Holpen, "if it be holpen" (N[54],b), helped: see Helpen.
Holyke (M[16],c). From the nature of the song itself it must be inferred that a triple pun was intended, Holy (sacred refrain)—wholly (holelyche = wholly)—Hole-lick (osculare fundamentum): probably the "roof" was intended to be "raised" by the medley of interpretations thus offered, the business of each of the chorus being different.
Holy nation (JE[357],b), i.e. the Saints and redeemed. The reference to love and virginity is apparently founded on a passage in Revelations, attributed by many to St. John the Evangelist: see Rev. xi. 4, and John Evangelist, p. 416 ante.
Hood, "his hair groweth through his hood" (IP[340],c; also R[229],d), i.e. comes to poverty.
Hook, "by hook or by crook" (R[187],b), by some means or other, by fair means or foul, at all hazards, probably of forestal origin. "Their work was by hook or crook ... to bring all under the emperor's power."—Thomas the Rymer, On Parliaments (d. 1298).
Horse, (a) "horse with four ears" (JE[364],a), apparently a reference to some form (or rather means) of punishment—the gallows (or mare with three legs), the pillory, or the timber-mare (or horse) for flogging purposes. Probably the latter, as its construction would justify the "four ears" of the text.
(b) see Grass.
Horsibus, see Breadibus.
Hours, see Prime.
Huffa Gallant, see Rutter.