But there's a muss of more than half the town.

It occurs frequently in old authors, and particularly in the well known passage in "Anthony and Cleopatra."

——Of late, when I cried ho!

Like boys unto a muss, kings would start forth,

And cry, your will?

[60] This old English word, for a Christmas masquerading frolic, is still used in some parts of England.

[61] See the lines in the prologue,

He dies,—at least to us and to the stage,

And what he has, he leaves this noble age.

[62] Mr Malone supposes the play to have been acted on the 25th March, 1700; Dryden died on the 1st of May following. The play was advertised for publication in the London Gazette of 17th June, 1700. The following is the full title:—