[446] See note 1, vol. ii. p. 328.
[447] i.e., if they have not attained their majority.
[448] Dekker, on the other hand, tells us in The Seven Deadly Sins of London, 1606, that orphans were nowhere more carefully guarded than in London. “For what city in the world,” he writes, “does more dry up the tears of the widow and gives more warmth to the fatherless than this ancient and reverend grandame of cities? Where hath the orphan (that is to receive great portions) less cause to mourn the loss of parents? He finds four and twenty grave senators to be his father instead of one; the city itself to be his mother; her officers to be his servants, who see that he want nothing; her laws to suffer none to do him wrong; and though he be never so simple in wit or so tender in years, she looks as warily to that wealth which is left him as to the apple of her own eye.”
[449] A small French coin.
[450] Old eds. “Whether of Wright, as Paraphonalion.”
[451] It would appear from old inventories that these articles were occasionally made of the precious metals.
[452] The text is evidently corrupt.
SATIRE III.
Redde, age, quæ deinceps risisti.
It’s good be wary, whilst the sun shines clear
(Quoth that old chuff that may dispend by year
Three thousand pound), whilst he of good pretence
Commits himself to Fleet, to save expense.
No country’s Christmas—rather tarry here,
The Fleet is cheap, the country hall too dear.
But, Codrus, hark! the world expects to see
Thy bastard heir rot there in misery.