[231] These were the names of several species of hawks.  See an account of them in the “Treatises on Falconry,” particularly those of Turbervile and Latham.

[232] i.e., Hedgehogs.  See a note on Shakespeare’s “Tempest,” i. 28, edit. 1778.—­Steevens.

Again, in Erasmus’s “Praise of Folie,” 1549, sig.  Q 2:  “That the soule of Duns woulde a litle leve Sorbone College, and enter into my breast, be he never so thornie, and fuller of pricles than is any urcheon.”

[233] Perhaps, instead of the masks are made so strong, we ought to read, the mesh is made so strong.  It clearly means the mesh of the net, from what is said afterwards.—­Collier. [But mask, in Halliwell’s “Dictionary,” is said to be used for mesh.  What is intended above is not a net, but a network ladder.]

[234] [Hazard, the plot of a tennis-court.—­Halliwell’s “Dictionary.”]

[235] This is one of the many phrases in these volumes which, being not understood, was altered without any authority from the ancient copies.  The former editions read odd mouthing; the text, however, is right; for old, as Mr Steevens observes, was formerly a common augmentative in colloquial language, and as such is often used by Shakespeare and others.  See notes on the “Second Part of Henry IV.” act ii. sc. 4, and “The Taming of the Shrew,” act iii. sc. 2.

Again, in Tarlton’s “Newes out of Purgatory,” 1630, p. 34:  “On Sunday at Masse there was old ringing of bells, and old and yong came to church to see the new roode.”

[236] A sneer at the Utopian Treatises on Government.—­Steevens.

[237] The latest of the old copies, [and the first edition, have] wine instead of swine, which is clearly a misprint, as the hogs of Olfactus are subsequently again mentioned.—­Collier.

[238] [Old copies, he.]

[239] [A flogging.]

[240] [i.e., A blockhead, a fool.—­Steevens.]

[241] Nor I out of Memory’s mouth is the correct reading, although the pronoun has been always omitted.  Anamnestes is comparing his situation with that of Mendacio.—­Collier.

[242] [See “Popular Antiquities of Great Britain,” ii. 296.]

[243] [Another name of Jupiter.]

[244] [Edits., belly.]

[245] Chess.

[246] A favourite game formerly, and apparently one of the oldest in use.  The manner in which it was played will appear from the following epigram of Sir John Harington, the translator of Ariosto—­

    The Story of Marcus’s Life at Primero.

    “Fond Marcus ever at Primero playes,
    Long winter nights, and as long summer dayes: 
    And I heard once to idle talke attending
    The story of his times and coins mis-spending
    At first, he thought himselfe