It is not to be forgotten that Commineus observeth of his first master, duke Charles the Hardy, namely, that he would communicate his secrets with none.—Bacon, Essays, 27.
Hardily [audacter, Vulg.] he entride in to Pilat, and axide the body of Jhesu.—Mark xv. 43. Wiclif (earlier version).
Harlot. I have no desire to entangle myself in the question of this word’s etymology; it is sufficient to observe that it was used of both sexes alike; and though for the most part a word of slight and contempt, signifying generally a low fellow, vagabond, buffoon, acrobat (in the Promptorium ‘scurrus’ is the Latin equivalent of it), implied nothing of that special form of sin to which it now exclusively refers.
Salle never harlotte have happe, thorowe helpe of my Lord,
To kille a crownde kynge, with crysome enoynttede.
Morte Arthure, 2446.
That non harlot were so hardy to leyne hande uppon hym.
Piers Plowman, B-text, Passus 18, 77 (Skeat).
He was a gentil harlot and a kynde.
Chaucer, Prologue, 647.