[95] Musical term for an air on which variations or divisions were to be made.
[96] The words “O love ... Balurdo’s ghost” are given to Feliche in old eds.
[97] There is the same joke in the Merry Jests of George Peele, 1627:—“George used often to an ordinary in this town, where a kinswoman of the good wife’s in the house held a great pride and vain opinion of her own mother-wit; for her tongue was a jack continually wagging.... Now this titmouse, what she scanted by nature, she doth replenish by art, as her boxes of red and white daily can testify. But to come to George, who arrived at the ordinary among other gallants, throws his cloak upon the table, salutes the gentlemen, and presently calls for a cup of canary. George had a pair of hose on, that for some offence durst not to be seen in that hue they were first dyed in, but from his first colour being a youthful green, his long age turned him into a mournful black, and for his antiquity was in print. Which this busybody perceiving, thought now to give it him to the quick; and drawing near Master Peele, looking upon his breeches, ‘By my troth, sir,’ quoth she, ‘these are exceedingly well printed.’ At which word, George, being a little moved in his mind that his old hose were called in question, answered, ‘And by my faith, mistress,’ quoth George, ‘your face is most damnably ill painted.’ ‘How mean you, sir?’ quoth she. ‘Marry thus, mistress,’ quoth George, ‘that if it were not for printing and painting, my arse and your face would grow out of reparations.’”
[98] Old eds. “an.”
[99] Ed. 1602, “pointing.”
[100] See Dyce’s Shakesp. Gloss., s. Cressets.
ACT III.
SCENE I.
The sea-shore.
Enter Andrugio in armour, Lucio with a shepherd’s gown in his hand, and a Page.