—Cowper, Progress of Error.
[150:A] In some cases it is "backer," as though the comparative, "more back."
[151:A] "Nydyote" is really an idiot, even as "naddere" in old books is really an adder.
[153:A] "Many, when a thing was lent them, reckoned it to be found, and put them to trouble that helped them. Till he hath received he will kiss a man's hand; and for his neighbour's money he will speak submissively: but when he should repay he will prolong the time, and return words of grief, and complain of the time."—Ecclesiasticus, B.C. 200.
An old English proverb declares that "Lent seems short to him that borrows money to be paid at Easter."
[156:A] This thinness would appear to have been of bulk, not of quality. "Some preferre Cheshire Cheese, and others also commend the cheese of other countries; but Banbury Cheese shall goe for my money."—Cogan's Haven of Health, 1612.
[157:A] "Few capons, save what have more fins than feathers, are bred in Yarmouth. But to countenance this expression, I understand that the Italian Friers, when disposed to eat flesh on Fridays, call a capon 'piscem e corte,' a fish of the coop."—Fuller.
[157:B] A Doctor of Divinity, fearing, we may presume, that such high praise might turn a head here and there, improved the occasion for the benefit of these ladies—"I believe that the God of Nature, having given fair complection to the Women in this County, Art may spare her pains in endeavouring to better them. But let the Females of this County know that, though in the Old Testament express notice be taken of the beauty of many Women—Sarah, Rebekah, Rachael, Abigail, Thamar, Abishag, Esther—yet in the New Testament no mention is made at all of the fairness of any Woman, not because they wanted, but because Grace is chief Gospel-beauty, and this is far better than skin-deep Fairness."
[158:A] A proverb of like import is this, "He talks in the bear-garden tongue."