Part 22

CHAMPION, "now is a _champion_ field" (R200,_d_), _i.e._ champagne = flat open country. "Fra the thine thay went fourty dayes, and come intille a _champayne_ cuntree that was alle barayne, and na hye place, ne na hilles mighte be sene on na syde."--_MS. Lincoln_, A. i. 17, f. 31. "... the Canaanites, which dwell in the _champaign_ over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?"--_Bible_, Auth. Ver. (1611), _Deut._ xi. 30. "The verdant meads are drest in green, The _champion_ fields with corn are seen."--_Poor Robin_ (1694).

CHARITY, see St. Charity.

CHAVE (_passim_), I have--[i]ch 'ave.

CHECK, "let us con well our neck-verse that we have not a _check_" (M23,_c_), _i.e._ be hung.

CHERY-TIME, "but a _chery-time_" (M12,_a_), a short time, "like cherry blossoms" (Furnivall and Pollard).

CHE[VI]SANCE, "the new _che[vi]sance_" (M29,_a_), _chesance_ in original: usually _chevisance_ = treaty, agreement, bargain; but here, as Mischief is speaking of the food and other cheer he has stolen, the meaning may be gain, booty, plunder, spoil. "Eschaunges and _chevysaunces_, with swich chaffare I dele."--Langland, _P. Plowman_ (1363), 2969.

CHILL (_passim_), I will--'ch 'ill.

CHIVE, "I warrant him a _chive_" (R185,_d_), a chip, fragment: a small standard of value. "If any _chive_, chip, or dust skip into the eye, ... then can you not cure the eye but by removing and drawing the said _chive_."--Barrough, _Method of Physick_ (1624.)

CHOP, CHOPE (_a_) "in nomine Patris, _chope_ ... Ye shall not _chop_ my jewels" (M20,_a_), in both cases the original has _choppe_; but as Nought and New Guise were funning and punning, I have preserved the play on the words which I think was intended--_chope_ = ch'ope (I hope) and _chop_ = cut off; but the student can choose, and regard the first _chop_ also to mean "cut!" "strike!" "_Chope_ you'll consider my pain."--_Misogonus_, Anon. Plays, 2 Ser. (E.E.D.S.), 210_b_.

(_b_) "Into a deanery ... to _chop_" (R223,_d_). Mr. Magnus glosses this as "snap"; but is it not used in the closer sense of _to pop_? cf. _chop-church_ = (1) one who exchanges livings, or (2) such an act of barter. "As flise at libertee in and out might _chop_."--Heywood, _Spider and Flie_ (1556), _Works_, III. (E.E.D.S.).

CHOULD (_passim_), I would--'ch 'ould.

CHRISTENDOM, "by my _christendom_" (R196,_d_). See E.E.D.S., _Anon. Plays_, Series 2 and 3, Note-Books, _s.v._ 4.2]

CHRISTMAS DEVICE (R179,_b_), Christmas was better kept as a festival in olden times than in modern days, lasting at this period from Christmas Eve to Old Christmas Day or Twelfth night. At Court, and in the Inns of Court, high revel was kept; from references such as the above it is clear that many a play was specially written for, and first presented at, these festivals. The sources of detailed descriptions are too well known to need particular reference.

CHRISTMAS SONG (M15,_d_; 16,_a_ to _c_). Prof. Manly omits this precious production; perhaps rightly in view of his text being prepared for class-room use; the E.E.T. Society's issue gives it as a matter of course, as do I.

CHURCH, "a _church_ here beside," etc. (M28,_b_), _i.e._ the abbey larder should provide the requisite cheer.

CHURCH-STILE, "on the _church stile_" (M26,_a_), a stile in, or leading to, the precincts of the church.

CHWAS (_passim_), I was--'ch was.

CLARIFY, "This question to _clarify_" (M5,_a_), make clear or intelligible, answer, clear up. "A word to you I wold _claryfy_."--_Towneley Myst._, p. 67.

CLASH, "at _clash_ and cards" (IP338,_b_), bawdy talk, gossiping, tittle-tattle, quarrelling. "Good Lord! what fiery _clashings_ we have had lately for a cap and a surplice!"--Howell, _Lett._ (1644-45), iv. 29.

