this fully by writing,
Decause the difference is not so much in the orthography as
in the tone and accent ; their abridging the speech Cham
for I am, Chill for I will, Don for do on or put on, and
DofF for do off or put off, and the like. — De Foe, Tmr of
Great Britain^ i. 360.
Laze, v, (Wore.)
Hence beggars laze themselves in the fields of idleness. — T.
Adams, Wks, p. 26.
LoDGBD, pt. Beaten down by wind or rain. ( W. of E.)
War. His well-proportioned beard made rough and ragged,
Like to the summer's com by tempest lodg'd.
Shak., 2 H. VI., III., ii. 176.
K. R. We '11 make foul weather with despised tears ;
Our sighs and they shall lodge the summer com.
And make a dearth in this revolting land.
Id., Richard II., II., I. 65.
MuG-sHEBP, 5. A sheep without homs. — Hll. ; Rd. Brathwait^
Omphale, 1621. (Yorksh.)
Mblch, adj. Same as. (Line.)
Muggy, adj. Close, damp, as weather. (W. of E.)
Mug, a fog or mist. — Jackson, Shropshire Word Book.
Mad, adj. Of land spoilt or damaged by sudden heat after rain.
Mend, v. To rightcn, rearrange. To mend the fire, i.e. re-make.
Stay, mend your pillow and raise you higher.
W. Rowley, Witch of Edmonton, iv. 2.
2. Wilt please ye mend your draught ?
B. No more, sir, in this heat : it is not good.
Warning for Fair Women, ii. 1599.
Have you mended yotir hand ? (to Drawer who has been sent ta
change the wine). — Chapman, Mayday, iii.
Nbsh, adj.
A letter this fole tok, bad him for nesch or hard
Thereon suld no man loke but only Sir Edward.
Robert of Brunne, Handlynge Synne, p. 220.
He was to nesche and she to hard.— Gower, Confessio Amantis, V.
Although a drop be most neshe yet by oft falling it pierceth that
thing that is right hard. — Boswell, Works of Armoury,
f. 88 b.
The nesh Bee can neither abide cold or wet. — Lawson, The
Orchard, 104. 1625.
217
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Ore,s. Wool.— F.W. (Heref.)
But then the ore of Lempster
By Got is never a sempster
That when he is spun e'er did
Yet match him with her thrid.
B. Jon., Masque of Wales,
Where lives the man so dull on Britain's furthest shore
To whom did never sound the name of Lemster ore ?
That with the silkworm's web for smallness doth compare
Wherein the winder shows his workmanship so rare
As doth the fleece excel and mocks her looser clew,
As neatly bottom'd up as Nature forth it drew :
Of each in hifi;h'st account and reckon'd here as fine
As there th' Apulian fleece or dainty Tarentine.
Drayton, PoL, vii. 1612.
A bank of moss
Spungy and swelling and far more
Soft than the finest Lemster ore.
Herrick, Oheron's Palace*
They have a method of breaking the force of the waves here
^at Southampton] by laying a bank of sea-ore as they call
it. It is composed of long, slender and strong filaments
like pill'd hemp, very tough and durable ; I suppose thrown
up by the sea; and this performs the work better than
walls of stone or natural cliflf. — Defoe, Tour^ i. 223.
Odling, s. An orphan. — Peacock, Glossary. (Lincoln.)
Pug, 5. A thrust.— Hll. (W. of E.)
Daves, But wilt thou never travel ?
Epi. Yes, in a western barge when with a good wind and
lusty pugs one may go ten miles in two days. —
Lyly, Endymion, iv. 2.
Punctual, adj. Upright, straightforward. — Peacock, Lincoln
Glos.
Rile, Roil, v. To move uneasily. {Cf. Amer. To anger.) —
Jackson, Shropshire Word Book,
RiNB, 5. A watercourse cut in the moors for drainage. (W. of E.)
And I can whistle you a fit
Sires, in a willow rine.
World and Child; H., O.P., i. 246.
[Usually spelt * rhine.' — Ed.]
Silly, adj. A.S. Sehg. — i. Happy. 2. Innocent, simple. 3. Weak,
foolish.
1. To have some seely home is my desire :
Still lothe to warm me at another's fire. — Daniel.
2. Silly bairns are eith to lear ♦. — Ferg.
* i.e. easy to teach.
3. ? Leading captive silly women laden with sins. — 2 Tim. iii. 6.
218
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Sad, adj. Heavy, as ill-baked dough is.
As merry as cup and can : Drink makes thee dull ;
But cans are most sad when they are most full. — Davics,
Ep., 363.
Sag. Hanging down loosely.
Put me two bones in a bag
Or mo, as it is of quantitie :
That doon, hold it somewhat sag.
Sch. of Women, 470. 1541.
SiE, V, To strain milk. — Pals. ; HIL (Derbysh.)
And when thou art up and ready . . . milk the kye, secle thy
calves, sye up the milk, take up thy children and array
them. — Fitzherbert, Book of Husbandry, f. 61.
Sleave, v. To tear down. — Hll. (Heref.)
It is the common gyse to begin at the top of the tree when
he shall be shred or cropped because eche bough shuld lye
upon other when they shall fall, so that the weight of
the bowes shall cause them to be the rather cut down.
But that is not best, for that causeth the bowes to slave down
the neather part and pulleth away the bark from the body
of the tree. — Ih,, f. 5a.
Slim, s. A worthless fellow. — Hll.
And this is true and trusted of old that ever a sieving slim-slam
sibi quaerit. — Melb., PhU,, X. 2.
Slad (slade), s. A low-lying piece of ground, between two hills. —
Lowsley, Berkshire Words and Phrases.
Snip, 5.
Of markes [in a cart-horse] one white foot, a white
starre, a white snyp or a white rache is good, and
an OsTRiGE FEATHER in any place where the horse
cannot see it is the best of all the markes that can
be for a horse. — Fitzherbert, Book of Husbandry, H.,
XXXV., f. 598.
Speak, s. i. A speech. Have not these men made a fayre speake ?
— Stanihurst, CEn, Ded.
2. A proverb. — Peacock, Lincoln Glossary,
Sprack, adj. Lively (Icel., spraeke). Sprakliche. Sprightly. —
P. Plow. Vis., C. xxi. 10. (W. of E.)
Suit, s.
When I was in U.S.A. in 1857 an American lady spoke to me
of her ** suit of hair."
The sute of trees about compassyng
Hir shadowe caste, closyng the welle round
And all the herbes growing on the ground.
Chau., Comp. of the Black Knight, 82.
219
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Stock. A fundi capital.
Inscription on N. wall of N.W. end of Nailsea Church, Somerset-
shire ; also on S. wall of Cradley Church, Herefordshire.
I remember when people spoke of the Stocks where we now say
the Funds. So Stockbroker. (Northampton.)
Till, tr. To entice, draw on.
One shoulder of mutton will till down another. — Baker,
Northampton Glossary.
Now stay thy harp proud harper, now stay thy harp I say
For an thou play'st as thou beginnst thoult till my bride away.
Percy, Rel., i. 73.
Tine, v. To shut. [I never tined my eyes. (Som.) — Ed.]
And to look ... if any gate be broken down or want any
staves, and go not lyghtlv to open and tyne and that it do
not trsdl and that the winds blow it not open. — Fitzherbert,
Book of Husbandry, f. 58.
Three-way-leet. When three roads meet. — HU. ; S. Harsnett,
1604.
Tart, adj. Acid. Fierce-tongued. — Brathwait, Ship. T., Eel. vi.
1 62 1. (Som.)
Acerbus, Sharp or tart. — Voc. Stanb.^ 1647.
Acidulus. — Baret, 1580.
A mighty t6art day. i.e. frosty, biting. — ^Jackson, Shropshire
Word Book.
Tart or bitter-tasted (Eliacampane). — Pal., Ac, S.
Tempest, s. A thunderstorm without high wind. — ^Jackson, Shrop-
shire Word Book. (Wor.)
Tidy, adj. Probus. — Prompt. Patv, See instances of its being
applied as a word of praise to men : P. Plow. Vis., xix. 436 ;
William of Paleme, 3677, 3556, 4166, 5384.
Taking, s. An attack of sickness. — (W. of E.) HU. ; Shak,, King
Lear, III., iv. 61 ; Ih., II., iv. 166, adj.
Numbnes or takyng of lymmes (Sideratio, stupor). — Huloet.
He hath a take upon him, or is planet struck. — Quack* s Academy,
1678, Harl. MS., ii. 34.
Navigation or rowing nigh to the land in a calm water is
expedient for them that have dropsies, lepries, palsies
(called of the vulgar people, takings) and franzies. — Elyot,
Castle of Health, f. 50. 1541.
Throng, adj. Crowded, busy. — Sir John RadclifFe, Correspondence,
p. 104, 1615.
Besides that place of motions is so throng
That one will scarce have end a thousand year.
Brathwait, Shep. T., p. 170.
220
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Tranter. A carrier. Traunter, s. A pedlar. — (North) Hll. A
person who buys wheat in sacks to sell it again. — (Herts.)
Ellis, Modem Husbandry, 1750, yune, p. 103.
And had some traunting merchant to his, sire
That trafficked both by water and by fire.
Hall, Sat., IV., ii. 145.
Tump, s. A mound or protuberance in hill country. (W. of E.)
Welsh, twmp.
Ashton* tump, which has a clump of trees on it. — ^Jackson,
Shropshire Word Book,
* Near Bristol.
Upright. To live independently, on your own means. (Norfolk.)
Some seek for wealth, I seek for health,
Some seek to please, I seek mine ease.
Some seek to save, I seek to have
And live upright
More than to ride with pomp and pride
Or for to set in other's debt.
Such is my will and shall be still
For any wight.— Tusser, Life, 38. 1573.
Miss Jackson, Shropshire Word Book, has "Upright, s., a
chimney-sweep," founded on one of that calling having so
described himself in the column ** Rank or Profession " of
a Marriage Register, and by the witness thereto having
used the same term of himself. But it was to escape the
opprobrium of their true description.
Wet, The. (W. of E.)
Come in, out of the wet. Liquor wceta. — nth Cy., Wr., F. of
v., p. 82.
But seeing they [fans] are still in hand.
In house, in field, in church, in street,
In summer, winter, water, land,
In cold, in heat, in dry, in weet.
S. Gosson, Quips, 115. 1596.
Whist, adj. Quiet.
*<He be a ter'ble whist boy** is as high praise as a Sussex
mother could give her son. — Monthly Packet, Feb., '74.
Wbrsh, adj. Tasteless, insipid, valueless. (W. of E.)
Welsh.— Brockett, North Country Words.
Werysshe. — Borde, Diet, xviii.
Werysshe as meate is that is nat well tastye (Mai savour6). —
Palsg,
A Idss and a drink of water are but a wersh breakfast. — Scot, Pr.
The body of an old man is weak and wearish and as full of
wrinkles as a raisin. — Baret, 1580.
It is at best morosa et morbosa poenitentia : a wearish and sick
repentance. — T. Adams, Wks,^ p. 722.
221
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
He had lever drynke good ale than washe wyne. — Horm., F., 32,
A werisshe felowe (Insulsus homo). — Ib*f 52.
? Modem, wishy-washy.
A werisshe song (Inconditum carmen). — 76., 107.
Her goumes (gums) are waryish blew. — Melb., PAi7., N. 4.
Wallowish. ? Same. (Line.)
But Rabbits that are too voun^, as not two moneths old, are of
a wallowish taste and of httle nourishment. — Venner, Via
Recta ad Vitam Longam, 1660, p. 81.
As wally as raw tates. — Roberts, n. to Udall, Er. Ap., p. 432.
Venim or vergious, or vinegre, I trow,
WalleJ) in my wombe or waxeth, I wene.
P. Plow. Vis., A. V. 70.
Wrox, v. To decay. Wroxy, adj. Partly rotten. (Wore.)
And so cut the Turf that the Soard (sward) may have all the
Winter's frost to wroxe and moulder it. — Wr. Blith, Eng-
latuPs Improvement, 1649, c. vi., ** Draining."
Wisp, s. A stye in the eye,— (W. of E.) Hll.
A wisp on the eye, commonly supposed to indicate that one
thus suflfering is very greedy. — Lowsley, Berkshire Words
and Phrases.
Wick, adj. (Quick, living.)
M. Are you afraid of going across the church-yard in the dark,
Hannah ?
H, Lor* bless ye, no, miss. It isn't dead ones I *m scared on ;
it 's wick uns. — Peacock, Lincoln Glossary.
AwKB, adj.
She sprinkled us with bitter juice of imcouth herbs and strake
The awke end of hir charmed rod upon our heads and spake
Words to the former contrarie. — Golding, Ovid Met., xiv.* 1587.
AUKWARD. [ii. 83,
Thrice by awkward winds driven back.— Shak., 2 Henry VI., III.,
Yon dainty Dame she is sa nyce
She '11 noght be win be no devyce
For neither prayer nor for pryce.
For gold or other gaine ;
She is so ackwart and sa thra
That with refuse I come her fra.
Philotus, B. 2. 1603.
Alrish, adj.
First I conjure thee by Sanct Marie,
By Alrish King and Queene of Farie. — lb,, D, 3.
Throw power I charge thee of the Paip
Thou neither girne, gowle, glowme nor gaip
Lyke ankersadle, lyke unsell Aip,
Lyke Owle nor Alrish elfe. — lb., D. 4,
222
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Buckle, v. To bend or bow.— Shak., 2 Henry IF., I., i. 141.
C/. Scot., Buckle to.
A brave man scorns to buckle to fortune.— T. Brown, WorkSf
ii. 171.
And teach this body
To bend and these my aged knees to buckle
In adoration and just worship to you.
B. Jon., Staple of News^ ii. i.
Bolt, s.
To play the bolt for every hackster common. — Brathwait, Shep.
7., p. 172.
Boults, Pimps, Haxtars, Roaring Boys. — Ji., p. 151.
Card, v. Mingle.
K. Hen. Carded his state.
Mingled his royalty with carping fools.
Shak., Henry IV., III., ii. 62.
Since which it hath been and is his daily practice, either to
broach doctrines, novas et peregrinas, new imaginations
never heard of before, or to revive the old and new dress
them. And these — for that by themselves they will not
utter — ^to mingle and to card with the Apostles doctrine,
&c., that at the least yet he may so vent them. — Andrewes,
Sermon on 2nd Commandment, 1592 [Lib. Ang. Cath. Theol.
Sermons, v. 55.]
Clum. a note of silence. — Bullokar. Tyrwh. derives it from
clumian [murmurare], meaning the buzzing sound of
repeating prayer.
Now Paternoster, climi, said Nicholay
And climi, quod John and clam, said Alison.
Chau., Miller T., 3639.
Cherry-fair, A. i.e, a short space or period. — Whit., Vulg.,
f. 23.
Catch patch, v.
He that laboureth no thing holy but catchet patche of every
thing is mete to pyke a salet. — Ih,, f. 4.
CoNFORTATYF, odj. Comfortable. — Ih., f. 32.
COLLOP, 5,
" God save the queen of England," he said,
" For her blood is very nesh.
As neere unto her I am
As a coUop shome from the flesh."
K. yames and Browne, Percy Fol. MSS. i. 141.
Conceited. (In good sense.)
Dr. Why now thou art as I would have thee be,
Conceited and of good capacity.
Warning to Fair Women, i.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Dow, s. ? Dough, bread.
This blessing I will leave thee e'er I go,
Prosper thy Basket and therein thy Dow.
Herrick, ii. 281.
Envy, v. To hate. Cf. the proverb, Better be envied than pitied.
Youth, I wonder much of your straight order of talk against
our dauncing in these oiu: days. I suppose it is
because you are aged and now are not able to do as
other yong men and women do, and this maketh
you to envy it so much. — Northbrook, Against
Dicing and Dauncing^ (Shak. Soc.), p. 163. 1577.
Ratch, 5. Feather, s. Hair.
And if you have mares of divers colours, then sever them in
divers parcels and put ... to your black mares a black
horse, so he have white feet, white ratch and white feather,
so shall he get well-marked black colts. — Fitzherbert, Book
of Husbandry^ p. 70. 1598.
Busk, v. Gasp, v. Gloam, v. To frown, look gloomy.
Strife. I had rather than my life
My husband should come hither
That we might busk together
Ye should see how I could tame him.
Tip, Alas I and could ye blame him
If that he were displeased ?
Str. He shall soon be appeased
If either he gaspeth or glometh.
Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 5. 1598.
Gape, v,
Whereunto dice-play is wholly repugnant and contrary, for
therein is no exercise of oiu: wits, but we only stay upon
the chance of the dice, while as well he that winneth as he
that loseth is amazed and unsure of his chance, but always
gapeth for the chance of his hap without any pleasure, but
only a covetous desire to gain. — Northbrook, Against Dicing,
139 (Shak. Soc.).
Glinnb, 5. A little village or part of a village. — Bullokar.
Glbek, or Glikb, v.
The more I forbeai^ her the more she doth strike me,
The more that I get her the more she doth glike me.
Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 3, 1661 Ed. 1598.
Destiny. I do not use to tell ere I strike,
I suddenly do gleek ere men be aware.— 76., p. 21.
Halkb, s. a corner, a valley. — Bullokar; Chau., Franklin's T.,
1 1433 ; Seconde Non. T., 15779 ; Ro. of Rose, 464.
Hausbning, 5. Omen, a hausening. Ominous, hausening : that
which signifieth some good or bad luck to ensue. — Bullokar.
Hollow. To love hollow birds. i,e. poultry. — Torriano. See
HoUow-meat. — Hll.
224
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
HowGATES. How. — Bullokar. In what manner.— HU.
HoRRow, adj. Beastly, base, slanderous. — Bullokar. Halliwell
says still in use (pronounced Horry) in Devon.
Envious folke with tonges horowe
Depraven him. — Chau., Complaynt of Mars ^ 56.
HuLSTRED. Hidden. — Bullokar; Chau., R. of i?., 6146.
Kindled, ^^ Bom. — Shak., A.Y. L., HI., ii. 258 (Rosalind),
Knot, 5. A flower-bed. ? Because so shaped. ? Couch-grass.
If thou espy within thy curious knot
Some tanghng twitch that doth thy flowers rot,
Wilt thou not quickly root away [the weed] ?
T. Lodge, Fig for MomuSf Sat. iii. 1595.
Kaynard, s. Chau., Wife of Bathers Tale^ 5817.
Keynard. A micher, a hedge-creeper. — Bullokar.
Knarrib, adj. Stubbie. — Bullokar. Cf. Gnarry, p. 18.
Knotty knarry barrein trees old,
Of stubbes sharp and hidous to behold.
Chau., Kn, T., 1979.
LORBL, s,
Lorrel. A devourer. — Bullokar.
Low-BELL, s. A bell used in the old sport of bird-batting. — B. & F.
Which, like a njghtly lowbell, may entice
Th* amaze Plebeans to his bat-fowl net.
Quarles, Vir, Widow ^ iii. i.
A low-bell hung about a sheep or goat's neck. — Ho., L$x, Tetr.
In a case of Davenport v, Davenport in the Divorce Court,
JuW 31, '83, one of the co-respondents who had taken the
yntt into his house was said to have been " loobelled " by
the neighbours.
LosBL, 5. A lout, sometimes a craftie fellow. — BuUokar.
Layvbrs, 5. Thongs of leather. — lb.
Levesell, 5. A bush.^-/&.
The derkes hors ther as he stood ybound
Behind the mille, under a leveseU.
Chau., Reves T., 4060.
Levecell before a wyndow or other place (Umbraculum). —
Prompt, Parv,
But natheles that on of these spices of Pride is signe of that
other right as the gay levesell at the Taverne is signe of the
win that is in the celler. — Chau., Person's 7., p. 155 ; T)rrwh.,
§ 410 Skeat's ed.
HU. pronounces for lattice and denounces aM other conjectures.
Tyrwhitt is for an arbour and compares metsele (a sitting
down to dinner). — Peter Langtoft, p. 334, ed. Heame.
VOL. ni. 225 15
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
All his devodon and holinesse
At taverne is as for the most delle
To Bacchus signe and to the levesele.
Gower M.S. Soc. Aniiq,, 134, f. 253.
" Lefsel (Swed.J ; Idfsal (Dan.) ; loosal, bower of leaves (AUit.
P., ed. Morris, iii. 448); l^fsal Awnt Arthur VL" —
Stratmann.
MuTCHATOES. Mustachios.
Of some the faces bold and bodvs were
Disteyned with woad and turkish beards they had
On th* overlyppes mutchatoes long of heyre
And wylde they seem'd as men dispayring mad.
Mirror for Magistrates, Inductiofi, 15.
PiCKAGBJ 5. Money paid at Faires for breaking the ground to set
up boothes. — Bullokar ; Defoe, Tour, iii. 188.
PuRLUB (purlieu). A place neere joining to a forest where
it is lawful for the owner of the ground to hunt if
he can dispend fortie shillings by the yeere of freeland. —
Bullokar.
Purposes, s, Fr. Propos. Purposes or riddles. — Breton, Daffodils
and Primroses, p. 4 ; Good and Bad, An Effeminate Fool, § 39.
We pass*d that night in making purposes
Singing of catches and such known delights
As young folk use to pass o'er winter nights.
Brathwait, Sheph. T,, Eel. iv. 162 1.
Playfarb, s. Playfellow.
Nor ever did she scorn
The company of any country maid
How mean so e'er or sluttishly arrayed
But she would be their playfare, to make chuse
Of such poor simple sports as wenches use.
lb,, Eel. iv. 162 1.
Pbbk-goosb, 5. B. and F., Prophetess, iv. 3. Pea-goose, lb., Tka
Little French Lawyer^ ii. 3 ; Chapman, M. D'Olive, iii.
To laugh, to lie, to flatter, to face
Four waies in Court to win men's grace,
If thou be thrall to none of these
Away, good Peek-goose, hence John Cheese.
Ascham, Scholemaster, i. 1570.
PuGiL, 5. A pugil, which is no more than one does usually take up
between the thumb and the two next fingers. — Evelyn,
Acetaria, p. 69.
Purl, v. To warble. Cf. Prill.
Ah Lycidas ! come tell me why
Thy whilome merry oat
By thee doth so neglected lie
And never purls a note ? — Herrick, ii. 136.
226
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Shamrock, $.
And fall to labour for a groat a day
And feed on Sham-roots as the Irish doe
And for my clothing in a mantle go.
G. Wither, Abuses Stript and Whipt, i. 7. 1615.
Spangbr, 5. A Spaniard.
Spiteful Spangers. — And. Kingesmyl, A Treatise D., ^., 7. 1585.
Stock, s. Capital. — Latimer, Remains (Parker Soc), p. 112. [See
p. 220.]
There 's many spend their stocks
In ruffes, gowns, kirtles, peti-coats aiid smocks.
Wither, Abuses Stript, <S^., i. 2.
I suppose we three cannot make a stock of two pence. — Fulwell,
ArsAdul,, G. 2.
Stitchell. a term of reproach. See HIL, Stichall.
Ill-nurtured stitchell (of a dog who misbehaved).— R. Brathwait,
Shepherds' Tales, feci. 11. 1621.
Tapinagb, 5. Secrecy, slilinesse. — Bullokar.
Timely, adv. Recently.
Oft have I heard a timely-married girl
That newly left to call her mother mam.
Porter, Two Angry Women, dfc. ; H., O./^
Oft have I seen a timely-parted ghost. — Contention between York
and Lancaster (Shak. Soc.), p. 40.
TosB, V. To unravel, to teaze. Cf, Teasel, s.
Many of them which lack the use of their feet, with their hand's
may pick wool and sow garments or tose okam.-— John
Northbrook, Treat, against Dicing, Dauncing, &c., 157 (Shak»
Soc.), p. 81 ; Shak., Winter's Tale, iv. 3.
She hath never been so deeply tosed by the law, nor so broken-
hearted as others. — D. Rogers, Naantan, p. 123.
TOWZBS.
White linen breeches, as close as Irish touzes. — Taylor, Trav.
to Hamburg,
Token, s. A present.
Corydon coy Celia woos
And his love by tokens shows.
Tokens are those lures that find
Best access to womankind.
R. Brathwait, Shepherds* Tales, Eel. iv. [2nd.
Argument to 2nd pt. — Ed.] 1621.
Vert, v. To harbour in fern or foliage.
Bullock sterteth
Buck verteth
Mery sing cuckoo
Summer is yeomen in. — P.
227
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
VULGARBS, 5.
Hast thou wrote all the Vul^ares (Vul^aria) that our master
has given to us this mornmg 7 — Whit., Vulg.^ t 25.
Umber, adj. Of a brown or umber colour ?
Joan. I have been so troubled with ye all this night . . . me-
thought it should not be you [her lover] and yet
it was you : and that ye were all in white and went
into a garden and there was the umberst sort of
flowers that ever I see — and I pinned gilliflowers on
your ruflf, &c. — Warning for Fair Women^ ii.
Walk, v.
It were an almsdeed to walk thy coat. — ^J. Jugeler; H., OJ^.,
ii. 136; Ib.f 148.
WiNTBR-LOVB.
What a deal of cold business doth a man mis-spend the better
part of life in! scattering compliments, tendering visits,
gathering and venting news, following feasts and plays,
making a little winter-love in a dark comer. — B. Jon.,
Discoveries (Jactura vitae).
Wangbr, 5. A male or bouget (out of use).-^Bullokar, 1616.
Ware, v. To expend.
They shall find it both less charge and more pleasure to ware
at any time a couple of shyll3rnges of a new bow than to
bestow xd. of peacing an old lx)w. — Ascham, ToxophUus^
p. 122.
Wamble, v. To rumble.
He is resolved to weep some three or four pailsful to avoid the
love that wambleth in his stomach. — Lyly, Endymion^ iv. a.
The covetous hath drunk the blood of oppression, wrung from
the veins of the poor; and behold, like an undi^ttble
receipt, it wambles in bis stomach, he shall not feel quiet-
ness in his belly. — T. Adams, Worhs, p. 451.
All and some. Dryden, Absalom and Achitophel, ii. ; N.^ VL, ii.
404, iii. 57 ; Chau., Wife of Baih, Prol. 91 ; Sir T. Wyatt, Satire,
To PoiHS.
Died all and some. — T. Nash, Unf Trav.^ D. 2.
We still use (afiidctedly) ** Make known to all and sundry/* —
St. James's Gaz^te, 28/7/'83.
Mark, Dame, and this is all and some,
If ever ye this earand come
Or of your head I hear a mum,
Ye shall repent it sair. — PhilotuSf B. 2, 1603.
Bob, 5. A taunt.
Now, sir, knowing your bellie full of Bishops* bobbs, I am sure
your bones would be at rest. — Nash, Paj[^e with an Hatchet.
1589.
228
Digitized by
Google J
WORDS AND PHRASES.
B'aggbD) adj\ (Gravida.)
A hare bagged. (Lepus gravida.) — Whit., Vulg,^ f. 7.
Broody. Disposed to sit.
A broody goose. — Ih, ; Fitzherb., B. of Husb., p. 61.
Brock, 5. A badger.
Thei wenten about in brocs skynnes and in skynnes of geet,
nedi, anguished, turmentid. — Wycl., Heb., xi. 37.
BouGH-POTS. Didst not see a couple of gallants sit not far hence
like a couple of bough-pots to mak the room smell? —
Chapman, M, D*Olive, 4.
By-blow, s. A bastard. ? blow=blossom.
By- wipe. — Peacock, Lincoln Glossary.
Sal. Thou speakest not like a subject. What 's thy name ?
Fil. My name is Draco.
Sal. Ot the Athenian Dracos ?
Fil. No ! of the English Drakes. Great Captain Drake
[That sailed the world round] left in Spain a by-blow
Of whom I came.
Sir Robt. Stapylton, The Slighted Maid, p. 27. 1663.
By and main. Throws of the dice severally in hazard and gresco.
See T. Adams Works, pp. 943 and 1209.
And wags must sing and dance and gamesters plot for gain.
Who likes not of his chance Take by to helpe the main.
Bacon's Prophesie, 1604 ; H., E.P.P., iv.
Case, s. Skin. C/. Uncase, Case-hardened.
Where the lion's skin is too short we must etch it out with the
fox's case. — Cotton's Montaigne, ch. v.
We 'U make you some sport with the fox ere we case him. —
Shak., All's Well, III., vi. iii.
First case your hare. — Mrs. Glasse, The Art of Cookery. 1747.
Thus wise men
Repair the hurts they take by a disgrace.
And piece the lion's skin with the fox's case.
B. and F., Beggar's Bush, iii. i.
Catamount, s.
He is a partial artist : he will portray a man of note for nothing,
but being obscure, a cat of mount shall receive more cour-
tesy from his pencil than a nobler creature. — Brathwait,
Whimzies, "A Painter." 1631.
CoPB, s. The sky, canopy of heaven.
For if thou hadst come back as I did hope.
Thy fellow had not been beneath the Cope.
Taylor, J. (W.P.), Praise of Hempseed.
CoRASiB, s. Vexation. — Hall ; HU.
Wherefore to unload my stomach of that chorasie, I will utter
it unto thee, &c. — Fulwell, Ars Adulandi, I. 3.
229
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Card, s. A sea-chart. Cf. Ham.f V., i. 149.
All the quarters that they know
r the slupman's card. — Shak., Macbeth^ I., iii. 17.
We *re all like sea-cards,
All our endeavours and our motions,
As they do to the North, still point at beauty.
B. and F., Chances^ i. i.
These are the points of wisdom that we run the course of
our Card by. — Breton, Court S* Country, p. 10, Grosart's
reprint.
Censure, v. To form an estimate, judgment.
He shall diligently regard what strangers or others are to dine
or sup in the Hall, and thereof give warning to the Clarke
of the Kitchen or Cook to provide accordingly, himself
censuring as near as he can how many messe of meat will
serve.— Fitzherb., B. of Husby., IV. (" Usher of the Hair*),
1598.
Now unto thine own censure I leave the choice to take which
way thou wilt. — lb*, iv.
Disannul, v. To forbid, hinder.
Earwig, s. A term of reproach.
Some cankered erwig. — Brathwait, Shepherd^s Tale, Eel. iv. [or
pt. ii., Eel. i.— Ed.]
Encommon, v. To share with.
L. says : To make common, and gives, " That their mysteries
might not come to be encommoned by the vulgar. —
Feltham's Resolves {Ord. MS.):*
And knowing Good becomes more good the more
It is encommon'd, he applies therefore
T' instruct her in the faith. — Sylvester, Magnificence, 1319.
Few. Used to a noun of quantity and not of number.
They be content with a penny piece of beef among four, having
a few pottage made of the broth of the same beef. — Lever,
Sermons, 1550.
Feature, s.
Thus self-admir'd, I liv*d till thus transform'd
I got a feature fitting with my pride ;
For I that scorned others now am scorned,
Had in disgrace, and in pursuit beside.
Brathwait, Odes (" The Owl**), 1621.
In bodie fine fewter*d. — Stanihurst, " Of his Mistress"
Fricace.
Put on coy looks and the fashion of disdain,
(Mins-speech, huff-pace, sleek-skin and perfumed breath.
Goats' hair, breasts-bare, plume-fronted, fricace-teeth).
Brathwait, Omphale, p. 230.
230
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
•GuiERiE, 5. ? Whim.
This pangue or gxiierie of love doth especially, above all others,
invade and possess such persons as been altogether drouned
in idleness. — Udall, Er, Ap., p. 131.
Haxter, 5. A ruflSan. ? a cut-purse, from to hack.
Oyster callet, sly Upholster,
Hooking Huxter, merry Maltster,
Cutting Haxter, courting Roister,
Cimning Shark nor sharking Foister.
Brathwait, Odes {''Fall of the Leaf*), 1621.
Let public Haxters (now most of all),
That in their heat would quarrel for the wall,
Stand to their Tacklings. — Id., Strappado for the Diuell, 20.
In Drusiimi meretricium adjutorem.
Drusus, what makes thee take no trade in hand,
But, like Hermaphrodite, half man, half woman.
Panders thyself and stands at whore's command
To play the bolt for every Haxter common ?
Id., Shepherd's Tale, p. 172.
Hallow-mouthed, adj. Tender, fastidious. — Thomas Powell, Tom
of All Trades, p. 38. 1631.
Hearty, adj. Bold, full of heart or courage. Davies says "eminent,"
and quotes : " Esay, that hearty prophet." — Latimer, i. 356,
and "Judas Maccabeus, that hearty captain." — lb., i. 515.
Hylely. Proudly. — Hll.
My flesh is plagued rily.
And my head is woundy hily.
Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 51. 1598.
Hamper, v.
Old John. Mass, as old as I am and have little skill,
I '11 hamper a false knave yet in my hedging bill.
Warning for Fair Women, ii. 1599.
Hair, 5. Kind. Shak., 1 H. IV. y IV., i. 61; Chapman, Monsieur
D'Olive, v.; B. and F., Nice Vol., i. i.
I thought at the £rst he had been a dolt,
I bridled a colt of a contrary hair, ri598.
Sour sauce is now my cheer. — Tom Tyler and his W%fi,i^. 1 2 .
Jowl, s. Chall; the cheek-bone. In U.S.A. the dish of pig's
face is served up as "Joles and greens." (Chall.)
Hee was byglich ybownde on both twoo halles.
Both his chawl and his chynne with chaynes of yren.
King A lisaunder, i. 1 1 19.
Also John Audelay's Poems (Percy Soc.), p. 77.
Kid, v. To bind in bundles.
... fell the underwood first in winter that thy cattell or Beasts
may eat or brouse the tops . . . and as soon as it is eaten
and brused then kid or faggot it and set them on ends. —
Fitzherb., f. 51. 1534.
231
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Marshland. Boundary land. — Peacock, Lincoln Glossary. Cf.
Markland.
Mbark. See below.
Oh conntrie clownes, your closes see you keep
With hedge and ditch, and mark your mead with meares.
Gascoigne, Fruits of Warre,
Mohock.
Bob Tench was never at a loss for expedients, and had always
a little phial of Friar's balsam in his pocket, some gold-
beaters skin and court plaister, as well as his corkscrew
and Mohock. — Grave, Spiritual Quixote^ X. xxiv.
Mbrb, 5. A boundary.
The furious Team, that on the Cambrian side,
Doth Shropshire as a mere from Hereford divide.
Drayton, Poly.^ i. 807.
In a Decree, timp, Henry VI., relating to Broadway, Worcester,
printed by Sir Thomas Phillips, part of the boundaries of
Pershore Abbey is described as the mere dyche.
Cf. Mardyke, Clifton.
MissBT, 5. Unexplained in Hll. ? pet dog.
Would you have a true survey of his family and number them
by the pole ? You shall nnd them subsist of three heads :
himself, his truck, and her misset. Where the last wears
commonly the sleekest skin. — Brathwait, Whimxiis^ "A
Pedler." 1631.
Oystbr, 5. Udall, Er. Ap,^ p. 61. Cast m my teeth.
I have a stopping oyster in my poke. — Skelton, Ed. Dyce, i. 48.
Checks and choking oysters. — He., DiaL^ xi.
Odd, adj. Unlike.
How ferre odde those persons are from the nature of this prince
which never thinks theim selfes to be praysed enough. —
Ud., Er. Ap.^ p. 185.
Parcbl-gilt. Spelt Partial, which gives the true derivation. —
Brathwait, Whimzies^ "An Apparator." 1631.
QuATCH, s. A word.— (Berkshire) Hll.
No, not a quatch, sad poets ; doubt you
There is not grief enough without you ?
Bishop Corbet, EUgv on Death of Queen Anne,
QuiLLBT, 5. A croft or grass-yard. — (Devon) Hll. See NareSf by
HU. and Wr.
"Suffolk Stiles." It is a measuring cast whether this proverb
pertaineth to Essex or Suffolk ; and I believe it belongeth
to both, which being inclosed coimtries into petty QuiUets,
aboimd with high stiles troublesome to be clambered over.
• —Fuller, Worthies [Suffolk], ii. 326.
232
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Rbare, adj. Underdone, rawish (of meat). Universal in U.S. A.
Raayre or Rur. — Lowsley, Berkshire Words and Phrases.
Rear, half-cooked. — Peacock, Lincolnshire Glossary.
There we complain of one reare-roasted chick.
Here meat worse cookt nere makes us sick.
Harington, Ep., iv. 6.
Spring, s. Quillbr, s.
I pray thee call it my beard. How shall I be troubled
when this yoimg spring shall grow to a great wood ?
Fp, Oh, sir, your chin is but a quiller yet, you will be most
majestical when it is full-fledged. — Lyly, Endym.^ v. 2.
Scantling, 5.
Oh, span thy life (for life is but a span)
And thou shalt find the scantling is so small
For vain delights there is no time at all.
Brathwait, JShep. T., p. 157.
Standbll, 5.
If the standells be planted too thick in a coppice, there cannot
be clean underwood, for they will turn all to dwarfish
shrubs. — Ho., Parley of Beasts, p. 20.
Shrowds, s. Shreds. Twigs cut oflf trees and hedges.
When shales been sheen and shradds full fayre
And leaves both large and long
*Tis merry walking in the fayre wrest
To hear the small birds' song.
Guy of Gisbome, [Percy Fol. MSS., II. 227.— Ed.}
Twines, 5. Embraces.— AT. H. W,
An hot luxurious lecher in his twines
When he has thought to clip his dalliance,
There has provided been for his embrace
A fine hot flaming devil in her place.
Rowley, Witch of Edmonton^ v. i.
Underlaid, pt. Soled and heeled.
Tell Sextus' wife (whose shoes are underlayd)
Her c^ait is girlish and her foote is splayed
She'U rail with open mouth as Martial! doth.
T. Lodge, A Fig for Momus, Sat. i. [i595']
Upright, adj. Straight, of one pattern, not right and left.
Your sweet fool and your fine knave are like a pair of upright
shoes that gentlemen wear so long now of one foot, then
of another, till they leave them never a good sole. — Day,
Humour Out of Breath, ii. i.
This fellow is like your upright shoe, he will serve either foot. —
Sharpham, Fleire, 1615.
This wench lay upright* and fast slept. — Ch., Reve's T., iu
192.
* i,i. On her back in a straight line.
233
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Why- NOT, s.
Fcfd. This ring [given to save herself] makes her sense plain
which was hard before; and do you hear, Ned?
'twould vex us to be hanged for ravishing an honest
woman when we think we only touse a drab and but
a scurvy Why-not to^oversee a gallows so. — Killigrew,
Thomaso, IL, ii. 4.
Besides, such a kind nature, only seasoned with this guilt [a
little whorishness], so civiliseth a [Wife] ; it awes her and
keeps her in bounds : a little guilt in that kind is such a
Ring in a kind-natured heart : it leads them through fire
to make satisfaction*, especially when they see a man has
so much love as to make a Why-not and oversee those
faults. — lb., iv. I.
* ? to the husband.
O'erreach'd your rabbins of the synod
And snapp'd their canons with a why-not.
Butler, Hudibras, II., ii. 529.
Wainscot. Wood covered with varnish. And see Phrases, infra.
The pattern of perfection . . . like one made up in wainscote,
not an irregular hair about him, &c. — Brathwait, Whimzus^
" A Traveller." 1631.
Whipstock, 5. The handle of a whip.
. . . delude the vulgar till the whipstock wane him from his
practice.—/^., " A Pedler."
WiMBBRRY, 5. The whortleberry or bilberry. So called, I thmki
from wem, the stomach ; the fruit bearing a strong resem-
blance to the human stomach.
He bad his gang, therefore, command us . . .
To probe itf wem with wedge and beetle.
Cotton, Scarronides, 17.
t The Trojan horse's.
For two and thirty days they satisfied the decree of the oracle
without being obliged to expose any human creature to
the monster's wem. — Misson, Travels through England^
p. 105.
WooDBNLY, adv. Awkwardly, stiffly. — North, Life of Guilford, ii. 22.
WiNDSHAKB, 5. A flaw or crack in wood caused by the wind.
If you come into a shop and find a bow that is small, long,
heavy, and strong, lying straight, not winding, not marr^
with knot, caule, W3mdeshake, wem, freat or pynche, buy
that bow of my warrant. — Ascham, Toxophilus, p. 1 14.
Arming^puppy.
Or if you could translate yourself into a lady*s arming-puppy,
there you might lick sweet lips and do many pretty offices.
— Rowley, Witch of Edmonton, v. i.
234
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Brinch, v. To toast. Italian Brindisi, (a song there anent).
Half. Let us consult at the tavern where, after to the health
of Memphio, drink we to the life of Stellio ; I carouse to
Prisius and brinch you mas Sperantus. — Lyly, Mother
BombUf ii. i.
Beaten, pt. Stamped with a pattern.
lEntif Fofd^ leading Nancy in rich apparel.'^
Suckdry (her father ^ a miser). What's this I see ? Surely this
house is the land of visions. My daughter in beaten satin !
Hold me, I faint. — Wilson, Projectors^ v.
Bobtail. Cousins by marriage, or kindred (as they commonly
terme it) by bobtaile. — Nomenclator^ p. 533.
By, adv. Against. So By-word. See Ey, 5.
For I know nothing by myself. — St. Paul, /. Cor., iv. 4.
As it is noght by the Bisshope
That the boy preacheth— P. Plow. Vis., ProL, 160.
Near. Sit at the buy-table. — Davenport, A New Trick, S»c.y
i. 2.
Bug, s. The bugs infernal, i.e. devils, Hesperus. — Stanihurst, A en.
He hath no journey to go, but either there are bugs or he
imagines them. — T. Adams, Whs., p. 458.
Condition, s. Cf. Ill-conditioned.
He is of no religion nor good fashion ; hardly good complexion
and most vile in condition. — Breton, Good and Bad, •* The
Atheist," p. lo.
Cum-twang. Dav. says a miser, but query.
Grey-beard huddle-duddles and crusty cum-twangs. — Nash,
Lenten Stuffe.
Cross-bite, v. To cheat, but query in what manner.
Though you can foyst, nip, prig, lift, curbe and use the black
art, yet you cannot cross-bite without the aid of a woman.
—Greene, Thieves Falling Out [Harl. Misc., viii. 389].
Choke-pear. Halliwell says (i) a smaU piece of copper money
(Cant).
Min. The barber shall know every hair of my chin to be as
good as a choke-pear for his purse. — LUy, Midas, iv. 3.
2. Nothing is such a choakepeare to Religion and such a pillar
of Satan's Kingdom as this carnal reason. — D. Rogers,
Naaman, 209.
Curses prove chokepears to them that plant them. — Cotgrave,
Mauldisson.
CfiSSy S.
Tho' much from out the cess be spent.
Nature with little is content. — Herrick, i. 55.
Sans cesse. Immoderately, excessively, out of all cess and crie.
— Cotgr.
239
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Enhuilb, v. To anoint.— Racket, Life of Williams, ii. 141. This
explains the word in HamUt^ L, v. 77.
Unhousell'd, disappointed, unaneled. i,e. not having received
extreme unction. Cf Enneal in Dav., and the extract
given there from Puttenham, Eng. Poesie, IIL, xxxv.
ExcBEDiNGs, 5. Extra dishes of a more luxurious kind than the
ordinary rations.
On the Sunday, alias the Saboth, all persons more or less have
exceedings in their cheer. — Torr.
They did epicure it in daily exceedings, as indeed where should
men fare well if not in a King's Hall? — Fuller, Hist, of
Camb., ii. 48.
V.-C. Sir Jas. Bacon used to tell of his enquiring of the butler
at Lincoln's Inn, when he had migrated there from Gray's
Inn to become a Bencher, what the Benchers had for
dinners. ** Jest the same as the students, sir," was a reply
at which his mind misgave him whether he had changed
for the better. However, when dinner was served he foimd
a toothsome menu of pretty little kickshaws, as well as the
r^^ation leg of mutton. The butler still insisted, pointing
to this last, that they had " Jest the same as the students,"
and when the made dishes were brought to his notice
exclaimed, " Oh, sir, those ? those are exceedings / "
Equipage = Equality. — Sanderson, Works, Pref., 1655, ii. 10.
In the 4to of Shak., M. W. W., FalstafF says : " I will not lend
thee a penny." To which Pistol replies : ** I will retort the
sum in equipage."
Flick, 5., for Flitch. Flick of bacon.
Herrick, Hesp., 278, speaks of a man's naked fliches or sides.
Juke. Jouke. Juck. To sleep ? (a hawking term). Cf Nightin-
gale's Jug-jug, to call to each other.
This appears to be an onomato word. — Markham, Art of Fowling ^
p. 240.
The beasts of the field take rest after their feed and the birds of
the air are at Juke in the bushes. — Breton, Fantasticks.
(Noon.)
To find the Covey [of Partridges] in such haunt is the difficulty.
Some are so ingenious they can do it by the eye only,
distinguishing their colour from the earth ; others by a call
imitating their notes at their Juking-time, which is usually
in the morning or in the evening. — J. Worlledge, Systema
Agricuiturae, 1669.
Jump, 5. A Nonconformist minister's upper garment. ? A spencer.
Scruple. You call it right : it is a coat indeed — no cassock, but
a good plain, honest, distinguishing jump.— Wilson,
Cheats, iii. 3.
The weeping cassock scared into a jump,
A sign the presbyter *s worn to the stump.— Cleaveland.
236
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Label, s. i. An ear-ring. — W. Rowley, Witch of EdmotUon^
iii. I.
Your jeweller has new devices for ye,
Fine labels for your ears, bracelets for wrists.
Id., All*$ Lost by Lust, i. 1633.
2. A hanging strip.
And a knit nightcap made of coarsest twine
With two long labels button'd to his chin.
Hall, Sat., IV., ii. 24.
Dover, "the utmost edge, brink and labell of England." — F.,
Church Hist., III., iii. 13.
Balak met Balaam, standing as it were on his tiptoes on the
the very last label of his land. — Id., A Pisgah Sight of
PaUstim, IV., i. 19.
Lady's love. ? a plant.
His cap was made of lady's love
So wondrous light that it did move
If any humming gnat or flie
Buz'd the air in passing by.
Herrick, p. 485 [Appendix to Hazlitt's Edn.]
Lady-longings, 5.
For fruit these : fritters, medlars, artichokes and lady-longings.
Lyly, Endymion, iii. 3.
Marl, 5. A soil of clay and lime mixt. But in Lincoln it denotes
pure chalk. — i^eacock. Glossary.
Marlborough, so called from its hills of chalk which antiently
was c^ed chalk. — Defoe, Tour through Great Britain, ii. 52.
Nappy, adj. Soft.
The lint or nappie down which linnen cloth beareth in manner
of a soft cotton . . . is of great use in Physic. — Holland,
Pliny's Nat. Hist., xix. i.
I remember too an old song had :
The nymph was lissom, buxom, nappy.
And fit to make a lover happy.
Powder, v. To sprinkle as with pepper. Corned beef is spoken of
passim in Elizabethan literature as ** powdered beef."
The Judge that would be likst Him when he gives
His doom on the delinquent most that grieves
Powders his words in eye-brine.
Davies, Sir T. Overbury, p. 13.
Purdue, s. One lying hid. Fr. perdu.
For whilst in shady streams the anglers watch
To catch the fish, the silly purdues catch'd.
Franck, Northern Memoirs, p. xlix.-
Piece. As a noun masculine. <* Progmatical pieces." — Gauden, T^aw
of the Church of England, Sh;., p. 228. " A crabbed piece "
(husband). — Roxburgh Ball., ii. 441.
287
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
PiONBR. Unpied, unearthed. — Brogden (Line.) ^See pp. 213 and
Queen. Here will I stay 246.]
Until my eyes like briny pioners
With their continual cadence have digg'd up
A woeful sepulchre for these sweet corpses.
Rowley, A Shoemaker a Gentleman, i.
PUTE.
Arminius . . . acknowledges ^th to be the pure-pute gift of
God,— Bp. Hall, Works, xx. 82.
Pure, Pute Italians preferred in England transmitted the gain
they got . . . into their own coimtry. — F. W. (York).
A pure and pute sham-plot.— North, Examen, 256.
That cause was . . . pure and pute factions. — Ih,, 527.
PiTCHFiELD, s. A battlefield. C/. The Pitchcroft, Worcester.
I can assure thee Michael, Mile-end is a goodly matter, there has
been a pitchfield, my child, between the naughty Spaniards
and the Englishmen, &c. — B. & F., Knight of the Burning
Pestle, ii. 2. •
Receipt, s. Accommodation.
Sandy and fat earth will avoid all water falling by receit. —
Lawson, Orchard, p. 5. 1625.
Do not pinch this leaven for room and thrust it into a narrow
comer in your conscience whiles you give spacious receit to
lust and sin and such lewd inmates. — T. Adams, Wks,, p. 436.
As for receipt a house had better be too little for a day than too
great for a year. — Fuller, Holy and Profane State, IIL, vii. 7.
London bv reason of the receit thereof was likely to prove the resid-
ing place for the English monarch. — Id., Church Hist. ,11,, ii. i .
C/. Where there is no room for receipt of a fly,
Love will find out the way.
That memory, the warder of the brain
Shall be a fume and the receipt of reason
A limbeck only. — Shak., Macb., L, vii. 67.
Recure, s. Recovery.
A disease without all recure. — Lyly, Endymion, ii. i ; Ih., iii. i ;
Shak.,/?., III., iii. 7, 130; Spenser.
Stammel, s. ? Flannel. See HU. B. & F., Woman Hater.
Like those changeable creatures
That live in the burdello, now in satin
To-morrow next in stammel. — Chapman, M. D'Olive, ii.
Shag-rag, s. A mean, beggarly fellow. — Hll. ; Chapman, Mayday, ii.
Sweepstake, s.
He that is once so skilled in the art of gaming as to playat
Pluckpenny will quickly come to sweepstake. Theeves>
theeves I — Sir J. Gall's Proceedings in Derbyshire, p. 2. 1643.
With the swipstake and the mynyon. — Skelton, Vox Populi^
Vox Dei, p. II. 1540.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
SwARVE, V. To swarm. To fill up, be choked with sediment as the
channel of a river. — HD.
When Leo lived, because he loved merry fellows and stood well
affected to the Stage, all Rome swarved with jugglers,
singers, players. To this I think was the proverb squared,
Confessor Papa, confessor populus (Cyprian). — T. Adams,
Works, p. 34.
Tad, s.
What think you of the Ass who being used to carry burthens of
salt over a Foord was used to stumble and fall constantly
in such a place, that thereby the salt melting away into
water his burthen might be the lighter, but his master
lading hhn with a tadd of wool, he fell at his usual place,
but being helped up again, and he feeling the pack of wool
heavier in regard of the water that got in, he never stiunbled
any more in the foord after that time. — Ho., Parley of
Beasts, 119.
Talking-stock, 5. A subject of conversation or notice.
Hee was like much the more for that to be a talkyng stock
to all the geastes. — Ud., Er. Ap., p. 96.
Till. To, unto.
He was afterwards restored till his liberty and archbishopric. —
Fuller, Church Hist., IV., iii. 40.
TuTTY, 5. A nosegay.
She can wreathes and tuttyes make. — T. Campion, 161 3 ;
Arber, Eng, Gamer, iii. 283. [1585.
Servia. A tuzzie muzzie, a sweet posie. — Junius, Nomenclator,
ToLSEY, 5. The place where tolls were taken. — Hll.
The mayor and justices [of Bristol] or some of them usually
met at their tolsey (a court house by their exchequer) about
noon, which was the meeting of the merchants, as at the
Exchange at London, and there they sat and did justice-
business that was brought before them.— North, Life of
Guildfd,, ii. 116.
The place under it is their Tolsey or Exchange for the meeting
of their merchants. — Defoe, Tour, iii. 239.
Total, adj. Short (in speech).
Do you mean my tender ears to spare
That to my questions you so total are ?
Sidney, Astrophel and Stella, st. 92.
Trash, 5. Money. Cf Shak., Othello, H., i. 312 and HI., iii. 157.
Therefore must I bid him provide trash, for my master is no
friend without money.— Greene, /a»i« IV,, iii. i.
Nor would Belinus for King Croesus' trash
Wish Amurack to displease the gods.
Id., Alphonsus, iii. i.
239
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
About. Out of the usual course.
I have bettered my ground as you say and quite rid me of my
wandering guests, who will rather walk seven miles about
than come where they shall be forced to work one half
hour. — Metamorphosis of Ajax, 1596.
C/. Something about, a little from the right. — Shak., King
yohn^ L, i. 170.
Amort.
Why, how now, Sophos ? all amort ? still languishing in love ?
—WUy Beguiled ; H., O.P., ix. 305.
Ladies, some smiling, others k la mort. — N. Ward, Nuptial
Dialogues f IL, xii.
Arrive, 5. 7 a messenger.
Serulino. I should be sorry to find myself so far concerned by
your hiend as to be very angry with any arrives of his. —
KiDigrew, Tomaso, IL, ii. i.
And even like as a ship that is well governed when both the
master and ruler of the stem be wise and expert and ever
hath before his eyes as a mark to look unto, the haven or
place of his arrive*. — Starkey, Letters {c. 1550) [E.E.T.S.,
Extra Series, xxxii., L, ii., 1070.]
* i.e. arrival.— Drayton, Polyolbion, p. 117a.
AwKLBY, adv. Awkwardly. (See p. 75.)
To do anything unluckily — awkley — ^worse and worse. — CI., p. i-
Others plod and take on, make a bungling work of it, as we see
untidy servants go awkely about their business, which neat
and skilful ones despatch at once. — D. Rogers, NaamoHf
p. 361.
Bad, Bads, 5. Opposed to goods, things of value.
An Inventory of all Motto's moveables, bads and goods. — Lyly,
Midas, V. 2,
Brack, 5.
I have known it by experience, let the threed of a man's life be
never so well spun, yet it cannot be without bracks and
thrumbs. — Ho., Parlejf of Beasts, 121.
Coomb, 5. A measure containing four bushels.
His Majesty measured out his accumulated gifts, not by the
bushel or by the coome, but by the barnful. — Hacket's
Life of WiUtamSf i. 63.
Coarsb, adj\ Rough, applied to weather. — Wr.
What a pitiful coors cold clime is [Scotland] : it hath neither
the warm sun nor God's blessing. — Ho., Parley of Beasts, 125.
Chair-man, 5. A teacher or preacher. Fr. chaire, pulpit.
That great Chairman or Grandee among Philosophers, Aristotle,
in his Politiques, speaks, &c. — Jb., 98.
240
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Crotchbt, 5.
Ape. Sir, you may as well quadrat a circle, which the Philosopher
holds to be impossible, as convert a Roundhead, for I
have felt his pulse so well that when a crochet hath
got once into his noddle, 'tis like quicksilver in a hot
loaf which makes it skip up and down to the astonish-
ment of an ignorant beholder, so when a caprichio or
some fantastical idea hath once entered into the peri-
cranium of this pack of people, it causeth such a
vertigo, &c.— /^., 49.
Stood on this chrotchet. — G. Harvey, LtUtY Book^ p. 46. 1573.
Gugawas and crockchottes. — lb., 100.
Chip, adj. Tasteless. Cf. Chip in porridge.
His appetite was good and cookeries were provided in order to
tempt his palate, but all was chip. — North, Life of Guildford,
(1734), "• 205, ed. 1808.
Camp, v.
Nurse. What knowest not thy granam ?
Peg. I know her to be a testy old fool. She *s never
well but grunting in a comer.
M. Midnight. Nay, she *11 camp, I warrant you. O, she has a
tongue. — Wily Beguiled, p. 251 ; H., O.P., ix.
Dapper, s. Small crockeryware. — HU.
If you mean to make clean [the hens'] nests you must warily
take up the eggs and put them in some little Dafifer, having
hay in it, and speedily lay them in a clean nest again. —
Fitzherbert, Book of Husbandry ^ IV,, viii.
Equal, adj. Impartial.
An equal umpire shall I be. — Herrick, ii. 236.
Find, v.
As men struck in their sleep that cannot quickly find them-
selves.— T. Adams, God*s Anger, iii. 267. 1653.
Frippery, 5.
Now your profession, pray.
Br. Frippery (or as some term it, petty brokery).
Chapman, Mons. D'Olive, iii.
FusiLL.
The Cathedral of Salisbury (dedicated to the B. V.) is para-
moimt in this kind, wherein the Doors and Chapelis equal
the Months, the Windows the Days, the Pillars and
Pillarets of Fusill Marble (an antient Art now shrewdly
suspected to be lost) the Hours in the Year. — Fuller,
Worthies [Wilts] , ii. 436.
Gain, s.
The sweat upon thy face doth oft appear
Like to my mother's fat and kitchen-gain.
R. Greene, p. 291.
241 16
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
GoDLiGE, V. i.e» God reward thee. Cf, Godlyche in Hll.
Strife. Gossips Godlige for this merry song. — Tom Tyler and his
Wife, 1598, p. 20.
GiNGLiNG, adj, ? same as Jangling.
The . . . Sectaries who have infected the inhabitants with so
many pseudodoxall and gingling opinions. — Ho., Parley of
Beasts i 122.
GooDMORROws, 5. Nothings, platitudes.
Then she spoke of the domestical kind of captivities and
drudgeries that women are put to with many such good-
morrows. — Ib,y p. 67.
After this saying the comenaltie of Athenes who had afore
condemned him were suddenly stricken again in love with
him, and said that he was an honest man again and loved
the citee and many gaie good morrows. — Ud., Er. Ap,,
p. 376 ; and see Tom Brown, Works ^ iii. 205.
Homely, adj. Rough. Applied to fare, lodging.
Homely playe it is and a mad pastime where men by the course
of the game go together by the cares and many times
murdre one an other. — Ud., Er. Ap,, p. 218.
Handsome, adj.
He sat with me while I had two quilted pigeons, very handsome
and good meat. — Pepys* Diary, 26/9, 1668.
Inkle, 5. Cheap tape, such as is hawked by beggars.
. . . from the courtier to the carter, from the Lady to the Inckle-
beggar. — T. Adams, Works, p. 1018. 1616.
Insurance, 5. Engagement, betrothal. — Davies. ? understanding
only.
And dyd not I knowe afore of the insurance
Between Gawyn Goodluck and Christian Custance ?
Ud., Ralph Roister Doister, iv. 6.
Knacking, part, Dav. has ** downright." ? knocking or gnashing.
See Nares' Gloss., by Hll. and Wright.
Custance. Tush, ye speake in jest.
Mery* Nay, sure ; the partie is in good knacking earnest.
lb., iii. 2.
Kickshaw, s. A light unsubstantial dish or entr6e ; mispronunciation
of French.
Queckshoes. — Gauden, Tears of the Church of England, 204.
Quelkchose. — Cotgr.
For [the Englishman] when he is at it, doth not sip and drink
by halves, or demur upon it by pauses as the [German]
doth, or by eating some salt quelque chose between, but
he deals in sheer liquor and is quickly at the bottom of his
cup without any intervening talk. — Ho., Parley of Beasts,
III.
242
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Lbarn, v. To teach.
O learn me true understanding and knowledge. — Ps, cxix. 66,
Prayer Book Version.
A thousand more mischances than this one
Have learn'd me how to brook this patiently.
Shak., Two Gentlemen of Verona^ V., iii. 4.
Phylosophers' learnings
Are full of good warnings. — Huth Ballads.
Have I not been
Thy pupil long ? Hast thou not learn'd me how
To make perfumes ? distil preserves ? Yea, so
That our great King himself doth woo me oft
For my confections? — Shak., Cymheliney I., v. 12.
Minx, 5.
There are tye dogs or mastifes for keeping of houses : there are
little minxes or pupies that ladies keep in their chambers
for especial jewels to play withal. . . . When I am hungry
I am a little minxe full of play, and when my bealy is ful a
mastife. — Udall, Er, Ap,^ p. 143.
Then let a knave be known to be a knave,
A thief a villain and a churle a hogge,
A minkes a menion and a rogue a slave,
A trull a tit, an usurer a dogge,
A lobbe a lout, a heavy loll a logge.
Breton, Pasquill^s Madcap, p. 10.
Pinch, v.
Add hereunto that the [Irish] had far more grievances than the
[Scotch] (who really had none at all), for they were
threatened to be more pinch'd in the exercise of their
religion. — Ho., Parley of Beasts, p. 130.
Pricket, s. A wax taper. Prickets, sizes of wax. — Fitzherb.,
Book of Hush., IV. 1598.
Pbalb, 5. A tower, fort, castle, Cf. Peele Castle, near Furness.
PiLB. Now be we peale-pelted from tops of barbican hautye. —
Stanihurst, (En., ii. 429.
The inhabitants at this day call it Milnesse; and as small a
village as it is, yet hath it a pile. — Holland's Camd., p. 775.
Swinburne, a little castle or pile. — 76., p. 806.
Pill is a small creek capable of holding vessels to load and unload.
It is, perhaps, a word peculiar to the Severn. — ArckaoL
(1819), xxix, 163. [Commonly used near Bristol. — Ed.] | ;
PuT-CASE. He used to say that no man could be a good lawyer
that was not a put-case. — North, Life of Guildford^ i. ao.
Roil, s. A Flemish horse. — Hll.
But sure that horse which tyreth like a roile
And lothes the griefe of his forgalded sides
Is better much than is the harbrainde colte.
Gascoyne, Complaint of Philomene, p. 117, repr.
243
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Set by, ».
The budding rose is set by,
But stale and fully blown, is left for vulgars
To rub their sweaty fingers on.
Marmion, The Antiquary, iv.
Wooden horse, 5. A ship. — Nash, Lenten Stuffe ; Breton, Good and
Bad, p. 9; History of Edward II., 95; Fuller, Worthies
[Milford Haven],
Whip-handle, 5. These little ends of men and dandiprats [whom
in Scotland they call whip-handles (manches d*estrilles|
and knots of a tar-barrel] are commonly very testy and
choleric. — Urquhart, Rabelais, IL, xxvii.
Shingle, 5. That lovely white hind (though she has some black
spots upon her shingle) which I see browsing upon that
hedge, she was once a woman. — Ho., P, of Beasts, p. 51.
Savourly, adj. With enjoyment. — He., Dial,, L, vi. ; Brome,
A Jovial Crew, iv.
We see the toiling servant feed savourly on one homely dish. —
Adams, Wks., ii. 140.
Fell a crying [at finding his money] as savourly as I did before
when I thought I had lost it. — De Foe, Col, Jack, p. 267.
[1871.]
Simper, v.
Bashful, in her speaking not rash, but watchful in answer.
Her looks, her simpring, her woords with curtesie sweetning.
Stanihurst, Of his Mistress.
(Here it is used in approbation.) See a peculiar use, B. and F.,
Lovers* Progress, iii. 2.
Stain, v. To excel, outdo.
Oh, how the blooming joys do blossom in my breast,
To think within my secret thought how far she steines the rest.
Gascoigne, Bart, of Bath.
O voice, that doth the thrush in shrillness stain. — Sir P. Sidney,
Arcadia, p. 358.
That Virgil's verse had greater grace
In forrayne foote obtaynde
Than in his own, who while he lived
Each other poets staynde.
B. Googe, Epitaphe of Phayre.
Sere, adj. Several, many, each. — Hll.
We straightly commaund you to make proclamation ... to
all maner of men that every seare person have bowe and
shaftes of his own. — Ascham, Toxophilus, p. 79.
Size, s. I grow weary of staying with Sir Williams both, and the
more for that the lady Batten and her crew, at least half a
score, came into the room, and I believe we shall pay size
for it. — Pepys, Sept. 4, 1662.
244
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Sl4NG| 5. File. A promontory.
There runneth forth into the sea a certain shelf or slang, like
unto an outthrust tongue, such as Englishmen in old time
called a File. — Holland*s Camd., p. 715.
Slatb, 5.
Ob. Truly he came forceably upon me, and I fear has bruised
some intellectuals within my stomach.
Mrs. Day. Go in and take some Irish slat byway of prevention
and keep yourself warm. — The Committee , iii.
Suppose a man falls from the mainyard and lies all bruised
upon the deck, pray what is the first intention in that
case ? A brisk fellow answers : " You must give him some
Irish slate." — T. Brown, Wks,, iii. 90.
Soak. The drainage of a farm -yard. — HU.
Stand forth, transformed Antonio, fully mued
From brown soak feathers of dull yeomanry
To th' glorious bosom of gentry.
Tomkis, Albumazar^ iii. 4.
Sober, adj. Temperate.
She *s as discreet a dame
As any in these countries and as sober,
But for this onely humour of the cup.
Chapman, The Gentleman Usher, iii.
Lbrripoop.
There *s a girl that knows her lerripoop. i.e. is learned. — Lyly,
Mother Bomhiey i. 3.
Thou mayst be skilled in thy logic but not in thy lerripoop. —
Id., Sappho and Phao.
Maser, 5. A wooden bowl or goblet. — Warning for Fair Women, ii.,
1599 ; Chapman, All Fools, iii. i. 1599.
FuU-crownd Mazors Bacchus brings
With liquor which from grapes he wrings.
Histrio-mastix, i. 1610.
Mome, s. a fool.
And when I come home
She makes me a mome*.
Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 9. 1590.
• i.e. a fool of me.
Occasion, 5. Business.
Anne. Ye have stay'd late, sir, at th' Exchange to-night.
Sanders. Upon occasion. Nan. Is supper ready ?
Warning for Fair Women, i. 1579 ; and see ii.
OuTAS, s. An octave. See Utas.
The same Adam by a decree of the Church was on the Mimday
after the outas of Easter the year 1328 burnt at Hoggis. —
Holland's Camd., ii. 181.
V. To shout.
245
Digitized by
Google
LEAN^S COLLECTANEA.
These cried there like mad moody Bedlams as they heard the
thunder, ** They are damned, they are damned ! " their
wise preachers outasing the same at Paul's Cross. — Bale,
Select Works [Parker Soc, p. 244] .
Post alone. Quite by myself. — Sackville, Stafford Duke of Bucking-
ham, Stan. 49 ; Stanihurst, CEn., iv. 492.
Properly. Thoroughly.
Such variety of pictures and other things of value and rarity
that I was properly confounded and enjoyed no pleasure in
the sight of them. — Pepys, 24/6, 1664.
PioNER, 5. A quarryman. [See pp. 213 and 238.]
When Phidias framed had in marble pure
Jove*s goodly statue, would a man endure
A Pyoner to challenge half the praise
That from the quarr the rugged stone did raise ?
Harrington, Epigrams, ii. 67.
PiTCHKETTLE.
Even those that attend upon the pitchkettle will bee drunk to
my good fortunes and recommendums. — Nash, Lenten Stuffe,
Cowper {Epistle to Lloyd) has pitchkettled= puzzled.
Right-handed.
St. Paul tells us of divisions and factions and schisms that were
in the Church of Corinth ; yet these were not about the
essentials of religion, but about a right-handed error, even
too much admiration of their pastors. — Bramhall, ii. 28.
SiB, adj. Of kin (root of gos-sip).
Eu. By great Apollo's sacred deity
That shepherdess so near is sib to me
As I ne may for all this world her wed,
For she and I in one self wotnb were bred.
Maid*s Metamorphosis^ F, 3. 1600.
Vbasb, v. Crepitare. [See p. 215.]
Every pease
Hath its vease ;
And a bean
Fifteen.
Some have confidently affirmed in my hearing that the word
to veize (that is in the West, to drive away with a Witness)
had its originall from his [Bp. Vezey of Exeter] profiigating
the lands of his Bishoprick ; but yet I demur to the truth
hereof. — Fuller, Worthies (Warwick), ii. 410.
Profligate, v. To drive off. — Hll.
With how fervent heart should we profligate and drive
away sin. — Becon's Works, p. 66.
But Bp. Turbervil recovered some lost lands which Bp. Voysey
had vezed. ** Driven away," in the dialect of the West. —
Fuller, Worthies (Dorset), i. 312.
246
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Mr. Davies, in his Supp. E, Glossary^ has blundered over
this word Fease, and Nail {Great Yarmouth^ S'c)
has teased and worried it in five pages of his closely-
printed Glossary y pp. 621-5, without discovering the
secret.
Varry, v. To quarrel.
Though Strife be sturdy to move debate
As some unworthy have been of late
And he that worst may the candle carry
If Patience pray thee, do never varry.
Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 25. 1598.
Uncase, v. To shell.
And therefore with these vermin I will place them
That serve to no use till that we uncase them.
Wither, Abuses Stript 6* Whipt, I., viii.
Unlbss. Least.
I fear imless we shall be ready of our own free will to run
headlong into hell-fire before the terrible sentence of
damnation be given ; our conscience shall so condemn
us.
Presume not, villain, further for to go
Unless you do at length the same repent.
Greene, Alphonsus, i.
Tis best for thee to hold thy babbling tongue
Unless I send some one to scourge thy breech. — lb., ii.
Beware you do not once the same gainsay
Unless with death he do your rashness pay. — lb., iii.
Upse freeze. Rowley, Shoemaker, iv. 1638.
This drink is ipse
To make us all tipsy.
Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 7. 1598.
Upsy (Dutch). — B. Jon., Alchemist, iv. 6; Dekker, A Knighfs
Conjuring, 29.
Uttermorb. Outer. Cf. Inner, Middle, and Outer Temples. —
Holland's Camd., p. 701.
Voided, pt,
Socrates being bydden to supper by one Agatho was going with
trick voided shoes on his feet and perfumed with sweet
savours.— Udall, Er. Ap., 32.
Wide, adj.
God either denyes or defers the grant of our requests for our
good ; it were wide for us if our suits were never heard. —
Hall, Contemplations (" Aaron and Miriam ").
It would be wide with the best of us if the eye of God should
look backward to our former estate.— /ft. (*• Rahab ").
247
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Wood, s. A number or collection.
A wood of sisters. — B. Jon., Akkimist, iii. 3.
A wood of darts. — Hudson, J^udith, v. 500.
Woods of pikes and swords. — Burton, Anatmy of Melancholy
("To the Reader").
A wood of widows. — Fuller, Holy and Profam State ^ L, xi. i.
Sabins or conceited persons dreaming what they list. — Holland's
tr. of Camden^ p. 54a.
Sabini quod volunt somniant. — Vannucci, Proverhi Latini, p. 542.
Save, s. A thin sort of cloth. — Phillips.
Fyne clothe, says and sylkys, bedys, &c. — Starkey, Letters, temp*
Henry VIIL, E.E.T.S., Ex. S., xxxii., L, iv. 874.
Saye cloth, serge. — Palsgr.
Satagbnt, Satagency. Busy, meddling.
Others are too satagent and busy about their children's matches^
for they being led by no grounds nor sound reasons but
fancy, do persuade themselves to such matches as become
most snaring and uncomfortable for ever after, selling
them to sorrow. — D. Rogers, Matrimoniall Honour, 91.
1642.
Mutual consent will not consist with mutual satagency in this
kind. — lb., 199; See Id., Naaman., 136.
Syi\3G,'v.
First the devil, who comes [as a suitor] like an old
dotard neatly tricked and smugged up; his wrinkled
hide smoothed and sleeked with tentations. — T. Adams,
Works, p. 308.
Sport-earnest, s.
I have put up the wolf though not hunted him, as judging
myself too weak for that sport-earnest. — T. Adams^
Dedication of Lucanthropy, 1618.
Stern, s.
You sit at the common stern and therefore are not so much
your own as your country's. — T. Adams, Dedn. of Devil's
Banquet to Sir George Fitz Jeffry, one of H.M. Justices of the
Peace, and Quorum of Co. of Bedford, 1614. Again to C. J.
Montague, 16 18.
TossER, s. ? a swaggerer, a bully.
Strife. I hope for to find
Some tosser to find
To curry that knave
For the old grudge I have.
Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 18. 1598.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Thumblbss. ? Intensively idle, unfitted to work.
The servants thumbless, yet to eat
With lawless tooth the flour of wheat.
Herrick, ed. Grosart, iii. 48.
Cf. **A11 his fingers are thumbs"; and "Ah, each finger
is a thombe to-day methink." — Udall, Ralph Roister
Doistery i. 3.
Fitters, s. Fragments. All in fitters. — (Yorkshire) HU.
Cardinal Benno affirms that when this Hildebrand (Pope) would
needs solemnly excommunicate the Emperor, his chair
burst in pieces, being but newly made of sufficient timber,
so if it were thoroughly broken to fitters, never like Jericho
to be rebuilded, then and not till then Princes may reign in
peace. — T. Adams, Wks,^ p. 787.
Fust, v. To become mouldy.
The last defect in Israel's cure is the want of application. What
should a sick man do with physic when he lets it fust in a
vessel, or spills it on the ground ?
MiSPosE, V. Misapply.
It is ill for a man to mispose that to loss which God hath
disposed to his good. — T. Adams, Works, p. 270.
GooD-ALE, s. A publican.
There are many meetings and much ado as if sin should be
punished; a jury is empanelled, a sore charge is given;
the dnmkard shall be made an example. Good-ale shall
be talked with, whoredom shall be whipped, and all shall
be well. — Ib.f p. 937.
Hammock, s, T. Adams, Man's Comfort; Ed. Nicholls, iii. 295.
1653-
Hammer, s.
Mug. Slight ! I ever took thee to be a hammer of the right
feather. — Chapman, M. D' Olive, iv.
Hitch up, v.
When the water began to ascend up to their refuged hills and
the place of their hope became an island, lo I now they
hitch up higher to the tops of the tallest trees. — T. Adams^
Wks., p. 758.
In, v. To get in, to harvest.
To cosen the Ministers of their tithes in private or to devour
them in public and to justify it when they have done, and
to have the wrested law taking their parts (but alas ! how
should it be otherwise when it is both Judges and Jurors,
own case too often ?), to laught at the poor Vicar that is
glad to feed on crusts and to spin out 20 marks a year into
a thread as long as his life, while the wolf ins a crop worth
three hundred pounds per annum, &c. — lb., p. 389.
249
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Indifferently.
A man is committed to prison for debt, or some light trespass ;
is there indifferently well used ; hath for his money all the
liberty that the jail and the jailer can afford him, &c. — Ib.^
P- 377-
KiLCOw, adj.
A ranter, a kill-cow, a bravo. — Torr.
Quest 'h quello che taglia la testa al toro. The English say
This is the kill-cow. — lb.
Let a man soothe him in this vein of kilcow vanity, you may
command his heart out of his belly, to make you a rasher
on the coals, if you will next your heart. — Nash, Pierce
Pennilessey p. 37.
Knave, s. A young man, servant. Ger. knabe.
And yet thyself, thy wife, thy maid, thy knave.
Scarce butter'd turnips upon Simdays have.
T. Lodge, A Fig for Momus^ Sat. iv. 1595.
Lay, adj,^ fig. External.
The truth is man's corporal eye sees nothing but colour. It is
the sole indefinite object of our sight whithersoever we
direct it. We see but the lay-part of things with these
optic organs. — T. Adams, Whs.^ p. 106.
Most what. For the most part. — HU. ; Spencer, Shepherd's Kalendar^
yuly, 46.
Dig, Then plainly to speake of shepheards moste what
Badde is the best (this English is flat)
Their ill haviour garres men missay
Both of theyr doctrine and theyr fay
They pray'd him sit (cf.) And gave him for to feed
Such homely what as serves the simple clown.
/ft., Sept., 104 ; and see Id., Fairy Queen,
VI., ix. 7.
Carve, v, Latrocinio has joined company on the road with Martia
(disguised as a man), and beguiling the way at his own
suggestion by singing, then suddenly turns on Martia
with:
Few words : quickly, come, deliver your purse, sir !
M. You *re not that kind of gentleman, I hope, sir,
To sing me out of my money ?
L. 'Tis most fit
Art should be rewarded : you must pay your music, sir,
Where'er you come.
Af . But not at your own carving.
L. Nor am I common in't : come, come, your purse, sir.
B. and F., The Widow, iii. 1.
260
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
5^ examples : Hunter, New Illustrations of Life^ &>c, of
Shakespeare^ i. 215, and Dyce, Shak, Gloss., s. v. Hll*
gives the following, and says it ** clearly ascertains the
meaning," but not what that meaning is. •* Neither
father nor mother, kith nor kinne, shall bee her carver
in a husband : shee will fall, too, where she likes best."
— Lyly, M. Bombky i. 3. Helper would seem the equiva-
lent, as we now say to **help a person at table," or,
as the very genteel would say, " assist them to a Uttle
pudding." Her lightness gets her [A Very Woman]
to swim at the top of the table, where her wrie little
finger bewraies carving : her neighbours at the latter end
know they are welcome, and for that purpose she
quencheth her thirst. — Sir T. Overbury, Characters with
his Wife^ 1632, E. 3.
Balderdash, 5.
Quint, 'Sfoot! winesucker: what have you filled us here?
balderdash ? : taste, Leonore.
Leo, Methinks 'tis sack.
Glo. Let us taste, sir (tastes), *tis claret ; but it has been
fetched again with aqua vitae.
Qu, Slight ! methinks 't has taken salt water. Who drew
this wine,'you rogue ? — Chapman, Mayday^ iii.
Petruchio (describing his Wife) : Mine is such a drench of balder-
dash, such a strange, carded* cunningness. — B. and F.,
The Woman* s Prize ^ iv. 5.
• Mixed.
Beak, v. To bask.— (North) Hll. See Nares* Gloss., by HU. and
Wright.
But now he (Peter) sits beaking himself by a warm fire his
poor Master is forgotten. — T. Adams, Wks., p. 803.
Where are you, ye sons of the highest, ye magistrates, put in
power not only to lament our sins, but to take away the
cause of our lamenting, cease to beake yourselves, like
Jehoiachim, before the fire of ease and rest. — lb,, p. 262.
Buck, 5. The quantity of clothes in a washing. Ital. Bucato.
Feacie (some saie^ doth wash her clothes i' th* lie
That sharply tricKles from her either eye ;
The laundresses, they envy her the luck
Who can, with so small charges, drive the buck.
Herrick, ii. 126.
Grosart adds a note : " Buck refers to the clothes to be washed,
but in what way is not known." On the contrary, it is
very well known to every student of Shakespere, M. W, W.
BooNE-GRACE, 5. A shade for the face. An "Ugly," such as
women use.
. . . besides learned to write a fair capital Romane hand that
might well serve for a boonegrace to such men as ride with
their face toward the horse-tail or sit in the pillory for
cozenage or perjury. — Nash, Saffron Walden, L 4.
251
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Con, 9.
They crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him
into an open shame. Not in himself for they cannot ; but
con them no thanks, they would if they could : and to
themselves they do it. — T. Adams, Wks,, p. 1061.
But albeit thou mayst con the devil thanks for the manner of
getting thy riches thou art indebted unto God for the
substance thereof. — lb,, p. 1158.
Cormorant, s. An engrosser of corn — a com cormorant. — D.
Rogers, Naatnan, 267.
We could not see a corrupted Lawyer, Citizen, Cormorant, go
so nimbly and so bolt upright under such a mass of sin, if
they had not some help. The unmerciful monopolies of
Courtiers, the unreasonable prices of merchants, the hoordes
if not transportation of grain with Cormorants, the advan-
tages made of the poor's necessities. — T. Adams, GaUanfs
Bdn., Works, p. 6.
How agree they in company ? Nothing better, not a broker to
a pawn ; not a dear year to a cormorant, — lb., p.. 178.
CouNTERPAiN, s. Counterpart. — HU.
The Book of Grace is the counterpaine of the Book of Election,
they are written in heaven first, then God reads them. —
lb., Wks., p. 2.
Cling, v. To shrink, shrivel up.
If thou speak false
Upon the next tree thou shalt hang alive
TUl famine cling thee. — Shak., Macbeth, V., v. 40.
Latch, v. To ward off. — D, Rogers, Naaman, pp. 211, 606.
For the authors of the Admonition object the place of Esay xxx.
and you object the places of Deut. and of the Judges :
this is to oppose sword against sword, instead that you
should have first holden out your buckler and latched
the blows of your adversary. — Whitgift (Parker Soc.), ii.
53- 1574-
Lurch, 5.
Far be it from us to lurch any of his praise. — T. Adams, Wks.,
p. 1216.
Over-reckon, v.
Thus the great Parasite of the soul [the devil] that heretofore
matched the number of God's threatenings with as many
fair promises and flattered this wretch with the paucity of
his sins now takes him in the lurch and over-reckons him.
He that so long kept him in a beautiful gallery of hope now
takes him aside and shows him the dark dimgeon of
despair. — lb., 379.
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
MiRB-DRUMBLE, 5. The bittem.
There is the cormorant, the com-vorant, the miredrumble, the
covetous : that are ever rooting and rotting their hearts in
the mire of this world. — Ib,^ p. 387.
PiPiBNT, adj.
The lapwing [likened to] the hypocrite that cries "Here 'tis,
here 't is ; here 's holiness," when he builds his nest on the
ground, is earthly minded and runs away with the shell on
his head ; as if he were perfect when he is once pipient. —
/ft., p. 387 ; also p. 412.
Parget, v. To plaster.
We white and parget the walls of our profession, but the rubbish
and cobwebs of sin hang in the corners of our consciences
—lb,, p. 42.
Pennyreni.
He shall never marry my daughter, look you, Don Diego, though
he be my own sister's son and has £257^ 12s. 2d. a year
pennyrent. — Wycherley, The Gintleman DancingMaster, iii. i.
He proposes a jointure of ;6i2oo a year pennyrents and 400
guineas a year for her private purse. — Richardson, Grandison,
iv. 43.
** They usually give them," answered the priest, ** some benefice
or cure or vergership which brings them in a good penny-
rent besides the perquisites of the altar." — Jar vis, Don
Quixote, I., iii. 12.
Ly, Heart. Or say the man had virtue.
Is virtue in this age a full inheritance ?
What jointure can he make you ? Plutarch's Morals ?
Or so much penny-rent in the small poets ?
B. & F., Wit Without Money, iii. i.
Pat.
