Than a chyldis birds and a knauis wyfe]

This proverbial expression occurs in Lydgate;

“Vnto purpos this prouerd is full ryfe

Rade and reported by olde remembraunce

A childes birdde and a knavis wyfe

Haue often sieth gret sorowe and myschaunce.”

The Chorle and the Bird,—MS. Harl. 116. fol. 151.

v. 1454. byll] i. e. writing.

v. 1455. By Mary Gipcy] In much later writers we find, as an interjection, marry gep, marry gip, marry guep, marry gup. v. 1456. Quod scripsi, scripsi] From the Vulgate, Joan. xix. 22.