[976.] Brand’s Pop. Antiq., iii. 134.
[977.] Chron. of Eng., iii. 1002.
[978.] N. and Q., xii. 488.
[979.] Theatr. Ins., p. 70. Topsel’s Hist. of Beasts, p. 944.
[980.] Ibid., p. 55. Topsel, p. 933.
[981.] Brand’s Pop. Antiq., iii. 191.
[982.] Brand’s Pop. Antiq., i. 84.
[983.] Holl. Trans., p. 76. There was one time a law at Athens, which a good deal nonplussed these sponging gentlemen so appropriately called Flies. “It was decreed that not more than thirty persons should meet at a marriage feast; and a wealthy citizen, desirous of going as far as the law would allow him, had invited the full complement. An honest Fly, however, who respected no law that interfered with his stomach; contrived to introduce himself, and took his station at the lower end of the table. Presently the magistrate appointed for the purpose entered, and espying his man at a glance, began counting the guests, commencing on the other side and ending with the parasite. ‘Friend,’ said he, ‘you must retire. I find there is one more than the law allows.’ ‘It is quite a mistake, sir,’ replied the Fly, ‘as you will find if you will have the goodness to count again, beginning on this side.’”—St. John’s Man. and Cust. of Anct. Grec., ii. 172.
[984.] Vide Mercator, A. ii. Sc. 4, and the Young Carthag., A. iii. Sc. 3.
[985.] Harleian Miscel., viii. 423.