The purse is still the white they level at, as I have r^d them
described: the Capuchins shooting from the purse, the
Franciscans aiming wide of it, the Jesuits hitting it pat
in the midst. — T. Adams, Wks., 297.
Rack, s.
So horsemanship hath the trot, the amble, the rack, the pace,
the false and wild gallop or the full speed. — Taylor (W. P.).
Fuller, Worthies (Northants), ii. 731, and Stafford, ii. 305, use
it as a verb = something short of thorough-paced.
Raven, v. To devour.
Tag-locks, s. The dirty wool near a sheep's tail.
If they cannot devour our flesh they will pluck our fleeces, leave
us nothing but the tag-locks, poor vicarage tithes : whiles
themselves and their children are kept warm in our wool,
the Parsonage. Nay, and they would clip off the tag-locks
too ; raven up the vicarages, if the law would but allow
them a pair of shears. — T. Adams, Wks,, p. 384.
253
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Retail, s. Retaliation.
For he that doth injury may well receive it. To look for good
and do bad is against the law of Retaile (Lex talionis). —
lb., p. 385.
Squab, adj. Young, unfledged. See Hll,
Nothing [goes] down with you but squab pigeon ! — John
WUson, Belphegor, i. 3. 1691.
Scape, 5. Trick.
Having purposed falsehood, you
Can have no way but falsehood to be true
Vain lunatic ! against these scapes I could
Dispute and conquer if I would. — Donne.
Selter, 5.
Tew, v. To discompose, tumble, teaze.
And to keep all together, I 've a small Levite.
He does so tew the Pope, that man of Sin.
J. Wilson, Andronicus CommeniuSf ii. i. 1664.
Tang, x. Smack.
Yea even in a justified man's works, though pure from the
Spirit, yet passing thro' his hands, there is some tang
of this leaven, enough to keep them from being meritorious.
— T. Adams, Wks., p. 703.
Men most sanctified have had some tangs ; as David of anger,
for Nabal's churlish answer; Hezekiah had a smack of
pride; setting aside concupiscence, Paul had no spot. —
lb., p. 932.
Tumble, v. To use roughly, beat. — Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 6.
1598.
Throng, s. A press of business. — Hll.
She cannot want auditors for such a sermon, for as it is in Fairs
the Pedler, the Ballat-monger have more throng than the
rich merchant. — T. Adams, Works, p. 168.
Venturer.
Well is he term'd a merchant Venturer
Since he doth venter lands and goods and all :
Sometimes he splits his ship against a rock
Loosing his men, his goods, his wealth, his stock.
Bamfield, Affectionate Shepherd, xiii. 1594.
Unflea*d, part,
A little buttery and therein
A little Byn
Which keeps my little loaf of bread
Unchipt, unflead. — Herrick, iii. 137.
Grosart, I think, says the concluding word is not fly-blown.
I prefer to read it unflayed, i.e, the crust not picked
off-.
254
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Upright. To lie. i.e. on the back.
And Mab, his merry Queen by night
Bestrids young folks that lie upright
(In elder times the Mare that hight)
Which plagues them out of measure.
Drayton, Battle of Agincourt.
Waftagb, s. Passage by Water. — HU.
Whilst thou slumbrest in thy waftage, the vessel goes on still. —
T. Adams, pp. 395 and 357.
This world then only is for waftage. — 76., p. 400.
Want, v.
I canna want my cogie, Sir,
I canna want my cogie ;
I canna want my cogie, Sir,
For a* the wives o' Bogie. — Duke of Gordon.
Happy Rustics ! best content
With the cheapest merriment.
And possess no other fear
Than to want the Wake next year.
Herrick, The Wake, ii. 257.
Self gathers false courage to herself by the grace which is
ofifer^ ; grows conceited, confident and full of herself ; she
thinks she cannot want enough of it, whereas all runs over
and leaves her barren. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 10.
YippiNGALB, s. The woodpecker or yippingale. — Chas. Butler,
Feminine Monarchies 1609, H. 5 vo.
A RING.
Pliny . . . saith further that it [balsam-tree] grew in two
orchards of the King's, whereof the greater was of twenty
days a ring. — T. A^ms, Works, p. 281.
Anomv, s. Secondly . . . the Form of Sin which is an anomy or
transgression. — 76., p. 1156.
AviLB, V. To vilify.
The world traduced him for a blasphemer, a Samaritan, a
sorcerer, an enemy to Caesar, a boon companion : so easy
it is to avile and revile: so hard to convince. — lb,,
p. 383.
Baronbtbss, s. T. Adams, Dedication to Lady Jane Gostwicke,
Baronetess,
Boot, s. These pure people so vaunt their assurance of salvation
that they will scarce change places in heaven with St. Peter
or St. Paul, without boot. — T. Adams, Wks., p. 900.
Blockhouse, s. Their heads, like rough-hewn Globes, are fit for
nothing but to be the blockhouses for sleep. — Nash, Pierce
Penniless, 35.
255
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA,
Ingrossers that hoord up commodities, and by stopping their
community raise the price: these are thieves. Many
Blockhouses in the City, Monopolies in the Court, Gamers
in the Country can testify there are now such thieves
abrodd. We complain of a dearth. — T. Adams, Wks., p. 53.
It is for the Papists to build a Blockhouse of Ignorance and to
set dunces over fools.— /ft., p. 383.
BusTUARY, 5. One who kindles of this fire is principally Satan : it
is he that brings the fuel of good men's sanctity and the fire
of evil men's iniquity together, and so begets a great flame.
He is the great Bustuary himself, and hath other deputed
Inflamers under him. — 76., p. 791 ; also p. 836.
Carriage, s. The carrying of goods, &c., for the King : for which pur-
pose the horses and carts of subjects were arbitrarily taken.
And there is a fourth Rider . . . the oppressing Landlord . . .
and he hath two Lacqueys or Pages run by him, Fines
and Carriages.— /ft., p. 610.
Cobble, v. The Italians have a proverb : Hard without soft, the
wall is nought. Stones cobled up together without mortar
to combine them, make but a tottering wall.— /ft., p. 1000.
Debdy, adj. DeedfuUy ; with a constant holding out.
In a messenger sent is required celerity, sincerity, constancy,
That he be speedy, that he be heedy, and as we say that he be
deedy. — ^/ft., p. 381.
DiTiON. Dominion ; rare. — Latham^ with instance from A Wood,
1692.
The character hath two branches : noting his [Esau's] Dition ;
Condition. His Condition or Disposition was Hunting;
his Dition, Portion, or Seignory was the Field : he was a
Field man. And in all his travel, like fame and a mutinous
rebel. — T. Adams, Works^ p. 105.
Vires acquirit eundo. He [the devil] still enlargeth his own
dition. — /ft., p. 359.
DiTATiON, 5. Acquisition of wealth.
The main policy and piety of many that would seem to be
most religious and pure consists in plotting and parleying
how to lessen the Clergyman's estate. They grudge not
the merchant's wealth nor envy the ditation of Lawyers,
nor hinder the enriching of Physicians. — lb., p. 389.
Do OFF, V. To doff.
The boisterous wind makes a man gather his cloak closer about
him ; the hot, silent sun makes him weary of so heavy a
burden ; he soon does it off. — /ft., p. 911.
Excrement, s. That which is thrown out as useless, noxious, or
corrupted from the natural passages of the body.— Johnson* s
Diet., by Latham.
Excrements of the body, as arms, legs, skin, haere, &c. —
Bullein, Government of Health, f. 21.
266
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Beard, Vatours, Excrements. — Shak., W. T., IV., iv. 703;
L. L. L., v., i. 89 ; M. of F., III., ii. 87 ; C. of B., II., ii. 77.
(Spittle.) The Excrements of the Jews, spat upon the face of
the Saviour, were not so feculent [as the curses of the
tongue]. — T. Adams, Wks.y p. 890.
Full of filthy flegm, stinking, putrid, excremental Stuff. —
Burton, Anatomy of Melancholy,
And make not a fool of yourself in disguising or wearing long
hair or nails, which are but excrements of nature.—
Basilikon Doron, Wks. of Jas. I., p. 183.
We see that these excrements which are of the first digestion
smell the worst, as the excrements from the belly. —
Bacon.
Farce in itself is of a nasty scent ;
But the gain smells not of the excrement. — Dryden.
The excrements of horses are nothing but hay, and, as such,
combustible. — Arbuthnot, On the Nature and Choice of
Aliments,
Strange that after this all the commentators should
have misunderstood the passage in Hamlet y III., iv.
121, where the Queen, addressing her son, says:
" Your bedded hair, like life in excrements.
Starts up and stands on end.'*
The allusion is obviously to the action of the
ascarides or thread- worms in the faeces when they
are exposed to the air.
Gag, s, ? Something placed within an opening and shutting appa-
ratus to prevent its closure. Cf Gat-toothed, p. 197.
The eyelid is set open with the gagges of Lust and Envy.
A libidinous eye drawns in much poison. — T. Adams, p.
890.
. . . thy gag-toothed hostess. — Lodge, A Fig for Momus,
Sat. iii.
Gargbt.
The Avarous is a principal in this Bedlam. Soft ! if it were
granted that the Covetous were mad, the world itself
would run of a garget, for who is not bitten with this
mad-dog?— T. Adams, Wks., p. 502.
Hobby, s, A small saddle-horse or pony.
Burse, s. Bourse, Exchange.
There is the fraudulent tradesman, that rides no further than
between the burse and the shop on the back of a quick-
spirited hoby called Cheating. — lb., p. 611.
Hearten, v. To strengthen.
And somewhat to hearten the probability of this opinion, it is
said here, &c. — 76., p. 393.
VOL. III. 257 17
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Home-stall, s. Homestead.— HU.
Socrates, being asked what countryman he was, answered:
** Sum civis mundi [I am a citizen of the world]. But a
Christian must answer : Sum civis coeli [I am a citizen of
heaven]. Forsake we this home-stall with a ready mind
when God calls us. — 76., p. 545.
Intercommon, s. To share.
This is Leaven indeed to tell the Incloser that he enter-commons
with the Devil whiles he hinders the poor to enter-common
with him. — lb., p. 435.
Jump, adv. Exactly.
Nequicquam sapit qui sibi non sapit. ...
Sure I am that men of our time kepe this saynge so jompe, y*
he is not counted worthy to be called a man which by any
means cannot seek his own advantage. — Taverner, Proverbsy
f. 18. 1539.
How jump he hitteth the nail on the head. — Stanihurst, p. 34 ;
Chapman, Mayday , iv.
As Papistes do beleve and teach the vainest things that be,
So with their doctrine and their faith their life doth jump agree.
B. Googe, Popish Kingdomy p. 44. 1570.
Lined. Intoxicated. — (North) Hll.
I have heard of some coming out of a tavern well lined with
liquor that, seeing the shadows of the chimneys in the
street made by the moon, have took them for great blocks
and down on their knees to scramble over them. — T.
Adams, Whs.y p. 408.
MoRiGERous, adj. Dutiful.
Many are content that as a Father He should bless them, but not
as a father command them : they love to be of the taking
hand, but will part with nothing. But we must serve Him
like merigerous children that He may do us good as a
gracious Father. — T. Adams, Med. on Creed, p. 1106. 1212.
Malice, v. a. To bear malice. — (Line.) Hll.
He hath an unleavened hand that is not charitable ... an
imleavened eye that maliceth. — T, Adams, Wks,, p. 436.
He maliceth any man that would take his part from him. — Ib.y
p. 645.
Newell, s. Novelty.
He was so enamored with the newell
That nought he deemed deare for the jewel.
Spenser, Shep. Kal., April, 276.
NiM, t^. To steal.
One would think it was sacrilege enough to rob God of his
main tithes, must they also nimme away the shreds ? must
they needs shrink the whole cloth (enough to apparel the
Church) as the cheating tailor did to a dozen of buttons. —
T. Adams, Wks,, p. 1060.
258
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Overlook, v. To reckon up, criticise. — He., Dial.^ I., ii.
Overly, adv,, adj.
The courteous citizen bade me to his feast
With hollow words and overly request.
HaU, Sat, HI., iii.
Thus we all long for restrained things and dote on diflBculties,
but look with an overly scorn and winking neglect on
granted faculties. — T. Adams, Wks., p. 205.
Oogamy (a cor. of Alchemy), s. Nearly counterfeiting silver : such
as organs and sergeants* maces are made of. — Nash, Saffron
WaXien, N. 2.
PuTTOCK, 5. (fig.) A greedy, ravenous fellow. — HU.
As little children chant in the streets,
When shall we eat white bread ?
When the puttock is dead. — T. Adams, Wks,, p. loi i.
Pick up, v. To vomit. — (Yorkshire) HU.
But if you will not be picked up of the world, you must adhere
close to it, and with alimental congruence please its
stomach. ... If you live in the world and not as the
world, this sea will spue you up as too holy for their
company. — T. Adams, Whs,, p. 400.
Pile, s, A blade of grass.
Not a pile of grass we tread on but tells us there is a God. —
lb., p. 668.
Pourcontrell, 5. The polyp or the nautilus. — Cotgrave.
The inconstant man is like a Pourcontrell ; if he should change
his apparel so fast as his thought, how often in a day would
he shift himself! — lb., p. 442.
Piece, 5.
The haughty piece looks on the poor betwixt scorn and anger.
** Touch me not ; I am of purer mould.'* Yet mors dominos
servis, blended together in the forgotten grave none makes
the finer dust. We cannot say, " Such a lady*s rottenness
smells sweeter than such a beggar's.*' Come down, thou
proud spirit. — lb., p. 553.
Pine, v. To make to suffer.
A great oak pines all the Underwood near it, yea spoils the
grass that would feed the cattle. — lb., p. 967.
Quash, v. To squash, mash. (Survives in " to quash an indictment.**)
. . . down they come both to the floor of the church, and the
stone (for it seems his own impiety made him the heavier
to fall first to his centre) fell on him and quashed him to
pieces, — lb , p. 791.
Racking, s, A quick, ambling pace in horses.
And there is a fourth Rider gallops after him amain, as if he
had sworn not to be hindmost, the oppressing Landlord,
and he rides upon a horse that hath no pace but racking ;
for that is the master*s delight, racking of rents. — lb., 610.
259
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Slick, adj.
While that lasted all went forward in a sweet manner; cart
went well upon wheels ; for the spirit of mutual love made
it slick and trim, the oil of love set it forward. — Daniel
Rogers, Matrimoniall Honour^ 158. 1642.
Snib, v. To snub, take down.
The royal prophet so recalls and snibs himself: *' I thought on
my ways and turned my feet unto thy testimonies" (Ps. cxix.
59).— T. Adams, Wks.
Sharp, s. A sword.
Inure thy heart, therefore, to vanquish the least that thou
mayest foil the greatest : let the former give thee exercise
against these latter, as with wooden wasters men learn to
play at the sharp. — ^/ft., p. 797.
Sparsb, V, To scatter.
Therefore sparse abroad with a full hand, like a seedsman in a
broad field, without fear. — /ft., p. 649.
SuRPHUL, 5. ? Sulphur. Surphuled. Washed with mercurial
water.
Rub your eyes and look on this world better: it hath but a
surphulled cheek, a coloured beauty, which God shall one
day scour off with a flood of fire. — /ft., p. 407.
Shaker, 5. O obstinate hearts that shake not when the senseless
ground quakes that bears so unprofitable a burden. Cannot
the earth admonish thee ? It shall devour thee. ... If
the Almighty's hand stirring it hath not stirred thee to
repentance, a Sexton's hands shall cover thee with moulds,
a weak shaker shall do it. — /ft., p. 766.
Stent or Certeyne, s. Tax-head. Money paid in a manor. Su
Hll., 5. v., and Cert-money.
Stent. A portion ; part. — Palsgrave.
Secondly : Preaching is the Stint or the Certen to all the rest.
— T. Adams, Wks.^ p. 469.
The second bell is the Stint or certene to all the rest. Vox.
evangelii [the voice of the Gospel]. — Ih.^ p. 723.
Slip-coin, 5. Slip. A counterfeit coin of brass washed over with
silver.— Hll.
This is the worldlings folly, rather to take a piece of slip-coin in
hand than to trust God for the invaluable mass of glory. —
T. Adams, Wks,^ p. 774.
Say-so, 5.
** A mere nominal advantage." — Hll.
I had it for a say-so.— Geo. Eliot, MUl on th$ Floss, IV., iii.
Trite, adj. From tero : worn, smooth.
Ovid*s Amatories have bright and trite covers when the Book
God lies in a dusty corner. — T, Adams, Whs,, p. 191.
260
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Trounce, v. To beat severely.
One takes snuff at his poor neighbour ; perhaps it is Mordecai*s
cap that hath put Haman out of his princely wits ; and
now he resolves to trounce him. — /&., p. 1009.
But the Lord trounced Sisera and all his charettes and all his
hoste with the edge of the swerde. — Tyndale, Judges, iv.
Affy, v. To believe, trust in.
To believe on God, to rely upon his mercy in Christ and to
affie their own reconciliation : this is the faith of the elect.
— T. Adams, Wks,, p. 731.
Be thy confidence in Him that ever enabled thee and affy his
promise that will not suffer thee to be tempted above thy
strength. — lb., p. 797.
Bandy, s. A hockey stick.
The curious Smith will not brook to have his files exercised
upon stones ; nor the Mathematician lend his engines for
wasters and bandies : there is no artist but would have the
instruments he makes employed to their purpose. — lb.,
p. 1 1 19.
Bow, 5. A yoke for cattle.
If Job could have been brought to his bow with killing his
cattle, servants, children, perhaps his body had been
favoured. — lb., p. 797.
Bout, 5. In ploughing the distance from one side of the field to the
other and back again. — Hll. : a circumbendibus.
I might here enter into a cloudy and confused discourse of
dreams till I brought you all asleep. But I love not to
fetch any bowtes when there is a nearer way. — lb.,
p. 841.
By and main.
The main lost, cast the by away. — Drayton, Sonnets, **As
Love and I," quotes this as a general proverb.
What ! have you forsaken your parents in the main [by marry-
ing against their commands] and come you now unto them
for the by ? [i.e. maintenance] shall you have the pleasure
and they the burden ? — Daniel Rogers, Matrimoniall Honour,
p. 84, 1642 ; Naaman, p. 200.
Bug, 5.
Rather let us be like him who was typified hereby {Is. xlii. 34),
whose voice was not lifted up or heard in the streets,
who never trod upon a bug or worm to kill it, brake not
the bruised reed, &c. — Id., Matrimoniall Honour, p. 201.
Bbam, 5. Misfortune.
Patience carries with it half a release : it is (as it were) boot in
beam. — lb., p. 196.
201
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Dedolent, adj. Insensible to pain.
But no man complains of the thorns in his own bosom. He
nourisheth briars there that wound him and the heart is as
dedolent as if it were past feeling. — T. Adams, Whs^ p. 1063.
Detinie, 5. Withholding, detinue.
The honest Pharisee could say Tithe and be rich ; the dis-
honest Christian says Tithe and be poor. But what men
get by this detinie shall be their fatal destiny = they shall
leave the gold behind them. — Ih,^ p. 542.
DisPLE, V. To discipline.
Here slugs Idleness • . . halloo in his ear, preach to him : if he
will not waken, prick him with goads: let the corrective
Law disple him. — Ih.^ p. 411.
Enhauacing, 5. ? Enhauncing.
Transportation, 5. ? Exports.
Inhaimcings, engrossings, oppressions. — /J., 724.
The earth hath not scanted her fruits but our concealinjgs have
been close, our enhauacings ravenous : our transportations
lavish.— (*' Of the Cormorant,*' 62) /ft., p. 611.
Reesbd.
Reez'd bacon. — Hall, Satires.
Smoothed. ? Smothered.
So mayst thou be like the gold-finer, that is all day purifying of
metals, till himself be reezed, smoothed and soiled all over.
— T. Adams, Wks,, p. 791.
Smother, to daub, smear. — (Somerset) Hll., who refers to this a
rabbit " smothered in onions.*'
Shut, p. Rid of.
When a king asked how he might be rid of certain noisome
fowls, which came abundantly fl3ring into his land, one
answered him, nidos eorum ubique destruendos — ^that the
only means was to destroy their nests in every place, so
if you would be shut of these moorish briars, the course
is to destroy their nests. — Ib,y p. 1057.
Plash, v.
TiNING GLOVE.
Men commonly deal with their sins as hedgers do when they go
to plash thorny bushes ; they put on tyning gloves that the
thorns may not prick them : so these harden their hearts
that their own thorns may give them no com- punction. —
/ft., p. 106.
Slubber, v. To smear, dirty.
Be not like truants that slubber out their books before they
have learned their lessons. — T. Adams, "Meditation on
Creed," Works^ p. 1092.
262
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Naturian, s.
Almighty men that can make their Maker ; that whereas God
by his word made them, they by their word can make God.
What Naturian ever thought or taught that the pot did
create the potter? — 76., p. 1120; also p. 1142.
Unhighted. Hight, v. To deck, adorn, make fine. — Glanvil,
Batman on Bartholofne. 1582.
As that of the philosopher is held to be true, that the outward
complexion inclines the inward disposition; so the im-
handsomeness of the cover disgraceth the contents of the
book; and through the chinks of an unhighted fiesh we
may read a neglected soul. — Ih,, p. 1138.
Skrie, v. ? Screen.
Take the finest wheat, winnow it, fan it, skrie it, leave not
a chaff upon it, &c. — lb., 11 84.
Swarf, v. To swoon, to faint. — (North) Hll. ?
Most Godly souls may swarf in sin, but they cannot die in their
sins.— Zach. Boyd, Last Battel, p. 174. 1629.
Arsy-varsy. Udall, Er. Apop., p. 377, repr.
Currus bovem trahit=Ye set the cart before the horse — things
done preposterously, clean contrarily, arsy varsy, as they
say. — Tavemer, Proverbs, f. 62 v. 1552.
By-blow. Aleman, Spanish Rogue, by Mabbe, p. 27. 1623.
Pastime over-past and Banquet duly prepared.
Devoutly pared : Each one hies home to his own home,
Save Lord and Ladie ; young Lad but yet such an old lad
In such a ladies* lappe ; at such a slipperie by-blow
That in a world so wide could not be found such a wilie
Lad, in an Age so old could not be found such an old lad.
Richard Barnfield, Helen's Rape, 1594.
Though you may taunt me that have never yet
Been blest with issue, spare my husband, pray ;
For he may have a by-blow or an heir
That you ne*er heard of. — Webster, A Cure for a Cuckold, i, 1 ,
Bode, 5. An omen.
I see day at this little hole. For this bood
Shewth what fniit will follow. — He., Dial., L x.
Boad a bagg and bear'n. — Smyth, Berkeley AfS., 1689.
BoisT, s, A threat, v. See p. 23 : boistous.
I cannot, alas ! be quit of my sins. I strive to run away from
them, but the foster they follow me, like our dogs that are
so accustomed to follow their master, they will not be
boasted home again. . . . Though I threaten [my sins],
though I boast them, yea betimes intreat them to depart,
their answer is: **We are thy works, we will go with
thee." — Zach. Boyd, Last Battel of the Soul, p. 146. 1629.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Caterwaw, v.
My cat*s leering look, quoth she, at first show
Shewth me that my cat goeth a catterwawing.
He., Dial., IL v.
Chaufpe, v. To anger, worry.
Ignem igni ne addas. Add not calamity to calamity, lest being
already chauffed thou be yet more chauffed. — Taverner^
ProverbeSy 51. 1552.
Clap-cate. a kissing-gate. — Peacock, Lincoln Glossary,
Clew, s. A ball of worsted, cotton, or silk thread. — Ih.
EvAGATiONS, 5, J. Ray, Miscellaneous Discourses concerning the Dissolu-
tion of the Worlds p. 141. 1692.
Excrement, 5. [Su p. 256.]
O heavens ! she comes, accompanied with a child
Whose chin bears no impression of manhood,
Not a hair, not an excrement.
Solimon and Perseda, H., 0,P.f v. 269.
Eyesore, 5. Timon^ iii. 5. i6oo.
Eye, 5. (of pheasants). A brood. — Hll. Sometimes Ni. — Lowsley>
Berkshire Words and Phrases,
Fellow-feel, v,
A woman hath enough of breeding her fruit once and bearing it
once, but we should count her a very tender mother which
should bear the pain twice and fellow-feel the infant's
strivings and wrastlings the second time rather than want
her chUd. — D. Rogers, Naaman, 23.
Fleck, 5. But as ye say when fire is smoke will appear.
And so hath it done, for I did lately hear
How fieck and his make use their secret haunting
By one bird that in mine ear was late chaunting.
He., Dial., II., v.
Frape, s, a company or body of persons. — Hll. ; Chau., Tr, and Cr.y
iii 410.
For *tis from thrones and Courts that vices flow.
Those that sit high corrupt the proud below ;
The Frape will practise what the great bc^n.
And thus whole nations are involved in sin.
What 's grandeur but a vain and empty show.
If injur'd by the Frape that crawls below ? — Id,, IL, xiii»
Ned Ward, Nuptial Dialogues, vi. 1710.
Let loose the Frape to show their folly.
And spurn at all that 's good and holy.
Id., Hudihras Redivivus, i. 1708.
Fetch, s. Stratagem.
A miserable, mising wretch.
That lives by others' loss and subtle fetch.
T. Lodge, Fig for Momus, Sat. iv.
2e4
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Fbsb, v. Crepitare. S$$ W. of England Vease. — H., 17, 59. Cf.
fiz, foist.
When he had etyn and made him at ese,
He thoght Gye for to fese.
MS. Cantab., ff. ii. 38, f. 171 ; HU.
And there out came a rage and swiche a vise
That it made all the gates for to rise.
Chau., Knight's Tale.
These Sarazins were so fesid that fled was Saladyn. — Robert of
Bfunns, p. 192.
FORBSTALLBDNBSS, S.
Take that behaviour of the young man for one proof, who coming
in a deep forestalledness of conceit to our Saviour that his case
to Godward was good, and yet thinking so highly of Christ
that he could inform him, &c. — D. Rogers, Naaman^ p. 265.
Flimflam, s. A nonsensical story, a tale of a tub. — /&., 294.
HOWSTER, V.
What shall I say unto you ? Shall I say as that ancient Father
once did to his people of Antioch, "Get ye Bibles for
shame and come in O ye uncircumcised hang-byes to the
Congregation? Howster out such vermin (O ye Church
Oflftcers, if ye serve for ought,) out of their kennels. — /ft., 348.
Great.- Tis also best to buy by the great. — Trenchfield, Cap of
Gray HairSy ch. 27. 1678.
Jet, v. God forbid wife, ye should first jet.
I will not jet yet, quoth she, put no doubting,
It is a bad sack that will abide no clouting.
He., Dial.f H., iv.
But need hath no law : need maketh her hether jet :
She cometh, &c. — /ft., I., ix.
LOVBDAY, S.
For were ye as plain as Dunstable hie way
Yet should ye rather break a loveday
Than make one thus : though ye perfectly knew
All ye conjecture to be proved true. — He., Dial,, H., v.
LiTHER, adj.
But me seemeth your counsel weigheth on the whole
To make me put my finger in a hole
And so by sufferance to be so lither
In my house to lay fire and tow together. — /ft., II., v.
All folk thought them not only too lither
To linger both in one house together
But also dwelling nigh under their wings
Under their nodes they might convey things
Such as were neither too heavy nor too hot
More in a month than they their master got
In a whole year. — lb., I., xii.
A base lither heart. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 173.
265
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Lap, s. Skirt, fold.
So David . . . when he cut off the lap of his [Saul's] garment
and came after him saying : *' I could have slain thee this
day, and instead of cutting thy lap, cut thy throat, but thy
life was precious to me." — Ib.y p. 327.
Lot, v. ? to rely.
For who have offended God and prospered ? It *s a maxim :
lot upon it, whether thou see it so or not be sure it will
be so.—Ib., p. 565.
Secondly, having so done, learn to lot upon him for each
performance, especially when it goes hard with thee other-
wise.—/ft., p. 615.
Such as can lot and trust to the fulness of a promise. —
lb., p. 616.
LiRB, s. (A.S.). Flesh, meat.
The humaine tongue hath neither Bone nor Lire
Yet breaks the back and wombe, sets all on fire.
Wodroephe, Spared Hours, &c.y 1623.
Thravb, 5. A company.
Many a man will go bare
and take much cark and care
and hard will he fare
all the days of his life :
and after cometh a knave
the worst of a thrave
and all shall we have
for wedding of his wife.
MS., Lansdown 213, fo. 80 vo. {temp. Mary).
Lbbrb, adj. Empty.
Of all the five senses [Bees'] sight seemeth to be weakest, and
weaker when they come home loaded than when they are
leere and being loaded, weaker on foot than when they are
flying. — Charles Butler, Feminine Monarchie, B. ro. 1609.
Mbtbwand, s. a measuring-rod.
. . . being now grown to measure all by thy own fleshly meet-
wand, and to count gain and lust godliness.— D. Kogers,
Naaman, p. 207.
MOLB, s.
As the unhappy woman who carries a mole or abortive in her
hath many fears and saith, *' Either I go with child or with
my death." — lb., p. 454.
NousLB, V. To nestle.
Pride, jollity, carnal ease ... all may lurk and abide under a
cross : a man may still nouzell himself in his sensuality,
security, rotten pe^ce, unbelief, and hope that he is m
God's favour. — lb., p. 62.
266
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Palter, v. To prevaricate, shuffle. — (Line.) Brogden.
... be those juggling fiends no more believ'd
That palter vrith us in a double sense —
1 hat keep the word of promise to our ear
And break it to our hope. — Shak., Machetky V., viii. 20.
Plaice-mouthed. Awry.
And keep his plaice-mouth*d wife in welts and guards. — Lodge,
A Fig for Momus^ Sat. i.
Perk, v. To exalt oneself. Whence Perky.
We are like to light cork which will float aloft, and except a
man hold it under by strong hand will peark up to the
top. . . . We are akin to Jonah, who was no sooner out
of the whale's belly but (contrary to vows and covenant)
pearkes up again presently and quarrels with God for
converting Ninevee. — D. Rogers, Naaman, 63.
Puny, adj. Inferior in rank. Fr. puisn6. [C/. Puisn6 Judge. — Ed.]
My pimyes and underlings. — G. Harvey, Letter Book, p. 61 .
What, saith one, shall I one of the puny Chaplains speak to
my patron or great Lord of his unclean courses ? Then
might he cast my boldness in the teeth : when ancienter,
leameder, wiser and more experienced, fear his displeasure,
distrust their own strength, shall I begin? — D. Rogers,
Naaman, p. 461.
PuLK, s, A puddle.
As it is easy for a woman to go to a pond or pulke standing
near to her door (though the water be not so good) rather
than to go to a fountam of living water further off. — 76.,
p. 842.
Running-pull.
Many [servants] there be who for praise, great vails, to flatter
and pickthank with their masters, will at the running pull
do great things, who yet in cool blood are the veriest
cowards and sluggards of all. — lb., p. 308.
An unbroken, unsubject heart is all at a running pull and from
Self, nothing from a principle of equality or subjection. —
'lb., p. 309.
Sad, adj. Serious.
Surcease, v. To desist.
... a certain gentleman who was in love with a virgin of good
rank, to whom he had long made love, and thinking all
cocksure because she made very fair correspondence towards
him, he began to please himself in his fond humour, and
gave himself such content in his hopes (without any sad
enquiry of her final consent to marry him, which might
easily have been had if he had followed it) that he sur-
ceased as one that might have her at his command. —
Ib.f p. 846.
267
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
SooPBR, s. One who takes liquid by large sips.
Even as God tried the lappers of water from the soopers of it
for Gideon : so will he try thee. — lb,, p. 492.
Snag, v.
We Ministers let us . . . if we see secretly grace breaking
forth from the poorest in more than common wisdom,
uprightness, closeness to the truth, be so far from snagging
or nipping of such that rather we mark them for peculiar
ones. — lb., p. 291.
Snarl, v.
Elihu, seeing Job's state sore, snarled by his prejudicate friends
and by the self-love of his own heart. — Nash, PUrce P., p. 338.
Shale, v. To fall off as a husk.
Can any crop be reaped off this soil but plentiful ? No : except
thou suffer it to shale and to fall to the ground for lack of
reaping. — /ft., p. 616.
Turkish, v.
There is a generation which seems pure in her own eyes (as
self-deceiving hypocrites), but they are not washed from
their uncleanness. They are like those idols {Deui, 7)
whose corruption is still in them till they be quite defaced^
no washing with doctrine, with means upon means, no
melting, no turkeisin^ could do them good till they be
defaced — D. Rogers, Naamanf p. 259.
TusH, s.
Oh how it speaks to the heart of God to be trusted upon his
bare word ; when the soul makes a tush of carnal objec-
tions and saith the Word is against it. — Nash, P. P., p. 345.
Trump, v.
Now they trouble them most who will not let them be rich fast
enough . . . they could smite such as Balaam did his poor
ass, who thus trump in their way and stop their pace in
that which they cannot seek fast enough. — Ib,f p. 873.
Verge, s.
. . . Christ himself, in whom all truth is established and
gathered as the whole verge of a garment into one knot. —
Ib,y p. 576.
Windupall.
All in the windupall cometh lightly to one reckoning. — G.
Harvey, Letter Bookf p. 14a. 1573.
Wry, v.
But those [promises] which touch their souls, especially to kill
their lusts, they care not how narrow they frame them,
even as the bed and covering of which Esay speaks, that
is so narrow that it will not wry them warm. — lb,,
p. 5»i.
268
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Anothbr-gatbs. Of a different kind. — But., Hud.^ I., iii. 428.
I wish you another-gets wife than Socrates had. — Ho., Familiar
Letters, I., iv. 9. ? another guess.
As one said he never seemed so zealous as before God mortified
his own spirit, but after he found prayer another gates
work.— D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 268.
Abhor, v.
And we must know it did not abhor from the customs of those
times either to offer or to accept gratuities by the Prophets.
— /i>., p. 893.
Blanch, v. To evade, shift off. — HU.
Well, by going to God to blanch over the matter, viz.. That
if He would give him [Balaam] leave to go, he would do
no otherwise than he was bidden, the Lord connives at his
going . . . when God's angel crossed him ... he should
have returned home and abhorred his blanching with God's
command. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 529.
Bafflb, v. To treat with indignity.
Should we, as you, borrow all out of others and gather nothing
of ourselves, our names would be baffled on every book-
seller's stall and not a Chandler's mustard-pot but would
wipe his mouth vrith our waste-paper. — Nash, Pierce
Pennilesse, p. 60.
CORRBCTBD, pt,
A corrected pigeon (let blood under both wings) is both pleasant
and wholesome nourishment. — F. W., N^hantSj 279.
CosE, V.
A true heart would cose any loss, rather deny itself to the
death, than the life of religion should be endangered,
because it is bred in her bosom. — D. Rogers, Naatnan, p. 882.
Crock, v. To blacken with soot.
He that looks upon the issue may half doubt whether the
performance be God's or our own ; at least if it be God's,
it is sooted and crocked with such a deal of our own that
it hath almost lost its beauty. — lb., p. 607.
Catbr, s. a caterer or provider.
And you servants that are butlers to gentlemen or stewards,
nay ostlers and bayliffs and caters, you should be honor-
able in the sight of your masters. — lb,, p. 290.
Chbckmatb, adj.
So saucy and checkmate [Servants] vrith their masters if
religious, so scornful and rebellious towards the ignorant.
—lb., p. 307.
Courtesy, s.
Not that all servants are equally betrusted, yet none are so
ill-trusted that if they despise conscience both the life and
state of their master (more or less) may lie at their curtesy.
—lb., p. 295.
269
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
CoMPLBMBNT, s. Ornament, appearance.
But when we come to chase -servants, we chuse them for
complement and for tables, never looking at that which
truly constitutes a servant, viz. his subjection or faithful-
ness.— lb,, p. 310.
Disappoint (j)-ment.
Look what we see to fall out in mei^ natural disappoints must
needs much more befall in spiritual. For the more desir-
able the object, the greater is the coveting and the sadder
the disappoint. — lb., p. 267.
Flit, v. A sandy hill that still did flit
And fall away. — Spenser, Fairy Queen, L, iv. 5.
Fleer, v. To grin falsely or flatteringly.
Fleir not in his face nor bear him fair in hand, when as yet thy
heart goes another way. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 408.
Fitters, s. Fragments.
This message being brought to the gentleman as he was playing
upon Ms lute, so smote him that he, dashing his lute and
breaking it into fitters, forthwith went out of his right
vnXs.—Ib., p. 848.
Gull, v.
Take heed of filling thine heart and thoughts with earthly
things : the cares for earth will eat in so dangerously and
win upon thee as the sea-tides gull down the banks. — lb,,
P- 592.
Show me the man whose jealous heart can prove that he hath
not by nibbling at smaller evils so embezzled his peace and
gulled down the Sea-walls of his fear and conscience that
now he is waxened hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. —
lb,, p. 873.
Fly, s, ? Familiar spirit.
You shall commonly find that although a false heart will be
as earnest, zealous, and forward as an honest, yet one fly
or other of self-reflection will bewray whence it comes,
even from pride and seeking itself. — lb,, p. 883.
Heckfar. a heifer. — Huloet, 1552.
Heckforde (applied to a woman). — Wm. Forrest, Grysild the
Second, p. 169. 1558.
She brake him so at her first marriage,
A heckforde she was of the AqviVs parage*,
• Kin.
Iron mole.
Some gross sins which ruled and reigned in the former parts of
men's life and in youth, which are as iron moles and will
hardly be won out of the flesh, being bred in the bone, save
by tozing and searching the heart thoroughly. — D. Rogers,
Naaman, p. 447.
270
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Joint, v.
Their religion must be sure to be their prejudice and incum-
brance; they can the hardlier please you. You are the
more prone to pick quarrels, you watch the time of
crossing them in their lawful liberties, yea you joint them
the more of their freedom for God's worship, within and
without. . . . threaten their poor children to joint them of
and that land or portion. — lb., 290.
Bunch, s. A blow.
As it is said of Peter that the Angel gave him a bunch on
the to-side and then his chains fell off, — D. Rogers, Wks.,
p. 193.
A bunch or knot in the tree (bruscum). — With., 1608.
That is worthy to be beaten, bunched, punished, &c. — lb.
Hence Nares therefore derives punch-backed, and the name
Mother Bunch confirms this.
Bbtbam, v. To bestow, give, allow. — HIL, p. 266.
Beteam no great pains. — lb., p. 173.
Weil-beteamingness. — Ib.f 178.
As an ill Steward or Bailiff to a great lord will seem to do
him great service and look to his grounds and cattle ; but so
as himself may have a fiock of cattle going upon the same
grounds, so that he seeks his own and his master's advan-
tage both under one : he cannot beteame to promote his
master's with the loss of his own. — D. Rogers, Naamany
p. 170.
Bog, adj. Sturdy, self-sufl&cient, petulant. — (East) Hll.
It would do one's heart good to behold some few poor souls,
how humble their knowledge of Christ makes them : they
stand as empty buckets by the well side ; but it would cut
one's heart to see how many bold, bog and saucy ones there
are instead of a few empty ones. — D. Rogers, Naaman^
p. 171.
... an hypocrite, who can make a pretty shift till his own
business be found out, but then be buskells and takes on
like a mad man. — lb., p. 174.
Gastbr, v. To frighten, scare, drive (p. 309).
Gastered out of his nest of form or profaneness. — Ib.^ p. 35.
FoRBDO, V. To do for, ruin.
Others say : If ye hear the preacher, ye will lose your wits and
drown or fore-do yourselves. — lb., p. 194.
GUG, V.
One day this error of thine will gugge thee to the quick and
cause thee to cry out. Away with this mammon of deceit, I
am choked with it. — lb., 257.
271
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Frame, $.
A man of wisdome
With gentle handling can bring in frame
That by currishness no twenty can tame.
Wm. Forrest, Grysild 2d., p. 169.
Lastly, self-humility bewrays herself by this : she is seldom in a
frame but always in her extremities . . . ofif and on, out
and in, in thy mood very humble, but by and by stout and
coy again. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 263.
A sweet frame of spirit well appaid by the promise and abhorring
such extremities. — lb., p. 264.
HiN, s.
If He call for an hin of oil or wine they will oflfer Him whole
baths and butts thereof ; yea rivers and floods. — Ih., p. 531.
Flbdgb, adj.
Do you walk softly in your house as he said as having scaped a
scouring and felt God's fingers ? Have not your recoveries
made you more fledge and saucy with God, so that now ye
fare as if the wind were turned and you had the Lord at
a vantage ? — /ft., p. 350.
Flait, v. To scare, frighten.
... To behold the sad and dead point which many of us do
and long have stood at, would flait any honest heart to
think of. — Ih., p. 453.
Hazlb, v. The first process in drying washed linen. — (East) Hll.
Thou who by that happy wind of thine scattered upon the
surface of the earth didst hazle and dry up the forlorn slome
and drys of Noah's deluge. — lb., p. 886.
LONGSOMB, adj.
There may seem no great odds in their pains and endeavours,
both may seem earnest and longsome: both hear much,
pray and live in the element of means constantly. — lb.,
P- 453-
Pritch, s.
Moved to prich and disdain. — lb,, p. 288.
What is the cause of so many jars and janglings among
Christians for mere trifles to the dishonor of God and
of their communion ? Self-love that seeks her own ease
and profit, little looking how others fare: Christians in
general will profess self-denial, yet take pritches, dis-
contents.— lb., p. 188.
PuDDBR, 5. Bother, confusion.
Oh I men's hopes and hurries are their life. And what comes
of it ? pudder and vexation. — lb., p. 258 (Lecture ix.,
passim).
Oh yes, those [acts] were his own : this is God's : those he
made no bones of, but this was that which had made all
this pudder. — lb., pp. 470 and 838.
272
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
MuTB, V. To cry as hounds.
Quitch, v. Same as quinch, to make a noise. — HU.
Altho' they be never so distant from their subjects, yet they
[kings] look that the influence of their Royal pleasure
should go through their whole kingdom. That none should
be so daring and presumptuous as once to mute or quetch
if they once proclaim their will. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 519
Reckon up, v. To criticise adversely.
Magistrates, Ministers and all Governours must be sincere
in their censures. — 416. See them reckoned up there. —
/&., 1642.
Scantling, s. Scanteloun. — Chaucer, Rotnaunt of Rost^ 71 14- A
carpenter's measure. — Hll.
The mysteries of faith and regeneration which carnal reason
examines by her own scantling. — D. Rogers, Naaman^
p. 200.
Sholl out the dogs and welcome the children whose bread it is. —
IK pp. 358» 360.
State, s. ? A close stool.
When a man lies sick of a disease without danger of death,
he will send his state to the physician and give him a slight
fee, but he is loth to charge himself deeply for the matter.
— -/^., p. 172.
Slack-haired, adj. Slack-trace (? tress), an untidy woman. — Hll.
Cf, Slack-twisted (W. of E.).
There be yet worse than these, even debaucht and slack-haired
companions whose trade and course of life it is to run from
master to master, and when they have wearied one house
then run to another and poison that with the profane,
drunken, unclean and cursed qualities. — /&., p. 301.
Wanze, V,
. . . although the grace of the Spirit in preaching and giving
overtures of lively impression to the heart cannot be
equalled by printing, yet printing hath also that peculiar
use . . . constantly to represent things . . . always to the
eye and so to hold them there as a nail fastened in a sure
place from wanzing and leaking out. — D. Rogers, Naaman^
1642, to Reader ; and p. iii.
Washway.
God speaks once and twice by promises and by blessings, but
man hears like the adder with a deaf ear : she makes wash-
way of patience, word, conscience and all. — Ih,y p. 32.
A common servant makes wash way of his service ; looks at his
master for his own ends, looks at himself, his abilities. —
/&., p. 298.
Men run their round, not considering what washway they make
of God's command. — Ih,, p. 551.
VOL. III. 273 18
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Weep, 5., or somewhat seeming to badness. — Prompt. Parv.
. . . these may be thought to be the most entire witnesses to
the truth because they had the least corrupt affections
to bribe and defile their judgments; they were the cleanest
boxes and sweetest vessels to preserve the truth of God in
without weef or tang of their own. — D. Rogers, Naamanr
p. 414-
Claw, v. To soothe, flatter, tickle.
Clauyng= stroking. — Wright's Swm Sages (end of 14th Century).
Claw me, claw thee (t)a mutuum testimonium). — Tavemer,
I 65. 1552. (Percy Soc.), p. 34.
I will clawe him and say, " Well might he fare ! " — ^Wilson, On
Usury, 1571.
I laugh when I am merry, and claw no man in his humour. —
Shak., Much Ado, i. 3, 15.
If a talent* be a claw, look how he claws him with a talent. —
Id., Love's Labour Lost, iv. a, 61.
i.$. talon.
Look, whether the withered elder hath not his poll clawed like a
parrot. — Id., 2 Henry IV., ii. 4, 248.
Claw me and I will claw thee. — Melbancke, Philot., 1583.
Such an insinuating sting is Adulation that Hercules, wise and
wary, was hoodwinked with the pleasant clawe of Cereopes*
—lb., N. 3.
C/. Si tu me fait ce plaisir je te gratteray la teste.
Hoc beneficio si me omaveris tibi caput demulcebo.
Corner, 1538.
He is a gallant fit to serve my Lord
That clawes and soothes him up at every word.
Lodge, Sat., i.
To keep this rule, " Kaw me and I kaw thee ** ;
To play the saints whereas we divells be. — lb.
If I make much of thee, thou flatterest me, thou clawest me
toi mantalizzi), thou greasest my boot. — Florio, 2d.
Fruits, Dial. viii. 1591.
He that labours to be rich
Must scratch great scabs and claw a strumpet's itch.
B. and F., Martial Maid.
Clawback, 5. A parasite, flattering sycophant. — Cotgr. [Jaquet].
Misgovem'd both my kingdom and my life,
I gave myself to ease and sleep and sin.
And I had clawbacks ev'n at Court full rife.
Which sought by outrage golden gains to win.
Mirrour for Magistrates, p. 73.
The over- weening of thy wits
Does make thy foes to smile.
Thy friends to weep and clawbacks thee
With soothings to beguile.
Warner, Albion's Eng., 1597.
274
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
Like a clawback parasite. — Hall, Sat,, vi. i.
Thus golden asses claw'd by clawbacks are.
Davies, Wifs Pilgrimage, 0, 4.
Claw mb, claw thee. PCliii, praise, Gaelic; Bret. Glear. —
Tyndale, Works (Parker Soc.), ii. 206.
La va da barcaruolo cl Marinaro, da Baiante a Ferrante.
Reciprocally as at Whisk they'll say : Saw me, and I '11 saw
thee when they cross-ruflf their cards. — Torr., Phrases, 32.
At whisk or cards when partners play to one another they call
that sawing. — lb.
Clever, adj. Handsome, good-looking. — Hll.
See, I am drest from top to toe in stuff,
And, by my troth, I think I 'm fine enough ;
My wiie aomires me more, and swears she never
In any dress beheld me look so clever.
Dr. Sheridan, Prologue to a Play for the benefit of
the Distrest Weavers (in Swift).
I think that thou art taller grown.
Thy shape 's so nice and clever ;
And, without compliment, thou art
A prettier girl than ever.
Wolcot (P. Pindar), Orson and Ellen, v.
Favour, v. To resemble, take after.
Good faith, methinks this yoimg lord Chamont
Favours my mother's sister — doth he not ?
B. Jon., The Case is Altered ^m. 1.
Amazement. See last word in Marriage Service.
And then while they shall trembling think to fly
From those amazements that do seem so nigh.*
G. Wither, Abuses Stript S» Whipt, U., iv.
* %.$. hideous howlings of damned souls.
Brize (Breese), s. The gadfly.
for in her ray and brightness
The herd hath more annoyance by the breese
Than by the tiger. — Shak., Tro. and Cr., i. 3, 47.
The breeze upon her, like a cow in June,
Hoists sails and flies.— Shak., Ant. and Cl.y iii. 9, 14.
Bug, X.
So there the fearfullst objects of the sight
Their quite desponding souls ^all more afifright.
For garish forms of foul, misshapen fiends
And ugly Bugs for evermore attends
To thwart each look.
G. Wither, Abuses Stript <&• Whipt, II. iv.
Jolly, adj.
You have now tied a knot as J wished, a jolly one.— Bacon,
Letter to Rutland, 1523.
*n5
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Nook, s.
If we have the grace of God, this grace shall be, indeed, like
a four-nooked clover is in the opinion of some, viz. a most
powerful means against the juggling of the sight. — Zach.
Boyd, Last Battel^ p. 68. 1629.
Orts, 5., is the coarse butt-end of hay which beasts leave in eating
of the fodder. — [Scot] Cunningham, Bums' Glossary,
Plain, adj. Unassuming, friendly.
I like them, Miss Js., they be so plain. — Havergal, Hertford
Words. -
Stocky, adj. Short and thick of growth. — (West) Hll. ? Stuckey.
Addison, Spectator^ No. 433.
Team, 5.
Gildas the Fourth . . . our Gildas; who laggeth last in the
teame of his namesakes. — F. W., Wales ^ P« ^S*
Way, v. To way a horse. To teach him to travel in the way.
He that has a scrupulous conscience is like a horse that is not
well-wayed, he starts at every bird that flies out of the
hedge. — Selden, Table Talk, xxvi. Conscience.
Well-wayed. — Bailey, Diet.
Way'd Horse (with horsemen) is one who is already backed,
supple and broken, and shows a disposition to the menage.
Arbdb, V, To explain, counsel.
Can right areed how handsomely besets
Dull spondees with the English dactilects ?
Hall, Satire, L, vi.
Let him that hath not fear not, I areed.
But he that hath ought, hie him and God speed.
lb., VI., i. 69.
Attercop, s. (4). An ill-natured, petulant, malignant person. —
Wright, Eng. Dialect Diet. Addercop. See p. 23 (Atter)
and Gloss, to Prompt. Parv.
A fiery ettercap, a fractious chiel.
As het as ginger, and as stieve as steel.
Scott, Waverly, ch. Ixiv.
? Is this the origin of ** as mad as a hatter*."
* an atter.
Attern, adj. Fierce, cruel, snarling. — Hll. ; Robertson, Glou*
Gloss., E.D.S.
Blowse, s. a red-faced, coarse-looking hoyden. Blowesse. — Hall,
Sat. Blousy in this sense still survives. Cf. Blowsabella.
J. S., Wifs Labyrinth, 1648.
Venus compared to her was but a Blowse ;
Ay, and a beggar too ; a trull, a blowse !
Chapman, All Fools^ iv.
276
Digitized by
Google
WORDS AND PHRASES.
BiGGBN, s. A child's cap. Cf. Fr. beguin.
How many dangers meet
Poor man ! betwixt the biggin and the winding sheet.
Quarles, Hieroglyphics, iii. 7.
Dbusan, X. A kind of apple. See HU. Qubbning, 5.
Nor is it every apple I desire,
Nor that which pleases every palate best ;
'Tis not the lasting Deuzan I require,
Nor yet the red-cheek'd Queening I request.
Id,f Emb. V,, li. 3.
Ho!
In a trial by combat before Henry IV. at Nottingham, the
King interposes to stop the fight, which he describes as
follows : ** Eis Pugnae supersedere Mandavimus, emisso
per Nos Silentii Vocabulo consueto, scilicet Ho, Ho, Ho
(quod est) Cessate, Cessate, Cessate." — Rymer, Fcedera,
Jime 20, 1408.
Habbrdash, v.
What mean dull souls in this high measure
To haberdash
In earth's base wares, whose greatest treasure
Is dross and trash.
F. Quarles, What well advised ear regards ?
Jump, v.
Those that hold the inclination of the Equator to the Ecliptic
daily to diminish, so that after the Revolutions of some
Ages they will jump and consent, tell us that the Sunbeams
lying perpendicularly and constantly on the parts under the
Equator, the Ground thereabout must needs be extremely
parched and rendered apt for Inflammation. — I. Ray,
Miscellaneous Discussions concerning the Dissolution of the World ,
p. 141. 1692.
Nayword, s.
For Monsieur Malvolio, let me alone with him: if I do
not gull him into a nayword, and make him a common
recreation, do not think I have wit enough to lie straight in
my bed. — Shak., Twelfth Night, ii. 3, 126.
Palm, s. The willow or sallow used for the adornment of churches
on Palm Sunday.
Besides they candles up do light of vertue like in all
And willow- branches hallow, that they Palms do use to call :
This done, they verily believe, the tempest, nor the storm
Can nayther hurt themselves, nor thejrr cattell, nor theyr com.
B. Googe, Popish Kingdom, iii., p. 42 r.
PiBCB, s, A beautiful woman.
I had a wife, a passing princely piece
Which far did pass the gallant girl of Greece.
Mirrour for Magistrates.
277
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Go give that changiDg piece
To him that flourished for her with his sword.
Shak., Titus Andfoni<MS, i. i, 309.
Thou should'st have chosen out some homely face,
Where thy ill-£avour*d kindness might add grace :
That men might say " How beauteous once was she/'
Or ** What a peece ere she was seized by thee."
Bp. Corbet, Elegy on Lady Haddington*.
* Who died of the small-pox.
QUAITB, 5. ? Coit.
Nothing but earth to earth ; no pompeous weight,
Upon him, but a pibble or a quaite*. — Id., Iter Boreale.
♦ On Wolsey's grave.
Termagant, 5. A scold. — Hll. Originally Saracen divinities.
Nor ladies' wanton love, nor wand'ring knight
Legend I out in rimes ail richly dight ;
Nor fright the reader with the pagan vaunt
Of mighty Mahmoud or great Termagaunt.
Hall, Sai., I., i.
Fr. Tervagant. It. Trivigante. — Percy Reliques^ i. 77, 383.
278
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
Phrases :
With Examples of their Use.
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES:
WITH EXAMPLES OF THEIR USE.
Dun Cow.
Thou wast begotten some says mee,
Betwixt the devil and a dun cow.
Montgomery, The Flyting^ p. 109.
May the devil go with you and his dun dame. — Trial of Treasure,
1567; H., O.P., iii. 279.
Let 's try, I pray, if we can get him
Home to his bed ....
This said his arms about her neck
She gets, at low parts of his back
The Sexton lifts, till round her waist
She gets his legs, to hold him fast.
Thus like the Devil upon Dun,
Madge with her burthen, marches on.
Thomas Ward, England's Reformation^ p. 1312. 1719.
Vacula cum cacabo capiti cineracea fixo,
Consuito podicem, denteque morde filum.
A dun cow with a kettle on her head.
Sew up her arse and bite in two the thread.
Withal, 1586*
Beggar's bush.
Va alle birbe. Go hang yourself at Beggar's bush. — Torr.
Stuprata. A scholar speak with me ? admit him, do it
I have business for him.
Seru. Business. He 's a poet
A common beadle, one that lashes crimes,
Whips one abuse and fetches blood o* th* time.
Yet welcome him ?
Stupr. Yes, him, dull ignorance.
Serv. With Jack Drum's entertainment : he shall dance
The jig call'd Beggar's bush.
Stupr. Peace : let thy sin
Perish at home ; out, spaniel fetch him in.
Day, The Bees' Parliament, MS. Lansd. 725..
281
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
. A mingle mangle of all sorts and sexes; that lay half naked
stretching their tawny limbs upon a sunny bank on the
South side of the bush upon which (like reliques at the
shrine of some charitable saint) hung an infinite sort of
tools and instruments . . . and amongst the rest one pen
and ink horn by which Error counselled Philosophos to
hang up his . . . but Industry would by no means accord
to it but plucked him back, saying it was Beggar*s bush
and those instruments belonged to several tradesmen who
out of a lazy disposition had left their lawful callings to
live in contemptible ease and lazy poverty. — ^J. Day,
Pertgfinatio Scholastica^ Fr., xviii.
We are almost at Beggar's Bush and we cannot tell how to help
ourselves. — Yarranton, England's Improvement^ i. 99. 1677.
Fool's paradise.
He hath set his lord in a folys Paradise (Domino suo coelum
aperuit) with flatering and rekenyng up his noble acts. —
Herman, Vulgaria^ 232.
Su Roy, Rede me and he not wrothe^ 1526.
Into how foolish a Paradise were we brought. — Becon, ii. 2.
The world was therefore called the Fool's Paradise : there he
thinks to find heaven and there he sells it to the devil. —
T. Adams, Works^ p. 774.
Then might ye see
Cowls, hoods, and habits with their wearers, tost
And fluttered into rags ; then relics, beads,
Indulgences, dispenses, pardons, bulls.
The sport of winds : all these upwhirled aloft
Fly
Into a limbo large, and broad, since call'd
* The Paradise of Fools.' — MUton, Paradise Lost, iii. 489.
Westward Ho! Westward for smelts. Shak., Twelfth Night,
iii. I, 231. The cry of the Thames watermen like the
<*Ch'ing Cross" of the busses at the Mansion House.
Let your news be as coimtry folk bring fruit to your markets —
the bad and good together. Say, have none gone Westward
for smelts, as our proverbial phrase is ? — ** The Great Frost
of January, 1608," Arber, English Gamer , i. 85.
Eastward Ho ! was a trip to the City. See the play so called.
So Eastward Ho ! will make you go Westward Ho ! i^. to
Tyburn.—/*.
Smelt. A gvdl, simpleton. — HII. ; B. & F., Love's Pilgrim,, v. 2.
Perhaps the young bloods of the West End were intended
for the plucking.
Pitch and pay.
It cost me a noble at one pyche ;
The scalled capper sware sythyche
That it cost him even as myche.
Medwall, Interlude of Nature, c. 1510.
282
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
PHRASES.
No creditor did curse me day by day :
I used plainness ever ; pitch and pay.
Mirror for Magistrates^ 374. 1559.
See also A. Fleming's Index to Holinsked (under Proverb), 1586.
And touch and take, and pitch and pay,
Might drive all cunning tricks away.
Friar Bacon's Proph., 1601.
The word is pitch and pay: trust none. — Shak., Henry K.,
ii. 3, 49.
Pitch and pay, say and hold, try and trust, believe no lies, tell
no news, etc. — N. Breton, Court and Country, 1618, p. 193, rep.
Pitch and pay,
go your way. — Florio.
Pitch and pay ; they will pray all day :
Score and borrow ; they will wish him much sorrow.
T. Nash, Unf. Trav., M. a.
(Of Vintners and their customers.)
Brown bread. Despised. — Pal., Acolastus, H. 3. A contemptuous
characterisation.
They drew his brown bread face on pretty gins,
And made him stalk upon two rolling pins.
Bp. Corbet, On Great Tom of Christ Churchy Oxford.
A brown bread.
So Brown baker.
B. & F., Worn. PI., iv. i. (twice).
Lelia. Think'st thou
That I can stoop so low to take a brown bread crust
And wed a clown that 's brought up at the cart ?
WUy Beguiled, p. 232.
A whole brown dozen of suitors. — Chapman, Mayday, ii.
Saint Fylgutte or Saint Panchart. Pal., Ac, L 2.
St. George on horseback (Contempt). — Dr.
Saint George to borrow. ? to help. — Pal., Ac, F.
f, „ „ thrive. — Shak., Richard II., i. 3, 84.
„ „ „ boot. — Shak., Richard IIL, v. 3, 301. i^. bote,
help.
St. John appears to have been the usual borrow on leave taking to
whose care you were commended. — Chau, Complaint of
Mars and Venus, 9 ; Chau., Complaint of the Black Knight, 12 ;
Henryson ; Lyndsay, The Dreme, 996.
St. Blase to borgh. — Lyndsay, Complaint of the King's Papingo, 701.
Bbnedicte.
This holy father* being thus taken, many witnesses being
present so that the matter could not be kept close or secret
under Benedicite. — Becon, i. 595.
• Mirrour of the Pope's Chastity.
283
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Grace go with you, Benedicite.— Shak., Measure for Measure^.
ii. 3, 39 ; Romeo and Juliet^ ii. 3, 31.
If your shrift have such virtue as to teach men thrift I pray you
Sir Simon take me under benedicite, who never as yet could
find the way to thrive, I think it be for want of absolution.
Ab omni frugalitate. — Fulwell, Ars. Adulandi, L, i.
Brown must not be cast away. " A proverbial expression at this
day." — Weber's note. ? What day.
Old things must not be cast away. — S. Fox, C. P. Book ; Lans-
downe MS. 679.
Lilia Bianca. . . . What think ye now of the lady Felicia ?
And Bellafronte, the Duke's fair daughter ? Ha !
Are they not handsome things ? There is Duarta,
And brown Olivia.
Pin. I know none of 'em.
LU, But brown must not be cast away, Sir.
B. & F., The Wild-Goose Chase, ii. 2.
Ben. Why, i' faith, methinks she 's too low for a high praise,
too brown for a fair praise, and too little for a great
praise. — Shak., Much Ado about Nothingy i. i, 147.
Cf. the ballad of the " Nut Brown Maid."— B. & F., Wild
Goose Chase y ii. 2.
Brown and lovely, (thus they say), she only bears the crown. —
Grange, Golden Aphroditis, R. 4.
Fille brunette
est de nature gaye et nette. — Cotgr.
A brown wench in face
shows that nature gives her grace.
Wodroephe, Spared Hours, 1623.
In bodie fine fewter'd, a brave brownnetta ; wel handled ;
Her stature is coomly, not an inch to superfluous holding.
Stanyhurst, Of his Mistress,
Luc, I love a nut brown lass ; 'tis good to recreate.
Half Thou meanest a brown nut is good to crack.
Lyly, Mother Bomhie, iii. 4.
Terra nera fa pan bianco. Oft applied that black folk must not
be cast away. — Torr.
Coll under canstyke she can play on both hands. Ho., p. 4.
Coll under candlestick she can play with both handis,
Dissimulacion well she understands. — He., Did,, i. 10.
See Cole, prophet.— N.H.W.
Canstyke. — Shak., 1 Henry IV., iii. i, 131.
When roysters ruffle not above their rule.
Nor colour crafte by swearing precious coles.
Gascoigne, Steel Glass, 1113.
284
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
For the most part of you (priests) have such spyced and nyce
conscience in the use of them (eucharistic vestments) that
if ye lack but the lessest of these fooles babies ye dare not
presume to say Masse for a thousand pound.
The laudable order of our Mother holy Church is broken.
Ye cannot consecrate aright, ye have not all your tools.
Therefore can ye not play cole under candlestick clenly
nor whyppe Master Wynchurch above the borde as ye
should do. — Thos. Becon, Displaying of the Popish Mass,
Works, i. 37. 1560.
Some will say that I am sworn to the candlestick ; such I wish
their noses in the socket. And this I say further, my faith
was not yet so much had in question to be called to the
candlestick; but if he that say so have been brought to
the like book oath, I wish he had eaten the strings for his
labour. — M. Breton, 1608, Praise of Vertuous Ladies, p. 57.
Ambidexter. That hath the use of both hands; Jack on both
sides. — With., 1608.
To LAY ON LOAD. To Strike violently and repeatedly. — Hll.
On the Lord's day lay load upon other sinners. — D. Rogers,
Naaman, H. 181.
With lies laid on by load. — He., Dial., II., vii.
When rain is a let to thy doings abrode
Set threshers a threshing to laie on good lode. — Tusser.
All lay load on the willing horse. — CI.
Had I wist of this I would have laid on load. — Marriage of Wit
and Science, H., O.P,, ii. 391.
The iron being hot, I thought to lay on load. — Nash, Unfor.
Trav,, c.
Some rage and rail, some lay on lode,
Belike they were rubde on the gall.
Fulwell, Ars Adulandi, H, 4.
When the trick is known all the load will be laid on me for
keeping your counsel. — Kill., Thorn,, II., ii. 2.
To BE FOR THE WHETSTONE. Cf. And with Hes he cutteth like a
sharp razor.
You lie with a witness or, You shall have the whetstone. —
CI., P. P.
Primus tortor.
A, good Sir, let him oone (alone),
He lyes for the quetstone : I gyi hym the pryse. — Town M,, 192.
Or whetstone leasings of old Maundeville. — Hall, Sat., IV., 6.
And 'cause a traveller may boldly lie,
A whetstone emblem-wise must hang thereby.
Taylor, Laugh and be Fat.
285
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To TAKE ONE WITH THE MANNER.
To FIND ONE WITH THE MANNER. To discovcr One in the act of
doing anything. — HU. ; Shak., 1 Henry IV., IL, iv. 30S
(and in B. and F., Rtde a Wife ; Taylor, W. and M., 116).
Red-handed. Manifesto deprehensus. — He)nvood, Rape of
Lucrece, 1630.
To find one with the mainour (a forensic term). — Malone.
I must whippe you for lying, now you lie untrust :
I have tane you with the manner (too vilde).
Untrusse, to spare the Rodd 's to spill the childe.
Davies of Hereford, Scourge of Folly.
P, Hen. O villain, thou stolest a cup of sack eighteen years
ago and wert taken with the manner, and ever
since thou hast blushed extempore. — Shak.,.
/ Henry IV., IL, 4, 305.
Lycurgus loved and granted gifts beside
To thieves that could steal and escape unspied ;
But if they taken with the manner were,
They must restore and buy the bargain dear.
Taylor, A Thief
How like a sheep-biting rogue taken i* the manner
And ready for the halter dost thou look now.
B. and F., Rule a Wife, v. 4.
To AGREE LIKE HARP AND HARROW, i.e. not all. (Dissimilitudo.)
(Discordia.) — CI. Contention (Dr.), one being harmony
and the other discord.
The Lord's supper and your peevish, popish, private mass do
agree together like God and the devil . . . and as the
common proverb is like harp and harrow, or like the hare
and the hound. — Becon, iii. 283.
To BE IN HOT WATER. In a difficulty. A modem term. But cf.
the following :
When we are fallen into some heinous transgression we may
better say than in our other trouble, << This will cost hot
water," for so it will indeed : it will cost the hot water of the
tears from our eyes. — T. Adams, Man^s Comp., 1653, iii. 299*
To BE TOSSED FROM PILLAR TO POST, or rathcr FROM POST TO
PILLAR, as in all the old examples, the gradation being
from whipping-post to pillory. From Dis to Daedalus.
From post to pillar. — Becon, ii. 2; Barclay, Eel., iii.;
B. and F., Two Noble Kinsmen, iii. 5.
T. L. Kington Oliphant, New English, 139, refers it to the posts
in God's temple. Cf. Ayenbite of Inwyt, p. 142.
From thee poast toe piler with thoght his rackt wyt he tosseth, —
Stanyh., ^n., iv. 296.
The prophet Ely being persecuted by the wicked Jezebel, fledde
from post to pillar. — And. Kingsmyl, Treatise for such as are
Troubled, E. ii. 1585.
286
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
The first occurrence of the first and now accepted version is
(in Breton, Character of Elizabeth^ p. 5 [repr.], followed
by Swift and Cotton).
They that sell away theyr rentes and landes
And bestoweth it for to be marchandes,
And aventreth tyll them have all lost
And tnrmoyleth alway fro pyler to post.
Hytway to Spital House, if., E.P.P., iv. 56 {c. 1531) ?
From pyllyr to poste
The poor man he was toste.
Vox Populi Vox Dei, p. 4.
To PASS THE piKBS. To get through difficulties and danger.
C/. To run the gauntlet.
He is passed through the pikes (Safety). — Chapman, May-day,
iii. ; Dr. Burton, Anatomy of Melancholy, p. 589.
You pass through pikes. Per ignem in caedes. — CI.
Neither John*s mourning nor Christ's piping can pass the pikes ;
but the one hath a devil, the other is a glutton and a wine-
bibber. — Bp. Sanderson, ii. 45.
There were many pikes to be passed through, and a complete
order of afflictions to be undergone and accomplished. —
Hacket, Third Sermon on Transfiguration.
With charged staffe on fomyng horse
His spurres with heeles he strykes.
And foreward ronnes with swiftye race
Among the mortall pykes.
B. Googe, Epit. of M. Shelley.
This, this a virtuous man can do.
Sail against Rocks, and split them too.
Ay, and a world of Pikes pass through.
Herrick, i. 51.
But Bastard-slips and such as He dislikes*
He never brings them once to th* push of Pikes.
Herrick, iii. 170.
* i.e. good men afflicted most. Cf. Hebr., xii. 8.
Wet finger. — Dr. (with the turning of a hand). — Scott, Redgauntlet,
iii. 295 ; Heart of Midlothian, c. 17.
Cosmo, I never draw away the Maid or the Maidenhead with a
wet finger. — Wifs Interpreter, 1681, p. 11.
Nay (quoth he) with a wetfinger ye can fet
As much as may easily all this matter ease
And this debate also pleasantly appease.
John Heiwood, Dialogue H., c. ix. 1546.
The subject of controversy and the proverbs cited throw a
particular light on the expression.
" There is to many suche, though ye laugh, and believe it not,
and not hard to shew them with a wet finger.*'
Bumynge of Pauleys Church, 1561, N.H.W.
287
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
So Rare Triumphs of Love and Fortune^ 1599.— HdiZ.^ O.P.,
vi. 1 80.
Porter. If I may trust a woman, Sir, she will come.
Fustigo. There's for thy pains (gives money): God-a-mercy,
if ever I stand in need of a wench that will come
with a wet finger, porter, thou shalt earn my
money before any clarissimo in Milan. — Dekker,
Honest Whore, i. 2. 1604.
This may refer to wetting the finger before snapping it, as a
summons.
Matheo. Is't possible to be! impossible! an honest whore!
I have heard many honest wenches turn strumpets with
a wet finger, but for a harlot to turn honest is one of
Hercules' labours. — lb., iii. 3.
But what says the painted cloth ?
Trust not a woman when she cries.
For she '11 pump water with her eyes
With a wet finger and in faster showers
Than April when the rains down flowers. — /ft., v. i.
And see Dekker, A Strange Horse Race, Sig. D. 3. 1613.
He darting an eye upon them, able to confound a thousand
conjurors in their own circles, though with a wet finger
they could fetch up a little divell.
What a gallant fellow you are . . . what gentlewomen or
citizens* wives you can with a wet finger have at any time
to sup with you, and such like. — Dekker, Gull's Hornbook,
1609.
Duke. I fear the Spaniards
Yet they appear brave fellows.
Peir. Can he tell us with a wet finger whether they be false.
B. and F., The Chances, v. i.
2d. Cit. Take a good heart man ; all the low ward is ours
With a wet finger.
Fletcher, Cupid's Revenge, iv. 3. 161 5.
Where fif one had occasion to use his divellship) a porter might
fetcn him with a wet finger. — Dekker, A Knight's Con-
juring, ii.
I '11 fetch her with a wet finger. — Webster, Westward Ho I, ii. 2.
As bookes are leaf by leaf oft turned and tost
So are the garments of a whore (almost)
For both of them with a wet finger may
Be folded or unfolded night or day.
Taylor (Water Poet), Works, 1630. [A Whore.]
(Without any trouble. — Walker, Parcem., 1672; Daniel
Rogers, Matrim. Hon., 123. 1642.)
I hate brawls with all my heart, and can turn over a volume of
wrongs with a wet finger. — G. Harvey, Pierce's Superero-
gation [repr., p. 21].
288
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
N. derives the phrase from the habit of wettmg the finger to
turn the pages of a book. •
? Wettmg the middle finger as we do before snapping it.
From a passage in T. Otway*s Soldurs Fortune^ iii. 1681, it
would appear to be used for a snap of the finger which is
sometimes also a summons or signal.
Sir David Dunce (speaking of his wife's lover): "Hang
him Sot, is it he? I don't value him thus, not a wet
finger, man ; to my knowledge she hates him."
In a note to Heywood's Dialogue Mr. Sharman says this
phrase is supposed to derive its use from the habit of
tracing a lady's name on the table with spilt wine to
serve the purposes of gallantry and intrigue. Such a
practice was not unknown to the amatory poets of
antiquity.
Blanditiasque leves tenui perscribere vino. — Ovid, D$ Arte
AfnoriSf I. 571.
Verba leges digitis, verba notata mero. — Ovid, Amor.f I. 4, 20.
Nee in digitis litera nulla fuit. — lb., ii. 5.
These are generally supposed to refer to talking on fingers.
So in Tibullus, lib. I. El. vi. :
Neu te decipiat nutu, digitoque liquorem
Ne trahat, et mensae ducat in orbe notas.
He can do it with a wet finger. — CI.
Iteratio citra taedium. — G. Harvey, Letter Booh, p. 10. 1573.
I wyll helpe all this besides with a wete finger. Hanc moles-
tiam declinabo, ne sicco adhuc digito. — Horm., VtUg,, 195.
1519-
** Until I was quite a tall girl, whenever my foot went to sleep
I invariably wetted my finger and crossed the front of my
shoe." — (Devonshire) Athenaum, 15/12, 1849.
Mouillez vestre doigt et nouez leur (les singes) la queue et s'ilz-
vous suivent de pres happes le. — Meurier, Collogues, G. 3.
1558.
Julio, You have done a most (to use your own phrase)
metaphysical piece of service, but you had
some help in it, questionless.
Hippolita. I do not think but the ladies had some hand in it.
Dametas. A finger, I confess a finger, by the hope of persever-
ance a very little finger.
Julio. I thought as much, by the making of the jest.
Hippolita. I cannot detract from the ladies' worth, for I know
'em for excellent workwomen.
Dametas. Workwomen, fit to make tailors men.
Hippolita. Ay, by my faith do I. Nay, your best tailors are
arrant botchers to 'em : You shall have a lady
make an end of a suit, a court suit especially,
when all the tailors in the country know not
how to set at stitch in 't.
VOL. ni. 289 19
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Dorus. Some ordinary suit perhaps.
Hippolita. Your best court suits that are finished by ladies^
I have known a suit myself lying a making and
a marring, three, four, and five year together,
and then a lady hath despatched it in a month
with a wet finger : such a finger might the ladies
have in your plot.
Dametas. Never wet a finger by this sun.
Julio. Then she helped you with one dry jest or other.
J. Day, Isle of Gulls, V., 1606.
Abra. I trust to make such broth that when all things are in
God Almighty self may wet his finger therein.
/ac. and Es,, H., 0,P.f ii. 236.
** I never could abide a maid in my life, niece, but either I draw
away the maid or the maidenhead with a wet finger. —
Middleton, Sir Giles Goosecap, ii. i. 1606.
Quint ! Sblood ! hobby horse an' she had chalked up twenty
pounds. I hope the world knows I am able to pay it with
a wet finger. — Chapman, Mayday, i.
It (salvation) is easy to us, it comes to our hands ready wrought
and finished and costs as nothing at all ; the Lord doth not
require of us so much as the wetting of one finger, or
stirring of one joint towards a price (for it were bootless),
so we can but accept it and apply it to ourselves. — D.
Rogers, Naaman, 360. 1642.
Bbans and Bacon. Cf, To cry cupboard.
My colon begins to cry out "Beans and Bacon." — Tatham,
Rump, iil 1660.
The story of the countryman who had beans and bacon for
dinner, and next day for variety bacon and beans, is
well known.
Eggs.
(Pursenet, the pocket gallant, has been wounded in attempting
to rob Fitzgrace whom he had not recognised.)
Tailby. How came it. Sir ?
Pursenet. Faith, by a paltry firay in Coleman Street.
Fitzgrace. Combe Park, he should say (aside).
Pursenet. No less than three at once, Sir,
Made a triangle with their swords and daggers.
And all opposing me.
Fitzgrace, And amongst these three, only one hurt you, sir ?
Pursenet. Ex. for ex.* — Middleton, Your Five Gallants, iii. 5.
* Dyce suggests ecoe for -ex.
Your five eggs.
An other commeth in with his five eggs and adviseth to hooke
in the King of Castell with some hope of afi&nitie or
allyaunce and to bring to their part certain Pieers of his
Courte, for great pensions. — More's Utopia, tr.by Robinson,
1551 ; Arber's rep., p. 56.
200
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
One said, "A well favoured old woman she is ; "
" The divell she is," said another ; and to this
In came the third with his five eggs and sayde
" Fiftie yere agoe I knew her a trim mayde."
Heiwood, Proverbs, Dial., ii. i. ; Epigram^ i. 26.
** Of a pragmatical prater or busybody that wastes many words
to little purpose." — B. E., A New Diet. Cantg. Crew.
He comes in with his five eggs, and four be rotten. Falces
postulabam = Nothing to the purpose. — Clarke, Parcemiologia,
1639.
His tale of 10 eggs for a penny and 9 of them rotten. — Nash,
Saff. Wal., T. 4.
Take him up therewith his five eggs and four of them rotten. —
Ferg.
R., 1670, £;ives: "You come with your five eggs a penny and
four of them be rotten."
Another spends his censure like Tom ladle,
Brings in his five eggs, four of which are addle.
Mews and makes faces, yet scarce knows what 's what,
" Hempseed," quoth he, " what can be writ of that ? "
Taylor (W. P.), Praise of Hempseed.
What ! and you must come in with your two eggs a penny
and three of them rotten. — S., P. C, i.
Eggs should be long, not round. — Cogan, Hav. of Health, p. 150,
quoting Schol. Salem. ; Hor., Sat. H., 4, 12.
E'en as the Jews that loathing Manna, fain
Would be in Egypt at their flesh again,
Though they were then in bondage ; so do these
Wish for the world as in Queen Mary's days.
Why ? Things were cheap and 'twas a goodly meny
When we had four and twenty eggs a penny.
Wither, Ab. St. and Wh., n. 2.
Too HEAVY OR TOO HOT. — He., Dial., I., xii.
I spare nat to taken, God it woot.
But if it be to hevy or to hoot.
Chaucer, Frier's Tale, 7018.
Verres whersoever he came played swepestake and left nothing
behind him, as being a taker and a bribing feloe and one for
whom nothing was to hotte nor to heavie. — Udall, Er. Ap.,
359.
And so fylled he the symple woman with suche flatteryng and
craftee persuasions and fayre promises of health that she
thought nothing to whotte or to heavy for him.— John
Halle, Historical Expostulation, 1565 [Percy Soc, p. 25 J.
Ne laissoient rien a prendre s'il nestoit trop chau trop firoid ou
trop pesant. — Froissart, i. 229.
The Winchester and Taylor's goose, I see
both too heavy and too hot for me.
Taylor (W. P.), The Goose.
S91
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Call a spadb a spade. A term of reproach (Eunuch). — B. and F.,
Capt.t iil 5.
C/. To call a Dog a Dog, alternative title of Lely*s Pap wUh
a hatchet J 1589.
Philippus answered that the Macedonians were feloes of no fine
wit in their terms but altogether gross, clubbish and
rustical, as the which had not the wit to call a spade by
any other name than a spade. Alluding to that the
common used proverb of the Greeks calling ngs figs, and a
boat a boat. — Udall, Er. Ap., 189.
To call a spade a spade, a sycophant
A flattering knave.— Taylor (W. P.), Motto Ded.
Ramp up thy genius, be not retrograde,
But boldly nominate a spade, a spade.
Ben. Jonson, Poetaster. (Against Marston and Dekker.)
Do TO DEATH.
Ful many a worthy man and wys.
An hundred, have they don to dye
These losengerers, thro flaterye. — Ch., R. ofR.^ 1062.
Heave and how. Marlowe, Ed. 11.^ ii. 2.
Here hath been heave and shone*, havelow,
This gear is not fit.
M, of Wit and Wis.y Shak. Soc. repr., 57.
* ? howe [or shove. See Niw Eng, Diet., tub heave.— Ed.]
Idleness, Ah sirra, my masters there is much ado
When fortune is lowring,
O the passion of God I have escaped a scouring.
Heave and howe, rombelowe. — Cock LorelVs Bote,
Heave and howe rombelowe.
Percy Fol.y Ballad about T. Ld. Cromwell.
Rumbeloo. — Rich. C. de Leon^ Weber, p. 99, c. 1378 ; Bowge of
Courte^ 252.
With hey, howe, rumbelowe,
Rumpopulorum,
Per omnia secula seculorum.
Skelton, Epitaphs t 61 •
Though Teucer with his bow made havock in hacking the
Trojan knights and coronels, yet Hector at length with his
heaved codgill paid him home with heave and how. —
Melb., Phil., B. 264.
Cf. Heaving stones as mischievous boys do.
The silent soule yet cries for vengeance just
Unto the mighty God and to his saints,
Who though they seem in punishing but slow.
Yet pay they home at last with heave and how.
Harrington, Ariosto
Though Sicil his raging wyld frets and rumbolo rustling.— Stany-
hurst, A en., 1. 206.
292
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
After that ye stand up again like pretye felowes and well
appointed and taking the chalice in your hands ye holde
it up with heave and howe above your heathenish heads. —
The Displaying of the Popish Mass^ T. Becon, Works, i. 47.
1564.
Philip and Chbinb. Representative names of servants, male and
female.
Philip and Cheine,
More than a good meiny.
Kenye, our Dame. — Chester Plays, 122.
St. Keynei a Cornish saint.
It was not his intent to bring unto Sylla Philip and Cheine,
moo than a good meiny, but to bring hable souldiours of
manhood approved and well tried to his handes. — Udall,
Erasm. Ap. (Pompey, i.) p. 311.
Ye pray for Philippe and Chenye
Mo than a good meany.
Becon, 1. 47, iii. 276. 1560.
Loiterers I kept so many,
Both Philip Hob and Cheany,
That that way nothing geany
Was thought to make me thrive. — Tusser, Life.
Cf. Tennyson : I keep but a man and a maid.
2. Inferior stuff worn by servants, sometimes called Harateen.
'Twill put a lady scarce in Philip and Cheyney,
With three small bugle laces, like a chambermaid.
B. and F., Wit at Sev. Weapons, ii. i.
No cloth of silver, gold or tissue here,
Philip and Cheiny never would appear
Within our bounds.
