Massinger, Bashful Lover, iv. 2.
The origin of the phrase is French. The name of espices (spices) was given to the fees or dues which were payable (in advance) to judges. A 'spiced' judge, who would have a 'spiced' conscience, was scrupulous and exact, because he had been prepaid, and was inaccessible to any but large bribes. See Cotgrave, s. v. espices; Littré, s. v. épice; and, in particular, Les Œuvres de Guillaume Coquillart, ed. P. Tarbé, t. i. p. 31, and t. ii. p. 114. (First explained by me in a letter to The Athenaeum, Nov. 26, 1892, p. 741.)
527. 'But the teaching of Christ and his twelve apostles, that taught he.'
528. Cf. Acts, i. 1; Gower, Conf. Amant. ii. 188.
The Plowman.
529. Plowman; not a hind or farm-labourer, but a poor farmer, who himself held the plough; cf. note to P. Plowman, C. viii. 182. was, who was.
530. y-lad, carried, lit. led. Cf. prov. E. lead, to cart (corn).
531. swinker, toiler, workman; see l. 186. Cf. swink, toil, in l. 540.
534. though him gamed or smerte, though it was pleasant or unpleasant to him.
536. dyke, make ditches, delve, dig; A. S. delfan. Chaucer may be referring to P. Plowman, B. v. 552, 553.