[217] To.
[218] Can.
[219] I con him no thanks for it, occurs in Shakspeare's "All's Well that Ends Well," and Mr Steevens says it means, "I shall not thank him in studied language." I meet with the same expression in Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," &c.—
"I believe he will con thee little thanks for it."
Again, in "Wily Beguiled," 1606—
"I con master Churms thanks for this."
Again, in "Anything for a Quiet Life": "He would not trust you with it, I con him thanks for it."
Cun or con thanks, says the "Glossary to the Lancashire Dialect," is to give thanks; and in that sense only the words appear to be used to this day in the North of England. In Erasmus's "Praise of Folly," by Chaloner, 1549, sig. E 2: "But in the meane while ye ought to conne me thanke," &c., and sig. I 4: "Who natheless conned him as greate thanke," &c. Again, in Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," p. 28: "It is well doone 'to practise thy wit, but (I believe) our Lord will cun thee little thanke for it.'"
[220] i.e., Glossing or commenting upon. So, in "Pierce Plowman":
"Glosed the Gospel as hem good liked,