I'aylor (W. P.), Praise of Hempsced,
Works, p. 64. 1630.
It was sold at i6s. 8d. the piece. — Rates of Merchandises, G. 4.
1635.
Takb heart of grace. i,e, courage. — Becon, i. 516.
C/. Harde grace = Misfortune. Ch., T., i. 713.
= Severity. — Id,, Somnour's Tale, 7810.
= 111 luck. — Id,, Canon Yeoman's Prol., 16133.
Take herte of gress. — Palsgr.
Recipere animum. — CL, P. P.
Tush, man, take hart at grace.— B. Melbancke, Philot., p. 3.
1583-
Take heart of grace our enemy to assail. — M, of W. and Sc,
V.4; H., O.P., ii. 388.
Tipple. I am sorry to see you here in such unhappy case.
But take some heart of grace, good gossip, I pray you.
T. Tyler and his Wife, p. 15.
293
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
After the battail foughten in Pharsalia when Pompeius was
fled, one Nonius said there wer seven Eagles vet left and
therefor encouraged the souldiours to be of good cheer and
to take their hartes to them. — Udall, Ev, Ap., 346.
Gascoigne, Art of Venerie (ii. 311), speaks of an "hart in
pride of greacc." ue, in hunting condition.
Give me now leave to leave thee. Shak., Twelfth Night j ii. 4, 74.
DOGHOLE.
As he Qulius Caesar) passed by a beggerie little towne of colde
roste in the mountains of Savoy his compagnie that were
with him putting doubtes and questions whether in that
doghole also were sedicions and quereles for preeminence
and superioritee, as there continually were in Rome, he
staid and stood still a prettie while musing with himself
and anone : Well (quoth he), I promise you I for my part
had lieffer to be the first or the chief man here than the
seconde man in Rome. — Udall, Er, Ap»f 297.
Barnard's blow.
One Phanus that loved his wife with such jealousie that he
would never suflfer her to go out of doors. He also pro-
vided that none came in at his gates or doors but a great
noise was made through cracking and tingling of bells
which hanged at them : at which sound with all speed he
would run to see what came in. He so long used this
order of watching at the gate that in the mean time his
devout wife gave him a Barnard's blow, letting in her
companion when it was dark by a broken place in the roof
of the house. — BuUein, B, of Def [S. S» M.], 1562.
Good days. Same as Gaudy. Cf Ecchsiasticus^ xiv. 14.
Put on his holiday look that he wore on good days and apostles
evens. — Melb., PA»/., p. 59.
Ocddi, I am undone : my joy is past in this world :
My good dales are spent ; I am at death's dore.
Tcrcftce in English, 1614 [in Nares].
Blanch powder.
I hope he wears no charms about him, key-guns or pistols
charged with white powder. — Davenant, Siege of Rhodes^
Wks. [1663J, 65.
Cinamon is holsome put in blanch pouder or soppes. — Bulleini
B. of Def [5. 6- CA.], 68. 1562.
Cf. He that killed the blue spider in Blanche powder lande.
—R. R. D., I 4.
They are laying wagers what death vou shall die ; one offers to
l^iy ;^5oo . . . that you were killed with a pistol charged
with white powder. — B. and F., The Honest Man's Forhme^
ii. 2.
White powder was generally imagined to occasion no sound
when used in discharging a pistol. Su Sir T. Browne,
Vulgar Errors^ H., v.
294
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Blub debt.
What diflferencc in true dette and blue dette to rate ?
Difference as in distance Ludgate and Newgate.
J. Heiw., Ep,, V. 13 (Of Dette).
Loud and still.
Honour thy God over ilka thing,
With alle the witt and alle the wille,
And alle the hart in hym shall hyng
Erly and late, both loud and still.
Town, Myst.y 161.
I have thee, both loud and still,
This Towmands twa or three.
Rob. Henryson, Robin and Makyne,
But for to amende I am come now.
With alle my might both loude and stille.
To doon right at your owne wille.
Ch., R. of i?., 3408.
Out of all cry. Chapman, May-day, iii.
Out of all Scotch. = Excessively. — HU.
Scotch V. To cut, to score. — Shak.
Scar. We '11 beat 'em into bench-holes ; I have yet
Room for six scotches more. — Antony and Cleopatra, iv. 7, 9.
Out of all scotch and notch. — Nash, Have, etc, Saff. Wold,, B. 2.
Silena. We maids are mad wenches, we gird them [gentlemen]
and flout them out of all scotch and notch, and they
cannot see it. — Lyly, Mother Bomhie, ii. 3.
He scotched and notch'd him like a carbonado. — Shak.i Corio-
lanus, iv. 5, 186.
Out of all ho. Immodi6e. — Coles, Diet.
He loved the fair maid of Fressingfield once. — R. Green, Friar
Bacon and Friar Bungay.
Lambard was one of them that God bade Ho ! i.e. stop. — Ds.,
Ep., 30.
Enduring for a most grievous torment.
Even till the Tortours themselves list bid Whoe.
Forrest, The Second Grysild, p. 118.
Fennbl. Lat., foeniculum. Ital., finnocchio. Dare finnocchio=
To flatter.— Florio ; Hll. ; Shak., 2 Henry IV., II., iv. 267 ;
Hamlet, IV., v. 180.
Finkel. — A. W., Commend. V. to Gascoigne's Posies.
Fennel is for flatterers. — Greene, A Quip, etc. ; Kobinson, Pleas.
Del., 1584, p. 4 ; Taylor (W. F.^fJack-a-Lent.
Fennel, which is a tree and no tree. — Cawdray, TrasofSum^
P- 745-
295
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Count F. What, is he not in the garden ?
Christoforo. Nay, my good lord.
Count F. Your good lord ! Oh, how this smells of fennel !
You have been in the garden it appears. Well, well.
B. Jon., The Cass is Altered^ i. i.
To STOP MUSTARD POTS.
But as you love good fellowship and ames-ace, rather turn them
[the work] to stop mustard pots, than the grocers should
have one patch of them to wrap mace in.— Nash, Unf,
Trav. (Ind. to the Pages of the Court).
Our names would be baffuld on every bookseller's stall and not
a chandler's mustard pot but would wipe his mouth with
our waste paper. — Nash, P. Pennylcss^ 1592, p. 60.
Gerard Leigh {Accedena of Armorie, 1597) speaks in the Preface
of "the gentle ungentle who of negligence stop mustard
pots with their fathers* pedigrees or otherwise abuse them."
Great Julius* commentaries lies and rots
As good for nothing but stop mustard pots.
Taylor, Laugh and he Fat.
Most commonly it is the height of their ambition to aspire to-
the employment of stopping mustard pots or wrapping up
pepper powder, staves-aker, etc., which done they expire.
— Brathwait, Whimzies (A Corranto-coiner), 1631.
Bodkin.
Lucio (entering). Pop three knives in a sheath, I '11 make it a
regular Tunbridge case and be the bodkin.
Ris. Nay, the bodkin is here already, you must be
the knife.
Halfpenie (a boy). I am the bodkin : look well to your ears, I
must boare them.
Dro. Mew thy tongue or well cut it out : this I
speak representing the person of a knife^
as thou didst that in shadow of a bodkin.
Lyly, Mother Bomhie^ ii. i.
Month's mind.
C. The custom in years past was that there should be month
minds and yere minds kept for the dead.
E, To what end ?
C. That the dead might be remembered and prayed for.
E. Wherefore should they be prayed for ?
C. That their sins (say they) might be forgiven them.
Becon, ii. 240.
C. . . • I could get her as soon as he myself, and if I had
not a wily month's mind in another place I would have
a fling at her, that *s flat. — /ft., 244.
Till now he wax'd a toothless bachelor,
He thaws like Chaucer's frosty Janiver,
And sets a month's mind upon smiling May,
And dyes his beard that did his age bewray.
Hall, Sat., IV., iii. 114.
296
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Bloody, adj. Blub.
They would not have yielded much to the Bishops for they
were bloody mad at them ; and I think if they had sitten
till now they would have sent them from the Church to the
house to pray to God ; but not to have letten them prate
any more to the House of Lords. — Dialogue on Oxford
Parliatmnty 1681 ; Harl. MS.^ ii. 119.
De Menagier de Paris (c. 1393) notices the custom of servants
using the word "sanglant" in their oaths— "de males
sanglantes fievres," "de male sanglant sept mane," "de
male sanglante joum6e.** We know no such early use of
bloody in English, but may notice that some costermongers
have lately substituted the participle, bleeding, for the
adjective. " My bleeding barrow *' is the latest phrase in
vogue. — F. J. Furnivall in A then. , 24/7, 1859, J^^P* ^^
E. E. T., Ext. viii., Pr. ii. 151. Sir G. Etherege (Man of
Mode, i. I. 1670) has " bloody drunk " ; and Smft {Journal
to Stella, 5 Oct., 171 1) says "it grows bloody cold."
Sharman says it is the German blutig, imported by our
soldiers when returning from the Low Coimtries.
Cf. "Not a red cent." (U.S.A.) Blue is, I suspect, an
euphemism for blood, as we now have blooming.
Bleeding new. Recens ab officina (Novitas). — CI.
God's blue budkin ! has the knave serv'd me so. — T. Heywood,
Edward IV,, i, 3, p. 114, Shak. Soc.
Cf. Blue beans, blue beard, blue debt, blue moon, blue blood,
blue ruin, blue skin, blue point [Udall, Er. Ap,, 8, i87]>
blue murder, blue nose [Lyly, Midas, i.], blue beer [AT.^
L, ii. 246], and the French mort bleu, ventre bleu.
In the XV Century the French softened Dieu into Ben
or bleu to evade the penalties for blasphemy.
Yf they say the mone is belewe
We must believe that it is true.
Admitting their interpretacion.
Roy, Rede me and he not wrothe, HI., i.
Was there ever such a blue kitling ? (To ^Emilia playing the
prude.) — Chapman, May-day, iii.
"The blue month," the period of privation which passes
betweemthe scarcity of the old potatoes and the ripeness
of the new (usually July). — Ulster Journal of Arckaology,
iv. 128.
Wallrot. Trotevalb. Mapes, ed. Wright, 337 = a tale of a tub.
" That fat thou tellest," quath treuthe, " is bote a tale of
walterot." — Piers Plowman, C. xxi. 146.
Waltrot. — lb., B. xviii. 142.
Trot, a term of contempt, a bawd. — Shak., Measure for Measure,,
iii., 2, 52. A witch. — Witch of Edmonton.
297
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Yn gamys and festys, and at pe ale
Love men to lestene trotevale. — R. Brunne, Hg, S., 47.
Or you ledest any man to Jje ale
And madest hym drank wyjj trotevale. — ^/ft., 5971.
Ze wommen ))enke]7 on ]7ys tale,
And takyf hit for no trotevale. — Ib.^ 8080.
So fare men here by jjys tale,
Some holde it but a trotevale. — lb., 9244.
Troynovant. London : the city of the Trinobantes. C/. Spenser,
F. Q., H., X. 46.
From her I lov'd to Troynovant I came. — R. Brathwait, Shep*
Tales, Eel. ii.
From famous London (sometimes Troynovant). — Taylor (W. P.)
Ev*n to the beauteous verge of Troynovant,
That decks this Thamesis on either side.
G. Peele, Descensus Astraeae.
Tro3momond City that sometime cleped was New Troye. — MS.
Lansd., 762 f., 760 f. (Hen. V.).
John Drum's entertainment. [See Beggar's Bush.]
See the play so entitled, Simpson, Sch. of Shak.; Taylor
(W. V.),Jack-a'Lent\ (further instances, N.H.W.).
A Tom Drudge of the pudding house. — Melb., PhU.^ R. ; Shak.,
All 's Well, iii. 6, 33. (C/. v. 3, 315, Tom Drum.)
He had scarce Jack Drummer's enterteynment, for Jackie was
shut out withouten harme, but Pompey was cut shorter by
the head than he was. — Melb., PhU., p. 26. 1583.
A beating given to a person of low condition and estimation,
a drome; with a punning reference to the musical
instrument.
Tom Drum's entertainment, a flap with a foxtail. — Hawkins,
Apollo Shroving, V,, 3. 1626.
For such a gadling as I should beg or crave.
Of me such mercy and pity would men have
That they for almes (I swear by God's sockes)
In every towne would make me scour the stockes.
That can one Drome, by many assayes tell :
With that ill science I purpose not to mell. — Bare, Ecl,^ i.
The hostess being very willing to give me the courteous enter-
tainment of Jack Drum commanded me very kindly to get
me out of doors.— Taylor (W. P.), Wonders of the West.
Coridon. Yes, somewhat shall come who can his time abide
And thus may I warn my felow by my side :
" What ! eate soft Dromo, and have not so great haste
For shortly we shall some better morsell taste.
Softe man, and spare thou a corner of thy belly
Anone shall be sent us some Uttle dish ot jelly,
A leg of a swann or a partrich or twain."
Bare, EcLf ii.
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
That more they* cured by wit and patience
Than dreadful drome can do by violence. — lb., iii.
• Worthy shepherds.
Not like the entertainment of Jack Drum,
Who was best welcome when he went his way on.
Taylor, Laugh and he Fat,
Dromo or Dromio was a common servant's name in Italy. —
Goodly Hist, of Lady Lucrece of Scene, F. i.
I thought it not convenient my soldade should have my purse
any longer, for his drum to play upon, but I would give
him Jack Drummer's entertainment and send him packing.
— Nash, Unf Trav., C.
Standing on his pantuffles (slippers). i.e. holding his head
high. — Melb., Phil., p. 25 ; or being high in the instep.—
Dr.; Braithwait, Whimzies (The Launderer), 1631.
Take snuff.
That flower must not grow that can abide no cold : you may
not warm you by a fire but you must feel the flame : he
that has his beard most curiously washed in the barber's
shop will take no snufF to have it cast out into the open
street.— Melb., Phil., 82.
Take the pains. i.e. the trouble. — Shak., Comedy of Errors, v. i,
393 ; WUy Beguiled, H., O.P., iv.
And five times as I heard they took pain.
To get on horseback and come on again.
Wither, Ah. St, &» W., ii. i ; Kingesmyl, Treatise, C. 6. 1585.
Philotimus was earnest with them to take a small pittance with
him at supper: Aurelia and the company would nedes
constreyne him to take the pains with them. " I will not
be daintie,** quoth Phiotimusj <*such guests as I be plenty,
but easely condiscend." — Melb., PhU., 2.
French. Donnez vous la peine de s'assoir.
Those mothers therefore who either of niceness or for ease put
out their children s*assoir from them to other than they
themselves have abundances of milk and might well bring
them up if they would take the pain : as they be but haS
mothers indeed so likewise do they greatly ofifend God and
corrupt the nature of the infants. — Becon, i. 516.
Hangs by jommetry (Geometry). (Gloucester.) See Huntly,
Cotswold, Gloucestershire.
Thus loaded with more grief than can be borne with Geometry
(whereon the body of man doth hang), etc. • . • and
sending out more sighs than can be numbered by ciphers
or told by arithmetic (wherein man's soul consists), etc. —
Melb., Phil., x. 4.
299
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To KEEP A RUT. To be meddling. (Kent.) Wr, substitutes with.
Ovid set forth the art of lustful love,
Another wrote the treatise of the Dove,
One with the Grasshopper doth keep a rut
Another rimes upon a hazel nut. — Taylor, Praise ofHempseed.
S'il faut tremper d'advantage la premier traict (de vin) et s*il va
au foye particulierement comme on estim ? — Bailly, p. 696.
Next the heart ? On an empty stomach. See iV., v., vii., viii.
Cf. Cordial, 5.
Next, nighest.
Home, home, the next way. — Shak., Winter's Tale^ iii. 3, 118.
Angered even at the herte root.— Udall, Er, Ap.^ 365.
And of Tiberius the successour of Augustus it is written that
in his youth he was prone to drinking and boiling, in so
much, that in his time was brought up a new founde diete
to drink wine in the morning next the hart. — N. Udall,^
Er. Ap., 1542, f. 323 verso, p. 359, rep.
See extract from Cogan, Hav. of Health, 1596, pp. 164, 216 in
my query N., v., ix.
See Holland, Pliny , xx. 4 ; Queen's Closet Opened, p. 73.
Many there are which next their heart do burnt wine wholesome
think.
For why ? (say they) our senses are restored by that warm drink.
R. F., School of Slovenrie, 1604, p. 43.
Or waking just at morn in haste unto thy wife depart
Demanding of her meat and drink to comfort up thy heart :
But first of all a draught of burnt wine would do very well,*
All giddiness and aches this will from thy head expel. — lb., p. 79.
* The morning after a debauch.
Neorhoesis, the stone in the reins. Clary fried with the yolkes
of eggs is good for the back, and so is Muscadell and
Bastard dronke next a man's heart. — Boorde, Breviarie of
Health, ch. 247. 1547.
Yet your best morning's draught is Muscadine ;
Oh 'tis a wholesome hquor next the heart.
G. Wither, Sat. Vanity, H. i.
I for greediness to learning in this hard world, giving over my
claim of wealth all at once . . . shall in time feel sorrow
and small beare run full near my hart. — Melb., Phil,, p. 38.
And suddenly (as it were) an unmerciful fire it (the Epidemic)
quickly consumeth the whole body even to death, imless
the holsome medicine do prevent and come to the heart
before the pestilent humour. — Bullein, Gov. of Health, 122.
Give the patient a spoonful or more next his heart and eftsoones
as much more. — lb., p. 124.
Bolt upright. i,e. as straight as a bolt or arrow.
And after that he must lye him down upon his bedde upright
upon his back. — Udall, Er, Ap., p. 33.
300
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Upright merely meant straight, not necessarily verticaL So
a person lying on the back was said to lie upright. The
phrases " as right as my 4eg " and Jirony) ** as right as
a ram's horn " are thus made intelligible.
His porte and state of body bolt upright. — Melb., Phil.^ M. 3.
Winsinge she was as is a joly colt,
Long as a mast, and upright as a bolt.
Chau., Millsr*s Tale, 3264.
Figuratively the upright and the straight (forward) man are
the same, and a downright good feUow is nearly related.
The French " tout droit '* and Italian ** sempre diritto," when
directing you to follow your nose to reach the place you
have asked for, is a further illustration.
The following presents right in a curious apposition. Speaking
of the fifteen signs of the Ifist Judgment, the Expositor
says:
<< The eighte day earthquake shall be
That men and beaste, beleve you me,
To stande or goe shall faite postie.
But falle to ground all righte." — Ches. Pl.^ ii. 148.
The weathercock and the seed comparing late
Their service done to the wind fell at debate.
The wind (quoth the weathercock) windeth nowhere
But straight bolt upright I stand waiting there.
Heiw., Ep.f iv. 100.
To DRINK ALL OUT. — (Ebibo) Huloet. German, gar aus, whence
Carouse.
(In Brabant) the people be loving, and there be many good
felowes the whyche will drynke all out. — Borde, Int, to
Know., ch. X., circa 1547.
Now to drink all out every man which is a fashion as little in
use amongst us as the term is barbarous and strange: I
meane Ick bring you : is sure a foule thing of itself, and in
our country [Italy, c. 1550] so coldly accepted, yet that
we must not go about to bnng it in for a fashion. — Galafeo
of Delia Casa, Englished by Robt. Peterson, London, 1576,
f. 115.
To FEAR NO COLOURS. i.e. uot mistrust appearances; suspect
colourable deceits. — Porter, Two Angry Women ; H., O.P.^
vii» 359 ; Shak., Twelfth Night, i. 5, 6.
A good conscience fears no colours. — CI.
No cause so bad you know, but colours may
Be laid to beautify what princes say.
Tragical History of Mary Queen of Scots, 132, i6th Cy.,
Ed. Fry Qohn).
Nath. Sir, you have done this in the fear of God very religiously ;
and as a certain Father saith
Hoi. Sir, tell not me of the Father. I do fear colourable
colours. — Shak., Love's Labour Lost, iv. 2, 140.
301
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
I love no colours. — Shak., 1 Henry VI., ii. 4, 34.
These are the upstart gentylmen
thes are thay that dewowre
And make them dotish daws
Under the cowler of the Kenges lawys.
Vox Populif is^jf 260; Ballads fr. MS., 131.
A good conscience fears no colours.
I askt Mr. Leydall whether he argued a case according to his^
opinion. He said No, but he set a good colour on it. I
told him he might well do so, for he never wants a good
colour: he is Kufiis. — Manningham, Dy., £ 117, 1602,
Camb. Soc.
Mr. Rudyerd told me that to muster men in these times is as
^ood a colour for sedition as a mask to rob a house, which
IS excellent for that purpose. — lb.
As a stout captain bravely he leads on
(Not fearing colours) till the work be done.
Taylor (W.P.), Praise of the Needh, 1640.
Cease to colour against (God's) command, i.e. evade it. — D.
Rogers, Naaman, 526.
To CURRY FAVOUR. CiUTy favell, a flatterer (estrille). — Palsgrave ;
D. Rogers, Naaman, 1020.
He curries favour on both sides. (Adulatio.) — CI.
The knight or squer • • . but he hide
The trouthe and cory favelle, he not the ner is
His lordes grace. — Occleve, Reg. Prin., 180.
Sche was a schrewe, as have y hele.
There sche currayed favell well.
" How a Merchant did his Wife betray,"
Ritson, Anc. Pop. Poetry, 203.
To cory favell craftily. Astu assentire. — Wh., 23.
Obsequium amicos, Veritas odium parit. — Erasmus.
Flattery and following of men's minds getteth frendes. Where
speaking of trouth gendreth hatred. Such is now and ever
hath ben the fascyon of the worlde that who telleth the
trouble is for moste part hatred, and he that can flatter
and say as I say shall be mine owne white sonne. Our
Englyshe proverbe agreeth with the same. He that wyll
in courte dwell, must needs currye fabel. And ye shal
understand that fabell is an olde Englyshe worde and
signifieth as much as favour doth now a dayes. — Richard
Taverner, Proverbs, f. 47. 1539.
Who currieth favour currantly is only counted wise. — Fulwell,
Ars Adulandi, G. 4, and lb., G. 3.
302
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
To HOLD UP (a person's) oil. — iST., VI., i. 202.
In a day at a feste among Alissaundre his trusty firendes was
speche of the dedes of Phelip the Kynge's father. Fere
Alisaundre gan to boste and make himself more worthy
than his fader and a greet deal of hem ])at were at be feste
hilde up pe kynges oyl (magna parte assentiente). — Trevisa»
Higden's Pol,^ iii. 447, Rolls Series.
Another (error contra principem^ was
Whan they by sleight and by fallas
Of feigned wordes make him wene
That black is white and blew is grene
Touchend of his condicion.
For whan he doth extorcion,
With many an other vice mo,
Men shall nought finden one of tho
To grucche or speke there ayein,
But holdm up his oils and sain :
That all is well that ever he doth.
And thus of fals they maken soth,
So that her kinges eye is blent,
And wot not how the worlde is went
Gower, Conf. i4»i., VII., iii. 158; Ed. Fauli.
When Sedechy upon this plite
Hath told this tale unto his lorde,
Anone they were of his acorde.
Frophetes false many mo
To hire up oile, and alle tho
Affermen that which he hath told,
Whereof the King Achab was bolde
And yaf them yiftes all about. — /i., iii 172.
And if a lorde his leuere lyste ffor to 3eue,
Ther may no gome ffor goodnesse gette ther-of but lite,
• . • But rather for his rancour and rennynge ouere peple,
Ffor braggynge and ffor bostynge and bering uppon oiiles,
Ffor cursidnes of conscience and coming to the assises.
Richard the RidiUs, III., 182, Skeat's Ed. 1886.
They held him up with her flaturye. — Occleve, Reg, Prin.^ p. 151.
What he seithe is up to the cloudes bore. — lb,, p. 175.
Assuredly such a fonde beste is the people that the thynge that
they ones take into theyr heades be the contrary never so
apparent, they styffelye upholde. — Tavemer, Proverbs, f. 78.
Pamphagus signifieth omnia vorans, for when a felowe hathe
spente all the goodes that hathe bene left hym by his
frendes upon his daintee mouthe, than is he mete to wayte
upon a younge yonkar, to flatter hym and holde h3rm up
with ye and nay, and so to fede dayntily upon a prodigal
yong man's cost. — ^J. Palsgrave, Acolastus, 6 iii. 1540.
The fellowship or brotherhood of Gnatho whose profession is
to mock al men by flattery and to hold up ye and nay with
all men. — lb,, 5. 2.
303
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Some* be here and there
And some I know not wher,
Some holde upp yea and nay
And some forsake their lay f
Ymage of Hypocrcsye, 1472 (1533).
♦ Preachers. f Faith.
In T. Heywood's Golden Age (161 1), Jupiter, in the disguise of
a pedlar, to compass his love, tells his man, the Clown,
** If we get entrance soothe me up in all things.*'
Such is now and ever hath been the fascyon of the world that
who telleth the trouthe is for mooste part hated, and he
that can flatter and say as I say shall be my own white
Sonne. — Richard Tavemer, Proverbs^ f. 117.
To MISS THE CUSHION, f.tf. make a wroug guess. — Whitgift, i. 516;
Lyly, Eupk,
A. But is he not a pretty squat gentleman as you shall see
amongst a thousand 7
L. Still from the cushion still, tall and high like a cedar. —
Chapman, May day , i. See Wipe your nose, infra.
After the victorie and conquest of Caesar, Cicero being asked
the question how he had so ferre missed the cushin in
chosyng of partes, said: '*In faith the gyrding of their
goims deceived me." . . . Meanyng himself never to had
trusted that the victorie would have gone on soche a nice
and e£feminate person's side. For Caesar used to go in
such sort girded in his goune that he would go (even as
wanton or voluptuous felloes doen) trailling after him the
skirts of his gown all pounced in cuttes and jagges.
Wherefore Sylla would many a time and oft give Pompeius
warning to beware of the body that went so lewdly girt. —
Udall, Er. Ap,, 348. Cf Ungirt, Unblest.
Nicholas, I that have ere now deserved a cushion call for the
cushion dance. — T. Heywood, A Wofnan Killed^
etc,, p. 102.
Ye miss'd the cushion for all your haste to it.
And I may set you beside the cushion yet.
He., Dial.y II., ix.
Poor miss ! she 's as sick as a cushion ; she wants nothing but
stuffing.— S., P. C.
To kill a man with a cushion (Timiditas). Plumbeo jugulare
gladio. — CI. ... a kind of Justice in law : legitimate he
was not, for not three weeks since he sat besides the cushion
of his commission, I cry you mercy I have killed your
cushion. — ^J. Day, Peregr. Schol,, XVII.
Ho PENNY HO. Lyly, Mother Bomhie, IV., 2.
Thy arguments are all drawn from the disport called Ho penni
ho, wherein all must say as one saith and do as he doth,
for all thy confirmation is but an exhortation to frame an
imitation to other men's liking. — Melb., PhUot, L, 2.
304
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Sice, Sinque. Fuller, Church History, VI., iii.
Caius, Essay on English Dogs, translated by Fleming, 1576, says
that mastiffs were favorites for their carelessness of life,
setting all at cinque and sice. — Arber. E. Garner, iii. 253.
Betwixt cinque and sice [Periculum]. — CI.
Whether it is better living contentedly with the modicum,
augmenting it with industry, or settle all on sice sinke,
whether thou shalt have all or nothing. — Melb., Phihi.,
p. 29.
Sise Synke or synnes (a lucky throw). — Ym. of Hypocr, [1891].
Calbn o custurb me. (The burden of a song.) — C. Robinson,
H. Pleas. Del,, 1584, p. 33*; Chappell, P. Music, ii. 793;
Dekker, Satiro-mastix, I., 4 ; Shak., Henry K., iv. 4, 4 ;
Davies of Hereford, Scourge of Folly, p. 34. 161 1.
* The tuDe from Playford is set out in the notes. — Malone.
Cf Nash, Lenten Stuffe, 24 ; Epigrams, 73.
Against affecting Andocides as a nickname :
Andocides in Rhetoricke ever howles
Whereat admere poore Bodies and good Soules,
No word proceeds from his most fluent tongue
But it is like the Burden of the Song
Caird callino come from a forraine land,
Which English people do not understand.
No better than she should be. 5 AT., x. 8.
Kd. A passing strange curse ; and no question he has travelled
far for some of the rhymes.
Phil. He must travel further that finds any reason in *t.
Kal. No matter for reason, there *s rhyme enough if that be
good.
Phil. Some of it is no better than it should be, or my judg-
ment deceives me. — J. Day, Isle of Gulls, iv. 5. 1606.
I fear you are no better than you should be. — B. and F., The
Coxcomb, iv. 3.
<< Wherein you shall perceive that the learnedst clerks are not
the wisest men, nor the craftiest piss prophets so honest as
they should be. — T. Brian, P. Prophet, ix. 1637.
Princes have been no wiser than they should be. — Shirley,
The Lady of Pleasure, IV., 2.
As wise as they that are no wiser than they should be. — Breton,
Co. and Co., p. 14.
Others come in and back themselves with this that your best
preachers are no better than they should be; and in
comers they are as other men. — D. Rogers, Naaman,
p. 193-
Charles* wain. — Eden, Decades of the New World, 1555, Arber's
reprint, p. 310.
North coast in the firmament called Charles wain or schales
wayne about which the seven stars be fixed. — Huloet.
VOL. III. 305 80
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
In Scythia and other lands the blasts of blustering Boreas
raign under Charles wayne. — Melb., Pkil.^ 3, 4.
Dog's tail. The star called the Dog's tail or Ursa minor. — Pals.,
Ac.f G. 2.
A World.
'Tis a world to see what merry lives we shepherds lead. —
Peele, Sir Clyomon and Sir Clamydes,
[This play is wrongly attributed to Peele ; see Greg's Hand-
list.—Ed.]
It were a world to set down the worth of this month. — Breton,
FantastickSf April, p. 515.
Oh! 'tis a world to see how life leaps about the limbs of
health.— 7d.
D. Come let us be jogging, but wert not a world to hear them
was one to another ? — Lyly, M. Bomb., iii. 2.
To BB AT SIXES AND SEVENS. Put all at six Or seven, or at hazard
[Fortunam subire]. — Huloet.
Run at six and sevens. — T. Adams, Works, p. 413.
For now they be in such a case.
That except God send sum grace
All goeth at vi or vii.
Impiachmmtof Wclsey, 205. 1528.
There is a proverb Omnem jacere aleam, to cast all dice hy
which is signified to set all on six and seven, and at all
adventures to jeoperd, assaying the wild chance of fortune,,
be it good, be it bad. — Udall, Er. Ap., 298.
Maria. He that alle mightes may the makere of heaven.
That is for to say my Son that I neven,
Reward you this day as he sett alle on seven.
Town. Myst., 97.
Herod. Bot be thay past me by, by Mahowne in heven
I shall and that in hy set alle on sex and seven.
lb., 143-
Greene in his Never too Late says when he deserted his wife
he left her at six or seven.
Odd and even, At. In confusion.
The worde* under the cope of heven
Set every thing at odd and even.
Gower, Confessio Amantis, vii.
* The mischievous power of speech.
Sir reverence.— 7ac(?^ and Esau; H., O.P., ii. 221.
Honorem praefari vel honore dicto, is properly where one
speaketh of a vyle thing in the presence of a parsonage
honourable, worshipfull, etc., which is to say in English,
saving your honour or reverence, or your honour or rever-
ence saved. — Huloet, r552.
306
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Saving your honour reverence or worship, a terme spoken to
our betters wher we talk of a vile thing : or else you may
speak it. Absolute salvo honore ; salva reverentia ; salva
honestate. — Huloet.
Se reverence on her petycote. — Melb., Phil.^ p. 21.
It would almost for anger (sir reverence) make a man to pigs. —
New Custom, I., i. [H., O.P., iii.]
Mother Anthony.
Or when thou talk*st with Mother Anthonie
Twill serve for muckinders for want of better.
Taylor, The Sculler, Epig. 116.
i.e. his book as torchecul.
John Roper.
Restio is he that loketh in at John Roper's window; by
translation, he that hangeth himself. — Huloet.
A TROUT hamlet, with four legs (Soteriche lecti). Contempt.— CI.
JOACHIlf.
Acolastus speaks of his father as our old Joachim as a slang
term. — Pals., Ac, F.
Cf, the W. of £ng. slang expression *' joker " for a mischievous
youth.
Poor man's sow.
He has a good nose to make a Aliens vivere quadr^ (Parasita).
—CI. [Cf. Juvenal, Sat., V., 2.— Ed.]
Littr6 refers it to the breeding capacity of a poor man's wife.
For their (old men's) smelling, they were ill to be poor men's
hogs : in this not far differing from Fismenus non nasutus
who having no smell was hired for a wager, to live a whole
year in a pair of jakes. — Melb., PhU., K.
I have a good nose to be a poor man's sow. — M. of Wit and
Wisdom, p. 27 (Shak. Soc.).
Col. Well, I must be plain : here 's a very bad smell . . •
Miss. Colonel, I find that you would make a very bad poor
man's sow. — S., P. C, i.
La sarebbe stata ima buona vacca per un pover uomo (a great
breeder). — Torr.
GoG AND Magog.— T. Adams, Works, p. 1021. 1629.
Tonstall in a sermon preached in 1538 calls the Bishop of Rome
" their great Captain Gog." — Becon, Works, iii. 270.
Esser andato in Gogamagoga, i.e. sperso. To be a lost man
and to have gone astray. — Torr. *
I'll either make a bolt or a shaft of it. — CI. (Venturing). —
Dr. ; Shak., M. W. W., iii 4, 24 ; T. Nash, The Terrors of
the Night, E, 4.
307
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A bolt was '< an arrow with a round or half round bobb at the
end of it with a sharp pointed arrow proceeding therefrom."
— R. Holme, Acad, of Armory^ 1688. When the point was
wanting it was a bird bolt.
A shaft was a sharp or barbed arrow.
To GIVE AIM. To stand near the butts so as to announce the results
of the shooting.
Jaques. He gives me aim, I am three bows too short.
I *11 come up nearer next time.
Rowley, Airs Lostf iii. 1616.
To STEAL A GOOSE AND STICK A FEATHER. — Ho.
Steal my goose and stick me down a feather. — R.
i.e. To leave behind a relic of the plunder.
To steal a Goose and stick a feather down
That is in use the wise such geese are grown.
Ds., Ep.f 156.
To MAKE LOITERING PINS. Loiter-piu. A stick or piece of wood
whittled for pastime. — Brogden, Lincoln Prov.
Friar. Is thy business so slender that thou maist intend to
walk with me at random 7
Author. My business is soon dispatcht, for I have nought to
(be) dooynge this day but to make loytringe pinnes.
Friar. In faith, good fellow, then is thy occupation and mine
much alike. — Fulweil, Ars Adukmdif C. 4. 1576.
Crispin. Whither should I go? prithee tell me what make
you all at Canterbury ?
Barnahy. Not to buy the cat a bell, Crispin, but to make
lojrter-pins. For this day, boy, we have made
holy at Feversham. Shut up shop, thrown by
our shoe-thread and washt our faces, and now my
master and dame and all of tls are come to see the
Emperor and the Christians that must die to-day.
— Rowley, A Shoemaker a Gentleman^ iii. 1638.
To HUM AND HAW. i.e. to hesitate in speaking. — Skelton, Bowge of
CourUf 191.
By hummys and by hays. — Paston, Corresp.^ No. 607, II. 347,
1469; Butler, HndibraSy III., ii. 1161.
To hem and hake, i.e. hawk, cough up phlegm. — Chest. Pl.^
i. 206 ; Respub.f iii. 5 ; Biillein, Gov. of Hedth.
He made no more humming or haulting. — Nash,l7«/. Trav.^H. 2.
Mrs. Birdlime. Do you hear ? the whiting mop has nibbled.
Earl. Ha !
Mrs. B. Oh, I thought I should fetch you ; you can
** ha " at that, I '11 make you " hem " anon. —
Webster, Westw, Ho, ii. 2.
This reminds one of the Quaker in the marriage bed : ** My
dear, shall we go to sleep or — ahem — first ? "
308
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
To COME TO BUCKLE AND THONG.
I will now mend this house and payre another,
And that he meant of likelihood of his own ;
For so appaired he that ere three years were growne
That little and little he decayed so long
Till he at length came to buckle and bare thong.
He., Dial., H., viii.
Also used in a good sense for intimates who hold together. —
Torr.
To BRING HADDOCK TO PADDOCK. — He., Dial., H., X. ue, to outrun
one's expenses. — H., iii.
The haddock has got the name of a purse-bearer, perhaps
from St. Peter's fishing adventure on the Lake of
Tiberias, when he took the coin from its mouth and left
his thumb-mark where he held the fish. It should be
noted, however, that neither the haddock nor the John
Dorey, which is also associated with this legend, could
have lived in a fresh-water lake where the scene is laid.
For there 's confusion both of tongues and towers,
Of lofty steeples and of lowly bowers,
Of gibbets, racks and round tormenting wheels,
Of haddocks, paddocks and of slippery eels.
Taylor, Laugh and be Fat.
A FIG FOR you! See Douce, Illus. of Shak, i. 493: Henry P^.,
iii. 6, 56.
For a fig for you saith John to Jone
And a fig for thee saith man to man
And a fig for you all, do what you can.
Nash, Lenten Stuff, 48. 1599.
Al fine delle sue parole, il ladro
Le mani alzo con ambeduo le fiche
Gridando " Togli " ; Dio ch*a te le squadro.
Dante, Inferno, xxv.
A PER SB, a. G. Harvey, Letter Book, p. 98. 1573.
** And who is that ? " ** Faith that is I." " What I ? "
** I per se I." ** Great I, you would say." " No.
Great I indeed you well may say ; but I
Am little I, the least of all the row."
Davies of Hereford, Scourge of Folly, p. 255.
He hath I per se, eye, single sight.
Yet like a Pigmy Polypheme in fight.
Taylor (W. P.), Praise of Needle, 1640.
A placed alone is but an idle word,
E parce E spells no thing but itself.
Breton, Daff. Pr,, repr., p. 24.
rfaith, my sweet honeycomb, 1*11 love thee A per se. — Wily
Beguiled \ H., 0,P., ix. 304.
309
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To RIDE THE ROAST. i,e. Toost. — Wily BegutUd, p. 241 ; Gasc, StuU
Glass f 429; Brice, Wyshes of tlie Wyse, 1559; Gab. Harvey,
Letter Book, p. 51.
Let us not seek after worldly wealth or earthly felicitie, let us
not look heere to rule the roste, but to be rosted rather of
Rulers. — And. Kingesmyl, Treatise for such as are Troubled in
Mind, C. 7. 1585.
Her that ruled the rost in the kitchen. — T. Heywood, Gunai-
keion, p. 286. 1624.
To KNOW A BEE FROM A BATTLEDORE.
He knows not a B from a battledore. Neque natare neque
literas novit. — CI., p. 297.
He knows not a B from a battledoor. — R., 1678.
The truth was so : he had no learning in the world, nor could
read Englishe (and as I suppose knew not a letter or a B
from a bateldore) as it was well proved, yet made he the
people believe he could speak Latin, Greek and Hebrew. —
John Halle, Historiall Expostulation, 1565, Percy Soc., p. 16.
This account of a quack (Wynkefield) proves that the
meaning of the saying is that he was so ignorant that he
did not know his letters or A B C, the battledore being
the primer of learning.
Nash, however, Lenten Stuffe, Harl, Misc., vi. 145, has ** Every
man can say * Bee to a battledore ' " ; and ** Now you talk
of a Bee I *11 tell you a tale of a Battledore.'* — Pierce Penny-
less, loi.
He does not know great A from the gable end of a house. —
Forb., £. i4.
For in this age of Critics are such store
That of a B will make a Battledore,
Swallow down Camels and at gnats will strain,
Make mountains out of small molehills, etc.
Taylor, Works, Motto (Dedication).
... He might have conceited that that could have but said
B to a battleder. — Rowley, All 's Lost by Lust, ii. 1633.
I know not an A from the wyndmylne ne a B from a bole foot.
— Jack Upland, Pol, Poems (Rolls Series), ii. 57.
Harebrained. N,, VL, ii. ; Shak., / Henry IV., v. 2, 19 ; / Henry
VI., i. 2, 37.
As brainless as a Marsh hare. — BlowboVs Test, in Halliwell,
Nugae P., 9.
R. Ah, foolish harebraine, this is not she. — R. Roister Doister.
Undiscreetly or harebrainlike. — Udall, Er. Ap.
On tient pour suspect a la memoire Tusage du cerveau de
Connil, parce que cet animal a la memoire (qui consiste au
cerveau) si courte, que ne se souvenant du danger qu'il
vient de passer, il ne laisse de retourner au giste d'oii ii est
lev6 un peu au paravant. — Joub., Er, Pop., IL, p. 170.
310
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
J 'ay une memoire de li^vre, je la pers en courant. — Com. d.
Prov., iii. 5. 1616.
Thou art a wight to wonder at,
Thy head for wit sheweth thee a wat.
J. Heiwood, Ep,, iv. 63.
The harebrainde colte. — Gasc, Comp, of PhiL, ii., p. 7, Arb.
repr. See sub Roil.
A merry harecop *tis and a pleasant companion. — R. Edwards,
Danwn and Pythias \ H., O.P,, iv. 75. 1571.
Such a hare is madness the youth, to skip o'er the meshes of
good counsel the cripple. — Shak., Merchant of Venice^ I., ii. 21.
Cf. Mad as a March hare.
Hairbrain, Hairbrain, stay !— Porter, Two Angry Women \ H.,
O.P.y vii. 298. 1599, and p. 285 ; Wither, Abuses^ II., iv.
At last he rose from out the place he lay
And franticly ran woodly thro' the wood.
The scratching brambles in the wayless way
Intreat his stay, but in a harebrained mood
He fled till weary he at last did stay.
Taylor, Works, I., 389.
What niddipol hare brayne
Would scorne this covenaunt ?
Rd. Stanyhurst, Aen,, iv. no.
No honest man shall be the better for a Scotch reformation,
wherein the harebrains among us are engaged with them.
— Hacket, Life of Williams, ii. 137.
To KNOW THE LENGTH OF HIS FOOT.
Tuo te pede metire (Er.) Mesure yourself by your owne fote.
The paynters and carvers of ymages holde opynyon that
the just mesure of every man consisteth in seven of his own
fete, — Rd. Taverner, Proverhes, f. 60. 1539.
Sir G. M. Humphry so found the foot and hand in very short and
very tall persons. — The Human Hand and Foot, p. 96. 1861.
To HANG IN THE HEDGE.
When my soule hangeth on the hedge cast stones. — Hickscomer ;
H., 0,P.
The business of money hangs in the hedge. — Pepys, Oct, 27th^
1686.
To KISS THE hare's FOOT.
You must kiss the hare's foot or the cook. — Health to Serving-
men, 1598, p. 112, repr. ; Browne, Brit. Past,, II., ii. Post
festum venisti.
And hence a third proverb : Betty, since you are an admirer of
proverbs, " Better a hare foot than none at all," that is to
say than not be able to walk. — Richardson, Clarissa
Harlowe, ii. 118.
311
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To SET THE hare's FOOT AGAINST* THE GOOSE GIBLETS. — He. ; Melb.».
Phil.y X. The first illustration of the doctrine of set-off or
compensation.
• Foot to.— Ho.
The hare's head is esteemed a tit-bit by epicures. How this
came to be changed by Dekker to the foot and so given by
Howel I don't understand.
Ut Salutabis ita resalutabere. — CI.
Well, putting the Hare to the Goose giblets, seeing there was
no remedy, makes himself pastime, pleased himself and did
rest contented.^-Armin, l^est of Ninnies^ 1605 [p. 24, repr.].
Baker's dozen. Sometimes brown dozen. — Skelton, Bouge of
Courte, 342.
Brown baker's dozen. — Nash, Have with you, S*c,
A brown baker's dozen. — B. and F., Women Pleased ^ iv. i.
Thirteen the baker's dozen. — Mass., A New Way, S*c.y iii. 2.
Hecate. Thou shalt have all when I die, and that will be even
just at 12 o'clock at night come three year.
Firestone. And may you not have one o'clock into the bargain,
mother ?
Hecate. No.
Firestone, Your spirits are more imconscionable than bakers'.—
Middleton, The Witch, i. 2.
That all the prodigies brought forth before
Are but dame Nature's blush left on the score :
This strings the baker^s dozen — christens all
The cross-legg'd hours of time since Adam's fall.
Fletcher, Poems, 131.
Pair-royall headed Cerberus, his cousin
Hercules' labours were a baker's dozen.
Cleaveland, Poems, 1651.
How bakers thirteene penny loaves doe give
All for a shilling and thrive well and live.
J. Taylor, Travels of Twelve Pence.
Take all and pay the baker. — R., 1678.
The 13th loaf was allowed by the bakers to the regrateress wha
carried round the bread for sale as her profit. — Riley, Liber
Albus, p. 232.
The advantage loaf of bread to the baker's dozen. — Duchess of
Newcastle, Nature's Picture, 1656.
Baker kneed. Knock-kneed, as butchers are in our time from
carrying heavy weights on young shoulders. Bakers have
adopted hand-carts. — Grose.
Jarretier, adj.=:B3ker kne'ed that goes in at the knees. — Cotgr.
Puny baker, puny baker legs. — Lady Alimony, v. 4 ; H., O.P.
Bakerly kne'ed. — The Passionate Morricer, 1593, repr., 82 ; Haz.
" Will women's tongues, like baker's legs, never go straight ? "^
— Webster, Westward Ho !, ii. 2.
312
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Sinquapaci. Who taught you to dance, boy ?
Page. It is but Tittle, sir, I can do.
Sinqua. Ho ! I '11 be sworn for you.
Pifge. And that Signor Laurentio taught me.
Sinqua. Signor Laurentio was an arrant coxcomb
And fit to teach none but white baker's children
To knead their knees together.
Middleton, More Dissemblers^ &€., vi. i.
The Baker knees or some strange shamble shanks
Begat the ancle creeches. — R. Brome, The Damoiselle, v. i.
Man oftener by overcharging the legs of growing youth with
too earl^ and unfit burdens hath occasioned this deformity*
Hence it is that we commonly know a baker or a tailor by
his legs, and as some of their mis-shapen legs have been
called vari, i^, wry legged, so others vati and vatirii, i,e,
bow legged. — A View of the People of the Whole World, by
J. B[ulwer], 1654, p. 432.
The unhandsome warpings of bow legs and baker feet. —
A Discourse of Auxiliary Beauty ^Artificial Handsomeness] y
ascribed to Jer. Taylor, 1656, p. 60.
He should be a baker by his bow legs.— R., 1678.
Clem, My lieutenant he*s sure cut to pieces among the
bandittios, and so had I been had not my baker
legs stept a little aside. — T. Heywood, The Fair Maid
of the West, 11., iv.
Baker-legged straddling, with the legs bowing outwards. —
Bailey, Fr. Diet,, 1736.
Eggs for money. Promises for payment. Ego spem pretio non
emo.
Leo,
Mam,
Leo,
Will you take eggs for money ?
No, my lord, I '11 fight.
You will I why happy man be 's dole,
Shak., Wint
in be 's dole.
Shak., Winter Tale, i. 2, 161.
He will be glad to take eggs for his money. i,e, compound the
matter with loss. — B. E., New Diet, of the Cantg, Crew, ij20.
We give woll and chese, our wjrves coyne and egges,
Whan freres flater and prayse ther propre legges.
Bare, Eel,, v.
Tim, And for the rest of your money, I sent it to one
Captain Carvegut. He swore to me his father
was my lord Mayor's cook, and that by Easter
next you should have the principal and eggs for
the use indeed, sir.
Bloodhound, O rogue, rogue, I shall have eggs for my money, I
must hang myself.
Tim, Not before dinner, pray sir; the pies are almost
baked. — Rowley, Match at Midnight, v.
813
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
? X the unknown quantity in algebra. The science was intro-
duced generally in Europe in the middle of the i6th
century.
Who, notwithstanding his high promises, having also the King's
power, is yet content to take eggs for his money and to
bring him in at leisure. — Stowe's Annals.
The proverbial simile, " As sure as eggs is eggs," may be also
a play on the sign x, or may it be the o (cypher) which
stands for nought ? A duck's egg is the name for a blank
score at cricket.
To KEEP CUT. Preserve her chastity. — Skelton, Phyllyp Sparowe,
ii8; Gasc., Weedes, 1659.
[Fend cut.] — See Dav., Supplenunt. Gloss. ; Sir P. Sidney, Astr.
and Stella, p. 548, Ed. 1613 ; New Acad., iv. i.
Keep cut as 'twere an usurer's gold.— Brome, Northern Lasse,
iii. 2.
Such a sparrow as will not keep cut, a wife. — N. Breton,
Mother's Blessing, 1602.
Come forth thou sloveyn, come forthe thou slutte.
We shall thee teche with carys cold,
A little better to kep thi kutte. — Gov. Myst., p. 218.
Cut. See in Hll. (3), Add. Illust. to Nares; Stevens' Shak,, iv.
202.
In fayth I set not by the world two Dauncester ♦ cuttysf. —
Gammer Gurton's Needle, iii. 3.
* Doncaster. t Whores.
Cut = gelded. — Schmidt ; Shak., Twelfth Night, ii. 3, 203.
C/. Skelton, Magnifycence {c. 1520).
Dalilah, I will make your knave's flesh cut, I warrant thee.
Nice Wanton; H., 0.P,, ii. p. 172.
See also Sir T. More (Shak. Soc, p. 52).
Come cut and longtail. i.e. gelt and ungelt. — B. & F., Two NohU
Kinsmen, v. 4.
And if it be not even with you call me cut. — Gasc, Supp,, v. 5.
And I do not I '11 give you leave to call me cut. — Day, Blind
Beggar of Bethnal Green, iv. Su Porter, Two Angry Women ;
H., O.P., vii. 336.
Touchstone, So have I only two daughters : the eldest of a proud
ambition and nice wantonness; the other of a
modest humility and comely soberness. The one
must be ladyfied forsooth, and be attired just to
the Court cut and long tail.— Chapman, AU
Fools, V.
Tag and rag, cut and longtail, every one that can eat an egg. —
CI. (omnia).
Your worship has six court horses, cut and long-tail, two
runners, half a dozen hunters. — Vanbrugh, jEsop.
314
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Geo. What, have you any more ? Call all your town forth, cut
and longtail. — George a Grum the Pinner of Wakefield,
p. 267.
Traverse the subtle distinction between short cut and long tail.
— Nash, Have with you to Saffron Walden.
Shallow. He will maintain you like a gentlewoman.
Slender, Ay, that I will, come cut and longtail, under the degree
of a squire. — Shak., Merry Wives of Windsor^ iii. 4, 45.
She (hostess) must entertain all good and bad. Tag and Rag,
cut and longtail — "The Alehouse," D. Lupton, London
and the Country Carbonadoed, p. 129. 1632.
Dyce reads "come cut and longtair* [Midd., No Wit^ ii. i]
as ** come who will dogs of all sorts," and refers to the
cutting of the tails of non-sporting dogs by the forest
law.
CuRTAL. Come longtails and curtails. — [Roxhurge Ballads,'] Songs
& Ballads, i. 332.
My little curtails (to girls). — Sharpham, Fleire, iv. [? Kirtles].
Hys jentyll curtoyl. — Skelton, Ballettys and Dyties, ii. 16.
Croptd-eared. — Greene, Quip for an Upstart Courtier.
Philatus. Yee so said I, or to draw cut is the lelyst
And long cut to this wede shall wyn.
Tonm. Myst,, 240.
Curtal horse. — Soliman and Persida; H., O.P., v. p. 276.
And let them bring with them whom they list, yea even the
very dogs. Rug, Rig, and Risbie, yea cut and longtail they
shall be welcome. — Fulwell, Ars Adtdandi, I. 3.
Cut my bob-tail cur. — Wit Restored.
Old Holden*s camel or fine Banks his cut. — ^J. Taylor (W.P.),
A Cast over the Water to Wm. Fennor.
It is still the practice to leave the stallion's tail uncut.
Mr. Courtier's steed had not been turned to a collier's cut. —
Melb., PhU., Ee, 1583.
Whoop holyday! (an ejaculation). Hoop holy day! — Wilson,
Cheats, ii. 4.
Hope haliday marry this is pretty clear,
I have lost myself and cannot tell where.
M. of Wit and Science ; H., O.P.^ ii. 379.
To hope holiday; Why then 'twill ne'er be better, is the
beginning of Verses upon Holidays. — Technogamia (1610),
Middle Hill MS., 1638. [Shak. Soc.]
Whoop (alone). — Peele, Old Wives, p. 455, ed. Dyce.
Aldo. Whoop holyday I our trusty and well beloved Giles, most
welcome! — Dryden, Limberham, v. i.
Hoop do me noe harm, good man. — Pepys' Ballads, i. 152.
Whoop Jenny come down to me. — Westminster Drollery , II. <, 1672.
315
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
In good time. A la bonne heure 1 That is all very well. — Shak.^
Measure for Measure, iii. i.
In very good time. — lb,, v. i, 283.
The magistrate shall have his tribute ... if so be he carry
himself worthily and as he ought to do in his place and so
as to deserve it. In good time. But I pray you then first
to argue the cause a little • . • whether he deserves such
honour. — Sanderson, Works, i. 67.
** There/' said he, *' even at this day are shown, the ruins of
those three tabernacles built according to Peter's desire."
" In very good time, no doubt." — Fuller, Pisg. St., II., vi. 27.
God savb the example!
The Grecians were noted for light, the Parthians for fearful, the
Sodomites for gluttons, hke as England (God save the
example) hath now supplied, lithed and stretched their
throats. — Adams, Works, i. 368.
God save the foundation ! — Shak., Muck Ado, v. i. 303.
God save the founder 1 — Histrio-mastix, ii.
When the work *s done, we '11 drink abundantly and remember
the founder. — Wilson, Ckeais, v. 2.
Hem I
Now mum, now hem. — H., OJ^., L, 74.
Accius, What means my father to thrust me foorth in
another bodies boy's coate? He warrant 'tis
to as much purpose as a hem in the forehead.
Halfpenny, There was an ancient proverb knockt in the head.
Accius, 1 am almost come into my nonage, and yet I never
was so far as the proverbes of this cittie.
Liv. There 's a quip for the suburbs of Rochester.
Lyly, Mother Bombie, iv. 2.
Celia, But is all this for your father ?
Ros. No, some of it is for my child's father. Oh, how full of
briers is this working-day world I
Celia, They are but burs, cousin, thrown upon thee in holiday
foolery ; if we walk not in the trodden paths, our very
petticoats will catch them.
Ros. I could shake them off my coat; these burs are in
my heart.
Celia. Hem them away.
Ros, I would try, if I could crv Hem and have him.
Celia. Come, come, wrestle with thy affections.
Shak., As You Like It, i. 3, 10.
Then follow me and hem in a word now and then. — Edwards,
Damon and Pithias ; H., 0,P,, iv. 69.
They call drinking deep, dyeing scarlet ; and when you breathe
in your watering, they cry * hem I * and bid you play it off. —
Shak., / Hen, IV,, II., iv. 14.
.31G
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
There was an old fellow
Hem boys hem. (Burden of an old song.)
Chappell, Pop. Mus., 262 ; Brome, Jov. Crew.
Fal, We have heard the chimes at midnight, master Shallow.
Shal. That we have, that we have, that we have; in faith
Sir John we have; our watch- word was " Hem boys! "
Come let 's to dinner. — Shak., 2 Hen. /F., iii. 2, 209.
Cough, or cry Hem, if anybody come. — Shak., Oth.^ iv. 2, 29.
There 's a man, niece ! Hem I Brave Troilus ! the prince of
Chivalry. — Shak., Tr. and Cr.^ I., ii, 220.
Will is a right good fellow, by this drink . . .
Shall look into your water well enough.
And hath an eye that no man leaves a snuff.
" A pox of piecemeal drinking," William says,
** Play it away, we '11 have no stoppes and stayes ;
Blowne drink is odious, what man can digest it ?
No faithful drunkard but he doth detest it."
Rowland, Humours* Blood in the Headvaine^ 1600.
Leon. If such a one will smile, and stroke his beard,
Bid sorrow wag, cry < hem ! ' when he should groan.
Shak., Much Ado^ v. i, 15.
Helter skelter. Promiscuously. (Hilariter celeriter has been
suggested for the primary meaning, i.e, slap dash.)
1st Countryman. O 'twill be rare. I wonder how much velvet
will appard me and my horse.
2^%d Countryman. Talk not of that, man ? We'll have enough.
All shall be common.
1st Countryman. Wives and all ? What helter skelter ?
2nd Countryman. Slid ! We are men as well as they are.
Histrio-mastix, v. 1610.
With a recumbentibus.
Had you some husband and snapt at him thus
I wish he would give you a recumbentibus.
He., Dial., II., vii.
Two.
"When my husband comes he will be two," said a woman
in Kent, meaning, he will be so enraged as to be quite
another person from what he is wont to be. — Pegge, Anon.
Cf. To be beside oneself.
And I will add
Unto their losses twenty thousand crowns ;
Another dowry for another daughter.
For she is changed, as she had never been.
Shak., Taming of the Shrew y v. 2, 115.
Cf. To be at one. — Acts^ vii. 26.
Lord Sp. Pray Miss, when did you see your old acquaintance
Mrs. Cloudy. You and she are two I hear.
Miss, See her ! Marry, I don't care whether I ever sec her
again. — S., P. C, i.
317
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
That's no false Latin.
A turd in your teeth : that 's no false Latin. — Ho.
C/. A turd in his teeth that owes no money.
Mary. I loved my father well too, but to say
Nay, vow I would not marry for his death,
Sure I would speak false Latin should I not ?
I 'd as soon vow never to come in bed.
Tut, woman must live by the quick not by the dead.
Tlu Puritan^ ii. 1607.
Ld, Smart. Well, but after all, Tom, can you tell me what *s
Latin for a goose ?
Neveroui. O my Lord, I know that : Why brandy is Latin
for a goose and Tace is Latin for a candle. —
S., P. C, ii. (which see).
Evans. I pray you have your remembrance, child ; accusativo,.
hung, hang, hog.
Quick. Hang-hog is Latin for bacon, I warrant you.
Shak., M. W. W.^ iv. i, 44.
They must have swine for their food to make their venaries
or bacon of; their bacon is their vension for the^ shall now
have hangum tuum if they get any other vension, so that
bacon is their necessary meat to f^ on which they may
not lack. — Latimer, i. 249.
Farts in Erse (Irish) is dirt in Latin. A contemptuous by-
word.— K.
See N.y n., X. 250. The Latins call me Porcus. — Haz., 375-
There may be a catch in their way. What is the Latin for
a goose ? " Ans(w)er Brandy," anser being the Latin word
for goose. — Dav., Sup. Gloss.
Mrs, Wh. What say you to your collar of S. S. ?
Scruple (a Nonconformist). That would not be amiss. There 's
no false Latin in 't. — Wilson^
Cheats^ i. 5. 1663.
Bay. Marry sir, as bona mulier is said to be false Latin,
because though bona be good, mulier is naught, so to
say. My father is an honest tailor, if false English ;
for though my father be honest yet the tailor is a thief.
— Chapman, Mayday ^ ii.
Mother.
Seb. Fare ye well at once : my bosom is full of kindness and I
am yet so near the manners of my mother, that upon
the least occasion more mine eyes will tell tales of me.
— Shak., Twelfth Night, li. i, 34.
But I had not so much of man in me.
And all my mother came into mine eyes
And gave me up to tears
Shak., Henry F., iv. 6, 30.
318
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Trim-tram. Trin tran, like master like man. Qualis rex, talis
grex. — CI. Cf. Littre, Tran, tran. — Nash, LtnUn Stuffe^
Hark MisCf vi. 14.
But loa, to what purpose do I chat such janglerye trim trams T
Stany hurst, Aen.y ii. 113.
Our consciences now quite unclogged from the fear of his (the
Pope's) vain terriculaments and rattle bladders, and from
the fondness of his trim trams and gugaws. — Patten,,
Expedition to Scotland ^ 1S48; England's Gamer yiii. 70 [Arber].
Davies {SuJ^. GL), after admitting that these examples con-
firm Halliwell's explanation, "a trifle or absurdity,"
unaccountably adds: "But Grose gives its meaning,
* Like master like man.' '*
** They thought you as great a nin com poop as your squire —
trim tram, likem aster like man." — Smollett, Sir Launceht
Greavesy xiii.
Beavis. " What a Trim tram trick is this, the Master and the
n:an both brain crazed ; as the one used me so did
the other my mistress." — R. Brome, Northern Lasse,
i. 45. 1632.
Trim seems to be the servant's name. See Holdup's remark :
" 'Twill be trust ma" — Ib.^ iv. 5, and Sterne's Corpl. Trim.
Good fellow.
Robin Goodfellow. Speak, man 1 What art afraid 7 What
makest thou?
Cricket. A poor fellow. Sir; ha' been drinking two
or three pots of ale at an alehouse and
ha* lost my way. Sir.
Robin Goodfellow. O ! nay, then I see thou art a good fellow.
Wily Beguiled, H., O.P., ix. 245.
A FLEA IN one's EAR. Metter una pulce nell orecchia. i.e. muover
alcun dubbio serupuloso ad alcuno. To buzz anyone in the
ear, anything to divert him from his design. — Torr.
A BEE IN HIS BONNET.
For pity, sir, find out that bee
Which bore my love away.
I '11 seek him in your bonnet brave,
I '11 seek him m your eyes.
Herrick, The Mad Maid's Song.
All there. To be in possession of all one's faculties.
Esser piccolo, ma esservi tutto. To be little but all there ; i.e.
all mettle and spirit. — Torr.
Hard lines. The lines are fallen to me in a pleasant place. —
Psalm xvi. 6.
The Prayer Book version gives "Lot." The meanmg
to be that of hap or luck.
Cf. The draper's offer of cheap bargains as a ** special line."
319
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
At half sword. U. at close quarters.
Afifirontar venir a mazza spada. To get within one, as fencers
do to come to the conclusion. — Torr. To grapple with.
Falstaff, I am a rogue, if I were not at half sword with a dozen
of them two hours together. I have scaped by
miracle. — Shak., 7 Henry IV., ii. 4, 57.
Abovb board. Openly, without concealment.
If she smile,
Conster it thus : this wanton would beguile
With her affected seeming ; if she play
With her light capring foote, or bid you stay
(So brazen fac't is sinj away from thence,
Taxe, but a£fect not, her loth'd impudence.
... If she allure thee to some wanton sport
In that she moves you to it, care not for *t.
Let St. foote be ; (Such follies lust a£ford)
" For fairest play is ever above boord."
Braithwaite, Strappado for the Diuell, p. 50, 1615 (reprint).
Blanch powdbr.
No wrack like unto gluttony : it kills a very coward, insensibly
blows him up as it were with white gunpowder, which they
say makes no noise. — Torr.
F., W., p. 171, treats it as salt. "A general in our late wars
soundly chid a captain for his so soon surrendering of a
castle, seeing he had store of powder therein. ' I had,'
returned the captain, * plenty of black, but no white powder
at all.' " F., W., (Chesh.) speaks of bread and salt as the
two necessaries of life; but at p. 349 he says: "As for
white powder, which is reported to make no report at all,
I never could meet with artist who could seriously avouch
it."
His malice (Gardner, Bishop of Winchester) was like what is
commonly said of white powder, which surely discharged
the bullet, yet made no report, being secret in all his acts
of cruelty.— F., W. (Suffolk), p. 64.
Mount Sant, Saint Foote. See Above board, supra.
/. Let us play at Mount Sant (a los cientos).
M. It makes my head be in a swoon to be always counting.
Percival, Spanish Dialogues^ iii. 1599.
To MIND YOUR P'S AND Q's.
Drom. A bowl and I'll come after with a broom: every one
remember his cue.
Res. Aye, and his P, or else we shall thrive ill.
Lyly, M. Bomb., ii. 4.
Sancho. Till then play your own part: go home and attend
your Q, and leave me to guide this small vessel to
your port. — Killigr., Thomaso, I., i. 3. 1663.
320
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Lucetta, Hark ! hark ! one knocks ; away to the kitchen and
observe your Q (to one who is to pretend to be a
cook). — lb., iv. 4.
Cf. Ib.^ n., V. lo : *Tis now the season and Q for mirth.
To BLUSH LIKE A BLACK DOG. (Impudentia.) Faciem perfricuit.
—CI.
To FEND AND PROVE, i.e. defend and accuse (or argue). — B. and F.
She did not love fending and proving. — Defoe, Behaviour of
Servants y p. 247. 1724.
To HOLD WITH THE HARE AND RUN WITH THE HOUNDS. — B. E.,
New Diet. Cantg. Crew.
Neither hold with the hare nor run with the hound. Publica
privatis potiora. — CI. ; G. Harvey, Letter Book^ p. 123.
1573-
To LOOK BLUE UPON.
Clown. But, master, we are now in the City; walled about
from slander, there cannot come a he in i^ but it must run
through brick or get the goodwill qi the warders, whose
brown bills look blue upon all passengers.— -^o6(?iy and
Somebody^ c. 1592, p. 306; Sch. of Shak., i.
To HAVE TWO STRINGS TO YOUR BOW.
J*ay deux chordes en mon arc. — Cordier. 1549.
If you graze all or plough all your land, you have the less
chance for profit, for according to the proverb. Two strings
to the bow are safest. — Ellis, Mod. Husb., 7th July, p. 107.
To WIPE A person's nose.
And this they wold if we will beleve
Wjrpen our nose with our own sieve.
"Lybell of England's Policy," Wr., Pol. Po., 1436, ii. 174.
And I may set you beside the cushion yet
And make you wipe your nose upon your sleeve,
For ought you shall win without you ask my leave.
Heiwood, Dialogue^ H., ix.
W, But, landlord, I can tell you news i' faith. There is one
Lophos, a brave gentleman ; he '11 wipe your son
Peter's nose of Mistress Lelia. I can tell you he
loves her well. — Wily Beguiled, 1606 ; H., O.P., ix. 242.
Lop. Most finely fool'd, and handsomely and neatly ;
Such cunning masters must be fool'd sometimes, Sir,
And have their worships' noses wip'd ; 'tis healthful.
B. and F., Spanish Curate^ iv. 5.
And see Chapman, Mayday^ v. i ; Middleton, Trick,
To CAST BEYOND THE MOON. To dream of the impossible. — Wily
Beguiled; H., O.P., ix. 268.
Cast your cap at the moon. (Manisipeni.) — CI. ; T. Heywood,
Woman KiU% &c.
Cf. To cry for the moon. A reproach to a dissatisfied child.
VOL. XII. 821 SI
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
NOSB OF WAX.
The law shall stand
Like to a waxen nose or Lesbian rule,
A dial gnomon or a weathercock
Turned with the breath of greatness every way.
Histrio-mastiXf 14. 1610.
So now their offspring, pulpit-quacks,
Turn Bible to a nose of wax,
Which they to either side can wrest
As serves their present interest.
Ned. Ward, EnglancPs Reformation, p. 147. 1719.
And what they make *t on Sunday say, •
They '11 mak 't deny the next Lord's day.
The Papists are not behind them (the Pharisees) in their foul
interpretations, not shaming to call that Sacred Writ a
nose of wax, formable to any construction. — T. Adams>
p. 696.
Brown paper.
Yea for my life, those merchants were not woont
To lend their wares, at reasonable rate,
(To gaine no more but Cento por Cento)
To teach yong men, the trade to sel browne paper.
Gascoigne, Steel Glass, 781. [Arber, repr., p. 71. — Ed.]
Gidsh, Well, sirs, the gentlemen see in our trades
We cannot gull them with brown paper stuff.
And the best poets grow so envious
They '11 starve rather than we get store of money.
Histrio-mastix, iv. 1610.
Most ugly lines and base brown paper stuff,
Thus to abuse our heavenly poesy.
Histrio-mastiXf ii. i6io.
But Nummius eas*d the needy gallant's care
With a base bargain of his blowen ware ;
Of fusted hops, lost now for lack of sale,
Or mould(y) brown paper that could nought avail.
Hall, Satires^ IV., v. 115.
See illustrative note in Grosart's Edn.
Pompey. First, here's young master Rash; he's in for a
commodity of brown paper and old g^ger, nine
score and seventeen pounds ; of which he made five
marks, ready money. — Shak., Measure for Measure^
iv. 3, 4-
Copy of your countenance. A false appearance given by fraud.
C/. This is the very copy of the grant. — Chau.
I will go give copies of good countenance to our fiiends {i.e.
conceal the truth firom them). — Armin, Two Maids of More'
clacke, p. io6; Nash, Terrors of ike Night; Dr. Bramhall,
ii. 367; Fielding, Jon. Wild, III., xiv., 1609; Foote, The
Author, ii.
322
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
C/. I will change my copy ; howbeit I care not a quinch,
I know the gall'd horse will soonest winch.
Edwards, Damon and Pythias ^ H., O.P., iv. a8 ; and
Rhod. Well, I durst venture ... we shall have you change
your copy ere a twelve month's day. — Chapman,
Monsieur D^Olive.
Here it is used in the sense of tale.
Thy trade will fail, thy friends will change the copy of their
countenance, thy children may prove unkind, etc.— T.
Adams, p. 1095.
Lob's pound, [= a prison. See Grose, A Classical Diet, — Ed.]
Ben. The widow *s cleared : but master Valentina
Nay, man, come nearer — you *d have present pay ?
Val. No, sir, let it even go.
Ben, So must not you.
You gave three hundred pound to her, 'tis true.
Which, like a subtle quacksalver, you robb'd
My father o£ — Sprites, Fairies !
Val. I am lob'd.
Grip. It is true, my lord : this is one of the Fairies.
Justice ! justice !
Val. Well, if there be no remedy, I hope
I shall not dance alone upon the rope.
My Lord, here 's the other Fairy.
Honest Lawyer^ v. 1616.
Wainscot. The allusion seems to be to the varnish with which
wainscote boarding was covered.
Covetise would be charitable, but there is that other sum to
make up. Pride would give or at least forbear to extort,
but there is a Ru£f of the new fashion to be bought.
Dignity, a caroch or strange apparel is to be purchased,
and who but the poor tenants must pay for it! Upon
whom they (once so accoutred) afterward look betwixt
scorn and anger, and go as if they were shut up in wainscot.
— T. Adams, Divine Herbal; Wks., 1017. 1616.
• . . The pattern of perfection . . . like one made up in wain-
cote, not an irregular hair about him. — Braithwait, Whim-
zies; A Traveller. 1631.
A HEMPEN CAUDLE AND THE PAP OF A HATCHET. Shak., 2 Henry
VL, iv. 7, 84. See Stanton's n.
A Tyburn hempen caudle well will cure you. — Taylor, Praise
of Hempseed,
Liv. Indeed our parents take great care to make us ask
blessing and say grace when we are little ones, and
growing to years of judgment they deprive us of the
greatest blessing and the most gracious things to our
minds, the liberty of our minds ; they give us pap with
a spoon before we can speak, and when we speak for
that we love, pap with a hatchet. — Lyly, M. Bomb., i. 3.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
John a Stiles.
Who makes our band to be a cloak,
Makes John a Stiles of John a noke.
"Answer on the New Dressing,"
Wifs Recreations, 1640.
Whereby I set the practice of the Law
At as light count as turning of a straw,
For straight I found how John a Stiles did state it.
But I was over stile ere I came at it ;
For having thought (so easy was the way)
That one might be a lawyer the first day.
R. Braithwait, Shepherd's Tales^ £., i. i6ai.
His admirable style (nothing so good as Littleton), with his
John a Nokes and John a Stiles. — Nash, Saffron Walden,
1. 1596.
John. (As a term of contempt.)
Since every Jack became a gentleman,
There 's many a gentle person made a Jack.
Shak., Ric. Ill.y i. 3, 73.
Cams in with the Conqueror.
Turfe. I 'Id play hun 'gain a Knight, or a good 'squire,
Or gentleman of any other county
r the Kingdom.
Pan. Outcept Kent, for there they landed
All gentlemen and came in with the Conqueror.
B. Jonson, Tale of a Tub.y i. 3.
And tells how first his famous ancestour
Did come in long since with the Conqueror.
Bp. Hall, SaHres, IV., ii.
Bred and borne. Ned Ward, Nuptial Dialogue^ L, xx.
Fayne wolde I know what necessity we have
To go from the place where ye were bred and borne
Into another londe to play the knave.
Barclay, Ship of Fools, i. 178.
One laudeth his land where he was bred and born,
At others* country having disdain and scorn.
Id., Eclogue, ii.
Bred and born in an alley. — ^Jno. Cook, Green's Tu Quoque, 1614.
Beggar *s breed and rich men feed. — Clarke, X639.
Cloth (to Velvet Breeches). Get thee home into thine own country,
and let me as I was won't live famous in my native home
of England, where I was born and bred, yea and bearded
Caesar thy countryman till he compast the conquest by
treason.— Greene, Quip for an Upstart Courtier.
Bom and bred. — Udall, Er. Ap,, p. 126, rep. ; Lady Bessy, Percy
Soc., p. 21.
Birth and breeding. — ^J. Day, Peregrinatio Scholastica, xv.
824
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Begetting, breeding and holding the nearest respects of mankind.
— Ben Jonson, Love Restored, 1616.
Poor orphans of the pen and press,
Whose parents are obscure or dead,
Or in far countries born and bred.
Butler, Satire upon Plagiaries.
I am (quoth he) a courtier bom and bred. — Davies, Scourge of
Folly, p. 50 ; Ep., 105.
Both born and bred in that same seat thou wast ; i,e. in Shrews-
bury.— Thomas Churchyard, Worthiness of Wales, 1587, p.
87 ; rep. 1776, 120.
For as some whelpes that are of gentle kinde
Exceedes curee dogges that bears a doggish mind,
So those meek folk that meets you in the street
Will curchie make, or shows a humble spreete ;
This argues sure they have in Wales been bred
Or well brought up, and taught where now they dwell,
76., p. 90.
As two borne and bred together,
We were presently sworne brether*.
Braithwait, Drunken Bamaby*s your,, ii.
♦ Brother.
. . . the peace of the holy Church wherein I was bom,
baptised, and bred. — ^J. Howell, Parley of Beasts, p. 30. 1660.
So much to him were they afFectioned,
For having been amongst them born and bred.
S. Daniel, History of Civil Wars, IV., ix.
Cry mapsticks (mop-sticks). See N., II., ii. 315, 472.
Neverout, Why, miss, you are in a brown study, what 's the
matter ? Methinks you look like Mumchance that
was hanged for saying nothing.
Miss. I *d have you to know I scorn your words.
Neverout. Well, but scornful dogs will eat dirty puddings.
Miss. Well, my comfort is your tongue is no slander.
What I you would not have one be always on the
high grin ?
Neverout. Cry mapsticks, madam ; no offence, I hope.
Swift, Polite Conversation, i.
Pip. . . . your wisdom is overshot in your comparison ; for
eggs have chickens, gold hath none.
Pet. Mops, I pit^ thee ; gold hath eggs. Change an angel into
ten shillmgs, and all those pieces are the angel's eggs.
Lie. He hath made a spoke. — Lyly, Midas, ii. 2.
Sworn to the pantablb. An oath taken by pages to keep each
other's secrets. — Mass., The Unnatural Combat, iii. 2 ; A New
Way, &^., ii. ; The Bashful Lover, vi.
Cf. Swom to the Candlestick.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Preferred I was to this gallant, and from a Scholler must turn
Page, when if I should tell you the tenth part of the
waggeries that I passed through, I should break my oath
on the pan table, call old tricks in question, and perhaps
wrong some that were mine fellows then, who would be
loth to hear of it now. — Breton, Grimdlo's Fortunes^ p. 9.
6y all the tricks that pages pass in time of Parliament as
swearing to the pantable, crowning with custards, paper
whiffs to the sleeper's noses, cutting of tags, stealing of
torches, cum multis aliis. — Look About You\ H., O.P.^ vii.
409.
Like a tansy.
Miss (mending a hole in her lace). Well, you see I 'm mending.
I hope I shall be good in time. Look, Lady
Answerall, is it not well mended?
Lady A. Ay, this is something like a tansy. — S., P. C, i.
I would work under your honour's directions like a horse, and
make fortifications for you something like a tansy, with
all their batteries, saps, ditches, and palisadoes. — Sterne,
Tristram Shandy^ i. 199. [Book II., c. v.— Ed.]
Tale of a tub.
To tell a tale of a tub and the bottom out of it. — 1666.
A tale of a tub, your tale no truth avoath. — He., ii. 9.
Ye say they follow your law,
And vary not a straw. — Torr., P., Iv.
Which is a tale of a tub. — Bp. Bale, Comedy Concerning Three
Lawsy S»c,t 1538, Bradford (Parker Soc., i. 418).
Horse nest. A troublesome repetition of an old tale. — (Glos.)
HU., iii. C/. A tale of a roasted horse.
To haunt the taverns late, by night to trace the streets,
And swap each slut upon the lippes that in the dark he meets ;
To laugh at a horse nest and whine too like a boy.
If anything do cross his mind though it be but a toy.
Breton, Fhrrish upon Fancie^ i. 1577.
Tale of a roasted horse. Rib of a roasted horse. See B. & F.,
Scornful Lady^ iii. 2.
The haughty, obscure verse doth not much delight, and the
verse that is to easie is like a tale of a rested horse. —
Gasc., Certain Notes concerning the Making of Verse, sec. lo.
Will. Tush, tush, Instruction, your talk is of no force :
You tell us a tale of a roasted horse.
Which by his wounds except we set to it
As fast as we make these fellows will undo it.
Mar. of Wit and Sc, iv. c. ; H., O.P.f ii. 354.
Anon he would sing one merrie song or other, now he would
whistle in his fist, and by and by tell me a tale of a roasted
horse, only to make me merrie withal. — Breton, Mis, of
Mavillia, I599> P* 39*
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
And then like an Historian for the nonce,
He tells how two knights here were feasted once
At Mounsire Doysel's lodging ('mong the rest)
With a whole powdered Palfrey (at the least)
That roasted was ; so he without remorse
Tells us a tale but of a roasted horse.
Good God ! who can endure but silly I^
To bear the burden of such trumpery ?
Davies of Hereford, A Scourge for Paper Persecutors, or
Paper's Complaint^ 238.
CocKAHOOP. Tofti Tyler and his Wife^ 1598, p. 18.
The theory that this expression of a condition of reckless
exaltation and extravagance is from the analogy of one
who lavishes his store of drink, letting it run in a stream,
by removing the spigot and placing it on the hoops
passing over the barrel, is supported by the fact that the
figure of a cock of the poultry-yard was used for the
purpose of turning the stream on and off, as may be
seen in one of the block books in the first case as you
enter the King*s Library in the British Museum.
He sets cock on the hoop ; in you would say,
For cocking in hoops is now all the play,
And therefore no marvel men*s stocks often droop
That still use the cockpit to set cock in hoop.
Ds., Ep., 287.
COCKSURB.
We are so fearless, careless and secure
In this our happy peace and so cocksure
As if we did suppose or heard it said
Ould Mars were strangled or the Divel dead.
G. Wither, Abuses^ <&»(;., H., iv. 1613.
When the devil had once brought Christ to the Crosse he
thought all cocksure. — Latimer, Sermon on the Ploughers,
1549.
Cockney.
Disc. It is not the place but bringing up that maketh a child
well mannered, for a man shall see a child in a
gentleman's house in the country that can better
manner than the child brought up at home under ye
moders wynges in the mydle of the cyte.
Free. This cockneys and tytyllynges wantonly brought up
(delicati pueri) may abide no sorrow when they came
to age, whereas they that be hardly brought up may
die in war and the night throw upon the bare ground.
— Whit., Vulg., 39. 1521.
In this great cytees as London, York, Perusy and such,
where best manner should be, the chyldren be so nycely
and wantonly (lascive et indulgenter educantur) brought
up that comonly they can little good. — Ih., p. 39.
327
Digitized by
Google
LEANS COLLECTANEA.
He that cometh every daie,
shall have a cocknaie.
He that cometh now and then
shall have a fatte hen. — He., Prov. &• Ep.^ 36.
The three cranes of the vintry.— Ben. Jonson, Dev, is Ass.
The three crayned wharf. — T)md., i. 36 (Parker Soc.).
Doctors of the Chayre in the Vintry at the thre Cranes. —
Skelton, Replycacian, 8.
Ar. In whom is as much virtue, truth and honesty
As there are true feathers in the three Craynes of the
Vintree ;
Yet their feathers have the shadow of lively feathers the
truth to scan,
But Carisophas hath not the shadow of an honest man. —
Edwardes, Damon and Pythias ^ 1567 ; H., O.P.y iv. 37.
Elevators for wine casks.
Three Cranes Wharf, close to Southwark Bridge. Sometimes
called New Queen St., and see Herbert's ed. of Amss^
p. 367. Stow says it was a place of some account for the
costermongers who had warehouses there ; and it appears
from Dekkers Belman of London^ that the beggars of this
time called one of their places of rendezvous by this
name. — Collier*s n.
Draxe has a proverb : Patience in adversity bringeth a man to the
three cranes in the vinetree. ».^., to be exalted to high place.
Taylor {Virtue of a Gaol) says, enumerating London prisons :
Then near Three Cranes a gaol * for heretics
For Brownists Familists and schismatics.
•New prison.
In 1673 {Character of a Coffee-house) mention is made of Hereford-
shire Red streak (Cider made of Rotten Apples) sold
at the Three Cranes. It was the sign of the printing house
of Wm. Copland.
From the Rose in flaggons sayle I
To the Griphin i* th' old Bayly.
