1. 6. 37, 8 For, they doe come
To see vs, Loue, as wee doe to see them. Cf. Induction to The Staple of News, Wks. 5. 151: ‘Yes, on the stage; we are persons of quality, I assure you, and women of fashion, and come to see and to be seen.’ Silent Woman, Wks. 3. 409: ‘and come abroad where the matter is frequent, to court, ... to plays, ... thither they come to shew their new tires too, to see, and to be seen.’ Massinger, City Madam, Wks., p. 323:
Sir. Maur. Is there aught else To be demanded? Anne. ... a fresh habit, Of a fashion never seen before, to draw, The gallants’ eyes, that sit upon the stage, upon me.
Gosson has much to say on the subject of women frequenting the theatre. There, he says (p. 25). ‘everye man and his queane are first acquainted;’ and he earnestly recommends all women to stay away from these ‘places of suspition’ (pp. 48 f.).
1. 6. 40 Yes, wusse. Wusse is a corruption of wis, OE. gewis, certainly. Jonson uses the forms I wuss (Wks. 1. 102), I wusse (Wks. 6. 146), and Iwisse (Wks. 2. 379. the fol. reading; Gifford changing to I wiss), in addition to the present form. In some cases the word is evidently looked upon as a verb.
1. 6. 58 sweet Pinnace. Cf. 2. 2. 111 f. A woman is often compared to a ship. Nares cites B. & Fl., Woman’s Pr. 2. 6:
This pinck, this painted foist, this cockle-boat.
Cf. also Stap. of News, Wks. 5. 210:
She is not rigg’d, sir; setting forth some lady Will cost as much as furnishing a fleet.— Here she is come at last, and like a galley Gilt in the prow.
Jonson plays on the names of Pinnacia in the New Inn, Wks. 5. 384:
‘Host. Pillage the Pinnace.... Lord B. Blow off her upper deck. Lord L. Tear all her tackle.’