1271 An odd and rather awkward metaphor.
1294 Orig. 'quoth she'—but, of course, Albino is the speaker. [Return]
1306 Does 'wretching' occur elsewhere? 'Wretch' as a verb is quoted, but only as Scots, and only in the sense of 'be miserly'. Whiting, though not muddle-headed, was so feather-headed in the use of words that one must take into account the possibility of 'retching', i.e. 'vomiting blasphemy', and can hardly neglect as impossible a careless confusion with 'wretchless, = 'reckless'.
1340 The poet changes number from 'nips' to 'uncrown' with his usual lightness of heart.
1376 Cf. Ps. xlvi. 9, 'Knappeth the spear in sunder'. [Return]
1420-4 This is a reference to Drayton's Nymphidia, where Hob searches for the Fairy Queen, who has gone off with Pigwiggen (cf. ll. 421-4).—It will he observed that, as in the case of Kingsley's hero, 'the party is taken ill with a poem' on every provocation.
1432 We want 'Daffa-downa-dillies'.
1442 An Alexandrine: not as yet common in the piece.
1450 'ermelin', with its equivalents, is rather the commoner form in all mediaeval languages.
1461 Carduus benedictus [Return]