Where no sooner do I waken
Than to Three Cranes am I taken,
Where I lodge and am no starter
Till I see the Summer quarter.
R. Braithwait, Bamabee*s Journal^ IL, 1638.
The three cups.
As this was the sign of a public-house, in a cider district
(Wellington, Som.), purchased by my grandfather, I have
noted what follows as remarkable : " Coming to him on a
day as he was counting his barrels and setting the price in
chalk on the head of every one of them, I told him, etc., if
it pleased him to grant me private audience. * With me,
young Wilton,* quoth he, * marry and shalt : bring us a
pint of syder of a fresh tap into the three cups here ; wash
328
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
the pot.* So into a back room he lead mee, where after he
had spit on his finger, and pickt off two or three moats
of his old moth-eaten velvet cap, etc." — Nash, Unfortunate
Traveller t B. 2.
The devil and John a Cumber go with you ! — ^Tatham, Rumpy
iii. 1660.
Haselwood, s. Silly, simple. — Gascoigne, Grief of Joy^ 14. A
term of contempt : a bawd. See O. Fr. aissel. Germ. esel.
Gascoigne {Glasse of Govt,, 15) chaffingly calls a girl Hasel-
wood, as we might say " Oh you simpleton ! "
" A ring ? *' quod he, " ye, hasel wodes shaken !
Ye, nece myne, that ring most han a stoone
That myghte dede men alyve maken ;
And swyche a ring, I trow, that ye have noon.
Discrecioun out of your hede is goon ;
That fele I now," quod he, "and that is routhe;
O tyme ylost ! wel maystow corsen slouthe I "
Chau., Tr, and Cr., iii. 890.
Quod Troilus, " Now, Lord, me grace sende,
That I may finden at mya hom-coming,
Criseyde comen ! " and ther-with gan he singe :
" Ye, hasel- wode thoughte this Pandare,
And to himself ful softely he seyde,
" God woot, refreyden may this hote fare
Er Calkas sende Troilus Criseyde ! "
But natheles, he japed thus, and seyde
And swore, ywis, his herte hym wel bihighte.
She wolde come as soone as evere she myghte.
lb '9 V. 502.
Pandare answered, " It may be wel ynough "
And held with him of al that ever he seyde :
But in his herte he thoughte, and softe lough
And to hymself ful sobrely he seyde.
" From-hasel wode, ther joly Robin pleyde.
Shall com al that that thou abydest here ;
Ye farewel al the snow of feme yere 1 " — lb., v. 1170.
Hawe bake. Aw bake {Comb, MS.), Halve bake (Land. MS.). —
Chau., M. of L.y Prol. See my «* Cries to Cattle." (Old
word) Hawbacke, to return. — Bulloker. Only used by
some ancient writers and now grown out of use. — English
Expos., 1616.
I have no doubt this is the " Whoa back ! '* addressed daily
in our streets to horses who are required to step back-
wards. Dr. Morris in his Gloss. 7 to Chaucer gives the
following extraordinary explanation : Hawe oake sb.
Plain or coarse fare, literally baked or dried haws or
hedge berries. Hawbuck, a silly clown — (North) HU., —
is better than this, and that is probably a characterisation
from his habitual speech. See N., IV., iii. 89, i8i, 292 ;
viii. 301, 445. Hood and Kingsley both use it.
329
Digitized by
Google
LEAN^S COLLECTANEA.
Needs cost. — Chau., Kn. T., 1479. Cf. Cost, manner, way. —
Skeat, HU.; Horm., F., 272; iv., iv., iii. 89.
Nedwayes, Barbour^ xiii. 514; N., IL, v.
Gig of time. Used as a term of contempt. — Taylor (W. P.),
Fennor's Revenge. And again —
But blame me not, for he 's the gig of time
Whom sharpest wits have whipt with sportful rime.
Cf. Shak., Twel. N., v. i, 385, The Whirligig of Time, i.e.
the top ; Breton, Good and Bad, N,, v. 39 ; B. and F.,
Humourous Lieut., iv. 5.
Merchant of eelskins. A merchant without any money or ware.
A sorry, pitiful pedlar. — Torr.
He Mercatante de buccie. La mia borse e di pette d'anguille.
Balla d'anguille.
He that will at all adventures use the seas, knowing no more
what is to be done in a tempest than in a caulme, shall soon
become a marchant of eele-skinnes. — Asch., Tox., p. 151.
If he hold on awhile as he begins
We shall see him prove a marchant of eele skins.
He., Did., IL, V.
Green hat.
Hav. What work this story will make in town ! By this light
there will be no Hving in Madrid for an Englishman,
the very name will entitle us to Green-hats. — Killig.,
Thorn,, IL, iv. 11.
Jew's letters. Jerusalem letters.
And lastly Schoolboys will throw whole volleys of stones at
you wherever they see you if you allow them not Pens,
though it be but to scribble or make lewes letters.
Taylor (W. P.), Ded. of The Goose.
Dav., under the latter heading, says : ** There are persons at
Jerusalem who tatto on the arm of visitors who wish it the
sign of the Cross, with the name of the City and the date
of their visit,** and he quotes : " * If heaven should ever
bless me with more children,' said Mr. Fielding, * I have
determined to fix some indelible mark upon them, such as
that of the Jerusalem letters.' " — H. Brooke, Fool of Quality,
1258. 1766.
Juniper lecture. What is now called a curtain lecture.
When women chide their husbands for a long while together,
it is commonly said they give them a Juniper lecture, which
I am informed is a comparison taken from the long lasting of
the live coals of that wood, not firom its sweet smell. But
comparisons run not upon all four. — Ellis, Timber Tree, p. 142,
Other examples in Dav., and see B. Jon., Alch., i. 3, for
the custom of burning juniper to sweeten chambers.
To give one a juniper lecture or a sound peal of rough language.
—Torr.
330
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Ginepraio (juniper thicket) is the Italian equivalent of parsley
bed.
Calf, A silly fellow. — Udall, Ralph Royster DoysUr, ii. 4.
An excellent scholar, one that has a head filled
With calves* brains without any sage to give them.
Webster, White DevU, i. i.
" Alas ! poor fellow," quoth they (the London Weavers to the
country ones), "your hearts are good but your hands are ill."
" Tush ! the fault was in their legs," quoth another. ** Pray
you, friend, were you not borne at home? "
" Why doe you ask ? " quoth Weasell.
" Because," said he, ** the biggest place of your leg is next your
shoe."
Cuthbert hearing this, being choleric of nature, chafed like a
man of law at the barre. — Thomas of Reading (by T.
Dcloney), 1612, f. 8.
An epigram, more than fifty years old, says :
*< I cannot understand," says Dick,
** What make my ankles grow so thick."
" You do not recollect," says Harry,
" What a great calf they have to carry."
Essex, you say, is famed for calves ;
We thank you really for your pains ;
For this you prove, in our behalves.
We *re famous most for head and brains.
N., VI., v. 496.
Court card.
She had in her hand the ace of harts and a coat card. She led
the board with her coat : I played the varlet and took up
her coat and meaning to lay my finger on her ace of hearts
upstarted quite a contrary card. — Chapman, May-day.
** You have been at noddy, I see."
** Ay, and the first card comes to my hand is a knave ; I am a
coat card indeed."
" Then thou must needs be a knave, for thou art neither queen
nor king." — Rowley, When yon See me^ 1621.
Card of ten. Shak., Taming of the Shrew, ii. i, 397 ; Day, Law
Tricks.
I set very little or nought by hem that cannot face out his ware
with a card of x. (Qui merces suas non maxime faciat.) —
Wh., f. 28.
Fyrste pycke a quarrel and fall out with him then,
And so outface him with a card of ten.
To SBBK ants' paths.
(After discussing the origin of the name of the village Over-
burrow). But if it recover the ancient name it may thank
others and not mee, although I have sought as narrowly
and diligently for it as for ants' pathes. — Holland's Camd.,
P- 753.
331
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Paltock's Inn.
Swiftlye they determined too flee from a countrye so wycked,
Paltocks Inn leaving, too wrinche the navy too southward.
— Stanyhurst, ^if„ iii. 65.
Comming to Chenas a blinde village, in comparison of Athens
a Paltockes Inne, he found one Miso governing his house.
— Gosson, Sch. of Abuse, p. 52 (Arber's reprint).
To the same place came his orison • mutterer impaletoched^ or
lapped up about the chin like a tufted whoop (duppe). —
Urq., Rob., I., xxi.
Lombard Street to a china orange.
All Lombard Street to an eggshell. — A. Murphy, Citizen, ii. i.
N., VL, 337, records var., **A guinea to a gooseberry" and
** Manchester to a brick."
C/. " Oddes, or all the world to nothing," by N. B., licensed
Aug. 9, 1622.
It is a thousand pounds to a penny as the nursery song says, or,
as the newspaper reporters of the Ring have it, Lombard
Street to a china orange, no small critic already knows • . .
that, etc. — Southey, The Doctor, ch. x.
A cow to a codpiece-point (at cock-fighting). — Torr.
C/. Shak., Love*s Labour Lost, v. 2, 556, where Biron backs
Costard ** My hat to a halfpenny."
I durst lave laid my cap to a crown. — Still, Gammer GurtotCs
Queen. My wretchedness unto a row of pins, [Needle.
Thejr '11 talk of state ; for every one doth so
Against a change ; woe is forerun with woe.
Shak., Richard II., iii. 4, 26.
Queen Anne* *s dead.
Noe, not a quatch, sad poete ; doubt you
There is not griefe enough without you,
Or that it wiU assuage ill news
To say she 's dead that was your muse.
Bp. Corbet, Elegy on Death of Q. Anne
{i.e. of Denmark, wife of James I.).
♦ Elizabeth.— S., P. C, i.
Davies seems to infer that Swift's is the original saying. But
there was a good reason for his substituting Elizabeth's
name in 1710, the Queen Anne then reigning. She died
1 714. But Ray has a similar (Sussex) saying, "My
Lord Baldwin's dead," showing that proverbs like Joe
Miller's are adaptable to the heroes of the hour.
Next the heart.
Queen Artemesia who living chast ever after her husband
Mausolus his death got his ashes all put in urnes, whereof
she would take down a dram every morning fasting and next
her heart, saying. That her body was the fittest place to be
sepulchre to her most dear husband. — Howell, Fam. Lett.^
iv., vii.
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
His Epilogue in the morning next his heart. — G. Harvey,
Letter Bookf p. 130. 1513.
This was staying with our unlucky hostess that must be dandled
and made drunk next her heart ; she made us slip the very
cream of the morning. — Rowley, Match at Midnight^ i.
The Romans held it ominous to see a Blackamoore next their
hearts in a morning (mare). — Stapylton,/«t;., vi. 637. 1647.
A Jigge for the Ballad Mongers to sing fresh and fasting next
their hearts everie morning instead of a new hunts up. —
Cited Kindhearfs Dreamer p. 63 ; A Quest of EnqHeries, 1593,
note by Rimbault, Percy Soc.
Lod. Here *s a coil to make wit and women friends ; come hither,
wench, let me have thee single ; now sit thee down and
hear good counsel next thy heart, and God give thee
grace to lay it to thy heart. — Chapman, May£iyy ii.
Ludico [5(7/m5.] One tells me I must study next my heart. That
troubles my brain too much. Another tells
me 'tis good to eat bread-and-butter next my
heart. That fumes into my head too much.
And to say the truth, my stomach is not yet
up. For Tm but new up myself, and I hope
that will not be so saucy as to tread on
master's heels, but I say still 'tis best pla3dng
next one's heart. That is to me both study
and breakfast. — Wm. Hawkins, Apollo Shrov-
ingi n., 40. 1626.
Herb of Grace.
Clo. . . . She was the sweet marjoram of the salad, qf
rather the herb of grace.
Lafeu. They are not herbs, you knave ; they are nose herbs.
C^. I am no great Nebuchadnezzar, sir. I have not much
skill in grass. — Shak., Airs Welly iv. 5, 14.
That this man, this herb of grace,
This father of our faculties should slip thus.
B. and F., Idand Princess^ ii.
Provender pricks him. — Ho. i,e. makes him lusty and strong..
Provender pricketh him. — Dr. R. Crowley, Way to Wealth, 1550,
E.E.T.S., p. 142.
But I cannot blame them to be lusty for • . . Horsemanship
hath rack and manger so much at command that provender
pricks them either to tilt or tourney, or long or short
journey. — ^Taylor, Navy of Landships,
Are jrou provender prickt now, sirs ? — Tatham, Scots' FiggarieSy
li. 1652.
When provender prickt them a little time
Thou did as thy wife, and thou did both doat
On each other and bdng not worth a groat
Then went witless to wedding. — He., Dial., x.
With proven prickt. — Newes out of Powles, Sat,, 6. 1576.
333
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Are you there with your bears ? (Emphasis on " there.") i,e^
Sits with the wind in that quarter ?
Cand, I love thee much ; give me one word of comfort.
Silena. I faith, sir, no ; and so tell your master.
C. I have no master, but come to make choice of a mistress.
S. Ha ! ha ! are you there with your bears ?
Lyly, M. Bombie^ ii. 3.
Another, when at the racket-court he had a ball struck into his
hazard, hee would ever and anon cry out, ** Estes vous 1^
avec vos Ours?" ("Are you there with your beares?")»
which is ridiculous in any other language but English. —
Howell, Forreine Trav., 63.
But here is more wisdom than we are aware of, and that is a
determination that the Sheriffs were in the right (in a
technical objection they had taken). For the wiser
members knew that well enough. " But oh ! " quoth they,
" here is an accident may save the man. Are you there with
your bears ? We will quit the exercise of the House's right
rather than that should be." — North, Examm.^ p. 220. 1740.
You tell me my verses disturb you at prayers ;
Oh, oh 1 Mr. Dean, are you there with your bears ?
Sheridan, To Dean of St. Patrick.
If it were a bear it would bite you. — Dr.; CI.; Perdval. Of
him who makes a search for what is under his nose. —
B. E., N$w Diet, of Canting Crm.
Si fiiera perro ya te uviero mordedo. — PercL, Span. Gram.f 1599.
To BIND BEARS.
Secondly, be admonished not to overween your own strength as
thinking it sufiScient to bind bears (as the Proverb is), and
to defray any unaptness whatever without trouble. — Dan.
Rogers, Matrimonial Honour, p. 65. 1642.
Nay, farewell sow, quoth he, our Lord bless me
From bassing of beasts of Bearbinder lane.
He, Dial.f H., vii.
Bought and sold.
To be bought and sold in a company. — R.
You are bought and sold, like sheep in a market (Deriso). — CI.
" Oh," quoth he, <' I am bought and sold for doing my country
such good service as I have done. They are afraid of me
because my good deeds have brought me into such estima-
tion with the commimalty I see. I see it is not for the lamb
to live with the wolf."— T. Nash, Unf. Trav., B. 3.
Marcus doth buy and sell me. Then he *s mad.
For sure he '11 lose without more wit he had.
Ds-i Ep-y 379-
I have been bought and sold
Behind my back for no desert and cause
By those that kindly capp'd and kiss'd their claws.
Taylor, Farewell to the Tower-bottles.
334
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Cf. Bite. — S., P. C, i., and Spectator, Nos. 504 and 47, where
it is used interjectionaily as we now say sold. These
examples are in Dav.
Cross and pile. To cast. — Brian, The Pisse-Prophet, ch. xii. 1637.
Whackum had neither cross nor pile ;
His plunder was not worth the while.
Butler, Hud.
Bilbo, Prithee, let 's discourse the business quietly, and since
'tis gone so far as to be taken notice of in the town,
cross and pile between us who shall wear his arm in
a scarf. — Wilson, Cheats.^ iii. 1663.
This is equivalent to tossing up, Heads or tails !
PiLB. The under-iron of the stamp wherein money is stampt
and the pile side of a piece of money, the opposite whereof
is a cross. — Cotgr., 161 1.
All on a row,
bread and crow.
The gods and goddesses, all on a row, bread and crow, from Ops
to Pomona (the first applewife) were so dumpt, etc. — Nash,
Lenten Stuffe.
Grbat crock and littlb chock.
Both the armies had been with them (the Devon and Cornwall
farmers) and given them several visits, insomuch that if
the Ca^iers had taken their horses, the other p^y made
bold with their oxen ; if the one had their sheep, the other
played sweepstake, so that (according to the coimtry phrase)
great crock and little chock all was I go, yet as soon as
they spied me they saluted me with much love and reverend
courtesy.— J. Taylor (W. P.), Christmas In and Out^ 1652,
P-I5.
Fortune's middle finger.
Mr. Lamb,* whom succeeding times knows to be Dean of Arches,
came, by holding fast to Fortune' middle finger, from a
schoolmaster that taught petties to a proctor in Christian
courts and so on to an official — Hacket, Life of Archbishop
WittiamSf i. 37.
* Kept a preparatory school.
To THINK HER PENNY GOOD SILVER. (Couceitedness.)— Dr. ; T.
Adams, p. 584.
Now, for your ladies, we have pretty wenches that though they
be not proud, ^et they think their penny good silver, and
if they be fair it is naturall, and having their mother's wit
they will doe well enough for their father's understanding.
— Breton, Courtier and Countryman.
Is thy penny the worse silver for theirs ? — D. Rogers, Naaman,
p. 370.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To WEAR PAPERS.
But I wish all such more wicked than witty, unlearned in the
law and abusers of the same, to look a little better into
their consciences and to leave their crafty courses, lest
when the law indeed laies them open, insteede of carrying
papers in their hands they wear not papers on their heads,
and instead of giving care to their chents causes or rather
lie into their purses they have nere an ear left to hear
withal nor good eye to see withal. — Breton, Good and Bad ;
The Unworthy Lawyer.
Stigmatici ben such parsons which bene set on pillory or weare
papers, or be nayled to the pillorye, called infamed persons,
or knights of the pillorye. — Huloet, sub v, Reproch,
To BE EITHER A MAN OR A MOUSE. Aut Cassar, aut nihil.
He was utterly minded to put all in hasarde to make or marre
and to be man or mous. — Udall, Er. Ap,, p. 298 ; Appius
and Virginia; H., O.P., iv. 1575.
The schollers ^11 now to construe and parse, and the lawyer
makes his clyent either a man or a mouse. — Breton,
Fantasticks,
Epi. Nay, I tell you my master is more than a man.
Dares, And thou less than a mouse. — Lyly, Endym.^ i. 3.
Your father has committed you to my charge, and I will make
a man or a mouse of you. — B. & F., Lovers Cure, ii. 4.
Neither sugar nor salt.
She at my side and I at her's
We take the weather that occurs ;
No matter if it rain or not.
Or bleak or warm, away we trot,
The proverb whispering, " Wherefore halt ?
Pray, are you sugar ? No, nor salt."
John Brown, Psyche^ c. vi. 1818.
To COME IN PUDDING TIME. (Opportuuitas.)— CI. ; U. Fulwell, Like
will to like, 1568 ; H., O.P., iii. 319.
The Italians say Venier all insalata — their first dish. — Torr.
Neither rime nor reason.
Que feriez vous k gens qui entendent ne rime ne raison? —
Cordier, 1538.
Vous n*avez rhime ne raison. — Meurier, 1558.
Draw out your weapon and go swearing down.
Look terrible (I need not teach you frown).
And vow you *11 be reveng*d some other time,
And then leave me to msSae the reason rime.
S. Rowlands, Knave of Clubs (A Gull).
There *s wherewithal to entertain the pox,
There *s more than reason, there *s rime for *t — ^the box.
Bp. Corbet, Elegy on Lady Haddon.
836
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Under one's girdle, i.e. in subjection.
What then ! shall Rynges have their heads tyde under the
people's gyrdell ? — Shacklock, Hatchet of Heresies ^ 1565.
Yea 'd have his head under your girdle. — CI.
Such a wicked brothell
Which sayth under his gyrdell
He holdeth Kyngs and Princes.
Roy, Rede me and be not wroth, p. 114. 1526.
Let the magnanimous junto be heard who would try the hazard
of war to the last and had rather lose their heads than put
them under the girdle of a Presbjrterian conventicle. —
Hacket, Life of Williams, ii. 215.
My head is not under every man's girdle. Non omnibus
dormio. — CI.
Widow. I hope you will, sir. I was bred in Ireland, where
the women begin the salutation.
Timothy. I won not kiss truly.
Wid. Indeed you must.
Tim. Would my girdle may break if I do.
Rowley, Match at Midnight, i. 1633.
Sticking our thumbs close to our girdlestead. — Bp. Hall, Sat.,
IV., V. 14.
To HAVE ne'er an M UNDER ONE's GIRDLE. S., P. C, I. To Omit,
in addressing one, the handle of his name. M. was used
as abbreviation of Master or Mistress, as it still is in France
for Monsieur. — Shak., 2 Henry VI., i. 3 ; Taming of the
Shrew, i. 2 (Malone's Edn.) ; Nobody and Somebody, 1592,
Sch. ofSh,, i. 324 ; Scott, Old Mortality.
Gyrdell-stede faulx du corps. — Palsg.
Mary. Hoigh hagh ! if faire Mistress Custance saw you now,
Ralph Roister Doister were hir own I warrant you.
Roy. Neare an M by your girdle ?
M. Your good maystershyp's maistershyp were her own
mystreshyp's mystreshyp. — Udall, R. R. D., iii. 3.
The King knocking at the door, the maid went and open'd the
door. The King asked her if Budwaies was stirring. The
maid, staring him in the face, saying, "What, plain
Budwaies! have you nere an M under your girdle?" —
W. Warter, Britain's Honeycomb, 1712.
See N. H. W.
Canbee. How, you base rogue, ne'er an M under your girdle ?
— Day, Blind Beggar of Bethnall Grun.
Dame. Ay, "governor" becomes you! I like it well when
you carry an M under your girdle, governor.—
Shirley, Arcadia, i. 2.
To SCRATCH WHERE IT DOTH NOT ITCH.
It makes me . . . Nollem factum. Nihil eat miserius
quam animus conscius carpentis seipsum. — CI. (Invito.)
VOL. III. 337 22
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To CARE NOT WHICH END GOES FORWARD. (Improvident.) — Dr.
Though I say it that should not say it. /. Drum's Ent, 1601 ;
Lyly, Mother Bofnbie; W. Rowley, All's Lost by Lust, i.,
1633 ; Wodroephe, The Spared Hours, 1623.
To PUT A spoke in his wheel. (Hindrance.) — Torr.
I '11 put a spoke among your wheels. — B. and F., Mad Lov&r^
iii. 6 ; Lyly, Euphues,
There is not a boate wherein he hath not an oare, nor a wheele
wherein he will not challenge a spoake. — T. Adams, Wks.y
p. 506, ** The Busybody," 1629.
He had a strong and very stout heart
And looked to be made an emperor for 't,
But the Divel did set a spoke in his cart.
Merry Drollery, p. 224. 1661, 70-91.
Lastly, faithfulness is the staff and spoke which strengthens
and enables the wheel of serviceableness. — D. Rogers,
Naatnafif p. 296. 1642.
C/. I '11 take a stap (stave) out of your cog (bowl). —
Cunninghame, Glossary to Bums.
To HAVE TWO STRINGS TO ONE'S BOW.
Two strings to a bow do well (Refugium). — CI.
The Conqueror finding himself quitted of this obstacle takes
upon him the regiment of this Kingdom with a double
string to his bow; the one of ancient title, the other of
conquest. — E. F., History of Edward II. (1627), p. 36. 1680.
This and the following shows that the second string was not
a mere reserve. From a letter of Queen Elizabeth to
James L : Who seeketh two strings to one bow he may
shute strong but never strait. — June, 1585.
E bon sempre avez due corde per un archo. — Florio, 1st Fruites^
1578.
To MAKE A TOIL OF A PLEASURE.
Tyring of legges and tearing of throates with luring and
hollowing (in hawking and hunting) are nothing pleasant
to my humour. I do not love so to make a toil of pleasure.
— Breton, Dialogue, p. 7. 1603.
You must look that your bowe be well nocked for fere the
sharpness of the home shere a sunder the strynge: and
that chanceth ofte when in bending, the string hath but
one wap to strength it wyth all.—Ascham, Tox., p. iii.
Once in a coronation.
But bemg a scholar and a poor one too, they had no use for
him except it were once in a coronation to make a speech
for the entertainment of a prince ... or an apology
for the churchwarden to excuse the picking of the poor
man's box.— J. Day, Pereg. Scholasi,, xvi. 1641.
338
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
If ever in a reign he lights upon a humour to business it is to
game, to cheat, to drink drunk, to steal, etc. — T. Adams,
Worhs^ p. 450. 1629.
*Ud's daggers ! cannot sin be set on shore
Once in a reign upon your country quarters
But it must have fiddUng ?
Enough to makb a saint swear.
Such sorry to feel
It would grieve any saint.
Tom Tyler and his Wifty 1598, p. 23.
Wooden walls. i.e. warships of defence. — iV., VI., viii. 48.
That man had a heart and was fenced with a triple corslet of
brass that first . . . advanced the credit of the Realm
by defending the same with our Wodden Walles (as
Themistocles called the ships of Athens). — Wm. Phihp,
Preface to Translation of Linschotm his Discourse of Voyages,
1598.
Jingo.
Young Worthy. Were you sent to rob or kill me ?
Dobson, Alas ! gentlemen, we are very ingrams*.
Ralph, Mere country animals. We have valour to
steal a Maypole or rob a parson's hen's-
nest, but to kill a man (is) as far from our
intents or daring as pity from an executioner
or bashfulness from a jingo.
Nabbes, Convent Garden^ iii. 5. 1638.
♦ St0 Hll.
When spiritual jugglers their chief mast'ry show.
Hey Jingo, sirs I what 's this ? 'Tis bread you see.
Sat. on Jesuits, iv. 1679.
By the living Jingo, I did but jest. — Don Quixote, III., vi.
By Jingo, I believe he would make three bites of a cherry. —
Rabelais, V., xxviii.
And the first words the Buffer said
Were " By the living Jingo ! "
Ned Randall's Diary, Grose.
While Willie lap an swoor, by jing,
'Twas just the way he wanted
To be that night. — Burns, Hallow *een, ix.
To TAKE TAP UNDER LAP.
Take tap under lap and turn back again. — Palinodiam Canere
( Inconstantia). — CI.
I crosse out all this, adewe, by Saynt John
I take my tappe in my lappe and am gone.
Morality of every Man, p. 63, in Hll.
339
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To FRY IN YOUR OWN GRBASB. — Rtch. C. de LtOHy I37O, WcbCT, I75.
I seye, I hadde in herte greet despyt
That he of any other had delyt,
But he was quit by God and by Seint Jocc
I made him of the same wode a croce ;
Not of my body in no foule manere,
But certeinly, I made folk swich chere.
That in his owene grece I made him frye
For angre, and for verray jalousye.
Chau., Wife of Bath's PrU., 6063.
Thus this fat Fool chafed but not in his own grease. — Armin,
Nest of Ninnies, p. 16, rep.
To LAY A WATER, i.e. in soak.
Somewhat to purpose your proverbs prove indeed :
Howbeit, whether they counterpaise or outweigh
The proverbs which 1 before them did lay,
The trial thereof we will lay a water
Till we try more. — He., Dtal., I., iii.
If he had broke his arme . . . either Apollo must have played
Bonesetter or every occupation beene laide in water.
Gosson, School of Abuse, 1579, p. 21 Arber's reprint.
To ROB Peter to pay Paul. — Urquh., Rabelais, IIL, iii.
Some of you rob Peter to pay Paul. — ^T. Adams, ** White
Devil," Works, p. 48.
The lands of Westminster, so dilapidated by Bishop Thirlby
that there was almost nothing left to support the dignity
. . . Most of the lands invaded by the great men of the
Court, the rest laid out for reparation to the Church of
St. Paul, pared almost to the very quick in those days
of rapine. From hence first came that significant byword
(as is said by some) of robbing Peter to pay Paul. —
Heylin, Hist, of Reformn., 1256. 1661.
In December, 1540, Westminster was made a Cathedral, but
in 1550 it was rejoined to London, and many estates
appropriated to repair of St. Paul's.
Lyke a pickpurse pilgrim ye prie and ye proule
At rovers, to robbe Peter and pay Poule. — He., Dial,, I., x.
II oste k sainct Pierre pour vester a sainct Pol,
II despouille sainct Pierre pour vester sainct Pol
II des couvre ung pour couvrir I'autre.
M. Cordier, De Corrupti Sermonis Emendatiom,
p. 541. 1538.
L'on ne doibt tant donner a Sant Pierre
que Saint Paul demeure derriere. — G. Meurier, c. 1568.
Ab aliis eripiimt quod aliis largiantur. — Cicero.
840
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
War I ane King sir, be cok*s passion?
I sonld gar mak ane proclamatioun,
That never ane penny sould go to Rome at all
Na mair then did to Peter nor to Paull.
Lyndesay, Three Estates ^ 2841.
They robbe St. Peter to cloth St. Paul. — Barclay, EcL, p. xvii.
A CLOAK FOR THE RAIN. A pretext, excuse- Tussis pro crepitu.
[Erasm.] A cloak for the rain. — Taverner, Prov.^ 590.
1552.
Mrs. Because he doth frequent my house, thou see'st
Is for the love he bears unto my daughter.
Rogers. A very good cloak, mistress, for the rain.
Warning for Fair Women, i. 1599.
(The mother really acting as his procuress with a married
woman.)
To PLOUGH THE SAND.
He that doth believe bearing in hand,
Plougheth in the water, and soweth in the sand.
Sir Thomas Wyatt.
To BEAR IN HAND. To make one believe.
Browne. But Doury's wife did bear me still in hand
If he were dead she would effect the marriage.
Warning for Fair Women, ii, 1599.
See thou be that thou art reported and borne in hande to be
. . . that they become such persons indeed as they hear
themselves bruited and borne in hand. — Rd. Taverner,
Proverbesfr. Eras., 49, v. 1539.
Beatr. What, bear her in hand imtil they come to take hands ;
and then, with public accusation, uncovered slander,
etc. — Shak., Much Ado, iv. i, 301.
Knight of the post. A suborned witness. — Nash, P. Penniless.
A common bail or bailer.
? If connected with the phrase Between you and me and the
post, to which the following seems to allude: All this
while my friend William (Sommers) was in counsel with
the post. — Armin, Fool upon Fool, 1605, p. 32, Grosart*s
repr.
To kiss the post.
Yet from beginning absent if thou be
E3rther shalt thou lose thy meat and kiss the post.
Hey wood, Woman Killed with Kindness, E, 2, 1607 *
and see Barclay, Eel., ii., B. 4; B. and F ,
Noble Gentleman, iv. 4.
I could fast ever to Kiss such a post. — B. and F., Faithful
Friends, iv. i.
Who cummeth over late, let him kysse the post. — W. Forrest^
Hist, of Joseph, p. 172 1545. [Roxb. Club.]
341
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To WASH A TiLB« Laterem lavare. To labour in vda
Ger. We have as learned authors utter, wash*d a tile
We have been fatuus and labour'd vainly.
B. & F.y Two Noble Kinsmen^ iii. 5.
But this and all the rest will I fear but seem Oleribus verba
Cacere, and (as the proverb goes) be labour in vain to think
of preaching down hogs-puddings, and usurp the chair
of Rabby Bussy. — ^J. Evelyn, Acetaria^ p. 160. 1699.
Thb hobby horsb is forgot. — Shak., Hamlet^ iii. 2, 130; Love's
Labour Lost, iii. i, 26.
" The allusion is to the omission of the hobby horse in the May-
games from loth; the Puritans, by their preachings and
invectives, had succeeded in banishing him for a time. —
Note by Dyce to ** Shall the hobby horse be forgot then ? "
The hopeful hobby horse shall he lie foimdered. — B. and P.,
Women Pleased^ iv. i.
The hobby horse shall be remembered. — W. Rowley, WiUh oj
Edmonton, iii. x.
In good point, i^. condition. The Fr., embonpoint.
Self if she be defeated of her hopes rageth. Naaman whiles
be had hopes is at ease and a good point, he waits and
is patient, now comes this cross errand that turns him
over. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 264.
A MBRRY PIN.
To be on the merry pin. — Torr.
Let us set in
On a merry pin
The story of the strife
Between Tom and his Wife
As well as we can.
Tom Tyler and his Wife (1598), 1661, p. 19.
So that now he was altogether set on his merry pin and walked
on his stately pantones.— Gab. Harvey, Letter Book (Camd.
Soc.), p. 14.
To PUT BOOT IN BEAM. i.e. give help in trouble.
Thirdly, the motion of Self is eager and violent ; she wants
that inward mover of the spirit which should act her
by the power of a sweet principle from within and put
boots in beame (as we say), securing her of a good and safe
issue of her labour. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 136.
Beg of the Lord to reach you out the Lord Jesus in His full
supply of all wants and seasoning of all mercies, that your
soul having this boot in beam may be indifferent for other
things. — Ib.f pp. 172 and 257.
He makes no hoe of it. i.e. cares not for it. — Sm)rth, Berkeley MS.
342
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
White, adj. (As term of endearment.)
Pagt. When he (Amoretto) returaes, Tie tell twentie admirable
lyes of his hawke ; and then I shall be his little rogue,
his white villaine for a whole week after. — Return from
Parnassus, Pt. II., Act 2, 6. 1606.
Judas was his (the devil's) white boy. — T. Adams, White Devil f
p. 50.
He that can flatter and say as I say shall be mine own white
son. — Rd. Tavemer, Proverbs, 48, repr. 1539.
Pole being a favourite with foreigners is called "their wyte
God." — Ellis, Letters, p. 7. 1525.
In Ireland they still talk of their "white-headed boy." — K.
Oliphant, fjew English, 475.
Shaving the ladies. i.e. taking them in when shopping. This
idiom was formerly less compact.
Yet can a miller make a clerkes berd. — Chaucer, Reeve's Tale,
176; and see Boccaccio, Decam., viii. 13.
There is no trade but Shaves,
For barbers are trim knaves ;
Some are in shaving so profound,
By tricks they shave the country round.
Lyly, MidaSf iii. 2.
Up and down.
Pifinetta. I would not be in your coats for anything.
Ltcio. Indeed, if thou should*st rig up and down in our
jackets thou would'st be thought a very Tomboy.
Lyly, Midas, ii.
The ancientest men of the City also were much afeared of
his soft voice, his eloquent tongue and ready utterance,
because in these he was Pisistratus up and down. — North's
Plutarch, \ Pericles.']
To WEAR HER OWN HAIR. To have her own way. — Rowley, All's
Lost by Lust, i. 1633.
To hold tack.
" To whit to whoo," the owl does cry,
" Phip, phip," the sparrows as they fly.
The goose does " hiss," the duck cries " quack,"
"A rope" the parrot that holds tack. — Lyly, M. Bom., iii. 4.
Meat and drink. It's meat and drink to him to do mischief. —
Bernard's Terence, p. 62.
No point, a bald rendering of the French negative, " Point de."
As bad as the modern, " It goes without saying."
Punto. Never a whit; no point, as the Frenchman say. —
Florio, Diet., 1598.
Stiw. My lords, the players now are grown so proud,
Ten poimds a play, or no point comedy.
Histrio-mastix, iii. 1610.
848
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Biron. Will you prick *t (his heart) with your eye ?
Rosaline, No point, with my knife. — Shak., Love's Labour Lost^
ii., I, i88; v. 2, 277.
Tit tit tit, non poynte, non debet fieri. — Return from Parnassus^
Pt. IL, Act L, 4, I. 1606.
Tell me where he is.
No point, shall I betray my brother? — Dekker, Shoemaker's
Holiday, 1600.
To CARRY COALS. To put up with insult.
Quint, Above all things you must carry no coals.
No, by heaven, not I, I '11 freeze to death first.
Chapman, Mayday, 6, i ; and see W. Haughton,
Grim the Collier of Croyden, ii. i ; B. Jonson,
Every Man out of his Humour, v. 3.
To SIT UPON one's skirts. Halliwell refers to Stanyhurst, p. 26,
and Tarlton, Te ulciscar, — Bernard, Terence, p. 58.
Cross me not, Liza, nether be so perte.
For if thou dost I '11 sit upon thy skirte.
The Abortive of an Idle Hour, 1620.
The Swed answered that he had not broke the least title of the
articles agreed on, and, touching the said Archbishop, he
had not stood neutral as was promised, therefore he had
justly sat on his skirts. — Ho., Fam. Letters, 1650.
Cf The Irishman's provocation to fight : ** Will no jintleman
be so good as to thred on the tail of my coat ? " (skirts).
Juletta, . . . And then if good wife Fortune do not fail me
Have at his skirts ! I shall worse anger him
Than ever I have done and worse torment him.
B. and F., Pilgrim, IV., i.
Lazy Lawrence.
Adams {Diet, of Eng. Lit.) gives the title of a Chapman's book,
1670, in the possession of Mr. Halliwell Phillips :
**The infamous Historie of Sir Lawrence Lazie, his Birth
and slothful Breeding, how he served the Schoolmaster, his
Wife, the Squire's Cook and the Farmer, which by the
Laws of Lubberland was accounted High Treason, his
Arraignment and Trial and Happy Deliverance firom the
many Treasons laid to his charge."
See Rawlins, Tom Essence, i. [1677]; M. Edgeworth, Moral
Tales; and N., VI., v. 266.
What different changes winter's frowns supply ;
The clown no more a lingering hour beguiles,
Nor gaping tracks the clouds along the sky,
As when buds blossom and the warm sun smiles,
And Lawrence wages bids on hills and stiles.
Clare, Village Minstrel, ii. 23.
St, Lawrence, Archbishop of Canterbury, 619 (Feb. 2), is said
to be the original Lawrence from the back and from the
shoulders sickness puttes. — B. Googe, Naogeorgus,
344
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
John Thomson's man. ue, Joan. — Dunbar, /b^ms, ed. Laing, i. 120.
So the imperious Roxalan
Made the Great Turk John Thomson's man.
Colvil, Wnig's Supplication^ p. 12. 1687.
And these we ken
Have ever been John Thomson's men.
That is, still ruled by their wives. — Ib.^ iii.
PiLLGARLiCK. N.y vi., viii., and ix.
Wyll, WyU, Wyll, Wyll, Wyll,
He ruleth always still,
Good reason and good skyll,
They may garlyck pyll,
Gary sackes to the myll,
Or pescoddes they may skyll.
Or elles go vost a stone !
Skelton, Why Come yc Not? 103.
Peele garlick, Ludio. i,$. unlucky. — Hawkins, Apollo Shrovingr
V. 4. 1626.
Pilgarlic. Shad well. Virtuoso^ ii. 1676.
Peel garlick. J. Wilson, Projectors^ ii. i. 1665.
Jack Straw. The Plowman. Now Hodge. — Not every Jacke Plow-
man, f. 33, ro. 1529.
And as it becometh not Jack Strawe to reason of princes*
matters, so again it is not seeming for persons of honest
labours to be ever busy in every trifling matter. — ^Taverner,
ProverbeSf 19, v. 1539.
Saint Geoffry*s day. i^. never, there being no saint of that
name. — Grose.
Cand. Sweet maid . . . you see how unacquainted I am bold
to board you.
Silena. My father boards me already, therefore I care not if
your name were GeoiSry. — Lyly, M. Bombie, ii. 3.
Now here is the door and there is the way.
And so, quoth he, farewell gentle Geffray.
He., Dialogue, I., xi.
When Gabriel blows his horn, then this question will be
DECIDED UPON. Ho. M. at the last trump, at doomsday,,
but not before.
And I wote wel that Gabriel schal blow bis home or pay han
prevyd the mynor fat is fat Jjese seyntes or patrons in fis
swydenjbe lore or fe life of Jhesu Criste. — Wyclif, English
Works, E. E. Text Soc., p. 382.
They* bene as close and covert as the horn of Gabrielle
That wylle not be harde but from hevyn to helle.
MS. Laud, 416, Reh Ant,, ii. 27, c. 1460.
* Womea.
Sleep on till Gabriel's trump shall break thy sleep. — On Death
of Bp, Corbet.
345
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
PiGGY-wiGGEN. Halliwcll has Pig-wiggen, a dwarf.
Goodman Pigwiggen. — tiash^ Lentm Stuffe^ [Harl. Misc.,vi. 145.]
What, such a nazardly pi^-wiggen,
A little handstrings to a biggen cotton.
Drayton, Wks., 197. 1734.
[Of the veers (litter), generally white and weak or imbecile.]
His Piggen de wiggen or gentlewoman. — Nash, Saffron Walden^
V. 1596.
To catch Peggy Wiggan. — Denham, F. L., No. 16.
At the latter Lammas. i.e, never.
Auf Pfingsten, wenn die gans auf's eiss geht. — ^Ad Graecas
Calendas.
That courtier thrive at latter Lammas day. — Gasc., Steel Glass.
Your Maship will thrive at the latter Lammas. — Respub.^ iii. 5.
1553-
God's good.
Lucio. I must be gone ; taedet, it irketb ; oportet, it behoveth
my wits to work like barme, alias yeast, alias sizing,
alias rising, alias God*s good. — Lyly, Mothev Bowbte^
iii. X.
He may be in my Paternoster indeed.
But be sure he shall never come in my Creed. — He.
I must put all men in my Paternoster, only myself in my
Creed. — J. Adams, Wks.^ 1087. 1629,
Pray I must for others; only believe for mvself. Our
modem equivalent is: ''I don't believe in him, but I
forgive him his trespasses against me."
Suf. For me, my lords,
I love him not, nor fear him ; there *s my creed.
As I am made without him, so I 'U stand.
Shak., Henry VIII., ii. 2, 48.
Judicare.
I am taught to know in more haste than good speed
How Judicare came into the Creed. — He., Dial., L, viii.
Priest's penny,
Lucreiia. Come, let 's to the minister ; God hear my prayers
as I intend to stop mine against all my suitors.
Temperance. Well, mistress, yet peradventure they mav make
you open afore the priest have a penny for you.
Chapman, Mayday ^ ii.
God is a good man. Shak., Much Ado, HI., v. 35.
In the dole tyme there came one which sayde yt. God was a
good man. Anone came another and sayd ye devyll was
a good man, etc. — A Hundred Mery Talys, 1526, p. 140,
ed. 1866.
346
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
He will say that God is a good man,
He can make him no better and say the best he can.
Lusty Juventusy H., 0.P,
For God is hold a righteous man
And so is his dame. — A Mery GesU of Robin Hood.
" Pray'd you," quoth I, " when at the time you span ? "
" What matters that ? " quoth he, ** God 's a good man
And knows >vhat I speak in the Latin tongue,
Either at Matins or at Even-song."
Taylor (W.P.), Pedlar and a Romish Priest^ 1641.
God is a good man and will doe no harme. — Burton, AnaUmiy 0
Melancholy^ p. 670. 1632.
Petbr's pbncb. a penny to pay St. Peter. i.e. Charon.
Who has not a cross
Must sit with the loss
And no whit farther must venture,
Since the porter he
Will paid have his fee
Or else not one there must enter. — Herrick, ii. 258.
He reckons up his ream-pennies, i^. tells all his faults.—
Mactaggart, Gal. Enc.
£accarb. (Additional to my note, N. <S» g., V,, x. 10.)
Backerd, backward. — Baker, Northanis Glossary,
Baceare! you are marvellous forward.— Shak., Taming of the
Shrew f ii. i, 73.
Leo. And could you put a friend in your place, think
you?
Temperance. Nay, by'r lady, sir; back with that leg; for if
anything comes on't but well, all the burdra
will lie on me. — Chapman, Mayday^ ii.
Cf. Bakker, mare. — Cursor Mundi, 1360, E. E. Text Soc.
Ho. (p. 7) has Backere.
He that takes
Her cheeks with patience leaves the name of poor,
And lets in Fortune at a backer door.
Quarles, Hist, of Queen Esther ^ Med. 7.
InfideUtie. Pride, I tell you this desire (honour) must be ever
next your heart.
P. Nay, hoa there backare, you must stand apart. —
Lewis Wager, Enterlude of Repentance of Mary
Magdalen^ C. iii. i. 1566.
Bacare, quoth Mortimer to his sow.
Went that sow back at that bidding, trow you ? — He.
Or Backare, quoth Mortimer to his sow, se*
Mortimer's sow speaketh as good Latin as he.
♦ Say.
Or The boar shall back first (quoth she), I make a vow.
He., Ep.f HL, 194. 1562.
347
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Baw-waw,
Quoth Bagshaw. Nash, Lenten Stuffe. ? Beware.
Baugh-waugh. — Udall, Ralph Roister Doistety iii. 3. ; W. Rowley^
Witch of Edmonton, vi.
Baw = bah. ~P»^5 Plowman, C. Pass. xiii. 74, and Pass.
xxii. 398.
Baw waw. An oblique look, impljdng contempt and scorn. —
Jam.
But she was shy and held her head askew,
Looks at him with the baw waw of her e'e.
As drum and drorty* as young miss wad be
To country Jock that ne^s wad hae a kiss
Nolens or volens frae the dainty Miss.
Ross, Helenore, p. 82.
* Sullen, indifferent.
Bau-bo-peep. Far il bau a fesci dell* uscio. i^. spaventar al
cuno. Viz., to scare one with bug bears, raw head and
bloody bones. — Torr.
Hocus pocus. A conjuror's spell at the moment of transformation ;
any trick performed in a mysterious manner. Pegge says
it IS the ** Hoc est corpus** of the Mass.
See Becon, iii. 25 ; Froude, Hist, of Eng., v. 97.
Ocus bocus, quinque reque, chi nasee matto, non guarisce mai.
H. Nunez, 1555.
Ochus Bochus was a magician and daemon among the Saxons,
dwelling in forests and caves^ and we have his name and
abode handed down to the present day in Somersetshire
{i.e. Wookey Hole).— J, F. Pennic, Notes to the Dragon King
in Britain's Historical Drama, 1832-39.
Laugh and lib down. (Haz., 265); Taylor (W.P.), Laugh and
he Fat.
This appears to be Scotch. " Laugh and lay down again '*
occurs in Ferg. ; and K., in giving it, explains : Spoken
when one hath picked up anything, as if you would say
(to him) : " Give it back again, and pretend that you did
it in jest.** A curious passage in the continuation of
Johannes de Fordun, Scoto Chronicon, Lib. xvi., c. i
(iv. 1248, ed. Heame), may throw a new light :
Lauch* liis down our all
(Fallax fraus regnat ubique).
Micht gerris richt downfall
(Regnum quia rexit inique).
Trewthe is mad now thrall
(Spemunt quam dico plerique),
Bot til Christ we call.
(Periemus nos animique).
• i.#. Law.
If all your love be to laugh and lye down or to hope of gain or
reward that is none of our love. — N. Breton, Court and
Country, p. n.
348
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
I *11 laugh if you '11 lie down. — Davenant, News from Plymouth^
iv. 1 6.
Last may the bride and bridegroom be
Untouch t by cold sterility,
But in their springing blood so play
As that in lustres few they may
By laughing too and lying down
People a city or a town. — Hcrrick, iii. 6.
Hors de provos. — Miege, 1701.
Nihil ad rhombum.— Littleton, 1703.
Fuor de squadra. Off the byas. — ^Torr.
Beside the cushion.
{False,) Like bald heads with periwigs,
Like sweet powder or frizzled giggs,
With aged ladies now in fashion,
When they would play beside the cushion.
Colvil, Whig's Supplic., p. 97. 1687.
The Master of Forbes' regiment was discharged and disbanded
by the Committee of estates. Thus is he set beside the
cushion for his sincerity and forwardness in the good cause.
— Spalding, History of the Troubles in Scotland from 1624
to 1792.
L. C. J. (Jeffreys) : ** When you talk besides the cushion, do
you think any man alive is able to give an account how
you come to ramble and talk treason ? " — Tryall of Mr.
Thos. Rosewell (1684), pub. 1711, N., VIL, xii., 368. [CohheU's
State Trials^ vol. i. i66. — Ed.]
To PLAY REX.
If they go up to heaven or down to hell, or to the utmost parts
of the earth, His eye follows them and they are still naked
before Him. Therefore there is no playing their rex more
in one place, at one time than another. — D. Rogers,
Naamatif p. 520.
To SET DOWN HIS STAFF, i.e, come to an anchor.
Dromio E, Have at you with a proverb;— Shall I set in my
staflf ? — Shak., Comedy of Errors^ iii., i, 51.
The devil plays with us as Hippomanes with Atalanta seeing us
earnest in our race to Heaven, throws us here and there a
golden ball, an idle pamphlet. If Cleanthes open his shop
he shall have customers. Many a traveller then sets down
his staff though he pulls oflf his eyes with Ovid's dole
cur aliquid vidi, cur noxia lumina feci ? — Tristia, ii. ; T.
Adams, Works, p. 191.
They are held by the heel that they set down their staflf.—
D. Rogers, Naaman^ p. 443.
Now the fashion is to ask what is the least degree of true faith
that if they can make themselves believe they have that,
there they may set down their staflf. — Ih., p. 872.
849
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To PLAY BOOTY.
First I shall think it fit in this bosiness (how a child is to
act whose marriage has been forbidden by a dying parent)
that the parties resign up themselves to the judgment of
some wise and impartial man who (without plajring bootie)
may judge whether such marriage be according to God
or not. — D. Rogers, Mat. Honour^ p. 52. 1642.
Do not for base respects bear down a good cause, nor speak not
booty for a bad . . . beware lest a false heart, favouring
sin and distasting goodness cause ye to shuffle and conceal
your own power and authority in beating down sin. —
D. Rogers, Naaman^ p. 417.
Lie not therefore as two irons on both sides the loadstone:
let not your souls play booty with God in this weighty
business. — Ib.^ p. 874.
To CARRY one's BEARD ON HIS SHOULDER. f.#. tO be upOU OUe'S
guard because he that is afraid often looks behind^ and
SO his beard comes to be over his shoulder. — Pineda.
To HANG THE GROIN, i.e. the lip or snout.
Mackabroine, the gruntUl of Sanct Antoni's sow. — Lyndesay, Thru
Estates^ 2092.
Oh what choice may compare to the divel's life
Like his that hath chosen a divel to his wife ?
Namely such an old witch, such a mackabroine
As evermore like a hog hangeth the groine
On her husband, except he be her slave.
He., Dial., IL, vL
He (Solomon) lykneth a fair womman that is a fool of hir body
to a ring of gold that were in the groyn of a sowe. —
Chau., Persotus Tale, 155. ^See Skeat*s note in loc. cit. — Ed.]
To HOLD THE CANDLE. Au plus debUe la chandelle en la main.—
Cotgr.
He that worst may, must hold the candle, or the weakest goes
to the wall.— Smyth, Berkeley MS., 1639.
Ainsi la Vierge pucelle
Le doux Sauveur enfanta (conceived)
Joseph lin tint la chandelle
Qui tout tremblant regarda.
Lucas le Moigne, Noel [ImpritiU h Paris], 1525.
I shall in this good business do, as in their evil exercise the
dice-players (that gladly would but have nothing to play
for) do, hold the candle to them that have therewith and
will set lustily to it.— Robert Crowley, Way to Wealth, 1550,
p. 19.
But above aU follies in this kind that is most eminent when
parents, to make their children great, thrust themselves out
of all, that their children might succeed them in their places,
holding the candle to them while they do and act their
parts upon the stage. — D. Rogers, Mat. Hon., p. 93. 1642.
350
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
So : I 'U be a candle-holder and look on. — Shak., R. and J,y
i. 4,38.
C/. To SET UP A CANDLB. i.e. to pay honour, to propitiate.
She is a ring-leader there, and I, fearing
She would spit her vemon, thought it not evil
To set up a candle before the devil,
I clawed her by the back in way of a charm
To do me not the more good, but the less harm.
He., Dfo/., I., ix.
By hook or by crook.
And zif ]>ei schullen have ony heige sacraments or poyntes
of ^e hei3e prelates comynly ]>ei schalle bie |)em wi^ poor
men's goodis wif hook or wif crook. — Wyclif, Eng. Wks.,
E. E. Text Society, p. 250.
Neither is there any other thing in the promise than seems :
there is neither hook nor crook in God's pure intents. —
D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 503.
Without hook or crook do I intend to show them mercy. —
76., p. 834.
Thy truth is without hook or crook. — lb., p. 848.
Croket, Hoket and Loket are the names of three sharpers who
try to swindle a countryman out of a lamb he has brought
to market by persuading him that it is a dog. — Nicole
BozoD, Contes Moralitis, §117,^. 1320; Harl. MSS., 1288,
printed Anciens Textes Fran9ais, 1889.
A PAD IN THE STRAW. Something amiss. See Davies, Scourge of
Folly f Ep. 17.
Yeet do I stil fear me these fayre Junonical harbours,
In straw thear lurekcth soom pad. — Stanyhurst, Aen., i. 656.
All this and more I must confess we had,
God save, say I, our noble Queen therefore,
Hinc illae lachrymae ! there lay the pad
Which made the straw suspected be the more ;
For, trust me true, they coveted full sore
To keep our Queen and country fast their friends
Till all their wars might grow to lucky ends.
Gasc., DulceBellum Inexpertis, 177.
It is enough to point to the straw where the pad lurks. — Melb.,
PhU.y Y. 2 ; Still, Gammer Gurton's Needle, v. 2 ; Gosson,
Sch, of Ah,, 63.
Paddock, a toad. — Walton, Complete Angler, I. viii. ; Shak.,
Mach., I. I, 9; Fuller, A Pisgah Sight, &^,, III., viii. 3;
D. Rogers, Naaman, pp. 150, 467, 574.
Cf. The tad powles of toads or frogs, called pad blows in
water, which in March doeth appear. — With., 1568.
Tush, friends I thou art worse than mad :
In the shaws* there lurks an ill-favour*d pad.
G. Harvey, Letter Book, p. 127. 1573.
• ? straw.
851
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
No LOVE LOST BETWEEN THEM. — Goldsmith, She Stoops to Conquer, iv.
This has acquired an ironical meaning, implying a covert
hostility, but its primary use was bond-fide.
If love, say they, be the matter you talk of, let us alone. I
warrant you we love each other as much as anybody :
there is no love lost between us; we have one another's
heart as it were in a box. — Daniel Rogers, Matrimonial
Honour y 155, and see 240. 1642.
Heart of heart.
In my heart of heart. — Shak., Hamlet ^ iii. 2, 78.
From heart of very heart, great Hector, welcome. — Shak., Tr,
and Cres.y iv. 5, 171.
Mend or end.
And on that turn of Fortune's scene depend.
When all extremities must mend or end.
Daniel, Queen's Arcad., iv. 4. 1606.
God amend or shortly send such an end to such false brethren.
Note on Fitzosbert, who was hung in Smithfield. — Stow's
London, p. 1196. 1598.
Has or nab. — Ford, Lady's Trials ii. i.
Not of Jack Straw, with his rebellious crew,
That set King, Realm and Laws at hab or nab.
Harington, Epig. (n6), MS. in B. M. copy.
I put it,
Ev*n to your worship's 'bitrement, hab or nab.
B. Jonson, Tale of Tub^ iv. i.
Hob nob is his word : give it or take it. — Shak., Twelfth Nighty
iii. 4, 229 ; and see Butler, Hud,, II., iii. 990.
Smack-smooth.
Though the tempest top-gallant mast smack-smooth smite,
And shiver each splinter of wood ;
Clear the deck, stow the yards, and bouse everything tight,
And under-reef d foresail we 'U scud.
C. Dibdin, Poor Jack.
ToUCH-ME-NOT.
If in our towns and families it were thus that head boroughs
would consult and govern according to this rule, not
looking at their own ends asquint, but with a single eye,
what might not be done ? Whereas the most like well a
good order, and punishing of the unruly in general till it
come to my son, daughter, servant, tenant, or kmsman,
and then they have the disease in the nose called Touch-
me-not, then their wine is water and their silver tin and their
zeal turned to ashes. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 419. 1642.
Colbprophet.
Ye play coleprophet, say I, who taketh in hand
To know his answer before he do his errand.
He., Dial., I., ix.
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Once for ado. Is this a misprint for once for all ?
Let us . . . never lin till our gadding and vain hearts be
balanced and persuaded to settle once for adoe upon the
promise, as truly convinced that it is ours. — D. Rogers,
Naaman^ p. 849.
MUMBUDGBT.
Put my finger in my mouth and cry Mumbudget. — Nash, Saff.
Wal., T. 2. 1596.
Not half a word more but Mum
And the devil be her bridegroom.
Gab. Harvey, Letter Book, p. 136. 1573.
Let it be Mum to all the world. — lb., p. 76.
Proface !
An exclamation at meal times, ** Much good may it do you !*'
Where he with his gossips at a banquet late was
At which as use is, he paid all ; but let pass —
I came to be merry. Wherewith merrily,
" Proface. Have among you blind harpers," said I.
He., Dial., H., vii.
Buon.pro ti faccia, ma non come Therba ai cam. — Florio, 2d
Frutes, p. 13. 1591.
Buon pro ti faccia come fa ToUo alle scardone (crayfish) o
accuighe (anchovies) o come Therba ai cani. — Torr.
Upon point. Used parenthetically.
One among the rest stepping forth asked, '* But tell me (I pray
you) will not these servants of yours sometimes be drunk ? "
"Yes, that they would . . . Alas I" quoth he, "you
perceive nothing at all. For (upon point) these are your
masters ; you are their slaves and servants." — D. RogerSi
Naaman, p. 311.
They (Neuters and Sceptiques) say, as Balac did to Balaam,
" Neither bless nor curse." In this respect they are worse
than the former, because they utterly abandon all sense of
the Gospel and become fulsome Atheists (upon point),
neither hot nor cold, fish nor flesh. — lb., p. 868.
At a POINT. Determined.
How much good right she ever did disclose ;
He was at a poyncte to have his purpose.
Wm. Forrest, Gresyld the Second, p. 89.
A PISH OUT OF WATER.
For as ^y seyn bat groundeden fer cloysteris, bes men my)ten
no more dwelle out )>erof ^an fi3s my3te dweile out of water,
for vertu fat ^y have Jjerynne. — Wyclif, English Wovks^
E. E. Text Soc., p. 449, and Chaucer, ProL C. T,, 177.
A DOG IN A DOUBLET.
Tell me, I pray you, was ever Pegasus a cow in a cage,
Mercury a mouse in a cheese, Dexterity a dog in a doublet ?
-^Nash, Saffron Walden, G. 3, 1596.
VOL. III. 363 83
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
As e'er was dancing dog in doublet as troubled.— R; Flecknoe,
Diarium, I, 1656.
A daring, resolute fellow. Boar-hounds in Germany and
Flanders were clothed in a bufif doublet buttoned on their
bodies, as may be seen in Rubens' and Snyder's repre-
sentations of boar hunts. — G.
A COOLING CARD.
Euphues, to the intent that he might bridle the everlasting
affections of Philantus, conveied into his studie a certeine
pamphlet, which he termed A cooling card for Philantus ;
yet generally to be applied to all lovers. — Lyly, Euph,^ p. 39.
Apparently the sense is ** throwing cold water on."
How many will say, ** I myself was as hot as you, but now time
and experience . . . have made me wiser. And I warrant
you," say they, **as hot as you seem, we shall have a
cooling card for you ; and in time, when children grow on
and debtg increase and a hard world besets you, you also
will change your zeal into wisdom, and become as temperate
ones as we." — D. Rogers, Naaman^ p. 869.
A BLESSING IN A CLOUT.
** Well," quoth he, "if ye list to bring it out.
Ye can ^ve me your blessing in a clout."
** That were for my child," quoth she, " had I ony ;
But, husband, I have neither child nor money."
He., Dw/., n., ix.
Cock quean. To sit like a bean in a monk's hood.
A woman whose husband is unfaithful to her,
And where reason and custom, they say, affords
Always to let the losers have their words,
Ye make her a cock-quean (a beggar) and consume her good,
And she must sit like a bean in a monk's hood.
He., Ep.^ p. 62.
A lambskin. A beating. From Lam.
She must obey those lambs, or else a lamb's skin
Ye will provide for her, to lap her in. — He., Dw/., H., vi.
This BiTETH THE MARE BY THE THUMB, as they Say :
For were ye, touching condition, say they.
The castle of honesty in all things else,
Yet should this one thing as their whole tale tells,
Defoyle and deface that castle to a cottage.
C/. This bitt the mare by the thumb, quoth a Setter*;
But if he had said by the bum, it were better.
Da vies, Epigram^ 22.
i.e. an accuser.
Bite my thumb. — Shak., Romeo and Juliet^ i. i, 41.
A Bum-bailiff, a Setter. — Torr.
Setter. A bailiff's follower who, like a setting dog, follows and
points out the game. — Grose, C/. Diet.
314
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Widows' alms. To the bolts he must amongst thieves and rogues
and taste of the widow's alms, for drawing his dagger in a
prison. — Nash, Have with you to Saffron Walden, p. 4.
Laz. Forbear, I say ; you are a crackt virgin,
And I '11 bestow the widow's alms on you
In charity if you hold not your tongue.
Rowley, All *$ Lost by Lust, iii. 1633.
Pilate's voice.
Straight after dinner mine aunt had no choice
But either burst or burst out in Pilate's voice :
** Yea, huswife, what wind bloweth ye hyther this night ?
Ye might have knockt ere ye came, leave is light."
He., Dial., I., x.
Paulin. Like those in the West Country that after the Paulin hath
called them, or them have seen a spirit, keep themselves
dark twenty-four hours. — Nash, Saffron Walden,
Friday market. Being now to take my leave of this county
^Leicestershire), it is needless to wish it a Friday market
(the Leap-day therein, and it is strange there should be
none in so spacious a shire), presuming that defect supplied
in the vicinage. — F., W., p. 143.
The Friday-market-cross in Stamford. — 76., p. 168.
Vicar of Saint Fools.
This do ye prove by a sad tale of old Mother Maukin, that
'* thought her Saint Edmund to be no minstrel because he
was a minister, whereas in these latter days a minstrel"
(as you say) " may be a minister and serve both turns for
a need." But if Mother Maukin had been such a daukin
as to think every minister to be a minstrel, as you do every
mystery to be a Sacrament, then Martiall and Maukin a
dolt with a daukin might marry together ; and the Vicar
of Saint Fools to be both minstrel and minister, simul et
semel, to solemnize your Sacrament. — Calf hill, Answer to
Martiall, p. 236. 1565.
C/. The Vicar of Fools be your ghostly father. — Naviget
Anticyram,* W., 1616.
[* Hor., Sat., II. 3, 165.— Ed.]
The Vicar of Fools is his ghostly father. — Davies, Ep, 8 ; CI. ;
Tatham, The Rump, v. 1660.
I must needs send such idle wits to shrift to the Vicar of
S. Fooles, who, instead of a worser, may be such a
Gothamist's ghostly father. — T. Nash, Anatomie of Ahsurditie,
p. 13, repr.
Bezonian.
Lysand. O the gods ! spurned out by grooms like a base
Bisogno ! thrust out by the head and shoulders. —
Chapman, Wed, Tears.
[Pistol. Under which king, Besonian ? speak, or die.
2 Hen, IV., v. 3, 112.— Ed.]
355
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Queer street. Wrong, improper, contrary to one's wish. It is
Queer Street, a cant phrase to signify that it is wrong,
indifferent to one's wish.— Grose, Diet.
He 's in Queer Street. This modern use of the term relates to
money difficulties = to be in a fix.
In Awdelay's Ffaternitie of Vacabondis (E.E.T.S.^, 1561, the term
** quire " stands for •* career." This word may have had
some influence in making queer so common : <* Be in
Queer Street. — K. Oliphant, New Eng,^ i. 575.
To LAY one upon THE BAYARD.
The natural spirit of the haughtiest and most disdainful man
toward such as himself will abate and come down when an
exigent is upon them. And the like may be said of man
toward God when they are laid upon his bayard, and when
he hath them upon the hip by any deep and strait sore and
extremity. — D. Rogers, Naatnan, p. 30.
What a numb palsy, what a Laodicean temper of indifference,
ease and self-love hath covered us over; scarce one in a
long time gastred out of his nest of form or profaneness.
. . . Now what doth the Lord ? Surely he is fain to lay
men upon the bayard and to afflict them with one yoke or
another, either personal or general straits. — lb., p. 35.
To WALK THE PLANK.
A single plank hinged in the middle upon the bulwark, and
dropping on the deck with a slope so gentle that even
frightened people could walk up it with very slight assist-
ance till they passed the middle, when the natural tilting
of the apparatus saved them all trouble in going down.
This was the pirates' plan.
Cf. Chaucer, Prologue C. T. {^Schipman of DerUm(mthe\ 400.
If that he faught and hadde the hyer bond.
By water he sente hem hoom to every lond.
To HANG BY THE EYELIDS.
Did he not threaten the despisers of his law with astonishment
of heart, with hanging by the eyelids, an heart of heaviness
and sorrow • . . ? — D. Kogers, Naaman^ p. 494,
To DO one's dever (devoir). i,$. duty.
To rich and poor she showed always benign cheer, ready to do
her deaver in all Godly assays. — Wm. Forrest, Gresyld
the Second, 1558.
To STRAIN COURTESY. To draw back from an affected humility
when called to a disagreeable duty.
After you, Sir ! To decline an unpleasant office under pretence
of unworthiness.
Each man as then strain'd courtesy
Whilst in the ford thou thus did lie.
R. Tofte, Fruits of Jealousic.
856
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
To take a liberty. — Lyly, Mother Bombie, iii. 3.
He standing, at the Prophet's curtesie, hearing the errand, ue,
at the door of the Prophet's house.— D. Rogers, Naaman^
P- 473-
To TRY CONCLUSIONS (with One). i,e. experiments. — Sit Thomas
More, Shak. Soc.), p. 7 ; Davies, Scourge of Folly ^ p. 53,
Picture of Plague, p. 233 ; Walton, Life of Wotton.
Her physician tells me
She has pursued conclusions infinite
Of easy ways to die.
Shak., Antony and Cleopatra, v. n, 351 ;
and see the singular Ih., iv. 15, a8.
Let not any fear or favour of man embolden you to try conclu-
sions with God, to remove His landmarks, to descant upon
His statutes ; for if Prophets, Priests, and Kings have not
been able to stand it out, how much less you ! — D. Rogers,
Naaman, p. 517.
To KILL THE DAM UPON THE EGGS. i.e. to exterminate the race.
He that at one time forbids to kill the dam upon the eggs, at
another time commands to kill the women and their suck-
lings at their breasts or in travail or big with child, and yet
both lawful. — lb., p. 521.
To LIVE UPON AIR. — CI.
De quoi vit il dont, de I'air ? comme fait Testurgeon. — Meurier,
Collogues, C. 2. 1558.
Fools, they may feed with words and live by air
That climb to honour by the pulpit stair.
HaU, Sat., IV., ii. loi.
Counsels of perfection.
Their (the Papists) counsels of perfection, what tend they unto
but to pride them in a thought of greater righteousness ?
— D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 416.
I NEVER SAW ANYTHING WORSE THAN MYSELF.
" I have," saith he, ** travell'd both near and far,
By land, by sea, in time of peace and war.
Yet never met I spirit or ghost or elf,
-Or aught (as the phrase is) worse than myself."
Sir J. Harington, Ep., 86.
In the wrong box. To be.
And though some suppose that such dogs (spaniels gentle) are fit
for no service, I dare say, by their leaves, they be in a
wrong box. — Abr. Fleming, Translation of Caius on Dogs,
1575 ; Arber, E. G., iii. 248.
Turned off. Married or hanged. — G.
You will hardly suflfer before twelve o'clock, neither, aye, just
about twelve you '11 be turned off. — Cibber, Love Makes a
Man, V.
357
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
To KEEP ON BILL.
Their wages he would not long keep on bill,
The day of payment once being present,
They* had their wages without argument.
Wm. Forrest, Gresyld the Second, p. 170, 1558.
i.e. His servants.
To FIND ONE WITH THE MANNER.
The poet Homer writeth how halting Vulcan, what time he
suspected his wife Venus to have used in his absence over
much familiarity with Mars, invented this craft and policy
to take them together with the maner. — Rd. Tavemer,
Provtfhes from Erasm., 67 ro, 1552, and a few lines on " in
the maner."
To LEAVE A MORSEL FOR MANNERS. — Bale, Sir T. MoTC, C, I59O
(Shak. Soc., repr., p. ii) ; Grange, Gold, Aph,, F. iii.
If it be enough to satisfy the reader's Hunger, he need not leave
anything for manners in the dish. — F. W., N' Hants, 284.
Au serviteur (le morceau d*honneur). Last morsel the servant's
fees ; some holding it but a rude part to leave a dish empty.
— Cotgr.
Wooden dagger.
Venir pei lovo e lasciarvi la gallina. Spoken amongst gamesters.
The English say, To come off with a wooden dagger : to have
lost all, to be a clean gentleman. — Esser Ridotto in Asso.
Cf. To wear the wooden sword. To over stand the market.
- (Dorset) HU.
Wooden-spoon in Cambridge University Honours List.
Dagger of lath. — / Henry IV., ii. 4, 129. i.e. the weapon of
«* the Vice " in the Old Moralities and of the Pantomime
Harlequin.
Chrisom child, i.e. one less than a month old at its death.
Capt. Well said, ancient ; come, I '11 take your fears oE
Do not confess you are a lieutenant, or you
An ancient ; no man will quarrel with you.
You shall be as secure as chrisom children.
Shirley, Doubtful Heir, ii. 2.
The ninth error is : He who dieth quietly without ravings or
cursings, much like a chrysom child, as the saying is. —
Alex. Cooke, Country Errors, 1620. •
Shod in the cradle and barefoot in the stubble. Spoken of
those who are tenderly used in their infancy and after meet
with harsher treatment. — K.
Fifth wheel.
Speak not of haste
Thou tiest of wings to a swift greyhound's heel
And add'st to a running chariot a fifth wheel.
Dekker, Match Me in London.
La cinquiesme roue au chariot ne faict qu' empescher. — Bovelles,
Proverbia, i. 144. 1531.
358
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
A FINE NEW NOTHING. — P. in R.y 1678.
A dainty fine new nothing. — Wilson, Andronicus Comntenius, i. 4.
1664.
Used by people when children bother them for fairings.
I Ul bring you a new nothing to hang on your sleeves. — Baker,
N'hampton Glossary.
Lay o'ers for meddlers. Nail, Norfolk Dialect, i.e. whips to flog
them. Answer to inquisitive child : " Whad-nee-got i* th*
basket, mother? " — Jackson, Shropshire Word-Book ; Harland
and Wilkinson, Lancashire Legends, p. 201.
Miss Baker {Northants Glossary) seems in error when she
explains it as things laid over, covered up as a protection
against meddlers.
Across the herring pond. To be sent = to be transported. — G.
Originally it seems to have been used for any sea.
The old herring pond, the Channel between France and
England. — Poor Robin's Ollminick for 1749, Prog.
Passar el charco (pool). Crossing the sea; as we say. To go
over the herring pond. — Pineda, Spanish Dictionary, 1740.
All you get from him you may put in your bye and see ne'er
THE WORSE. He.
You may put your gains in your eye and yet see never the
worse. — CI.
Tantum donavit quantum si incidat in oculum quamvis tenerum
nihil tormente sit allaturum ; idem ipse non inficiabitur. —
Erasmus, Lett, on the Bishop of Liege.
" N* en y a de plus ? " Pas aultant que j*en cacherois en mon
oeil. — Meurier, Colloq., 1558.
Je n'en mangy par mon Dieu
Plus qu'il n'en tient dans mon yeu.
An. Th. Fr., ix, 161.
At end I might put my winning in mine eye
And see never the worse for ought I wan them by.
He., Dial., I., xi.
I may carry away my gains in my eye and not blemish my
sight. — Fulwell, Ars Adulandi, C, 3.
Cf. L'oeil des tailleurs. i,e. le cofFre. lis jurent de n'avoir
non plus de etoffe de reste qu'il en pent tenir dans leur
oeil. — (Vulg.) A. Oudin, Cur. Franc, p. 375. 1640.
L'occhio vuol la sua parte. — Torr. His eyes draw streaws.
Won with an apple and lost with a nut. Davies, Ep., 381.
He that is won with a nut may be lost with an apple. — He.
i.e. by means of a more seducing gift.
I had rather be won with an apple than that thou should'st say
I would be lost with a nut (a woman). — Melb., Phil.^ p. 47.
359
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Why not, i. An arbitrary proceeding; one without any asagned
reason. 2. A sudden event. — HU.
Lud. Sir, do you hear ? rather than sit out I will give Apollo
three of the nine at Ticktack. I do not think but
I shall take him at a Why not every other game, his
mind will be so on the Muses and upon his verses.
Lan. Apollo and his Muses take you too often with a Why not
at school. You know what should follow thereupon.
Why not, etc. — Hawkins, Apollo Shroving, iii. 4. 1626.
Ferd. This ring (given to save herself) makes her sense plain
which was hard before; and, do you hear, Ned?
'twould vex us to be hanged for ravishing an honest
woman when we think we only touse a drab and
but a scurvy Why not to oversee a gallows so. —
KilUgrew, Thomaso, II., ii. 4.
Besides, such a kind nature only seasoned with this guilt (a
little whorishness) so civiliseth (a wife); it awes her and
keeps her in bounds ; a httle guilt in that kind is such a
ring in a kind-natured heart ; it leads them through fire to
make satisfaction, especially when they see a man has so
much love as to make a Why not and oversee those
faults. — Ib.f II., iv. I.
(7 to the husband.)
O'er reach'd yoiu: rabbins of the S)mod
And snapped their canons with a Why-not.
Butler, Hudibrasy ii. 529.
Now, dame Sally, I have you at a Why-not, or I never had. —
S. Richardson, Grandison, vi. 156.
You'll be a man before your mother.
Then Cherinthus Ebion, the one confirming that circumcision
was necessary, the other that Christ was a man before His
mother. — Lodge, Wifs Mis,, p. ii.
The Mayor is a Lord for a year and a day.
But his Wife is a Lady for ever and aye.
Twelvemonth and a day.
He is a Lord for a year and a day,*
But his Wife is a Lady for ever and aye. — Nunez.
• Of the Lord Mayor of York.
Cob. No, sir ; but I go in danger of my death every hour by
her means, an' I die within a twelvemonth and a day
I may swear by the law of the land that he killed me.
— B. Jon., Every Man in his Humour, iii. 7, Giflford's
notes.
The period of time required in the common law to determine a
cause of death, or a right, or to work a prescription in
many cases. — Coke, 6, Rep., 107.
[5^ Maitland, Possession for Year and Day, — Law Quarterly
Review, v. 253. — Ed.]
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Ay, but I will not hurt her. I warrant an* she die within a
year and a day I'll be hanged for her. — Shirley, Witty
Fair One.
" Cento e un anno.** — It. Prov.^ 1536.
Uber Jahr und Tag. Peter Schlemihl is informed that he may
reconsider his bargain. — II.
I shall thee cast intill a pit,
Where thou for yeir and day shall sit
With bread and water sureUe knit,
Hard bounds intell a fetter.
Melb., PAi/., B. 3. 1603.
Tailor.
A pimping tailor. — The Fair Maid*s Choice, [Bagford Ballads^
291.] 1650-74.
Who smell out such feasts more greedily than tailors hunt upon
Sunday after weddings. — Dekker, Guirs Home-book^ ch. viii.
For it were then most tailor-like to be suspected you were in
league with some kitchen-wench to descend yourself to
offend your stomach with the right of the larder, etc. — Ib.^
ch. vii. (beginning) ; and in Wifs Interpreter, 1662, 2nd ed.
'* I bequeath my kisses to some tailor that hunts out weddings
every Sunday.** — A Lover's Will.
Nott's note on this says that at Tenby the chief groomsman
at a wedding is called " the tailor,*' who leads the bride
to the altar, after the Pagan fashion.
(J Meaning of " best man.")
See E. du M6ril, Formes du Mariage, 1861, p. 7, n., for the
office of a marriage broker.
In Brittany the tailor is the sole negotiator of marriages. —
Souvestre, Les Demiers Bretons, 1843, p. 42, etc. ; TroUope,
Summer in Brittany , 1840, ii. 3, 4, 338, 344.
Fine doings in the North when they bay the doors with tailors.
— R., 1628.
A French tailor with a yard thus long. — Tatham, The Rump,
Hotspur, Come, sing.
Lady Percy. 1 will not sing.
Hotspur. *Tis the next way to turn tailor or red-breast
teachen—Shak., / Henry IV,, iii. i, 258.
Le peuple det encore de nos yours en Bretagne quel faut.
Never trust a tailor who does not sing at his work ; his mind is
on nothing but filching.
Neuf tailleurs pour faire une homme. — Villemarque, Chants
Populaires de la Bretagne, 1846, i. 55.
2nd at. They say we tailors lay one another, and our geese
hatch us. — B. and F., Cupid's Revenge, iv. 4.
? Taylard. Su Skeat's note to Pegge's Kenticisms, Kentish
long-tails.
361
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
As pert as tailors at a wedding. — Dekker, Seven Deadly Sms cf
London, 2.
Whip, says the tailor ; whir, saith the shears ;
Take a true tailor and cut off his ears. — Ho.
Fr. Un croque-prunes. — Oudin.
Tailor. I outstrip you all ; I shall have but six weeks of Lent,
if I get my widow, and then comes eating-tide,
plump and gorgeous.
Gnotho, This tailor will be a man, if ever there were any.
Middleton, Old Law^ iii. i.
Bands of Quevedo's hungry tailors wait. — S. Wesley, Maggois^
p. 169.
Justice Greedy (complaining of the cook's dressing the wood-
cocks) :
" He has found out
A new device for sauce, and will not dish them
With toasts and butter ; my father was a tailor,
And my name, though a justice. Greedy Woodcock ;
And ere I '11 see my lineage so abused
I *11 give up my commission."
Massinger, New Way to Pay Old Debts ^ iii 2.
She loved not the savour of tar nor of pitch ;
Yet a tailor might scratch her where'er she did itch.
Shak., Tempest^ ii. 2, 50.
Down topples she.
And ** tailor " cries, and falls into a cough ;
And then the whole quire hold their hips and laugh.
Shak., Midsummer Nighfs Dream^ ii., i, 53.
** Of three times three tailors I would take the wall,
Though in a morning and at a baker's stall." — Nabbes.
There 's an old speech : A Tailor is a thief. — Taylor, A Thief.
In some parts of Germany there used to be, and perhaps is
now, a common belief that when the sun shone during rain
a tailor was going to heaven.— G/o5^, 22/7, 79.
Poor and proud, still tailor-like. — Collier's Roxhurghe Ballads^
p. 285 ; in Haz. ; Rowley, Shoemaker^ iii. 1638.
Magn, What, wyll ye wast wynde and prate thus in vayne ?
Ye have eten sauce I trow at the Taylor's Hall.
Skelton, Magnif., 1533.
Cucumber-time, tailor's holiday — when they have leave to play,
and cucumbers are in season. ~B. E., New Dictionary of
Canting Crew.
J. What made thee rise so early f
Ch. The company of half a man : expound my riddle and be a
whole Edipus.
/. It must be more than thy tailor.
Ch. Right ; his wife, who being half of himself, makes up the
third part. — T. Nabbes, Tottenham Court , iii. 2.
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
A tailor made thee. — Shak., King Lear^ ii. 2, 50.
Susan. ... I brought you to see a duel.
Dorothy. Bless me, betwixt whom ?
Susan, My Lady's gentleman and Mr. Warrant.
Drroihy, They are unequally weaponed. Mr. Spruce, though
he be a tailor, wears a — the foolish rime runs in my
head — I had almost said a dagger, but 'tis a sword ;
and my father's Clerk hath only his inkhorn.
Si^san. . . . The combatants will enter presently, the Knight
of the Inkhorn and the Knight of the Spanish
Needle. — N abbes, Covmt Garden, iii. i. 1638.
Ralph. . . . What are you. Sir ?
spruce. A gentleman Usher.
Ralph, You are a Malkin of mock. Galtry, made up of silk
and vainglory. You begin to grow out of fashion.
I will therefore have you stitcht into a case of
complements and commended to some thrifty house-
keeping lady in the country where you may save
her ladyship the charge of a tailor, and if you can
read, serve for a house Chaplain in rainy weather. —
Ih., X. 6.
1st Jockey. A pox on this undigested London liquor, its best
essence is fit for nothin' but to beget a crude sort
of females that are so impudent to turn up their
crescents by moon light.
2nd Jockey. And for its imsodden fulsome ale, 'tis only useful to
thicken the wastes of tailors to the use of their
wives: though the villains sit frequently cross-
legged, they commonly espouse greater Pagans
than themselves. — Hon. Ed. Howard, The Man
of Newmarket, iii. 1678.
Jacques. I am no woman's fool, sweet lady; 'tis two trades
in Seville, as your man's tailor, and your woman's
tailor. So your Lord's fool, and your Lady's fool. I
am for the tongue, not for the bauble. — W. Rowley,
All 's Lost by Lust, iii. 1633.
One that is not haunted with perfumers, lacemen, milliners,
silkmen, jewellers, mercers, exchange-man, seamsters ; and
heyday ! and can be contented with her husband's tailor !
one that understands not the way of smooth chinned pages
and can find both lacqueys and women in a single chamber-
maid 1 one that was never read beyond aquafortis and
tinning glass, and is as much gravelled at Spanish paper
and talk as a country vicar at a Hebrew pedigree! one
that has no aunts nor she-cousins to visit and goes not
above thrice a week to the drawers for new patterns : one,
to be short, who is all herself and thinks scorn to be her
own seamstress. — ^J. Wilson, Projectors, ii. 1665.
303
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
T. Tyler. Tom Taylor, how dost thou ?
T. Taylor. After the old sort,
In mirth and good sport.
Tailor-like I tell you.
