A COLLECTION OF English PROVERBS Digested into a convenient Method for the speedy finding any one upon occasion; WITH Short ANNOTATIONS.  
Whereunto are added Local Proverbs with their Explications, Old Proverbial Rhythmes, Less known or Exotic Proverbial Sentences, and Scottish Proverbs.  
The Second Edition Enlarged by the Addition of many hundred English, and an Appendix of Hebrew Proverbs, with Annotations and Parallels.  
By J. Ray, M.A. and Fellow of the Royal Society.  
CAMBRIDGE, Printed by John Hayes, Printer to the University, for W. Morden. 1678.   

The PREFACE.  
THe former Edition of this Collection of English Proverbs falling into the hands of divers ingenious persons, my worthy friends, in several parts of this Kingdom, had (as I hoped it would) this good effect, to excite them, as well to examine their own memories and try what they could call to mind themselves that were therein wanting, as also more carefully to heed what occurred in reading, or dropped from the mouths of others in discourse. Whereupon having noted many such, they were pleased for the perfecting of the work frankly to communicate them to me. All which, amounting to some hundreds, besides not a few of my own observation, I present the Reader with in this second Edition: I dare not yet pretend it to be a complete and perfect Catalogue of all English Proverbs: but I think I may without arrogance affirm it to be more full and comprehensive than any Collection hitherto published. And I believe that not very many of the Proverbs generally used all England over, or far diffused over any considerable part of it whether the East, West, North or midland countries, have escaped it; I having had communications from observant and inquisitive persons in all those parts, viz. from Francis Jessop Esq of Broom-hall in Sheffield parish Yorkshire, Mr George Antrobus Master of the free School at Tamworth in Warwickshire, Mr Walter Ashmore of the same place. Michael Biddulph Gent. of Polesworth in Warwickshire, deceased; Mr Newton of Leicester, Mr Sherringham of Caius College in Cambridge; Sr Philip Skippon of Wrentham in Suffolk Knight, Mr Andrew Paschall of Chedsey in Somersetshire, and Mr Francis Brokesby of Rowley in the East Riding of Yorkshire. As for local Proverbs of lesser extent, proper to some Towns or Villages, as they are very numerous, so are they hard to be procured, and few of them, could they be had, very acquaint or significant.  
If any one shall find fault, that I have inserted many English Phrases that are not properly Proverbs, though that word be taken in its greatest latitude and according to my own definition of a Proverb, & object that I might as well have admitted all the idioms of the English tongue; I answer, that, to say the truth, I cannot warrant all those Phrases to be genuine Proverbs to which I have allowed room in this collection; for indeed I did not satisfy myself in many: but because they were sent me for such by learned and intelligent persons, and who I ought to presume understand the nature of a Proverb better than myself, and because I find the like in Collections of foreign Proverbs both French and Italian, I chose rather to submit them to the censure of the Reader, than myself pass sentence of rejection on them.  
As for the method I have used, in the Preface to the former Edition I have given my reasons why I made choice of it, which to me do still appear to be sufficient. The method of common places, if any man think it useful, may easily be supplied by an Index of Common places, wherein to each head the Proverbs appertaining or reducible shall be referred by the apposition of the numeral characters of page and line.  
Some Proverbs the Reader may possibly find repeated, but I dare say not many. I know this might have been avoided by running over the whole book, and searching for the Proverbs one by one in all the places where our method would admit them entry. But sloth and impatience of so tedious a work enticed me rather to presume upon memory; especially considering it was not worth while to be very solicitous about a matter of so small importance. In such papers as I received after the Copy was out of my hands, when I was doubtful of any Proverb I chose to let it stand, resolving that it was better to repeat some then to omit any.  
Now whereas I understand that some Proverbs admitted in the former Edition have given offence to sober and pious persons, as savouring too much of obscenity, being apt to suggest impure fancies to corrupt minds, I have in this omitted all I could suspect for such save only one, for the letting of which stand I have given my reason in the Note upon it; and yet now upon better consideration I could wish that it also were obliterated. For I would by no means be guilty of administering fuel to lust, which I am sensible needs no incentives, burning too eagerly of itself.  
But though I do condemn the mention of any thing obscene, yet I cannot think all use of slovenly and dirty words to be such a violation of modesty, as to exact the discarding all Proverbs of which they are ingredients. The useful notions which many ill-worded Proverbs do import, may I think compensate for their homely terms; though I could wish the contrivers of them had put their sense into more decent and cleanly language. For if we consider what the reasons are why the naming some excrements of the body or the egestion of them, or the parts employed therein is condemned, we shall find them to be, either 1. because such excrements being offensive to our senses, and usually begetting a loathing in our stomaches, the words that signify them are apt to do so too; and for their relation to them, such also as denote those actions and parts of the body by which they are expelled, and therefore the mention of them is uncivil and contrary to good manners; or 2. because such excrements reflect some dishonour upon our bodies, it being reputed disgraceful to lie under a necessity of such evacuations, and to have such sinks about us: and therefore modesty requires that we decline the naming of them, left we seem to glory in our shame. Now these reasons to me seem not so weighty and cogent as to necessitate the omission of so many of the most witty and significant of our English Proverbs: Yet further to avoid all occasion of offence, I have by that usual expedient of putting only the initial letters for the uncleanly words so veiled them, that I hope they will not turn the stomach of the most nauseous. For it is the naming such things by their plain and proper appellatives that is odious and offensive, when they come lapped up (as we say) in clean linen, that is expressed in oblique, figurative or metaphorical terms, or only intimated and pointed at, the most modest can brook them well enough. The Appendix of Hebrew Proverbs was collected and communicated by my worthy friend Mr Richard Kidder Rector of Rain in Essex.  
So I have dispatched what I thought needful to premise either for my own excuse or the Readers satisfaction, to whose favourable acceptance I recommend the work.   

Sentences and Phrases found in the former Collections of Proverbs, the most of them not now in common use for such, so far as I know, but borrowed of other Language.  

A.  
BEtter to go about then to fall into the ditch. Hispan.  
The absent Party is still faulty.  
In vain he craves advice that will not follow it.  
When a thing is done advice comes too late.  
Though old and wise yet still advise.  
It's an ill air where nothing is to be gained.  
No Alchemy to saving.  
Good Ale is meat, drink and cloth.  
Anger dieth quickly with a good man.  
He that is Angry is seldom at ease.  
For that thou canst do thyself rely not on another.  
The wholesomest meat is at another man's cost.  
None knows the weight of another's burden.  
When you are an Anvil hold you still;  
When you are a hammer strike your fill.  
The Ape so long clippeth her young that at last she killeth them.  
An Ape is an Ape, a varlet's a varlet,  
Though they be clad in silk or scarlet.  
A broken Apothecary a new Doctor.  
Apothecary's would not give pills in sugar unless they were bitter.  
Better ride on an Ass that carries me, than an Ass that throws me.   

B  
BE not a baker if your head be of butter. Hispan.  
The balance distinguishes not between gold and lead.  
There's no great banquet but some fare ill.  
One Barber shaves not so close but another finds work.  
On a good bargain think twice. Ital.  
Barefooted men need not tread on thorns.  
Bashfulness is an enemy to poverty.  
Better to be beaten then be in bad company.  
Beauty is a blossom.  
Beauty draws more than oxen.  
Beauty is no inheritance.  
The beggar is never out of his way.  
The beggar may sing before the thief. No more than the English of that old Latin verse. 
Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator.   
Better to die a beggar then live a beggar.  
Such a beginning such an end.  
He that makes his bed ill lies there.  
If the bed could tell all it knows it would put many to the blush.  
He who lies long in bed his estate feels it.  
Who looks not before finds himself behind.  
Bells call others to the Church, but enter not in themselves.  
Be not too hasty to outbid another.  
Who hath bitter in his mouth spits not all sweet.  
The blind man's wife needs no painting. Hispan.  
He is blind enough who sees not through the holes of a sieve. Hispan.  
That which doth blossom in the Spring will bring forth fruit in the Autumn.  
He that blows in the dust fills his eyes.  
The body is the socket of the soul.  
It's easy to bowl down hill.  
Brabbling curs never want fore ears.  
The brain that sows not corn plants thistles.  
The Ass that brays most ears least.  
Would you have better bread than is made of wheat? Ital.  
Bread with eyes, and cheese without eyes. Hisp. Ita.  
To beg breeches of a bare arsed man.  
As I brew so I must drink.  
There is no deceit in a brimmer.  
Building is a sweet impoverishing. It is called the 
Spanish plague: Therefore as Cato well saith, Optimum est alienâ insaniâ frui.   
Building and marrying of children are great wasters Gall.  
The greatest burdens are not the gainfullest.  
To buy dear is not bounty.  
Buy at a market, but sell at home, Hispan.   

