[436] A _choppine_, or _chioppine_, was a high shoe worn by the Italians. Tom Coriate calls them _chapineys_, and gives the following account of them: "There is one thing used of the Venetian women, and some others dwelling in the cities and townes subject to the Signiory of Venice, that is not to be observed (I thinke) amongst any other women in Christendome; which is so common in Venice, that no woman whatsoever goeth without it, either in her house or abroad, _a thing made of wood, and covered with leather of sundry colors, some with white, some redde, some yellow. It is called a chapiney, which they wears under their shoes._ Many of them are curiously painted; some also I have seene fairly gilt; so uncomely a thing (in my opinion) that it is pitty this foolish custom is not cleane banished and exterminated out of the citie. _There are many of these chapineys of a great heighth, even half a yard high_, which maketh many of their women that are very short seeme much taller than the tallest women we have in England. Also I have heard that this is observed among them, that by how much the nobler a women is, by so much the higher are her chapineys. All their gentlewomen, and most of their wives and widowes that are of any wealth, are assisted and supported eyther by men or women when they walke abroad, to the end they may not fall. They are borne up most commonly by the left arme, otherwise they might quickly take a fall."--"Crudities," 1611, p. 262. See also Mr Steevens's note on "Hamlet," act ii. sc. 2, [and Hazlitt's "Venice," iv. 284.] [437] [Edits., _buffolne_.] [438] The lines printed in italics are taken from "The Spanish Tragedy," [v. 54.] [439] [Not in Edits.] [440] [Edits., _supplants_.] [441] [Edits. unnecessarily repeat _fresh_, to the injury of the metre.] [442] [He quotes Sir Oliver's own words against him. See p. 314.] [443] [Edits., _our_.] EPILOGUS. Thus two hours have brought to end What many tedious hours have penn'd: He dares not glory nor distrust; But he (as other writers must) Submits the tensures[444] of his pains To those, whose wit and nimble brains Are able best to judge: and as for some Who, filled with malice, hither come To belch their poison on his labour, Of them he doth entreat no favour; But bids them hang or soon amend, For worth shall still itself defend. And for ourselves we do desire, You'll breathe on us that glowing[445] fire, By which in time we may obtain Like favours which some others gain; For be assur'd our loves shall tend To equal theirs, if not transcend. FOOTNOTES: [444] [Exertions.] [445] [Old copies, _growing_.] THE SECOND MAIDEN'S TRAGEDY. PREFACE TO THE FORMER EDITION[446].