[II, ii, 99–100]. in the Galley foyst, etc.—a Galley-foist was a state barge, especially that of the Lord Mayor of London. This, however, can hardly be the meaning of the word here, used as it is in connection with Bullion, which were trunk-hose, puffed out at the upper part, in several folds; and with Quirpo, a variant of cuerpo—i. e., in undress. “Galley-foist” may be the name of some dress of the period, so-called for its resemblance to the gaily bedecked Mayor’s-barge. But it is not unlikely, as Mason suggests, that The Galley-foist and The Bullion were the names of taverns of that day; or else of houses of public resort for some kind of amusement.
[II, ii, 104]. skip—so in all texts. But Field has elsewhere (Woman is a Weathercock, II, i.): “and then my lord ... casts a suit every quarter, which I slip into.” It is probable that the word was the same in both passages,—though whether skip or slip I have no means of determining.
[II, ii, 119]. St Omers—more properly, St. Omer, a town of northern France. A College of Jesuits was located there, and the point of Novall’s comparison is perhaps an allusion to the mean appearance of Jesuit spies who would come from thence to England on some pretext, such as to see their friends during the Christmas season.
[II, ii, 122]. ly’n perdieu—“to lie perdu” is properly a military term for, “to be placed as a sentinel or outpost,” especially in an exposed position. Ly’n is one of the many obsolete forms of the past participle of the verb “to lie.”
[II, ii, 125]. tye my hand—i. e., tie the ribbon-strings which depended from the sleeve over the hand.
[II, ii, 163]. slight neglect—contemptuous disrespect.
[II, ii, 174]. bile—all editors after the Q. read boil. Bile was an old spelling for boil; but in the other sense, one of the “four humours” of medieval physiology, the passage is perfectly clear, and the figure perhaps even more effective.
[II, ii, 186]. eager relish—acrid taste. The figure is that the law in itself is often like a sharp and bitter flavor, but that a good judge will sweeten this.
[II, ii, 250] s. d. Drawes a Curtayne—the curtain of the alcove or back-stage, within which was placed the “treasure,” thus to be revealed.
[II, ii, 298]. in which yours—i. e., “because of the fact of her being yours.”