C.  
THere is no cake but there is the like of the same make.  
In a calm sea every man is a pilot.  
A good candleholder proves a good gamester.  
If thou hast not a capon feed on an onion Gall.  
The Cat is hungry when a crust contents her.  
The liquorish Cat gets many a rap.  
It's a bad cause that none dare speak in.  
He that chastiseth one amendeth many.  
Though the Fox runs, the chicken hath wings.  
The chicken is the Countries, but the city eats it.  
woe to the house where there is no chiding.  
The child saith nothing but what he heard at the fire.  
To a child all weather is cold.  
When children stand quiet they have done some harm.  
What children hear at home doth soon fly abroad.  
Children are poor men's riches, are certain cares, but uncertain comforts, when they are little make parents' fools, when great, mad.  
A light Christmas a heavy sheaf.  
The choleric drinks, the melancholic eats, the Phlegmatic sleeps.  
Who never climbed never fell.  
After clouds comes clear weather.  
Give a clown your finger and he will take your whole hand.  
Cobblers and tinkers are the best ale drinkers.  
The Cock crows, but the hen goes.  
When you ride a young colt see your saddle be well girt.  
The comforters head never aches. Ital.  
He commands enough that obeys a wise man. Ital.  
It's good to have company in trouble. 
Solamen m●seris socios habuisse doloris.   
Keep good men company, and you shall be of the number.  
Confession of a fault makes half amends for it.  
He that contemplates hath a day without a night.  
He may well be contented who needs neither borrow nor flatter.  
He that converseth not with men knoweth nothing.  
Corn in good years is hay, in ill years' straw is corn.  
Corn is cleansed with the wind, and the soul with chastening.  
He covers me with his wings, and bites me with his bill.  
A covetous man is like a dog in a wheel that roasteth meat for others.  
A dry cough is the trumpeter of death.  
Keep counsel thyself first.  
Counsels in wine seldom prosper.  
He that will not be counselled cannot be helped.  
Courtesy on one side doth never last long.  
Courts have no Almanacs.  
Craft bringeth nothing home.  
To a crazy ship all winds are contrary.  
Credit lost is like a Venice glass broke.  
He that hath lost his credit is dead to the world.  
No man ever lost his credit but he who had it not.  
Crooked logs make straight fires.  
Crosses are ladders that do lead to heaven.  
Carrion crows bewail the dead sheep, and then eat them. Ital.  
Cruelty is a tyrant that's always attended with fear.  
Who is a cuckold and conceals it carries coals in his bosom. Hisp.  
Let every cuckold wear his own horns.  
In rain and Sunshine cuckolds go to heaven.  
A cutpurse is a sure trade, for he hath ready money when his work is done.   

D.  
YOu dance in a net, and think no body sees you.  
When all is gone and nothing left,  
What avails the Dagger with the Dudgeon heft?  
The danger past and God forgotten.  
No day passeth without some grief.  
It is never a bad day that hath a good night.  
Deaf men go away with the injury.  
It's a wicked thing to make a dearth on's garner.  
Death keeps no Calendar.  
Men fear death as children to go in the dark.  
Better to go to bed supperless then to rise in debt. Hispan.  
Deeds are fruits, words are but leaves.  
Deeds are males, and words are females. 
I fatti sono maschi, le parole femine. Ital.   
Desires are nourished by delays.  
He looseth his thanks who promiseth and delayeth. 
Gratia ab officio, quod mora tardat, abest.   
A man may lose his goods for want of demanding them. 
Optima nomina non appellando fiunt mala.   
First deserve and then desire.  
Desert and reward seldom keep company.  
Discreet women have neither eyes nor ears. 
La femme de bien n'a ny yeux ny oreilles. Gall.   
Sweet discourse makes short days and nights.  
Diseases are the interests of pleasures.  
All her dishes are chafing dishes.  
The Devil is not always at one door.  
It's an ill battle where the Devil carries the colours.  
Diversity of humours breedeth tumours.  
A man may cause his own dog to bite him.  
The Dog who hunts foulest hits at most faults.  
When a Dog is drowning every one offers him water.  
Dogs wag their tails not so much in love to you as to your bread. Hispan.  
Dogs gnaw bones because they cannot swallow them. Ital.  
Do what thou oughtest, and come what can. Gall.  
A noble housekeeper needs no doors.  
Do as the Friar saith, not as he doth. Hispan.  
A great dowry is a bed full of brabbles. Hispan.  
Fine dressing is a foul house swept before the windows.  
He was hanged that left his drink behind.  
Who loseth his due getteth no thanks.   

E  
WIde ears and a short tongue.  
Think of ease, but work on.  
That which is easily done is soon believed.  
Who eats his dinner alone must saddle his horse alone. Hispan.  
You cannot hide an Eel in a sack.  
Good to begin well, better to end well.  
In the end things will mend.  
He that endureth is not overcome.  
No man better knows what good is then he who hath endured evil.  
Envy never enriched any man.  
Of evil grain no good seed can come.  
Bear with evil and expect good.  
Evil gotten evil spent. 
Malè parta malè dilabuntur.   
That which is evil is soon learned.  
Evil that cometh out of thy mouth flieth into thy bosom.   

F.  
WHo hath a fair wife needs more than two eyes.  
Fair is not fair, but that which pleaseth. This is an Italian Prov. Non è bello quel'ch ' è bello ma è bello quel'che piace.  
A fair woman and a slashed gown find always some nail in the way.  
One may sooner fall then rise.  
Fall not out with a friend for a trifle.  
It 's a poor family which hath neither a whore nor a thief in it.  
A fat housekeeper makes lean executors.  
Every one basteth the fat hog, while the lean one burneth.  
Teach your father to get children.  
Such a father such a son.  
The faulty stands on his guard.  
Every one's faults are not written in their foreheads.  
Better pass a danger once then be always in fear. It.  
Reckon right and February hath thirty one days.  
He that hath a fellow-ruler hath an over-ruler.  
Fiddlers fare, meat, drink and money.  
Take heed you find not that you do not seek. Ital.  
Well may he smell of fire whose gown burneth.  
The first dish pleaseth all.  
I'll not make fish of one, and flesh of another.  
The fish follow the bait.  
In the deepest water is the best fishing.  
He that is suffered to do more than is fitting will do more than is lawful.  
No man can flay a stone.  
One flower makes no garland.  
None is a fool always, every one sometimes.  
A fool is fulsome.  
A fool demands much, but he is a greater fool that gives it.  
Fools tie knots and wise men lose them.  
If fools went not to market bad ware would not be sold. Hispan.  
One fool makes an hundred.  
If you play with a fool at home he'll play with you in the market.  
Better a bare foot then no foot at all.  
Forgive any sooner than thyself. Gall. Ital.  
The foremost dog catcheth the hare.  
The persuasion of the fortunate sways the doubtful.  
When Fortune smiles on thee take the advantage.  
He who hath no ill fortune is cloyed with good.  
He that will deceive the Fox must rise betimes.  
Fox's when sleeping have nothing fall into their mouths. This is a French Prov. A Regnard endormi rien ne cheut en la gueule.  
Fox's when they cannot reach the grapes say they are not ripe.  
The best mirror is an old friend. Gall. Hispan.  
Life without a friend is death with a witness.  
Make not thy friend too cheap to thee, nor thyself to thy friend.  
When a friend asketh there is no tomorrow. Hisp.  
A true friend should be like a privy, open in necessity.  
A friend is not so soon gotten as lost.  
Have but few friends though much acquaintance.  
In time of prosperity friends will be plenty.  
In time of adversity not one among twenty.  
A tree is known by the fruit, and not by the leaves.  
The further we go the further behind.   

