Act I: Scene ia
[p. 133] old Adam’s Ale. A very ancient colloquialism for water. In Scotland ‘Adam’s wine’ and frequently merely ‘Adam’. Prynne in his Sovereign Power of Parliament (1648), speaks of prisoners ‘allowed only a poor pittance of Adam’s ale.’ cf. Peter Pindar (John Wolcot), The Lousiad, Canto ii, ll. 453-4:—
Old Adam’s beverage flows with pride
From wide-mouthed pitchers in a plenteous tide.
Act II: Scene i
[p. 141] a Pageant. Here used to signify a platform or low scaffold.
Act III: Scene i
[p. 157] the Royal Sovereign. In a Navy List of 1684 the Royal Sovereign is classed as one of the ‘Nine First Rate’ vessels. 1545 tons, 100 guns at home, 90 guns abroad, 815 men at home, 710 men abroad. In 1672 her commander was Sir Joseph Jorden. An authority on nautical matters whom I have consulted informs me that less men and fewer guns were carried to relieve the top hamper of the ship in a sea-way. Most vessels then were inclined to be top heavy, and although able to carry all their guns in the narrow seas, yet when going foreign were glad to leave ten behind, well knowing they would soon lose by scurvy or disease numbers of their crew apart from losses in battle. Although these ships were pierced with ports for, say, 100 guns, it did not follow they always carried so many, as a complete broadside could be fired by running the gun carriages across from one side to another before the fight, so she would not be so heavy above and not so liable to roll and spoil the aim of the guns.
[p. 159] Bezolos mano’s, Seignior. Señor, beso las manos. = Sir, I kiss your hands; the usual Spanish salutation.
[p. 165] brown George. Coarse black bread; hard biscuit. cf. Urquhart’s Rabelais (1653), Book IV. Author’s prologue: ‘The devil of one musty crust of a Brown George the poor boys had to scour their grinders with.’ And Dryden, Persius (1693), v. 215:—