[258] This is the only part of female dress mentioned in this speech that seems to require a note. The "vardingale (or farthingale) of vain boast" is peculiarly appropriate, since a farthingale consisted of a very wide, expanded skirt, puffed out to show off the attire, and distort the figure of a lady. In modern times it bears a different name. [259] [Good-bye.] [260] [Old copy, _house_; but Simplicity is enumerating the new articles of attire he proposed to purchase.] [261] [He addresses the audience.] [262] [Old copy, _auditorie_.] [263] [Old copy, _proofe it fits of_.] [264] [Old copy, _a_.] [265] [Old copy, in the preceding line, _ever_.] This and the following lines afford a note of time, and show that the drama was written and acted during the preparation of the great Armada, and perhaps before its total defeat. [266] [The old copy reads, _peerlesse, of the rarest price_, which destroys the metre. The writer probably wrote _peerless_, and then, finding it inconvenient as regarded the measure, substituted the other phrase, without striking out the first word, so that the printer inserted both.] [267] [Old copy, _when_.] [268] See "Henry IV.," Part I., act ii. sc 1, respecting "burning cressets." In a note, Steevens quotes the above line in explanation of Shakespeare. [269] [The concluding portion of the speech is supposed to be overheard by Fraud and the others.] [270] The ordinary cry of the apprentices of London, when they wished to raise their fellows to take their part in any commotion. It is mentioned in many old writers. [271] A trouchman was an interpreter [literally, a truceman]: "For he that is the Trouchman of a Straungers tongue may well declare his meaning, but yet shall marre the grace of his Tale" (G. Whetstone's "Heptameron," 1582). [272] [Old copy, _trunke_.] [273] [This is to be pronounced as a trisyllable.] [274] [In the old copy this line is printed thus-- "Quid tibi cum domini mox servient miseri nobis; discede."] [275] [In the old copy this line is divided between Policy and Pomp improperly.] [276] [Might my advice be heard.] [277] [Old copy, _wished_.] [278] [Old copy, _we_.] [279] [Old copy, _Ne. Fra., Nemo_ being retained by error.] [280] [The entrance of Diligence is marked here in old copy; but he was already on the stage.] [281] [Simplicity seems to intend the public-wealth.] [282] [An intentional (?) error for _buckram_.] [283] They "slipped aside" on p. 483, and now re-enter. The preceding stage direction ought to be _Exeunt_, because the lords go out as well as Simplicity. [284] [Committal, prior to trial.] [285] That is, under the protection of their husbands--a legal phrase, not yet strictly applicable, as the ladies are not to be married to the lords until the next day-- "And even to-morrow is the marriage-day." [286] [Old copy, _a_.] [287] [Old copy, _noble_; the emendation was suggested by Mr Collier.] [288] Old copy, _vetuous_.