G.  
WHo would be a Gentleman let him storm a town.  
It's not the gay coat makes the Gentleman.  
He giveth twice that gives in a trice. 
Qui cito dat bis dat.   
Dono molto aspettato e venduto non donato. Ital. 
A Gift long waited for is sold & not given.   
Giving is dead now a days, and restoring very sick.  
Who gives thee a capon give him the leg and the wing. Hisp.  
To give and keep there is need of wit.  
A man of gladness seldom falls into madness.  
Who hath glass-windows of his own must take heed how he throws stones at his house.  
What your glass tells you will not be told by counsel.  
He that hath a body made of glass must not throw stones at another.  
Do not say go but gaw, i. e. go thyself along.  
God deprives him of bread who likes not his drink.  
God healeth, and the Physician hath the thanks.  
Get thy spindle and thy distaff ready and God will send thee flax.  
God cometh with leaden feet, but striketh with iron hands.  
God comes at last when we think he is furthest off. It.  
God hath often a great share in a little house. Gal.  
God, our parents and our master can never be requited. Gall.  
No lock will hold against the power of gold. Hisp.  
You may speak with your gold and make other tongues dumb. Ital.  
When we have gold we are in fear, when we have none we are in danger. Ital.  
A good thing is soon snatched up.  
An handful of good life is better than a bushel of learning. Mieux vaut un poigne de bonne vie que plein muy'de clergy. Gal.  
One never looseth by doing good turns.  
Good and quickly seldom meet.  
Goods are theirs who enjoy them. Ital.  
Gossips and frogs they drink and talk.  
The greatest strokes make not the best music.  
There could be no great ones if there were no little.  
He that gropes in the dark finds that he would not.  
Many things grow in the garden were never sown there. Hispan.  
The grounsel speaks not save what it heard of the hinges.   

H.  
THe wise hand doth not all the foolish tongue speaketh.  
Happy is he who knows his follies in his youth.  
The hard gives no more than he that hath nothing.  
Things hardly attained are long retained.  
He who would have a hare to breakfast must hunt over night.  
Good harvests make men prodigal, bad ones provident.  
He that hath a good harvest may be content with some thistles.  
'Tis safe riding in a good haven.  
The first point of hawking is hold fast.  
The gentle hawk man's herself.  
When the head acheth all the body is the worse. 
Dum caput infestat labor omnia membra molestat.   
One is not so soon healed as hurt.  
What the heart thinketh the tongue speaketh.  
Who spits against heaven it falls in his face. Hispan.  
Hell is full of good meanings and wishes.  
The highway is never about.  
Look high and fall into a cow-turd.  
Every man is best known to himself.  
Better my hog dirty home than no hog at all.  
Dry bread at home is better than roastmeat abroad.  
He is wise that is honest. Ital.  
Of all crafts to be an honest man is the master-craft.  
A man never surfeits of too much honesty.  
Lick honey with your little finger.  
He that likes honey from thorns pays too dear for it. 
This is a French Proverb. Trop achepte le miel qui sur espines le leech.   
Honey is sweet but the Bee stings.  
Honour and ease are seldom bedfellows.  
Who lives by hope dies breaking of wind backwards. Ital.  
He that lives in hope danceth without a minstrel. Hispan.  
The horse thinks one thing, and he that rides him another.  
Lend thy horse for a long journey, thou mayest have him return with his skin.  
All things are soon prepared in a well-ordered house  
The foot on the cradle and hand on the distaff is the sign of a good housewife. Hispan.  
An humble-bee in a cow-turd thinks himself a King.  
It were more proper to say a Beetle in a cow-turd.  
An hungry man an angry man.  
Husband's are in heaven whose wives chide not.   

I.  
IDleness turns the edge of wit.  
Idleness is the key of beggary.  
Jest not with the eye nor with religion. Hispan.  
The truest jests sound worst in guilty ears.  
Better be ill spoken of by one before all, then by all before one.  
An ill stake standeth longest.  
There were no ill language if it were not ill taken.  
The best remedy against an ill man is much ground between both. Hispan.  
Industry is fortunes right hand, and frugality her left.  
He goes not out of his way that goes to a good Inn.  
We must not look for a golden life in an iron age.  
An itch is worse than a smart.  
Itch an ease can no man please.   

K.  
WHeresoever you see your kindred make much of your friends.  
A knotty piece of timber must have smooth wedges.  
Many do kiss the hands they wish to see cut off His.  
He that eats the King's goose shall be choked with the feathers.   

L.  
HE that labours and thrives spins gold.  
The lame goeth as far as the staggerer.  
The last suitor wins the maid.  
In a thousand pound of Law there's not an ounce of love.  
The Law is not the same at morning and night.  
The worst of Law is that one suit breeds twenty. Hispan.  
A suit of Law and an urinal bring a man to the hospital. Hispan.  
A good Lawyer an evil neighbour.  
He laughs ill that laughs himself to death.  
Let your letter stay for the Post, not the Post for the letter. Ital.  
A Bean in liberty is better than a comfit in prison.  
Every light is not the Sun.  
Like Author like book.  
Like to like, and Nan for Nicholas.  
The Lion's skin is never cheap.  
A little body doth often harbour a great'soul.  
The little cannot be great unless he devour many.  
Little sticks kindle the fire, but great ones put it out.  
Little dogs start the hare, but the great ones catch it.  
That little which is good fills the trencher.  
He liveth long that liveth well.  
Life is half spent ere we know what it is.  
He that liveth wickedly can hardly die honestly.  
He that lives not well one year, sorrows for it seven.  
It's not how long but how well we live.  
Who lives well sees afar off. Hispan.  
The life of man is a winter's day and a winter's way.  
He looseth nothing who keeps God for his friend.  
He hath not lost all who hath one throw to cast. Gal.  
London Bridge was made for wise men to pass over, and for fools to pass under.  
Love lives in cottages as well as in Courts.  
Love rules his kingdom without a sword.  
Love being jealous makes a good eye look asquint.  
Love asks faith, and faith asks firmness. Ital.  
They love too much that die for love.  
They who love most are least set by.  
Where love fails we espy all faults.  
A low hedge is easily leapt over.   

M.  
A Maid that giveth yieldeth. Ital.  
A maid that laughs is half taken.  
A maid oft seen, a gown oft worn  
Are disesteemed and held in scorn.  
Manners make often fortunes.  
When many strike on an anvil they must strike by measure.  
Many ventures make a full freight.  
Many without punishment, none without sin.  
Many speak much that cannot speak well.  
The March Sun causeth dust, and the wind blows it about.  
When the mare hath a bald face, the filly will have a blaze.  
The market is the best garden. At London they are wont to say; Cheapside is the best garden:  
The married man must turn his staff into a stake.  
Before thou marry, be sure of a house wherein to tarry. Hispan. Ital.  
Honest men marry soon, wise men not at all. Ital.  
He who marrieth for wealth doth sell his liberty.  
Who marrieth for love without money hath good nights and sorry days. Ital. Hispan.  
One eye of the masters sees more than ten of the servants. Ital.  
Though the mastiff be gentle, yet by't him not by the lip.  
Use the means, and God will give the blessing.  
Measure thrice what thou buyest, and cut it but once. Ital.  
Measure is a merry mean.  
He is not a merchant bare, that hath money, worth or ware.  
Good to be merry at meat.  
Metal is dangerous in a blind horse.  
Mills and wives are ever wanting.  
The mill cannot grind with the water that is past.  
The abundance of money ruins youth.  
The skilfullest wanting money is scorned.  
He that hath money in his purse cannot want a head for his shoulders.  
Ready money will away.  
Money is that Art hath turned up trump.  
Money is welcome though it come in a sh— clout,  
The morning Sun never lasts a day.  
The good mother saith not, will you, but giveth. Ital.  
You must not let your mousetrap smell of cheese.  
Music helps not the toothache.   

N.  
ONe nail drives out another. Gall. Un clou pousse l'autre.  
A good name keeps its lustre in the dark.  
He who but once a good name gets,  
May piss a bed and say he sweats. Ital.  
The evil wound is cured, but not the evil name.  
Nature draws more than ten oxen.  
Who perisheth in needless danger is the Devil's martyr.  
New meat begets a new appetite.  
When thy neighbour's house doth burn, be careful of thine own. 
Tuares agitur paries cum proximus ardet.   
He that runs in the night stumbles.  
The nightingale and the cuckoo sing both in one month.  
The more noble, the more humble.  
Cold weather and knaves come out of the North.  
Nothing down, nothing up.  
Nothing have, nothing crave.  
By doing nothing we learn to do ill. Nihil agendo malè agere discimus.  
It's more painful to do nothing then something.  
He that hath nothing is not contented.  
The Nurse's tongue is privileged to talk.   

