[43] The word _spirit_ in our old poets was often pronounced as one syllable, and hence, in fact, the corruption _sprite_. This line is not measure without so reading it. [44] This is the first line of Scudmore's answer; but in the old copy that and the eighteen lines following it are given to Nevill. [45] [Old copy, _then_.] [46] See note to "Hamlet," act i. sc. 2, for a collection of instances in which _resolve_ means _dissolve_. Probably the latest example is to be found in Pope's "Homer"-- "The phantom said, then vanish'd from his sight, _Resolves_ to air, and mixes with the night." --"Iliad," b. ii. In some recent editions it has been thought an improvement to alter _resolves_ to _dissolves_. [47] [Old copy, _under-born fortunes under their merits_.] [48] [Old copy reads-- "Or in strange arguments against ourselves, Foul bawdry, and stark," &c.] [49] [Old copy, _a_.] [50] The old word for engineer: so in Heywood's "Edward IV., Part II.," 1600, sig. M 3-- "But it was not you At whom the fatal _enginer_ did aim." Ben Jonson uses it in his "Cataline," act iii. sc. 4-- "The _enginers_ I told you of are working." [51] A well-known instrument of torture. [52] Dekker, in his "Bellman of London," sig. H 2, explains _foist_ to be a pickpocket; and instances of the use of it in this sense, and as a rogue and cheater, may be found in many of our old writers. [53] It will be recollected that Brainworm, in "Every Man in his Humour," is represented upon a wooden leg, begging in Moorfields, like an old soldier. [See further in Hazlitt's "Popular Poetry," iv. 38-40.] [54] This passage, among others, is quoted by Steevens in a note to "Twelfth Night," to show that _cut_, which also means a _horse_, was employed as a term of abuse. In "Henry IV., Part I.," Falstaff, for the same purpose, uses _horse_ as synonymous with _cut:_ "Spit in my face, and call me _horse_." [55] [_i.e._, Furtively.] [56] [An allusion to the romance entitled "The Mirror of Knighthood."] [57] She has just referred to the well-known work "The Mirror of Knighthood," and by _Bevis_ she means Bevis of Hampton. _Arundel_ was the name of his horse, and _Morglay_ of his sword. Morglay is often used for a sword in general. [58] In the old copy it is printed _pinkanies_, and from what follows it seems that the expression has reference to the redness of Sir Abraham's eyes from soreness. The following passage is to the same effect: "'Twould make a horse break his bridle to hear how the youth of the village will commend me: 'O the pretty little _pinking nyes_ of Mopsa!' says one: 'O the fine fat lips of Mopsa!' says another."--Day's "Isle of Gulls," 1606, sig. D 4.