T. Tyler. Ah, Sir, I smell you ;
You have your heart's ease
To do what you please,
But I have heard tell
That you have the hell.
Tom Tyler and his Wife^ 1598, p. 9.
Sper. Your minx had no better grandfather than a tailor, who
as I have heard was poor and proud, nor a better
father than yourself. — Lyly, Af. Bomb.^ i. 3.
A tailor will ne*er grow rich merely by his needle. — ^Torr.
When taylors forget to throw cabbage in hell
And shorten their bills, then all may be well.
Newest Academy of Compliments.
Evel3rn {Acetaria, 1699) says: *Tis scarce an hundred years
since we first had cabbages out of Holland.
Sir Anthony Ashley, of Wimborne St. Giles in Dorsetshire
being, as I am told, the first that planted them in
England.
And see Ben Jonson, Fox, ii. i.
Sir H, Evans. Pauca verba, Sir John ; goot worts.
Falstaff. Good worts, good cabbage.
Shak., Merry Wives of Windsor, i. i, 109.
Cucumbers. Tailors who are jocularly said to subsist during
the summer chiefly on cucumbers. — G., Diet
Abundance of dunghills on t'other side of the water will be
painfully improved to raise a summer's feast for taylors,
but the first of their product must be sauce for my lady. —
The World Bewitched, 1699, p. 17.
Weavers as well as Journeymen Taylors will be glad to make a
meal of cucumbers this summer, or else go to Lamb's
conduit and drink a Health to Duke Humphrey. — /6., p. 23.
Melancholy of tailors. — C. Lamb.
It 's mickle that makes a tailor laugh, but souters gims aye. — K.
The latter from the exertion of drawing through the thread.
Woman's tailor. — Shak., Taming of the Shrew, iv. 3, 59 ; 2 Henry
IV., iii. 2, 149 ; Ben Jonson, Masque of News from the New
World, S-c, I. 162; N.H.W.
Denham, writing in 1851, says : ** The primitive use of employ-
ing tailors in the making of ladies' wearing apparel has
only fallen into desuetude within the last sixty years, and
we in the last quarter of the 19th Century see it again in
full vigour among the fashionable world." — See the adver-
tisement paragraphs about weddings in the Court journal.
364
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
The following may allude to this employ of the tailor :
We tailors are the men, spite of the proverb, Ladies cannot live
without. — Rawlins, The Rebellion^ iv., 1640; H., O.P.^ xiv.
Ho» In a gentleman usher there be eight parts . • . His
boldness is the use of his manhood in right of his
lady's honour, degree, place, or privilege, at home,
abroad, in private or pubHc meeting, for the hand,
for the wall, for the what she will, for the what she
calls.
Squee. How is it regarded ?
Ho. By obtaining of suits made out of cast gowns or petti-
coats. Which if he be a tailor, as most of our
middle sort of professors are, he is thereby made a
man in spite of the proverb, and thrust into the
highway of advancement. — R. Brome, Northern
LasSf iv. I. 1632.
Tailor's mense. A portion left : a morsel for manners. — Brockett.
Tailor's hell.
That feUow's pocket is like a tailor's hell —
It eats up part of every man's due.
J. Day, Isle of Gulls, i., 1606.
Thomas the thief his chief tailor (an alliterative list). — W.
Wager, The Longer thou Livest the more Fool thou art, I568,
Sunday. (The Country Wench being drest at her lodgings).
Mrs. Comings (a tire woman). Say what you will, this wire be-
comes you best. How say you, tailor ?
Tailor, I promese you 'tis a wire would draw me from
my work seven days a week.
Country Wench. Why do you work a-Sundays, tailor ?
Tailor. Hardest of all a-Sundays because we are most
forbidden.
Country Wench. Troth, and so do most of us women. The
better day, the better deed, we think. —
Midd., Michaelmas Term, iii. i.
To HOP TO Rome with a morter on my head. i.e. the penitent's
candle.
"Morter of wax."--OrA and Reg., p. 341; Boke of Curtasye,
P- 33-
Like our morter or night-light.
Cerei anglice quadrati. — Wm. of Wyrcestre, Itinerary, p. 62.
Square wax- lights for the altar given by guilds or com-
panies of artificers. — Dallaway's n.
Primus Daemon. 1 had lever go to Rome ; yes, thrise on my fete.
Then forto grefe yond grome or with hym for
to mete. — Town. Myst., 308.
It were better to go to Rome on my head than so. — Udall,
Ralph Royster Doyster, ii. 2.
You'd as good run to Rome with a mortar on your head. —
(Minantis) CI.
865
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
So that methinkes I could fly to Rome (at least, hop to Rome,
as the old proverb is) with a morter on my head. — Kemp, W^
Nine Dates Wonder , Ep. Ded,, 1600.
No more shall man with morter on his head
Set forth towards Rome — No ! thou art bred
A terror to all footmen and all porters,
And all laymen that will turn Jew's exhorters,
To fly their conquer'd trade.
Bp. Corbet to T. Coryate.
San. I have an uncle in Seville — I '11 go see him ; an aunt ia
Siena, in Italy— I['ll] go see her.
Solo. A cousin of mine in Rome — I '11 go to him with a mortar.
Middleton and Rowley, Spanish Gipsy ^ II., ii.
For. And the very Ball of your false prophets, he 's quashed
too.
Clown. He did measure the stars with a false yard, and may
now travel to Rome with a mortar on *s head to see
if he can recover his money that way. — Beaumont &
Fletcher, Fair Maid of Inn^ v. 2. 1647.
Mason derives this from mortier (the French judge's cap
assumed by conjurors), our mortar board.
Mortier. Toque semblable a un mortier a pilon : coiffure
des presidents au parlement. Au XV. Siecle les fammes
adopt^rent une coiffure anologue qui prit ce nom. — P.
Zarb6, Note to Coquillart, Les Oeuvres^ ii. 166.
The trencher cap is also called a " mortar-board."
Old Philip. But whither wilt thou go, soon'*', ha !
Clown. Faith, father, Romo Romulus, even to Rome,
Morter morteribus, with a morter on my head.
The Frag. Hist, of Guy, Earl of Warwick^
A. 4. 1661.
i.e. son.
God mend me, I respect them no more than a flap with a fox-
tail ; and I do not beat them as ye should cuyle a side of
dried stockfish. I *11 be bound to go to Rome with a morter
on my head. — J. Day, Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green, iv.
He had better have gone on his head to Rome,
The clean, contrary way.
Merry Wit and Drollery; The Tyrannical Wife, p. 95. 1661.
Freewill. Lo, sirs, here is a fair company, God us save ;
For if any of us three be Mayor of London,
I wis, I wis, I will ride to Rome on my thumb.
Hickscorner; H., O.P., i. 168.
Some of them wore a mortar on their heads so ponderous that
they could look neither upward nor on either side, but only
downward and forthright. — Fuller, Pisgah Sight, IV., vi. 4.
366
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
Mart, Come, leave thy chamber first, and thou shalt see
This conjuror perform such rare exploits
Before the Pope and Royal Emperor
As never yet was seen in Germany.
Benv. Has not the Pope enough of conjuring yet ?
He was upon the devil's back late enough ;
And if he be so far in love with him
I would he would post with him to Rome again.
Marlowe, Faustus^ p. 133.
Wapping.
For. Come, come, let's fish for this casket, and to sea
presently.
Clown, We shall never reach London, I fear ; my mind runs
so much of hanging, landing at Wapping.
Fletcher, Fair Maid of Inn, v. 2.
Pirates and other nautical delinquents were anciently hanged at
Wapping. — Weber.
By Wapping whereas hang'd drown'd Pirats die. — Taylor,
Works, f. 181.
Wappin . . . the usual place of execution for hanging of Pirats
and Sea-rovers at the low- water mark, there to jremain till
three tides had overflowed them. — Stow's Survey of London,
ii. 64; p. 37, Ed. 1720. See Cooke, Greene's Tu Quoque, or
The City Gallant; H., O.P,, xi. 188.
St. Thomas, a waterings in Southwark, was called the Tyburn
of Kent. See Pegge's Kenticisms, Ed. Skeat, p. 11.
But that we knew it must 6e hanging breath
That must preserve us from a drowning death.
Taylor, Praise of Hempseed,
If your destiny be
To hang on a tree
Five foot from the ground
Ye shall never be drowned.
Tom Tyler and his Wife, p. 22. 1598.
The new fair. Evecheaping. — Liber Albus, p. 624.
Clement fe cobelere • cast of his cloke,
And atte new faire • he nempned it to selle ;
Hikke the hakneyman • hitte his hood after
And badde Bette pe bochere • ben on his side.
There were chapmen y-chose . this chafFare to preise ;
Whoso haveth the hood • should have amends of fe cloke, etc.
P. Plow. Vis., V. 327.
To chaffer at the new fair. — Wyclif, iii. 167.
To GIVE one's head for the washing. B. and F., Cupid's Revenge,
iv. 3 ; Bonduca, ii. 3. See Second Maid's Tragedy, H., O, P,\
Nash, Lenten Stuffe, 1598; But., Hud., I., iii. 255 ; S., P,C,, i.
To yield, submit. Lavar il capo, i.e. riprendere, reprove and
take one up. Lava la teste, Reprendre une personne. —
Oudin, Curiositez Francoises,
367
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Still in use. — Delvau, Diet, de la Langue VerU, 1867. Demul-
ceam tibi caput. Let me spit in thy mouth. — W., 1616.
(Secondary meaning of caput.) — Propertius, IL, xv. 31 ;
Mart., xi. 95.
D'un qui de peur d'estre lav6
Se tient ipart sur les renez
On presume que le pave
Luy semble plus doux que les champs.
G. Coquillart, i. 103, 15th Century.
To live in whoredom and such other detestable uncleanness is
recoimted to live like a clean and right up man, like a lusty
brute, like a joly nuflfer, like a felow that will not give his
head for the washing. — Becon, i, p. 463.
A well drawen man is he and a well taught
That wyll not gyve his hed for nought.
Hy. Med wall. Interlude of Nature^ c. 1506.
Hooker or Vowler, in his description of Exeter (1584),
speaking of the parson of St. Thomas who was hang^
diuing the siege, says : '* He was a stout man who would
not ^ve his head for the polling nor his beard for the
washing.**
Head-washing. Drinking a new-bom infant's health. — Peacock,
Lineoln, Glossary.
To LOOK AS IF BUTTER WOULD NOT MELT IN ONE*S MOUTH. He. ;
(Hypocrisia) CI. ; Latimer, Semt., p. 411 ; B. and F., Fair
Maid, iv. 2.
Butter should scant melt in their mouths. — Latimer, Serw.^
p. 157.
In a good honest matter I follow rather mine own inclination
than to take the pains to speak as butter would not melt in
my mouth. — Foxe, Acts and Monuments^ 1562-3.
Almond-butter would not melt in her mouth — so innocent —
J. Wilson, Belphegor^ iii. 4.
To MAKE MOUNTAINS OP MOLEHILLS.
Make huge mountains of small low molehills. — G. Harvey,
Letter Book, p. 14.
Windows.
Cf. Bread with eyes, cheese without eyes, and wine that
leaps up to the eyes. — R. (Span.), 1670.
The favorite child, that just begins to prattle,
And throws away his silver bells and rattle,
Is very humoursome and makes great clutter
Till he has windows on his bread-and-butter.
He for repeated supper-meat will cry
But won't tell mammy what he *d have or why.
W. King, Art of Cookery.
? his preference for light, well-baked bread, because in the
bubble-holes he got a double allowance of butter.
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
A BIT AND A BOB. i.e. a blow.
With a bit and a bob as they feed apes. — C, Wesley, Maggots^
p. 89.
Like to ape's rewards
A peece of bread and therwithal a bobbe.
Gascoigne, Steele Glass [p. 80 Arber's reprint.— Ed.]
This they* pretend because they bear a stock,
Which the poor tradesmen can by no means do,
Nor never shsdl he buy your bit and knock
When all his profits doth redoimd to you.
Yarranton, England's Improvemenif II.| 44.
* The capitalists.
A If AN SHALL AS SOON BREAK HIS NECK AS HIS PAST IN THAT HOUSE.
— He. ; A. Borde, Abuses of Rome ; Davies, £/., 350 (in a
miser's house).
Housekeeping 's dead, Saturio ! wot*st thou where ?
Forsooth, they say far hence in Breakneckshire,
And ever since, they say that feel and taste.
That men may break their neck soon as their fast.
Bp. Hall, Satires, V., u.
To HANG OUT YOUR BROOM. An invitation to bachelor friends.
Brum out o' winder, wife away from home. — Lowsley, Berkshire
Wards and Phrases.
He *s an honest man and bats no fish. i.e. on fast days.
Called Cecil's fast. A test of Protestantism.— Cowan.
In the year One. i.e. at a time ever so remote.
" Religion was a gentle maid,"
Quoth Boniface again,
" In the year One ; but since, she 's spoil'd
By wicked, artful men."
Peter^Pindar, Orsm and Ellen, iii.
For my sins. — Middleton, The Widow, iii. 2.
So pressed her head with amorous hand,
When lo ! two large black pins
That slily lurk'd within her hair
Attack'd him for his sins. — Peter Pindar, ut sup.^ i.
Farewell forty pence, Jack Noble is dead. — CI. Contemptus
et vilitas.
Gramercy, forty pence : Jack Noble's dead. — Ho.
{Dismissing her lover.) At one word farewell, forty pence too dear.
Of three shillings, I never meant to be at
any more cost with you. — Melb., Phil.,
T.s.
Englishmen for my money. — A play by William Haughton. 1616.
VOL. III. 369 94
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Next the heart.
Infidditie. Pride, I tell you this desire* must be ever next your
heart,
Nay, hoa there, backare, you must stand apart ;
You love me best, I trow. Mistress Mary.
Mary. For an hundred pounds I would not say the contrary.
Lewis Wager (Clerk), EnUrlude of Repentanct
of Mary Magdalen^ C. iii. 1567.
• Honour.
Baccare.
The Physician. And what would ye gesse.
Shall I consiune myself to restore him now ?
Nay, backare (quoth Mortimer to his son).
He can before this time in no time assine
In which he hath laid down one penny by mine.
He., Dial.^ L, xi.
Thus (not being able to sleep), with many a sobbing sigh and
scalding tear, he wrested forth the tedious night, in hopes
that if the Muses Thalia and Polyphymnia or favoured his
tongue, as well as Phoebus and Calliope the direction of
his pen, his rising would be on the right side on that day.
Yet wrested he so his effeminate bande to the siege of back-
ward affection that both trump and drum sounded nothing
lot their larum but Backare, baccare. — Grange, Gold.
AphrodiHs^ Z). iii. i.
RoisUr. Shall he speed afore me ? Nay, sir, by sweet Saint
Anse!
Ah, sir, Backare, quod Mortimer to his sow :
I will have her, mine own self, I make God a voce.
Udall, Ralph Roister DoisUr, i. 2.
HowDYE. I. A greeting, How do ye? S^^ Nares. 2. A midwife^
— Cunninghame, Glossary to Bums.
And then to requite your gallonde of godbwyes,
I regive you a pottle of howdyes.
Gab. Harvey, Letter 73th, p. 90. 1573.
E'en a good, honest man's daughter that shall bring him no
charge (as his wife) nor put him in fear of being all out by
her £ndred. One that shall never send her husband on a
howdye, or keep more coaches in town than he has ploughs
going in the Country. — J. Wilson, Projectors, ii.
A messenger. " This Howdee do I mean with a cast Gown to
put in apparel and make my Gentleman Usher." — Brome,
Northern Lasse, L, vi.
A mess. Disordered state of affairs. — (Irish) Palmer, Folk
Etymology.
LucKYHOOD. A child's caul.— Scott, Quentin Durward, xxxi.
A hurra's nest. a state of confusion (a woman's word). —
Bartlett, Diet, of Americanisms.
370
Digitized by
Google
PHRASES.
It seems to correspond to *' kettle of fish.'* — Sam Slick, Human
Nature^ p. 56.
A hurrah's nest, everything on top and nothing at hand. Ship
in confusion in a gale of wind. — Dana, quoted by Cowan,
Sea Proverbs,
I MUST PLAY Bbnall WITH YOU. A frequent speech when the
guest immediately after meat, without any stay, departeth.
—Smyth, Berkeley MSS., 1639.
The business end (of a thing). American.
The man in the street. Representative of the outside public.
Certain patriots in England devoted themselves for years to
creating a public opinion that should break down the Corn
Laws and establish Free Trade. " Well," says the man in
the street, " Cobden got a stipend out of it." — Emerson,
Conduct of Life [Worship'\, p. 171, vol. v. Lond., 1883.
To MAKE BOTH ENDS MEET.
Cf. II ne pent nouer au bout de I'an, les deux bouts de sa
serviette ensemble. He is a clean gentleman, or hath
nothing left him by the year's end. — Cotgrave.
371
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS,
PROVERBS AND PROVERBIAL
PHRASES.
With references to Authors by whom
the same are used.
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS, PROVERBS AND
PROVERBIAL PHRASES.
With references to Authors by whom the same are used.
Vox Populi vox dicta Dei est : Proverbia quid sunt ?
Sunt Populi voces : ergo Divina loquuntur.
Ho., Paroem.f p. lo.
The common people alone have the privilege of making proverbs. —
Ho., Dedication f New Sayings^ i^SQ*
Dro. E. Have at you with a proverb. — Shak., Comedy of Errors^ iii. i ,
51-
Proverb'd with a grandsire phrase. — Shak., Rom. &* Jul.^ i. 4, 37.
Grounding thdr fat faiths upon old country proverbs. — B. and F.,
Wa Without Mofuy,\.i.
Thrifty hobnail proverbs to clout his discourse. — Earle, Microcosm^
xxii. (A plain country fellow.)
But then their saying penny proverbs comes. — Porter, Two Angry
WomeHf 1599.
Who fears a sentence of an old man's saw
Shall by a painted cloth* be kept in awe.
Help to Discouru, 1621, p. 338.
* The hangings of the chamher.
But al for noght I sette noght an hawe
Of his proverbes, nof his olde saw,
* Ne I wolde nat of him corrected be.
I hate him that my vices telleth me.
And so do mo, God woot ! of us than I.
Chau., Wife of Bath (Prol.), 6231.
Sulpiiia. Peace, peace : now yare so wise as if ye had eaten
Nothing but brains and marrow of Machiavel.
Chichon. You tip your speeches with Italian motti,
Spanish refiranes, and English ** quoth hes.*' Believe me,
There's not a proverb salts your tongue, but plants
Whole colonies of white hairs.
Don Zancho, Oh what a budness
These hands must have when you have married me, Chi,
To pick out sentences that over-year you !
Tomkis, Albumaxar, 16x4, iv. 13.
876
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A Cooper's wit or some such busie spark,
Illumining the high constable, and his clerk,
And all the neighbourhood, from old records,
Of Antique proverbs, drawn from Whitsun-lords.
And their Authorities at Wakes and Ales
With country precedents and old wives' tales.
We bring you now to show what different things
The cotes of clowns are from the Courts of Kings.
B. Jonson, Tale of a Tub (ProL).
a brief text
As sweet methinks as short, such words imply
Little less than a demi assignation —
All puddings have two ends, and most short sayings
Two handles to their meaning. — Elvira ^ iv. 1667.
By George Digby, Earl of Bristol.
Out of monmnents, names, words, proverbs, traditions, private
records, and evidence, fragments of stories, passages of books
and the like, we do save and recover somewhat from the
deluge of time. — Bacon.
Howell calls Proverbs ** natural children, legitimated by prescription
and long tract of ancestral time."
A nation's proverbs are as precious as its ballads, as useful, and
perhaps more instructive.— Q«ai^/y Revuw^ July, 1868.
His sententiis utendum non tanquam cibis sed veluti condimentis
id est, non ad societatem, sed ad gratiam. Praeterea ne quovis
inseramus loco: quemadmodum enim ridiculum sit si qui-
busdam locis gemmam alligatis itidem absurdum si non suo
loco adhibueris adagium sive proverbium. — Erasmus, Ad.
II Proverbio s'invecchia,
E'chi vuol far bene vi si specchia. — ^Torr.
iElfred ... in proverbiis ita enituit ut nemo post ilium amplius. —
Wharton, Anglia Sacra, i. 289.
Solomon made a Book of Proverbs, but a book of proverbs never
made a Solomon. — Christy.
What flowers are to gardens, spices to food, gems to a garment, and
stars to heaven, such are proverbs interwoven in speech. —
(Hebrew) Epigraph to J. K. Arthur's Banquet of Brevities^
1896.
A bad agreement is better than a good lawsuit.
Mas vale mala avenencia,
que buena sentencia. — Nunez, 1555.
E meglio un magro accordo che una grassa sentenza.
A bad beginning often makes a good ending. — Surtees, HandUy Cross^
c. 28.
Evil beginning hours may end in good. — B. and F., Knight of Malta.
376
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A bad custom is, like a good cake, better broken than kept. — R., 1670.
Mauvaise constume at bonne fouasse fait bon rompre. — Joub.,
Ef. Pop., I., i. 6.
Old customs, if they be evil customs, are better broken than kept. —
T. Hall, Funebria Florae, p. 31. 1660.
Let old customs be no prescriptions and set a good one against a
bad. — Daniel Rogers, Mat. Hon., p. 53. 1642.
A bad paymaster is badly served. Wages shrewdly paid is often-
times recompensed with shrewd service. — Horm., 7., 221.
A bagpipe will not lightly* speak until his belly be full. — Davies.
♦ i.e. easily.
Cf. Capon Justice. — Shak., As You Like It, ii. 7, 154.
Basket Clerk (Sportularius). A portion of food allotted out of alms
to the clergy. — Milton, Means to drive hirelings out of the Church.
A basket justice, a Jyll justice, a good forenoon justice. — R., 1678.
One of Taylor's Brood of Cormorants is a Basket Justice.
He *11 do justice right or wrong. — R., 1678.
F. has made one sentence of the two (Haz., p. 2).
Being blinded by bribes, he is (fig^ in the basket or in the
dark : an expression still in use. Cf. Basket in Hll.
A bastard mav be as good as a bowstock by a time. — K. Two
kinds of cabbages.
A battle is never lost until it is won.
A beggar can never be (made) bankrupt.— CI. ; (W., 1616).
Who trades without a stock has nought to fear. — Cibber, Prol. to
Love's Last Shift.
A beggar doth not beggar or deceive
Others by breaking a bankrupt knave.
Taylor (W. P.), The Beggar, 1621.
A beggar is never out of his way. — Dr.
As sone may a man in a beggar fynd,
As proud an hart as in a lorde, which groweth out of kynde.
E. More, Def of Women, 545. 1560.
A beggbg mother is better than a ploughing father. — Ulster J. of
Arch. (370), VII., 278.
A b^gar pays a benefit with a louse. — R., 1678.
A begun turn is hauf ended. — Ry.
A begun work is half ended. — Ferg.
A beltless bairn cannot lie. — lb.
A belly too much burthened is not meet unto labour.— Becon, i. 517.
A bit but and a bit ben *
Makes a moyf maiden at the board en. — K.
* f .#. in doors and out of doors, f Modest.
Ry. has mim. An insinuation against "no appetite" of
Misses.
A black hen may bring forth white eggs. — (Education) Dr.
377
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A black raan as good as a white.— (Beauty) Dr. ; Haz., p. 3.
A big place
An anxious face. — Ch.
A bumbleldte (blackberry) wi' a spider in't i.e. a bad bargain. —
Denhaniy Folk Lor$ of the North of England^ p. 16. 1858.
A blate bleat (f.#. shy) cat makes a proud mouse. — K. ; Ferg.
It maids a pert mous ane unhardy catt. — Bannatyne, MS.^ 1568.
A blazing star will shoot. iJ. a comet. — Grang6| Golden
AphroditiSf iii.
A blind man may by CDrtime catch a hare. — ^Taylor (W. P.), Kichsey
Wing.
A blind man may kill a hare. — Porter, Two Angry Women ; H., O J^.,
vii- 357.
A blind archer may kill a hare.— T. Adams, Whs.^ p. 113. 1629.
As the blind man catcheth the hare.
[Mr. W. C. Hazlitt attributes this to Hantkt, 1603. If he
means thereby Shakespeare's play, this is incorrect ; if to
the Hystorie of Hambletf this did not appear until 1608.
The saying is not in Shakespeare at all if the Concordances
are to be relied upon. — Ed.]
A blind man may (sometime) hit a cow. — Armin, Nest of Ninnies,
A blind man may catch a crow (Fortuitus eventus). — CL, 1605,
p. II, rep.
A blind man may catch a hare. — CL Su Haz., 360.
A blot is no blot till it hits. — ElliSt Modem Husbandman^ May^ 186 b.
A blot is no blot till it is hit.— By. ; T. Brown, Wks., T. 157.
Mrs. G. Look ye, mii^tress, now I hit ye.
Mrs. B. Why ay, you never use to miss a blot,
Especially when it stands so fair to hit.
(They are pla3ring at tables, i.e. back-gammon). — Porter, Two
Angry Women^ p. 2.
A blot 's no blot
Till it 's hot. — Evans, Leicestershire Words.
A blot is no blot until it be hit. — Wilson, Cheats^ V. 3.
A blot is not a blot until it be hit.
A blot that will still be a blot, in spite
Of all that grave apologists may write.
Cowper, Expostulation.
A byle (boil) that is lang beilit brekis at the last. — Bannatyne, MS.^
1568.
A bonny bride is soon busket,
And a short horse is soon whisket. — Ry.
A fair bride is soon buskt.
And a short horse is soon whispt. — Fearg.
A book borrowed is sooner read than a book bought. — Ho., Five
Centuries of New Sayings^ 2d. Cent.
878
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A bookcase will always hold another book.
A borrowed len should come laughing home. — Ferg.
A borrowed loan should come laughing home. — K. i,e. not injured.
A borrowed len should gae laughing home. — Ry.
A bowling green, or a bowling alley, is a place where three things
are thrown away besides the bowls, viz., time, money and
curses, and the last ten for one. — The CompUat Gamester^
2d. Edn., 1680.
A bribe entereth everywhere. — Dr.
A bribe will enter without knocking. — CI.
A broken leg is stronger when 'tis well set. — CI.
Amantium irae, etc. — CI.
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, and their
contentions are like the bars of a castle. — Prov.^ xviii. 19.
Thus bullies bluster till their eye
Beholds the shocking danger nigh,
And then with scandal and disgrace
They fly from what they dare not face.
E. Ward, British Wonders^ p. 31. 1717.
A bully is always a coward. This is one of Chas. Lamb's Popular
Fallacies^ which he humorously controverts.
A building is never so fiill but that it will hold one person more.
A calling is no burthen. — Ad., 1622. Artem quaevis alit terra.
A carpenter is known by his chips. — S., Polit$ Conversation^ ii.
You may know a carpenter by his chips. — Forby, E, A .
C/. He's nae gude weaver that leaves laog threums. —
Ctmningham, Glossary to Bums.
A I'ouvraRe on cognit I'ouvrier,
comme a Lei pomme un bon pomier. — M., 1590.
A cat sees best in the dark. — B. and F., Love's Cure^ ii. i.
H. V faith if I thought nobody would see me.
C. Tush, fear not ; Swoons, they must have cat's eyes, then.
H. Then kiss me then.
Porter, Two Angry Women ; H., O.P., vii. 353. 1599.
A child* is fed with milk and praise. — Quoted C. Lamb, Pop, Fall.^
" Home is Home." ♦ Babe.
A chuck tmder the chin is worth two kisses. — S., PoUte Conversation, i.
A chance shot will kill the devil. — (Irish) Christy.
A clean hand is happy. — Ho., British Adages, p. 19.
A clean-fingered housewife and an idle, folk say. — Ho.
Palsg., A col., L. 4, speaks contemptuously of "clean fingered
dames."
Let them be no delicate minions, nor no white-fingered huswives
which can do nothing else but trick up themselves like
poopets and prick upon a clout without any gain. — Becon,
Works, i. 523.
379
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A coach and four may be driven through any Act of Parliament.
Trovata la legge trovata la malitia. — ^Torr.
A cobbler is a king at home. — Dr.
Every man is a king at home. — Dr.
When we the orgies sing,
Each Cobbler is a king,
Nor dreads he anything.
Herrick, To Bacchus^ ii. 363.
A cock fights well on his own dunghill. — W., 1616.
A cok is most my3ty on his dongehille. — Higden, by Trevisa^ vii. 5.
A cock 's ay crouse on his ain midden-head. — Ry.
A cock is crouse in his own midding. — Ferg., 1675.
A coin that 's crook
Brings more to t' rook.
Harland and Wilkinson, Lancash. Leg.^ p. 227.
A cold hand and a warm heart.
A cold goes through the house ; i^. all the inmates have it in turn.
A cold must have its course.
S' il faut laisser faire son cours au rheume. — ^Joubert, Er. Pop.^
II. ; Prop. Vulg., 214. 1579.
Un bon rheume dure quarante jours. --J^.
A competent teacher ought always to keep two pages ahead of his
pupil.
A constrained promise is better broken than kept. Votum extortum
non est servandum. — CI. Su Every disease.
A Corporation possesses no conscience to be pricked nor body to be
kicked.
A couple well met. Non compositus melius cum Bitho Baccbius
(two famous gladiators). — By.
A coward possesses no conscience to be pricked nor body to be
kicked. — Haz., p. 4.
Ja de busard ne frez von prenant esperver. — Prov. dc Vilam.
Nultow never late ne skete
A goshawk maken of a kete :
Ne faucon maken of a busard,
Ne hardy Knight mak of a coward.
K. AUsauttdre, ed. Weber, 3047.
Ce o!, dire en reprovier.
Que Ten ne puet fere espervier,
En nule guise d'ung bosart.
This have I herd ofte in seying.
That man ne may, for no daunting.
Make a sperhauke of a bosarde.
Chau., Ro. ofR.t 4031.
A coward often changes colour. — CI. i.e. pretext.
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A complete Christian must have the works of a Papist, the words of
a Puritan, and the faith of a Protestant. — Ho., Familiar
Letters^ Book II., xi.
A crabbed knot a crabbed wedge must have. — Dav., Sc. of FMy^
p. 68.
Malo nodo malus quaerendus ctmeus.
To a crabbed knotte must be sought a crabbed wedge. — Tavemer,
Er. Prov.^ f. 5. 1539.
A crooning cow, a crowing hen, and a whistling maid boded never
luck to a house. — K.
A cruning cow and a whistling maiden are two tmsonsy things. —
Brockett, North Country Words.
A cup in the pate is a mile in the gate. — S., P. C, ii.
Les chevaux en vont mieux
quand les chevaucheurs ont bien beu.
Joub., Er. Pop., II„ 93.11
Faire jambes de vin. — lb.
Sueles y vino
andan camino. — Pineda, Spanish Did.
Bon vin
rechauffe le chemin. — Meurier, 1590.
A butcher's cur doth never alter his nature. — Melb., Phil.y p. 50.
A cur will be a cur, a clown will be a clown. — Burton, AmU. of
Melan.f II., iii. 3.
Ablue pecte canem canis est, quia permanet idem. — MS. Trim.
Col, Ox., 2, 45.
A cur will bite before he bark. — C, 1629.
A cur bites before he bark. — CI.
Swie man vest den hunden mite
So htot dock i emer hundes site.
Friedank, ed. Grimm, p. 138.
Lavez chen, peignez chen,
Toute vois nest chen qe chen.
MS. Corpus Christi Coll., Camb., No. 450.
A curly head, a hasty temper. — Christy.
A curst cow gives a pail of milk and kicks it down with her heels. —
C, 1629.
To a curst cow short horns. — Perdval, Sp. Gram., 1599.
The curst cow has short horns. — CI. ; T. Lodge, Wifs Miserie, p. 18.
1596.
An ill-willy cow should hae short horns. — Ferg.
The curstest cow hath the shortest horns. — Greene, Quip for an
Upstart Courtier,
Few curst Kie have long horns. — Melb., Phil., Y. 2.
Shrewde Kyne shall have shorte homes. — Gosson, An Apol. of the
Sch. of Abuse, p. 64.
881
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A curst dog must be tied short.— C, 1629; CL; Shak., Twelfth
Night, iii. 2, 39.
A curst cur must be tied short. — CI.
A damaged leg in bed should rest,
An arm be laid at nurse on breast.
Bras a la poictrine,
Jambe en gesine. — Cotg.
This renders, I think, the meaning of the following treatment
of varicose veins : —
'* Ye must command the patient to keep his leg higher than his
body alway in his bed, that blood descend not down again.
For this point be necessary if he will be cured of his mdady
according to the popular proverb : Gamba al lecto, braso
al pecto, which willeth the hand to be kept at the bosom
and the leg in the bed." — Bixllein, Bulwarhe ofDef, [Sorenes
and Chyrurgt], f. 35. 1562.
Sec The sore arm : El pie en el lecho
y el braco en el pegho. — Nunez, 1555-
La mano al petto,
la gamba al letto.
Joubert, Er. Pop.^ II. 1579.
A daft nurse makes a wise wean.— Ry.
A Dead Wife (under the table— S., F. C.) is the best goods in a
man's house. — R., 1678.
Bendita sea puerta
por do sale muger muerta.
A dear ship stands long in the haven. — Ferg.
Whether a daw sit, or whether a daw fly,
Whether a daw stand, or whether a daw lie,
Whether a daw creep, or whether a daw cry.
In what case soever a daw doth persever,
A daw is a daw, and a daw shall be ever.
Tarlton's Jests, 161 1, p. 34 (Shak. Soc.).
A denk (neat, trim) maiden makes a dirty wife. — K.
A dinner party should not be less than the Graces nor more than
the Muses.
If I may my serious judgement give,
I 'm wholly for King Charles* number five.
That was the stint in which that monarch fixed,
Who would not be with noisiness perplexed.
And that, if thou agree to think it best,
Shall be our tale of heads without one other guest.
Swift, John Dennis* Invitation.
A decent boldness ever meets with friends. — Arthur, Banquet of
Brevities.
A Diurnal maker* is the sub-amnerf to an Historian. — Ho.
• i.f. journalist. t Almoner.
3S2
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
" A doctor is a man who puts drugs of which he knows little into a
body of which he knows less." — ^Justice Stephen, Trial of
Florence Maybrick, August, 1889.
** I intend to make merry with my parishoners this Christmas for
all the sorrow, lest perchance I never return to them again,
and I have heard say that * a doe is as good in winter as a
buck in summer.* " — Latimer, Letters, VI., 1531 (Parker Soc).
A dog *s obeyed in office. — Shak., King Lear, iv. 6, 159.
A dog in a doublet, bitch in a basket. — Ho.
They have been at the Ape's Academy these six months to breed
them fine gentlemen, and yet there's a cobbler*s dog in a
doublet that lives in a cellar in the louvre has outrevelled
them both, and passes for a finer gentleman. — Killigrew,
Thomaso, II., i. 2.
Then all this while have I been bubbled,
I thought it was a dog in doublet ;
The matter now no longer sticks,
For Statesmen never want dog-tricks.
Swift, Upon the Horrid Plot.
A dogged mind is the worse for beating. — Horm., V., p. 94.
A dram of mirth is worth a pound of sorrow. — CI.
One dram of curtesy is worth a whole pound of discourtesy. — Melb.,
Phil., p. 47.
A drunken man cannot lie. — Ad., 1622.
Drunken folk tell the truth.— Wr.
A drunken wife (will get*) the drunken penny, [but a drudge will
get a dark (day's work)] . — K
• 1^ ay.— Ferg.
A dumb man holds all. — Ferg.
A dimib man wins nae law. — Ry.
A duck of a boy makes a goose of a man.
A fair day (in winter — H., 2) is mother of a storm. — CI.
A fair bird hath fair feathers (Nobilitas). — CI.
A fair face must have good conditions. — D. i.e. temper, disposition.
Cf, Better in health than condition, and an ill-conditioned fellow.
[A] fadr offer [is] no cause of feud. — K.
A false heart never japed* fair lady. Timidi nunquam statuerunt
trophoeum. — (Er.), Tav., f. 43 ro., 1552.
* See Japing in HalliwU).
A false water drinker there liveth not. — He., Dial., II., v.
A false tongue will bring up a false report. — Dr.
A fault is sooner found than mended.— Fulwell, Ars Adulandi, H. 4.
A feather bed has no fellow*. — Lyly, Alexander Campaspe, &»c., v. 3.
* i.e. equal. Spring mattresses were then unknown.
A fellow feeling makes us wondrous kind. — Garrick, Prologue on
Quitting the Stage.
Non ignara mali, miseris succurrere disco. — Virg., ^n., i. 630.
883
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A fidgingf mare should be weel girded. — K.
t f^. skittish.
A fig for my godson. — C, 1629. Contemptus. — CI.
A findsily bairn gars his daddy be hanged. — K. Lucky at finding
(find soeiig) things that were never lost.
A fishing rod has a fool at one end and sometimes a fish at the other.
A filthy tale seldom wanteth filthy auditors.—Cotgr. A cul de
foirard toui siours abonde merde.
A firm has to keep a name, but a company only to earn a dividend.
A fit night to steal away a fair lady ; viz., a dean moonshine. — Ho.
Questa notte serena sarebbe a punto como daper chi volesse
involare la moglie di qualcune. — Ho., 2nd Fr.^ xii.
Col. Oh, 'twas a delicate night to run away with another
man's wife. — S., P. C, i.
They say a moonshine night is good to run away with another
man's wife, but I am sure a dark night is best to steal
away my father's daughter. — Rowley, Match ai Midnight^ IV.
A flea-bitten (or roan) horse never tires. — B. Jonson, Bart. Fair^
iv. 3. Cf. Porter, Two Angry Women \ H., O.P., vii, 280; i.
A fleer would ay have a follower. — K.
It was a mediaeval saying that, '< A fool is never a complete fool
unless he knows Latin." — N., VIII., viii. 253.
A fool answereth to a question before he be asked. — Dr.
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and
shame unto him. — Prov.^ xviii. 13.
A fool of a nurrish makes a wise child. — K,
A fool oft puts his finger in a hole. — Ds., £/., 199.
A fool will still himself annoy. — Paradise of Dainty Devices^ p. 109.
Ce que me lie,
C'est ma folie.
A fool is a fool to the end of the chapter.
Male semaine, mal an, mal tousiours,
Fat un jour, fat un an, fat tousiours.
Joubert, Er. Pop.^ II. (41).
Cf. Prov.f xxvii. 22.
A fool is ever laughing. — Breton, Crossing ofProv., i.
A fool is fulsome. — Ho.
Nothing so fulsome as a she fool. — Lily, M. Bonib.^ ii. 3.
A fool speaketh truth at sometime. Saepe etiam est olitor valde
opportuna locutus. — Ad., 1622.
The proverb's chapmen, that buy Bartholomew's babies with the
Tower of London. — Richard Whitlock, Zootomia, p. 300. 1654.
For it is oft said of men both yong and old,
A fool will nat give his babyll for any gold.
Bar., Ship of FoolSy i. 256.
A fool will not his bable change not for the septer of a King. —
Paradise of Dainty Devices^ 24.
384
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A fool in his bable hath pleasure for to toy. — Bar., EcL^ iv. ; and see
Fools (post).
A fool will hardly forego his bable for the Tower of London. —
Grange, Golden Aphroditis, i577> Ep. Ded.
A fool will not give his bable for the Tower of London. — Ferg., Dr.
A fool will not give his bable for the King's Exchequer. — T. Adams,
Works, p. 774. 1629.
The fool will not part with his bable for the King's Exchequer
(pertinacia — CL). — F. W. ; Davies, Scourge of Pollys Pref., 15,
The fool will not leave his bable for the King's Exchequer.
Unusquisque suum crepitum melle suaviorem existimate. —
W., 1616; Porter, Two Angry Wonten; H., O. P., vii. 359.
The fool will not loose his bable for a King's Exchequer. — Manning-
ham, Diary, iii. loi. 1602 [Camd. Soc.]
A fooles belle is sone nmge. — Ch., Romaunf of the Rose^ 5266.
A fool's paradise is a wise man's helL — Fuller, Holy Staie^ V., xx.
A fool's handsel is lucky. — Ben Jonson, Bart. Fair, ii. i.
A fou man and a hungry horse ay mak haste home. — Ry.
A fou heart is ay kind, i,e. a man in his cups shows impertinent
fondness. — K.
Quhen fuillis are fow then are they faine. — Lyndsay, Three
Estates, 4285.
A foul abuse long abides. — Ho., British Adages, p. 12. Evil dies hard.
A foul foot makes a fou wemb. — Ferg., i. 2. An active, industrious
man can feed well.
A foul word is good enough for a filthy knave. — Greene, Theeves
Falling Out [1592], 1617.
A fox killer would murder his father.
A French song and a fiddle has no fellow*. — Shak., Henry VIIL^
i. 3, 41. ♦equal.
A friend from the teeth outward (Lingua amicus). — W., 1616;
J. Wilson, Projectors, L, 1665.
A friend is best found in adversity. — Breton, Crossing ofProv., i.
A fiiend to all is a friend to none (Amico d'ognuno).
Amigo de todos y de ninguno
todo es uno amico di nessuno. — Nunez, 1555.
A friend will help at the time of need. — C, 1629.
A friend will help at a dead lift.— C, 1636 ; Ad., 1622.
A full seek will take^a clout on the side. — Ferg.
A full stomach is a Vindmill. — Dr. i,e. produces flatulence.
A full heart lied never. — Ferg.
A full staumrel* is half a general. — Allan Cunningham, Glossary
to Burns. Is this Goldsmith's ** inspired idiot " ?
♦ Half-witted blockhead.
A galled horse never wincheth till he be touched. — Melb., Phil., L.
Cf. Shak., Hamlet, iii. 2, 237.
VOL. III. 385 25
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A gardener has a big thumb-nail. i^. manages to carry o£f a good
deal of his master's property. — Northall, Folk Phrases of Four
Counties.
Cf, An honest miller.
A gaoler's conscience and his fetters made both of one metal. — Ho.
A gaund* foot 's ay getting [Ry.] though it were but a thorn. — K.
♦ Going.
A gangand foot 's ay getting an it were but a thorn. — Ferg.
Gangand fote ay getes fode. — Cursor Mundi^ 1569 ; MS. Cotton^
Galba, E.E.T.S.
A general favourite is never quite true.
A gentle hound should never play the cur. — Skelton, Garl, of Laurel..
A gentle horse would not be over sair spurred. — Ferg.
A gentleman is the devil's imitation of a Christian. — Bp. Temple^
On Good Manners.
A gentleman is one who will rather bear pain than inflict.
A gentleman 's a gentleman that has a clean shirt on, with some
learning. — Histrio-mastix, u. 1610.
A gift long waited for is sold, not given.
A gift oft sought ;
Nor thanked, nor bought.
Ho., British Adages^ p. 23.
Dono molto aspettato,
'e venduto, non donate.
La trop attendu
Semble bien cher vendu. — Meurier, 1588.
Long tarrowing takes all the thank away. — Ferg.
A gift blindeth the eyes of the wise. — Deut.f xvi. 19.
Gifts blind the eye. — T. Adams, p. 662.
A given game was never won. Spoken when one desires us to give
up our game as desperate. — K.
A gloved cat was never a good hunter. — Ferg.
A good " be still " is worth a groat. — He. ; Dr.
The peril of prating out of tune by note,
Telleth us that a good " be still " is worth a groat.
He., Dial., I., iv.
A good apprentice will be a good master. — CI.
Nemo bene imperat nisi qui paruerit imperio. — CI.
A good bowler and a honest man. See Ho., Parley of Beasts, and
Porter, Two Angry Women ; H., 0,P., vii. 282.
An honest man and a good bowler (contemptus). — CI.
Cf. It is a thing I have observed long,
An Archer's mind is clear from doing wrong.
Taylor (W. P.), The Goose.
386
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Costard. A foolish mild man ; an honest man, look you, and
soon dasht. He is a marvellous good neighbour,
faith, and a very good bowler : but, for Alisander,—
alas, you see how 'tis — a little o*er parted. — Shak.,
Love's Labour Lost^ v. 2, 575.
A good beginning maketh a good end. — Dr.
Of a thing well begun succeedeth a prosperous end and a happy
conclusion. — £. Hall, Chron., p. 49. 1548.
A good beginning makes a good ending. — CI. ; Ferg.
A good conscience fears no colours. — CI.
A good contriver is better than an early riser. — Havergal, Hereford*
shirs Words.
A good cook can make you good meat of a whetstone, as it is said. —
Cogan, H, of Healthy p. 149.
A good cook (as Dr. Boord saith, Dyetary, xviii., 1567) is half a
physician. — Cogan, H. of Healthy p. 124.
A good cow may have an ill calf. — Ferg.
Some boughs grow crooked from the straightest tree. — Drayton,
Barrons Wars^ v. 29,
My trust.
Like a good parent, did beget of him
A falsehood in its contrary as great
As my trust was. — Shak,, Temp.y i. 2, 93.
A good custom must root out that which an ill hath brought in.— ^Dr.
A good deed is never lost — Dr.
Nul bienfaict perdu. — Cordier, 1538.
A good dog never barkt bout a bene*. — Ferg.
* %.$. a bone.
At Paris, at Rome,
At the Hague, they *re at home :
The good fellow is nowhere a stranger.
Denham, On Mr, KUligrew's Return from Venice.
A good fellow is a costly name. — K.
A good fellow never lost but at an ill fellow's hand. — K.
A good fellow tint* lost but at an ill fellow's hand. — Ferg.
* never.
A good fire is one half of a man's life, and bed is the other half. —
(Span.) E. C'est demye vie que de feu. — Nunez, 1555.
Le feu est bon en tout temps. — Joubert, Er. Pop.^ II. (92).
La feu est demie vie da I'homme. — Cotgr., i6ii.
C est demye vie que da feu.— Bovelles, Prov.^ i. 141. 153 1.
Le lict est une belle chose.
Qui n'y dort on y repose. — Cotgr.
A good fire is the best household stuflF. — CI.
Media vida es la candela,
y el vino* la otra media. — Nunez, 1555.
* or pan y vino.
387
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A good heart is a good facemaker. — Middleton, Blurt Master Con-
stable^ ii. 2.
Love makes men able as their hearts are kind. — Sheffield (Duke of
Buckingham), The Enjoyment.
A good heart 's worth gold. — Shak., 2 Henry /F., ii. 4, 31.
A good heart may do well anjrwhere. — CI.
A good horse oft needs a good spur (Disciplina). — Ih.
A good husband has always something to do. — Ih*
A gude ingle maks a roomy fireside. — Ry.
A good King a great jewel. — CI.
There is indeed a common saying that '* A good buyer is much rarer
than a good seller," and I believe that the Manchester Ware-
house Keepers give higher salaries to their buyers than to
their sellers . . . because the buyers are the advocates who
have to address the more slalled audience. — Bagehot,
[Adam Smithy] Economic Studies, ii.
A good song is none the worse for being sung twice. — Christy.
It is a common saying << A good lawyer must be a good lair,'' for
which reason the Devil and a Trader wear both one colour.
—Ned Ward ("Infallible Predictor"), Works, ii. 349; The
World Bewitched, p. 16, 1699.
A good layer up is a good layer out.
A good life is never out of season.— T. Adams, Works, p. 72. 1629.
A good leader is all in all. — CI.
A good man 's never missed till he be gone. — Taylor, Elegy on King
yames. Cf. Wise men.
A good name is better than gold. — Bar., Ship of Fools, ii. 181.
A good name or fame is better than gold. — Horm., 7., 294.
A good name is sooner tint than won. — Ry. ; Perc, Spanish Grammar,
1599-
A good name, like a maidenhead, once lost is irrecoverable. — Ry.
Bonne renommee vault mieulx, que ceinture dore. — Cordier,
1538.
A good pawn never shames the master. — Ho. ; Glapthome, Wit in a
Constable, v.
A good pawn never shamed his master. — Brathwait, Whimzies, 1631^
"A Wine Soaker."
No shame to borrow on a good pawn. — K.
A good prentice will be a good master. Nemo bene imperat nisi qui
paruerit imperio. — Ad., 1622.
A good purse makes a man speak boldly. — CI.
A good scholar is ever liberal. Candidas musarum januse. — Ad., 1622.
A good servant will come when you call him, go when you bid him,
and shut the door after him. — Ho., Famr. Latt., p. 211 (1628).
A good servant must come when he is called, do what he is bid, and
shut the door after him. — S., P. C, i.
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A good servant should never be in the way (and never*) out of the
way. • nor.
[Charles II. said this of Sidney Godolphin. Is this the origin
of the phrase ? — Ed.]
A good servant should have the back of an ass, the tongue of a
sheep, and the snout of a swine. — L. Wright, Display of Duty^
ii8 ; Ho., Fam. Lett.^ I., v. ii.
If that thou wilt thy master please
Thou must have these three properties :
* First thou must have an asses ears,
With an hartes feete in all degrees,
An hogges snoute. — Barclay, Cos^/^ of Labour, £)., 1506.
Muso di porco sepiena d'asion e gamble di cervo vuol avere un
bon servo. — Torr.
A good shepherd must fleece his sheep but not flay them. — Dr.
A good shepherd must take the fleece and not the fell. — W., 1616.
Cf Kings ought.
Est boni pastoris tondere pecus, non deglubere. — Suetonius, In
Vit. Tiberii,, 32, cited by Grange, Golden Aphrod., L, 2, 1577.
It is the part of a good shepherd or pastor to sheare the shepe and
nat to plucke of theyr skyness. — Tav., f, 48.
Ill shepherds shear not but ev'n flay your fold.
To turn the skin to cassakins* of gold.
Sylvester, St. Lewis, 544.
* cassocks.
A good thing is soon snatcht up. — R., 1670, tr.
A good voice is never without an excuse. — Wilson, Cheats, ii. 4.
See All good singers.
A good word doth cool more than a caldron of water. — Dr.
A good workman a bad husband. There dwelt a bricklayer a good
workman (but a good husband), etc. — ^Taylor (W. P.),
Travels, 1639; Misc, i, 30.
A good turn quickly done is twice done. — Wood, Lett, of Royal and
Illust. Ladies, ii., 149.
A good year will not make him, and an ill year will not break him.
i.e. a slothful vagabond who lives from hand to mouth. — K.
See then that it be so that thou play not the block under all mercies
so that neither a good day should mend nor a bad pair thee.
— D. Rogers, Matrimonial Honour, 221. 1642.
A good wife, by obeying, commands in her turn. — (Spanish) E.
A good workman need never want work. — Roxburgh Ballads, iii. 321.
Artem quaevis terra alit. — Becon, i. 523.
A good yeoman makes a good woman. — Ferg.
A goodly thing for a man to see.
When people point and say " the same is he." — W., i6i6.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A goose gaggles, and a hen cackles, and wilt thou gain thy game
with tatHng ?— Melb., Phil., Y. 2.
(But a woman gains the game from them both in tatles. —
P. Rob. Prog., 1684.)
A goose is a foolish bird, dinner enough for one, but not for two.
Too much for one and not enough for two, like the Walsall man's
goose. — Poole, Arch, and Prov. IVds. of Staffordshire, 1880, p. 25.
The foolishest bird that ever flew.
Too much for one, and not enough for two.
A grandam's name is little less in love *
Than is the doting title of a mother. — Shak., Richard III., iv. 4, 299.
A great shoe (will not fit a little foot. — Dr.) fits not a little foot.
Induitis me leonis exuvium. — CI.
A great book is a great evil.
A great ruser was never a good rider. — K.
A good ruser was never a good rider. — Ferg.
A greedy 'ce never gat a guid pennyworth. — Ry.
A greedy 'ee never had a full weme.— K.
A greedy man God hates. — Ferg.
A green turf's a guid guidmither. — Ry. i.e. when she is tmderneath
it — a gud moder being a stepmother.
A green wound is half game. i,e. the suffering has not begun. — K.
A ground sweat cures all disorders. i,e. in the grave all complaints
cease from troubling. — Forby, East Anglia.
And therefore this proverbe is seyd ful sooth,
•* Him thar not wene wel that yvel doth,
A gylour shal himself bigyled be."
Chau., Revels T., 4319.
For often he that wol begile,
Is giled with the same gile ;
And thus the guiler is beguiled. — Gower, Conf, Am^wi.
Qui simulat verbis nee corde est fidus amicus
Tu quoque £ac similis, sic ars deluditur arte.
Cato, Disticha., i. 26.
Cf. WiUe beguiUd.
A grey soldier.
Ferd. Look you, Paulina, we have not lost all ; though the
birds be flown there are some thousands of pistols
yet and jewels to a sum large enough, I warrant
you, to maintain a soldier's life which in honour must
not be long for fear of the Proverb, A grey soldier.
— Killig., Thorn., IL, v.
A hard beginning hath a good end. — CI.
Good beginning hath a good end. — Fielding, Amelia, ix. 5. A
saying of an ancient philosopher which some of our
writers have ascribed to Queen Elizabeth. — Addison,
Spectator, 11/2/1.
390
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A handsome face is a letter of recommendation.
Aristptle affirmed that beauty is more worth than all the letters
of commendation. — Grange, Golden Aphroditis^ F.
A handsome woman makes a good witness. Because she disarms
the opposing Counsel.
Isabel, Queen of Spain, wonted to say that every one*s good
.gesture is a good letter in his commendation. — Copley,
Wits, FitteSy and Fancies, p. 4. 16 14.
An honest, ingenuous look is a good letter of recommendation, of its
self. — Ho., Fam. Lett., II., xxxv. (1646.)
A hantle cries " Murder I " and are ay uppermost. — Ry. i.e, the
wolf accuses the lamb.
An hasty birth bringeth forth blind whelps. — Bp. Hackett.
There is a ripe season for everything, and if you slip that or
anticipate it, you dim the grace of the matter, be it never
so good. As we say by way of proverb that " An hasty birth
brings forth blind whelps,** so a good tale tumbled out
before the time is ripe for it, is ungrateful to the hearer. —
Bp. Hackett.
A hasty meeting, a hasty parting. — K., Wily Beguiled; and see K.
A heavy pouch with gold makes a light heart, — Edwardes, Danton
and Pithias; H., O.P,, iv. 77.
Whan purse is hevy ofte time the heart is light. — Bar., EcL^ iv.
A heavy purse makes a light heart. — R., 1670.
A head full of hair, a kirkle full of hips, and a briest full of papes,
are three sure marks of a daw. — K.
A hen that lays without has iieed of a white nest egg.— -K. i,e. a gay
bachelor should take a pretty wife to keep him at home.
A horn spoon holds no poison. — K. i.e, poor folks are safe.
A horse amongst a hundred, and a man amongst a thousand. — Dr.
One in a thousand he is. See Animal Life.
A house divided against itself cannot stand. If a house be divided
against itself that house cannot stand. — Mark, iii. 25,
A house in an haistrie (confusion, slovenly), makes downright
waistrie. — Cunningham, Bums Glossary.
A house-going parson makes a chinrch-going people.— Ch.
A boundless hunter and a gunless gunner see ay game enough. — K.
A boundless hunter and a gunless gunner see routh 'o game. — Ry.
A boundless man comes to the best hunting. — Ferg.
A house, a wife, and a fire to put her in, — S., P. C.
Never look for a wife, till you have a house, and a fire to put
her in. — K. The joke lies in putting the comma after
house instead of after fire.
A hungry louse bites sair. — Ferg. Cf. An empty.
A hunter eats not the game he has killed.
391
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTAXEA.
Spartimm. And wliat if tbej find me Hke to same who are
eager after hontiiig and other field sports . . •
who after their pains and fatigue never eat what
thej talK and catch in ether, for socfa I have
known* — Eveijn, AuUfU^ p. 126. 1699.
More than to win or get the game
Tobeareawaj;
He is not greedie of the same :
Thos himters saie.
C Robinson, Hmm^ afPUmma DMa^
15&4, rcp^ p. 29.
A honter (to be called such) nrast have cangfat a seaJ, stalked a
deer, and winged an eagle. (Scotch.)
Derietmer de dercs, disner d'advocats, jooter de conmieres, soiqier de
marchans, et resveillon de nonrrices.— Joobert, Er. Pop.^ \\^
iv. 229.
An banter's tn^akfist cfaiefest is,
A lawyer's dinner best.
Monks' drinldngSy merchants' sappers fine
Sarmoant axid pass the rest.^
Tim Kendal, TriJUs^ p. 22, 1577.
*An olde saying.
A banting king, a dancing qoeen.
AprU 23fd, 1619.
Qoeen Ann departed oat this life.
King James the first, his loving wife,
Of whom it hath a proverb been,
A hunting King, a dancing Queen.
P. Rob., Ap., 1698.
A just war (is) bett^ than an unjust peace. — ^T. Adams, p. 742.
There is enough in everv man to keep him fit>m idleness if at
least he do not pre^ an unjust peace to a just war. — lb.,
p. 420. Still a favourite doctrine of the followers of the
Prince of Peace.
A kennel is lodging good enough for a dog. — CL
A knave and a fool never take thought. — CL
A king is but a man. Su Tatham, Scots* Figgaries, ii. 1652.
A kind heart (never loseth ought — CI.) loseth nought at last. — CL
A kind word kills the devil.
A knavish speech sleeps in a foolish ear. — Shak., HamUt, iv. 2, 22.
A knight should never come of a knave.
All thynge will show from whence it come,
Where is his place and his own home.
Parlameni cf Byrdes.
A king's face should give grace.
A king's receiver is accountable until the day of judgment. — Dr.
Nullum tempus occurrit regi. Law maxim.
A kiss and a drink of water is a werch disjune. — K.
392
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A knavish wit, a knavish will. Mala mens, malus animus. — Terence^
Andria^ 164.
A lass is a lad's leavings. — K. A senseless return of a girl to them
that call her lass and not by her name. — K.
A lady's " verily "'s
As potent as a lord's. — Shak., Winter TaU^ i. 2, 50.
A laughing faced lad makes a lither servant. — K.
A laughing faced lad makes a careless, lazy servant.
A lawyer never goes to law himself.
A lawyer's opinion is worth nothing unless paid for.
Lear, This is nothing, fool.
Fool. Then 'tis like the breath of an unfeed lawyer, you gave
me nothing for't. — Shak., King Lear, i. 4, 127.
A lawsuit is a suit for life. — Arbuthnot.
Law is a bottomless pit. — ^Arb., English Garner^ 1712, vi 554.
A lawyer's purse is the mouth of hell. — Dr.
A lawyer's suit an everlasting suit, as the English are wont to say..
Lite d'awocato lite che non muor mai. — Torr.
A lawyer's tongue runs glib when he *s fed*. — CI.
♦ ?feed.
L'oiseau gazouille selonf qu'il est embecqu6. — Cotgr.
t chirms.
A lawyer will not plead but for money. — Dr.
A lazy youth, a lousy age. — Cod.
A leal heart canna lie.
Honneste cueur ne peult mentir. — Coquillart, Droits Nouv,^ i. 36.
A lean dog, to get through a hedge. Spare people most easy to
pull through an illness. (Lancashire.)
Pourquoy est ce que les personnes grasses vivent ordinairement
moins que les maigres? — Dupleix, Cur. Nat,^ p. 211. 1625.
A learned man has his treasure about him. — Dr.
But the old proverb ne'er will be forgot,
A lecher's love is, like sir reverence, hot.
And on the sudden cold as any stone.
Taylor (W. P.), A Whore.
A liar is worse than a thief. — CI. ; Shirley, The Sisters, ii. i ; Taylor,
A Thief.
A lie doth good how little a while soever it be believed. — CI.
A lie runs far before it be stayed. — Breton, Wifs Private Wealth.
A He stands on one leg, but truth upon two. — (A Jewish proverb) Ho»
A light and warm undershirt is worth a great coat.
A light heart lives long. — Shak., Love's Labour Lost, v. 2, i8.
A light supper keeps clean sheets. — CI.
A lion runs from a cock, and well may the devil from a crowing hen.
— Wilson, Belphegofy iii. 4.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A little bush will stop a gap. — Dr.
A little fault may be pardoned* — lb,
A little spark may kindle a great fire.
Of a Ijrtyl sp^k ye mad gret fecr. — MS. HarL^ 3362. Cf. Si. Janus'
Mag., m. 5.
A little help is worth a deal of (nty.
A little learning does well.
Pueri sat discunt si aestate valent.-— (Ezerdtatio) CI.
A little learning is a dangerous thing. — Pope's Essay tm Criticism, 215.
A little leaven, leaveneth the whole lump. — / Cor., v* 6.
A little leaven soureth alL — CL
A little mirth is worth much sorrow. — Trial of Tnasure ; H., O.P.,
iii. 263.
A little man should have a little sword.
With a little steel a little man 's armed. — Ds., Ep., 48*
For a little man mete is a small hak^iey.
So smallest persons have small reward alway. — Bar., Eel., i.
A little too late is too late still. — (Italian) E.
A little saint best fits a little shrine. — Herrick, ii. 246.
Cf. Haz., p. 22.
A little saving is no sin. — Peter Pindar, More Money ; Works, iL 502.
A little thing makes perfection, but perfection is not a little thing.
A lion is still a lion though his claws be pared* — Wilson, And. Com.,
ii. I.
A long gathered dam is soon run out. Spoken to old bachelors when
they are new married. — K.
A long pull and a strong pull and a pull all together.
A looker on may see more than a gamester. — CI.
A loose stake may stand long. — CL
Cf. Haz., 377. The low stake.
A louse is a man's companion, but a flea is a dog's companion. —
S., P. C, i.
This was a speech of Louis XL An attendant had detected on
the royal robe one of the <* beasts familiar to man," and
the King ordered him a reward. A courtier, in hopes to be
a like gainer, affected the next day to find a flea in the
same place. The King, aware of his roguery, made the
distinction in the text, and ordered him a drubbing for his
officiousness. Erasmus tells the anecdote in his Cowvivium
Fabulosum.^ScotVs note, Swift's Works, ix. p. 416.
A man cannot be in two places at once. No man can be at once in
every place. — Bar., Ship of Folly, i. 160.
And that one man at one time may be in two places ?^ack Juggler ;
H., O.P., ii. 144.
394
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
This word Bilocation has been invented to express the miraculous
faculty possessed by certain saints of the Romish Church
of being in two places at once. — Tylor, Prim. Ctdtt i, 447.
A mache and a horseshoe are both alike. — Ferg.
A maiden's tocher
Tholes no docher.*
* Can bear no abatement.
A maid with an elbow sharp or knee,
Hath cross words two out of every three.
A man cannot leap from his shadow. i.e. forget his own experiences.
A man canna bear a* his kin on his back. — Ry.
Spoken when we are upbraided with some bad kinsman. — K.
A man cannot be robbed of his learning. — Dr. ; CI.
A man can be a fool and not know it.— (American) Mair.
A man cannot sell his tinself.
Spoken when a man has refused a good rate for a commodity
and afterwards lost it. — K.
t loss.
A man can die but once. See We can.
A man can but die once. — Shak., / Henry 77., iii. 2, 250.
A man cannot leave his experience or wisdom to his heirs. —
(Italian) E.
A man can only be hanged once.
It is nouzt used in erthe • to hangen a feloun
ofter fan ones -bough he were a tretour.
P. Plo. Vis,, xviii., 377, And see Skeat's note.
A man has no worse friends than those he brings with him. — K.
A man gets little thanks for losing his own. — Bailey. i.e, for fore-
going his perquisites or rights.
A man full of spirit cannot be idle. — Dr. C/. An active man.
Men sain, A man hath knouleching,
Save of himself, of alle thing. — Gower, C. A.^ vi.
Plures plura sciunt, et seipsos nesciunt. — St. Bernard.
A man is never the better for going to Rome. — Dr.
Caelum non animam mutant qui trans mare currunt. — [Hor.,
Episi.^ I., II, 27. — Ed.]
Rarement a courir le monde,
On devient plus homme de bien.
A man is a bad judge in his own cause.
Men are blind in their own cause. — Ferg.
No man must be his own judge. — CI.
A man is known by (the) company (he keeps). — Cod.
Nosdtur a sociis.
A man may know what one is by his companions. — CI.
Tell me Ivho are your friends, and I will tell you what you are.
A man 's a man for a that — Burns.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A man is not a horse because he happens to have been bom in a
stable.
Attributed to Wellington in repudiating his Irish nationality.
A man may be happy if he will himself. — CI.
A later writer has gone a step further in maintaining that a
man may be in perfect health if he so wills. Sa Walker's
Original Art of Attaining High Health.
A man may have that allowance he takes. — Emerson, Essay,
So much as thou esteemest thyself other will. — D. Rogers, Naamany
20I.
If one value not himself, nobody else will. — Torr.
A man loves the meat in his youth that he cannot endure in his age.
— Shak., Much Ado, ii. 3, 217.
A man may learn wit every day. — Dr.
A man may call unto him with the beck of a finger that he cannot
put away with both hands. — Wh.^ f. 29.
A man may kill another in jest and be hanged in earnest. — Porter^
Two Angry Women ; H., O.P.f vii. 374.
A man may speir the gate to Rome. — Ferg.
An answer to those ordered on an errand who say, They don't
know the way. — K.
A man may know by his colour
What is his dolour. — Dr.
A man may woo where he will, but wed where his wife is. — K.
A man may woo where he will, but wed where is his weard. — Ferg.
Cf. Marriage is destiny.
A man may make free with his friends.
For over his kin a man may be bold.
Every Man; H., O.-P., i. 114.
A man may spit in his hand and do full ill. — K. ie. pretend to
science without possessing it.
A man may spit on his hand and do full ill. — Ferg.
A man may spit in his loof and do full little. — Ry.
A man (mayna) thrive except his wife let him. — Ferg. See He that
will thrive.
A man may talk like a wise man, and yet act like a fool. — (Italian) E.
A man may threaten and yet be afraid. — Christy.
And yet among (men) whoso will thrive.
And office bere in town and citty.
Must needs be ruled by his wive.
Or els in fay it will not be.
Schole-house of Women^ 378. 1561.
Prodiga non sentit pereimtem foemina censum. — [Juvenal, Sat., vi.
361.— Ed.]
396
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A man may spend and money lend,
If his wife be aught ;
But in vain he'll slave, and try to save,
If his wife be nought. (Sent from Sunderland.)
J. Ruskin, Time and Tide by Weave and Tj^.
A man may spare and still be bare,
If his wife be nowt, if his wife be nowt ;
But a man may spend and have money to lend,
If his wife be out, if his wife be out.
//., III., ix. 117.
Thus say the wives,
If their husbands thrives.
That they the causers be.
Booh of Maid Emlyny 206.
A man mekle of speiche quhylomis mon lie. — Bannatyne, MS.
"A man must sumtyme set a candel before the Devyle" ; and there-
fore thow it be not alder most mede and profytabyl yet of ij
harmys the leste is to be take. — Paston Letters^ No. 428, ed.
Gairdner, ii. 73. Su It is good too hold.
A man must hear and see in the Court, and for the rest be blind. —
Dr.
A man must hear all parts before that he give judgment of any. — Dr.
A man must creep* before that he can gof. — Dr.
* walk. t run.
A man must not take advantage of his own wrong (or fault). — Law
Maxim.
A man must have his fling. — Thackeray, Pendennis.
A man must keep an even hand. — Dr.
A man must trust that will be trusted. — lb.
A man must tell gold after his own father. — lb.
A man must not always be a child. — lb.
A man must not make a wolf his executor. — lb.
A man must live. — Buckingham, Rehearsal.
A man must not leave the King's highway for a pathway. — Dr.
A man must not leave his way for a little rain. — Dr. ; CI.
A man must not roam above his reach (Modestia). — CI. ; Dr.
A man must not throw a gift at the giver's head. — Dr.
A man must row with such oares as he has. — Cheales.
A man must spend as he may fat hajj but easy good ;
For aftir J>e wrenne haj) veynes, men schalle late hir blode.
" How the goode wif thaught hir doughter." — [Haz,, E. Pop.
Poetry, i., 187 ; and see Brand, Pop. Ant., iii. 191. — Ed.]
A man of five may be a fool of fifteen. — K.
A man of straw is worth a woman of gold. — lb. Homme de pailles
vaut une femme d'or.
A man of straw more than a wife of gold. — S. Daniel, Hymen's
Triumph, ii. i.
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A man shoulde blame or commend as he findeth. — Pecock, Repressor
S'C, of Clergy f Rolls Series, i. 48.
A man of war and the gallows refuse nothing. i,e. take all comers.
— Marryat, Frank MUdmay, ch. i.
A man should hear all parts ere be judge any. — He.
A man should be ruled by his friends. — Porter, Two Angry Women i
H., O.P.i vii. 305.
A man overboard — a mouth less to fill. — Cowan, Sea Pr.
A man should learn to sail with all winds. — (Italian) E.
A man will part with everything to save his life. (Ut vitam redimas,.
vestes et omnia vendas. — W., 1616.)
A man ties a knot with his tongue which he cannot untie with his.
teeth. — Ho., New Sayings, Cent., ii.
A man may see his friend need, that will not see his head bleed. — K.
A man may see his friend need, but will not see him bleed. — Ferg.^
Cf. Haz., p. 913.
A man who never makes mistakes will never make anything. — J. R^
I/>weU.
A man's mind is a mirk mirror. — K.
A mirk mirror is a man's mind. — Ferg.
It is ane mirk mirrour ane uther mannis.
A man's foes (are) they of his own household. — Matt.^ x. 36.
Tanti nemid habbiamo quanti servitori. — Henryson, 1480, p. 46
erfs.
A man who cannot mind his own business is not to be trusted with
the King's. Quot servos habemus totidem habemus hostes, —
Erasmus.
A married woman hath nothing of her own but her wedding ring^
and her hair-lace. — S., P. C, iii.
A match well made is half won. — Wm. Patten, Expedition into Scotland^
1547; Arb., E. G.J iii. 141.
A mean is best. Ne quid nimis. — CI.
A mean pot plaid never even. — Ferg.
A mein pot never played even in which many have a share (by the
backwardness of some and the ill). — Projects and Prospects,
A good man should be merciful to his beast. — Ho., Parley of Beasts^
P-77-
A merciful man is merciful to his beast.— CI , Prov. xii. 10.
He deserves the character of the man of mercy who is merciful
to his beast. — Richardson, Sir C. Grandison, i. 257. 1766.
A mercenary match is provocative of early rising. — Kinglake, Quatt^
Rev, See They who are early.
But servants are oftenest painful and good,
That sing in their labour, like birds in the wood. — Tusser.
398
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A merry heart goes all the day,
Your sad tires in a mile-a.
Shak., Winter's Tale^ iv. 3, 120.
Dum sumus in mondo vivamus corde jucundo. — Becon, iii. 224*
A merry life it is to be a thief. — Wm. Forrest^ Gresyld the Second^
p. 171. 1558.
A mitteri a man, a thief and a cuckold.
A modest lawyer ! a silent woman ! A paradox in nature.
J. Wilson, The Cheats, i. 4.
A money bawd 's lightly* a flesh bawd too.— Ben Jonson, Staple of
NewSf ii. z.
* quickly.
A morning sleep is worth a fold fidl of sheep to a huderon, duderon,
daw. — K. Nunquam dulcior somnus quam post exortum
solem. Cf. O dura messorum ilia. — Horace, Epod.f iii. 4.
A morsel for mowers.
** Lais, an harlot of Corinth, of excellent beauty but so dere and
costly that she was no morsell for mowyers : she was for
none but for lords and gentlemen that would well pay for
it, whereof came up a proverb that it was not for every man
to go to Corinth."— Udall, Eras. Ap.^ p. 379.
Marmalet is no meat for mowers. — Melb., Phil.y Ee. 2. 1583.
A mule and a woman do best by fair means. — Sp., E.
A mouth fu* o' meat may be a town fu' o* shame. — Ry.
A natural fool in a house alone,
Will make for himself shift or chevysaunce.
Bare, C. of Lab., A. 2.
Mettez fol k part, U pensera. — Cotgr.
Mettez \m fol k part soy,
II pensera de soy * chevir.
Jean Bruyant, Le Chemin de Povreti et
de Richesse, 1342, Grosteste*s original.
* Se garnir, assurer sa subsistence.— Afm. ds Par., ii. 15.
A nerre neyghbour is better than a farre frend.—Tav., f. 49, v. 1552.
A new office, like a new garment, strait at first putting on. — Ho.
A new tout in an old horn. — Ferg.
Kellv reverses it : An old tout in a new horn. i.e. a twice-told
tale.
A negative proves (next to) nothing. As touching the argument
from negatives, it is so weak that it is gone into a proverb. —
Dan. Rogers, Matrimonial Honour, 113. 1642.
A nyse wife and a back dore
Makyth oftentimes a rich man pore.
P. of G. C, Harl. MS. 2232, f. 3.
A nice wife and a back door
Oft do make a rich man poor. — CI.
399
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
This proverb is one of several inscribed on the walls of EarFs
Hall (1546—1607), a seat of the Bruce family, near St.
Andrews. — Murray, Handbook (Scotland).
A nickname lasts for ever-— Christy.
A noble duke should have a noble heart. — Gray's New Year Gift to
Somerset^ 62, 1551 ; Ballads from Af5., i.
A noggen* mother *s better than a gowden father. — Jackson, Shrop-
shire Word Book.
* Noggen — doll, stupid, rough.
A nurse spoils a huswife, because she is more daintily fed and more
idle all the while. — Ho.
A noisome thing to be old.
Yet no man can be so that would. — Cod.
A pair of good spurs to a borrowed horse is better than a peck of
haverf. — (Yorkshire) G. Meriton, Yorkshire Ale.
+ Oats.
A parson always has a corkscrew and a prayer-book about him.
Whilst the ordinary was busy in his ejaculations. Wild, in the
midst of the shower of stones, &c., which played upon him,
applied his hands to the parson's pocket and emptied it of
his bottle screw, which he carried out of the world in his
hand. — Fielding, Life of Jonathan Wild^ last chapter.
A parson is not half a parson until he is married. — Spectator^ 1887.
A penny at a pinch is better than a poimd at any other time. — ^W.,
1616.
A penny at a pinch is worth a poxmd.— CI.
A penny can do no more than it may. — Lydgate, London Lyckpeny.
A pennyworth of cheese (according to the old saying) is enough. —
Cogan, Haven of Healthy p. 159.
Caseus est sanus, quem dat avara manus.
A pet lamb
Makes a cross ram. — (American) Mair.
A photographic likeness is justice without mercy.
A pickle* *s no miss'd in a ricklef. — Cunn., Bums' Glossary.
* Grain of com. t A heap.
A pint of wine to a vintner is but as a pippin to a costermonger. —
Ho.
A pitcher will have a smatch long after of the liquor that was first
put in it.— Wh., f. 36.
Quo semel est imbuta recens, servabit odorem Testa diu. — Hor.,
Epist.f i. 2, 69.
A pitiful surgeon makes a dangerous wound. — Marston, Malcontent ^
iv. 2.
Medico pietoso fa la piaga vermenosa. 1530.
Soft chirurgiens make foul sores. — W. Bulleine, Bui. of Def.
[^Sorenes and Chir.']^ I. 2. 1562.
400
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A wound will breed worms under a gentle physician's hand. — lb
f. 31.
Un medecin piteux envenime la playe du malade. — Bailly, Quest
Nat. ei Cur.y 430.
A place for everything and everything in its place. C/. Do every
thing.
A plain fellow may hurt a fencer. — Porter, Two Angry Women ; H
0,P., vii. 357.
A poor cook that may not lick his own fingers. — He. ; Stanbridge.
Vulg. See It is an ill cook.
A plain rule ; the briefer the better. — Harl. and W., Lancash, Leg,
Cf. A few strong instincts and a few plain rules. — Words
worth, Sonnets, II., xii.
A poor man's head is full of bees. — Dr. Cf. Poor poet's.
A poor pleader may do in a plain cause. — F. See Every fool.
Indeed in rightful causes
Weak lawyers will serve turn.
Rowley, Airs Lost.
A poor man's table is soon spread. — Dr. ; CI.
A poor man's tale cannot be heard. — Dr., Ltisty Juventus; H., O.P.,
ii. 70.
Saviezza di pover huomo, bellezza di putana e forza de fachin
non val im bagatin, 1530.
Men glosis the law oft against the pure. — Bannatyne Af5., 1568,
Lib. Adv. Edin.
Dum pauper clamat,
Janua limen amat. — W., 1616.
A pound of feathers weighs as much as a pound of lead.
A pox on these true jests. — Ho.
Purty people and ragget people's often gettin' plucks. — Ulster your.
Arch., ii., 1854, p. 127.
Belle femme et gens dreilloux*
Ne manquent pas de raicre choux.
Perron, Prov. Franche-Comtey p. 54.
* en loques.
A pretty woman and a lace dress are always getting hooked by the
way.
A priest (is) nothing without a clerk. — Dr.
A prince's virtues is to know his subjects. — CI.
Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos. — CI.
Le sainct de la ville n'est point or6. — Cotgr., 161 1.
A prodigal son succeeds a covetous father.— [Sp.] E.
A prophet has no honour in his own country. — Matt., xiii. 57 ; Mark,
vi. 4 ; yohn, iv. 44.
No prophet is accepted in his own country. — Luke, iv. 24.
Poets, like prophets, have little honour in their own country. — Ned
Ward ; London Spy, 419.
VOL. III. 401 26
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A proud heart never came to good.— Taylor (W. P.), Superbias
Flagellum^ 1621*
A proud heart will never be shent. — Hyeway to the SpiUU Ho.^ 979 ;
Porter, Two Angry Women.
Orgueilleux cueur soymesme se decoipt. — G. Coquillart, Les
CEuvres.
A proud heart in a poor breast has mickle dolour to dree*. — Ferg.
* To endure.
A primsief damsel makes a daidlen dame. — A. Cunningham, Glossary
to Bums.
t Primsie — demure, precise. From E. prim.— Jaw.
A pudding hath two ends, but a fool has none. — Ho.
A rackless hussie makes mony thieves. — Ferg. *.^. a careless house-
keeper.
A reeking house and a scawding wife
Will mack yan weary of his life.
G. Meriton, Yorkshire Ale.
A rent may be an accident, but a dam is premeditated poverty.
Le meilleur vin est celui qui a le plus ferment^.
Qui semel scurra nunquam paterfamilias.
[C/. De scurra multo facilius dives quam paterfamilias fieri
potest. — Cicero, Pro Quint,^ c. 17, sub fin. — Ed.]
A reformed rake makes the best husband.
That the worst rakes were half reformed by becoming husbands
and fathers. One of Burke's arguments for sending out
young women of good character to Botany Bay to find
husbands among the convicts. — Tabic Talkf 4 (Misc.
Philobiblon Soc., vol. vii.).
A reserved lover always makes a suspicious husband. — Goldsmith,
She Stoops to Conquer^ i.
A restie horse must have a sharp speer.— CI.
A rich rogue : two shirts and a rag. — S., P. C, i.
A rogue's tongue
Is well hung. — S., P. C.
A rolling eye, a roving heart. — T. Adams, Works, 887.
A rope is well bestowed to hang a thief. — Lodge, Wifs Misery, p. 37.
1596.
A rotten case abides no handling.— Shak., 2 Henry IV., iv. i, 161.
A rough bane maks a fou wame. — Ry.
A running horse needs no spur. — CI.
For wise men say it 's as dangerous a thing
A ruling priesthood as a priest-rid King.
De Foe, True Bom Englishman, ii.
A sailor should be every inch
All as one as a part of his ship. — C. Dibdin.
A sailor is always ready to take a glass or to fight for a lass.
402
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A saint abroad and a devil at home. — Bunyan, Pilgrim's Progress^ i.
Cf. Talkative.
A scabbed horse no comb abides. — Ds., Ep,^ 414.
A scald horse can't abide the comb. — CI.
A scarlet coat is a mackerel bait for ladies. — Agreeable Companion
pp. 24, 174.
A scalded cat fears the coldest water. — CI.
Altho' th' old maxim remains still in force,
That a sanctified cause must have a sanctified course.
Sir J. Denham, Petition of Poets to Hot$u of Commons , 1697.
A secret foe gives a sudden blow. — K.
A secret friend's worse than an opefi he. — Day, Humour out of
Breathy ii.
A seaman does not get his hand out of the tar bucket by becoming
second mate. i,e. he must still work like an ordinary sailor
in tarring the rigging, which they of higher rank don't touch.
— Dana, Seaman's Friend, II., iii.
A secret too big for one, right for two, tight for three. — Hall Caine,
The Manxman^ IV., ii.
Cf You know a secret is too much for one, too little for three,
and enough for two, but Tom must be none of those two
unless there were a trick to sodder up his mouth. — Ho.»
Fam. Lett.y ii. 75.
A Serjeant is the spawn of some decayed shopkeeper. — Ho.
A Sargeant. The spawn of a decayed shopkeeper begets this fry. — .
Sir Thos. Overbury, Characters, 161 4.
A servant must not be blamed for doing his message or errand.
Legatus neque laeditur nee caeditur. — Dr.
Ambasciatore non porta pena.
A servant must say that black is white if his master bid him. He
must say the crow is white if he be so commanded. — J^ack
yug. ; H., O.P., ii. 155.
A seven years maiden is ay at the slight. — K i.e. a fair offer will
make her break her resolution.
A servant is his master's money. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 166. i.e.
you have no right to waste his time by detaining him.
A servant never gets rich by his wages.
Salario ne ricca mai il serviente. — Torr.
A ship leaks somewhere. All ships leak. — (Italian) Cowan, Sea Pr.
A ship and a lady's watch are always out of repair. — Cowan, Sea Pr.
A ship under sail, a man in complete armour, a woman with a great
belly are three of the handsomest sights.
Whereunto the Spaniard addeth two more, viz., a Bishop in
a pulpit and a thief on the gallows. — Ho.
