445. Thynge decayed, 1st edit.
446. Holly, 1st edit., holy, edit. 1569.
447. i.e., One magisterium; a chymical term expressive of the highest powers of transmutation, and sometimes used for any masterly performance.—S.
Mastery seems here used in the sense of mystery or trade, which is derived from the French mestier, and that perhaps from magisterium. See Warton's "Hist. Engl. Poetry," III. xxxvii.—Collier. [But see edit. 1871, i., 263.]
448. Both the old copies agree in reading—
"Yet in lyenge, I can some skyll,"
which has hitherto been altered to
"Yet in lyenge I can boste some skyll,"
a word having been foisted in as if the former editors were not aware that "I can some skyll," was a phrase of the time and perfectly intelligible.—Collier.
449. Not, 1st edit.