"Originally the law was held that no man should be admitted to the privilege of clergy, but such as had the _habitum et tonsuram clericalem_. But in process of time a much wider and more comprehensive criterion was established; every one that could read (a mark of great learning in those days of ignorance and her sister superstition) being accounted a clerk or _clericus_, and allowed the benefit of clerkship, though neither initiated in holy orders, nor trimmed with the clerical tonsure."--Blackstone's "Com.," iv. b. iv, ch. 28. We have already seen that the king and nobles in this play called in the aid of Friar Tuck to read the inscription on the stag's collar, though the king could ascertain that it was in Saxon characters. [287] This account of the death of Robin Hood varies from all the popular narratives and ballads. The MS. Sloan, 715, nu. 7, f. 157, agrees with the ballad in Ritson, ii. 183, that he was treacherously bled to death by the Prioress of Kirksley. [288] The first act has already occupied too much space, but it was difficult to divide it: in fact, as Friar Tuck says, it is a "short play," complete in itself. What follows is an induction to the rest of the story, the Friar continuing on the stage after the others have gone out. [289] The 4to. reads thus-- "Apollo's _master doone_ I invocate," but probably we ought to read-- "Apollo's _masterdom_ I invocate," and the text has been altered accordingly. _Masterdom_ means _power, rule_; to invocate Apollo's masterdom is therefore to invocate Apollo's power to assist the Friar in his undertaking. [290] _Enter in black_ is the whole of the stage direction, and those who enter are afterwards designated by the letters _Cho_. Perhaps the principal performers arrive attired in black, and are mentioned as _Chorus_, one speaking for the rest. _Cho_. may, however, be a misprint for _Chester_, who was sent in to "attire him." [291] [In the new edit. of Nares the present passage is cited for _ill-part_, which is queried to mean _ill-conditioned_. Perhaps it is equivalent to _malapert_.] [292] [Old copy, _de Brun_.] "John married Isabel, the daughter and heiress of the Earl of Angoulesme, who was before affianced to _Hugh le Brun_, Earl of March (a peer of great estate and excellence in France), by the consent of King Richard, in whose custody she then was." --Daniel's "History of England." [293] [Old copy, _lose_.] [294] _Led by the F.K. and L_. means, as afterwards appears, the _French king_, and _Lord_ Hugh le Brun, Earl of North March. [295] The entrance of Bonville is omitted in the 4to. [296] These _Lords_, as we afterwards find, are old Aubrey de Vere, Hubert, and Mowbray. [297] [Old copy, _troops_.] [298] [Old copy, _triumphs_.] [299] Lodge was in the habit of using the adjective for the substantive, especially _fair_ for _fairness_; one example is enough--