A shor'd tree stands long. — Fen. Cf. A creaking door.
A short sack hath a wide mouth. — Melb., PhU.^ p. 52.
403
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A schort prayer wynnythe hcven. — The Good WyfonPylgr.^ E.E.T.S.,
Ext. viii.
A short life and a merry li£e, I cry. — J. Tatham, Tlu Rump^ i. 1660.
A short life and a merry one. — C. Kingsley, Alton Locke, IL
A short life and a sweet one. — ^Torr.
A short life and a swift one— B. E., New Did. of ike Canting Crew.
A merry life and a short. — Rd. Flecknoe, Enigmatical Character,
p. 60. 1658.
A short man needs no stool to give a great lubber a box o' the
ear.— CI.
A shrewd answer is always ready. — Dr.
A shrewd boy maketh a good man. — Ih.
A dUerless man gangs fast thro' the market. — Ry. ; K.
A silly man will be seely dealt with. — K. C/. He that makes him-
self a sheep.
A sin unseen is half quitted. — Lodge, Wit^s Mis.^ p. 39.
Peccato celato ^ mezzo perdonato. 1530.
Unseen is half pardoned. — Tarlton's News out of Purgatory, p. 92.
A sitting hen loses her breast feathers. — Ch. i,e. nursing the infant
spoils the bust of a woman.
A single life has single care. — Shirley, Gamester, VL
A skabit sheep fyles all the flock. — Ferg.
A scabbit sheip infeckis all the hail flock. — Bann., MS., 1568 ;
Haz., 309.
Ae scabbed sheep will smite the hale hirdsel. — Ry.
A skittering cow in the loan would have many marrows*. — K.
Cf Two in distress. * u. companions.
A skelpit (smacked) bottom breaks nae banes. — A. Cunningham^
Glossary to Bums.
A sling for a moether, a bow for a boy. — Tusser, Hus., Sep., 1573.
ue. to drive off" the birds.
Mawther, a grown girl, lass (Dutch moer a woman). — E. Ang.
A sloving slim slam ever sibi quaerit.
A slovenly cut is good for the dealer. — W. P. Courtenay, English
Whist, 1894.
A slothful man is a beggar's brother. — Ferg.
A small sparcle may kindle love certayne,
But scantly severne may quench it clene agayne.
Bar., Eel., ii.
A smoking chimney in a great house is a good sign. — F.
A soft answer tumeth away wrath.
A dur enclume,
Marteau de plume. — Cotg., 161 1.
Mucho vale y poco cuesta,
A mal hablar baena respuesta. — Nunez, 1555*
404
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A song is as good as ten men. — Cowan, Sea Proverbs (Amer.)*
In heartening the crew at their work.
A sorrowfu* heart is ay dry. — K. See A wet sorrow.
A sorry excuse is better than none. — Dr.
A sound mind in a sound body. — CI. Mens sana in corpore sano.
A sow's ear may prove good souce albeit no silken purse. — E. of
Strafford, Letters and Disps., i. 163, 1633. i.e. people of low
condition may prove very serviceable.
A sparing £ather and a spending son. — Dr. ; CI.
A spoonful of skitter will spill a potful of skink. — Ferg.
An ill mixture will spoil a good composition. C/. One crop. — K.
A spur and a whip for a dull horse. — Dr. ; CI.
A spurr'd horse of force must trot. — Davies, Epigrams, 225.
A squire of low degree is a squire of no degree. — Davies, Humour*s
Heaven on Earth.
A staid eye, a fair hand, a straight body, and a good leg are most
comely in a Courtier. — N. Breton, Court and Country ^ p. 2U.
1616.
A stem chase is a long chase. — (Sea.)
A straw will show where the wind doth blow.
A sturdy beggar should have a stout naysayer. — K.
A good asker should have a good naysay. — Ferg., 1675.
A swyne that is rycht ffat cawsis hir awin deid. — Bann. MS.;
Lingua, i. 8.
For the most part our wits be best
When we be taken most unreadiest.
Jfack Juggler ; H., O.P.^ ii. 120.
A sudden lie hath best luck.
A tarrowing* bairn was never fat. — Ferg.
• Complaining.
A thing were as well never to be begun as never ended. — E. Hall,
Chron., 1543, p. 124, rep.
A thing well bought is half sold.
A thread will tie an honest man better than a rope will a knave. —
Ry.
A thousand pounds and a bottle of hay,
Is all one at doom's day. — R., 1670, tr. See Haz., p. 47.
Fieut de chien et marc d'argent
Seront tout im au jour du jugement. — Ho., Par.
A tale teller is worse than a thief. — K.
A tale teller is worse than a tratler. — Ferg.
A till* man,
A will man. — CI.
♦ Tame, gentle.— (Kent) Hll.
A teem purse makes a bleat merchant. — Ferg.
406
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
A tocherless dame
Sits long at haine.— K*
A trade is easy carried. — Ad., i6aa. Su Haz., p. 107.
A trade will stick by a man when his friends fail him. — T. Heywood,
F. M. of W., IL, iii.
This case plamly shows that a farmer like
A tailor never is master of his trade.
Ellis, Moditn Husbandry ^ Aug.^ p. ig.
A tinkler was never a towntaker,
A taylor was never a hardy man,
Nor yet a webster leal of his trade ;
Nor ever was since the world began. — K.
A tailor's shreds are worth the cutting. — CI.
A threefold cable is not easily broken. — T. Adams, Wks.^ p. 192.
A threefold cord is not easily broken. — D. Rogers, Matrimonial
Honour^ 296. 1642.
Mens vaut mester ke esperver. — Prov. de ViUUn.
A thief hides himself in a bush. — CI.
A tradesman will win his bread in any part. — Ad., 1622.
A tradesman will win his bread anywhere. — CI.
Chi ha arte,
per tutto ha parte.
A tradesman who cannot lie may shut up his shop. — By.
Every man is a liar in his business — By.
Artigiano chi non mente, non ha mestier fra la gente.
A traveller must have the back of an ass to bear all, a tongue like
the tail of a dog to flatter all, the mouth of a hog to eat what
is set before him, the ear of a merchant to hear all and
say nothing. — T. Nash, Unfortunate Traveller^ L. 3. 1594.
Spalle di asinelli bocca di porcello orecchie di marcadante.
1536.
A trickie chap *s easiest tricket. — A. Cunningham, Glossary to Burns.
A true friend should be like a privy, open in case of necessity. — Ho.
A turd in his teeth that owes no money. — Ho.
He *s a fool that does owe no money. — Shirley, Bird in Cage^ vi.
A turd 's as good as a pancake to a sow (Mercurius Fumigolus).
1666.
A thing well employed is half paid. — Sir Ph. Sidney, Letter to Sir
Fr. Walsingham, 1576. (Speaking of a foreign loan.)
A thoughtless body *s aye thrang. — Cunningham, Glossary to Bums.
A turkey boiled 's a turkey spoil'd,
A turkey roast is a turkey lost,
But a turkey braised — the Lord be prais'd !
A turn in time is ay worth other tway. — Montgomery, P., p. 202.
Cf A stitch.
A villain made a gentleman knoweth neither father nor mother. — Dr.
406
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
But who may have a more ungracious life
Than a child's burde or a knave's wife ?
Skelton, Garland of Laurel, 145 1.
A villain's subject, a jealous boy's wife,
And a child's bird are wo and hard bestead ;
In continual torment abridged of their life,
And at last consumed with deep dolour pensife.
Barclay, Myrour of Good Manners.
A volunteer is worth two pressed men.
A wanderer need make no will. — Smyth, Berk. MS, Cf. A rolling
stone. — Haz., 32.
A warrant sealed with butter. — W., 161 6.
A weel bred dog gaes out when he sees them preparing to kick him
out. — Hen.
A wheelright's dog is a carpenter's uncle.
A bad wheelwright makes a good carpenter. — For by, E. Ang.
A wee house has a wide throat. — K.
A wet sorrow is better than a dry sorrow. See A sorrowful heart.
A whelp that first doth miss of his game, doth never after prove
worth an haw.— Melb., PhU.y p. 50.
A whetstone is no kerving instrument, but it maketh sharpe kerving
tolls. — Chaucer, Tr. and Cr,, i. 163.
A whisperer separateth chief friends. — Proverbs, xvi. 28,
A white loaf and a hard cheese never shames the master, — Ho.
A white hen never lays astray. — N., VII., x. 511. Applied to a
careful body.
A wife is a fine thing ; housekeeping is a shrew. — CI.
Do'st thou not know the old saying : A wife brings but two good
days ; that is, her wedding day and her death day. — Midd.,
Famdie of Love, i. 2.
Now 'tis an old saying that a wife that has wit will outwit her
husband, and she that has no wit will be outwitted by others
besides her husband, and so 'tis an equal lay which makes
her husband cuckold first and oftenest. — P. Rob, Prog., 1703.
A wife without faults must be bespoke, for there 's none ready made.
-^Ib., 1684.
A good wife must be bespoke, for there's none ready made. —
o., •* • o., 1.
A wight man never wanted a weapon. — Ferg., 1641.
A wilful man never wants woe (Pertinacia). — CI.
A wilful man wants never woe. — Montgomery, Church and State, 66.
A wilful shrew can no man teach. — P. ofG. C, HarL MSS. 2232, f. 3.
A willing heart performs his part. — W., 1616.
A wink is as good as a nod to a blind horse. Not in Haz.
A nod is as good as a wink to a blind horse. — Smollett, Gil Bias.
A nod it 's as good as a wink to a blind horse. — CI.
407
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Yet it is a wyly mouse
That can bylde his dwell3mg house
Within the cattes eare,
Without a drede or feare.
A hardy mouse that is bolde to brede
In cattis eres.
A wily mouse that should breed in the cat's ear. — He. ; Skelton*
Why comey$ Nat, 753 ; Lydg., Order of Poles, 87, E.E.T.S., ed.
HU. ; Lyly, Euph., p. 63.
A wise man lies square. — Herrick. i.e. meets good or ill fortune.
A wise man's bow goes with a twofold string. — Day, /. of Gulls, ii.
? used together not as a reserve. See Haz., 420.
A wise man never ought to put his finger into morter. — Sir
Bartholomew Gerbier, On Building, i. 3. 1662.
A wise man or he speke wyll be wyse and ware,
What*, whyt, whan and whare.
Bar., Ship of Fools^ i. no.
• to whom. t how.
Have care to whom, of whom, and what.
To speak, though speech be true.
Warner, Alh. Eng,, iv. 22.
Take hede how you talk, to whom, where and when.
The world is the world and men be but men.
Gray's New Year's Gift to Somerset ^ 77, 1551 ;
Ball from MS., \,
A wise man may live anywhere.
A wise mariner can fit his sails to every wind. — CI.
A wise man is a wonder. — CI.
A wise man commonly hath a fool to his heir. — Lyly, M. Bomb,, v. 3.
All places that the eye of heaven visits
Are to a wise man ports and happy havens.
Shak., Richard IL, i. 3, 275.
Omne solum forti patria. — ^&w2ixi.ts, Damon and Pythias -, H.,
O.P., iv. 32.
A wise man never returns by the same road he came — provided
another 's free to him. — Scott, Roh Roy.
A wise man hath more ballast than sail.
A woman casts her shame away when she casts off her smock. —
Chau., C. T., 6364 {Wife of Bath's Prol.).
Le donne hanno sette spiriti in un corpo. — 1530.
Femine sono le gatte. — 1530.
A woman bath nine lives and a cat so many. — Ho. Su Haz., p. 5.
A woman hath nine lives like a cat. — He.
Some wives have nine lives like a cat. — Ds., Ep.^ 369.
I shall be moused by puss cats, but I had rather die a dog's death ;
thev have nine lives a piece like a woman, and they will
maKe up ten lives if they and I fall a scratching. — Midd.»
Blurt M. C, iv. 2.
408
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A woman need but look on her apron string to find an excuse. — S.,
P. C, iii.
For lakke of answer, noon of hem shall dyen. — Chau., Merck. T.,
10145.
Women's answers are but few times to seek.^acob and Esau, 1568 ;
H., O.P.f ii. 207.
A woman avyse helpys at the last. — Town. Myst.^ p. 107.
A woman's advice is best at a dead lift*. — Ho.
* An annsoal difficulty, such as carrying a corpse.
Nurse. Let me alone. I am good at a dead lift. — Wily Beguiled ;
H., O.P., ix. 261.
A woman's advice must help at a pinch. — Rowley, Shoemaker, iv.
A woman's fitness comes by fits. — Shak., Cyinheline^ iv. i, 5.
A woman's " Nay " stands for nought.
Some women may say "Nay" and mean love most trwe.— Paradise
of Dainty Devices, p. 10. 1576.
For there be many men so women-like that when they say most
•*Nay" they would faynest.— Hirfoiy of Lady Lucrece of
Scene f G.
Have you not heard it said full oft,
A woman's nay doth stand for nought ?
Shak., Pass. PH., xix. 41.
Be thou a mannerly maid for me, say Nay and take it. — Melb., Pkil.^
Ee. 4.
A woman's Nay 's a double yea, they say. — Davies, Scourge of Folly,
p. 134; £^.,277.
A woman's reason : I will not dance because I will not dance. —
Middleton, Blurt M. C, i. i.
Because is woman's reason. — K. See Because.
Mrs. Knavesby, I love your page, sir.
Lord Beaumont. Love him for what ?
Mrs. K. Oh, the great wisdoms that our grandsires had
(do you ask me the reason for it ?). I love
him 'cause I like him, sir. — Middleton,
Anytkingfor a Quiet Life, iii. i.
C/. Porter, Two Angry Women; H., O.P., vii. 289.
Why the spring is the first quarter of the year. And fourthly,
the woman's reason may herein bear sway, that it is the
first because it is the first. — Poor Robin, 1667.
I will not believe it because I will not, is Tom Scul's argument,
as they say in Cambridge ; and a woman's reason, as they
say here. — Manningham, Dy., 1602-3, f« 97t> (Camden Soc).
A woman's thought runs before her actions. — Shak., As You Like
It, iv. 1, 124.
A woman's tongue is the last thing about her that dies. — S., P.C.,
iii.
400
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Nothing doth more discommend a woman than the multitude of
words, according to the common proverb, "A woman* should
be seen and not heard.*' — Becon, Book of Matrimony^ i. 675.
Su Maidens. — Haz., p. 271.
• Maid. — Becon, i. 536.
A woman thocht scho be meik scho is ill to knaw. — 6annat3me MS.^
1568, Advocates* Lib., Edin.
A woman who can't manage isn't fit to live.
A woman's wit is best at sode3me call. — Gascoigne, Grief of Joy ^ ii.
No remedy remained but onely woman's witte,
Which sodainly in queintest chance can best itself acquit.
Gascoigne, Comp, of Phil.
The sudden counsels and answers of women are observed to be the
best. — Ho., Parley of Beasts ^ 54.
Take a woman's first advice, and not her second. Primo crede
mulieris, secundo noli. — CI.
A woman's years, like counting at piquet, jump firom 29 to 6o. i.e.
she never acknowledges middle age.
A word old enough yet would have a comment. — T. Adams, Devil's
Banquet^ Ad. Lect., 1614.
A workman is known by his tools. ^Cl.
A workman is nothing without his tools. — Nash, Lenten Stuffe, 1598.
A wrangler never wanteth words. — Dr.
A yeld* sow was never guid to grycesf. — Ferg.
♦ Yceld: barren. f Porkers.
They who have no children of their own are harsh to other people's.
— K.
A young man and young woman, a match of God's making. e.g.
Adam and Eve.
An old man and a young woman, of our Lady's making, as Joseph
and Mary.
A young man and an old woman, of the devil's making. — Anecdotes
and Traditions, 65 (Camden Soc.). C/. S., P.C, 1.
William of Wyrcestre characterises the marriage of Katherine,
Duchess of Norfolk, in her 80th year, with Anthony
Woodville, as a diabolical marriage.
On the marriage of Goodwin, Bishop of Bath and Wells,
Elizabeth's courtiers censured him for various reasons, and
•* one told of three sortes of marriage : of God's maldng,
of man's making, and of the devil's making ; of God's
making, as when Adam and Eve, two young folks, were
coupled ; of man's making, when one is old and the other
young, as Joseph's marriage ; and of the devil's making,
when two old folks marry, not for comfort but for covetous-
ness." — Harington, Nuga Antique, ii. 152.
A young man old makes an old man yoimg. — Ho.
Qui veut estre tard vieux le se doit fait de bonne heure. —
Joubert, Er. Pop., ii. (65).
410
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A young man should not marry yet, an old man not at all. — Udall,
Erasm. Ap.^ p. 139, repr.
A young whore, an old saint. — R., 1670.
About myne and thine rysis mekle stryfe. — MS.
A certain noted merchant of this age used to say : "Above ;^io,ooo
in any one merchant's hands is a prejudice to trade ;'* but he
died worth ;^2oo,ooo. — Ry.
Absence breeds annoy. — Grange, Golden AphroditiSf A. 2.
Absence is a shroe.— Ferg.
Les absents out tort.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder. — T. Haynes Bayly, Isle 0
Beauty.
Absence renews the matrimonial bond
And makes the happy nuptial pair more fond.
N. Ward, Nuptial Dialogues, I., xxxi.
Absence, not long enough to root out quite
All love, increases love at second sight.
T. May, Henry II.
Abundance of law breaks no law. — K.
Abundantia juris non nocet. As we say, a fault on the right
side.
Abuses show the corruption of time. — Breton, Crossing Pr., i.
The cross is : ** No, it is the Timers."
Accidents will happen ... in the best regulated families.
Accidents will occur in the best regulated families. — Dickens, David
Copperfieldj ch. xxvii.
Accidents will happen to people that travel. — Vanbrugh, Provoked
Hushdand.
Advice comes too late.
When the enemy is at the gate.
II est trop tard de conseil prendre,
Quand en battaille il faut descendre. — Cord., 1538.
Adventures are to the adventurous. — Disraeli, Ixion in Heaven \
Colman, The Deuce is in Hinty I.
Ae hour in the morning is worth two in the afternoon.— Ry. (See
Haz., 53.)
Ae hour's cauld will suck out seven years* heat. — Ry.
Ae hour's cauld will spoil seven years* warming. — K.
Affiront your friend in daffin and tine him in earnest. — Hen.
After a collar comes a rope. — Thomas de Reene, Percy fo. i, 815.
M. after Knighthood hanging. Cf. Near the King.
After a collar cometh a halter. — Tanner of Tamworth ; Melbancke,
Philoty Bb. 4 ; Shak., / Henry IV. ^ ii. 4, 315 ; R. Davenport,
K.John and Matilda, 1655.
So a man sentenced to hanging was called a Knight of the
Collar.— /n/. of Youth ; H., O.P., ii. 15.
411
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA-
Wdl go the ways, and if tlij jndgmeot faker.
To second thj gokl cfaaxn expect a halter.
Tatham, Ti^ Ramp, iv.
After a flow there comes an ebb. Ipsa cfies, qnandoqiie parens,
qoandoqae norerca. — ^W., 1616.
After a low ^>be commeth a floode^ — ^Tavcraer, Ermam, Aw., lb. 24,
ro., 1552.
After great rest oft cometh thought — BzrckLjtOuUUffLabomrfF.^
Aba kissing comes more kindness. — Q-
After kmg mint never dint. — Ferg.
Long roent little dint.
Spoken when men threaten moch and dare not execute. — K.
After midnight men say that dreams be true. — Palsgrave, Ac^ G.
After pleasure cometh pain.
After mirth cometh moan. — Holinshed, 1586, Index.
After the dar cometh the night.
So after pleasure oft comes pain :
He is in prudence but porely pight.
That can nat both in lyke sustain.
Barclay, Skip of Fools^ iL 319, r^
After word comes weird. — Ferg. (Fair fall them that call me
madam. — K. When anyone is addressed by a high^ title
than he has arrived at, it is accepted as a flattering omen of
ftiture honours.)
" After you " is manners. — Robert Heath, Epigrams, p. 33, 1650 ;
K. Brome, Quun and Concubim, p. 61. 1659.
"After you" is good manners. — K.; S., P.C.^ ii-; John Tatham,
The RumPy i, 1660.
After wits are ever best. — Gosson, Sck. of Ah,, £p. to Reader.
After wit is everybody's wit. — Bailey.
After words cometh blows.— Ad., 1622.
Against a shrewd turn sometime no man may be. — Cchler of CanUr-
bury. Cf. Accidents will happen.
Agree with thine adversary quickly whiles thou art in the way with
him. — Matt., v. 25.
Age before honesty (in precedence). — Ch,
Age before beauty.
Against threescore have something in store. — M.
Age has an ear for every tale. — Brathwaite, Shepherd's Tale, Eel. iv.
1621.
Alesellers should na be tale-tellers. — K
All a case ; milk and milk porridge. — Torr.
All breads to be eaten, and all maids to be wed.
Touz dig se laissent dire et touz pains manger. — Pr. de Vil.
What one will not another will ; so shall all maids be married and
all meats eaten. — Dr.
412
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS-
All are fools.— CI.
All are not maidens that wear bare hair. — Ferg.
All bawdry doth not breed below the middle. — Taylor (W. P.),
The Bawd.
All brings grist to the mill. — R., 1670.
All cracks, all bears. — Ferg. Cf, A bully.
All cuckolds go to heaven; that's certain. — T. Otway, Soldier of
Fortune^ iv. 1681.
All extremes are bad. Sturt follows all extreams. — Montgomery,
Cherrie and Slaye^ 102. Su Haz., p. 121.
Physicians count all sudden and violent alterations in men's
bodies dangerous, especially when changing firom extremes
to extremes. — Fidler, Church Histoty, L, iv. 13.
All good and God say Amen. Noctua volat. — W., 1616.
All fools are out of their wits. Omnes stulti insaniunt. — North,
Lives of N., 1733, ii. 355.
All doctors are fools and all lawyers rogues. — ^Justice Stephen, Trial
of Florence Maybrick, August, 1889.
All donkeys will eat straw, if men know how to chop it.
All for ask " What will you give me ? " In pretio pretixun nunc est.
—CI. [Ovid, Fasti, I., 217.— Ed.]
<* All for What will ye give me ?"— Dr.
All for each and each for all. Motto of the " Knights of Labour.*'
— Christy.
All fails that fools think. — Ferg.
All is not lost that is delayed.
Ce qu'est diflfer6 n'est pas perdu ne esgar6. — Meurier, Coll.,
N. 2, v., 1555.
All follow the corpse to the grave, but every man bewaileth his own
griefs. — Dr.
All flesh is grass.
All *s good that God sends. — CI.
All fellows Jock and the laird. — Ferg.
All go to the pot. Valeat amicus cum inimico. — CI. Cf Haz.,
p. 46.
All is not deadly that looks dangerous. — Rowley, Airs Lost, i., 1633.
All good singers have colds. — S., P.C., i. See A good voice.
All jests like not all. — Davies, Scourge of Folly, Passages before the
Book of Mirth.
All green things are gay. — Davies, Epigrams, 321.
All mankind love a lord (and womankind too). See John Bull.
Did not the People's William once record.
That every true-born Briton loves a lord ?
Thomas Rogers, Epigrams, p. 84.
All is for the best, in for the best of all possible worlds.
All is lost that goes beside one's own mouth. — S., P.C*, iii.
418
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
All is lost that fadls beside one's own mouth* — CI.
All ills are good a first, i^. threatened.
All ills are good untried. See All things.
All is lost that is given to a fooL— Dr.
All is not paid that 's promised.— CI.
All is not to be sealed that ilk ane says,
Nor water all that weit is.
Montg., Ag. Unkindness of his companions.
Cf. All writings. (Below.)
All must live under a law. — Dr.
All men are mortal.— Taylor, Superbiac Flagellum^ 1621.
All's good if God say Amen. — CI.
All is well when the mistress smiles. — Ho.
All men are not alike. — Shak., Much Ado about Nothings iii. 5, 38.
All* oflBcers be blind. — Gascoigne, Steel Glas^ Arb. repr., p. 68.
* ij. persons in authority.
All overs are ill but over the water. — Ferg.
All overs are ill but over the water and over the hill. — Hen.
Omne nimium vertitur in vitium. — K.
Every excess is turned into vice. — Max. Younger in Hen.
So men's common guise
Is always to lay the burthen or the sack
(Which them sore grievetk) upon some other back.
Barclay, Edogue^ ii.
All seek to lay the burthen on other men's shoulders.
All see my face,
Few no my case. (Welsh.)
All shearers are honest in the harvest field. i.e. never trespass on
others' corn.
All Stewarts are no sib (sub) to the King. — K.
The hawke swore by his head of gray,
All sothes be not for to saye. — Parlement of Byrdes.
See All the truth.
Alle sothes ben not to say. — Occleve, De Reg. Prin,, p. 136.
All that are in bed must not have quiet rest. — Dr.
All in good time.
For alle thing hath time, as saith thise clerks. — Chau., Merch.
Tale, 9846.
All of a house but no fellows. — Shak., Taming of the Shrew.
Christ, (to Onion, a groom of the hall). What says my fellow
Onion ?
O. All of a house. Sir, but no fellows; you are my lord's
steward.
All that I know is that I know nothing.
Rein ne scais si non que je scay que rein je ne scay. — Meurier,.
1568.
414
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Hoc solum scio quod nihil scio. — Socrates. We know that we
know nothing. — Bacon, Nov. Org,^ i.
All that *s bright must fade. — Thos. Moore.
All that 's alike is not the same.— CI.
All that is sharp is short. — CI. Su All things.
All the burthen is on the ass's back,
But the strong cavall standeth at the rack.
Barclay, Eclogue^ iv.
All the com (in the country) is not shorn by prattersf. — Ferg.
'^ Kempers. — ^K. i.9. professed reapers.
All the keys hang not at one man's girdle. — Gosson, Sch. of Ah.
All the truth is not at all times to be spoken. Would not be told
(Veritas odivun parit). — Ad., 1622.
All truth is not best said. — Hick, ; H., O.P., i. 175.
At eche season truth ought not to be said. — Bar., Ship ofFools^ ii. 325.
All the vantage and the winning
Good buyers get at the beginning.
Montg., Chtrric and Slaye^ 93.
All the winning is in the first buying. — F., 1675.
See All sothes, above.
It is better some be left by reason
Than that truth be spoken out of season.
Parlament of Byrdes.
All the matter 's not in my Lord Judge's hand. — R., 1678.
All the wisdom is in the wig (satirical remark on lawyer's dress). —
Noake, Worcestershire Notes and Queries^ p. 273. 1856.
All the world is oatmeal, and my poke left at home. — Melb., Phil.^
Cc. 3.
Persuaded the City of Athens to make war, being set agog to think
aU the world oatmeal. — Udall, Er. Ap,y 337.
All things decay where is no head. — He., Four P,P. ; H., O.P., i. 358.
All things do waste and wear away eftsoon.
Saving God's Grace and also a millstone.
Omnia flaccescunt praeter haec quae non veterescunt,
Saxum molare et gratia summa Dei. — W., 1586.
All things come round to him who will but wait. — Longfellow,
Tales of a Wayside Inn, Ser Federigo.
Tout vient a point pour celui qui pent attendre. — Cordier, 1549.
All things may be suffered saving wealth. — He.
Ogni cosasi sapporta eccetto il buon tempo. — Cotgr., 1530.
All things fit not all men. — CI. (Decorum.)
All's one betwixt friends and kinsmen. — Hausted, Rival Friends,
iii. 6.
All the wit in the world is not in one head. — (Italian) E.
All things should be common betwixt Lords and Ladies. — Sir Giles
Goosecapy ii.
415
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
All things are good unseyed*. — Ferg.
♦ Untried.
All things wytes that no weel fares. — Ferg.
All things that are sharp are short. — He.
All that is sharp is short.— CI.
All things have their place knew us how to place them.— Cod.
All though there by diverse wey,
To dethyet is there but one ende. — Gower, C. A.^ iv.
Death hath a thousand ways to let out life. — Mass., A VeryWoman^ v. 4.
All trades must live. — Ry. ; Goldsmith, Good-natured^ an^ iii.
As we now say : ** It is good for trade *' when anything is accidentally
broken.
All women be evils, yet necessary evils. — Melb., PhU,, T. 2.
All will do well, the old man danceth. — CI.
He cites Harding frequently that ''Common Courteghiars in hot
countries are a necessary evil." — ^T. Adams, Works ^ p. 462.
For surely all conjectures be not true nor all writings are not the
Gospel.— E. Hall, Chron., [1548,] p. 49, rep.
C/. All is not to be sealed.
All would have and nought forego. — CL
All would have all. — fCilligrew, ThomasOf L, iv. 2.
All would have all, all wald forgive. — Ferg.
All worn in the Court is not paid (for) in the City. — Fulwell, Ars
Adulandi, C. 2.
All you get firom him you may put in your eye and see never the
worse. — He. ; Dr.
Always get your own way and you'll never die in a pet.— Charles
Reade, Perilous Secret, ch. xiii.
Always be doing. — CI.
Always verify your references. — [Prof. Jowett. — Ed.]
Always verify your quotations.
Always have an eye to the door. Servire tempori — CI.
Negro heo carvveiro
Branco heo seu dinheiro. — Bluteau, Voc. Port., 1712.
Always understate your case. — Cobden.
Black colliers go in threadbare coats,
Yet so provide they that they have the fair white groats.
Edw., Da. and Pith. ; H., O.P., iv. 76.
Although the smith be black, his money *s white.
Always carry the dish even. See When the cup.
But yet indeed, if I should say the truth,
Amongst all other, Welcome, Master Youth.
Lusty Juventus ; H., O.P., ii. 86.
Am I not a man and a brother ?
Aunque negros gente somos e* alma temos. — Bluteau, Voc.
Port., 171 2-21.
416
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Amongst friends all things be common. — Taverner, Adag.^ f. 70.
Amongst friends and fellows all things are common. — ^J. Day, Travels
of Three English Brothers, p. 58, rep.
Amongst friends much salt is eaten. — Dr. See He that hath many.
Amongst XX blynde an one-eyed man may be a kynge. (Inter
caecos regnat strabus. — Eras.) — Palsg., AcoL, 1540, M. 2.
Among you be't priests bairns, for *am but a priest's oye*. — K.
^a ne me regarde pas.
* Grandchild.
An active man can never be idle* Nihil dulcius quam omnia scire
(curiositus). — CI. C/. A man full of spirit.
An acorn one day proves an oak. — Bp. Corbet, To the Ladies of the
New Dress. Cf Every oak.
An Act of Parliament can do anything, except turn a man into a
woman.
An almon now for Parrot dilycatly drest.
An almond for a parrot. — Skelton, Speake Parrot, 50.
In the parler she (woman) is a parrot : she learns but what is
taught her, and an almond will please her. — Breton, Praise
of Vertuous Ladies, 1606.
** Phillis was turned into an almond tree for telling tales out of
school. Ever sithence it hath been a by-word, * An Almond
for A Parrot,' which least it be applied to me, I will leave
my prating." — Henry Buttes, Dyefs Dry Dinner^ E, 2. 1596.
Thersites. The parrot will not do more for an almond. — Shak.,
Tr, and Cr,, v. 2, 191.
A bribe to a Catchpoll is as sufficient as an almond to a parrot
to free her from the heat of the mace. — Taylor, The Bawd,
O papagayo treme maletas porquel Uenao dao almeydras
confeytas. — (Port.) Nunez, 1555.
An angler may catch a fish, but only a fisherman can tell the truth
about it. — Cowan. See Proverbs (American).
An arse beating 's but an arse beating. — CI.
When an arse beating 's away, 'tis but a play. — Torr.
An ass in cloth of gold is but an ass. See An ape. — Taylor [ W. P.],
Revenge.
A auld sack is ay skailing. — Ferg., 1675.
An auld pole is aye soaling*. — Brockett, North Country Words,
* Scattering.
An early start makes easy stages.
An eating horse never funniedf. Intimating that people will not
catch cold while they are eating. — K.
t Foundered.
An egg is a mouthful of meat and a townful of shame. — K. i,e, if
it be stolen.
An empty house is better than an ill tenant. (Used in apology for
a crepitus ventris.)
VOL. III. 417 27
Digitized by
Google
LEANS COLLECTANEA.
An empty purse maketh the face full of wrinkles. — Dr.
An empty tick sucks sore. — CI. C/. A hungry.
An elbuck* dire will lang thirlf. — Cunningham, Glossary to Bums,
* elbow. t be painful.
It is a comyn pro v. : An enemy's mouth saith seeld well. — Reynard
tJu Fox, trans, by Caxton, ch. iv. 1481.
An evil crow an ill ep^g. — Latimer, Rem., p. 42 (Parker See.).
An evily person even the very mouse dareth to snap at.
Malum vel mus audet rodere. — Udall, £r. Ap.^ p. 123.
An evil tree bringeth forth e\'il* fruit.
• ill— Dr.
A hardy mouse that is bold to breed in cattis ere. — Lydg., Ord, of
Fools, Harl. MS, 2251, f. 204; Skelton, Why come, Sk.P 753.
An honest plain man without pleets. — Ho.
An honest man — with good looking to. — S., P. C, i.
An honest tale speeds best being plainly told. — Shak., Richard III,,
iv. 4., 358.
An honest war is better than a bawdy peace. — The Puritan^ i. 2. 1607.
An humble bee in a cow-turd thinks himself a King.— Ho.
An hungry man is an angry man.
Ventre affame ne pent se taire. — Bailly, Quest, Nat. et Cur,, 162.
1628.
An hungry man's mind is on his meat. — Dr.
An idle brain, idle counsel. — Dr.
The idle man is the deviPs cushion. — T. Adams, Works, p. 420.
An idle man is the devil's bolster. — Hen.
An idle man is a bolster for the devil. — (Italian) E.
And whereas thou hast practised to be bolstered up by the
countenance of worshipful gentleman. — Fulwell, Ars
Adulandi, K, i.
An ill book is the worst of thieves. — (Italian) E.
An ill servant will never be a good master. — Ferg. Quae semel
ancilla, nunquam hera.
An ill lesson is soon learned. — Ry.
An ill hound comes halting home. — Ferg.
An ill beginning hath an ill ending. — CI.
A bad beginning makes a bad ending. — Title of a play, 161 3 ; Hll.,
O. E, P.
An ill wife and a new-kindled candle should hae their heads hadden
down. — Ry.
An ill-win* penny will cast down a pound. — Ferg.
• ill-won.— Hislop.
An ill word is always ready. — CI.
An ill surgeon without store of plasters. — Dr.
An ill phrase may come from a good heart. — Fielding, Don Quixote
in England, iii. 6.
41S
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
An ill neighbour's an ill thing. — CI.
An inch at the top is worth two at the bottom. — S., P.C.y ii. (Of a
glass of liquor.)
An inch of a nag is worth a span of an aver*. — (Scottish) R., 1678.
i.e. little and good.
• Ferg., 164 1 : or carthorse.
An Indian civilian is worth ^300 a year, living or dead. That is qua
husband.— (Quoted by Jessell, Master of the M. Rolls, 3/'79.)
An itch is worse than a smart. — Ho.
An oath clears the air like thunder.
Hump. For sure, sometimes an oath being sworn, thereafter
is like cordial broth. — B. and F., Knight of the
Burning Pestle, ii. i.
When a man's heart is full, I fancy somehow there is an oath
on the top of it, and when that pops out he's easy. —
Colman, Poor Gentleman, iii. 3.
An old babe is no child. — CI.
An old cloake will make a new jerkin. — Shak., Merry Wives of
Windsor, i. 3, 16.
His old doublet will make thee a new truss. — Kyd, Span, Trag,, iii ;
H., O.P., v. 88.
An old hawk needs no manning.
An old leather needs small tanning.
Melb., Phil., Ee. 4.
An old lawyer.
** Their Lawer the older the abler; the longer a Barrester or at
Inns of Court, the more * angels and legs they shall have." —
Rd. Whitlock, Zootomia ; Ho., 53 ; The People* s Physician, p. 91.
[* See Angels, below. Legs here probably mean leg dollars. See Neu) Eng.
Diet., snb v.— Ed.]
An old man and a may
Can not accord by no way. — Chester Playk^ i. 98.
An auld mason maks a gude barrowman. — Ry.
An old servingman, a young beggar. — Ho., Health to Servint^mai ,
p. 117, Hazlitt's repr.
A servingman that 's young in older years
Oft proves an aged beggar, it appears.
Taylor, The Beggar, 1621.
An old man's best praise is his prayer. — Codr.
An old poacher makes the best keeper.
An old post would have a new gate hung to it. — C.
Old cows like young grass, old men young wives. — Lewins, Bunnese
Proverbs,
An old sore to heal is half incurable. — Barclay, Ship of Fools, i. 51.
An old sore is not soon cured. — Dr.
An old child sucks hard. i.e. children, when they grow to age, are
chargeable. — Manningham, Dy., 1602-3, fo. 9 (Camd. Soc).
419
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
An old woman's better than saltpetre to make gunpowder. — T.
Heywood, Golden Age, iv. 1611.
An only child makes three fools in a house, i.e. both parents and itself.
Chi ha un figliuolo solo lo fa matto.
An olite* mother maks a swear f daughter. — Ferg.
• Oleit : ax:tive, obliging. f Sweir : lazy, unwilling.
Mere pitieuse,
Fille rogneuse. — Bacon, Promus, 1471.
An only dochter is either a deil* or a dawf. — Hen.
* Pride. t Drab, slattern.
An* two men ride of a horse, one must ride behind. — Shak., Much
Ado, iii. 5.
An unhappy man's cart is eith to tumble.— Ferg. i.e. a ne'er-do-
weel is easily upset.
An unlawful oath is better broke than kept. — R., 1670.
It is the point of an unmannerly guest to rise before the grace be
said.— Melb., Phil., Ff. 4.
An untoward girl makes a good woman. — Greene, Theeves Falling
Out, 1592. [1617.]
And you be a man, show yourself a man. — Porter, Two Angry
Women ; H., O.P., vii. 336.
And you should kill a man, you would kiss his . — lb., 357.
Angels in the highway.
Devils in the byway. — T. Adams, p. 217.
Angels work wonders in Westminster Hall. i.e. the gold coin of
ten shillings value. [See An old lawyer, above. — Ed.]
But nowadays he shall have his intent
That hath most golde, and so it is befall.
That aimgels work wonders in Westminster Hall.
Barclay, Ship of Fools, i. 25.
Upon Anne's marriage with a lawyer :
Anne is an angel, what if so she be ?
What is an angel but a lawyer's fee ?
Wits* Recreation, Ep. 594.
I withdraw myself forth of Westminster Hall. i.e. of all good
company. — Pal., Ac, H, 3.
Another time is no time. Cf. Haz., p. 309 : Some day is no day.
Any fool can spend money ; it requires a wise man to make it. Cf.
Haz., p. II : A fool may make money.
Any man may have what he wants, if he will only pay high enough
for it. — Daily News, 16/3, *8i.
Any port in a storm. — Hen.
Any stick will do to beat a dog (with).
Any religion is better than no religion.
But some do say : " It is better to be of one evil religion than
of none at all." — Bullein, B, of Def. (Booke of Compoundes,
f. 60). 1562.
420
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Anything to oblige.
Any young thing is pleasant*. C/. Each thing is fair.
• Pretty.— CI.
Cum parvula est bona videtur spina. — Ad., 1622.
Beaute du diable,
Le diable etait beau quand il etait jeune.
Apparel maketh a man. — Dr.
Apparel shapeth both man and beast. — Dr.
Cloth shapes, meat maintains, but manners make a man. — CI.
Clothes make a man. — F. W.
Appearances are deceitful. — Ch.
Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judg-
ment.—/oA«, vii. 24.
Les apparences sont trompouses. — Lady Mary Wortley
Montague, Letters, i. 239.
Arson is the easiest crime to commit, and the hardest to convict on.
Apollo's bow's not always bent. — Brathwait, English Gentleman^
p. 174.
Non calathum Juno, non arcum semper Apollo
Tendit, amant requiem corpora fessa suam.
Art helps Nature and Experience.
Art is long, Life is short. Ars longa, vita brevis.
"The life so short, the craft so long to lerne."— Chaucer, Parlement
of FouleSf i.
Ars vera res severa.
** And although our life be short, yet the art of physick is long.'* —
Wm. Bullein, Government of Health, 1552.
As day brake, butter brake. — K.
The right man arriving at the right moment.
As a man sinneth so is his punishment. — Dr.
As easy to get butter out of a dog's mouth as money out of a lawyer,
— Elworthy, W, Somerset Words.
As fast as one goeth, another cometh. — He., Dialogue^ I., iii.
As good a foe that hurts not, as a friend that helps not. — L. Wright,
Display of Dutie^ 10.
As good is my foe that hurts me not,
As my friend at my need that helps me not.
Davies, Epigrams, 193 ; Dr.
As good a merchant tines as wins by a time. — K.
An apology for the ** imfortunate " in business. As good mer-
chant tynes as wins. — Ferg.
As good be hanged for an old sheep as a young lamb. — P. in i?., 1678.
As well be hanged for a wedder as a lamb. — Ry. See Never go to
the Deil.
421
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
K. tells a story of a Presbyterian minister whose son was made
Archdeacon of Ossory. When this was told to the father,
he said : " If my son will be a knave, I am glad that he is
an arch knave."
As good have none as no more than one.
Qui n'en a qu'un n'en a point.
Einmal ist
Keinmal.
One 's as good as none.
One *s none. — Wr.
C/. Once doesn't count. This is the legal brocard, Testis unus,
testis nuUus.
As good cope with the devil as with the law. — Honest Lawyer,
i. 1616.
As good hand as draw. — Ferg.
As good be silent as saucy. — Lyly, Endym,, iv. 2.
As good hands the stirrup as he that loups on. — Ferg.
As good holds the stirrup as he that loups on. — Ry.
As good may had the stirrup as he that loups on. — K.
As good kiss a knave as be troubled with him. — CI.
As good lost as foimd. — He.
As good such friends were lost as found that help us not at need. —
Fulwell, Ars Adulandi, G. i.
As good never as too late. — Melb., Philot, T. 3.
As good say a good word as a bad. — Wily Beguiled^ 1606 ; H., OJ^.,
ix. 261 ; Haz., p. 16.
As good seek nought, as seek and find nought. — He.
AIs gude luife cums as gais. — Lyndesay, Three Estatis, 1720.
As good steal a* horse as look over the hedge. — Dr.
♦ The— Ho.
As good to be in the dark as without light. — S,, P,C,, iii.
As good undone as do it too soon. — He.
As great as you be, you may need your neighbours. — CI.
As long as I live I '11 spit in my parlour. — F.
As long as ye serve the tod ye maun bear up his tail. — Ferg. i.e.
you must not be above your master's dirty work.
As riseth my good,
So riseth my blood. — Becon, ii. 129.
A parvenu's proverb.
Oft end and beginning accordeth without fail,
None maketh two-hand sword of pliant cow's tail.
Barclay, Myrrour of Good Matters.
As the life is, so is the death. — Breton, Crossing Pr., ii.
As men live so they die. — CI.
As the tree falls so [shall] it lie [lies ). — T. Adams, Works f 486. 1629.
422
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
And if the tree fall toward the south or toward the north, in the place
where the tree falleth, there it shall be. — EcclesiasteSy xi. 3.
As sore fights wrens as cranes. — Ferg.
A sore weepeth the child after noon as a-fore noon. — CI.
lisdem e Uteris comoedia & tragoedia componitur. — Ad., 1622.
As the carle riches he wratches. — Ferg. The more you heap.
As ye lade your life so ye judge your neighbour. — P. Robbings
Ollminick^ 1861.
As ye do yourself so ye judge your neighbour. — Ry.
As you are stout be merciful. — S., P.C,^ i. A taunt to those who
threaten us and whom we are not afraid of. — K.
Avalle ce que tu as brass6. — Cordier, De Cor, Ser,^ 1538.
As you brew so shall you drink. — CI.
As one brews so let him drink. — Percival, Span. Gram.y 1599.
Let him habbe asse he brew ale to drynge. — King of Almaigne ;
Wright, Pol., P. and 5., 69.
Suilk als J)ai brued now ha J?ai dronken. — Cursor Mundi, 2848.
Let them drink as they brew. — Bullein, B. of Def, (S. and Ch.)y
f. 37, 1562.
The bitemesse that thow hast browe, now brouk hit thyself. — Piers
Plowman, Pass. xxi. 404.
As he had brewd so should he bake. — Disobedient Child ; H., O.P.,
ii. 294.
We must drink as we brew. — Town. Myst,, p. iii.
Such ale as he hath brued let him drink himself. — Taverner, Eras.
Prov., f. 49.
And whoso wicked ale breweth,
Ful ofte he mote the worse drink. — Gower, C.Am., iii.
As well eat the Devil as the broth he is boiled in. See Haz., p. 307,
One had as good eat, &c.
Shrove Tuesday. And the custom of making fritters and pancakes
was to use up all their flesh meat drippings before Lent, in
which no flesh was eaten, nor even any dripping and liquor
or broth, from an old saying that you may as well eat the
devil as the broth he is boiled in. — Agreeable Comp., p. 17.
We must not so much as taste of the devil's broth, least at last he
bring us to eat of his beef. — Hall, Funehria Flora, p. 12. 1660.
As you love me look in my dish. — K. i.e. show it by your acts.
Ask and have. — CI.
Spare not to speak ; ye can but be denied. — Warning for Fair Women ^
i. 1599.
It is but ask and have. — Wilson, Belphegor, ii. i.
Ask me no questions, and I '11 tell you no lies. (Fibs — Goldsmith,
She Stoops to Conquer, iv.)
Ask about.
And find out.
423
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Asses are called to the Court to bear burthens.
Ob res portandas asini vocitantur ad aulas. — W., 1586.
Ask the landlord if his beer be good.
Laudat venales qui vult extrudere merces. — Hor.,£/., IL,ii. 11.
Auld Wull, and young Wull,
And Wull of middle age ;
Once we get another Wull,
We '11 lock old Wull in a cage. (Berwick)
Denham, Folklore, 6^., p. 30. 1858.
Young Willie, auld Willie,
Willie among the bairns ;
Once we get another Willie,
We '11 knock out auld Willie's haims.
lb,, p. 29.
At Fasten e'en night the maiden was fou,
She said she would fast all Lenten through. — K.
Fasten e'en is Shrove Tufesday. Spoken when those in plenty
commend temperance. — K.
At lovers' perjuries, they say, Jove laughs.— Shak., Romeo and Julut,
ii. 2, 92.
At first hand buy.
At third let lie.— Tusser Red., [Aug/s Abst.]
For this is a maxim by gamesters maintain'd :
At play there is neither relation nor friend.
Ned Ward, Walk to Islington, ii. 69.
This proverb learn of me :
Avaunt never of thy degree.
Rel, Antiq,, iv. 401 ; in Hll.
Avoid occasions of evil. — CI.
Avoid the first quarrel (in married life).
Away with care till care-day come. Dormit cum luscinia dormit.
—CI.
Authority shows what a man is. — CI.
A man is best known when he is in authority. Magistratus virum
indicat. — Ad., 1622.
Ax near*.
Sell dearf.
N,, VL, iii. 336 ; Peacock, Lincoln Glossary.
* i.e. the value, but not much beyond.
t i.e. don't put too high a price on your wares.
Aye tak the fee
When the tear 's in the e'e. — Hen.
*'Ay" and **No" too was no good divinity. — Shak., King Lear,
iv. 6, 99.
Bachelor's fare : bread and cheese and kisses. — S., P. C, i.
Back your luck. i,e, persevere in a prosperous vein.
Bacon gives as much relish to boiled chicken as good sense to
pretty woman. — (Miss Maples, of Spalding.)
424
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Bad money drives out good (money). i.e, inconvertible paper drives
out gold. — Gresham*s Law.
Bad memory has its root in bad attention. — Christy.
Bad is the best.— CI.
Then plainly to speak of shepherd's most-what,
Bad is the best : (this English is flat).
Spencer, Shepherd's Kalendar, September, 104.
Bad is the cause which none dares speak in. — Cod. See It*s an ill cause.
Bairns' mother brust never. — Ferg. Because she will keep meat
out of her own mouth and put it into theirs. — K.
Baking, brewing, and tailoring will last to the end of the world.
Sunt tria quae nunquam pereunt tellure manente,
Pinsere, braxare, radere, bulgus ait. — Withals, 1587.
Tyl bysshops ben bakers, brewers, and taylors. — P. Plow. Vis., V.
120. Cf. lb., ii. 20, C. text.
The chief thing for life is water and bread and clothing. — Ecclesiasticus^
xxix. 21.
Barbers are correctors of capital crimes. — Ho. i.e. surgeons.
Bankruptcies and fire multiply and diminish together.
Bare gentry, bragging beggars. — Ry.
Bare wages never made a servant rich. — [It.] E.
Bare words are no lawful bargain. — CI. Nudum pactum (Ignoratio.)
Bare words are no good bargain. — CI.
Bargains made in speed ar comonelie repented at leasure. — Max*
Yo. MS., 1586, in Hen. Cf. Marry in haste.
Ba(i)mes are blessings. — Shak., AlVs Well, i. 3, 25.
Pist. Base is the slave that pays. — Shak., Henry V., ii. i, 93.
Bastard brood
Is aye proud.
Bastard et bon c*est aventure,
Estant mauvais c'est de nature. — Meurier, 1568.
I bastardi non sono obligati a far bene. — BoUa.
Battles cost both sides blows. — CI.
Be a whole man to the thing in hand.
Be and not seem. Esse quam videri. — Emerson, Essays.
Without the thing they joy them of the name. — Bar., Ship of Fools,
i. 142.
They strive to seem, but never care to be. — Gascoigne, Gr. of J., ii.
Be captain of your own ship. — (Sea) Marryat, King's Own, ch. iii. 2.
It is fit that every man should bear rule in his owii house. — ^T.
Adams, Whs., p. 988.
Be familiar with all, and trust none. — Nash, Unfortunate Traveller, C.
Be jugging or jogging. Aut bibat aut abeat.— (Cic.) Wr.
Be just and fear not (John Bright*s motto). — Shak., Henry VUL,
iii. 2, 446.
42
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Be just before you are generous.
Be lang sick that ye may be soon hale. — Ry.
The best wysdom that I can
Ys to do well and dread no man.
Proverb of Good Counsel^ Harl, MSS. 2252, f. 3.
Be not fimed to tag and rag. — CI.
Neque nulli sis amicus, neque omnibus. — CI.
Be not too bold with your biggers or betters. — Ho.
Be patient, and you shall have patient children. — P. in /?., 1678.
Be sure to ask enough. — CI.
Be sure your sin will find you out. — Numbers^ xxxii. 23.
Justice so brings about
That black sins still hunt one another out.
Taylor (W.P.), Works, Spenser Soc., i. 304.
Be the same thing that you would be called. — Ferg.
Be the mastiflf gentle, yet bite him not by the lip. — Cod.
Be thou sick or whole.
Put mercury in thy kole.
Cogan, Haven of Health, 1584.
i.e, put chenopodium bonus Henricus in thy pottage.
Be thou well, be thou wo.
Thou shalt not be ay so. — K.
Be what thou would'st seem to be. — Cod.
Be you never so high, the law is above you. — F.
Bear one injury and provoke more. — ^T. Adams, Wks., p. 1057.
Bear and forbear. — Dr. ; Tusser, Huswifery, p. 12 ; Becon, Epictetus^
i. 640 (as a phrase) ; Ferg.
Bear and forbear is gude philosophy. — Hen.
Bear and forbear, short and good philosophy. — E.
Sustine et abstine. — Erasmus.
I am all redy for to bere
My peine and also to forbere.
Gower, Con, Am,, ii.
Beat me to better me. — CI.
Beauty and folly are often matched together. — Cod.
Beauty is a blaze. Quod vides non diu florebit. — CI.
Le beau Soulier devient enfin savate. — Baif, Mimes,
Beauty is in the eye of the gazer.
Piensan los enamorados
que tienen los otros los ojos quebrados. — Nunez, 1555.
Beauty when unadorn'd adorned the most. — Thomson, Seasons,
Autumn, i. 204.
Bear with me.
And I '11 bear with thee.— CI.
** Because *' is woman's reason. — K.
426
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
** Because " is a woman's reason. — Ry.
Answer, says my old friend, A. B. Cheales, citing our Neapolitan
experiences, when to our indignant remonstrance the answer
of absolutism was: **Perche no? Perche no." See A
woman's reason.
She shall with flesh unable be to go,
I cannot yield the reason, but 'tis so.
Taylor (W.P.), The Goose.
Beggars may sing
Before a king. — Cod.
Because the bhnd man halteth and is lame,
In mind he thinketh that all men do the same.
Bar., EcLy iv.
Beg from beggars and you '11 never be rich. — K.
B^ from a beggar . . . . — M. Milnes, Text to Almsgiving. Irish
prov. : Deark d'on dearka.
Innanzi il maritare
abbi '1 abitare.
Antes de casur,
ten casa en que morar.
Before thou marry,
Be sure of a house wherein to tarry. — R., 1670.
Begin betyme for to be sage,
If thou wilt leade longe old age.
Mature fias senex si diu velis esse senex. — (Er.) Tav., f. 10 vo..
Believe not all that thou see nor half that thou hear.
Qui leviter credit, deceptus saepe recedit. — W., 1586.
B^gars dow bide no wealth. — K. i,e. it turns their head.
Men should not to lightly leve all that they here. — Gower, C. A.y i.
Begin with needles and prines and leave oflf with horses and homed
nout. — K. ».#. to steal them. See He that begins.
Benefits bind. — Dr. ; CI.
Beneficia, veneficia. — T. Adams, Wks.^ p. 53.
Belive in two hours and a half. — K. (C/. By-and-by.) i.e. Directly,
like the Italian ** Subito ! "
Best men are moulded out of faults. — Shak., Measure for Measure, v.
I. 437.
Best please and serve those
That best does and least owes.
(Old hedge-ale-house motto.) Willis, Current Notes.
Best wittis ar soinest caught by Cupide. — Max. Yo. in Hen.
Bett^ a little chiding than a great deal of heart-break. — Shak.,
Merry Wives of Windsor, v. 3, 9.
Better a castell of bones
Than of stones.
HoUnshed, Chronicles of Ireland, p. 72.
427
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Better a woe bush than nae bield. — Cunninghame, Bums Glossary,
Better to be a fool of God's making (bom so into the world), or a
fool of man's making (jeered into it by general derision),
than a fool of his own making (by his voluntary affecting
thereof).— F. W., Staff., 47.
Better a barefoot* than none at all (that is to say, not able to walk).
— Richardson, Clarissa Harlowe {Lett,, 63].
• Barefoot. Cf. Haz., 83.
Better a tocher in her than wi' her. — K.
For oft us'd he to say, right sure I am,
A penny in a man than with a man
He did esteem more of.
Brathwait, Shep, T., Eel. v. [ii. 3]. 1621.
Cf, Haz., p. 84.
Better a thigging mother than [nor] a riding father. — Ferg.
Both these signify that the mother, though in a low condition,
will be more kindly to and more careful of orphans than
the father can be, though in a better. And in case of second
marriage children will have a far better life imder a
stepfather than a stepmother.
Better the mother with the poke than the father with the sack.
Better be afore at a burial than ahin at a bridal. — Cunninghame,
Glossary to Bums,
Better be a cock for a day than a hen for a year. — Ho.
Better be alone than in bad company. — CL
Better alone than have bad company. — Waming for Fair Women, i.
1599-
Better be drunk than drowned. i,e, with wine than beer. — Forby,
E.A,
Better be half hanged than ill- wed. — R., 1670.
Better be kind than cumbersome. — Ry.
Better be sonsie as soon up. — K. Luck is better than labour.
Better be the happy man than the happy man's son. Spoken when
a prosperous man's son is fallen into want. — K.
Better be the head of a pike than the tail of a sturgeon. — (Italian)
R., 1670.
Better beg than steal. — CI.
Better be unmannerly* than troublesome. i,e, visit your friends too
often. • unkind.— Ry.
A case de tu tia,
Mas no cada dia.
Malim in banc peccare partem, ut desiderer quam ut obtundam.
Better my friend think me fremit than fashions. — Ry.
Vogli6 pill tosto mostrarmi mal creato che disobedient©. — Flo.,
2d. Ft,, 1591.
Better bom than bred.— Ds., Wifs Pilg., R, i,
428
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
"Better clem* than go to the Union. — Wallace, Popular Sayings
Dissected, * Clem, to starve.
It is better coming to the end of a feast then beginning of a fray. —
Ad., 1622.
The latter end of a fray and the beginning of a feast
Fits a dull fighter and a keen guest.
Shak., 1 Henry IV,, iv. 2, 77.
Better coming to the (latter) end of the feast than at the beginning
of a fray. — Dr. 1629,
Better to be at the end of a feast than the beginning of a firay. — CI.
Ill luck to come at the end of a shot and beginning of a fray. — CL
And the fool of fortune though he come the latter end of a feast yet
pays the whole reckoning. — Defoe, Everybody's Business ^ p. 22.
1725-
Better cry Fie salt, than Fie stink. — K An apology for having our
meat too much powdered, because otherwise it would stink. —
K. See Haz., 327.
Better eat grey bread in youth than in eild.— Ry.
Better flatter a fool than fight wi* him. — Ry.
Better far oflf than near, be ne'er the near. — Shak., Richard II,, v.
2., 88.
Far oflf and ne'er the near. — T. Heyw., Fair Maid of the
Exchange, 1607, p. 36.
Better find iron than tine siller. — K.
Better give a shilling than lend half-a-crown. — Spurgeon.
Better give the slight than get it. — K. Spoken by a maid who is
courted by one she believes not to be in earnest. — K.
Better go by your enemies' grave than's gate. — CI. Mortui non
mordent.
Better go twice running than once giming. To servant removing
things from table.— Baker, Northampton Glossary,
Better have a dog to fawn on us than to bark or bite us. — CI.
Better good sale*
than good ale. — K.
♦ Health.
Nor good ale. — Ferg. A good temperance proverb.
Better have orra one*
Than norra one.f
Fielding, Tom Jones, VIII, , ii.
* t.#. e'er a one, arrow one. t (Somerset) than ne'er a one.
Better hap to the Court nor gude servyce. — Lyndsay, C. to King,
lOI.
Stewart Hap at Court. — Bann., MS,, No. 166, Ed. Hailes, p. 163.
Better happie to Court nor good service. — Ferg., 1641.
Better is a litell losse J)an a longe sorwe. — P, Plow, Vis. Prol., 195.
Better hand loose nor bound to an ill baikine. — Ferg,
429
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Better hand loose than on an ill teddering. — K.
Better a bachelor than married to an ill wife. — K.
Better hand by a hair than draw wi' a tether. — Ry.
Betere is appel yzeve j)en y-ete
Quoth Hendyng. — Prov. of Hendyng, 12.
Better is an ass that carrieth me than a horse that layeth me on the
ground. — Dr.
Better is better. — CI. See Good is. — Haz., I., iv. 6.
Betere is eye sor fen al blynd
Quoth Hending. — Prov, of H., 7.
Luscus praefertur caeco, sic undique fertur.
Better is one forethought than two after. — Tav., f. 3. 1552.
Better is one month's cheer than a churl's whole life. — He. ; Dr.
Better is small beer that is one 's own than wine on charity.
Gwell sucan neziant nogwin cardawd. — Baker, Nortkants
Glossary,
Better is small fyre, one easyly to warm,
than is a great fyre to do one hurt or harm. — Bar., EcL, i.
Wei bet is roten appel out of hord
Than that it rotie al the remenaunt.
Chau., Coke's T., 4404.
Betere is folien whyle sore*
pen moumen evermore.
Alysoune, Spec, Lyr. Po, (Percy Soc), vol. xix., p. 28.
• Suffer pain awhile.
Better it were to cease of language soon,
Than speak and repent when thou hast done. — P, of Byrdes,
Better kind frend than fremit kind.
Better key cold than lukewarm. — D. Rogers, Naaman^ p. 166.
Better keep the devil at the door than turn him out of the house. — K.
i,e, don't let him establish himself.
Better hold out than put out. — Ferg.
Yet better leave off with a little losse,
Than by much wrestling to leese the grosse.
Spencer, Shak, Kal, Sep,, 137.
Enemies are ten times easier kept out than thrown out. — ^J. Wilson,
Andron, Com., iii. 3.
Better lose the saddle than the horse.— CI.
Better long little than soon nothing. — Northall, Folk Phrases of Four
Counties,
Better luck next time.
Better luck the next throw. — Matt. Bishop, Life and Adv., p. 211.
1744.
Better once wise than never. — Tatham, The Rump, iv.
Better meals many
Than one too merry. — Ds., Ep.^ 249.
430
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Better never to begin than never to make an end. — CI.
Than leave a thing unended better not begin. — Bar., Ship of Fools ^
i. 176.
This is quoted as a Saxon proverb: "Ost doed lata domoe
foreldit sigi sit hagahuem suurltit thianna.** — Works of St.
Boniface (8th Century), I. Ep., 141, ed. Giles, 1844, p. 274.
Better once a mischief than ever an inconvenience.
Satius est subire semel quam cavere semper. — CI.
Better admit a mischief than an inconvenience. — D. Rogers, Matrim.
Hon,, II.
Better old debts than auld sairs. — Ferg.
The one may be paid, the other will ache. — K.
Better pay the butcher than the doctor.
Better one than all. — CI. ; Haz., 372.
Better one house be cumbered with two fools than two (houses). —
Lyly, M, Bomb,, v. 3.
Better rue sit, nor rue flit. — Ferg.
Go further and fare worse. Benefit of a marriage.
Better sma fish than* an empty dish.
♦ Nae fish.— Ry.
Better steal a horse than stand by and look on. — Ho.
Better sit idle than work for nought. — Ferg.
Better say nothing than nothing to the purpose. — Ho.
Better rough and sonsie,
Than bare and donsie*. — K.
• Unlucky.
Betyr plesyth a ful wombe than a newe cote. — Harl. MS. 3362.
Better play for nothing! than work for nothing. — CI.
t Inanis opera.
Better taught than fed. — Lyly, Euph., p. 420.
Better suffer a great evil than do a little one.
Better tarry a thing then have it
Than go too soon and vainly crave it.
He., Four P.P., H., p.P., 1348.
Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.— Shak., Merry
Wives of Windsor, ii. 2, 279.
Better ten guilty escape than one innocent person suflfer.
Better times will come. — Wr.
Better thole a grumph than a sumph. — He. i.e. a shrew than a
sheep.
Better to be sure than sorry. — (American) Mair.
Better to be good than good looking.
Better to be at the beat of the drum than at the beck of the hang-
man.— Cod.
Better to be King of a molehill than a Keysar's slave. — Ho.
Better to be happy than wise. — He.
431
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Better to be fortunate than wise. — Webster, White Devil, p. 49.
Luck 's all : *Tis better to be fortunate than be a rich man's
son. — Wilson, Andr. Com,, i. 3.
Better to be born lucky than rich.
Better to be idle than to do harm. — New Custom^ i. 2 ; H., 0,P., iii.
Better to sit for nouth than stir for nought.—D. Rogers, Mat. Hon,,
255. C/. An argument for quietness. — Haz., 387.
Better to be unmannerly than troublesome. ~ Ho.
Well, sir, at this time I '11 rather be unmannerly than cere-
monious.— Warning for Fair Women, ii.
Better to die than live in shame. C/. Better to die a beggar. — Haz.,
p. 85.
Melius est mori quam male vivere. — P. Plow, Vis,, C. Pass,
xviii. 41. C/. Malo mori quam foedari.
Bet is to dygn than have indigence. — Ch., Prol, Man of Law's T,, 4534.
Better not to live at all than to live miserably. — Pal., Ac, T. 3.
Better to give than to take. — He.
It's better give than take.— Ds., Ep., 123; Taylor (W. P.), The
Beggar, 1621.
Better to go by the enemy's grave than his door. — Ad., 1622.
Better to go to bed supperless than to rise in debt. — R., 1670.
Better to hang than to hold (Desperatio). — CI.
Better to have a child with a snotty nose than to have no nose at
all.— Cod.
Better to have good fortune than be a rich man's child. — CI.
Better to have than to hear of a good thing. — lb.
Between man-of-war and man-of-war there's nothing got but dry
blows. — Torr.
Tra corsaro e corsale non si guadagna che li barili vuoti. — lb.
Better to pass a dagger once than be always in fear. — (Italian) R.,
1670.
Better to reign in hell than serve in heaven. — Milton, Paradise Lost,
i. 263.
Better to wear out than rust out. — Bp. Cumberland [1631 — 1718],
teste Bp. Home, On Truth.
It is better to wear up with work than with rust. — Forby, E, A,
Between ten* and thirteen
Bow the waindt while it is green. — K.
♦ Three.— Hen. t Thraw the woodie.— Hen.
Lisons tant que nos yeux nous le permettront et t&chons d'etre
au moins,-les 6gaux de nos enfants plutot suser que se
rouiller — Diderot, Essai sur la Vie de Shicqui et les Rhgnes de
Claude et Neron, ii. 79.
Beware a lucky man whilst you live. — Nobody and Somebody, p. 338.
i,e, one who has a name for winning, as presumably a cheat.
— Harington, Epig., i. 37.
492
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Beware of a reconciled enemy. — Dr. Foe.
Servo pregato patron strappazzato. — Torr. i,e, a servant taken
back after dismissal despises his master.
Be war to spome ageyn an al.— Chaucer, Truth {Balade de hon
conseyl), ii,
Cf. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.-^— -^^^5, ix. 5.
Beware of an afterclap. — Dr.
Take heed of after claps that fall.—Turberville, Love,
Afterclap occurs in T. Occleve, A. de B., ed. Mason, 1796.
And whosoever he be the which can cough so long he cannot
die, but beware the afterclaps. — Boorde, Brev. of Health,
358- 1547-
To thy frende thou loveste moste
Loke thou telle not alle thy worste,
Whatsoever behappes,
For when thy frende is thy foe,
He wolle telle alle and more too,
Beware of afterclappes.
Lansdowne MS» 762, f. 100.
La recheute est plus dangereuse que la premiere maladie. —
Joubert, Er, Pop,, ii. 170.
Beware of taking a servant who has waited on your betters. You
will have to spend beyond your means, and be despised to
boot. — Christy.
Biting and scratching gets the cat with kitling. — R., 1678.
Cf. Biting and scar ting is Scots folks* wooing. — Ferg.
Bind the seek ere it be full. — Ferg. Do not tax any person or thing
to the utmost.
Black for beauty, but blue for love (eyes). — N,, VII., xi. 251.
Black eye beauty, grey eye greedy gut.
Eat all the pudding up. — Peacock, Lincoln Glossary.
Blue eye beauty, black eye steal pie,
Grey eye greedy gut, brown eye love pie. — lb.
Black's my apron and am ay washing 't. A senseless exlcamation
at hearing of a misfortune that we are not much concerned
about. I suppose it came from people saying upon hearing of
a real and concerning misfortune, " Black 's my heart.** — ^K.
Black Jack rides a good horse. Cornish miners' proverb.
Blende or sulphide of zinc indicates a good lode of ore beneath.
Abel. Bot go we further both together,
Blessed be God, we have tair weather.
Town. Myst., p. 12.
Blest and happy is that hole.
That findeth the house wood and coal.
Becon, B. of Matrimony, Pref., 1562, i. 564.
(A wittol's proverb.)
Blessed is he who expecteth nothing, for he shall never be dis-
appointed. Sometimes called the 8th Beatitude.
VOL. III. 438 d8
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
I have many years ago magnified in my own mind and repeated
to you a ninth Beatitude added to the eight in Scripture,
" Blessed is he who expects nothing for he shall never be
disappointed." -Pope's Letters to Gay, Oct. 6, 1727; Works^
X. 184.
Blessed are the peacemakers {Matt., v. 9). — Porter, Two Angry
Women; H., O.P., vii. 337.
Qui n'ayme mieulx paix che guerre,
N'est pas digne de vivre guere. — Meurier, 1558.
Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from
giving us wordy evidence of the fact. — Geo. Eliot, Theoph.
Such,f iv., ad fin.
Blessings on the man who invented sleep, it wraps a man round like
a cloak. — Sancho in D. Quixote, IL, ch. 67.
Blind Bayard is as sure of foot as palfrey in the dark. — Fulwel),
Ars Adulandif G, 4.
For blood may suffire blode, bothe hungry and akale. (A man will
let his kinsman starve and shiver, but will avenge his
murder.)
Ac blode may nou3t se blode. blede, but him rewe. — P. Plow.
Vis., B. xviii. 392.
Blood must creep where it cannot goo. — Reynard the Fox, Caxt.,
ch. xxviii., p. 70. C/. Haz., pp. 253, 270.
Let blood be paid with blood in any man. — Warning for Fair Women,
ii. 1599-
Blood will have blood. — Dr. ; Shak , Macbeth, iii. 4., 122.
Blood must have blood. — Rawlins, Rebellion, v.
But when the heavenly Bench those bloody deeds did see,
And found that blood still covets blood and so none end could be.
Gasc., Com. of Phil,
Blood will tell. i.e. assert its superiority over base-bom rivals. A
saying of sportsmen and flunkeys.
Blue, and better blue. — K. See There are and
Blood stops blood. — Ellis, Modern Husbandry.
Killing, stealing, adultery join their forces to swearing and l)dng
(making a multitude) and to give testimony against their
singularity; Blood toucheth blood. — T. Adams, Works, p. 178.
1629.
Blunt wedges rive hard knots. — Shak., Tr. and Cr., i. 3, 316.
Blow wind, run sea.
Ship ashore before day.
The wrecker's prayer. Walcott, South Coast of England, p. 134.
Blurt Master Constable (a flout. Spoken in derision). —Ho. The
title of a play by Middleton.
Blirt to you both. — Lyly, Midas, ii. 2.
And all the world will blurt and scorn at us. — Edward III., iv. 6.
C/. Shak., Per., iv. 3, 34 ; B. and F., Wild Goose Chase, ii. 2.
434
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Boatman's luck ; pass as his fraught comes. — Killigrew, ThomasOy
iv. 2. i,c, his job of work is gotten by chance passengers.
Bode a robe and wear it ;
Bode a sack and bear it. — K.
Bode a pock and bear it. — Bums' Letters^ ex.
Bolster or pillow, be it whose will, for me. — Ho.
Bones bring meat to town. We have an English proverb that
" Bones bring meat to town," and those who are desirous to
feast themselves on the pleasant and profitable passages of
history must be content sometimes to stoop their stomachs to
feed on hard words which bring matter along with them. —
Fuller, Holy and Profane State , ch. xviii., p. 2.
Bonny silver is soon spendit. — Ferg.
(Better never begun nor never endit.) This follows in Ferg.
Books, birdcages, and umbrellas are common property, ue. borrowers
have no conscience about returning them.
Borrowers must be no choosers. — Ho.
Borrowers mustn't be choosers.
Born with a blue vein over the nose
will never wear his wedding clothes. — N,, VII., vii. 216.
Bounty is wrongly interpreted as duty. — Manningham, Diary
(Camd. Soc).
Both together does best of all. — CI.
Both pay and pray. That 's hard. — CI. Cf. Preachee and floggee
too.
Bourd not wi' Bawty* fear lest he bite ye. — Ferg. Also a dog.
* Beautie, adj\ Guileful.
At honest men she '11 never cry, Baw waw.
But she will snap and snarl such knaves as thou.
Taylor (W. P.), Cast over Water.
Bourd not with my eye nor with my honour. — R.
Boys will long.—S., P. C.
Boys will have toys. — Wr. Parvulus facit ut parvulus.
Boys will be boys,
Young fellows will be young fellows.
Bickerstaif, Love in a Village, ii. 2.
Ld. Smart. Well, but after all Tom, can you teU me what 's
Latin for a goose ?
Neverout, Oh, my lord, I know that, why Brandy is Latin
for goose. — S., P. C, li. And tace is Latin for a
candle.
Brandy, they say, both heats and cools. — Pegge, Anon.^ x. 64.
Brave man-at-arms, but weak to Balthazar. — Ho., p, 5.
One of the characters in T. Kyd's Spanish Tragedy, where the
line occurs. — H., O.P., v. 14.
It seems to have become a proverb. Dryden, Wild Gallant, ii. i,
so uses it.
43«
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA,
Breach of custom is breach of all. — Shak., Cymheline^ iv. 2, 10.
Bread's house skailed never. — Ferg. C/. Where men. — Haz., p. 466.
Chair fait chair, vin fait sang, pain maintient.
Break ice in one place and it will crack in more. ix. find out one
slippery trick and suspect another. — B. E., New Diet, Cantg.
Cr.
Bread and cheese is fair to see :
But, man, keep thou thine honesty, said the landlady.
Bread and cheese is good to eat,
When men can get no other meat, said the guest. — K,
Breeding wives are ay beddie (covetous of some silly thing). — K.
Breeding is all in all. — CI.
Breeding is stronger than pasture. — G. Eliot, Silas Mamer^ ch. xi.
Brevity is the soul of wit. — Shak., HanUet^ ii. 2, 90.
Shortest writ the greatest wit affords.
And greatest wit consists in fewest words.
Taylor (W. P.), Laugh and he Fat.
Bricks can't be made without straw. Cf. Exodus^ ch. v.
Bridle passions and be yourself a free man. — CI.
Bridges were made for wise men to walk over and for fools to ride
over. — R., 1678. Cf, Haz., p. 267.
Bring not an old house on your own head. — CI.
Bring a cow to the hall, and she will to the byre again. — Ad., 1622.
People lowly born and bred cannot accept or adapt themselves
to a higher station.
Broken bread maks hale bairns. — Ry. ; Hen.
Brown and lovely (thus they say), she only bears the crown. —
Grange, G, A,^ R, 4. See p. 284.
Does this explain ** Brown must not be cast away" ? — B. and F.,
Wild Goose Chase^ ii. 2. Cf. Shak., Sonnet cxxvii. ; Hen.
VIII., iii. 2, 295.
It is a common saying amongst country people that brook water,
however befouled (manufacturing refuse, of course, excepted),
is clean after running over three stones. — Pall Mall Gasettey
7/4, '86.
Build a church and a publichouse, and you 'U soon have a neigh-
bourhood.
As like a church and an alehouse, God and the Devil, they many
times dwell near together. —Nash, Have with you to Saffron
Walden, L., 1596.
Though thy castle be in the tree.
Build not above thy degree. — Parlament ofByrdes.
Buried men bite not. Mortui non mordent. — CU
Business breeds. — George Eliot, Middlemarch.
Business is business. — Anthony TroUope, FramUy Parsonage, ch. 46.
Busy folks are aye meddling. — K.
4S6
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Come to a man of business
Only in hours of business,
Solely on matters of business,
Quickly transact your business,
Then go about your business,
Leaving him to attend to his business.
Butter 's good for everything but to stop a hot oven. — Torr.
Butter *s good for anything but to stop an oven or seal a letter. — Ho.
Butter and bum trouts are kittle meat for maidens. — Ry.
Butter and bum trouts are kittle meat gar maidens f . . the wind. —
Ferg.
Butter I suppose to mean flattery.
Buy before Epsom and sell before Ascot. — (Stock Exchange) Daily
NewSf 22/5, '91.
Butter to butter *s no kitchen. — Hen.
Buy cheap (and) sell dear ; the profit quits thy pain. — Lodge, Fig for
MomuSy Epist, IV. 1595.
By-and-by is easily said. — Shak., Hamlet^ iii. 2, 377. i.e. directly.
Subito, subito ! — Respub., ii. 92.
Reb, Must I call so oft? Why come ye not by-and-by? —
Jacob and Esau ; H., O.P., ii. 232.
The clapper brake, and we could not get it amended by-and-by.
— Latimer, ScYmons^ p. 173.
By hammer and hand
All arts do stand,*
* Motto on arms over Smiths' Hall, Newcastle, 1771.
By hawk and hound
Small profit is found.
Tusser, August^ Ac, 1580.
By the ale-stake know we the ale-house.— Bare, Ship of Fools, i. 38.
i.e, the bush or garland on the pole. Se^ Bansley's Treatise
on the Pride, S*c., of Women, p. 4 ; Hll.
By the little is knowen the much. — Scholehouse of Women, 846.
By wyne hope men mey se where be taveme ys. — The Gode Wyfe
wold a Pylgreniage, c. 1460, E.E.T.S., Ex. viii.
Caesar's wife should be above suspicion. See Plutarch, Life of
Casar, ch. x.
Caesar and Pompey are very much alike — especially Pompey. i^.
both resemble a common type, but Pompey is the closer to it.
Cadgers has ay mind of load sadles. — K. i.e, have a propensity " to
talk shop."
Cadgers speak of load sadles. — Ferg.
Cadgers has a mind fond o' creels. — Ry.
Cadgers maun aye be speaking about cart saddles. — Scott, Rob Roy.
Call another cause.— Torr ; S., P.C.
Dir come colui che castrava Ii porchetti. " Horsu all altro." —
Torr.
437
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Call no man happy till he dies. [yS/JoTwi/ ov^ev juaKopi^w. — Soph., Oed,
Tyr., 1 195.— Ed.]
There 's none can say h' is happy till his end. — Sharpham, The FUire,
V. See No man is.
No man is happy before his death. — CI.
No man shall be perfectly happy before death, as the philosopher
saith. — B. of Def, [Sor. S» CWr.], 54.
Call things by their right names.
Can't you let it alone?— (Ld. Melbome.)
Capital is the backbone of enterprise. — Arthur, B. of Brev., 1562.
Can Jack-an-Ape be merry when his clog is at his heel ? — C, 1636.
Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the
ditch ? — Luke, vi. 39.
Carry a lady to Rome and give her one hatch, all is done. — K.
The humours of the great : if you oblige them in a thousand
things and disoblige them in one, all is done for.
** Care not " would have it.— K. The answer of affected indifference.
Cards are the devil's books. — S., P. C, iii.
Cats and carlins sit i' the sun,
But fair maidens sit within. — K.
An appeal to the vanity of girls to bring them indoors.
Cast thy bread upon the waters : for, thou shalt find it after many
days. — Ecclesiastes, xi. i.
Cards always beat their makers.
See Many can pack. — Haz., p. 274.
Casualty is the mother of more inventions than industry. — F., W.
(Lancashire).
Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your
pearls before swine. — Matt.y vii. 6; Baret, Alv,y 1580.
This is the old proverb : To cast pearls to a hog. — New Custom,
i. ; H., 0,P., iii.
And seide, " Noli mittere^Margeri-perles
Among hogges fat han-hawes at heore wille."
P. Plow. Vis,, A. xi. 9.
It 's ill casting precious stones before swine. — Ds., Ep,, 284.
Cibum in matellam ne immitas. — Er.
Bonnes raisons au rebours entendues
Sont aux ignorans comme belles fleurs aux ord porceaux
estendues. — Meurier, Q, 4. 1558.
Castles in the air cost a vast deal to keep up. — Bulwer, Lady of
Lyons, i. 3.
Catch a weasel asleep.
Catchings havings, slips go again. — Northall, Folk Phrases of Four
Counties.
Cavil will enter in at any hole, and if it find none it will make one.
—Dr.
438
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Causes produce eflfects. A punning motto referring to counsels'
fortunes, used by S. Marryat, Q.C. — Morgan, Budget of Para-
doxes^ p. 287.
Cauld water scauds daws. — Cowan, Sea Proverbs.
Cause causeth Lis litem parit. — Dr. ; He., Z)*a/., I., ix.
Calk* is no sheers. — Ferg. i,e, the tailor's intentions are not
always accomplished. — K.
* Chalk.
Change not thy old firiend for a new. — CI.
Cliange of weather is the discourse of fools. — R., 1670, tr.
Change of weather finds discourse for fools. — (Spanish) E.
Changement de temps, entretien des sots.
Change of work is rest. (Manx.)
Changes of work is lighting* of hearts. — Ferg.
♦ Lightening.— K.
Travail en repos, repos en travail. — Wodr.
Changes are lightsome. — Ry.
Charge nae mair shot than what the piece *11 bear. — Al. Ross,
Helenore, 1768, p. 137, repr. Cf. Double charge.
Charity shall cover the multitude of sins. — / Peter ^ iv. 8 ; Wod-
roephe, 1623.
Charit6 cache la multitude des pech6s.
Charity covers a multitude of sins. — M.
Cheap and nasty.
Cheap money bangs everything, ue. sends up prices. — (Stoc
Exchange) Daily News, 3/5, '87.
Cheating never prospers.
" I think what 's got by theft doth never prosper." — Middleton,
Your Four Gallants^ iv. 8.
Character is a man's best capital. — Spu.
Cheapest bargains are thos^ which are the most useful. — Arthur,
B. of Brev,
Cheer up, man ; God is where He was.
Cheese is physic for gentlemen and meat for clowns. — L'Estrange,
Harl. MS. 6395.
Children are very well in their proper places.
Children busy, children glad ;
Children naughty, children sad.
Children thrive better in dust than in ashes. (Suffolk.) i.e. roUin
about in the road rather than cokered at the fireside.
Children, when they are little, make parents fools; when great, mad.
— R., 1670, tr.
Children, when they are little, make their parents' heads, and when
grown up their hearts, ache. — (Italian) E.
Fanciulli grandi dolor del cuore; fanciulli piccoli, dolor d
testa.— Torr.
439
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Choke, chicken, there 's more a-hatching. — S., P.C.^ i.
Choke up, chicken, more a-hatching. — Northall, Folk-Lore of Four
Counties (Glou.).
Choose the man in that he hath best skill of.
Facta juvenum, consilia meliorum, vota senum. — Ad., 1622.
Cuilibet in sua arte perito credendum est.
Choose thy friends like thy books, few but choice. — Ho.
Church lands are sooner or later lost for want of male heir.
