[383] Heroes of romance. [By "Donzel del Phoebo" the lady intends, I conclude, the "Knight of the Sun," or the "Mirror of Knighthood."]
[384] Tarmagant or Termagant was, as Dr Percy observes, a Saracen deity, very clamorous and violent in the old moralities. He is frequently mentioned and alluded to in our ancient dramas and poems. Bishop Hall's "Satires" begin thus--
"Not Ladies' wanton love, nor wand'ring knight, Legend I out in rhimes all richly dight; Nor fright the reader with the Pagan vaunt Of mightie _Mahound_ and great _Termagaunt_."
Mr Tyrwhitt says, the character is to be met with in an old romance, MSS. Bod. 1624, where it is constantly spelt _Tervagan_. (See notes to Chaucer, v. 13,741.)
See also "King and no King," act iv., and "Rule a Wife and have a Wife," act v.
Again, Hamlet says, "I would have such a fellow whipt for o'erdoing _Termagant_."
See notes on this passage, edit. 1778; also Warton's Observations on Spenser, ii. 226; [Bishop Percy's folio MS., ii. 467; and Nares, 1859, arts. Termagant and Trivigant.]
[386] [A locality notorious for bad characters.]
[387] [Pierce it with my sword. Edits., _slash_.]
[388] See note to "The Spanish Tragedy," [v. 121.]
[389] [Edits., _scarfs, counter-scarfs_.]
[391] Before printed _know_, adhering to the error of the edition of 1636.--_Collier._
[392] To Frances, who probably places herself out of view, or perhaps makes her _exit_, which, however, is not marked.--_Collier._
[393] The dress of the serjeants at that time.
_Enter_ SIR OLIVER, JUSTICE TUTCHIN, TAFFATA, _and_ ADRIANA.
OLIVER. Good meat the belly fills, good wine the brain; Women please men, men pleasure them again: Ka me, ka thee: one thing must rub another: English love Scots, Welshmen love each other.
JUS. TUT. You say very right, Sir Oliver, very right; I have't in my noddle, i' faith. That's all the fault Old justices have; when they are at feasts, They will bib[396] hard; they will be fine sunburnt, Sufficient fox'd or columber'd, now and then. Now could I sit in my chair at home, and nod A drunkard to the stocks by virtue of The last statute rarely[397].
TAF. Your supper, sir, was light; But I hope you think you're welcome.
JUS. TUT. I do. A light supper; quoth you? pray God it be, Pray God I carry it cleanly, I am sure it lies As heavy in my belly as molt lead; Yet I'll go see my sister Sommerfield.