Arthurian romances; Lady of the Lake (Legendary character) -- Romances
95. Upsees. "Bacchanalian interjection, borrowed from the Dutch"
(Scott). Nares criticises Scott for using the word as a noun. It is
generally found in the phrases "upsee Dutch" and "upsee Freeze" (the
same thing, Frise being = Dutch), which appear to mean "in the Dutch
fashion." Cf. Ben Jonson, Alchemist, iv. 6:
"I do not like the dullness of your eye,
It hath a heavy east, 't is upsee Dutch;"
that is, looks like intoxication. See also Beaumont and Fletcher,
Beggar's Bush, iv. 4: "The bowl... which must be upsey English, strong,
lusty, London beer."
98. Kerchief. See on iii. 495 above.
100. Gillian. A common old English name (according to Coles and others,
a corruption of Juliana), often contracted into Gill of Jill, and used
as a familiar term for a woman, as Jack was for a man. The two are often
associated; as in the proverbs "Every Jack must have his Jill," and "A
good Jack makes a good Jill."
103. Placket. Explained by some as = stomacher; by others as =
petticoat, or the slit or opening in those garments. Cf. Wb. It is often
used figuratively for woman, as here. Placket and pot = women and wine.
104. Lurch. Rob. Cf. Shakespeare, Cor. ii. 2. 105: "He lurch'd all
swords of the garland;" that is, robbed them all of the prize.
112. The drum. The 1st ed. has "your drum."
116. Plaid. For the rhyme, see on i. 363 above.
124. Store of blood. Plenty of blood. Cf. Milton, L'Allegro, 121: "With
store of ladies," etc. See also on the adjective, i. 548 above.
127. Reward thy toil. The MS. goes on thus:
"Get thee an ape, and then at once
Thou mayst renounce the warder's lance,
And trudge through borough and through land,
The leader of a juggler band."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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