[p. 233] trusting for old Oliver’s Funeral broke. The obsequies of Oliver Cromwell, originally fixed for 9 November, 1658, owing to the extraordinary magnificence of the preparations were not performed until 23 November. For many days his waxen effigy, dressed in robes of state, was exhibited at Somerset House. The expenses totalled £60,000, and it was a public scandal that a great part of this wanton and wasteful extravagance remained unpaid, to the undoing of the undertakers. On 25 August, 1659, in the Kalendar of State Affairs (Domestic), the following occurs: ‘Report by the Committee appointed by Parliament to examine what is due for mourning for the late General Cromwell, that on perusal of the bills signed by Cromwell’s servants, and of the account of Abr. Barrington, his auditor, it appears that £19,303 0s. 11d. is still due and unpaid for mourning. Also that Nath. Waterhouse, servant to Rich. Cromwell, should be authorized to see the persons in a list [missing] annexed for that mourning. Col. Rich to make this report. Schedule of debts due to 11 mercers and drapers for the funeral of the late General Cromwell. Total £19,303 0s. 11d.’
[p. 233] they bear the Bob. i.e. They join in the chorus or refrain. [ Text note]
Act I: Scene iii
[p. 240] shoveing the Tumbler. ‘Thieves’ cant for being whipped at the cart’s tail.’ —(Grose). Tumbler, perhaps = tumbril. [ Text note]
[p. 240] lifting. Filching. This slang term is very old and common.
[p. 240] filing the Cly. ‘Thieves’ cant for picking a pocket.’ —(Grose). ‘Cly,’ a pocket.
[p. 240] Regalio. An obsolete and, indeed, erroneous form of ‘regalo’, an elegant repast; choice food or drink. The word is very common, and the spelling, ‘Regalio’, is frequent in the second half of the seventeenth century.
Act II: Scene i
[p. 246] Anticks. Quaint fantastic measures. A favourite word with Mrs. Behn.
[p. 248] to knip. To clip. (Dutch ‘knippen’, to cut, snip.) N.E.D. neglecting this passage, only gives the meaning as to bite or crop (grass) of cattle. It appends two quotations having this sense—the one from Dunbar’s Poems (1500-20), the second from Douglas, Aeneis (1513). [ Text note]