They that swallow churches, like dogs that eat knot-grass, never
thrive after it. — T. Adams, Works^ p. 639.
Since nothing for the Church is done amiss.
And nothing well done that against her is.
Ld. Brooke, Alaham, i. i.
I am persuaded many a house of blood in England had stood
at this hour had not the forced springs of Impropriations
turned their foundation to a quagmire. In all your know-
ledge, think but on a church-robl^r's heir that ever thrived
to the third generation. — T. Adams, Wks., p. 53.
Church work goes on slowly. — R., 1678.
All church work is slow. — Fuller [On St. Mary's Camb.']^ Church
History (" To the Reader ").
The building of the church goes slowly forward. ... If the
Overseers look not well to the business too many will make
church work for it, for such loitering is now fallen into a
proverb. — T. Adams, Works, p. 935.
Ser alquna cosa la obra de la Catedral. Out of more than sixty
Cathedrals in Spain, not one can be said strictly to be
finished. — Sbarbi, Florilegio dc Refranes, p. 68. 1874.
Cider is a treacherous drink ; it smiles in your face and cuts your
throat.— S., F. C, ii.
Cider on beer
Never fear ; *
Beer upon cider
Makes a bad rider.f (Devon and Cornwall.)
• Or, is very good cheer. t Or, 's a rider.
Cider or perry
To make you merry.
T. He)rwood, Fair Maid of the West\ I., iii.
Circumstances alter cases.
Civility costs little and gains everything.
Civility begets civility. — M.
Beau parler n'escorche langue. — Cordier, 1538.
Mit hut in hand,
Geht man durch*s land.
Beretta in mano
Non fece mai danno.
Clap a carle on the cods and he '11 fart in your loaf*. — K.
• Hand.
440
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Clap a carle on the culs and he '11 s • . t in your loof. — Ferg.
Claw a churl by the tail and he will file your hand.— /(k^6 and EsaUf
1568; H., O.P., ii. ai6.
Claw a churl by the arse andf he s . . . . th in thy hand. — He.
t Bewar.
Claw a churl by the tail and he'll mute in thy hand.— Ds., Ep., 88.
Claw a churl by the tail and he will foyle thine hand. Simul et
misertum est et interiit gratia. — Ho., 1622.
Claw a churl by the breech and he will betray your fist. — Ds. ; CI.
Claw an old churl by the breech and he will s . . te in your fist. —
W., xi., 1616.
Claw me,
Claw thee. — T. Adams, Works, p. 192.
Da mutuum testimonium. — Tav., f. 65. 1552.
Claw me and I will claw thee. — Melb., Phil,, p. 27. i.e, soothe,
flatter. Se^ Haz., p. 251.
Scratch my breech and I will claw your elbow.
Mutuo muli scabunt [clennes]. — Whit., Vulg., f. 29.
Cleanliness comes next to Godliness. — Talmud {Sotah), ch. Ix.
Pryde with some men is called clenlynes. Fastus vestium apud
quosdam mundicia est nuncupata. — Wh.
Cleanliness is indeed next to Godliness. So cited as if already
current {c. 1789) by John Wesley in his 88th sermon (on
Dress), Works, vii., 1829.
Clear souls make light hearts. — Sir Robert Howard, The Committee, ii.
Cleanliness is nae pride, dirt 's nae honesty. — Hen.
Climb not too high for fear of falling. — CI.
decking time is aye canty time. — Scott, G. Mann., ch. i. 1.^. a birth
is a festival.
Close dealing is the safest. — Warning for Fair Women, i. 1599.
Clever sons, clever mothers. — Geo. Eliot, Middlemarch.
Cloth of TOld, do not despise,
Though thou be matched with cloth of frize ;
Cloth of frize, be not to bold.
Though thou be matched with cloth of gold.
Appended as a motto on the lace of the Duke of Suffolk in a
picture of him and Queen Mary, Henry VIII.'s sister, at
Strawberry Hill. See Ellis, Original Letters, I., S. i. 123.
Clothing oft maketh man.— 5fV Peter Idle, E.E.T.S., Ext. viii.
Cf, Nine tailors. Grave clothes make dunces often seem great
clerks. — Cotgr.
Cloth shapes, meat maintains, but manners make a man. — CI.
Beware : Clubs are trumps ! Warning to servants of mistress being
near. — Smyth, Berkeley MSS.
Coalpit law : First come, first served. — Carr, Craven Glossary.
Coats change with courtiers. — Ho.
441
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Cobbler, keep to your last. — W., 1616.
Sutor ne ultra crepidam. — CI.
Cobblers are men, and kings are no more. — Nash, UnfortuiuUe
Traveller^ O.
When Cocking dads
Make saucy lads,
In youth so rage
To begin age. — Tusser, Lf/i, 35. 1573.
The meaning would seem to be that they are made precocious
by indulgence. '
Cold after eating is a sign of long life. — S., -P.C, ii. See Eat till
you're cold.
Cauld cools the love that kindles owre het. — Ry.
Cold of complexion, good of condition. — Hunt, Com.
Cold pudding will settle your love. — S., P.C.^ ii.
Cold and comfortless. — Cod.
For that can best (as you may quickly prove),
Settle the Wit, as Pudding settles Love.
S. Wesley, ** A Tobacco Pipe," Maggots^ p. 41.
Colour upon colour is false heraldry. — Ho. Su Metal and Goose.
Comb sindle, comb sore. — K.
Kame single, kame sair. — Ferg.
Qui pectit raro cum pectine pectit amaro. — W., 1616.
Come to the Court as Job, and abide there as Ulysses. — D.
Come not to Counsel afore thou be called. — Taverner, xii. vo.
Wait till you 're asked your opinion.
Come uncalled, sit unserved. — K.
Quha cum uncallt unserv'd suld sit. — Montg., Ch. and SI., 78.
"Committee" is a noun of multitude, signifying many, but not
signifying much.— Spu.
Common sense is the growth of all countries.
Coming ay, so is Christmas. — S., P.Cf i.
Company maketh a man spend. — Dr.
Compare your griefs with other men's, and they will seem less. —
Sp., E.
Comparisons run not upon all four.— Ellis, Modem Husbandry , vii.
142 {b).
But no simile holds in everything; according to the ancient
saying. Nullum simile quatuor pedibus currit. — Coke upon
Lit., 1., i. I.
All similitudes nm not like coaches on four wheels. — T. Adams,
Works, p. 468. 1629.
To stretch the text against its own will is to mart)rr it, and
make every metaphor run upon four feet is often violabil
sacris. — T. Adams, DevU's Banquet, 1614, Ad. Lectorem.
Competition is the life and soul of business.
442
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS,
Company *s good if you are going to be hanged. — N.^ III., vi. 495.
Complimenting is lying. — S., P.C, i. See Good words.
Conceit can kill, conceit can cure (The old prov.). — Essay on Quackery^
Hull, 1805 ; ^M VI., iv. 510.
Condition makes and condition breaks.
Pactio tollit legem. — Ferg. Consensus toUit errorem.
Coneys love roast meat. — Aubrey, Nat, Hist, of Wilts, p. 59.
Concealed comforts are the sweetest. — CI.
Confer a substantial favour on a friend and you make him an enemy
for life.
Confidence is a plant of slow growth in an aged bosom. — Earl of
Chatham's Speech, Jan. 14, 1776.
Who knows thee by thy nature, not thy name,
Doth know thou art misnamed, but not amiss,
It is to call the wise unwise in game,
Sith contraries show best by contraries. — Dav., Ep,, 216.
And now two contraries I will compare,
To show how like and unlike they are.
Taylor (W.P.), Praise and Virtus of a Jayle.
Contraries are cured by contraries. — Dr. Rogers, Naaman^ p. 2.
1642.
One contrary is ever cured by another. — T. Adams., God's Anger,
1653, iii. 272.
See Things. Tout contraire en son contraire prent vertu pour
soy refeure. — Nunez, 1555.
Contempt will pierce even the crocodile's hide. (Oriental.)
Consult with your pillow.— CI. ; Fielding, Amelia, IX., v.
Consult with my pillow. — Gab. Harvey, Letter Book (Camd. Soc.),
p. 21.
Conscience is hanged up long ago. — Dr.
Conscience is witness enough.— CI.
Constant and canny goes far in the day. — P. Robin's Ollminick.
Cool in the skin you hat in. — K. i,e. let not the sun go down upon
your wrath.
Corbies and clergy are a shot right kittle. — Mactaggart, Gdl. Ency.
It *s kittle shooting at corbies an* clergy.— Ry.
Com is cleansed with wind and the soul with chastenings. — Cod.
Corporations have no souls'* (to be saved, nor bodies to be kicked).
• Sir E. Coke, Riports, x. 32.
Of the Court of Rome forsooth I have heard tell.
With forked cappes* it folly is to mell. — Bar., EcL, iv.
i.e. mitres.
Correct a child behind, and not before. — Cod.
Corsair against Corsair — ^nothing to win but empty casks. — (Italian
or Spanish) Cowan.
Costs follow the decree. (Law maxim.)
443
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Costs follow the event.
Councils of war never fight.
Counsel can be na command. — Montg., Ch. and S/., 43.
Counsel will make a man stick to his own mare. — K. (When he is
over-persuaded.)
Counsel 's as good for him as a shoulder of mutton for a sick horse.
—Dr.
Counsel is never out of date.
Counsel is good in war and peace. — Parlament of ByrcUs,
Coimsel is good in war and peace.
Count like Jews, pay like Friends. — K. ix. Quakers ?
Count like Jews, pay like Friends, and 'gree like brethren. — Ry.
Count again is not forbidden. — Ry.
Besydes this semdell tymis the seis.
That ever courage keeps the keyis
Of knowledge at his belt. — Montg., Ch. and Sl.^ 30.
Countiy fare: mutton and veal, perchance a duck or goose. —
Forter, Two Angry Women ; H., O^P.^ vii. 382. 1529.
Courtesy is cumbersome to them as kens it not. — Ferg.
Court to the town, and whore to the window. — Ferg.
Heigh how is heavjrsome.
An old wife is dowisome,
And courtesy is cumbersome
To them that can shew it. — K.
Courtesy on one side only lasts not long. — H.
Covetousness is commonly the disease of old age, ambition of middle
age, lust of youth (and it extends further, it portends less
help). — T. Adams, Works, 461. 1629.
Cowards make speech apace, stripes prove the man. — Thersites;
H., O.P., i. 430.
Coy maids lead apes in hell. — Ho., p. 7, bis.
Old maids lead apes in hell. — R., 1670.
Maidens above twenty lead apes in hell.
Col. Miss, you may say what you please ; but faith, you *11
never lead apes in hell.
Neverout, No, no, I '11 be sworn Miss has not an inch of nun's
flesh about her. — S., P.O., i.
Crabbit was and cause had. — Ferg. i.e. angry, not without reason.
Crabbed minds are pleased with nothing. — Breton, Crossing Pr., ii.
Crave in hope, and have in hap. — Melb., PAJ/., F. 2.
Craft is bastard policy. — Cod.
Crime begets crime. — Times^ 18/3, *8i.
Creaking shoes are not paid for. — N., III., viii. 179.
Cruel people are fearful.— Dr. ; CI.
Cruelty is a tyrant that is always attended with fear. — Cod. ; Ry.
444
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS,
Is not th' usurping Richard buried here,
That King of hate, and therefore slave of fear ?
Bp. Corbet, Iter Boreale (Leicester).
Crooked of body, crooked of quality. — Holinshed, 1586, Index.
Crowns have cares. Honos onus. — CI.
Crush the cockatrice in the shell. — Ho.
Cry you mercy*; I took you for a joint stool. — Shak., King Lear^
iii. 6, 51* * i-^- 1 beg your pardon.
Cuckolding and the small-pox ne*er do come, they say, without a
fear. — P. Rohin^ Feb.f 1697; Wycherley, Country Wife, iv. 4.
Cuckolds and bastards are generally makers of their own fortunes. —
P. Robin, June, 1709.
Talk of the bottel ; let go the book for now,
Combrous is cunning. — Bare, EcL, iv,
Currat lex : let the Law have his course. — T. Adams, Whs,, p. 1006.
Curiosity in a woman needs no excuse.
Curses are like young chickens,
And still come home to roost. — K.K.C.
Quoted by Bulwer Lytton, Lady of Lyons, as an Arabic proverb.
Maudissons sont fueilles ;
Qui les seme les recueille. — Cotgr., 1650.
Yet curiosity, they say.
Is in her sex a crime needs no excuse.
Swift, Ode to the Athenian Society, iii.
"But by that rule nothing should be evil in itself, but in
opinion."
Custom takes away offence. — Dan. Rogers, Matrimonial Honour,
p. 275, 1642, who cites to condemn it.
It is one of the vilest apologies of moral cowardice for doing as
others do ; as someone has well written —
" Weak the excuse that is on custom built,
The use of sinning lessens not the guilt."
L'uso e tiranno della ragione. — Bacon, Promus.
Cut dwells in every town. — Ferg. i»e, curs and taxes.
Cut down an oak and set up a strawberry. — F., W.
Cut aflF the cause, the effect maun fail. — Montg., Ch. and SL, 98.
Cut a loss and run a profit*. (Stock Exchange maxim.) C/. Back
your luck. ♦ Let a profit nm.
He that follows his losses and giveth soon over at wynnyings
will never gain by play. — Bacon, Promus, 1184.
Cutters' law : we must not see a pretty fellow want, if we have cash
ourselves. — Scott, Old Mortality, ch. viii.
Cut your coat after your cloth. — He., i. 8.
Cut thy coat according to thy cloth. — W., 1586 ; Paradise of Dainty
Devices, 13, 1576 ; D. Rogers, Matrimonial Honour, 222.
Cut your coat according to your cloth. — CI.
445
Digitized by
Google
l^EAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Cut your coat according to your calling. — B. and F., Beggar's Btish.
Prusus and 's wife cuts their coat to their cloth,
Then the stuff" shrinks shrewdly, for th' are naked both ;
So know they by proof, and that with good speed,
How Judicare came to their Creed. — Dav., Ep., 410.
Shape your coat according to your cloth. — Health to Servingmen^
p. 153, repr. ; Ad., 1622 ; Nash, Unf. Trav., E.
Daffing dow nothing. — Ferg. i.e. fooUng.
Dame, deem warily,— Ferg.
Dame, deem warily ; ye wot na who wiles yourselL— K.
Dame and porridge,
Misses and broth,
Madam and tay.
Jackson, Shropshire Word Book.
Damming and laving is sure fishing. — K. i.e. drawing off" the water
from a pond.
Danger makes even devils devout. — CI.
Dawted bairns dow bear little. — Ry. i.e. petted.
Why then the proverb is not right
Since you can teach dead dogs to bite.
Swift, Upon the Horrid Plot.
A dead dog cannot bite. — Edw., Da. and i?., H., O.P.y iv. 51.
Dead men tell no tales. — Farquhar, Inconstant^ v.
A dead man can do no harm. — Dr.
A dead man doth no harm. — E. Halle, Chron., 1548, p. 128, repr.
Dead men bite not. — Ferg.
The dead can tell no tales. — Wilson, Andr. Com., i. 4. 1664.
Deadest ebb hath highest flood. — Paradise of Dainty Devices, 138.
Dead at the one door and heirship at the other. — Ferg.
Dead and marriage makes term day. — Ferg.
Death and marriage break term day.
Marriage frees a man from his service in Scotland, and death in
all countries. — K.
Deal sma' and serve a. — Ry.
Deal with an honest man as you would with a rogue, i.e. Omit no
business precautions. — Forby, E. A .
Death defies the doctor. — Ry.
Death quits all scores.
He that dies pays all debts. — Shak., Tempest, iii. 2, 126.
Death is the grand leveller. — K.K.C.
Death and dice level all distinctions. — Foote, The Minor, i. i.
Debait maids destaine. — Max. Yo. in Hen.
Debt is better than death. — Ho.
Debts of honour are the safest of any. Because pride compels their
payment.
446
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Decide, but give no reasons (as you may be right on wrong ground).
— Attributed to Lord Mansfield.
De fol juge brefve sentence. This must mean a hasty decision.
Sottes bolt is sone shote. — Hendyng, 85.
Deeds not words shall speak me. — B, and F., Lovers* Progress , iii. i.
Deeds but words shall speak me. — Butler, i/wi., I., i. 867.
Obras son amores
que no buenas razones. — Nunez, 1555.
Deeds are love and not fine phrases. — Arthur, B. of Brev.
Deeds show.
Defer not until to-morrow if thou canst do it to-day. — Dr. See
Never leave.
Desert and reward be ever far odd.— Dr.
Delay breeds danger. — W., 1616; Grange, G. A.^ 2.
Delay breadeth danger. — Holinshed, Chron.y 1586, Index.
Defer no time, delays have dangerous ends.— Shak., / Henry VI, ,
iii. 2, 33; Shepherd's Tale, p. 151 ; Braithwait, Whimsies, 11 ;
Max. Yo. in Hen., 1586.
Delay in love is dangerous, you know.— Ds., Wifs Pilgrimage, Son. I., 85.
Loss in lingering wonts to lurk. — Paradise of Dainty Devices, p. 70.
Delay is dangerous. — Dr.
Delays are dangerous.
Delays are perilous. — Lyly, Eup., p. 388.
Where delay is the tree, danger is the fruit. — Melb., Phil., i.
All delays are dangerous in war. — Dryden, Tyrannic Love, i. i.
Por la calle de Despues se
Acabe a la casa de Nunca,
A far bene non dare dimora,
Che in poco tempo passa Tora.
Delays are the death of suitors. — CI. Cf Shak., Hamlet, iii. i, 72,
The law's delay.
Depart from thy enemy and yet beware of thy friend. i.e, separate.
— Bulldn, B. of Def. (5. and Ch.), f. 55. 1562.
Quien a su enemigo popa a sus manos muere. — Nunez, 1555.
Qui n'estime son ennemi demeure souvent succombe et pery. —
Meur., 1558.
Desert and reward be ever far odd. — Dr.
Desert and Reward be ever farre od
(With men so ever, but never with God). — Ds., Ep., 33.
Desert goes a-b^ging. — CI.
Despise your enemy and you will soon be beaten.
Dinna forget.
" Forgive, forget," we *re often told
Was found a maxim good of old,
But half the saying *s better yet —
Ever forgive, but ne'er forget. — Ch.
447
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Different men have different opinions ;
Some like eggs, and some like inions.
C/. Haz., 340.
Dilly-dally brings night as soon as Hurry-scurry. — Chamberlain,
W. Wore, Words.
Difference of opinion should never alter friendship.
Difficulties are opportunities.
Diamonds (they say) are of most value that have passed through
jewellers' hands. — Webster, Duchess of Malfi, p. 63.
Did you see the like before ? Never but once in London. — Tarlton's
yests, p. 36 (Shak. Soc.). See Haz., p. 305.
Neverout. Did you ever see the like ?
Miss, Never but once at a wedding. — S., P.C., i.
Din-ness is na sair. i.e. swarthiness in another doesn't hurt you. —
Mactaggart, GaUov. Ency.
Dinna gut your fish till ye get them. — Ry.
Dirt parts good company. — Ferg. ; Lyndsay, Justing hetwixt Watson
and Barbour^ 66 ; K.
Spoken when unworthy fellows break in upon our company and
makes us uneasy and willing to break up. — K.
Dirt defies the King.— K.
Dirt bodes luck.— Ry.
The more muck the more money. — W. White, East Eng,, i, 127.
Cf. Down fall the shamUes, away urn the butcher. — Elworthy,
W. of Eng. Glossary.
Ding down the nests and the rooks will flee away. — K.
Applied at the Reformation by John Knox to the Abbeys of
Scotland.
Cf. You'll ne'er be rid of the wolves till you cut down the
woods. — Wilson, And. Com., v. 5.
Dit your mouth wi' your meat. — Ry.
Disuse is sister to abuse.
Do as I say, not as I do. Do as we bid you, not as we do. — Tyndale,
Works, ii. 127.
Do a thing well, and nobody will ask how long you was about it. — K.
Do as the most, and the fewest will speak evil. — CI. See Haz., I., i. i .
Do as they do in the Isle of Man.
How 's that ? Why, they do as they can.
" Do as they do in Spain."
" How is that ? " " Why, they let it rain."— S., P.O., i.
Then what becomes of the poor man ?
Why, he must just do as he can. — P. Robin, Nov., 1764.
Do as you are bidden, and you '11 never bear blame. — R., 1678.
Do everything in its proper time, keep everything to its proper use,
put everything in its proper place. — Eliz. Hamilton, Cottagers
of Glenbumie, xvii. Cf. A place.
448
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Do as you would be done unto. — He.
Do as you would be done by. — CI.
Do as you would be done to. — CI. Sir T. More^ p. 20, 1590 ; Davies,
A Select Second Husb.f D. 4, 1606.
That I may do unto others as I would they should do unto me. —
Church Catechism,
Do, mon, for thyself while thou art alive,
For he that does after thy death God let him never thrive.
Quod Tucket, HarL MS. 3038, fo. i ro.
Wise man, if thou art of thy good, take part ere hence thou wend,
For if thou leave thy part in thy secatur's ward thy part non part
at last end. — lb,, 15th Cy.
Da tua dum tua sunt post mortem tunc tua non sunt. — lb.
Do jeer poor folks, and see how 'twill thrive. — P. in /?., 1678. Cf.
Mock age.
Think, mon, thy life may not ever endure,
What thou doest thyself of that thou art sure ;
But that thou leavest to thy secutur's care.
If ever it be done it is but adventure.
(On ancient tiles. Great Malvern Church.)
Do it good, or do it again. — Ho., Brit, Ad,, p. 12.
al fait.
Qui ne parfait. — Cotgrave.
Do nothing by halves.
Do not say "Go," but '^Gaw**; viz., go thyself. — Ho. i.e, "Go
we." — Forby, E. Ang,
** There is a deal of difference between Go and Gow. ue, ordering
a person to do a thing, and going with him to see him do it
or help him. — For.
Do (on the) hill as you would do in (thej hall. — K. i,e, let good
manners become habitual, and therefore easy to you. — Ferg.
Do thy duty, and have thy duty. — Shak., Taming of the Shrew,
iv. I, 32.
Doctors must never take fees of each other. — Chr. Smart, Epigram,
The Sick Monkey,
L'ung barbier raist Tautre.
Doctors never dose themselves.
Doctors make the worst patients.
Doctors differ.
Thus Lamb, renown*d for cutting corns,
An' offer'd fee from Radcliff scorns,
Not for the world ! — we doctors, brother,
Must take no fees of one another.
Swift, On the words Brother Protestants.
Do well to all, but to the good do best. — Honest Lawyer, ii. 161 6.
Do well and let men say what they will.— CI.
Riga pur drit^o, e lassa dir chi vuol. 1530. Cf. Be just, etc.
VOL. in. 449 d9
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Do what becomes you. — CI.
Do what you ought, and let what will come on it. — (Italian) E.
Do what thou oughtest and come what can.— Cod.
Do well, and doubt no man ; and do weill*, and doubt all men. —
Ferg. • This must be " evil."
Dog don't eat dog. C/. Haz., p. 112.
Clericus clericum non decimat. — Scott, Ivanhoe, ch. ii.
Dog will not eat dog. — Pegge, Anan.f VL, xxvi. Cf. One bear.
Canis caninam non est. — AucL in Varr,^ L.L. VIL, iii. 87.
Corsaires attaquant corsaire, ne font pas leurs affaires. — Regnier^
Sat,, xii. (end).
Dogs must eat. — Shak., Coriolanus, i. i, 204.
Doll, Dick, and Davie,
Look well to thy Pater noster and thy Avie ;
And if thy soul desires to speed.
Look also well unto thy Creed.
For take 't from me, that he or she
Deserves to be well belted with a bridle
That leaves her work to play the Clerk
And descant on the Bible. — Ho.
Don't bite off more than you can chew. — ^American) Pike Coxmty.
Said by Joseph Arch on immoderately pushing reforms in the
new Parliament of 1893.
Dolour pays nae debt. — Mong., Ch. and St., 94. Against Despair.
Don't bite off your nose to spite your face.
El caracol per quitar de enojos por los cuemos troco los ojos.
Don't care came to be hanged. Cf. Gaily and owre rackless.
Don't care came to a bad end. — N., F,P.
They learnt to say " I do not care,"
Though they of course were well aware
How folks who say so end. — Gilbert, Bab Ballads.
Diligence est nourice des ouvrages non chaloir est pere des folz.
Gringoire, Not. En., 3 v. 1527.
Don't hide your light under a bushel, but advertise. One of
Bamum's maxims. Cf. Matt., v. 15.
Don't hit [or kick] a fellow when he 's down.
Don't give your measure to any but your tailor. — Christy.
Don't say " No " till you are asked.— S., P.Ct i.
For 'tis ill manners, courting lovers say.
Before the question 's asked, to answer Nay.
Ned Ward, Nupt. Dial., IL, xiv. 1710..
Don't set your wit against a child. — S., P.C, i.
Don't turn day into night and night into day.
Haz la noche noche yel dia dia,
viveras con alegria. — Nunez, 1555.
Don't prophesy unless you know. (American).
460
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
My gran*ther's rule was safer 'n 'tis to crow :
" Don't never prophesy — onless ye know."
Lowell, Biglow Papers^ IL, ii.
Don't speak to the man at the wheel.
Don't throw away your dirty water till you have got clean. — S.,
P.C.y iii. (Discarding lover.)
Don't make two wants of one : want when you have it, and want
when you have it not. — S., P.C^ i.
Don't put tricks upon travellers.— S., P.C.^ i.
Double charge will rive a cannon. An excuse for declining a surfeit.
— K. Cf. Charge nae mair.
Draw blood of a witch, and she can't harm you.
Dream of gold and wake hungry. — Pol.
Dreams always go by contraries. — Congr., Love for Love, v. 4;
Middleton, Familie of Love, iv. 3; Wycherley, Gentleman
Dancing Master.
Les songes sont mensonges. — Montluc, Comedie de Proverbes, ii. 5 ;
Cotgrave, 161 1.
So to dream of a wedding betokens a funeral. — Callaway, Religion of
Amazulu (S. Africa), pp. 236, 241.
Dreams and Dutch almanacs are to be understood by contraries. —
/fc., iv. 2.
Dreams are not as they seem. — Brathwait, Strap, for Divel, 1615,
repr., p. 100.
Drive out the inch as you have done the span. — K. i.e. don't give
in at the last. — Ferg.
Dressing time is murdered time. — N., IV., vi. 92, where it is attri-
buted to Catherine of Arragon.
Drink and be friends. — CI.
Drink and feed, laugh and lie warm. — Dekker, Honest Whore, II.,
iii. 2.
Drink is the best physic. — Nevile, N ewes from Newe Exchange, p. 17.
1650.
Vanhotten slotten, irk bloshen glotten gelderslike, whatever the
words were the sense was this. Good drink is a medicine
for all diseases. — Nash, Unf. Trav. ; F.
Drinking, drabbing, dicing, and the devil bring men to destruction.
—CI.
Dry bargains are seldom successful. — Ry. See Work does not.
Dry wood soon catcheth fire. — T. Lupton, All for Money, p. 153.
Dummie cannot lie. — Ferg.
But say your lessons first. One thing at a time : duty first and
pleasure afterwards — M. Edgworth, CTierry Orchard.
Duty first and pleasure afterwards. — Dr. Ingleby's reading is
" Pleasure first and duty nowhere."
Duty is debt. — Nobody and Somebody, c. 1592 ; Sch. of Shah., 303.
Each bird can have com in the harvest time. — Grange, G. A.,G. 3.
451
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Each path in a dingle
Runs one waj to mingle.
Pob Uwybr mewn ceunant,
yx un Fordd a redant.
Ho., British Proverbs, p. 31.
Each thing is fair when it is young. — ^J. Skelt., Magnif.^ 983.
Cf, Any young thing.
Each thing is proved at the end. — Barclay, Ship of Fools^ ii. 318
(Haz., p. 366).
Each time a silver spoon is dropt, it loses a penny value.
Young it prinks that will ne a thorn. — Lyly, Endymion.
Each timely prick doth show
Whether it will be a thorn or no. — ^W., 1616.
Early pricks that will be a thorn. — Prov. of Hendyng\ D., Ep.^ 222,
c. 1636. Cf. Haz., 245 ; CI.
'Tis soon sharp,
It hath been a proverb before I was bom,
Young doth it prick that will be a thorn.
Jacob and Esau, 1568 ; H., O.P., ii. 234 and 196.
Early sharp that will be thorn.
Soon ill that will be nought,
To be naught better unborn,
Better unfed than naughtily taught.
Nice Wanton; H., O.P., ii. 161.
Easy masters make saucy servants. — Defoe, Behaviour of Servants^
261. 1724.
Eagles catch no flies. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 431.
Early masters, soon knave*. — K.
♦ Servant.
Early master, lang knave. — Ferg.
Early tod.
Soon wi* God. — Ho.
Tard andente
tard desaparente.
Joub., Er. Pop., VL, xxx. 2.
Early rising is the first thing that puts a man to the door. i,e. ruins
him. A joke on the double meaning of the phrase. — K.
Eat and drink measurely, and defy the medeciners*. — Ferg.
Eat and drink with mesour, and defy the leich*. — Bann. MS., 1568.
* f.#. the physicians.
Eat after your own fashion ; clothe yourself as others do. — (Italian)
E.
Eat and welcome; fast, and heartily welcome. — R., 1678. See Fast
and welcome.
Eat less and drink less,
And buy a knife at Michaelmas. — Ho.
Eat the present and break the dish. — Arab. To end the sense of
obligation.
4G2
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Eat till you *re cold,
And you *11 live to grow old.
C/. Cold after eating.
Idleness* As for my properties, I am sure you know them of old,
I can eat till I sweat and work till I am cold.
Marriage of Wit and Wisdom (Shak. Soc), p. 12.
"Now, Mistress Antigone, you have laboured (in eating) till you
sweat and I have toiled till I am dry."— Melb., Phil., p. 50.
Contre ceux qui estiment que c*est signe de sant6 d'avoir froid
apres le repas. — ^Joubert, Er. Pop., II., cab. 45. 1579.
Contre . . . aux extremit6s des membres du corps duplux. —
Bailly, Quest. Nat. et Cur. 1628.
This idea is controverted in Rostagny's translation of Primerosius,
1689, iii. 34.
Eat till you sweat and work till you freeze. — K.
Eat within thy tedure*. — Fitzherb., Book of Husbandry, f. 64. 1534.
♦Tether.
Eat well of the cresses. — Grange, G.A., F. iii. and O. iv.
"But, lady," quoth he, "seeing the music and company
breaketh off our talk, remember the proverb, Eat well of
the cresses," whereby he meant remember our talk, for
cresses is an herb which helpeth much the memory.
Cresses holden under the tongue or champed in the mouth
do help a speechless man. — Bullein, B. of Def. (5. and Ch.,
p. 41). 1562.
Eat your fill but pouch nane. — Ry.
Eat all but pocket none is gardiners* law. — K.
Eat cress to learn more wit.— (Greek) Friend, Flower Lore, p. 216.
Eaten meat is good to pay. — Ferg.
Eaten meat is drinking. — Ry.
Eating and scratching wants but a beginning. — S., P.C, ii
Scarting and eating wants but a beginning. — K.
As the itch is augmented by scratching, so is my love by seeing my
mistress. — Jack Drum's Ent., vi. 1601.
L'appetit vient en mangeant. — Rabelais, Garg., i. 5 ; Joub.
El comer y el rascas to do es comencar. — Nunez, 1555.
Rascar y comey comienzo han menester. — Nunez, 1555.
Why, she would hang on him.
As if increase of appetite had grown
By what it fed on. — Shak., Hamlet, i. 3, 143.
Economy 's the life of the army.
Eild would be honoured.— K.
Eild wald have honour. — Ferg.
Eild and poortith *s sair to thole. — Ry.
Eild is a sore burthen on one's back. — K.
Eith to keep the castle that was never besieged. — K.
45.3
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Either all or none at all. — CI. Aut Caesar, aut NuUus.
The retort of beauty when accused by ugliness.
Casta est quern nemo rogavit. — Ovid, Am., L, viii.
He alone won't betray in whom none will confide,
And the nymph may be chaste who has never been tried.
Congreve, Love for Love^ iii.
Either do or suflFer. Aut faciendo aut patiendo. — CL
Either learn or leave. Aut disce aut discede manet sors tertia caedi.
(To be beaten with the birch of four apple twigs.) — On
Winchester School table, with the emblems of mitre and
staff, sword and inkhom.
Either the toad or the fearn bush. — Ry.
Eith* learnt, soon forgotten. — K.
♦ i.#. easily.
It is eith till.
That thy own heart will.— K.
It is eith till.
That the awn self will.— Ferg.
Either few words or fine.— CI.
Elbow grease gives the best polish. — Forby, E. A .
Elying* is the halle uche day in the wyke, j^ere pe lorde ne be lady
liketh nought to sitte.— P. Plow. Vis., B. x. 94. Cf. Where
the catte. • Dull.
Ell and tell is good merchandise, i.e. ready money ; or, The best
payment is on the peck bottom. — K.
Empty hands no hawks allure. — CL Cf. Haz., 151, 479.
Enough is enough (of bread and cheese). Satis est quod sufficit ;
nimis est quod suffocat. — Marriage of Wit and Science; H.,
O.P., ii. 373.
Enough is enough, as good as a feast. — Tofn Tyler and his Wife,
1598, p. 18.
Envy and pride wolde fain be seen. — Parlament $f Byrdes.
Envie est toujours en vie.
Envy shoots at the fairest. — CI.
Envy can abide no excellency. — Dr.
Entire affection hateth nicer hands. — Spenser, Faerie Queen, I.,
viii. 40. i.e. affected fastidiousness.
Envy may have its wish, but will miss its end. — Harland and
Wilkinson, Lancashire Legends, 1873.
Equity follows the law. Equitas sequitur legem. (Law maxim.)
Equity is a roguish thing, because it depends on the Lord Chan-
cellor's conscience, which might vary according to the length
of his foot. — Quoted in Lord Gosford v. the Irish La^d
Commission, Times report, Nov. 13, 1897.
Ere ye wed, ask advice. — He.
Even the sun has its spots.
454
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH aphorisms:
Ever busy, ever bare.
Ever the bigger eateth the bean. — Ds., £/>., 195.
Every age has always complained of the present age. — G. Harvey,
Letter Book, p. 85. 1573. C/. Haz., p. 370.
Every beginning must have an ending. — T. M., Life of a Satirical
Pi^py called Nim, p. 97. 1657.
Every blade of grass has its own drop of dew. — Ho.
Ilka blade of grass keeps its ain drap o' dew. — ^Jas. Ballantine, 33.
1808.
Everybody is wiser than anybody.
Everybody hates a man with a grievance. — Talleyrand.
Everybody's body's nobody's body. — Poor Robin's Ollminich.
Every briar is ready to scratch at a torn garment. — T. Adams,
Worhsy p. 193.
Every ball has its billet. — Sterne, Tristram Shandy, VIII., xix., who
ascribes it to William III.
Every bullet has its billet. — ^J. Wesley, Journal, June 6th, 1765.
"Every bullet hath a lighting place." — Gasc., Dulce Bcllum
Inexpertis, 67.
What argufies pride and ambition ?
Soon or late death will take us in tow ;
Each bullet has got its commission,
And when our time *s come we must go.
Ch. Dibdin, Each Bullet.
Every commodity hath a discommoditie annexed unto it. — Max.
Yo. MS. [1586,] in Hen.
Every commodity hath his* discommodity. — Dr.; Melb., PhU.,
p. 33. • its.
For-thy men sain eche countre hath his lawes. — Chau., Jr. and Cr.,
ii. 42. German, Landlich sittlich.
Every country hath its fashion (according to the old adage). — Cogan,
H.ofH.,p. 153.
Ase fele Jjede, ase fele Jjewes*
Quo]) Hendyng. — Prov. of Hendyng, 4.
* i.$. manners. — Hll.
Every nacion living at table hath his gyse. — Bare, Ship of Fools,
ii. 264.
Every coimtry has such Jews as it deserves. — Pall Mall Gazette,
1 8/1 1, '80. Cf Goethe: A nation deserves no better laws
than those it will submit to.
Every cross hath its inscription. Nocumenta, documenta.
Every daughter can keep house better than her mother — until she
tries.
Every day of thy life is a leaf in thy history.
Every day hath his dolour. — CI.
Every day is not yesterday. Fluvius non semper fert secures. — Ad.,
1622; CI.
466
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Every dog is allowed his bite, ue, is not punished for it.
Cf. The recent First Offenders* Act of Parliament.
Every dram of delight
Hath a pound of spite ;
Every inch of joy
Hath an ell of annoy (annexed unto it).
Max. Yo. MS. [1586,] in Hen.
Every disease will have its course. — Muffet, Health's Improvement^
p. 8. 1655.
Cf. A cold.
Every dud bids another good day. Spoken of people in rags and
tatters. — K.
Every eye cannot behold the sun. — ^Jer. Taylor, Sermon before Umver-
sUy of Dublin ; Plotinus, Ennead, I. vi. 9.
Every fellow is not a piar.
Every flower hath its hour.
Every fisher loves best the trout that is of his own tickling. — Scott,,
Woodstock^ vii.
Every fool can do as they *re bid. — S., P.C., i.
Every fool can fetch water out of the sea.—T. Nash ; Taylor, Tkief
Every fool can manage a good cause (but he 's your man can set
the nose on which side he pleases and make something out of
nothing). — J. Wilson, The Cheats, i. 4. 1663.
Every fool is a fiddle to the company. — Sharpham, Cupid's Whirligigs
iv. i.e. to play upon and make a butt of.
As his rank and station often find him in the best company, his
easy humour, whenever he is called to it, can still make
him the fiddle of it. — Cibber, Apology, ch. i.
He that walks wanton with his head aside
And knows not well how he may see his feet,
And she that minceth like a maiden bride
And like a shadow glideth through the street,
However so their minds in money meet.
Measure their humours justly by the middle —
He may be but a fool, and she a fiddle.
Breton, PasquiTs Madcap, p. 9.
Every fool will be meddling. — Prov. xx. 3.
Every hair hath its shadow. — Dr.
Every mouse hath its shadow. — Dr.
Every horn-blower is not a hunter. — W., 1586.
Every hour out of bed after midnight is a nail in your coflSn.
I have sat up on purpose all the night,*
Which hastens, as physicians say, one's fate.
Byron, Don Juan, ii. 140.
* To see the sun rise.
Every hooked nose is not a conqueror. — Melb., PhiL, Y. 2.
Every hill has his dale, every tide his ebb, and every tempest his
flaw of fair weather. — Melb., PhiL, U. 2.
466
Digitized by
Gaogle
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Every bight has a how* behind it. — Cunninghami Bums' Glossary.
• hollow.
Every lady's not a gentlewoman. — Taylor, (W.P.) Wit and Mirthy 77.
Every like is not the same. — Shak., Julius Casar^ ii. 2, 128. See
No like.
The common people have a saying among them that : Every man
before he dieth shall see the devil, ix. on his ^deathbed,
convicting him of sin. — Becon, Whs.^ ii. 145.
Every man as he loves. — CI.
Every man as he loves let him send to the cooks. — Ferg. Le. to
choose his dinner.
Every man after his fashion. — Ad., 1622.
Every man as he likes. — C, P. P.
Every man bows to the bush he gets bield frae. — Ry.
Every man bows to the bush he gets beel of. — K. i.e. pays court to
him that gives him protection.
Every man can't go to the price (Difl&cultates). — CI.
Every man draws water to his mill. — Ds., Ep.
Every man wad wise the water to his ain mill. — Ry.
All draw water to their own mill. — Boohe of Merry Riddles^ Choice
and Witty FroverhSy No. 127. Ognuno tira I'aqua al sus
molino.
Every man (or thing) finds his level in the long nm (or sooner or
later).
Every man is the best friend to himself. Unusquisque proximus
ipse sibi. — Nash, Have^ &»c.y to Saffron Walden, L. 3. 1596.
Every man is mad on some point.
Every man hath his delight. — Dr.
Every mon hath his ain draflf pock. — Ry.
Every man hath his own gift. — Ad., 1622.
Every man has his proi)er gift. — CI.
Every man has his humour. — lb.
Every man in his humour. — B. Jonson ; Dr.
Every man has his price.
"All men have their price" is commonly ascribed to Walpole.
See Coxe's Memoirs^ iv. 369. What he really said was^
"All those men have their price."
Every man has his weak side. — F.
Every man has just as much vanity as he wants understanding.
Every man has his wife. — CI. Melius nil caelibe vita. [Gell.^
1. 5, c. II. — Ed.]
Every man may not be a lorde. — Tav., Er. Prov.^ f. 55. 1552.
Non est cuiuslibet corinthum appellere. — Er.
Every man may not wear a furr'd hood. — T. Lupton, All for Money y
1578, p. 138; Hll., repr.
Every man is a priest in his own house.
457
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Every man is a king at home. — CI. ; Dr.
Every man liketh his own child best. — Ad., 1622.
Every man is wise in his own conceit. — CI.
Every man is not bred at a 'Varsity ; an ill phrase may come from a
good heart. — Fielding, Don Quixote in England^ iii. 6.
Every man is a fool in another man's opinion.— S., P. C.
Every man is others' lore. — Gower, C. -^., viii
Every man is the architect of his own fortunes.
Sed res docuit id verum esse quod in carminibus Appius ait
"Fabrum esse suae quemque fortunae."— Pseudo. Sallust,
Ep. de Rep. Ordin.^ ii. i.
Every man knows what is best for himself. — Breton, Crossing Pr.y i.
Every man must choose and use his own wife. — Dr.
Every man his own swearer. Alternative title to The Complete Oath
Register y 1786. Now applied to butler, lawyer, &c.
Every man is a fool when he is out of his own way. — A. Yarranton,
England's Improvement, i. 185. 1677.
Every man must have something to bring him to his end. — CI.
When all is done, sayd and lafte.
Every man must live by his craft.
Parlament of Byrdes.
Every one should live by his calling. — lb.
Every man must see by his own eyes. — CI.
Every man must skin his own skunk. (American.) i,e. bear his own
burthen.
Every man's fire has some smoke (Caelibatus).— CI.
Every man's man had a man, and that made the treve fall. The
treve was a strong castle built by black Douglas : the govenor
left a deputy, and he a substitute, by whose negligence the
castle was taken and burned. Spoken when servants employ
other servants to do the business they were entrusted with
and both neglect it. — K.
Every man plays the fool once in his life. — Congreve, Old Bachelor^ iii.
Every man shall have his hour and everything its place. — Lodge,
Wifs Miserie, p. 22.
Every man speaks as he finds. — Feltham, Resolves, xxx. (Of
Women); Rabbi Ben Azar.
Evereuch man the bet him beo,
Eaver the bet he hine be seo.
Owl and Nightingale, i. [1269.1
Every man thinks his own geese swans.— Haz., p. 46.
Every one* can tame a shrew but he that hath her.— CI. See Every
man can rule. • Man.— Ad., 1622.
Every man touts best on his ain horn.
Every man touts skill of his ain horn. — Dr.
Every man wears his belt in his own fashion. — K.
458
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Every man will have his vie. — CI.
Every man would live. — Dr.
Every one cannot be a gentleman. — W., 1616.
Every man must not be a lord. — Dr.
Tout le monde ne peult pas estre maistre. — Cordier, 1538.
Every oak has been an acorn. Cf. An acorn.
Every mouse hath it shadow. — Dr.
Every month hath its flower,
Every flower hath its hour.
Every new thing has a silver tale. — (Cornwall) N., III., vi. 495.
Every one is a master and a servant.
Every one is held to be innocent until he is proved guilty.
Every one is not born a poet. — Ho.
Lorsqu'il parol t un Comete
Chacun chez soy fait le Prophete,
Le Pilote craint I'ouragan
Et le Bourgeois le patapan*.
Rostagny, Traiti de Prinurose^ ii. 34. 1689.
♦ %,$. roll of dram.
Every one may pare hisf nails with a wooden dagger. — Shak.,
Henry 7., iv. 4, 70. t «#. the devil's.
Falstaff. If I 40 not beat thee out of thy kingdom with a
dagger of lath,* and drive all thy subjects afore
thee like a flock of wild geese, I *11 never wear
hair on my face more. You, Prince of Wales ! —
Shak., 1 Henry IV,, ii. 4, 129.
* ij, the lath of the Vice. Cf. The Clown's Song in Twelfth Night, " Like
will to Like," 1587.
A wooden dagger is a painted sheath. Eburnea vagina plum-
beus gladius. — CI.
Every one must have a beginning.— Dunton, Ladies' Dict.^ 1694;
Fitzherbert, Boke of Husbandry^ II., xxi. 1598.
Every one must live by his trade.
Every passion hath his proper dialect.
Every speech hath his proper dialect. — Dr. •
Omnis perturbatio animi affectum demonstrat. — Dr.
Every one thinks he has more than his share of brains. — (Italian) E.
Every rose hath a prickle and every bee a sting. — Taylor, Trav. to
Prague. Fr. Point de rose sans epine.
Every rose groweth from prickles. — CI.
Every sin carries its own punishment (with it).
Every stranger loveth his country. — Dr.
Every one to his taste. Chacun a son goCit.
Every pristling conceals a popeling. — Ch.
Every soldier is a gentleman by his profession. — Ho., Parley of
Beasts f p. 114.
409
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Every slip is not a fall. — Bo.
Every one would be a master nowadays.
Every state is worm's meat. Tout etat est viande aux vers. — Ry.
The special vyce comon among them all
Is that eche servant fayne wolde a master be»
Yet in his craft he knoweth not at all,
But is a fole therein and so shall die.
Barclay, Skip of Fools, ii. 314.
Everything must have a beginning. — Boorde, Dyet*s <S<., ch. v.
Everything hath a beginning. — Dr. ; Gasc., Supp., v. 5 ; Middleton,
Mayor of Quinhrough^ IV. 3.
Everything hath a beginning, as the parasite told his master, which
said he took his servant for no liar and now had found it
contrary.— Melb., PhU.^ p. 34.
All things a bygynnyng hath. — Ch., Tr. onJ Cr., ii. 676.
All things have a beginning. — Gasc., Glasse of Govt,^ ii. 3.
All things (God excepted) have a b^[inning. — Ferg., 1641.
Everjrthing in this world has two handles ; take hold of the right
one. — Sterne, Tristr. Shand., II., vii.
Ever)rthing has two handles, or we have two hands to take it by. —
Ellis, Timber Tree Improved, p. 204.
All puddings have two ends, and most short sayings two handles to
their meaning. — Elvira, iv., 1667, ^V Geo. Earl of Bristol.
Everything is as it is used. — Dr.
Everythinc^ is as it is taken. — Dr. ; CI. ; Breton. Cf. Nothing evil
spoken. — Latimer, Remains, 140 (Parker Soc.) ; Sermon 1st S,
after Epiphany, i. 150.
Each thing is as 'tis taken. — Christmas Prince, v. 1607.
Things are well spoken if they be well taken. — Porter, Two
Angry Women, p. 271.
All's as it is taken. — Nash, Pap with a Hatchet, 1589.
Everjrthing is dear to itself. — Max. Yo. in Hen.
Everjrthing comes to him who waits. Tout vient a point a qui sait
[peut] attendre.
He hath nought lost that well abitte. — Gower, C.A., iii.
Everything is good in its way.
Everything is good in its season. — CI.
Toutes choses ont leur saison. — Meurier, Coll., L. 3.
Toutes heures ne sont pas meures (mures). — Cotgrave.
Di sason tutto e buon. — 1530.
Piacer e popone vuol la sua stagione.
De nouveau tout est beau du saison tout est bon. — Joub.,
Err. Pop., II. (50); Bacon, Promus, 265.
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose imder
the heaven. — Ecclesiastes, iii. i.
Every little thing is pretty. — Dr.
460
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Everything is pretty when it is little (** An old saying "). — Taylor
(W.P.), Ep., 17. Cf. Fr. Beaute du diable (which they say
is always to be seen at '* sweet seventeen"), parceque le aiable
etait beau quand il etait jeune.
Everything is pretty when it is new. — CI.
Everything suffers by translation, except a bishop.
Traduttori traditori.
Every venomous beast hath his counter-poison. — Dr.
Everich thing mai losen his godhade (goodness).
Mid unmethe and mid overdede. — Owl and Nightingale , 151.
Everjrthing to gain and nothing to lose.
Everything would live. — R., 1670.
Every tradesman knows his own ware. — Breton, Crossing Pt.^ ii.
Every true man's apparel fits your thief. — Shak., Measure for
Measure^ iv. 2, 39.
Men know not thieves from true men by their looks.— Taylor (W. P.),
The Thief.
Every white will have its black. Cf. Every bean. — Haz., p. 120.
And every sweet its sour. — Sir Cauline, ii. (Percy Rel.).
Evil communications corrupt good manners. — 7 Car.y xv. 33.
Evil things die hard.
Evil will never spoke well. — CI.
Evil-gotten goods will never come to good proof. — Becon, Wks.
(219); Haz., p. 229.
Excusing is oftentimes accusing.— Cod.
Qui s'excuse s*accuse.
Qui trop tost s'excuse de pech^ s'accuse. — N., 1555.
Extreme right is extreme wrong.
Simimum jus summa injuria. — Ry.
Les extremes se touchent. Cf The letter kiUeth.
Extremity of right is wrong. — CI.
Extremity of law is extremity of wrong. — CI.
Summum jus summa injuria. — Law Maxim.
Extremes meet.
Penulo. A right woman, either love like an angel or hate like a
devil; extremes so do well. — Rare Triumphs; H.^ O.P.f
vi. 214.
Examine not the pedigree nor patrimony of a good man. — (Spanish) E.
Exercise is all.— Porter, Two Angry Women; H., O.P.^ vii. 359.
Excusing one's self is accusing one*s self.
Tel s*excuse qui s*accuse. — Meur., 1568.
Chiels that winna ding
And downa be disputed. — Burns, A Dream, iv.
Facts are stubborn things.— Smollett, Tr. Gil Bias, x. ch. i ; Elliot,
Essay on Field Husbandry y p. 35 ; n. 1747.
461
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Si ca proverbe parvent un jour d'etre vrai il restera bien plu de
disputes parmi les hommes.
On dit proverbi alament qu'il ne £aut pas disputer sur les fiaits. —
De Talleyrand, Metnoire sur les Relations Commerciales des
EtatS' Unis avec VA ngUterre. 1 796,
Fair children die. — Dr.
Fair means prevail more than foul. — CI.
Fained friends are worse than open foes. — Montg., Poem against
Fortune.
Fair hair has foul roots. — K.
Fair maidens wear nae purses. — Hen. A gallant speech when girls
propose pa3ring their share.
Fair is fair, work or play. K., under ** He that cheats," gives this
as an English proverb. — Truth, a/ii/'ga, p. 907.
Fairest play is ever above board. — Brathwait, Strap, for Div. ; Moral ta
Civill Divell, 1615.
Fair play is good play. — (Cornwall) N., IH., vi. 495.
Fair weather after you. — Shak., Lovers Labour Lost, i. 2, 137. A
valedictory proverb. — Palsgprave, Ac, G. 4; Porter, Two-
Angry Women; H., O.P., vii. 303.
Fair water makes all clean. — CI.
Fair without, but false within. — Dr.; Brathwaite, Omphale, 162 1,.
and Sch. of Worn., 345. 1541.
For 'tis a maxim, those have ever bin
That are most fair without most foul within.
Taylor (W. P.), Superbiae Flagellum, 1621.
Fair fall the wife and well may she spin
That reckons the lawing with a (juart to come in. — K.
i.e. who charges in the bill an additional bottle that might have
been called for.
Fair fowls have fair feathers. (Difficultas). — CL
Fair without, false within. (Hypocrisia). — CI.
Fair words will not make the pot boil (or fill the belly). — Ry.
Fair houses, small hospitality ;
Many chimneys, little smoke. — Dr.
Fair words hurt not the mouth.— C., 1614 ; CI.
Fair words hurt not the tongue. — Eastward Ho !
It hurteth not the tongue to give fair words. — He., i. 9.
With Love and Awe bi wyfe fou chastise.
And late feyre worcies be 3erd :
For Awe it is fe best gyse
For to make bi wyfe aferd.
How a Wyse Man Taught his Sone ; Ashmole,
MS. 61, f. 6.
The common proverb is : Faith will never buy com nor clothes. —
Daniel Rogers, Matrimonial Honour, 141.
Faith will buy no meat in the market. — Ih., 229.
462
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Fall not out with thy friend for a trifle. Amici mores noveris non
oderis. — Ad., 1622.
That ever friends should fall out about trifles. — Wilson, Cheats^
iv. I.
False with one can be false with two.
False with one can be false with all.
She hath deceived her father and may thee. — Shak., Othello^
i. 3, 293.
Falsehood will have a foul end. — Ad., 1622.
Falsehood made never a fair hinder-end. — Ferg.
Fancy is a fool. — Dr. ; CI.
Fann'd fires and forc'd love ne'er did well. — Ry.
Far shooting never killed bird. — Cod.
Far-off birds hes fine feathers. — Poor Rohin*s OUminick.
Fer foullis hes ay fair fethers. — Montg., Poems, p. 202.
Fer foullis have ay fair fethers.— Ad., 1622.
Far enough and good enough. Si sat procul sat bene. — T. Adams,
Wks,, p. 353.
C/. 'Tis distance lends enchantment to the view. — T. Campbell,
Pleasures of Hope^ i. 7.
Now, here is the door, and there is the way,
And so farewell, gentle Geffray. — Hei., 11.
Farewell and say nothing. — CI.
Farewell nought,
Thou 'rt better lost than sought.
J. Tatham, Thi Rump, i. 1660.
C/. Haz., 128.
Farewell unkissed. — Ds., Ep., 314. (That farewell's unkind. — Ih,)
Fasheou's fools are easiest flisket*. — Cunninghame, Burns' Glossary.
* Fretted.
Fast and welcome. Nella Booth's medecine. — CI. See Eat and
welcome (Parsimonia). Title of Play by Massinger, 1660.
Conviva non conviva. — CI. ; B. and F., Scornful Lady, iii. 2.
Fathers are privileged to think and talk at pleasure. — Rowley,
Witch of Edmonton, i. 2.
Fathers that wear rags
Do make their children blind ;
But fathers that bear bags
Shall see their children land.
Shak., King Lear, fi. 4, 47.
Father 's a father till he gets a new wife,
But mother 's a mother all her life. — Sp.
Favours unused are favours abused. — Hen.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain.— Prov., xxxi. 30.
Feckless fowk are ay fain of ane anither. — Ry. i,e. the feeble
spiritless cannot do without company.
463
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Fever-lurk (neither play nor work). Two stomachs to eat, and
never a one to work. — Baker, Narthants Glossary.
Fever lurdan : sick of the idles. Fever largie : two stomachs to
eat and one to work. — ^Jam.
Few desires, happy life. — Ch.
Few physicians live well ; few Iaw3rer8 die well. — C., 1636.
More trouble yet 7 'Tis but an organist :
Fiddlers and k>o1s may prattle what they list.
Verses on Holiday's Tichnogamia, 1610 ; Middle Hill
MS. 9569, note to Marriagi of Wit and ScUncit
p. 91 (Shak. Soc.).
Fiddlers, dogs, and flies come to the feast uncalled. — Ferg.
Fiddlers, dogs, and flesh flies come to the £east uncalled. — K.
Fiddlers for money, the flies for a sip, and the dogs for a scrap.
— — K»
Fie, fie I horseplay is not for gentlemen. — F.
Fie upon riches that bring no joy ! — Dr.
Fill-fow and ha'd-fou makes a stark man. — Ferg.
Fill in beer by leisure, but wine out of measure. Cervisiam lente,
vinumque infunde repente. — W., 1586.
Finding 's keeping. That a man finds is his own, and he may keep
it. — Alex. Cooke, Country Errors^ 1595 ; HarL MS. 5247, f. 107.
Fine clothes may hide a foul inside. — Merry Musn., ii. 148.
Fingers were made before forks, and hands before knives. — S.,
P.C.,ii.
Les mains sont fadctes devant les cousteaux. — Cotgr., Prov.,
ii. 3. i6ii.
As God made hands before knives.
Tommy. But fingers were made before forks.
Mother. I know it. Tommy, but yours were not ; so God sends
a good lot to the cutlers' wives. — Kempe's Losely
MS.f ** Lottery of 1567," p. 242.
Fire and water have no mercy. Unda vorax et ignis edax. — Dr. ;
CI.
Fire and tow y-leyde to gedore Kyndoll hit woll be resson. — Th
Gode Wyfe on wold a Pylgremage, c. 1460, (E.E.T.S. Extr., viii.)
Fire is as hurtful as healthful. — CI.
Fire is good for the farcie*. — Ferg.
• Fireside.
First catch your hare. — Mrs. Glass, Preliminary Instruction " How
to Roast a Hare.*' ** Take your hare when it is casedt, and
make a pudding," etc. — The Art of Cookery , by a Lady^ 1747-
See Fish. \ Caied is skiitoed.
First lay your bones to work ; then call on God.
First in the wid| and last in the bog. (Scottish.) The first to g^
into a scrape, and the last to get out of it. — N.^ IV., x. 79.
\ Wood.
464
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
First lost, keenest grieved. — Arthur, Bouquet of Brevities,
First impressions are half the battle.
First poise, and then punish. Perpende et percute. — CI.
First serve God, and then serve me. — CI.
First think and then speak (Garrulitas).— CI.
A man must first think and then speak. — Dr.
First thrive, and then wive. — CI.
First a turnip, then a sheep, then a cow, and then the gallows. —
Christy.
Furst try, and then trust. — CI. ; Clem. Robinson, Hdfl. of Pleas. Del.,
p. 38. 1584.
Try and then trust. — Breton, Crossing Pr,, ii. See Haz., 441,
Trust not before you trie. — TurberviU, To Browne of Light Belief
First try fair means before you use foul. — CI.
First up, last down. i.e. in bed. — W., 1616. Often the lot of
servants.
Fish and guests stink at three days* end.
Fish and guests smell at three days' end. — F.
After three days fish is unsavoury, and so is an ill guest. — W.,
1586.
Post tres saepe dies piscis vilescit et hospes ;
Ni sale conditus sit vel specialis amicus. — Dr.
En trois jours on s'ennuye de femme, de Thoste ^t de la pluie.
Guests of one night may be kindly welcome ;
Guests of a next night are not held so toothsome ;
Guests of a third night are reputed noisome
To the receiver.
A Poem, cited R. Brathwait, Survey of History ,
p. 321. 1638.
Unius noctis peramicus hospes,
Proximae gratus minus est amicus,
Tertiae vultus patietur hostis,
Dira minantis.
Two days you *ve larded here ; a third, you know.
Makes guests and fish smell strong ; pray go.
Herrick, ii. 72.
The three days* visit at a country house: the rest day, the
drest day, the press*d day. — Sidney Smith.
Torriano refers it to the civilities of a new tavern-keeper, which
last not after the third visit.
Fresh fish and new-come guests smell by they be three days
old.— CI.
** And as we say in Athens, ' Fish and guests in three days are
stale.' **— Lyly, Euphues and his England^ 305, 386.
" Our like ! no ; we should be sorry we or our clothes should
be like fish, new, stale, and stinking in three days.** —
Middleton and Rowley, Spanish Gipsy, iii. i.
VOL. III. 465 80
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
It fares with ministers as with fish ; none so welcome as the
new-come. — T. Adams, Works, p. 292.
II pesce e I'hoste in tre di* spuzzano. — Torr.
El huesped y el pece
a tres dias hie de. — Nunez, 1555.
Am ersten Tag ein Gast, am Zweiten eine Last, am Dritten
stinkt er fast. — Giani.
Fisherman's luck :
A wet backside and a himgry gut.
Cowan, Sea Proverbs.
Fish should never touch water after it has once left it.
Le poisson puisque il est un coup hors de Teau, il ne la doit
jamais toucher. —Joubert, Er. Pop,, ii. 6.
Fish swims best that 's bred in the sea. i.e. sailors best who are
trained from infancy. — K.
Five pounds: you've bled a fool. (The privilege or allowance of
the fool having been infringed, a forfeit is claimed.) — Douce,
Illustrations of Shakespeare, ii. 314.
Five-pound notes don't grow on gooseberry bushes. — Surtees,
Sponge's Sporting Tour.
Flattery gets firiends, but truth hatred. — CI.
Flatereres ben the develes chapelleyns that singen evere Placebo. —
Chau., Persones Tale, De Ird, § 40.
Fleas and a giming wife are waukrife bedfellows. — Ry.
And waukrife through the corps gard oft he passed. — Hudson's
Judith, iii. 89.
Fly, and you will catch the swallow. — Ho.
Flee you ne'er sae fast, your fortime will be at your heels. — Hen.
Fling-at-the-brod was ne'er a good ox. — K. An ox that kicks
when he is goaded, like one who spurns at reproof, is of
small account.
Scurrility 's a useful trick,
Approv'd by the more politic :
Fling dirt enough, and some will stick.
Ned Ward, Hudib. Red., L, ii.
Flowing rivers are always sweet. — CI.
Folke may be merry and sing not. — Parlament of Byrdes.
Folks never catch cold at church. — Denham, Folk Lore of Northum-
berland, p. 22.
Folks' dogs bark worse than themselves. i.e. neighbours' servants
resent a thing more than their masters do. — K.
Follow, but do not run after, good fortune. — (Spanish) E.
Folly to put your hand between the bark and the tree. — He.
Fond hearts fear most what most they love. — Arthur, Bouquet of
Brevities^
Foolhardiness is never content with enough. i,e, knows not when
to stop.
466
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Temeritas nunquam invenit modum. — Horm., Vulg.^ p. 274.
Fools and baubles are ladies' playfellows. — Poor Robin* s Prog,, 1742.
Fools are known by looking wise,
As men tell woodcocks by their eyes.
Butler, Hudibras.
Fools and little dogs are ladies' playfellows. — Melb., Phil.jJ. 3. 1583.
Fools are fain of right nought. — Ferg,
A little thing pleaseth a fule. — Max. Yo. MS. in Hen.
Fools* babies may serve to make wise men sport. — Melb., Phti.t Z. 3.
Fools and conceited men make lawyers rich. — Dr.
Fools are fond o' a' they foregather with. — Cunninghame, Glossary
to Bums,
Fools and knaves never miss forgetting people they don't wish to
remember. — Middleton, Your Four Gallants^ i. 3.
Fools are fond of flitting. — Ferg. (And wise men of sitting.
Spoken to those who are fond of altering their place, station,
or condition without reason.— K.)
Fools cut their fingers, but wise men cut their thumbs. — S., P. C, i.
i,$. the follies of the wise are prodigious.
Fools grow without watering. — R., It,, 1678.
Fools be they that will them part
That do make a drunken mart.
Boorde, Brev. of Health, ch. 377,
Fools bite one another, but wise men agree. — Cod.
Fools hath no pleasure but only in their bauble. — Barclay, Ship of
Fools, ii. 276.
Fulis hast cums huly speid*. — Montg., Ch, and Sl^ 92. Cf. The
more haste. ♦ A.S. speed, success.
Fools love fellowship. — Day, Isle of Gulls, G. 2.
A foole in felawes hath pleasure and delyte. — Barclay, Ship of
Fools, ii. 307.
Fools please women best. — Lyly, Mother Bombie, iii. 2.
Fools ravel an' wise men redd. — Ry. i,e. fools tie knots.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. — Pope, Essay on Criticism,
ii. 66.
Le plus grand fol commence le premier. — Montluc, Comedie
de Proverbes, ii. 4.
Fools should have na chappin' sticks. — Ferg. i,e, dangerous
weapons.
Fools stand in slippery places.
Fools will afford good pennyworths. — Armin, Nest of Ninnies, p. 40.
1608.
Fools will be fools still. — Gammer GutHnur's Needle, i. 4.
For pleasure's sake I would liefer wet
Than ha' ten lumps of gold for each one of my sweat.
R. D. Blackmore, Loma Doone, ch. 9.
467
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
For. small cx:casion a bird not changeth nest. — Bar., Eel., iv.
Forbidden wares sell twice as dear. — Denham, Natura NaturcUa.
But now I think on't I do wonder why
The greatest part brand him with infamy
That is a cuckold. Since that all men know
It is not his offence that he is so.
I never heard a reason for it i' the schooles
Yet sure 'tis this : the greatest part are fools.
G. Wither, Abuses Stript and Wkipt, i. 7. 1615.
En toutes compagnies il y a plus de folz que de sages, et la
plus grande partie surmonte toujours la meilleure. —
Rabelais, Pant,, ii. 10.
For every evil under the sun
There is a remedy, or there is none :
If there be one, try and find it ;
If there be none, never mind it.
For a tint thing care not. — Ferg.
For all your kindred make much of your Mends. — Ho.
For fault of wise men fools sit on binks. — Ferg.
For want of a wise man a fool is set in the chair. Bos in quadra
argentea. — CI.
Sen want of wyse men makes fules sitt on binks. — Henryson,
c. 1480.
Parens sans amis, amis sans pouvoir, pouvoir sans vouloir,
vouloir sans effect, effect sans profit, profit sans vertu,
ne valient pas un festre. — Meurier, 1568.
Force is no remedy (for disaffection). — ^John Bright, with reference
to coercion in Ireland, 1880.
Sagesse veut mieux que force.
Tout par amour, rien par force.
Frailty, thy name is woman ! — Shak., HamUt, i. 2, 146.
Forehanded pay is the worst pay that is. — N., F. P.
Fortune doth try men. — CI.
Fortune may nought stonde alwey. — Gower, C.i4., viii.
Fraud fereth falsehood. — Bare, EcL, v.
Free ships, free goods. — (American) Christy.
Freedom is a fair thing. — Ferg.
Frenzy, heresy, and jealousy are three
that hardly or never cured be. — He,, Dial,, II., vii.
For be ye wele assured
That firensy nor jealousy
Nor heresy will never dye.
Skelton, A Replycacion, 406,
As frenzy and heresy roveth together,
So jealousy leadeth a fool ye wot whither.
Tusser, Husbandry, p. 12. 1573.
468
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Fresh fish and poor friends grow soon ill-far'd. — Ry., i.e. ill favoured.
C/. Fish.
Freschest flouris finest faides. — Max. Yo. MS. in Hen.
We are but beggars, we, like Friars.
We are but beggars, we be no buyers. — He., Four P's, i. 352;
H.,O.P.
Friends agree best at a distance. — K.
Frifends *gree best sindry. — Ry.
But there *s no great love lost twixt them and me.
We keep asunder, and so best agree.
Taylor (W. P.), Trav. of XII. Pence.
Friends are tried before they are to be trusted. — Lyly, Euph.^ p. 378.
No friend's a friend till he shall prove a friend. — B. and F., A
Friend^ iii. 3.
Friends fail fleers. — Sir Thos. More, Eng, Wks.^ p. 55.
Friends fail flyers.— C, 1629.
Friends falling out are hardly atoned. i,e. made one. — Melb.,
PhU,, L. 4.
Friends must part. — Rowley, Witch of Edmonton^ iii. i.
The best of friends must part.— Swift, " On the Death of Dr.
Swift** ; Gay, Fab., i, 50; Young, Sat,, i. 220.
II n'est si bons amis qui ne se quittent.
II n*y a si bonne compagnie qui ne prenne sa departee. —
Meurier, Dev, Fam. 1590.
Friendship stands not in one side. — Ferg.
Friendship is love deprived of his wings.
From the abuse argue not against the use.
Fry stanes wi' butter, and the broe will be gude. — Hen. i.e. a good
sauce will make anything toothsome.
Full hard it is a cammock straight to make. — Mir. for Magist,, i. 87.
Full seldom is that wealth
Can suffer his own astate in health.
Gower, Con. Am. Prol.
Full vessels sound least (Humilitas). — CI.
Fulness engendreth fierceness. — Cawdray, Tr. of Sim., p. 523. 1600.
Gall a knave and he will grease you (Malum retortum). — CI.
Gae frae them, we pray them.
That nouther dow nor dar. — Montg., Ch. and 5/., 52.
Gaily is " Sing Wellway*s " brother. — K.
Gaily is indifferently. Cf. Don't care. Sing Weylaway, — Chau.,
Wife of Bath* s Tale, 5598 ; Shipmah*s Tale.
Thu singest a night and noght a dai
And at the song is wail awai.
Owl and Nightingale, &c.
Gamesters' drink and fiddlers' wives are ever free and common.
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Gamesters and race-horses never last long. — Cod. C/. It is the pace.
Gapers for gudgeons are soon choked. — Melb., Phil., p. 307.
Gape gudgeon. An old English proverb spoken of him that is
hungry of treasure. To gape gudgeon lik^. As wide as his
chaps will let him. — W., 1608.
Gaping is catchiog. — Ry.
Un bon baiUeur en fait bailler deux.
Gaunting goes &om man to man. — K.
Anda la cabra de roca en roca come el bostero de boca en boca.
—Nunez, 1555.
Lo spadagliar non vuol mentir o che egli ha sonno che vorria
dormir o ch'^U ha qualche cosa nolla puo dir. — Torr.
Gaunting bodes wanting ane o* things three :
Sleap, meat or good company. — K.
Bostezo luengOy
hambre o sueno,
o ruyndad que tiene en el cuerpo su dueno.
Nunez, 1555.
GarUc makes a man wink, drink, and stink. — ^J. Nash, Unfortunate
Traveller, F. 2.
And scorn not garlic, like to some that think
It only makes men wink and drink and stink.
Sir J. Harington, Sch, of Saleme, 13.
Garter tighten.
Love heighten :
Garter slacken.
Love backen. — Miss M.
Gay is the garland where many flowers meet (Varietas). — CI.
Gay gear and witless, his hood set on hoket. — Town, Myst, 311.
Cf. Long beards, etc. ; Haz., p. 268.
Genius does what it must, but Talent does what it can. — Robert,
Lord Lytton.
Gentility without ability is worse than plain beggary. — R., 1670.
Gentle servants are poor men's hardship, because the conceit of
their birth and blood will make them despise and neglect
your service. — K.
Gentlefolks should be civil. — Scott, Old Mortality, Cf. If yere a
gentleman.
Gentle puddocks hae lang taes. — Hen. (Gentility.)
Gentleman Jack Herring that puts his breeches on his head for
want of wearing. — Nash, Lenten Stuff e, p. 71.
Gently does it. Cf, Hooly.
Au lier et au deslier
Te tien saisy de Tesprevier.
Le Menagier de Paris {c, 1393)1 Paris, ii. 292. 1846.
Gently over the stones.
A beiraggio a ma' passi. — Torr.
470
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
A man of wisdome
With gentle handling can bring in frame
That by currishness no twenty can tame,
Wm. Forrest, GrysUd the Second^ 1558, p. 169.
Get the sun behind you when encountering an adversary. Lawyers
have an eye to this when meeting to discuss opposing
interests.
Be first advised,
In conflict that you get the sun of them.
Shak., Love's Labour Lost, iv. 3, 364.
Our weapons have but one measured length ;
Believe the opposition of the sun
Unto your face is your impediment.
You may remove and wear him at your back.
Davenant, News from Plymouth.
Get thy brass fair, and then it *11 wear. — Derbyshire Reliquary.
Get a good name and go to sleep. — Cod.
Get once the sl(e)ight of it, as we say, and then half the work is
at an end. — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 368.
Ghosts never appear unless sent for.
Ghosts never speak vmless they *re spoke to.
Because as we are told, a sad old joke too —
Ghosts, like the ladies, " never speak till spoke to."
Barham, Ingoldsby Legends, ** Look at the Clock,"
Ghosts never walk after midnight, if I may believe my grannam. —
B. & F., Lovers* Progress, iv. 2.
Give a lie twenty-four hours' start and you can never overtake it.
Givers should never take. — ^J. Day, Parlt. of Bees ; Lansdown MS.,
725-
Gie your ain fish-guts to your ain sea maws*.
•gulls.
Gyftes mars many man. — Town. Myst., 202.
Gifts and gold
Take the strongest hold.— Chapman, Mayday, i.
'Tis said that persons living on annuities
Are longer liv'd than others — God knows why.
Unless to plague the grantors — yet so true it is
That some I think do never die.
Byron, Don Juan, ii. 65.
Girls will be boys, and boys will be babies. — 1897.
Give a man an annuity, and he*ll live for ever (having to take
no thought for the morrow).
Give a slave a rod, and he '11 beat his master, — CI.
Give a sprat to catch a mackerel.
Put in practice this old delectorie :
Give, seek, take,
All things, few things, nothing. — Melb., PhiL^ Z. 2.
471
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Qoisquis in hoc mundo canctis volt gratus habeiL
Det, capiat, quaerat, plurima, pauca, nihil.
And the beaters of hemp (like the pitchers oi oar day],
Give a hoh
To every blow.— Breton, Fantasticks^ " 6 o' the dock."
Give every man his due and give him no more. — Porter, Two Angry
Wanun; H., O.P.f vii. 306.
Give a dog roast and beat him with the spit. — C, 1636. C/. He
biddeth him.
Give everybody leave to tell their own tale. — Sir R. Howard, Tk€
CommittUf i. 1663.
Give never the wolf the wedder to keep. — Ferg.
Give him no more than you would have him spend. — CL
Give God thy heart, the world thy wealth.— CI.
Quien quiere tomar convienela dar,
Zivaul da et accipe.
Give and take.
A man must sometyme give and sometyme take. — Horman, Vuig,, 63.
Give not over, though your luck be bad. — CI.
Give not up your friend for a trifle.
Ama I'amico col difetto suo.
Give way to your betters.
Oiu: country manners give our betters way. — Shak., King Johuy
i. I, 156. Cf. To order myself lowly and reverently towards
my betters. — Church Catechism.
Glowering is nae gainsaying. — Hen.
Go abroad to hear news of home. 5^ Go into the country.
Give rope enough to rogues, they'll hang themselves. — He., Dicd.y
H., ii.
Give the benefit of doubt
Till the truth is wholly out — Spu.
Give me a child for the first seven years, and you may do what you
like with him afterwards. (A Jesuit maxim.)
Glum folks (are) no easily guided.— Cunningham, Glossary to Bums.
Go back a little to leap further. — CL To take beer (force, might).
To goe back that you may leap further. Cited by Hll., More
MS. Additions to Ray.
Fr. II faut reculer pour sauter.
Quha cuvatt to leip mon quhylumis gang abak. — Banoatyne
MS. 1568.
Go not for every grief to the physician, for every quarrel to the
lawyer, nor thirst to the pot. — (Spanish) R., 181 3 ; E.
Go to the devil and bishop you. — Ferg. ? Be confirmed !
The very name is grown so contemptible, that a black dog, if
he hath any white marks about him, is called " Bishop." —
Howell, Familiar Letters^ L, vi. 38. 1639.
472
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
They* are profane, imperfect, O, too bad
To be counted children of poetry,
Except confirm'd and bishoped by thee.
Donne, Epistle to Mr. B. B.
* Rhymes.
and metropolitanus
And baptisede and bushoppede.
Piers Plowman^ C. Pass, xviii. 267.
Go to the market with your thanks. Ne verba pro farinis. — Ad.,
1622.
Go to the well against your will,
The can will break or the water will spill. — K.
(If the lad go.)
God and St. Luke save you I — He.
God asketh com, and the devil marks the sack. — CI. See God
sends. — Haz., 144, and my MS. notes, p. 12.
God be with the good laird of Balmaghie, who took never more
from a poor man than he had. — K.
God fills the sleeping fisherman's net.
God grant your early rising do you no harm. Spoken jeeringly. —
Ho. See I hope.
" God have mercy ! " filleth not the physician's purse. — Dr.
God helps those who help themselves. — P. R.
Aide toi et Dieu t'aidera,
le ciel . . . — La Fontaine, Fab., v. 18.
For he that will help himself is helpen of God. — Dial, of
Great., 58.
God is a good man. — Lusty Juv. ; H., O.P.9 ii. 73 ; Shak., Much Ado
about Nothing, iil 5, 35.
They asked him (the lean fool) where he was borne ? " At my
mother's back," sales he. " In what country ? " quoth they.
" In the country," quoth he, ** where God is a good man," —
Armin, Nest of Ninnies, 1605, repr., p. 22.
God is no botcher. — He.
Nature is no botcher. — CI.
I say this that Nature is no botcher, and there is no washing of
a blacke Moore, except it be from a little durty sweat. —
Breton, Court and Country, p. 14. 1618.
God in the hand, and the devil in the heart. — Dr.
God in the hand, devil in the heart.— CI.
God is a sure pa3rmaster. — CI.
God loves good accounts. — (Eastern) R., 1813.
God loves no pride, nor your cleanliness. — CI.
God made the country and man made the town. — Cowper, Task,
i. 740. C/. God the first garden made and the first city
Cain. — Cowley, Essay v.
But the devil made the small country town.
473
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
God save plenty. — D.
God save the quen that baketh such bread that all the whole house
fareth the better for it. — Becon, Book of Matrimony^ i. 563
(The Wittol).
God send me a friend that may tell me my faults : if not, an enemy,
and to be sure he will. — P. in R., 1678.
God shapes the back for the burthen. — Hen.
God, our parents, and our Master can never be requited. — Cod.
God stint all strife. — He.
God the send-all,
Folly spend-all.
By your folly spend-all is your store consumed, and by God the
send-all it may be restored. — Melb., Phil., p. 5.
God's lambs will play. An apology for riotous youth; perhaps a
sneer at a backsliding young Puritan. — Forby, E,A,
God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.— Sterne, Sentimental
Journey [Maria], p. 335, Macmillan's repr., 1900.
A brebis tondu Dieu mesure le vent
Dieu mesure le froid a la brebis tondue.
H. Kstienne, Premices^ i594» P« 47 •
Goin' to die 's long or it fills the churchyard. — Poor Robin's
Ollminick,
Gold that wins for gold shall lose the self-same fiiend again. —
Paradise of Dainty Devices, p. 128, 1576.
Golden looks
Are painted hooks. — Melb., Phil., X. 2.
Good cheer and good cheap gars many haunt the house. — Ferg.
Good company is a good coach. — CI. Comes facundus in via est
pro vehiculo.
Good actions mend bad ones.
Good education is the best portion. — CI.
Good becomes more good the more it is encommoned. {i.e. shared
with others.)— Sylvester, Du Bartas, H., iv., ii.
For a temporal thing, the more it is divided the less it is ; and
a spiritual thing, the more it is divided the more it is. —
Fitzherbert, Book of Husbandry , fo. 9. 1534.
Good breeding makes a man. — CI.
Good example makes all. — CI.
Good fish, but all the craft is in the catching. — Ho.
Good fish when it is caught. — B. E., New Dictionary of the Canting
Crew.
Good men are scarce, and honest men are geason. — Taylor (W.P.),
Ep., 38.
Good folks are scarce, you '11 take care of one. — K.
Spoken to those who carefully provide against ill weather. — K.
Make much of naught ; good folks are scarce. — S., P.C, i.
474
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Good men were scarce. — Tatham, The Rump, ii. 1660.
Cf. Make much, pest.
Good hand, good hire. — CL Lc. a good workman, good wages.
Good is no good but if it be spend,
God giveth good for none other end.
Spenser, Shepherd* s Kalendar, May^ 71.
Good luck ne'er comes too late. — Drayton, Mooncalf,
Good herte makith the gode thought ;
The clothing yeveth ne reveth nought.
Chau., Romaunt of the Rose, 6252.
Good lawyers may prove bad divines. — Colvill, Whigs' Suppln,, p. 55.
1687.
Good harvests make men liberal ; bad ones, provident. — R., 1670, tr.
Good heed hath as good hap.— CL, P. P.
Good men find not their covmtry kind (Exilium). — CI.
Good neighbours will not be heard. iEqualitas haud parit bellum.
— Ad., 1622.
Good masters make good servants. — Defoe, Behaviour of Servants,
p. 292.
Good old iron will never rust. i.e. will always be in use. Used with
reference to walking.
Good reason and part cause. — Quoted by Dean Church {Macmillan's
Magazine, February, 1887) as a subtle Scotch proverb,
meaning that the good reasons for a decision are often only
part of the cause of its being adopted.
Good reasons must of force give place to better.-^Shak., Julius
Casar, iv. 3, 201.
Good things should be praised. — Shak., Two Gentlemen of Verona,
iii. I, 338.
Good to have two strings to your bow. — CL
Good ware has often come frae a wicked market. — Scott, Rob Roy.
Good will moult as fowl's feather. — Parlament of Byrdes.
Good will when getten 's as good as gowd. — Harland and Wilkinson,
Lancashire Legends, 201.
Good wits will be jangling; but, gentles, agree. — Shak., Love's Labour
Lost, ii. I, 224.
Good words are worth much and cost little. — H.
Ne se donne rien d si bon march6 que les compliments. —
Montluc, Com. de Prov., iii.
Good words help sick minds. Animae aegrotantis medicus oratio.
— CL
Good words anoint us, and ill do unjoint us. — Ds., Ep., 72.
Good words cool more than cold water. — CL
Good words help sick minds.— CL
Good work is bad for trade. — Ch.
Coodwill is all in all. — CL
475
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA-
Goodwill and welcome is your best cheer. — ^W., 1616 ; CL
Goodwill should be tane in part of payment. — Ferg.
Goose upon goose is false heraldry. — S., P.C, iL Cf, Colour and
metaL
Taylor (W. P.), in his Goou (title), gives " Goose upon Goose "
as part of the sab-title.
Governors are for the common good. Non sibi sed popnlo. — CL
Grace and good manners maketh a man. — Dr. ; CL
Grace groweth after governance.— Becon, Wla.^ L 224.