O.  
THe offender never pardons. Ital.  
The Offspring of them that are very old or very young lasteth not.  
It's ill healing an old sore.  
He wrongs not an old man, who steals his supper from him. Hispan.  
If the old dog barks, he gives counsel.  
Can vecchio non baia ind arno. Ital.  
Old friends and old wine are best. Gall, and old gold.  
Old men, when they scorn young, make much of death. Rather, as Mr. Howell hath it, When they sport with young women.  
When Bees are old they yield no honey.  
The old man's staff is the rapper at Death's door. His.  
An old knave is no babe.  
Where old age is evil, youth can learn no good.  
When an old man will not drink, go to see him in another world. Ital.  
He who hath but one hog makes him fat, and he who hath but one son makes him a fool. Ital.  
One shrewd turn asks another.  
One slumberr invites another.  
All feet tread not in one shoe.  
If every one would mend one, all would be amended.  
One and none is all one. Hispan.  
There came nothing out of the sack but what was in it.  
It's a rank courtesy when a man is forced to give thanks for his own.  
The smoke of a man's own house is better than the fire of another's. Hispan.  
Where shall the Ox go but he must labour.  
Take heed of an Ox before, an Ass behind, and a Monk on all sides. Hispan.   

P.  
MAny can pack the cards that cannot play.  
Let no woman's painting breed thy stomaches fainting.  
Painted pictures are dead speakers.  
On painting and fight look aloof off.  
He that will enter into Paradise must have a good key.  
Say no ill of the year till it be past.  
Every path hath a puddle.  
Patch and long sit, build and soon flit.  
Patience is a flower grows not in every one's garden.  
Herein is an allusion to the name of a Plant so called, i. e. Rhabarbarum Monachorum.  
He who hath much pease may put the more in the pot.  
Let every pedlar carry his own burden.  
There's no companion like the penny. Hispan.  
He that takes not up a pin sleights his wife.  
He that pitieth another remembreth himself. Hisp.  
Play, women and wine undo men laughing.  
Noble plants suit not a stubborn soil.  
Fly pleasure and it will follow thee.  
Never pleasures without repentance.  
The pleasures of the mighty are the tears of the poor.  
If your plough be jogging you may have meat for your horses.  
Poor men have no souls.  
There are none poor but such as God hates  
Poverty parteth friends [or fellowship.]  
Poverty is the mother of health.  
True praise takes root and spreads.  
Neither praise nor dispraise thyself, thine actions serve the turn.  
He that will not be saved needs no preacher.  
Prettiness dies quickly.  
Who draws his sword against his Prince, must throw away the scabbard.  
It's an ill procession where the Devil holds the candle.  
Between promising and performing a man may marry his daughter. Gall.  
He promiseth like a merchant, and pays like a man of war.  
To promise and give nothing is a comfort to a fool.  
He is proper that hath proper conditions.  
Providence is better than rend.  
He hath lest his purse in his other hose.  
A full purse makes the mouth to speak.  
An empty purse fills the face with wrinkles.   

R.  
IT's possible for a ram to kill a butcher.  
The rath sour ne'er borrows o'th'late.  
A man without reason is a beast in season.  
Take heed of enemies reconciled, and of meat twice boiled. Hispan.  
A good Recorder sets all in order.  
Remove an old tree, and it will wither to death.  
When all is consumed, Repentance comes too late.  
He may freely receive courtesies that knows how to requite them.  
God help the rich, the poor can beg.  
Riches are but the baggage of Fortune.  
When riches increase the body decreaseth. For most men grow old before they grow rich.  
Riches are like muck which stink in a heap, but spread abroad, make the earth fruitful.  
It's easy to rob an Orchard, when none keeps it.  
A rugged stone grows smooth from hand to hand.  
Better to rule then be ruled by the rout.  
The rusty sword and empty purse plead performance of covenants.   

S.  
IT's a bad sack will abide no clouting.  
When it pleaseth not God, the Saint can do little. Hisp. Ital.  
Salmon and Sermon have their season in Lent. Gall.  
A Sceptre is one thing, a ladle another. Alia res sceptrum, alia plectrum.  
You pay more for your schooling, than your learning is worth.  
Who robs a Scholar robs twenty men. For commonly he borrows a cloak of one, a sword of another, a pair of boots of a third, a hat of a fourth, etc.  
Who hath a scold hath sorrow to his sops.  
Being on the Sea sail, being on the land settle.  
They complain wrongfully on the Sea, who twice suffer shipwreck.  
Every thing is good in its season.  
Would you know secrets, look them in grief or pleasure.  
He who seeketh trouble never misseth it.  
A man must sell his ware after the rates of the market.  
He who serves well, needs not be afraid to ask his wages.  
The groat is ill saved that shames the master.  
It's a foolish sheep that makes the wolf his confessor Ital.  
Ships fear fire more than water.  
A great ship doth ask deep waters.  
The chamber of sickness is the chapel of devotion.  
Silence doth seldom harm.  
Silence is the best ornament of a woman.  
Silks and Satins put out the fire in the kitchen.  
He that sings on I ryday shall weep on Sunday.  
The singing-man keeps his shop in his throat. Hisp.  
Sat in your place and none can make you rise.  
Slander leaves a score behind it. Calumniare fortiter aliquid adhaerebit.  
Sloth turneth the edge of wit.  
Better the last smile then the first laughter.  
A smiling boy seldom proves a good servant.  
The Smith and his penny are both black.  
Whether you do boil snow or pound it, you can have but water of it.  
Sorrow is good for nothing but sin.  
When sorrow is a sleep wake it not.  
Soldiers in peace are like chimneys in summer.  
Who sows his corn in the field trusts in God.  
He that speaks me fair and loves me not, I'll speak him fair and trust him not.  
He that speaks doth sow, he that holds his peace doth reap. Ital.  
Speech is the picture of the mind.  
Spend and be free, but make no waste.  
To a good Spender God is the treasurer.  
The Jews spend at Easter, the Moors at marriages, and the Christians in suits of Law. Ital.  
Who more than he is worth doth spend, he makes a rope his life to end.  
Who spends more than he should, shall not have to spend when he would.  
Who hath spice enough may season his meat as he pleaseth.  
It's a poor sport that is not worth the candle.  
The best of the sport is to do the deed & say nothing  
That which will not be spun, let it not come between the spindle and the distaff.  
They steal the hog and give away the feet in alms. Hispan.  
Steal the goose and give the giblets in alms.  
Step after step the ladder is ascended.  
Who hath none to still him, may weep out his eyes.  
The stillest humours are always the worst.  
Who remove stones, bruise their fingers.  
Who hath skirts of straw, needs fear the fire. Hisp.  
Stretch your legs according to your coverlet.  
It's better to be stung by a nettle, then pricked by a rose.  
I sucked not this out of my fingers ends.  
Though the Sun shines, leave not your cloak at home. Hispan.  
In every Country the Sun riseth in the morning.  
He deserves not the sweet that will not taste of the sour.   

T.  
THe table robs more than the thief.  
Talk much and err much (saith the Spaniard)  
Talking pays no toll.  
They talk of Christmas so long, that it comes.  
The taste of the kitchen is better than the smell.  
To him that hath lost his taste, sweet is sour.  
Who hath aching teeth hath ill tenants.  
Tell a tale to a mare, and she'll let a fart. Gall. Asino fabulam.  
A thin meadow is soon mowed.  
The thorn comes forth with his point forwards.  
The thought hath good legs, and the quill a good tongue. Ital.  
A thousand pounds and a bottle of hay, is all one thing at Dooms day.  
There are more threatened then struck.  
He who dies of threats, must be rung to Church by farts.  
He that is thrown would ever wrestle.  
When it thunders, the thief becomes honest.  
The tide will fetch away what the ebb brings.  
Time is the rider that breaks youth.  
Every one puts his fault on the times.  
Soon todd soon with God. A northern Proverb, when a child hath teeth too soon.  
A long tongue is a sign of a short hand.  
Better that the feet slip then the tongue.  
He that strikes with his tongue, must ward with his head.  
The tongue's not steel, yet it cuts.  
The tongue breaketh bone, though itself have none. Gall.  
The tongue talks at the heads cost.  
Too much breaks the bag. Hisp.  
Too much scratching pains, too much talking plagues  
Trade is the mother of money.  
When the tree is fallen, every man goeth to it with Gall. his hatchet. Gall.  
Truth and oil are ever above. Hispan.  
Truth hath a good face, but bad clothes.   

U.  
NO cut to unkindness.  
Unknown unkist.  
Unminded unmoned.  
Under water, famine; under snow, bread. Ital.  
Valour that parleys, is near yielding.  
Valour can do little without discretion.  
Vis consilii expers mole ruit sua. Et parvi sunt foris arma nisi sit consilium domi.  
That's not good language that all understand not.  
Where men are well used, they'll frequent there.   

