[112] The "Artillery Garden" was situated in Finsbury Fields, where also was the place of exercise for the City Trained Bands. In the "Antiquarian Repertory" (ed. 1807), i. 251-270, the reader will find an interesting account of the Trained Bands and the Artillery Company. Old writers are fond of sneering at the City warriors. The following passage is from Shirley's "Witty Fair One," v. 1:—"There's a spruce captain newly crept out of a gentleman-usher and shuffled into a buff jerkin with gold lace, that never saw service beyond Finsbury or the Artillery-Garden, marches wearing a desperate feather in his lady's beaver, while a poor soldier, bred up in the school of war all his life, yet never commenced any degree of commander, wants a piece of brass to discharge a wheaten bullet to his belly."
[113] "Vinum muscatum quod moschi odorem referat, propter dulcedinem, for the sweetnesse and smell it resembles muske," &c_. Minsheu's Guide into Tongues (apud Dyce's Glossary).
[114] "Mooncalf" (originally the name for an imperfectly formed foetus) was used as a term of reproach, like dodypol, nincompoop, ninny, dunderhead, &c.
[115] Sc. trifling fellow, noodle.
[116] The blades from Bilboa in Spain were esteem'd as highly as those of Toledo manufacture.
[117] MS. two.
[118] "Striker" is a cant term for a losel, a wencher.
[119] "Mew" is a falconer's term for the place where a hawk is confined.
[120] This passage is repeated in The Ladies Privilege, at the end of Act I.
[121] "Curst" is an epithet applied to shrewish women and vicious beasts.