CLAWBACK, "you flearing _clawback_ you" (R188,_a_), lickspittle, flatterer. The whole passage is a striking early instance of sarcastic vituperation, and the gradual piling up of the weight of abuse.

CLEAN, "a clean gentleman" (M22,_a_), fair, comely, noble: a general appreciative. "With the _clennest_ _cumpanye_ that euer king ladde."--_Will. of Paleren_ (_c._ 1360), 1609.

CLEPE, "if I should _clepe_ to memory" (N45,_a_), call. "I shall inwardly _clepe_ the Lord."--Wycliffe, _Psalm_ xvii. 4.

CLERICAL, "_clerical_ manner" (M8,_b_),--"a _clerical_ matter" (M26,_a_), clerk-like, scholarly, abstruse, learned.

CLOTHES, "the _clothes_ of thy _shoon_" (M35,_b_), generic for fabric and material as well as for dress and apparel.

CLOUTERY, (R263,_d_). Mr. Magnus glosses this as "mending," and probably he is right. On the other hand, a glance may be given to the Northern _clouter_ = to do dirty work.

COBS, "the great _cobs_" (R232,_d_), a rich but grasping person, a person of superior rank and power. "Susteynid is not by personis lowe, But _cobbis_ grete this riote sustene."--_Occleve, MS. Soc. Antiq._ 134, f. 267. "But, at leisure, ther must be some of the gret _cobbes_ served likewise, and the king to have ther landes likewise, as, God willing, he shall have th' erle of Kildares in possession, or somer passe."--_State_ _Papers_, ii. 228 (Nares).

COCK'S (_passim_), God's. Hence _Cock's body sacred_ = God's consecrated body.

COMMEDIENS, "as _commediens_ vor us" (R212,_a_), commodious.

COMMODITY (_passim_), advantage and many allied senses: see other volumes of this series.

COMPANABLE, "such as be _companable_" (N62,_a_), affable, sociable, companionable. "Frendly to ben and _compaygnable_ at al." _MS. Fairfax 16_.

CONFORMED, see Respublica.

CONGY, "a little pretty _congy_" (N60,_d_), bow of salutation.

CONVERT, "thine eyes to me _convert_" (R238,_c_), turn, move.

CONVERTIBLE (M33,_b_), unstedfast, changeable.

CONVICT, "_convict_ them" (M19,_a_)--"Mercy shall never be _convict_ of his uncurtess condition" (M34,_a_), conquer, persuade.

CONVINCED, "they shall be _convinced_" (R246,_b_), convicted: cf. convict. "Which of you _convinceth_ me of sin?"--_Bible_, Auth. Vers. (1611), _John_ viii. 46.

COPED, (_a_) "Christ's _coped_ curse" (M36,_a_); in original _coppyde_: cf. _copie_, _copy_ = abundance, plenty (Trevisa, i. 301), and _copped_, _coppyd_ = rising to a point, heaped-up as a measure; hence "Christ's _copious_, abundant, overflowing malediction." "This Spayne ... hath grete _copy_, and plente of castelles."--_Trevisa_, i. 301.

(_b_) "he is so _copped_" (R213,_a_), apparently a variant of _coppet_ = saucy, impudent, overbearing.

COPY, "change our _copy_" (R202,_b_), manner.

CORROMPT, "Is should be _corrompt_ therefore" (R256,_b_); punished is meant, but the usual sense is "corrupted."

COUCH, "I will _couch_ you all up" (R216,_b_), conceal, hide away, put in safe keeping. "In the seler of Juppiter ther ben _couched_ two tunnes."--Chaucer, _Boethius_, p. 35.

COURTESY, "the _courtesy of England_ is oft to kiss" (JE356,_d_). In _The English Historical Review_ (vol. vii., p. 270) there is an article by Major Martin A.S. Hume on "Philip's visit to England" in 1554. The article is founded on a Spanish account written by Andres Muñoz, a servant in the household of Don Carlos, Philip's son, then a child. Muñoz did not himself go to England, but probably got his account from someone, much in the same position as himself, who did go. The writer describes how Philip met Queen Mary at Winchester, "_and kissed her on the_ _mouth, in the English fashion_." On taking leave Philip was introduced to Mary's ladies, all of whom he kissed "_so as not_ (says Muñoz) _to break the custom_ _of the country, which is a very good one_." This no doubt explains the passage in the play, but there was at law another _courtesy of England_ with which, in the origins, it may have some obscure connection. Cowel, in his _Law Dictionary_ (1607), describes a tenure by which, if a man marry an inheritrix, that is, a woman seised of land, and getteth a child of her that comes alive into the world, though both the child and his wife die forthwith, yet, if she were in possession, shall he keep the land during his life, and is called tenant _per legem Angliæ_, or by the _courtesy of England_.

