[244] _Tartarian_ seems to have been a cant word for a thief. In "The Wandering Jew," 1640, p. 3, the Hangman says, "I pray (Mr Jew) bestow a cast of your office upon me (a poor member of the Law), by telling me my fortune, whether I shall die in my bed or no, or what else shall happen to me; and if any thieving _Tartarian_ shall break in upon you, I will with both hands nimbly lend a cast of my office to him." [245] Before the use of carpets was introduced into England, it was customary to strew the floors of rooms with rushes. This practice is often mentioned. So in "Arden of Feversham," 1592-- ALES. In vaine we strive, for here his blood remains. Mos. Why, strew rushes on it, can you not? Again, in Ben Jonson's "Cynthia's Revels," act ii. sc. 5: "That all the ladies and gallants lye languishing _upon the rushes_, like so many pounded cattle i' the midst of harvest," &c. And in Dekker's "Bel-man of London," sig. B 4: "The windowes were spread with hearbs, the chimney drest up with greene boughes, and the _floore strewed with bulrushes_, as if some lasse were that morning to be married." See also Holinshed's "Chronicle," vol. ii. p. 1706, [and compare a passage at p. 177 of present vol.] [246] So in "The Merchant of Venice" Stephano says of Portia-- "My mistress will before the break of day Be here at Belmont: she doth stray about _By holy crosses, where she kneds and prays_ _For happy wedlock hours"_ [247] In Hertfordshire, now called Cheshunt. [248] [Old copies, _dogs--simple_, and in the next line, _curs eat_.] [249] [Old copies, _or--sure_.] [250] At Cheshunt there was a Benedictine nunnery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was founded before the year 1183, and augmented with lands and tenements of the Canons of Cathale, in the twenty-fourth year of King Henry the Third; but yet upon the general dissolution it was valued only at £14, 1s. per annum. See "England Illustrated," 1764, i. 318. [251] The departure of Sir Arthur and his wife is not mentioned in the old copies.--_Collier._ [252] The line was spoilt by the omission of the repetition of the word _good_ by Mr Reed.--_Collier._ [253] This cant phrase is common in the old plays. Mr Tollet supposes it taken from the Italian _via,_ and to be used on occasions to quicken or pluck up courage. See note to the "Merry Wives of Windsor," act ii. sc. 2. It here [and elsewhere] signifies _away_! So, in "Edward the Third," act ii. sc. 2-- "Then _via_ for the spacious bounds of France." In Jonson's "Devil is an Ass," act ii. sc. 1-- "Let her go: _Via, pecunia_." Again, in "Eastward Hoe! "-- "Avaunt. dull flat-cap then! _Via_, the curtain that shadowed Borgia! There lie, thou husk of my envassall'd state." And in Marston's "What you Will," act ii.-- "Come now, _via,_ aloune to Celia." See also "Mons. Thomas," act ii. sc. 2. [254] The first line of Virgil's first "Eclogue."