[198] _To lie at the ward_ was, and is still, a term in fencing; thus Fairfax, translating the fight between Tancred and Argantes in the 6th book of Tasso's "Jerusalem Delivered," says-- "Close _at his surest ward_ each champion _lieth_." --"Godfrey of Bulloigne," 1600. [199] The _exit_ of Salisbury is not marked, but it of course takes place here. [200] It seems singular that the author of this play should confound two such persons as the Shoemaker of Bradford, who made all comers "vail their staves," and George-a-Greene, the Pinner of Wakefield; yet such is the case in the text. The exploits of both are celebrated in the play of "The Pinner of Wakefield" (in Dyce's editions of Greene's Works), which seems to have been popular. Nevertheless Henslowe in his MSS. speaks of George-a-Greene as one dramatic piece, and of "The Pinner of Wakefield" as another, as if they were two distinct heroes. See "Malone's Shakespeare," by Boswell, iii. 300. Munday also makes Scathlock and Scarlet two separate persons. [Munday does not confound the Pinder of Wakefield with the Bradford hero, for he expressly distinguishes between them; but he errs in giving the latter the name of George-a-Greene.] [201] To _record_, as applied to birds, is synonymous to the verb to _sing_: thus in "The Spanish Tragedy," act ii.-- "Hark, madam, how the _birds record_ by night." Shakespeare so employs the word in his "Two Gentlemen of Verona," act v. sc. 4, and in the notes upon the passage more than sufficient instances are collected. [202] The 4to reads "the lawless _Rener_" [the _n_ being misprinted for _u_]. [203] _Mort_ was the old cant word for a _wench_, and was synonymous with _doxy_, which is still sometimes in use. An explanation, for such as require it, may be found in Dekker'a "Bellman of London," ed. 1616, sig. N. [204] Mr Todd, in his "Dictionary," thus explains the word _belive_: "Speedily, quickly; it is still common in Westmoreland for _presently_, which sense, implying a little delay, like our expression of _by and by_, was formerly the general acceptation of the word." Spenser uses it not unfrequently-- "Perdie, Sir Knight," said then the enchanter _b'live_, "That shall I shortly purchase to your bond." --"Faerie Queene," b. ii. c. iii. st. 18. [205] _Manchet_ is fine white bread: _panis candidior et purior_. [206] It seems agreed by the commentators on the word _proface_ (which Shakespeare uses in "Henry IV. Part II.," act v. sc. 3), that it means in fact what Robin Hood has already said: "Much good may it do you." It is disputed whether it be derived from the French or the Italian; Mr Todd gives _prouface_ as the etymology, and Malone _pro vi faccia_, but in fact they are one and the same. It occurs in "The Widow's Tears," act iv. sc. 1, where Ero is eating and drinking in the tomb. [Compare Dyce's "Shakespeare," 1868, Gloss, in v.]