The Poetical Works of John Skelton, Volume 2 (of 2)Skelton, John
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The Poetical Works of John Skelton, Volume 2 (of 2)
Skelton, John
English poetry -- Early modern, 1500-1700
“Then,” says Cavendish, “had he two great crosses of silver, whereof
one of them was for his Archbishoprick, and the other for his Legacy,
borne always before him whither soever he went or rode, by two of the
most tallest and comeliest priests that he could get within all this
realm.” _Life of Wolsey_, 94. ed. 1827. “And as soon as he was entered
into his chamber of presence, where there was attending his coming to
await upon him to Westminster Hall, as well noblemen and other worthy
gentlemen, as noblemen and gentlemen of his own family; thus passing
forth with two great crosses of silver borne before him; with also two
great pillars of silver, and his pursuivant at arms with a great mace of
silver gilt: Then his gentlemen ushers cried, and said, ‘On, my lords and
masters, on before; make way for my Lord’s Grace!’ Thus passed he down
from his chamber through the hall; and when he came to the hall door,
there was attendant for him his mule, trapped all together [altogether]
in crimson velvet, and gilt stirrups. When he was mounted, with his
cross bearers, and pillar bearers, also upon great horses trapped with
[fine] scarlet: Then marched he forward, with his train and furniture
in manner as I have declared, having about him four footmen, with gilt
pollaxes in their hands; and thus he went until he came to Westminster
Hall door.” _Id._ 106. See also Cavendish’s _Metrical Legend of Wolsey_,
p. 533. _ibid._ The pillars implied that the person before whom they were
carried was a pillar of the church. That the Cardinal had a right to the
“ensigns and ornaments” which he used, is shewn by Anstis in a letter to
Fiddes,—Appendix to Fiddes’s _Life of Wolsey_.
Page 25.—_quod_] i. e. quoth.
WHY COME YE NAT TO COURTE?
This poem appears to have been produced (at intervals perhaps) during
1522 and part of the following year.
—— _sadly_] See note, p. 267. v. 1966: _loke_, i. e. look.
Page 26. v. 3. _To_] i. e. Too (as in the next seven lines).
v. 5. _scarce_] i. e. sparing.
v. 6. _large_] i. e. liberal.
v. 8. _haute_] i. e. haughty.
Page 27. v. 23. _appall_] i. e. make pale, make to decay.
v. 33. _rage_] i. e. toy wantonly (see Tyrwhitt’s Gloss. to Chaucer’s
_Cant. Tales_).
v. 34. _basse_] i. e. kiss.
v. 37. _corage_] i. e. desire, inclination.
Page 28. v. 39. _ouerage_] Seems here to be—over-age (excessive age);
while, again, in our author’s poem _Howe the douty duke of Albany_, &c.,
it appears to be—over-rage (excessive rage);
“It is a rechelesse rage,
And a lunatyke _oueraye_.”
v. 417. vol. ii. 80.
v. 43. _a graunt domage_] Meant for French perhaps.
v. 44. _set by_] i. e. valued, regarded.
v. 46. _rynne_] i. e. run.
v. 50. _boskage_] i. e. thicket, wood.
v. 56. _defaute_] i. e. default, want.
v. 58. _theyr hedes mew_] i. e. hide their heads; see note on v. 219.
v. 62. _to_] i. e. too.
v. 63. _In faythe, dycken, thou krew_] See note, p. 115. v. 360.
Page 29. v. 68. _banketynge_] i. e. banqueting.
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