Perhaps this is the earliest instance of a quibble between raisins and reasons. The same pun is used by Shakespeare in Much ado about Nothing, act v. sc. 1, and (though Steevens thinks not) in Troilus and Cressida, act ii. sc. 2: compare also Dekker; “Raisons will be much askt for, especially in an action of iniury.” The Owles Almanache 1618. p. 36.
[Page 22.] v. 438. Ryn] i. e. Run.
v. 439. the date of the Devyll] See note, p. 116. v. 375.
—— shrewlye] i. e. shrewdly, badly.
—— quod] i. e. quoth.
v. 442. So many morall maters, &c.] There is a considerable resemblance between this concluding portion of Speke, Parrot, and a piece attributed to Dunbar, entitled A General Satyre; see his Poems, ii, 24. ed. Laing.
v. 443. So myche newe makyng] i. e. So much new composing.
v. 457. stondythe] i. e. standeth.
[Page 23.] v. 460. on dawys hedd] i. e. one daw’s head: see note, p. 113. v. 301.
v. 467. dowȝtfull daunger] i. e. doubtful danger,—danger that ought to cause dread.