COURTNALS, "a zort of _courtnalls_" (R255,_d_), courtiers: in contempt (Halliwell).

COURT SPIRITUAL (JP343,_b_), Abundance was accused of fornication, and so came under ecclesiastical jurisdiction. These courts were made separate to the Secular or Civil Courts in 1085, but until the establishment of the Divorce and Probate Courts in 1857 the Ecclesiastical Courts took cognisance of blasphemy, apostasy, heresy, schism, ordinations, matters pertaining to benefices, matrimony, divorces, bastardy, tithes, incest, fornication, adultery, probate of wills, administrations, and similar matters (Haydn).

CREANCE, "chief of His _creance_" (N45,_d_), ordinarily faith, belief, credit, payment: I subjoin examples of each usage, but neither seem to fit the sense. There is an alternative which is nearer the mark, in the Latin _creans_, pr. p. of _creo_, to create; but I find no authority beyond _creant_, which, as far as I know, is modern: see last example. "This mayden tauzte the _creance_ Unto this wyf so perfitly."--Gower, _MS._ _Soc. Antiq._ 134, f. 66. "And with his precyous bloode he wroote the bills Upon the crosse, as general acquytaunce To every penytent in ful _creaunce_."--_Rom._ _of the Monk_, Sion College MS. "The _creant_ word Which thrilled around us."--Mrs. Browning.

CREASETH, "when she _creaseth_ again" (N44,_a_), short for _increaseth_.

CREATURE (R. _passim_), throughout a trisyllable.

CROW, see Clawback.

CUCULORUM, "taken with a _cuculorum_" (JE352,_d_), the rhyming exigency no doubt influenced the form of the word, but in any case the use is obscure, probably slang now lost. Whether, however, it originated in _cucullus_, a hood, or _cuculus_, a cuckoo (whence cuckold), or whether the word enshrines a play on both, I cannot say.

CUMBERLAND, see Respublica.

CURIA, etc. (M30,_c_), the proceedings of Manorial Courts were generally headed "_Curia_ generalis tenta ibidem," etc. Mischief, with assumed official authority, means that the document was written in an alehouse (or where ale was plenty) with a sham date.

CUSTODITY, "in my _custodity_" (R266,_d_), custody.

CUT, "Call me _cut_" (N54,_b_), properly a gelding or any animal with a short or cut tail, and specifically an intensive reproach. The classical illustration to the present passage is, of course, from Shakespeare, "If I tell thee a lie, spit in my face and call me horse" (_1 Hen. IV._, ii. 1). Compare again, "cutted whore" (N66_d_): see other volumes of this series.

DAINTY, "men have little _dainty_ of your play" (M13,_b_), _i.e._ little that is agreeable or pleasant, small liking for or delight in. "It was _daynte_ for to see the cheere bitwix hem two."--Chaucer, _Cant._ _Tales_ (1383), 8983. "... and all things which were _dainty_ and goodly are departed from thee, ..."--_Bible_, Auth. Vers. (1611), _Rev._ xviii. 14.

DAISY, "leap at a _daisy_" (R243,_c_), be hanged: see _Anon. Plays_, 3 Ser. (E.E.D.S.).

DALLIATION, "leave your _dalliation_" (M5,_a_), dallying.

DALLY, "quit as a _dally_" (JE365,_b_), what "a tale of titmary tally" (see previous line) or "quit as a _dally_" mean I am unable to discover. The original is, "She helde me with a tale of tytemary tally Tyll my thryfte was gone as quyte as a _dally_."

DA PACEM (M31,_d_), literally "give us peace"; here slang for a knife or dagger: cf. modern "Arkansas toothpick" = a bowie knife, "Meat-in-the-pot" = a gun, and similar locutions.

