[46] Nickname for a fisherman (one who followed the occupation of the apostle Peter).
[47] “A hollie wand or riding wand. Houssine.”—Cotgrave.
[48] Used with a quibble. Frail was a basket for figs, raisins, &c.
[49] In Lanthorn and Candlelight (1609) Dekker mentions this extraordinary commodity:—“After a revelling, when younger brothers have spent all, or in gaming have lost all, they sit plotting in their chambers with necessity how to be furnished presently with a new supply of money. They would take up any commodity whatsoever, but their names stand in too many texted letters in mercers’ and scriveners’ books. Upon a hundred pounds’ worth of roasted beef they could find in their hearts to venture, for that would away in turning of a hand; but where shall they find a butcher or a cook that will let any man run so much upon the score for flesh only?” (Works, ed. Grosart, iii. 231.)
[50] “Foisting hound” = a dog with an evil smell.
[51] “There is comprehended under the curs of the coarsest kind a certain dog in kitchen service excellent. For when any meat is to be roasted they go into a wheel, which they turning round about with the weight of their bodies so diligently look to their business that no drudger nor scullion can do the feat more cunningly: whom the popular sort hereupon call turnspits.”—Topsel’s History of Four-footed Beasts, ed. 1658 (p. 139).
[52] The old ed. gives “poynados” (= poniards), which modern editors strangely retain. Ponado (panado) was a caudle made of bread, currants, sack, eggs, &c.
ACT III.
SCENE I.
Security’s house.