W.  
HE that waits on another man's trencher, makes many a late dinner.  
For want of a nail the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost.  
War is death's feast.  
Who preacheth war is the Devil's chaplain.  
War makes thiefs, and peace hangs them. Gall. It.  
War, hunting and Law, are as full of trouble as pleasure.  
He that makes a good war, makes a good peace.  
He is wise enough that can keep himself warm.  
Good watch prevents misfortune.  
He that hath a head of wax, must not walk in the Sun.  
Where it is weakest there the thread breaketh.  
Wealth's like rheum, it falls on the weakest parts.  
The greatest wealth, is contentment with a little.  
The gown's hers that wears it, and the world's his who enjoys it.  
Change of weather is the discourse of fools. Hisp.  
Expect not fair weather in winter on one night's ice.  
He that goeth out with often loss.  
At last comes home by weeping cross.  
Weight and measure take away strife.  
He that doth well wearieth not himself.  
Well to work and make a fire,  
It doth care and skill require.  
Such a welcome such a farewell.  
Welcome death, quoth the Rat, when the trap fell down.  
As welcome as flowers in May.  
I wept when I was born, and every day shows why.  
Whores affect not you but your money.  
Whoring and bawdry do often end in beggary.  
A man's best fortune or his worst is a wife.  
He that lets his wife go to every feast, and his horse drink at every water, shall neither have good wife nor good horse. Ital. Or thus,  
He that lets his horse drink at every lake,  
And his wife go to every wake,  
Shall never be without a whore and a jade.  
Wife and children are bills of charges,  
The cunning wife makes her husband her apron. Hispan.  
The wife is the key of the house.  
He that hath wife and children wants not business.  
Where the will is ready, the feet are light.  
To him that wills, ways are not wanting.  
With as good a will as ever I came from school.  
He that doth what he will, oft doth not what he ought.  
Will will have wilt, though will woe win.  
Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.  
Willows are weak, yet they bind other wood. Ital.  
Pull down your hat on the wind side.  
A good Winter brings a good Summer.  
Wine is the masters, but the goodness is the drawers.  
Wine in the bottle doth not quench the thirst. Ital.  
Wine is a turncoat, first a friend, than an enemy.  
Wine that costs nothing is digested ere it be drunk.  
You cannot know wine by the barrel.  
Wine wears no breeches. Gall. i e. Shows what a man is.  
You can't drive a windmill with a pair of bellows.  
You may be a wise man though you can't make a watch.  
Wise men care not for what they cannot have.  
None is so wise but the fool overtakes him.  
Better to have then wish.  
Better it be done then wish it had been done.  
It's wit to pick a lock and steal a horse, but wisdom to let them alone.  
You have a little wit and it doth you good sometimes.  
He hath enough to keep the wolf from the door. That is, to satisfy his hunger, latrantem stomachum.  
Wolves lose their teeth, but not their memory.  
Who hath a wolf for his mate, needs a dog for his man. Ital.  
Who keeps company with the wolf, will learn to howl. Chi prattica con lupi impara à hurlar. Ita.  
Women, priests and poultry have never enough. Donne, preti & polli non son mai satolli.  
To woe is a pleasure in a young man, a fault in an old.  
Green wood makes a hot fire.  
Wood half burnt is easily kindled.  
You were better give the wool than the sheep. Meglio è dar la lana che lapecora. Ital.  
Many words will not fill a bushel.  
Words and feathers are tossed by the wind. Hisp.  
Good words without deeds are rushes and reeds.  
One ill word asketh another.  
They must hunger in frost, that will not work in heat.  
What is a workman without his tools.  
There needs a long time to know the world's pulse.  
This world is nothing except it tend to another.  
A green wound is soon healed.  
Wranglers never want words.   

Y.  
THe more thy years, the nearer thy grave.  
Youth and white paper take any impression.    

Proverbs and Proverbial observations belonging to Health, Diet and Physic.  


AN Ague in the Spring is Physic for a King.  
That is if it comes off well. For an Ague is nothing else but a strong fermentation of the blood; Now as in the fermentation of other liquors there is for the most part a separation made of that which is heterogeneous and unsociable, whereby the liquor becomes more pure and defaecare, so is it also with the blood, which by fermentation (easily excited at this time by the return of the Sun) doth purge itself, and cast off those impure heterogeneous particles which it had contracted in the winter time. And that these may be carried away, after every particular fermentation or paroxysm, and not again taken up by the blood, it is necessary or at least very useful, to sweat in bed after every fit. And an Ague-fit is not thought to go off kindly, unless it ends in a sweat. Moreover at the end of the disease it is convenient to purge the body, to carry away those more gross and seculent parts which have been separated by the several fermentations, and could not so easily be avoided by sweat, or that still remain in the blood though not sufficient to cause a paroxysm. And that all persons especially those of years may be lessoned that they neglect not to purge their bodies after the getting rid of agues, I shall add a very material and useful observation of Doctor Sidenham's, Sublato morbe (saith he, speaking of Autumnal fevers) aeger sedulò purgandus est; incredibile enim dictu quanta morborum vis expurgationis defectu post febres Autumnales subnascatur. Miror tutem hoc à medicis minùs caveri, minùs etiam admoneri Quandocunque enim morborum alterutrum (Febrem t●rtianam aut quartanam) paulò provectioris aetatis hominibus accidisse vidi, atque purgationem etiam omissam; certò praedicere potui periculosum aliquem morbum eosdem postea adoriturum, de quo tamen illi nondum sòmniaverant, quasi perfectè jam sanati.   
Agues come on horseback, but go away on foot.  
A bit in the morning is better than nothing all day.  
Or, than a thump on the back with a stone.  
You eat and eat, but you do not drink to fill you. 
That much drinking takes off the edge of the Appetite to meat, we see by experience in great drinkers, who for the most part do (as we say) but pingle at their meat and eat little. Hypocrates observed of old, that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A good hearty draught takes away hunger after long fasting sooner by far then eating would do. The reason whereof I conceive is, because that acid humour which by vellicating the membranes of the stomach causes a sense of hunger, is by copious ingestion of drink very much diluted, and its acidity soon taken off.   

An apple, an egg and a nut, you may eat after a Slut.  
Pomae, ova atque nuces, si det tibi sordida, gusts.   

Children an chicken must be always picking.  
That is, they must eat often, but little at a time. Often, because the body growing requires much addition of food; little at a time, for fear of oppressing and extinguishing the natural heat. A little oil nourishes the flame, but a great deal poured on at once may drown and quench it. A man may carry that by little and little, which if laid on his back at once he would sink under. Hence old men, who in this respect also, I mean by reason of the decay of their spirits and natural heat, do again become children, are advised by Physicians to eat often, but little at once.   
Old young and old long. 
Divieni tosto vechio se vuoi vivere lungament vecchio. Ital. Maturè sias senex si diu senex esse velis. This is alleged as a Proverb by Cicero in his book de senectute. For as the body is preserved in health by moderate labour or exercise, so by violent and immoderate it is impaired and worn out. And as a great excess of any quality or external violence doth suddenly destroy the body, so a lesser excess doth weaken and partially destroy it, by rendering it less lasting.   
They who would be young when they are old must be old when they are young.  

When the Fern is as high as a spoon  
You may sleep an hour at noon.  
The custom of sleeping after dinner in the summer time is now grown general in Italy and other hot Countries, so that from one to three or four of the Clock in the afternoon you shall scarce see any one stirring about the streets of their cities. Schola Salernitana condemns this practice, Sit brevis aut nullus tibi somnus meridianus: Febris, pigrities, capitis dolor atque Catarrhus. Haec tibi proveniunt ex somno meridiano. But it may be this advice was intended for us English (to whose King this book was dedicated) rather than the Italians or other inhabitants of hot Countries, who in the Summer would have enough to do to keep themselves waking after dinner. The best way at least for us in colder climates is altogether to abstain from sleep; but if we must needs sleep, (as the Italian Physicians advise) either to take a nod sitting in a chair, or if we lie down strip off our clothes as at night, and go into bed, as the present Duke of Tuscany himself practices and advises his subjects to do, but by no means lie down upon a bed in our clothes.   

When the Fern is as high as a ladle,  
You may sleep as long as you are able.   

When Fern begins to look red  
Then milk is good with brown bread.  
It is observed by good housewives, that milk is thicker in the Autumn then in the Summer, notwithstanding the grass must needs be more hearty, the juice of it being better concocted by the heat of the Sun in Summer time. I conceive the reason to be because the cattle drink water abundantly by reason of their heat in Summer, which doth much dilute their milk.   
Every man is either a fool or a Physician after thirty years of age.  

