]
[201] To _record_, as applied to birds, is synonymous to the verb to
_sing_: thus in "The Spanish Tragedy," act ii.--
"Hark, madam, how the _birds record_ by night."
Shakespeare so employs the word in his "Two Gentlemen of Verona," act v.
sc. 4, and in the notes upon the passage more than sufficient instances
are collected.
[202] The 4to reads "the lawless _Rener_" [the _n_ being misprinted
for _u_].
[203] _Mort_ was the old cant word for a _wench_, and was synonymous
with _doxy_, which is still sometimes in use. An explanation, for such
as require it, may be found in Dekker'a "Bellman of London," ed. 1616,
sig. N.
[204] Mr Todd, in his "Dictionary," thus explains the word _belive_:
"Speedily, quickly; it is still common in Westmoreland for _presently_,
which sense, implying a little delay, like our expression of _by and
by_, was formerly the general acceptation of the word." Spenser uses it
not unfrequently--
"Perdie, Sir Knight," said then the enchanter _b'live_,
"That shall I shortly purchase to your bond."
--"Faerie Queene," b. ii. c. iii. st. 18.
[205] _Manchet_ is fine white bread: _panis candidior et purior_.
[206] It seems agreed by the commentators on the word _proface_ (which
Shakespeare uses in "Henry IV.
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