Grace is grace, despite of all controversy. — Shak., Meaatre for
Measure^ L 2, 24.
Gramercy forty pence. Jack Noble's dead. — Ho.
Grasp your nettle.
Nip a nettle hard and it will not sting you. — Forby, E. A . Cf.
the epigram, " Tender-handed stroke."
Gratitude is a lively expectation of favours to come.
Grass and hay, we all are mortaL — Ho. ; Rd. Brathwait, Wkimzies^
1631, No. 14.
Grass and hay, let us live till we die. — ^Torr.
Gray-eyed, greedy ;
Brown-eyed, needy ;
Black eye never blinn
Till it shame its own kin. — K.
Grease a fat sow in the tail, she will shite in your fist. — Ho. ; CL
Gret fisches etes the smale. — Metrical Homilies^ c. 1320, ed. SmaU.
Great dispute gives truth a put. — Wodr.
Grande dispute verite rebute. — Cotgr., 161 1.
Par trop debattre le verite se perd. — Cord., 1538.
Great griefs, I see, medicine the less. — Shak., CymbeUne^ iv. 2, 244.
Great honours are great burdens. — Rd. Flecknoe, Epig., v. 1671.
Great head, little wit. — CL ; Dr.
Great head, meikle wit — Ferg. A groundless reflexion. — K.
When Malvern might behold
The Herefordian floods, far distant though they be ;
For great men, as we find, a great way ofi" can see.
Drayton, Polyolbion, viL
The greatest heads and smallest eke were wont
To bear in them the finest wits away ;
This thing is true, thou canst not it denay.
Mirror for Mag.^ i. 22 (Cherinnus).
Great men have their ends when they countenance the poor.
Ob res portandas asini vocitantur ad aulas. — CL
Great men's sons oft are their sins.
Great men's sons are often their sins. — CL
Heroum filii noxae. — CL
Lauri e cipressi belle foglie e cattivi firutti. — Torr.
476
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Great matters are not compassed in a moment. — Cod.
Great men are great idols. Magnates sunt magnates. — Dr.
Great men's vices are accounted sacred. — K.K.C.
Great promises and small performances. — CI.
Great talkers are never great doers. — Midd., Blurt. M. C, i. i.
Great talkers are little doers. — Matt. Henry, Cotnm,
Great pudder to small purpose. — CI.
Great trouble maketh wits to wane. — Parlanunt of Byrdes.
Greatness and goodness go not always together. — CI.
In the choir of Bristol Cathedral (first half of XlVth Century)
is a miserere of a tilting with brooms between a man and a
woman, the one mounted on a pig and the other on a
turkey cock. — Murray, Hdhk. Wilts, Dor. and Som.j p. 302.
Greek, carps, turkey-cocks and beere
Came into England all in a year.
Aubrey, N, H. of Wilts, p. 62. 5^ Haz., p. 208.
Cf Heresy and beer.
Turkies or Ginnie hens (Maleagrides). — Baret, Alv.
Of Ginny* or Turkie-cocks. — Fitzherbert, Book of Husbandry,
ch. XX. 1598. ♦ Guinea.
Drink here, ale and wyne. — Bare, Ship of Fools, ii. 260.
Drink ale. — Bare, EcL, ii.
About the fifteenth year of Henry the Eighth it happened that
divers things were newly brought into England, whereupon
the rhyme was made :
Turkeys, carps, hops, piccadel and beer
Came into England all in one year.
Baker's Chron. of H., viii., p. 298, Ed. 1696.
Mulier, And when I was a brewer longe
With hoopes I made my ale stronge,
Ashes and erbes I blend among
And marred so good maulte. — Chester Plays, ii. 82.
Hoppes be well-beloved of the beer-brewers. — Bullein, Gov, of
Health, 58. 1558.
And the hoppes in bier maketh it colder in operation. — Elyot,
Castle of Helthe, 34. 1541.
The pike is mentioned in W. de Worde's Boke of Kervyng, 1508.
See Dibdin's Ames, ii., p. 133.
Luaculus, a pykerelle. — (XVth Century). Wr., V. ofVocab., 253.
Green and white
Forsaken quite.
(Unlucky to wear them at a wedding.)
Green
Forsaken clean. — N., VI.
Green to green, and red to red*;
Perfect safety : Go ahead. — Sea, " Rule of the Road.'*
* Lights of vessels passing.
477
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Green thoughts and great minds (boasting or bragging). — Dr.
Green wounds will not be touched. — Dr.
Gime when ye knit, and laugh when ye loose. — Ferg. C/. Business
is business.
Gexin 's* akin to lyin'. — Harland and Wn., Lcmcash, Leg.^ p. 199.
* Guessing.
Habit maketh no monk; ne weringe of gilt spurres maketh no
knight. — Test, of Love (Chau., Works^ 1602). [Ed. Skeat» 1897,
vol. 7, IL, xi, 121. — Ed.]
Habit ne maketh monk ne frere. — Chau., R, of i?,, 6192.
5^^ Cucullus, etc. — Haz., p. 107.
Crown and cloth maken no prest. — WicliflF, E.E.T.S., p. 467.
All hoods make not monks. — Shak., Henry VII Lf iii. i, 23.
The hood makes not the Monk. — Nash, Chrisfs Tears, p. 74.
Habit 's second nature (happen what will). See Custom and use is.
For in physique this I finde
That Usance is the seconde Kinde. — Gower, C. A,, vi.
As Aristotle saith : '* Consuetudo est tanquam altera natura."
Custom is like unto another nature. — BuUein, Gov. of Healthy
f. 98. 1558.
Had I wist is ever had at the worst. — Max. Yo. in Hen.
Hair and hair will make the Carle bald. — Ad., 1622.
Hair and hair will make the Carle's head bare. — Ferg. ; Haz., 321.
Hair and hair makes the Carle's beard bare. — Ry.
Hale sale is gude sale. — K. i^e. a good stroke when we can sell
"the whole lot.** Spoken jocosely when we take all that
is before us. — K.
F. Half a saint.
L. And the other half a devil, I hold a penny.
Gasc., Supp., iv., 8.
Half an hour is soon lost at dinner. — S., P.C, i.
Half an hour past three quarters and ready to strike again. — CI.
Puerorum crepundia (Vilitatis). — CI.
Half anuch* is half fill. — Ferg.
* Enough.
It is a good and sooth fast saw,
Half roasted never will be raw.— Geo. Eliot, Felix Holt.
Half the way to know the way. — Ho., Brit. Prov.y p. 11.
Hands off and fair play. — CI.
Honest and understanding reader (if neither, hands ofif!) etc. —
T. Adams, WhiU DevU, 1615. " To the reader.**
Afif hands is fair play. — Scott, Old Mort.y ch. iv.
Hall binks are sliddery. — Ferg.
There *s a sliddery stone before the hall door. — K.
Cf. Put not your trust in princes.
478
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Be war in welth for hall benkis ar rycht slidder. — Henryson^
Fables, c, 1470.
Hang pinching : let 's be merry. — Torr.
Hang saving : bring us a half north of cheese.— S., P, C, i.
Hang hunger and drown drouth,
Let the dog lick the cat's mouth.
Spoken jocosely when we deal liberally. — K.
Hanging 's stretching ;
Mocking 's catching. — R,, 1678.
Hanging: the worst use man can be put to.— Sir H. Wotton,^
Disparity between Buckingham and Essex.
Hanging is a fine dry kind of death. — Drydcn, Epil. D. of Guise, 32.
Hang care ! — CI.
Hang sorrow : care will kill a cat. — Wither, Faire Virtue ; Xmas
Carol,
Hang sorrow : cast away care. — Torr.
Hang lag !— Thos. Porter, The Villain^ iv. i. 1663.
C/. The devil take the hindmost !
Hang up such as are not their crafts-masters, say the thieves under
• the gallows. — Torr.
Happy are they that can be ware by another man's jeopardy. —
Latimer, Sermon before King, 1549.
Happy is he that can be ware by other men's harms. — C, 1629.
He is happy whom other men's peril makes ware. — Tav., f. 3rd..
1539-
Felix quem faciunt alicna pericula cautum.
Bel doctrine prent en luy qui se chastia par autruy. — Cordier,.
De Cor. Serm.^ 1538.
Happy is he that knows his follies in his youth. — Ho.
Happy is she who marries the son of a dead mother. — K.
Happy low, lie down ! — Shak., 2 Henry IV,, iii. i, 30.
Hard cases make bad law. i.e. lead to l^slation for exceptions.
Hard is for any man all faults to mend. — He.
Hard words break no bones (but many a heart has been broken
by them). — M. Henry, Comm,
Hardly gotten the more esteemed. — Dr.
Hare is melancholy meat.— S., P.d i.; Burton, Annat, of Mel,, l,y
ii. 2, I.
Harp and harrow (Dissimulatio). — CI.
Harvest follows seed-time (Labour). — CI.
Harvest time (autumnus) undoeth many men.— Horm., V,, 36.
Haste is unhappy : what we rashly do
Is both unlucky ay, and foolish too.— Herrick, ii. 219.
Hate not at the first harm.— CI. Cf, He loves and He that will
love.
479
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Have a care to gain, for there will come a time of spending. — Dr.
Have at all (Audacia), — CI.
Have few wants and serve them yourself.
Have you all the wit in\he country ? — CI.
Have money and you will find kindred enough. — (Italian) E.
Hatred with firiends is succour to foes. — Ds., £/., 8i ; Dr.
Hae is half full. Abundance makes people's stomachs less sharp
and craving. — K.
Hae ye gear, hae ye nane,
Tine heart anjd a*s gane. — K.
Have is have, however men do catch. — Shak., King John, i. i, 173.
C/. Own is own.
Hae gars a deaf man hear. — Ry.
Hea will gar a deaf man hear. — Ferg.
He biddeth him to roast meat and smiteth him with the spit. — Dr.
Cf. Give a dog roast.
He breaketh his head and giveth him a plaster. — Dr.
He broke my head and then gave me a plaster. — CI.
He buys and sells and lives by the loss. — Dr.
He buys at the fair and sells at home (Lucrum ex scelere). — CI.
He buys ill and sells ill in market and fair,
That puts up no gain by no kind of ware,
Non bene mercatur qui nulla merce lucratur. — W., 1586.
N, 0. (making love] : " It is great good will that gravelleth me
and the fear ot repulse that maketh my heart to freeze ;
wherefore I beseech thee grant ^re in time to thaw.''
" Good sir," quoth she, " to find fire in frost I count it better lost"
** I grant " (said N. 0.) " who findeth nre in frost, he finds but
yet he lives by loss, but who findeth frost in fire he gapeth
for good luck." — Grange, Golden Aphroditis, D.
He calls me scabbed because I will not call him scald. — Ferg.
i.e. he has tried to make me lose my temper, and failing
has lost his own.
He can ill be master that never was scholar. — CI.
He can laugh and cry both in a wind*. — R., 1670.
* i.e. a breath.
He can say "Jo*,"
And think it nof. — Ferg.
* •• My Jo."— Hen. t Of a hypocrite.
Cf John Anderson, my Jo (John).
I have heard old woodmen say, " He cannot be a gentleman that
loveth not a dog," — ^J. Northbrooke, Against Dicing, 1577
(Shak. Soc., 108).
He cannot love that is afraid of me. — CI. ; Ad., 1622.
Perfect love casteth out fear. — / John, iv. 18.
He casts beyond the moon that hath pist on a nettle. — C, 1636.
480
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He comes in with his five eggs a penny. — Ho.
He comes in with his five eggs a penny, and four be addled and
rotten, — Dr.
He comes in with his five eggs.— He., Ep,, i. 26.
He comes in with his five eggs, and four be rotten. — CI.
He comes in with his five eggs, and four of them be rotten. — Ferg»
Falces postulabam. Nothing to the purpose. — CI.
Take him up there. — He., Dw/., ii. i.
He crieth creek (yielding). — Dr.
He dyned with delyte, with povertie he must sup. — Skelton, Magnyf,^
i. 991.
He does nothing but eat, drink, and sleep.
The Pantheon at Rome was covered with brass, which a Pope
melted to cast Canons ; no such as only eat, drink, and sing.
— Sir B. Gerbier, On Buildings i. 36. 1662.
He falleth into the fire that flieth from the smoke. — Holinshed,
1586, Index.
He fears old age that knows
It brings with it a world of woes. — W., 1616 ; CI.
He that seeketh findeth. — He. ; Matt.y vii. 8.
He gangs early to steal that cannot say "Na." — Ferg. See He
learned.
He gave his wife a Recumbentibus. i,e, he swaddled her soundly.
—Ho.
He goes upright that never halts. — Sir Thos, More, p. 37, 1590, repr.
He had never a bad day who had a good night. — K. (Eng.)
The vulgar proverb *s crost. " He hardly can
Be a good bowler and an honest man."
Quarles, Emblems, i. 10.
See A good bowler. This would imply the converse as the
proverb's lesson.
He has ill neighbours that is fain to praise himself.— CI.
He has an ill neighbour that is fain to praise himself. — CI. See
Who commendeth.
You dwell by ill neighbours that makes ye praise yourself. — Porter,
Two Angry Women; H., 0,P,, vii. 350.
He that praiseth himself hath ill neighbours. — Dr.
" I must," said the Hawke, " by aU my belles
Say for myself when none wyll elles." — Parlament of
Byrde$,
Sese vicinos jactans habet undique pravos. — HarL MS., 383.
He that of himself doth brag, boast, and vaunt
Hath ill neighbours about him to set him aflaunt. — W., 1586.
He has changed his tippet or his cloak on the other shoulder.
(Inconstance.) — Ferg.
He hasteth wel that wysly can abyde. — Chau., Tr. and Cr., i. 957.
VOL. III. 481 81
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
He hath bought honey too dear who hurteth his hands in the gettio§
of it.— Dr.
He hath a good wit, if a wise man had the keeping of it. — C.| 1636.
The wit I want* I have yet yields no profit,
Because a fool hath still the keeping of it.
it. need. Taylor, M(^.
He hath fault of a wife that marries mam*s pet. — K. i,s. the spoOt
child of the mother. A wife 's ae dother's never gracee.
He hath kindred enough that hath a good wife. — Dr.
He hath not deserved the sweet which hath not tasted the sour.
Dulcia non meruit qui non gustavit amara. — Tavemer, Er,
Prov.f f. 59.
No wele is worth, that may no sorwe dryen (suffer). — ChaiL,
Tr, and Cr,, ii. 866.
He hath wit at will. — Ferg.
He hath wit at his will
That can with angry hart be still.
P. of G. C. ; Harl. MS. 2232, f. 5.
He hath wisdom at his will
That with an angry heart can hold him still. — Ferg.
He hath learning enough that has learned to drink to his first man.
—Nash, Unfortunate Traveller, F. 2. C/. It is an ill guest
He hath nothing that is not content.— Dr.
He has myster* of night's rest that nappys not in noymng.—Tovn*
M., p., 234. i.e, takes not a noonday siesta.
•Need.
He hath slept well that remembers not that he hath slept ill.
Bene dormit qui non sentit quod male dormiat.
He sleeps well who feels not that he sleeps ill. — Bacon, Prowms.
He hath sneezed thrice : turn him out of the hospital. — Ho.
Call God near when thou dost neeze. — Ho., Brit. Prov., p. 9*
Two or iii nesys be holesome : one is a shrowed token.
Bina aut terna stemutatio salutaris, solitaria vero gravis.—
Horm., v., p. 30.
He hath some grace in his face. Erubruit salva res est. — 01.
He hath wrought vengeance in a strange fourme
That on himself the stroke doth retourne.
Dial, of CreatureSj 9^*
He hoped well that got the cat with two tails.
Somnia cuncta panes ego somnio piscem. — CI.
He is a bad musician that can sing but one song (Elabendi). — CI.
He is a fond fisher that angles for a frog. — Breton, Crossing Pr., ii.
He is a fool that cannot hold himself content when he is well at
ease. — Horm., 7., 1519, p. 67.
He is a very fool that cannot gain by the King. — Edw., Da. and Pi*'t
H., O.P., iv. 78. See The King's cheese.
482
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He is a fool that is not melancholy once a day. — P, in JR., 1678.
So accounted by the Italians. — Ho., Instructions far Forreine
Travelly viii. 1642.
He is a fond chapman that comes after the fair. — Breton, Crossing Pr,,
ii.
He is a fool that kissith the maid when he may kiss the mistress. —
Ho.
He is a fool (that) will take more (drink) than will do him good. —
Porter, Two Angry Women; H., O.P., vii. 308.
He is a noble that hath noble conditions. — Dr.
He is a gentleman that hath gentle conditions*. — Dr. ; CI.
* i.e. qualities.
He is a proud tod that will not scrape his own hole. — Ferg.
He is a sairy beggar that may not gae by ane man's door. — Ferg.
An answer to a threat of discontinuance of benefits.
He is a weak horse that may not bear the saddle. — Ferg.
He is all fault that has no fault at all.
He is an ill husband that is not missed. — Dr.
He is blind that eats his marrow*, but far blinder that lets him. —
Ferg. Marrow is the same as mate or companion.
• Neighbour.— CI.
He is happy that 's wed and without trouble. — C, 1629.
He's easily payit that's pay it wi* paiksf. — Cunninghame, Glossary
to Bums. t Blows.
He 's fond o' barter that nifflesj wi' Auld Nick. — lb,
X Bargains.
He *s Jack out of oflSce that John was in it. — Ds., E/., 9.
He 's in an ill case that can find no hole to creep out at. (On a
playing card of 17th Cy.) — iV., I., ii. 462.
He is like a fool
That will eat without a tool.
Est similis qui mandare vult sine cultro. — W., 1586.
He *s lord of thy life who contemns his own. — Herrick, Hesp.^ ii. 133.
(Johnson reads health.)
He's mad that trusts in the tameness of a wolf, a horse's heels (?),
a boy's love, or a whore's oath. — Shepherd* s Kalendar, iii. 6
(not in fol.). See Haz., 440.
Trust not three things: dogs' teeth, horses' feet, women's
protestations. — Sam. Rowlands, The Choise of Change^
1585. [This is by Simon Robson, not Rowlands ; see Diet.
of Nat. Biog.— Ed.]
He 's no good weaver that leaves lang thrums. (Teesdale.)
He is not greatly to repreve
That speketh with his sovereign's leave.
Parlament of Byries.
He is not wise that is most jolly. — Ih.
483
Digitized by
Google
LEANS COLLECTANEA.
He is not the best wright that hews the maniest speals*. — Fefg;*
A retort of a childless man to one who upbraids him. — K.
• ij. chips.
He is not the fool that the fdol is, but he that with the fool deals^-^
Ferg.
II est bein fol qui a fol sens demande. — Cotgr.
He is not wise that is not wise for himself. — Greene, Looking-glass
for London and England^ p. 125. C/. He is wise (below).
He is not wise against the streme that stryveth. — Skelton, G. ofLtm.
Men rehersen in their sawe
Hard it is to stryve with wynde or wawe
Whether it doo ebb or els nowe.
[Piers of Fulham,] A Hundred Merry TdUs.
He 's o'er early up that is hanged ere noon. — K.
He is poor that can promise nothing. — Dr.
He is rich enough that needeth neither flatter or borrow. — F.
He is thy friend
That brings thee to a fedr and free end.
T. Adams, ''WhiU DevU;' Works, p. 36.
He is sairest dung when his own wand dings him. — Ferg.
He 's unco fou in his ain house that canna pike a bane in his neigh-
bour's.— Ry.
He is twice fain
That sits on a stane. — Ferg.
i^. glad to sit down because he is weary, and glad to rise
because the stone is hard. — K.
He is well at ese that hath enough and can say Ho!* — Dives and
Pauper^ 493. •i.^. stopl
He is well easit that hath aught of his own when other men go to
meat. — Ferg.
He is well avised can bear him low
And suffer every wind to overblow.
Parlanunt of Byrdes.
He is well paid that is well satisfied. — Shak., Merchant of Venice,
iv. I, 410.
He is well staikit [boden] therebenf
That will neither borrow nor len.
t i.fi. at ease by his fireside.
He is well that is at lar^e,
That needeth not the King's great charge.
Parlament of Byrdes.
He is well worth sorrow that buys it with his silver. — K.
It is well warit they have sorrow that buys it with their alver.
—Ferg.
He is wise that *s wise for himself. — CI. C/. He is not wise (above).
He is wise that can hold his peace. — CL
484
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He is wise that is rich. — Breton, Crossing Pr., ii. ; T. Adams, Wks,f
p. 67.
He is wise that is honest. — R,, 1670, tr. ; CI.
He is wise when he is well can ha'd him sa. — Ferg.
He is worse than wood*
That maketh him fresh with other men's goodf,
Or ought will borrow and never pay,
Or with wrong getteth him gallant array.
Parlament of Byrdes,
* i.e. mad. f Dresses with borrowed money.
He is worthy sorrow that will it always seek. — Barclay, Ship of
Fools, 1. 228.
He is worthy none audience to have
That cannot say but ** Knave, knave."
Parlament of Byrdcs.
He knows most which least doth seem to know. — ^Taylor, Superbiae
Flagellum, 162 1.
He knows much who knows how to speak, but he knows more who
knows how to hold his tongue. — Ry.
He learned timely to steal that could not say " Nay." — Town, Myst.,
p. 112. See He gangs.
He loves me for little that hates me for naught. C/. He that will
love and hate not.
He makes a beggar first that first relieves him ;
Not usurers make more beggars where they live
Than charitable men that use to give.
T. Heywood, Royal King, iv.
He may soon come to honeste* that every man helpeth after his
best. — Parlament of Byrdes.
* Honour.
He may be a freierf that cannot be a urseline|. — "BdiCOHy Promus, 552,
t Friar. % Ursuline.
He must have a long spoon that would eat with the devil. — He. ,
He must have a long spoon that will eat with the devil. — Dr. ; W.,
1616; CI.
He must have a long spoon that eats with the devil. — W., 1586 ;
C/. Shak,, Cofnedy of Errors, iv. 3, 58 ; Tempest, ii. 2, 92 ;
Marl., Jew of Malta, iii. 5 ; Webster, Devil's Law Case, iv. 2.
He should have a long-shafted spoon that sups kale with the devil.
—Ferg.
He had neede to have a long spoon that shulde eate with the devul.
— Tav., f. 9 vo. 1552.
He had need of a long spoon that shulde eate with the devul. —
Rel. Antiq,; Dekker, Batchelor^s Banquet; Kemp, Nine Daies
Wonder, 1600.
Therefor bihoveth him a ful long spoon
That shall ete with a feend.
Chau., Squieres Tale, 10916.
485
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
^ LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
He must have ado, that ado doth make. — Parlsment of Byrdis.
He must rise betimes that pleaseth all (Impossibilia). — CI.
He must rise betimes that will cozen the devil. — Ho.
He that would deceive the devil had need to rise betimes. — ^T.
Adams, Works^ pp. 322, 722.
He must arise early that will deceive the fox. — Dr.
He must wait on himself that is without a servant.
Nede has na peer ;
Him bo6s serve himselve that has na swayn,
Or elles he is a fool. — Chau., Revcs T., 4026.
He pays the half who does confess the debt. — Herrick, Hesp,^ i. 165.
C/. Confession. — Haz., 104.
He never wrought a gude darg* that began grumbling. — Cunningham,
Bums' Glossary,
* Daurg or daurk = day's work.
He needs a bird that gives a groat for an owl. — P, in /?., 1678.
He overtakes at last who tires not. — Brady, Var, of Lit,
Alcanca
quien no cansa. — (Sp.)
He rides sicker that fell never. — Ferg.
He shall never have a thing good cheap that is afraid to ask the
price. — Dr.
He'st neer hava thing cheap that is afraid to ask the price. — CI.
He will never have good cheap that 's afraid to ask the price. — lb.
He sail hunger in frost, in heat that will not work. — Bannatyne
M5., 1568, Advocates' Lib., Edin.
He shall thrive full late
that looketh to keep a great estate,
and cannot with all his wysdome preve
get himself an hole sleeve. — Parlament of Byrdes.
He should be sindle angry that has few to mease* him. — Hen.
• i.e, appease.
He should have a healf pow
that calls his neighbour, " Nikky-now."J — Ferg.
t \Vholesome.
t i.i. nitty or lousy-head. Now, the crown of the head. Nitty-Now.— Ad., i6aa.
He smelleth best that doth of nothing smell. — Lingua^ iv. 3. 1607.
Gens refarcis de puanteur
aiment chose de bon odeur. — Meur., 1590.
How is *t Don Pedro's breath is still perfumed,
And that it never like himself doth smell ?
I like it not, for still it is presumed
Who smelleth ever well smells never well."
Harington, Epig.^ i. 49.
He sits full still that has a riven breik. — Ferg.
He tarrows early that tarrows on his kail. — K. i,e, complains at
the first dish, cries out before he's hurt.
436
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He plaints early that plaints on his kail. — Ferg.
He that an apple chooseth by the skin, and a woman by no other,
may have a rotten bite in the one and a French core in the other.
Add. MSS. British Museum, 15227, p. 91.
He that beggeth five Fridays will not work again. Qui semel scurra
nimquam paterfamilias. — Ad., 1622.
He that begins to steal a pin, will be hanged for a pound one day. —
CI. Su Begin with.
He that borrows and bigs*,
makes feasts and thigsf,
drinks and is not dry ;
these three are not thrifty. — Ferg.
♦ Builds. t i.e. on credit.
He that buildeth on the people buildeth on the mud. — Dr.
He that bears himself like a gentleman is worthy to have been bom
a gentleman. — Chapman, Mayday, i.
He that bulls the cow, must keep the calf A proverb used in the
Common Law oiF England, temp» Henry IV. — Ho.
** Taurum toilet qui vitulum sustulerit." — Baret, Alv.
Let him that got and bore the bafijrn still breed it,
And nurse, disburse, and foster, clothe and feed it.
Taylor, W. P,
C/. Let him baud. The child that *s born.
Let him that got the calf keep the cow. — ^J. Day, Isle of Gulls, v.
He that buys dear must sell dear. — Yarranton, England's Improvement ^
ii. 183.
He that buys
ought to have an hundred eyes.
Ellis, Modern Husbandry y January, p. 127.
C/. Who buys. — Haz., ^^69.
He that can get a quart of milk for a penny, need not keep a cow. —
Ho.
He that can govern himself is fit to govern the world.
He that can no song but one,
when he hath simg, his wit is gone.
Parlament of Byrdes.
He that can't ask, can't live. — CI.
He that cannot dissemble, knoweth not how to live. — Dr.
He that cannot make sport, should mar none. — K.
He that cheats me once, proves himself a knave ; but he that cheats
me twice, proves me a fool. — Poor Robin Prog., 1706. See
below. He that deceives. See Who deceives.
He that clatters till himsel, cracks to a fool. — Hen.
He that cleanses a blot with blurred fingers makes a greater blur. —
Denham, Durham Proverbs,
He that climbs highest, has the greatest fall. — Bar., Ship of Fools,
i. 189 ; Tourneur, Revenger's Tragoedie, v,
487
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
He that climbs highest is most afeared to fall. — Gasc., Gr. of J.^ iiL
He that climbs where nothing hangs,
And gripes where nothing grows,
And loves the love that loves not him,
Against the stream sure rows.
In MS. on fly-leaf of Taverner's Proverbs in Brit. Museum..
For this is daily seen and ever shall
That he that covets high to clym aloft,
If he hap to fall, his fall can nat be soft.
Bar., Ship of Fools^ i. 140.
Who climbs too high seld falleth soft. — Par. of D. Dev.^ 138. 1576^
It is a proverb which will last unto the day of doom,
He that comes late must either lose his supper or his room.
F. R., School of Slovenrie.
Whoso cometh late to his inne shall erly forthink. — MS. Douce,.
52; HU.
Qui tard arrive mal loge.— Meur., 1568.
Ph, Tush, there is no good luck in this delay,
Come, come, late comers, man, are shent.
Porter, Two Angry Women; H., O.-P., vii. 312.
He that cometh a day after the fair, cometh too late. — E. Halle,.
Chron.f p. 181, repr. See Haz., p. 8.
He that cometh first to the mill, grindeth first. — Dr.
Whoso first cometh to the mill first grint.— Chau.
Qui premier vient premier engrene. — Meur., 1590, p. 36 v.
He that comes first to the hill
may sit where he will. — Ferg.
He that commits the fault doth call whore first. — ** Christmas Prince '*"
[Seven Days of Week']y ii., 1607.
He that complies against his will
is of his own opinion still.
Butler, Hudihrasy III., iii. 547.
He that coveteth to be above all,
no force* though he have a fowle fall.
♦ i.$. no matter. Dial, of Creaf., ii.
He that coimts all costs will never put plough in the yeardt. — Ferg..
• Earth.
He that deceives me once, shame fall him ; if he deceives me twice,
shame fall me. — K. See above, He that cheats.
He that dearly buys must dearly sell. — Taylor, Brood of Land
Cormorants, vii.
He that desyreth the swete to assaye
he must taste byttyr : this is no Naye.
Dial, of Creat.f xi.
He that dies this year is quit for the next. — Shak., 2 Henry IV.,
iii. 2, 231.
He that does bidding deserves na dinging.— Ferg.
" I only do as I am told."
488
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He that doth the kindness hath the nobler pleasure of the two.—
(Italian) E.
He that doth as his neighbours do shall be beloved. — Dr.
He that drinks with cutters must not be without his ale-dagger.—
T. Nash, Pappe with a Hatchet.
He that eats a boll of meal in bannocks, eats a peck of ashes. — K
(in which they were baked.) Su You must eat.
He that eats while he brusts will be worse while he lives. — K.
He that eats while he lasts will be worse while he die. — Ferg.
He that eats but of one dish never wants a physician. — (Italian) E.
He that eats but ae dish seldom needs the doctor. — Hen.
He that fears every grass must not piss in a meadow. — C, 1614.
He that 's afraid of every grass must not piss in a meadow. — CI.
Men seyne who of every grasse hath drede
Let him beware to walk in my meede.
Occleve, De Reg, Prin.^ p. 68.
But who fears every grass
Must never piss in a meadow.
And who loves a cat and a lass
Must not cry ** Oh, my head, oh ! "
Old Simon the Kingy Percy Rel.
He that feals* can find. — N. Kennett, Par. Ant.
* i.t. hides.
He that fetches a wife from Shrewsbury, must carry her into
Staflfordshire or else he shall live in Cumberland. — F., W.
He that filleth every man's mouth, needeth much meat.
Cunctorum multis eget implens ora farinis. — W., 1586.
He that filleth his brain with wind can put nothing else in it. — Dr.
He that fisheth before the net may lese, but nothing gain. — E. Halle»
Chron.y 15481 p. 125, repr.
He is a fole afore the net that fysshes. — Lydgate, Order ofFolis^
131. 1460.
Ze fish befoir the net. — Montg., Ch. and S/., 47 ; Town., Myst.^
p. 87.
He that follows freits, freits will follow him. — K. Superstitious
omens.
Boad a bagg and bear'n. — (Glos.) Smyth, Berkeley MS.f 1639.
He that goeth not in company knoweth nothing. — Dr.
He that gains hell comes to an ill bargain. — CI.
He that gapeth after other men's goods, loseth his own. — Holinshed,
1586, Index.
He that gives quickly giveth twice. — Cod.
Bis dat qui cito dat. — Percival, Spanish Grammar ^ 1599.
He that goeth not in company knoweth nothing. — Dr.
He that goeth not to Rome is not in danger of hell. — Dr.
489
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
He that hangeth himself on Sunday shall hang still uncut down
on Monday. — He., i. ii.
He that has a bonny wife needs mair than twa e*en. — Hen.
He that hath an ill name was born in an ill hour. — Dr.
He that hath a trade hath an estate, and he that hath a calling hath
an office of profit and honour. — Poor Rich.
He that hateth suretyship is sure. — Proverbs ^ xi. 15.
He that has no gear to tine,
has shins to pine. — Ferg.
i,e. if he cannot pay in purse he must in person.
Qui S9ait mestur ne peult periroii, il peut aller partout. —
Cordier, 1538.
Qui respond se paye. — Cordier, 1538.
Qui respond se paye et sou vent respond. — Meurier, 1558.
The Hawke said : " Though they fly loose
they must obey, they may not choose.
Who hath a master or a make,
he is tied fast by the stake.— Par^»w«^ of Byrdes.
He that has ane lyth horse soon may he fall,
he that has ane deaf boy lowde may he call,
and he that has ane fair wife sair may he dread
other men's bairns to foster and to feed. — Hen.
He that hath a staff* may beat away a knave. — CI.
He that has a wife has a master. — K.
He who has a thousand friends has not a friend to spare,
and he who has one enemy will meet him everywhere.
Emerson, from Omar Chiam.
He that hath all faults is ill bestead [or circumstanced]. — Dr.
He that hath his eyes in his head will look about him. — Breton,
Crossing of Proverbs , ii. (Prudentia.)
He which {sic) hath but one eye sees the better for *t. — CI.
He that hath but one eye must take heed how he lose it, — CI.
He that has but one eye must take heed how he lose it.
He that hath an office, let him wait on it. — Dr.
He that hath children hath neither kindred nor friends. — (Spanish) E.
He yat hadd inou to help himself wital,
sithen he ne wold, I ne wile, ne I ne schal.
N. Bozon, Contes [_Anc, Textes Fra«.], c. 1329, p. 28.
He that hath the longest sword is always thought to be in the right.
—(Italian) E.
He that hath servants hath enemies which he cannot well be without.
— (Sp.) E.
He that hath but one hog makes him fat, and he who hath but one
son makes him a fool. — Cod.
He that hath many pease may put the more in the pot. — Dr.
He that hath flesh good store, may put the more in the pot. — CI.
490
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He that hath no head needs no hat*. — CI.
* Cap.— Dr.
He that hath no honour hath no sorrow.
Uni honor, ibi labor, solitudo, invidia, odium. — Dr.
He that hath money hath all. — Kiliigrew, ThomasOy II., iv. ii.
He that hath nothing is frightened at nothing. — Christy.
He that has two hoards will get a third. — K.
He that has twa huirds is able to get the third. — Ferg.
He that hath one servant hath two, he that hath two hath but half
a one, and he that hath three hath none at all. — C. Trench-
field, Cap of Gray Hairs for a Green Heady ch. 23. 1671.
He* that hath friends must show himself friendly. — Proverbs^ xviii. 24.
* A man.
He that hath many friends eateth too much salt with his meat. —
Ho. See Amongst friends.
He that hath no children doth not know what love means. —
(Italian) E.
He that has one sheep in the flock will like all the rest the better
for it.— K. i.e, a son in a school, regiment, &c.
He that helps a beggar out of the ditch, shall be stung with his
lice.— Melb., Philot., Dd. 4.
He that holds a woman has an eel by the tail.— B. and F., Scornful
Lady, ii. i.
He who hath gotten both profit and pleasure by it hath hit the nail
on the head. — D. Rogers, Matrimonial Honour ^ 304.
He that hath the name to be an early riser, may sleep till noon. — Ho.
II a beau de se lever tard qui a le bruit de se lever matin. —
Montluc, Com, de Provs., i. 4,
. . • who nedes to his death shall.
It is but folye it to prolonge.
This is a word said overall*.
* i.0. everywhere.
He that is drowned may no man honge. — Barclay, Castell of Labour^
A. 7.
He that is embarked with the devil must sail with him. — Quarles,
H. of Eshr,, p. 14.
Tisfit
He that first made the gin should hansell it. — Tatham, Scots*
Figaries, ii.
He that invented the maiden first hanselled it, viz. James, Earl of
Morton, who had been for some years governour of Scotland,
but was afterwards beheaded by the same instrument he had
introduced. — K. Artifici compedes impinguntur sui.
He that is beholden to another man is not himself. Accepi bene-
ficium, libertatem perdidi. — CI.
He that is down can fall no lower. — Butler, Hudibras, I., iii. 877.
He that is evil deemed need fear no fall. — Bunyan, Pilgrims'
Progress^ ii.
491
Digitized by
Google
.'^.
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
He that is evil deemed is half hanged. — Ferg.
Thou art half hanged already, for thou hast an ill name. —
Taylor, Wit and Mirth, 29 ; Hazlitt, p. 141.
Beggary is lowest ; who that can £are withal
Needeth not to fear to lower state to fall. — Bar., Ed., u
Qui jacet in terris non habet imde cadat.
He that is far from his gear is near his tinsel'*'.
• Loss.
He that is far from his gear is near his scathe. — Ferg.
A man may be soon wronged when his back is turned. — K.
He who is ill to please will land in the dirt at last. This alludes to
marrying. — Mactaggart, Gallo, Ency,
He that is his own counsel, has a fool for his client.
He that is ill of his barbery* is good of his way-kenning — Ferg.
* i.e. lodging.
He that is in hell, thinketh no other heaven. — Boorde, Int. of Know.,
ch. xxviii. 1547.
He that is in favour with the King is half a King: he that is in
grace with the King is altogether a King. — Dr.
He that 's afraid of every fart must go far to piss. — Ho.
He that 's old needs no other disease to help him off. Senectus ipsa
est morbus. — Terent; Wr.
He that is partaker in the broil,
is worthy to be partaker in the spoil. — Dr. (Venturing.)
He that is privileged, is a gentleman. — Dr.
He that is red* for windlestrawsf should not sleep in lees. — Ferg.
• Red or rad, afraid. f Windlestraes, withered bents.
He that is used to thig, is laith to leave the craft. — Bannatyne MS*
He that is wam*d
is half-arm'd. — CI. See Haz., 146.
One threatened (as is said) half-armed is and sure. — Bar., Mirror of
Good Manners.
He that is wise in his own conceit is a fool. — Breton, Crossing of
Proverbs f i.
He that is without fear is without hope. — Webster, Devil's Law
Case, ii. 3.
He that *s wicked is a wittol. Nemo malus qui non stultus. — CI.
He that's witty knows him[self] so. — Rd. Brathwait, Shepherd's
Tales, p. 246. 1 62 1.
He that keeps nor crust nor crumb,
weary of all, shall want some. — Shak., King Lear, i. 4, 196.
He that knoweth not the way to the market must enquire of the
market-folks. — W., 1616.
He that lacks my mare would buy my mare. — K. i,e. discommends.
Chi biasima vuol comprare. — Torr.
He that licks honey from thorns, pays too dear for it. — (Fr.) R., 1670.
492
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He that lives well, never dies amiss. — CI.
Whoso liveth wele, wele shall dye. — Occleve, Reg. Prin,, p. 103.
There be three sondrie men which have doen thee never good : the
winker in his tale, the laugher [lawyer] in his rage, and the
fox-coloured, which will not stick for blood- sheading, false
witness and perjury. — Bullein, Bulwark of Defence [S. and Ch.^
f. 55]. 1562.
He that winketh with the one eye and looketh with the other,
I will not trust him though he were my brother.— He. ; Ad., 1622,
He that winketh with the one eye and tooteth with the other,
I will not trust him though he were my brother. — Dr.
He that looketh with one eye and winketh with another,
I would not trust him if he were my brother.
Wager, Rep. of M» Magd,, C 2.
He winks with one eye, while the other doth glout.
That may well be, for one eye is out. — Davies, Ep., 172.
In whom a shew but no shame sinkes.
That one thing sayes and other thinkes,
One eye lookes up, an other winkes.
With fair and fayned face. — Philotus, C. 3. 1603.
For oft who thlit heed toke
Better is to wynke than loke.
Gower, Con, Am,, B. i.
He that looketh through a hole may see what will vex him. See
He that peeps.
He that looketh in a man's face knoweth not what money is in his
purse. — Dr.
He that loseth his wife and a penny hath a great loss of his penny.
—Ho.
He that loseth his wife and a farthing hath a great loss of his
farthing.— (Italian) R., 1678.
Chi perde moglie e un quattrino ha gran perdita del quattrino.
He that loseth an hour in the morning is all the day through running
after it.
Qui dort grasse matinee trotte tout la journfee. — Meurier, 1568.
He that loves law will get his fill of it. — K.
He that loves to be flattered is worthy o' the flatterer.— Shak.,
Timon of Athens, i. i, 228.
He that loves thrall, it were pity he should lack it. — Tom Tyler and
his Wife, p. 22. 1598.
He that makes a good war, makes a good peace. — R., 1670, tr.
He who makes other men afraid of his wit, had need be afraid of
their memories.
He that makes a thing too fine, breaks it. — H.
Cf. To put too fine a point to it.
He who makes his own will is preparing a lawsuit for his successors*
He who makes no mistakes, makes nothing.
493
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
II n'y a que ceux que ne font qui ne se trompent pas. — Favre,
Recherches Geologiquts de la Savoie, iii. 76.
He that marries a daw, eats meikle dirt. — Ferg.
He that makes his mistress a goldfinch, may perhaps find her a
wagtail.— C. N, C.
He that makes not his mistress a goldfinch, may perhaps find her a
wagtail. — Lyly, Midas, i. i.
But who a goldfinch fain would make his wife,
Makes her (perhaps) a wag-tail all her life.
Davies, Scourge of Folly , Ep. 48.
He that marries a maiden, marries a pokefiil of pleasure ;
he that marries a widow, marries a pokefiill of pleas sure. — K.
He who matches a lawyer, has only one more [? to encounter. i,e.
the devil].— N., L, xi. 114.
Cf. There cannot lightly come a worse, except the devil come
himself. — Dr.
Cf, Your match is monstrous to behold and full of might,
Whom you must vanquish not by force but by sleight.
Marriage of Wit and Science ; H., O.P.t ii. 349.
He that mischief hatcheth,
mischief catcheth. — C, 1629.
He that nought hath, nought shall have. — Parlament of Byrdes.
He that never beginneth shall never make an end. — Dr.
He that once a good name gets,
may piss a-bed and say he sweats.
Wodroephe, Spared House, p. 226. 1623.
El puo pissare in letto e dir che Tha suda. — 1530.
He who but once a good name gets,
may piss a-bed and say he sweats. — Ho.
He that owes* the cow, goes nearest her tail. — Ferg.
• Owns.
He that pardoneth his enemy, shall die in his hands. — Dr.
He that passeth a winter's day, escapes an enemy. — R., 1670.
He who pays the piper may order the tune. — Ch.
Who pays the piper, calls the tune. — Tarlton*s/«^j, p. 34. i6ii»
(Shak. Soc).
He that pays for the drink, must drink first.
He that peeps through a hole, may see what will vex him. — (Sp.)
E. C/. He that looketh ; Search not.
He that will play at bowls must expect to meet with rubbers. —
Smollett, Humphrey Clinker, Oct. 3 ; Horace Smith, The Biter BiL
He that plays at bowls must expect rubbers.
Quoted as " Old Proverb " on the title-page of Rev. W. L. Bowles*
Letters to Lord Byron on a Question of Poetical Criticism, 1821,
but probably made by himself to turn the edge of Byron's
pseudo motto: "I will play at bowls with the sun and
moon " (Old Song). 5^ the explanatory advertisement.
494
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Si vous resveill6s la chat qui dort
ne vous lamentes pas s'il vous mord.
Meurier, ColL, I. 4 r. 1558.
He that plays at his work, and works at his play,
ne'er does his work well, nor makes holiday.
P. Robin, i68i.
He that prayeth for other, for himself travayleth. — Test of Love, iiu
(Chau., Works, 1602).
He that refuses a groat for a crack, a horse for a start, or a wife for
a fart, will never be well moneyed, well horsed, or well wived.
— K.
He that provides not a cloak before the rain, may chance to be wet
to his cost. — CI.
He that riseth betimes, has something in his head. — H.
An early riser hath care of something. — Cod.
He that promiseth all, deceiveth all. — Dr.
He that riseth early, dineth early. — Gasc., Supp., i. 3.
He [that] as prigs what isn't his'n
when he s cotched must go to prison.
II n*est pas licite de le prendre
Qui ne veult pendre. — Meurier, 1558.
He that counts but his host counts twica — Ferg.
He that reckons without his host, must reckon twice. — C, 1614 ;
Dr. ; E. Halle, Chron,, p. 125, 1548.
He that reckons without his hostess, must reckon twice. — Lyly,
Euph., p. 84.
He that reckons without his host must reckon again. — R., 1670.
Chi fa il conto senza hoste il fa do volte. — Haz., p. 324. 1530.
No reckoning without the host. — Dr.
He that countith without his oist
Oft times he countith twise.
Montg., Ch. and 5/., 47.
He that riseth late must trot all day. — P. Rich.
He that runneth in the night, stumbleth (Ignorance). — Dr.
If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, ... but if a
man walk in the night, he stumbleth.— /(>A», xi. 9, 10.
He that selleth for seven and buyeth for eleven, it is marvel if ever
he thrive.— Wh., f. 28.
He that speirs all opinions, comes ill speed — K. Because they will
confuse and distract him.
He that runs may read. — R., 1670.
Write the vision and make it plain on tables, that he may run
that readeth it. — Habakkuky ii. 2.
He that saveth his dinner, shall have more for his supper. — CL
He that seeketh, findeth. — Dr. ; Matthew, vii. 8 ; Luke, xi. io~ '""
Hearty seeking makes happy finding. — F., W,, Line, 173.
495
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
He that serves well, needs not fear to ask his wages. — Cod.
He that sets his name to any libel
Makes it by that no slander.
Nobody and Somebody ^ p. 353, \Sch, ofShak].
He that shutteth not his mouth doth oftentimes hear that which he
would not.
Os qui non claudit quod non vult saepius audit. — ^W., 1586.
He that shippeth the devil must make the best of him. — Christy.
He that sits on a stane
is twice fain. — K.
[Glad to sit down and glad to rise again] because it is a hard
seat.
He that sits down to the buirde to eit
forgetting to give God thanks for his meit,
sune rysis up and lets his grace owerpasse,
sittes down lyk an ox and rysis lyk an asse.
John Maxwell, 1584.
He that suites his nose and hath it not, forfeits his face to the King.
R., 1678.
A man can do no more than he can. — R., 1678.
He that sone demeth, sone shal repente. — Chau., T. ofMelibeus^ § 11.
He that speaketh against heaven*, it returns into his face. — Dr.
• Or, spits.
He that spits against heaven, it falls upon his face. — (Spanish) E.
That which a man spits against heaven shall fall back on his
own face. — T. Adams, Works, p. 300.
He that speers a' gets wit o' part. — Ry.
He that speaks with a drawntf, and sells with a cant,
is right like a snake in the skin of a saint. — A. Ramsay,
t i't' a drawling enunciation.
Quien al ciel escupe, a la cara se le vuelve. — Bacon, Pro., 615.
He that stands by sees more than he that plays the game. — CI.
Cf. Haz., 345, 377.
He that sweareth, oft forsweareth. — Dr.
He that sweareth deep sweareth like a lord. — Sir T. Elyot,
Govemour, p. 87, Ed. 1834.
He that strives to touch a star oft stumbles at a straw. — Spenser,
Shepherd* s KcUetidar^ /w/y, 99.
He that steleth and also accuseth,
by great sotylte himself excuseth. — D. of Creat,, 79.
He that thinks himself surest is oft deceived.— Dr.
He that thinks what he is to do
must think what he should say too. — (Spanish) E.
He that tholes, overcomes. — Ferg. Cf. Who suffers.
He that well bides
well betides. — K.
^ 496
/
/
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He that will cheat you at play,
will cheat you any way. — F.
He that will cheat in play, will not be honest in earnest.
Fair is fair ; work or play. — K.
He that will be a head, let him be a bridge. A fo Pen bid Bont.
Said of Benegridran, a Welsh general, who carried all his
soldiers over a river on his back. — F., W.
He that will go to the law must be sure of four things : First, a
right and just cause, then a righteous advocate to plead, next
favour coram judice, and, above all, a good purse to procure
it. — Gasc., Supp.y iv. 8.
He that will be healed of his sins must confess them. — Dr.
He that will converse with clowns
must pass by rudeness without frowns. — Cod.
He that will have a cake out of the wheat must needs tarry the
grinding. — Shak., Troilus and Cressida, i. i, 14.
He that will have a hare to breakfast, must hunt overnight. — C, 1636.
He that will love a man he knows not why, will hate him though he
knows not wherefore. — Manningham, Dy., 1602-3, loi b.
(Camden Soc).
He that will needs be a sheep, cannot greatly grudge to be bitten
with a fox.— Melb., PhiL^ Bb, 4.
He that will not hear mother-head shall hear step-mother-head. —
Ferg. C/. If fair means.
He that will in Court dwell,
nedes currye fabell. — Tav., f. 47 vo. 1552.
He that will in Court dwell,
must speak favell. — Dr. [Havell.]
He that wylle in Court abyde
must corye favelle bake and syde.
Underbill, Narratives of the Reformation^
c, 1561, p. 159 (Camd. Soc.).
" Fabell, an old EngHsh word, signifieth as much as favour
doth nowadayes." — Tav., f. 47. 1552.
He that will not be ruled by the rudder must be ruled by the rocks.
—(Cornish) Trench.
He that will not endure to itch, must endure to smart. — R., 1678.
He who in itching no scratching will forbear,
he must bear the smarting that shall follow there.— He.
He that will none ill do,
must do nothing that belongeth thereto. — He.
He that will no hurt do,
must do nothing that belongeth thereto. — Tav., f. 56.
He that will no evil do,
must do nothing that belongeth thereto.
Hall, Funeh, Flo., p. 12. 1660; Northbrook, Against
Dicing, S'C, (Shak. Soc.), p. 173 (1577).
VOL. III. 497 82
Digitized by
Google
/
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
He that will no harm do,
must do nothing that belongeth thereto.
W., 1616; Haz., 191, 475..
He that will none ill do,
must do nothing that longe thereto. — Tav., f. 56.
He that would no evil do
must shun all things that 'long thereto. — CI.
If thou do no ill, do no ill-like,
if ye steal not my kail, break not my dike. — Ferg.
3efe thou ))enke to do no syne
do no finge that longyth thereto.
The Good Wyf wold a Pylgrimage, c, 1460^
E.E.T.S., Extr. viii.
He that will put away his wife 'cause she farts, and his horse 'cause
he stumbles, shall be badly horsed and worse wived. — CI.
He that will once give the wall shall quickly be thrust into the
kennel. — Chapman, Mayday^ i. ; J. S., Wifs Labyrinth^ 1648.
He that will once give the wall must learn to be thrust into the
kennel. — Lyly, Eup. and his Eng,^ p. 29.
He that will sell lawn before he can fold it,
he shall repent him before he have sold it. — He.
He that sells lawn before he can fold it,
he shall repent him before he hath sold it.
Nay, divers sell lawn that no folders be,
and sell it with joy sith they took it at sea.
Ds., Ep,y 394. See Haz., 194^
Chi £a mer cantia e no la cognosce
se trova le man piene de mosche. — 1530.
He that will not labour must not eat. — Dr.
He that will not work, neither shall he eat.
He is not worthy mete nor drynke,
that therefor will neyther swete nor sw)mke.
Dial, of Great., 74..
He that will not thole*
must flit many a hole. — K.
* «.#. endure.
He that will say and nothing do,
is not worthy with good company to go.
Everyman; H., O.P., i. 109.
He that will sail without danger must never come upon the main sea^
He that will thrive, must ask leave of his wife. — He. ; Ds., Ep.^
338 ; Dr. See A man mayna.
A man must ask his wife's leave to thrive. — R., 1670.
He that will be an old man long, must be an old man soon. — Melb.,.
PhiL, p. 17.
Si quieres vivir sano
hazte viejo temprano. — Su Haz., p. 303.
498
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He that wipes the child's nose kisseth the mother's cheek. — C*
Trenchfield, Cap of Gray Hairs, ch. ii. 1678.
He that wattis quhen he is full, he is no fule. — Bannatyne MS.
He that would have friends, must show himself friendly. — Dr. See
Prov,, xviii. 24. See He that hath.
i'ung Fault revisiter
Certes il n*est voisin qui ne voisine.
Gringoire, Not, 3 v.
He that would be ill served, let him keep good store of servants. —
(Italian) E.
He that would be rich in one year is hanged at six months' end.— ^
(Italian) E.
He that would have a thing done quickly and well, must do it him-
self.—(Italian) E.
He that would keep from wounds and scars
must never enter into wars,
and if you would the danger shun
withdraw before the fight *s begun.
Ned Ward, Humours of Coffee House, p. 282.
He that would learn to pray, let him go to sea. — R., 1670; M»
Henry, Commentary.
Celuy qui ne scait bien orer
apprendre 11 doit k naviger.
Meurier, D. F., 29 r. 1590.
Si quieres apren der e orar
entra en la mar. — Nuiiez, 1555.
He that would make a pun, would pick a pocket. Apparently ascribed
to Dennis in note to Pope's Dunciad, Variorum Ed. 1729.
He that would no evil do,
must shun all things that longs thereto. — CI. ; Haz., 475*
He that will no hurt do,
must do nothing that long thereto. — Tav., f. 56, r. I552^
He that would please all and himself too,
undertakes what he cannot do. — R., 1678.
See Who would.
He that seeks all men to please and not himself, oflfends. — Cl.
M. My lord, I aim a mile beyond the moon. — Shak., Titus^
Andronicus, iv. 3, 65.
He shoots higher that threatens the moon than he that aims at
a tree. — Herbert, Temple, " To the Reader." 1632.
He that would shoot high, must aim at the moon.
He will shoot higher that shoots at the moon than he that shoots at
the midding, though he never hit the mark. — K.
Who shootes at the mid-day Sunne, though he be sure he shall
never hit the marke; yet as sure he is he shall shoote
higher, than who ayms but at a bush. — Sir Ph. Sidney,
Arcadia, ii., 6, 2.
49»
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Who bodes himself a silk gown
Is sure to wear a sleeve o *t.
He that would write heroic poems, must make his whole life heroic.
— Milton.
He that wreaks* himself at every wrong
Shall never sing the rich man's song.
Smyth, Berkeley MS.
* Wreak— To fret, be angry.— (North) Hll.
He that wrestles with a turd is sure to be beshit, whether he fall
over or under. — R., 1670.
He tint never a cow that grat for a needle. — Ferg.
He wants an enemy that fights with himself, and because he fights
with himself he wants no enemy. — T. Adams, Man*s Comfort^
iii. 287. 1653.
C/. He hath need. — Haz., p. 162.
He was a bold man that first ate an oyster. — S., P. C, ii.
Only oysters, of all fish, are good raw, yet he was no coward
that first ventured on them. — Muffet, Health* s Improvement ^
p. 47.
King John was wont to say he was a very valiant man who first
adventured on eating of oysters. — F., PT., ii. 317; Peter
Pindar, Tristia,
He undirfongith a gret peyne,
that undirtakith to drink up Seyne*.
♦ Seine. Chau., R, of R., 5708.
He was an ingenious man that first found out eating and drinking. —
S., P. C, ii.
Who is killed by a cannon-bullet, was curst in his mother's belly. —
Ho.
They say He *s curst that by a cannon dies. — Armin, Two Maids
of More-Clacke, p. 127, 1609.
He was curst in his mother's belly who is killed by a bullet, soldiers
say.— S., P. C, i.
He was curst in his mother's belly that was killed by a cannon,
soldiers say. — F., W.^ iii. 99.
He was cut out for a gentleman, but was spoilt in the making. —
Forby, E. A ., who has " meant " for " cut out."
He was never pleased with his work who said "Now" when he
had done with it. " Now " at the having done a thing is
is a word of discontent. — K.
He who boils his pot with chips will have his broth smell of smoke.
I have heard it often said that
He who cannot be angry is no man. — Dekker, Honest Whore, i. 2.
He who commits a crime, strengthens our adversaries (in political
struggles).
He who converses with nobody is either a brute or an angel. —
(Italian) E.
500
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
He that lived alone is either a god or a devil. — T. Adams, Wks.,
p. 359. Cf. Haz., 35, A solitary.
He who despiseth his own life is soon master of another's. — Daniel
Rogers, Matrimonial Honour^ 108, 1642; Id., Naaman, p. 295.
He who doth an old wife wed
must eat a cold apple as* he goes to bed. — Ho.
* before.
He who invented the maidenf first hanselled it. i.e, Morton, the
Scotish Regent. See Holinshed.
t The precursor of the guillotine.
Thou that art more cruelle
Than I, the maidenhead of this Jewell
Shalt preve anone, this is my juggement
(the Bull of Phalaris).
Occleve, De Reg. Prin.^ p. 109.
He that laughs at his own jest spoils all the mirth of it. — K.
He who sweareth when he is at play, may challenge his damnation
by way of purchase. — Ho.
He will either do it by sleight or by might. — Ad., 1622.
He '11 get a begunkie*
that lippens to spunkief.
Cunningham, Glossary to Bums.
• An illusion. f An ignis fatuus.
Qui vult decipi decipeatur.
Heart's love loveth not many words. — Horm., 7., 123. 1519.
Hear both sides.
Hear all parties. — Ferg.
Hear all.— CI.
And yff one party wold fayn be a-wreke,
Yet, man of ryght here the tother party speke.
P. of G. C, Harl. MSS. 2232, f. 3.
Audi alteram partem.
Great men ought always to be jealous of flatterers and to
remember that Nature has given them two ears that they
may hear both sides. — Matt. Henry, Comm.
Heaven takes care of children, sailors, and drunken men.
He *11 ne'er have a.
Heaven is above all.— Shak., Henry VIIL, iii. i, 100.
The heavens are o'er our heads. — Shak., Richard II „ iii. 3, 17.
Heavens will not always come to witness when they are called. —
Nash, Unfortunate Traveller, G. 2.
Hald-in gear helps well. — Ferg. i.e. saved, put by.
Help a lame dog over a stile. — CI. Porrige manum. — CI.
Help yourself, and God will help you. — M.
Help thyself, and God will help thee. — CI. ; Ferg., Ad.^ 1622.
Immer vorwSrts nicht zurQck :
hilf dir selbst, so hilft das GlQck. — Giani.
601
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Aida toi et Dieu t'aidera. — Joub., Er. Pop.^ I., i. 7. 1579.
Help trewth, and trewth schal helpe yow. — Trial of Wat Tyler ^ temp.
Richard II., in Twysden, Hist. Anglicatuu Script., 1552.
Help yourself, and your friends will love you the better. — S., P. C.
And men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself. —
Psalm xlix. 18.
Here is nought elles with friend ne fo
but Go bett, peny, go bett, go. — Parlament of Byrdes.
A hunting phrase harking on, encouraging the dogs. See Chau.,
C. r., 12601. Also Bet and Go bet, in Hll.
Here is the door, and there is the way. — CI. ; Dr. ; Ho., i. 11.
Here is the door, and there is the way,
[A jailor this will hardly say].--Ds., £/., 415.
Hereafter cometh not yet. — Grange, G. A., D. \\ Montg., Ch. and
SL, 43.
Hereafter comes not yet — Ds., £/., 83; Tatham, The Rump, iii. i.
1660.
But now, as they say. Beer bears it away
The more is the pity if right might prevail.
For with this same beer came up heresy here :
The old Catholic drink is a pot of good ale.
The Ex-ale-tation of Ale, 1646.
Oh, who have water mixt with claret lees,
Drink apt to bring in drier heresies
Than beer. — Francis Beaumont, Letter to Benjonson.
This muddy drench of ale does taste too much
of earth ; the malt retains a scumy touch
of the dull hand that sows it and I fear
There 's heresy in hops. — Id., Praise of Sack.
Yet I know not how it happened, as he merrily saith, that
Heresy and beer
came hopping into England both in a year.
Hy. Butte's Diefs Dry Dinner, G. 4. 1599.
Turkeys, [carps], hops, pickerel and beer
came into England all in one year.
Viz., about 1552, as Sir Richard Baker has it in his Chronicle. —
Agreeable Companion, 174,
Hops are mentioned as used in making beer by Greene, Quip
for an Upstart Courtier, 1592 ; BuUein, Government of Healthy
f. 58, 1558; Northumberland Household Book, 1512.
Heresy and frenzy go together. — Dr.
There is no remedy [for jealousy] but patience perforce, for the
old proverb is that Heresy, Fransie, and Jealousie be so
bred by the bone that they will never out of the flesh :
therefore use no physic for it. — Bullein, Bui, of Def. ^Sor.
and Chir., f. ys^. 1562.
Herrings in the land,
the doctor at a stand. — (Dutch.)
602
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Highways and streets have not all the thieves; shops have ten
to one. — Christy.
Hide nothing from thy Pastor, Physician, or Lawyer. — Dr. See
Conceal. — Haz., p. 104.
Hide nothing from thy Minister, Physician, or Lawyer. — CI.
High interest is only another name for bad security (of investments.
Attributed to Duke of Wellington).
Highways are lawful for travellers. — Breton, Crossing of Pr,^ ii.
His religion is copyhold and he has not taken it up. Said of one
who never goes to any place of worship. — Forby, E. A .
Him that nothing will content let him have nothing.
History is a fable agreed on.
Toutes les histoires anciennes comme le disait un de nos beaux
esprits, ne sont que de fables con venues. — Voltaire, Jeannot
et Colin,
History repeats itself.
Hit and be Incky.—Jack Drum's Ent., v. 1601.
This is the argument for ** backing your luck."
Hit him hard : he has no friends.
Hoddy doddy,
all breach and no body.
Nobody and Somebody ^ c, 1592 ; Sck. of Shak., i. 292.
Hold on and be happy. — CI.
In medio virtus, in summo f elicit as. — CI. ( Perse verantia.)
Hold hook and line ♦
and all is mine.
* Pistol quotes so far. — 2 Henry /F., ii. 4, 149.
Frontispiece of Denny's Secrets of Angling, 1613 ; also in B. L.
Ballad f The Royal Recreations of Jovial Anglers,
Hold up your head, and fight low.
In Eastward Hoi to fight low seems to be used for modest
pretentions. Quoted by C. Dickens, Tale of Two Cities,
Honest simplicity is better than subtiltie. Multa novit Lupus»
verum Echinus unum magnum. — Ad., 1622 ; CI.
Honesty is ill to thrive by. — CI.
Hop whore, pipe thief. — He.
Dance, hore, pipe, thief,
The hangman shall lede the daunce at the ende.
Hyeway to Spital-house^ 282.
Hangman lead the dance. — Davies, Epigrams, 258.
Whoever doth lead it, he ends it perchance. — lb.
The hangman shall lede the dance and no afterclaps. — Pulman,
Rustic Sketches,
Chi va piano,
va sano,
eva lontano.
Hooly* and £air, goes far f in a day. — K.
* i.$. quietly. t Men ride far journeys.— Ferg.
503
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
Honour bright
from mom till night. — Baker, N*hn. Glos.
Home-keeping youth have ever homely wits. — Shak., Two GeniUtmn
of Veronat i. i, 2.
You are manifest housekeepers. — Shak., Coriolanus^ i. 3, 51. C/. Haz.^
p. 184. Cf. Ballad of the Wife who would have her own
vnll—Huth Ballads.
Homely guests come unsent for. i.e. saucy, familiar.
Scoffers or common gesters which be homely guestes, for they
come unsent for. — Pal., Ac, 5. 2.
Honour is better than profit. — Dr.
Honour without maintenance is like a blue coat without a badge. —
Tatham, TJu Rump, iii. 1660.
Honour without maintenance is like a blue coat without a badge
or a pudding without suet. — Ih.
Honour to whom honour is due. A tous seigneurs tons honneurs. —
Meurier, D, F., 1590.
Honesty is na pride. — Ferg.
Hoo-roo*,
the devil's to do.— HIL, Diet.
• A hubbub. — (Warwickshire.)
Hope not for hap.— CI. i,e. luck.
Suill& absumptA bovcm non expectas. — CI.
Hope for the best : prepare for the worst. Cf. Haz., 243.
Hope on, hope ever.
hope still the best,
Nor let such cares disturb thy rest.
Swift, Hot. Od., n., L
Bear the worst and hope for the best. — M.
Hope is a waking man's dream. — [Pliny], Bo.
Spes vigilantis somnium.
Hope is the working man's dream.
Spes alit exules — Er., Ad., 658.
Hope is sawin'
while Death is mawin'. — Cunningham, Glossary to Bums.
Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. — Proverbs, xiii. 12.
Hope springs eternal in the human breast,
Man never is, but always to be, blest. — Pope.
Hospitality should run fine to the last.
Hospitality grows best where it is most needed.
Hounds and horses devour their masters. — CI.
Hounds stout and horses healthy,
earth 's well-stopt and foxes plenty.
Hsec bis bina Canes et Aves, Servique Caballi,
Dicuntur dominos saepe vorare suos.
Help to Discourse, p. 79. 1636.
Housekeeping is a privy thief. Magnum vectigal parsimonia. —
Udall, Erasmi Apophth,, p. 44, repr.
604
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Housekeeping is chargeable : men must have good meat. — Rowley^
A Shomak^, i. 1638.
House-rent in London should be one-sixth of your income. For
every lodging-room that you have, be sure you have if 100 of
annual revenues. — Sir Samuel Sleigh, Sheriff of Derbyshire^
1648 — 1666; Reliquary fi.
How can the cat help it if the maid be a fool ?
Che colpa ne ha la gatta
se la massaia ^ matta. — Florio, 2ftd Fruites.
How shold ony man handle honey but yf he lycked his fyngres. —
Caxton, Reynard the Fox^ ch. xxvii., p. 64.
However tar a bird flies, it carries its tail with it. — N.<t VII., iii. ao6*
i.e. its vices and defects.
^ Humility goeth before honour. — Dr.
Hunger hath no skill, ue, reason, imderstanding. — Bar., Ecl,^ ii.
Hunger is sharper than thorn. — Becon, ii. 130.
Hunger is hard in a heal man. — Ferg.
Hunger will make a man leap at a crust.— Dr. ; CI.
Hungry almsmen are Venus' apes. — CI. ; Dr. ; Plant., Curc.^ I., ii. 53.
He yaf not of that text a pulled hen,
That seith, that Hunters been nat holy men ;
Ne that a monk whan he is reckkeless*
Is like to a fish that is waterlees.
Chau., Canterbury Tales, ProL, 177.
* i.e. out of his cloister. Skeat reads cloisterlees. Recklessness = carelessness.
—•Robinson, Morels Utopia.
Hypocrisy is a sort of homage that Vice pays to Virtue. — Fran9ois,
Due de la Rochefoucauld, Maxims, 227.
Con Tombra della virtd si dipinge il vizio. — Bacon, Promus.
I am the worst carver in the world ; I should never make a good
chaplain. — S., P.C, ii.
I can't be buyer and seller too. — Cord., 1538.
Qui vend le vache dit le mot, cujus est merx ejus est indicatio. —
Cord., 1538.
Qui vend le vache doit dire cujus est merx ejus est indicatio. —
Meur., 1590.
I love him like pie :
I 'd rather the devil had him than I. — lb.
as many of this land,
when he did it demand ;
when he had kept it long,
friend
and was not that a wrong ?
as I have had before
and play the fool no more. — K.
I wept when I was born, and every day shows why. — H. ; Gold-
smith, Good Matured Man, i.
I know not how the world wags :
he is best loved that hath maniest bags. — Ad., 1622.
505
I had a ]
and a
I lent my
to my
I sought my
from my
Vpenny
I lost my and my
Had I a and a
I 'd keep my,
' and my ,
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
For now, as wags the world, the wiliest wags
That sacrifice good nature to ill gain,
Be the only Judasses that bear the bags.
Davies, Scourge of Folly, p. 224.
I name no names.
A certain person who shall be nameless. Nessuno nominate,
nessuno ingiuriato. — Torr.
" Signor N " is put in the Italian play-bills for an unnamed
obscurity.
I need care but for my own time. — CI. Cf. Apr^s moi le deluge.
Who [when be intendeth to marry] regardeth not more the vanity
of beauty than the honesty of conditions [whence a common
proverb has risen, they say]. " I will have a wife somewhat
snowtfair, though she be somewhat whorish." — Becon, Book of
Matrimony f 1562, Pref., i. 563.
I will never drite in my bonnet, and set it on my head. — K.
Said of a man who marries his mistress.
I will not buy a pig in a poke. — C, 1614.
I never saw an oft-removed tree,
nor yet an oft-removed family,
that throve so well as those that settled be.— P. in i?., 16.
I will not set at my heart what I should set at my hed. — Ho.
I will trust mine own eyes better than your report. — Ad., 1622.
I *11 believe one that saw it before ten that heard it. — CI.
Idleness is never to seek for an excuse. — W., 1616.
Idleness never wants an excuse. — Samuel Hartlib, Legacy, p. 61.
Idle folks lack no excuses. — CI.
Idleness is the devil's couch. — Ho., Parley of Beasts, p. 134.
Idleness breedeth a scab. — Dr.
If a bastard doth well, it is at adventure ; but when he doth ill, it is
natural. — Dr. Fr. MaH corvi, malum ovum. See Bastard.
If a clover of two you put in your shoe,
the first you meet m fidd or lane
will be your husband or one of his name.
If a courtier be too bold,
he '11 want when he is o\d,^ God speed the Plow,
If a man *s gaun down the brae, ilk ane gies him a jundie*.
• Thrust.
If a man live not well, he will soon enough be ill spoken of. — Dr.
If a fool were able to keep him in silence,
he should be reputed a man of sapience.
Bar., Myrr, of Good Manners,
Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise. —
Proverbs, xvii. 28.
If a man fails in business or in every other occupation in life he sets
up as a coal* merchant.
* Wino.
506
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS-
If a man look not to his horse, his halter will strangle him. — Dr.
If a man never tries fancies, he will never find out the right from
the wrong way. — Ellis, Modem Husbandry , August, p. 56.
In England it hath been used that
If a woman will beg a condemned person for her husband, she must
come in her smock only and a white rod in her hand.—
•Manningham, Dy., 1602-3, f. 99 (Camb. Soc.).
If a man make himself a sheep the wolf will devour him. — Dr.
[That] gif a man in a point be ygreved,
That in another he sal be releved.
Chau., Reves Tale, 41 81.
If a poor man gives to you, he expects more in return.
If Alexander were a cook, all the world should know it. Stultus
subligaculo indutus, id omnibus ostentat (vain glory). — Dr.
If all that the wolf imto the prest worthe
and be sette on to boke psalmes to lere
3it is ever hys onne eye to the wodeward.
{Talcs and Fables of Odo de Ceriton, Douce MS. of 12th Cy.)
lUus. of Shakespeare, ii. 346.
If and An spoils many a good charter. — K.
Spoken when a thing is promised upon such a condition, " If
they can," ** If they have time." Taken frohi the clauses
irritant in a conveyance. — K.
Se non fosse il, Si e il Ma faressimo tutti ricchi sempremai.
The English usually say so of Ifs and Ands. — Torr.
If ifs and ans
were pots and pans
we should have no need of tinkers.
If ifs and ans
were pots and pans
there 'd be no need of tinkers' hands.
If a good day have not mended thee, must not a bad needs pairt
thee? — D. Rogers, Naaman, p. 887. 1642.
t i.t. worsen.
If a thing be worth doing at all, it is worth doing well.
If everybody knew what one said of the other, there would not be
four mends left in the world. — Pascal.
If [blood] once buy and sell, its gentry *s gone. — B. & F., Beg, Bush^
u 3.
If every fowl had his feather
then he can hog a weather.— CI.
If fair means will not serve us, we must use foul. — T. Heywood,
Royal King, ii.
Wise men • . as all men knows
Try all things first ere they try blows.
Colvil, Whig's Supp., p. 89. 1687.
If fish could hear as well as see,
the devil himself a fisher might be. — Miss M.
507
Digitized by V:iOOQIC
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
If fools went not to the market bad ware would never be sold. — Cod.
If God offer thee a kingdom, refuse it not. Nee abnuendum si det
imperium Deus.
If hell were not full, the lawyer could not be saved. — Dr.
If I can make no sport, 1 41 mar none. — Wilson, Cheats^ ii. 2*
If I get the name, [of committing a peccadillo]
I will have the game.
If I go on, I fall ;
if back, I mar all. — CI. (Anceps et dubius.)
I tell you my tale and my tale's author :
If it be a lie,
you had it as cheap as I. — S., F. C, i.
If it be long it will be light.— CI.
" If" is a small word, but a great favourite. — Arthur, B. of B.
If negligent at twenty, slovenly at forty, you will stink at fifty. —
Chesterfield.
Let 's drink down sorrow :
If none would lend, then nobody should borrow.
Nobody and Somebody , c. 1592, Sch. of Shak., u 296.
If once a man fall, all will tread on him. — Wr.
It is an old proverb that
If one dwell next door to a cripple, he will learn to halt.
Lyly, Euph., p. 130.
If thou with him that halts does dwell,
To learn to halt thou shalt full well.
J. Northbrook, Treatise against Dicing^ "^SJJr
Shak. Soc., p. 80.
Sir Toby, Come on ; there is sixpence for you : let 's have
a song.
Sir Andrew. There 's a testril of me too : If one Knight give a —
Shak., Twelfth N., ii. 3, 30.
[another can't refuse.]
There is no need to complete the sentence. The raison d'itre of
half the subscriptions in the advertised lists is sufficiently
conveyed.
If one means fail, use another. — C, P. P. Qui ne paut i ung
moulin hay k I'autre. — Cordier, 1538.
If one give thee a cow, run with a cord. — Dr.
If one sheep loup o'er the dike, all the rest will follow. — K. The
French call women ** la race moutonni^re."
If ane will not, another will. — Ferg.
If you will not, another will.— Ho.
If ye winna, anither will ; sae are maidens married. — Hen.
If you will not, another will, or why was the market made ? Invenies
alium, si te hie fastidit. — O. Dykes, Moral Reflections^ 1709
(Title).
If pitcher dash against pitcher, both are broken. — CI.
508
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
If riches bring fear,
gold 's bought too dear. — Dav., £/., 217 ; Dr.
If she serve me to live with, she may serve you to look at. — K.
If snakes could hear and slows could see,
nor man nor beasts would ever be free. (Norfolk.)
N., II., i. 331, 401.
Si taupe voyait
si sourd* entendait
le monde finirait.
£. RoUand, Mammifercs^ p. 13.
* Salamander.
If the apothecaries* pills had a good taste, they would never gild
them over. — Dr.
If the blind leadeth the blind, both fall into the ditch. — Dr.
Si un aveugle mone Taultre ils tombent tous deux in un fosse. —
Meurier, Collogues ; Dr. 1558.
Where the blind leadeth the blind, both fall in the dyke. — He., II., v.
If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. — Matt.y xv.
14; CI.
As the blind another leadeth
And till they fall nothing dredeth. — Gower, C. Am.
If the doctor cures, the sun sees it ; but if he kills, the earth hides
it.— K.
A hint to quacks not to kill without a licence.
If the Bile (sic) be ripe
'Tis best to launce it.
A revealed grief
Invites to cure, Hes open to relief.
Quarles, Virgin Widow , i. i.
If the fountains should run wine, the people would not be content.
—Dr.
If the fountains were wine, yet they would be dear at the inn. — Dr.
If the lad go to the well against his will,
either the can will break, or the water will spill. — K.
If the lion says that our ears be horns they must be horns. — Ho.,
Parley of Beasts, p. 88.
If the hen does not prate, she will not lay. — Forby, E. Ang. i.e. the
shrew is a breeder or a good housewife.
If the husbandman and carter did not sweat each other day,
the C[o]urtier and Citizen would cry " Well away ! "
Bullein, B. of Def. (5. and Chir., f. 68). 1562.
If the laird slight the lady, so will all the kitchen-boys. — K.
If people despise their own, so will other people. — K.
If the master bid go, the servant must run.
Omnis hems servo monosyllabus. — ^W., 1616.
If the mother be a shrew, the daughter cannot 'scape.— /a^oi and
Esau, H., O. P., ii. 235.
509
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
I warrant her a shrew, whosoever be another,
God make the daughter good, I like not the mother.
M, of W. and Sc, iii. 2 ; H., O.P., ii. 351.
If the sky fall, we shall catch larks. — CI.
If hap the sky fall, we may hap to have larks. — App» and Virg,, H.^
O.P.f iv. 124.
If the word spoken cannot be recalled, still less can the written.
letter.— CI.
If the young man would, and the old man could, there would be
nothing undone. — By.
Se il giovane volesse
e il vecchio potesse,
non h cosa che non si facesse.
Si jeunesse savait, si vieillesse pouvait,
jamais pauvret6 n'aurait.— -Cotgr.
If there were neah fells there would be neah deahls*. — (Cumber-
land) Gibson, in Tr. Hist, Soc. of Lane, and Chcsh.^ i. 62.
* Dales, valleys.
If thy friend deceive thee, be no enemy but cease to be a friend. — Cod..
If things did not break or wear out, how would tradesmen live ? —
If three know it, all the world will know it too. — (Italian) E.
If wheat Cometh not up, weeds will. — Dr.
If words will not serve, blows shall. — CI.
Si non es verbo verbere motus eris. — CI.
If war must come sooner or later, let us have it later.
If ye've got one* you can run,
if ye *ve got two you may goo,
but if ye *ve got three you must bide where you be.
Parish, Sussex Dialect (To a Young Mother).
♦ Child.
If ye seek to find things ere they be lost,
ye shall find one day ye come to your cost. — He.
If you be angry without cause, you must be pleased without amends*
—CI.
If you be angry without a cause,
you shall have amends made with a couple of straws.
Jack Jug. ; H., O.P., ii. 124.
If you always say " No," you *11 never be married. — S., P.C.f i. C/L
Say ay " No."
If you 're a gentleman, behave as such. C/. And you be a man ;
and Gentlefolks.
If thou be made a lion, take manners of a lion. — Bare, Myrrour
of Good Manners.
If you be sick, make not the physician your heir. — Lyly, Alex, and
Camp.f V. 4.
Le pacient est tres niez et grossier
qui de son bien fait le myrhe heritier. — Meurier, 1590.
510
Digitized by
Google
ENGLISH APHORISMS.
Le pacient fait mal pour luy qm pense
Son medecin faire son heritier.
Gringoire, M., 8 r. 1527.
If you are afraid of Grim, Grim also is afraid of you. — Emerson.
C'est un proverbe commun, Que les antipathies sont resiproques.
— P. Bourget, Le Disciple ^ p. 159.
He requires it to be granted that his system is positive ; yours is
impositive. So reasoned the stage-coachman, when the rail-
roads began to depose him: **If you're upset in a stage-
coach, why there you are ! but if you *re upset on the railroad
— where are you ? " — De Morgan, Budget of Paradoxes, p. 275.
1872.
If a rich man have four sons, the youngest or contemnedst must
be the priest . • . whereas heretofore, primogentii eo
jure sacerdotes, the first-bom had the right of priesthood;
now the younger son, if he be fit for nothing else, lights upon
that privilege. — T. Adams, Works, p. 248.
If you can make nothing else of your son, make a parson of him.
The fool of the family, make a parson of him.
If you can spend much, put the more to the fore. — K. [Or fire. — K.]
One coimtenances large savings, the other large expenditure.
If thou canst nat imdo the knotte, cut hym. — Horm., V., 289.
If you can't make a man think as you do, make him do as you
think. — (American) Main
If you can't make a pipe,
you shouldn't break a pipe. — S., P. C, ii.
If I can make no sport, I '11 spoil none. — Dryden, Wild Gallant, iii, i.
If you can't read your neck-verse at the Sessions, you must sing it
at the gallows. — Grey's n. on Butler's Hud., III., i. See
When Oportet.
And if they cannot read one verse
O' th' psalms, they sing it, and that 's worse.
If you can't tell, you are nought to keep sheep. — Torriano, A play on
tell'count.
If you carry a nutmeg in your pocket, you '11 be married to an old
man. — S., P. C, i.
If thou do no ill, do no ill like. — Ferg.
If you don't like it, you may look off it. — S., P. C, i. C/. Take it.
K you don't like it, may lump it.
If you don't fire you can't kill.-^porting.
If you don't open the door to the devil, he goes away. — F.
A puerta cerrada el Diablo se buelve. — Percival, Sp. Gram., 1599.
If you eat goose on Michaelmas day, you won't want money all the
year. — D.
This custom is traceable as far back as the tenth year of
Edward lY.—BlonnVs Jocular Tenures, Ed. Hazlitt, p. 8.
511
Digitized by
Google
LEAN'S COLLECTANEA.
If you give a jest, you must take a jest. — S., P.C, i. •
If you go nutting on Sundays the devil will come to help and hold
the boughs for you. — Aug. Hare, Sussex ^ p. 43.
If you 've money, take your seat ;
if you've none, take to your feet.
If you kill one flea in March you kill a hundred.
If you wish to keep fleas out of your house you must be up before
the sun on ist of March, and throwing open a window say
**Good morning, March." — Latham, W. Sussex Superstitions;
F, L. Rec, i. 50.
If from fleas you would be free
on the first of March let all your windows closed* be. — lb.
• ? open.
If you let the fool play with you at home, he 'U do so with you in
the market. — F.
If you love me, Kythe that. — K. Le, make it appear.
If you love me, let it Kythe. — H., P.
When one professeth kindness for another he will answer,
"What says the bird?*', alledging that there is a bird
whose note is "Kythe that." — K.
If you love me, John, your deeds will tell me so.— [0. Sp.] E,
If you make it not better, make it not worse. — CI.
If you make money your God, 'twill plague you like a devil. — F.
If you once don the medley*, you wear it for life. — Miss Maple (o^^, — ^
Boston, Line). ♦ Motley. v
If you sell your purse to your wife, give your breeks into the
bargain. — K.
If you pull the first brake,
and kill the first snake,
you 41 succeed in all you undertake.
N., VI., vi. 266.
If you say what you list, you shall hear what you list not. — Melb.,
PhU., Y.
If you throw all your money into the sea, yet count it before you let
it go. (To verify your accounts.)
[Continued in Vol. IV.']
J. W. Arrowsmith, Printer, Qaay Street, Bristol.
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
Digitized by
Google
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11