After dinner sit a while, after supper walk a mile.  
Post epulas stabis vel passus mille meabis. I know no reason for the difference, unless one eats a greater dinner than supper. For when the stomach is full it is not good to exercise immediately, but to sit still awhile; though I do not allow the reason usually given viz. because exercise draws the heat outward to the exterior parts, and so leaving the stomach and bowels cold, hinders concoction: for I believe that as well the stomach as the exterior parts are hottest after exercise: And that those who exercise most, concoct most and require most meat. So that exercise immediately after meat is hurtful rather upon account of precipitating concoction, or turning the meat out of the stomach too soon. As for the reason they give for standing or walking after meals, viz. because the meat by that means is depressed to the bottom of the stomach; where the natural heat is most vigorous, it is very frivolous, both because the stomach is a wide vessel, & so the bottom of it cannot be empty, but what falls into it must needs fall down to the bottom: And because most certainly the stomach concocts worst when it is in a pendulous posture, as it is while we are standing Hence, as the Lord Verulam truly observes, Galley slaves and such as exercise sitting, though they fare meanly and work hard yet are commonly fat and fleshy. Whereupon also he commends those works or exercises which a man may perform sitting, as sawing with a handsaw and the like. Some turn this saying into a droll thus.  
After dinner sleep a while, after supper go to bed.   
An old Physician, a young Lawyer. 
An old Physician because of his experience; a young Lawyer, because he having but little practice will have leisure enough to attend your business, and desiring thereby to recommend himself and get more, will be very diligent in it. The Italians say, An old Physician, a young Barber.   
A good Chirurgeon must have an Eagles eye, a Lion's heart, and a Lady's hand.  

Good keal is half a meal.  
Keal, i. e. Pottage of any kind, though properly Keal be pottage made of Colewort, which the Scots call Keal, and of which usually they make their broth.   

If you would live ever, you must wash milk from your liver.  
Vin sur laict c' est souhait, Laict sur vin c' est venin. Gall. This is an idle old saw, for which I can see no reason but rather for the contrary.   
Butter is gold in the morning, silver at noon, lead at night.  

He that would live for ay must eat Sage in May.  
That Sage was by our ancestors esteemed a very wholesome herb, and much conducing to longevity appears by that verse in Schola Salernitana, 
Curio moriatur homo cui Salvia crescit in horto?    
After cheese comes nothing.  
An egg and to bed.  
You must drink as much after an egg as after an Ox. 
This is a fond and ungrounded old saying.   
Light suppers make clean sheets.  
He that goes to bed thirsty rises healthy. Gall. 
He that goes to bed thirsty, etc. I look upon this as a very good observation and should advise all persons not to go to bed with their stomaches full of wine, beer or any other liquor. For (as the ingenious Doctor Lower observes) nothing can be more injurious to the brain: of which he gives a most rational and true account, which take in his own words. cum enim propter proclivem corpor is situm urina à renibus secreta non ità facilè & promptè uti cum erecti sumus in vesicam per uretcres delabatur. Cúmque vesicae cervix ex proclivi situ urinae pondere non aded gravetur; atque spiritibus per somnum in cerebrum aggregatis & quiescentibus, vesica oneris ejus sensum non ità percipiat, sed officii quasi oblita ed copid urinae aliquando distenditur, ut majori recipiendae spatium vix detur; inde fit ut propter impeditum per renes & ureteres urinae decursum, in totum corpus regurgitet, & nisi diarrhoea proximo mans succedat, aut nocturno sudore evacuetur in cerebrum depon● debet. Tract. de Cord. cap. 2. pag. 141.  
Qui couche avec la soif se leve avec la santé.   
One hours sleep before midnight's worth two hours after. 
For the Sun being the life of this Sublunary world, whose heat causes and continues the motion of all terrestrial animals, when he is furthest off, that is about midnight, the spirits of themselves are aptest to rest and compose, so that the middle of the night must needs be the most proper time to sleep in, especially if we consider the great expense of spirits in the day time, partly by the heat of the afternoon, and partly by labour and the constant exercise of all the senses; Wherefore then to wake is to put the spirits in motion, when there are fewest of them, and they naturally most sluggish and unfit for it.   
Who goes to bed supperless, all night tumbles and tosses. 
This is an Italian Proverb. 
Chi va à letto senza cena Tutta notte si dimena.  That is, if a man goes to bed hungry, otherwise, He that eats a plentiful dinner may well afford to go to bed supperless, unless he hath used some strong bodily labour or exercise. Certainly it is not good to go to ones rest till the stomach be well emptied, that is if we eat suppers, till two hours at least after supper. For (as the old Physicians tell us) though the second and third concoctions be best performed in sleep; yet the first is rather disturbed and perverted. If it be objected, that labouring people do not observe such rule, but do both go to bed presently after supper, and to work after dinner, yet who more healthful than they; I answer that the case is different, for though by such practice they do turn their meat out of their stomaches before full and perfect concoction, and so multiply crude humours, yet they work and sweat them out again, which students and sedentary persons do not. Indeed some men who have a speedy concoction and hot brains must to procure sleep eat something at night which may send up gentle vapours into the head, and compose the spirits. Chi ben cena ben dorme. Ital.   
Often and little eating makes a man fat.  
Fish must swim thrice. 
Once in the water, a second time in the sauce, and a third time in wine in the stomach. Poisson, gorret & cochin vie en l'eau, & morten vin. Gall. Fish and young swine live in water and die in wine.   
Drink wine and have the gout, and drink no wine and have the gout too. 
With this saying, intemperate persons that have or fear the gout, encourage themselves to proceed in drinking wine notwithstanding.   

Young men's knocks old men feel.  
Quae peccamus Juvenes ea luimus senes.   
Go to bed with the lamb, and rise with the lark.  
Early to go to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.  
Wash your hands often, your feet seldom; and your head never.  

Eat at pleasure, drink by measure.  
This is a French Proverb, Pain tant qu'il dure, vin à measure, and they themselves observe it. For no people eat more bread, nor indeed have better to eat: And for wine the most of them drink it well diluted, and never to any excess that I could observe. The Italians have this saying likewise, Pan mentre dura ma vin à misura.   

Cheese it is a peevish else,  
It digests all things but itself.  
This is a translation of that old rhythming Latin verse. 
Caseus est nequàm, quia digerit omnia se quam.    
The best Physicians are Dr. Diet, Dr. Quiet and Dr. Merryman. 
This is nothing but that Distich of Schola Salernitana Englished. 
Si tibi deficiant medici, medici tibi fiant.  
Haec tria mens laeta, requies, moderata diaeta.    

Drink in the morning staring,  
Then all the day be sparing.   
Eat a bit before you drink.  
Feed sparingly and defy the Physician.  
Better be meals many than one too merry.  
You should never touch your eye but with your elbow. 
Non patitur ludum fama, fides, oculus.    
To these I shall add a few French and Italian Proverbs.  


TEnez chaud le pied & la teste, Au demeurant viyez en beast.  Which Mr. Cotgrave englishes thus, 
The head and feet kept warm, The rest will take no harm.   
Jeun chair & vieil poisson. i e. Young flesh and old fish are best.  
Qui vin ne boit apres salade, est en danger estre malade. i e. He that drinks not wine after salade, is in danger to be sick.  
Di giorni quanto voi, di notte quanto poi. i e. Cover your head by day as much as you will, by night as much as you can.  
Il pesse guasta l'acqua, la carne la concia. i e. Fish spoils water, but flesh mends it.  
Pome, pere & noce Guastano la voce. Apples, pears & nuts spoil the voice.  
Febre quartana Ammazza i vecchii, & i giovani risana.  
A Quartan Ague kills old men & heals young.  
Pesce, oglio & amico vecchio. Old fish, old oil and an old friend are the best.  
Vitello, pullastro & pesce crudo ingrassano i cimiterii. i e. Raw pulleyn, veal and fish make the churchyards fat.  
Vino di mezo, oglio di sopra & miele di sotto. 
Of wine the middle, of oil the top, and of honey the bottom is best. Macrobius Saturn. lib. 7. c. 12. Quaro igitur, Cur oleum quod in summo est, vinum quod in medio, mel quod in fundo optimum esse credantur. Nec cunctatus Disarius ait, Mel quod optimum est reliquo ponderosius est. In vase igitur mellis pars quae in imo est reliquis praestat pondere, & idco supernante pretiofior est. Contra in vase vini pars inferior admixtione faecis non modo turbulenta, sed & sapore deterior est, pars verò summa aeris vicinid corrumpitur, etc.   
Aria di finestra colpo di balestra. i e. The air of a window is as the stroke of a cross-bow.  
Asciuto il pied calda la testa, e dal resto vive da bestia, i. e. Keep your feet dry and your head hot, and for the rest live like a beast.  
Piscia chiaro & incaca al medico. i e. Piss clear and defy the physician.    