DARNEL, see Drawk.

DEAMBULATORY (M37,_c_), a covered walk, cloister, ambulatory.

DELECTABLE, "my talking _delectable_" (M5,_d_), pleasing, delightful.

DELVER (_passim_), delve.

DEPARTED, DEPART, (_a_) "how I _departed_ them" (N80,_b_).

(_b_) "till death us _depart_" (WS172,_d_), _i.e._ (_a_) left them; (_b_) till death divides, or parts: now corrupted in the Marriage Service into "do part." "We wille _departe_ his clothing."--_Towneley_ _Myst._, p. 228.

DESTRUCTIONS, "_destructions_ to 'member in my heart" (R234,_d_), instructions: part of People's mangled English.

DETECTED, "ne'er of any crime _detected_" (R183,_b_), possibly here = accused.

DEVER, "put me in _dever_" (M24,_d_), duty, service. "Do the _deuer_ that thow hast to done."--_William_ _of Palerne_ (_c._ 1360), 2546.

DEVOSE, "we must _devose_ how that we may" (WH289,_a_), devise.

DIALECT AND JARGON, see Respublica, Wealth and Health.

DINTY, "no _dinty_ to do" (N49,_d_), pleasure, liking: see Dainty.

DISEASE (_passim_), generic for absence of ease--discomfort, annoyance, trouble, difficulty, sorrow, etc.: see other volumes of this series.

DISPECTIBLE, "thou art _dispectible_" (M33,_c_), despicable.

DISPECTUOUS, "_dispectuous_ and odible" (M33,_a_), unsightly: see previous entry.

DIVUM, "_Divum este justlum weste_" (R232,_c_), Prof. Brandl suggests _Divites estis justi fuistis_.

DO, see Way.

DOGS, "hungry _dogs_ will slab up sluttish puddings" (R221,_a_), see Heywood, _Works_ (E.E.D.S.), II. 14_a_; 357,_d_(_n_).

DORT, "a shrewd crank _dort_" (N83,_d_), fit of sulks, a pet, sullen humour.

DOUBLER, "both dish and _doubler_" (M29,_a_), a large dish, plate, or bowl. "A dysche other a _dobler_ that dryghtyn onez serued."--_Early Eng. Allit. Poems_; Cleanness, 1145.

DRAFF, "driff, _draff_, mish, mash" (M5,_b_), rubbish, refuse, dregs: see other volumes of this series. _Mish, mash_ = mess.

DRAWK, "_drawk_ and ... _darnel_" (M24,_a_), a weed very similar to darnel--_Bromus secalinus_; _darnel_ is _Lolium perenne_.

DRIFF, see Draff.

DRIFFE, "hence I will you _driffe_" (M17,_d_), drive.

DRIVEL, "live thus like a _drivel_" (N61,_b_), a generic reproach; drudge, servant, idiot, dotard, fool; see other volumes of this series.

DROUSE, "a hounded _drouse_" (WH288,_d_), in view of the wretched printing of this play it serves little useful purpose to suggest a correct reading; the most probable would seem to be _hounded_ = hundred and _drouse_ = douse; _i.e._ a god give him a hundred duckings.

DUTCH JARGON, see Wealth and Health.

EACHWHERE, "_eachwhere_ sore hated" (R197,_a_), everywhere.

