[1] _Refuse me_, or _God refuse me_, appears to have been among the fashionable modes of swearing in our author's time. So in "The White Devil," act i. sc. 1, Flamineo says, _God refuse me._ Again, in "A Dogge of Warre," by Taylor the Water-poet, Works, 1630, p. 229-- "Some like Dominicall Letters goe, In scarlet from the top to toe, Whose valours talke and smoake all; Who make (God sink 'em) their discourse _Refuse_, Renounce, or Dam that's worse: I wish a halter choake all." Again, in "The Gamester," by Shirley, Wilding says, "_Refuse me_, if I did." [2] _Not_ is omitted in the 4º.--_Collier._ [3] See [Randolph's Works, by Hazlitt, p. 179.] [4] See note to "_The Heir_," [vol. xi. 535.] [5] Standing unseen for the present.--_Collier._ [6] The 4º reads _Look, look upon, and ready_, &c.--_Collier._ [7] A proverb or wise saying. So in "The Wife of Bath's Prologue," l. 6240-- "But all for nought, I sette not an hawe Of his Proverbes, ne of his _olde sawe_." [8] Distrained. So in "Thomas, Lord Cromwell," 1602-- "His furniture fully worth half so much, Which being all _strain'd_ for the king, He frankly gave it to the Antwerp merchants." [9] The 4º reads _four pence and ninepence_. This play, in the former editions, is very incorrectly printed. [10] So in Massinger's "Maid of Honour," act iv. sc. 5, Sylli says, "The King ... _break girdle, break_!" Again, Falstaff says, in the "First Part of King Henry IV."-- "Dost thou think I'll fear thee as I fear thy father? Nay, an' if I do, let _my girdle break_." To explain the phrase "_may my girdle break_," it should be remembered that the purse was anciently worn hanging at the girdle. Hence the propriety of Trincalo's complaint, that while Ronca embraced him his "purse shook dangerously." See "Albumazar," act iii. sc. 7 [xi. 368]. [11] The 4º reads _Oculies, Oculies_.--_Collier._ [12] [Six-shilling beer, a stronger kind than that previously described as four-shilling.] [13] _Look, he'll steal nothing to feast his bawds_, is the reading of the old copy.--_Collier._ [14] Highway. [15] These interjections probably mean to express that Alexander hiccups in the course of what he says.--_Collier._ [16] [In allusion to Alexander.] [17] [A tavern so called.] [18] The aversion of the _Puritans_ to a _surplice_ is alluded to in many of the old comedies. See several instances in Mr Steevens's note to "All's Well that Ends Well," act i. sc. 3. [19] [Two footpads, who seem to have frequented the purlieus of Coomb Park. Sham military men were as common at that time as now.] [20] The park belonging to Coomb House. [21] But two quavers make one crotchet: this seems to be false wit, having no foundation in truth.--_Pegge._ [22] Highwaymen or robbers were formerly called _Saint Nicholas' clerks_. See notes by Bishop Warburton and Mr Steevens on the "First Part of King Henry IV.," act ii. sc. 1.