Proverbs and Proverbial Observations concerning Husbandry, Wether and the seasons of the year.  

JAniveer freeze the pot by the fire.  

If the grass grow in Janiveer, It grows the worse for't all the year.  
There's no general rule without some exception: for in the year 1667 the winter was so mild, that the pastures were very green in January, yet was there scarce ever known a plentifuller crop of hay then the summer following.   

When Candlemas day is come and gone  
The snow lies on a hot stone.   

February fill dike, Be it black or be it white;  
But if it be white, It's the better to like.  
Pluye de Feburier vault es gaux de fumier. Gall. Snow brings a double advantage: It not only preserves the corn from the bitterness of the frost and cold, but enriches the ground by reason of the nitrous salt which it is supposed to contain. I have observed the Alps and other high mountains covered all the winter with snow, soon after it is melted to become like a garden, so full of luxuriant plants and variety of flowers. It is worth the noting, that mountainous plants are for the most part larger than those of the same genus which grow in lower grounds; and that these snowy mountains afford greater variety of species then plain countries.   
Februeer doth cut and shear.  
All the months in the year curse a fair Februeer. or thus,  

The Welshman had rather see his dam on the beer,  
Then so see a fair Februeer.   

March in Janiveer, Janiveer in March I fear.   

March hack ham, comes in like a lion, goes out like a lamb.   
A bushel of March dust is worth a King's ransom.  
March grass never did good.  
March wind and May Sun, make clothes white and maids dun.  
March many weathers.  
April showers bring forth May flowers.  

When April blows his horn, It's good both for hay and corn.  
That is, when it thunders in April: for thunder is usually accompanied with rain.   
April borrows three days of March and they are ill.  
An April flood carries away the frog and her brood.  

A cold May and a windy, makes a full barn and a findy.   
The merry month of May.  

May come she early or come she late she'll make the cow to quake.  
May seldom passes without a brunt of cold weather. Some will have it thus, She'll bring the Cow. quake. i e. Gramen tremulum, which is true, but I suppose not the intent of the Proverb.   
A May flood never did good.  

Look at your corn in May, and you'll come weeping away: Look at the same in June, and you'll come home in another tune.   

Shear your sheep in May, And shear them all away.   

A swarm of Bees in May, is worth a load of hay: But a swarm in July, is not worth a fly.   

When the wind's in the East, It's neither good for man nor beast.  
The East-wind with us is commonly very sharp, because it comes off the Continent. Midland Countries of the same latitude are generally colder than maritime, and Continents than Islands: and it is observed in England that near the seaside, as in the County of Cornwall, etc. the snow seldom lies three days.   

When the wind's in the South, It's in the reins mouth.  
This is an observation that holds true all over Europe; and I believe in a great part of Asia too. For Italy and Greece the ancient Latin and Greek Poets witness: as Ovid. Madidis notus evolat alis. and speaking of the South, Metamorph. 1. he saith, Contraria tellus nubibus assiduis pluviòque madescit ab Austro. Homer calls the North wind 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pliny saith, In totum venti omnes à Septentrione ficclores quam à meridie. lib. 2. cap. 47. For Judas in Asia the Scripture gives testimony; Prov. 25. 23. The Northwind drives away rain. Wherefore by the rule of contraries, the Southwind must bring it. The reason of this with the ingenious Philosopher Des Cartes I conceive to be, because those countries which lie under and near to the course of the Sun, being sufficiently heated by his almost perpendicular beams, send up a multitude of vapours into the air, which being kept in constant agitation by the same heat that raised them require a great space to perform their motions in, and new still ascending they must needs be cast off part to the South and part to the North of the Sun's course; So that were there no winds the parts of the earth towards the North and South poles would be most full of clouds and vapours. Now the Northwind blowing, keeps back those vapours, and causes clear weather in these Northern parts: but the South wind brings store of them along with it, which by the cold of the air are here condensed into clouds, and fall down in rain. Which account is confirmed by what Pliny reports of Africa, loc. cit. Permutant & duo naturam cum situ: Auster Africa screnus, Aquilo nubilus. The reason is, because Africa being under or near the course of the Sun, The Southwind carries away the vapours there ascending: but the Northwind detains them, and so partly by compressing, partly by cooling them causes them to condense and descend in showers.   

When the wind's in the South,  
It blows the bait into the fishes mouth.   

No weather is ill, If the wind be still.   
A hot May makes a fat Churchyard.  
A green winter makes a fat Churchyard. 
This Proverb was sufficiently confuted Anno 1667, in which the winter was very mild; and yet no mortality or Epidemical disease ensued the Summer or Autumn following. We have entertained an opinion, that frosty weather is the most healthful, and the hardest winters the best. But I can see no reason for it, for in the hottest countries of the world, as Brazil, etc. Men are longest lived where they know hot what frost or snow means, the ordinary age of man being an hundred and ten years: and here in England we found by experience, that the last great plague succeeded one of the sharpest frosty winters that hath lately happened.   
Winter never rots in the sky. 
Ne caldo, ne gelo resta mai in cielo.  Ital.  
Neither heat nor cold abides always in the sky.  
It's pity fair weather should do any harm.  
Hail brings frost i'th'tail.  
A snow year, a rich year. Anno di neve anno di bene. Ital.  
A winter's thunder's a summer's wonder. Quand il tonne en Mars on peut dire alas. Gall.  
Drought never bred dearth in England.  
Whoso hath but a mouth, shall ne'er in England suffer drought. v. in Sentent.  

When the sand doth feed the clay, (which is in a wet summer) England woe and welladay:  
But when the clay doth feed the sand, (which is in a dry summer) Than it is well with England.  
Because there is more clay then sandy ground in England.   

The worse for the rider, the better for the bider.   
Bon pais mauvais chemin. Gall. Rich land, bad way.  

When the Cuckoo comes to the bare thorn,  
Sell your cow and buy you corn:  
But when she comes to the full bit,  
Sell your corn and buy you sheep.  
If the cock moult before the hen,  
We shall have weather thick and thin:  
But if the hen moult before the cock,  
We shall have weather hard as a block.  
These prognostics of weather and future plenty, etc. I look upon as altogether uncertain; and were they narrowly observed would I believe, as often miss as hit.   

I'th' old o'th' moon A cloudy morning bodes a fair afternoon.   

As the days lengthen, so the cold strengtheners.  Cresce di cresce'l freddo dice il pescador. Ital. 
The reason is, for that the earth having been well heated by the Sun's long lying upon it in Summer time is not suddenly cooled again by the recess of the Sun, but retains part of its warmth till after the Winter Solstice: which warmth, notwithstanding the return and access of the Sun, must needs still languish and decay, and so notwithstanding the lengthening of the days the weather grows colder, till the external heat caused by the Sun is greater than the remaining internal heat of the earth for as long as the external is lesser than the internal (that is, so long as the Sun hath not force enough to produce as great a heat in the earth as was remaining from the last Summer) so long the internal must needs decrease. The like reason there is why the hottest time of the day is not just at noon, but about two of the clock in the afternoon and the hottest time of the year not just at the Summer Solstice, but about a month after, because till then the external heat of the Sun is greater than the heat produced in the earth. So if you put a plece of iron into a very hot fire it will not suddenly be heat so hot as the fire can make it, and though you abate your fire, before it be thoroughly heated, yet will it grow hotter and hotter, till it comes to that degree of heat which the fire it is in can give it.   

If there be a rainbow in the eve, it will rain and leave: But if there be a rainbow in the morrow, It will neither lend nor borrow.   

An evening red and a morning grey, Is a sign of a fair day.  

Le rouge soir & blanc matin Font rejovir le pelerin.  Gall. 
Sera rossa & negro matino Allegra il pelegrino.  Ital. A red evening and a white morning rejoice the pilgrim.   

When the clouds are upon the hills they'll come down by the mills.   

David and Chad sow pease good or bad.  
That is about the beginning of March.   

This rule in gardening never forget,  
To sow dry, and to set wet.   

When the sloe-tree's as white as a sheet,  
Sow your barley whether it be dry or wet.   

Sow beans i'th' mud, and they'll grow like wood.   

Till St James his day be come and gone,  
You may have hops or you may have none.   

The pigeon never knoweth woe,  
But when she doth a benting go.   

If the Partridge had the wood cock's thigh,  
'Twould be the best bird that ever did fly.   
Yule is good on yule even. 
That is, as I understand it, every thing in his season, Yule is Christmas.   
Tripe's good meat if it be well wiped.  

