A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 1

by Unknown

[197] 'Goll'—A cant expression for 'hand': it is found continually in our old writers.

[198] The words 'Some scurvy thing, I warrant' should no doubt be given to Cornego.

[199] The conversation between Onaelia and the Poet very closely resembles, in parts, Character 5 of John Day's Parliament of Bees.

[200] 4to lanch.

[201] 'The Hanging Tune' i.e. the tune of 'Fortune my Foe,' to which were usually sung ballads relating to murders. The music of 'Fortune my Foe,' is given in Mr. Chappell's 'Popular Music of the Olden Time'; and the words may be seen in the 'Bayford Ballads' (edited by Mr. Ebsworth, our greatest master of ballad-lore).

[202] Cf. Dekker's Match me in London (Dramatic Works, iv. 180)—

'I doe speake English When I'de move pittie; when dissemble, Irish; Dutch when I reele; and tho I feed on scalions If I should brag Gentility I'de gabble Welch.'

[203] Cf. Day's Parliament of Bees, Character 4.

[204] 'Estridge' is the common form of 'ostrich' among the Elizabethans (I Henry IV., iv. 1, &c).

[205] "Poire d'angoisse. A choke-Peare; or a wild soure Peare." Cotgrave.