—a proverbial saying of great antiquity. Mr. Douce[888] cites an account of its origin from a MS. collection of stories in Latin, compiled about the time of Henry III.
“Service is no inheritance.” So, in “All’s Well that Ends Well” (i. 3), the Clown says: “Service is no heritage.”
“Sit thee down, sorrow” (“Love’s Labour’s Lost,” i. 1).
“Sit at the stern.” A proverbial phrase meaning to have the management of public affairs. So, in “1 Henry VI.” (i. 1), Winchester says:
“The king from Eltham I intend to steal,
And sit at chiefest stern of public weal.”
“She has the mends in her own hands.” This proverbial phrase is of frequent occurrence in our old writers, and probably signifies, “It is her own fault;” or, “The remedy lies with herself.” It is used by Pandarus in “Troilus and Cressida” (i. 1). Burton, in his “Anatomy of Melancholy,” writes: “And if men will be jealous in such cases, the mends is in their own hands, they must thank themselves.”
“Small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow apace” (“Richard III.,” ii. 4).
“So wise so young, do ne’er live long” (“Richard III.,” iii. 1).[889]
“So like you, ’tis the worse.” This is quoted as an old proverb by Paulina in the “Winter’s Tale” (ii. 3).
“Something about, a little from the right” (“King John,” i. 1).