EDWARDS, "angelots and _Edwards_" (R216,_d_), see Angelots. I am further inclined to doubt whether the pieces referred to were of current or recent striking. It is true Edward VI. reformed the coinage, but as the angelots (at least) are specifically referred to as "old," and as the angelot is probably that of 1420, the _Edward_ is also likely to be the angel of Edward IV. introduced in 1465, which bears an effigy of that king. The angel of Edward VI., of the third coinage of the reign, _does not bear an effigy of Edward VI._ It may not be out of place to detail the various issues, though this cannot, of course, settle the point as to what coin was meant by the _Edward_. Kenyon, on "The Gold Coins of England," says there were four distinct series of _gold_ coins issued during the reign of Edward VI. _First Coinage_ (_January 1546-47_):--HALF-SOVEREIGNS (value 10s.). _Obverse_--king in robes and crowned, enthroned, the figure of an angel on each arm of the throne; _reverse_--shield bearing arms of France and England quarterly, supported by lion and dragon. CROWN (value 5s.). _Obverse_--rose, crowned; _reverse_--shield with arms, crowned. HALF-CROWNS (value 2s. 6d.). Type like the crowns. _Second Coinage_ (1548):--TREBLE SOVEREIGN (value £3). Type like last half-sovereign, except that king has no robes, and holds a sword instead of a sceptre. SOVEREIGN (value £1). Same as £3, only with different mint-mark. HALF-SOVEREIGN (value 10s.). _Obverse_--bust in profile to right; _reverse_--oval shield, crowned, and garnished. CROWNS (value 5s.). Same as half-sovereign of this coinage. HALF-CROWNS (value 2s. 6d.). Same as half-sovereign of this coinage. _Third Coinage_ (1550):--DOUBLE SOVEREIGN (value 48s). _Obverse_--king seated, holding sceptre and orb; _reserve_--shield with arms, upon a large double rose. SOVEREIGN (value 24s.). Same as double sovereign. ANGEL (value 8s.). Type similar to angels of Henry VIII. The type seems to have been fixed in Henry VI.'s reign. The Archangel Michael was on the _obverse_, trampling with his left foot upon the dragon, and piercing him through the mouth with a spear. _Reverse_ has shield bearing arms of England and France upon a ship. [_No effigy of Edward VI._] ANGELET (value 4s.). Same as angel. _Fourth_ _Coinage_ (1552):--SOVEREIGN (value 20s.). _Obverse_.--three-quarter length of king in profile; _reverse_--same as sovereign of second coinage. HALF-SOVEREIGN (value 10s.). _Obverse_--same as sovereign; _reverse_--square shield crowned between E.R. CROWN (value 5s.). Same as half-sovereign. HALF-CROWN (value 2s. 6d.). Same as crown. Hawkins, on "The Silver Coins of England," says of Edward VI. SILVER _coinage_, there were GROATS, HALF-GROATS, PENNIES, HALF-PENNIES. _Note_--All silver. SHILLINGS--_Obverse_--king's bust in profile, crowned; _reverse_--arms upon an oval shield. CROWNS--_Obverse_--the king mounted on a horse; _reverse_--arms, and cross fleuree. HALF-CROWNS. Same as crowns. SHILLINGS--_Obverse_--the king on horsebark, galloping; _reverse_--a square-topped shield, crowned. SIXPENCE. Exactly the same as the shilling. THREEPENCE. Same as shilling. PENCE of this coinage (1552) occur both of fine and base metal. The _fine_ penny has (on the _obverse_) the king seated, with arms and cross on the _reverse_. The _base_ penny has a full-blown rose, instead of the enthroned king. HALF-PENCE are nearly the same as pence.

EMPERY, "in this _empery_" (N56,_d_), empire, dominion; also more loosely, region. "Ruling in large and ample _empery_ o'er France."--Shakespeare, _Henry V._ (1599), i. 2. "A lady So fair, and fastened to an _empery_, Would make the great'st king double."--Shakespeare, _Cymbeline_ (1605), i. 7.

EMPRISE, "th' _emprise_ of all this world" (N46,_a_), generally an undertaking more or less onerous or risky. Here--the responsibility of subduing and righteously governing the material creation. "Then shal rejoysen of a grete _empryse_ Acheved wel."--Chaucer, _Troilus and Cressida_ (1369), ii. 1391.

EMPROWED, "bought ... and _emprowed_" (R219,_a_), improved: with an eye to a higher rent.

ENCHESON, "for th' _encheson_" (N43,_c_), reason, cause, occasion. "Certes, said he, well mote I shame to tell The fond _encheason_ that me hither led."--Spenser, _Fairy Queen_ (1590), II. i. 30.

ENCROACHING OF LANDS, see Respublica.

ENDRAIT, "live after that _endrait_" (N59,_d_), quality.

ENFORMED, see Respublica.

ENGLAND, see Courtesy.

ENQUEST, see Inquest.

ENTRIKED, "I am wondrously _entriked_" (N55,_c_; 59_c_), deceived, entangled, tricked, hindered. "That mirrour hath me now _entriked_."--_Romaunt of the Rose_, 1642.

ENTUNES, "_entunes_ in silence of the night" (N45,_a_), songs, tunes, chants, melodies. "So mery a soune, so swete _entewnes_."--Chaucer, _Boke of the Duchesse_ (1371), 307.

ENURE, "myself to _enure_" (N48,_b_), use, make a habit of, accustom. "He gan that Ladie strongly to appele Of many haynous crymes by her _enured_."--Spenser, _Fairy Queen_ (1596), v. ix. 39.

ENVIES, "to see ... _envies_ take in a trap" (R257,_b_), enemies.

EQUITY, see Mankind, _Amended Readings_.

ERCH (_passim_), ere I--er' 'ch--ere ich.

ESCHEATS, "the blind _escheats_" (R183,_d_), lands or tenements which fell to the crown or lord of the fee through failure of heirs or corruption of blood: the latter kind was abolished by the Felony Act, 33 & 34 Vict., ch. xxiii. "The last consequence of tenure in chivalry was _escheat_; which took place if the tenant died without heirs of his blood, or if his blood was corrupted by commission of treason or felony. In such cases the land escheated or fell back to the lord--that is, the tenure was determined by breach of the original condition of the feudal donation. In the one case there were no heirs of the blood of the first feudatory, to which heirs alone the grant of the feud extended; in the other the tenant, by perpetrating an atrocious crime, forfeited his feud, which he held under the implied condition that he should not be a traitor or felon."--Blackstone, _Commentaries_, bk. ii., ch. 3.

EXALTATIONS, "follow their good _exaltations_" (R234,_d_), exhortations.

EXTENT, "at the highest _extent_," etc. (R219,_a_), sale under compulsory powers (M).

EXTREATS, "the scape of extreats" (R183,_d_), _i.e._ estreats, enforced by trick. At law an estreat is an official copy of the specification of fines or penalties (such as a forfeited recognisance for use of the bailiff or sheriff's officer in levying). "A forfeited recognisance," if taken by a justice of the peace, "is certified to the next sessions; and if the condition be broken by any breach of the peace in the one case, or any misbehaviour in the other, the recognisance becomes forfeited or absolute; and being _estreated_ or extracted, taken out from among the other records, and sent up to the Exchequer; the party and his sureties, having now become absolute debtors of the Crown, are sued for the several sums in which they are respectively bound."--Blackstone, _Comment._, bk. iv., ch. 18. See Respublica for authorities dealing with the systems of extortion referred to in these lines.

FAITOUR, "ye are no _faitour_" (M12,_c_), deceiver, imposter: a generic reproach. "There be many of you _faitours_."--Gower, _Confessio Amantis_ (1393), i. 47.

FALL, "_fall_ back, _fall_ edge" (R250,_b_), _i.e._ whichever way it turns out I am prepared (edge = aside or sideways).

FARTHING, "I may not change a man a _farthing_" (M18,_b_), in the least or smallest degree. A farthing, the fourth part of a penny, and the smallest copper coin current in Great Britain, is mentioned as far back as Robert of Gloucester. It seems to have become a simile of small value or amount in most early writers. "In hire suppe was no _ferthing_ sene Of grese, whan she dronken hadde hire drauht."--Chaucer, _Cant. Tales_ (1383), Prologue, 134.

FASHION, see I-fashion.

FEATHER, "_feather_ my nest" (R183,_b_); this proverbial saying does not occur in Heywood.

FELL, "the world, the flesh, and the _fell_" (M39,_c_), the devil (Furnivall & Pollard).

FELLOWSHIP, "flee that _fellowship_" (M32,_b_), company, body of associates, confederacy, joint interest. "Parry felle in _felaschepe_ with Willyum Hasard at Querles."--_Paston Letters_, i. 83. "Antenor fleenge with his _felowschippe_."--_Trevisa_, i. 273.

FEOFFED, "_feoffed_ thee with all" (N46,_a_), endowed. "May God forbid to _feffe_ you so with grace."--Chaucer, _Court of Love_.

FERE, "create to be his _fere_" (N49,_b_), companion, partner, fellow. "He wod into the water, his _feren_ him bysyde."--_Political Songs_, p. 217.