A Michaelmass rot comes ne'er i'th' pot.   
A nag with a weamb and a mare with nean. i e. none.  

Behind before, before behind, a horse is in danger to be pricked.   
You must look for grass on the top of the oak tree. 
Because the grass seldom springs well before the oak begins to put forth, as might have been observed the last year.   
St. Matthie sends sap into the tree.  
A famine in England begins at the horse-manger. 
In opposition to the rack: for in dry years when hay is dear, commonly corn is cheap: but when oats (or indeed any one grain) is dear, the rest are seldom cheap.   

Winter's thunder and Summer's flood,  
Never boded Englishman good.   
Butter's once a year in the cow's horn. 
They mean when the cow gives no milk. And butter is said to be mad twice a year; once in Summer time in very hot weather, when it is too thin and fluid; and once in winter in very cold weather, when it is too hard and difficult to spread.   
Barly-straw's good fodder when the cow gives water.  

On Valentine's day will a good goose lay.   

If she be a good goose her dame well to pay, She will lay two eggs before Valentine's day.   

Before S. Chad every goose lays both good and Bad.   
It reins by planets. 
This the Country people use when it reins in one place and not in another: meaning that the showers are governed by the Planets, which being erratic in their own motions, cause such uncertain wand'ring of clouds and falls of rain. Or it reins by Planets, that is, the falls of showers are as uncertain as the motions of the Planets are imagined to be.   

If Candlemas day be fair and bright  
Winter will have another flight:  
If on Candlemas day it be shower and rain,  
Winter is gone and will not come again.  
This is a translation or metraphrase of that old La-Latin Distich; 
Si Sol splendescat Maria purificante,  
Major erit glacies post festum quam fuit ante.  Now though I think all observations about particular days superstitious and frivolous, yet because probably if the weather be fair for some days about this time of the year, it may betoken frost, I have put this down as it was delivered me.   

Barnaby bright, the longest day and the shortest night.   

Lucy light, the shortest day and the longest night.   

S. Bartholomew brings the cold dew.   
S. Matthie all the year goes by. 
Because in Leap-year the supernumerary day is then intercalated.   

S. Matthee shut up the Bee.   

S. Valentine set thy hopper by mine.   

S. Mattho, take thy hopper and sow.   

S. Benedick sow thy pease or keep them in thy rick.   

Red herring ne'er spoke word but e'en,  
Broil my back, but not my weamb.  
Said the Chevin to the Trout,  
My head's worth all thy bouk.   
Medlars are never good till they be rotten.  

On Candlemas day you must have half your straw and half your hay.   
At twelf-day the days are lengthened a Cock-stride. The Italians say at Christmas.  

A cherry year a merry year:  
A plum year a dumb year.  
This is a puerile and senseless rythme without reason, as far as I can see.   
Set trees at Allhallontide and command them to prosper: Set them after Candlemas and entreat them to grow. 
This Dr. J. Beal allegeth as an old English and Welsh Proverb, concerning Apple and Pear-trees, Oak and Hawthorn quicks; though he is of Mr. Reed's opinion, that it's best to remove fruit-trees in the spring, rather than the Winter. Philosoph. Transact. N. 71.   

If you would fruit have,  
You must bring the leaf to the grave.  
That is you must transplant your trees just about the fall of the leaf, neither sooner nor much later: not sooner, because of the motion of the sap; not later, that they may have time to take root before the deep frosts.    
To these I shall adjoin a few Italian.  

PRimo porco, ultimo cane. i e. The first pig, but the last whelp of the litter is the best.  

Cavallo & cavalla cavalcalo in su la spalla,  
Asino & mulo cavalcalo in su'l culo. i e.  
Ride a horse and mare on the shoulders, an  
Ass and mule on the buttocks.   

A buon'hora in pescaria & tardi in beccaria.  
Go early to the fishmarket, & late to the butchery.   

Al amico cura li il fico, All inimico il Persico.  
Pill a fig for your friend, and a peach for your enemy.     

Proverbs and Proverbial observations referring to Love, Wedlock and Women.  

LOve me little and love me long.  
Hot love is soon cold.  
Love of lads and fire of chatte's is soon in and soon out. Darbish. 
Chatte's, i. e. chips.   

Lads love's a busk of broom, Hot awhile and soon done.  Chesh.  
Love will creep where it cannot go.  
Chi ha amor nel petto ha le sprone ne i fianchi. Italian. 
He that hath love in his breast hath spurs in his sides.   

Love and Lordship like no fellowship.  
Amor & seignoria non yogliono compagnia, Ital. Amour & feigneutie ne se tindrent jamais compagnie. Gall. The meaning of our English Proverb is, Lovers and Princes cannot endure rivals or partners. Omnisque potestas Impaticus consortis erit. The Italian and French, though the same in words, have I think a different sense, viz. Non bene conveniunt nec in una sede morantur Majestas & amor.   
Love is blind.  
Lovers live by love, as Larks by leeks. 
This is I conceive in derision of such expressions as living by love. Larks and leeks beginning with the same letter helped it up to be a Proverb.   

Follow love and it will flee,  
Flee love and it will follow thee.  
This was wont to be said of glory, Sequentem fugit, fugientem sequitur. Just like a shadow.   
Love and pease-pottage will make their way. 
Because one breaks the belly, the other the heart.   

The love of a woman and a bottle of wine,  
Are sweet for a season, but last for a time.   
Love comes in at the windows, and goes out at the doors.  
Love and a cough cannot be hid. 
Amor tussisque non celatur. The French and Italians add to these two the itch. L'amour, la tousse & la galle ne se peuvent celer. Gall. Amor la rogna & la tousse non si ponno nascondere. Ital. Others add stink.   

Ay be as merry as be can,  
For love ne'er delights in a sorrowful man.   
Fair chieve all where love trucks.  
Whom we love best, to them we can say least.  

He that loves glass without G.  
Take away L, and that is he.   
Old pottage is sooner heated, then new made. 
Old lovers fallen out are sooner reconciled then new loves begun. Nay the Comedian saith, Amantium irae amoris redintegratio est.   
Wedlock is a padlock.  
Age and wedlock bring a man to his nightcap.  
Wedding an ill wintering, tame both man and beast.  
Marriages are made in heaven. Nozze & magistrato dal cielo e destinato. Ital.  
Marry in haste and repent at leisure.  
It's good to marry late or never.  
Marry your Sons when you will, your Daughters when you can.  
Marry your Daughters betimes, lest they marry themselves.  
I've cured her from laying i'th'hedge, quoth the good man when he had wed his daughter.  
Motions are not marriages.  
More longs to marriage, than four bare legs in a bed.  
Like blood, like good, and like age, make the happiest marriage. 
Aequalem uxorem quaere. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Unequal marriages seldom prove happy. Si qua voles aptè nubere, nube pari. Ovid. Intolerabilius nibil est quam famina dives. Juvenal.   
Many an one for land takes a fool by the hand. i e. marries her or him.  
He that's needy when he is married, shall be rich when he is buried.  
Who weds ere he be wise, shall die e'er he thrive.  
It's hard to wive and thrive both in a year.  
Better behalf hanged then ill wed.  

He that would an old wife wed, Must eat an apple before he goes to bed,  
Which by reason of its flatulency is apt to excite lust.   
Sweet heart and Honey-bird keeps no house.  
Marriage is honourable, but housekeeping's a shrew.  
We bachelors grin, but you married men laugh till your hearts ache.  
Marriage and hanging go by destiny.  
It's time to yoke when the cart comes to the caples, i. e. horses. Chesh. 
That is, It's time to marry when the woman woes the man.   

Courting and wooing brings dallying and doing.   

Happy is the wooing, that is not long in doing.   

Widows are always rich.   

He that woes a maid must come seldom in her sight.  
But he that woes a widow must woe her day and night.   

He that woes a maid must fain, lie and flatter:  
But he that woes a widow, must down with his breeches and at her.  
This Proverb being somewhat immodest, I should not have inserted, but that I met with it in a little book, entitled The Quakers spiritual Court proclaimed, written by Nathanael Smith, Student in Physic: Wherein the Author mentions it as Counsel given him by one Hilkiah Bedford, an eminent Quaker in London, who would have had him to have married a rich widow, in whose house in case he could get her, this Nathanael Smith had promised Hilkiah a chamber gratis. The whole narrative is very well worth the reading.   
It's dangerous marrying a widow because she hath cast her rider.  

He that would the daughter win,  
Must with the mother first begin.   
A man must ask his wife leave to thrive.  
He that looseth his wife and sixpence, hath lost a tester. 
I perde moglie & un quatrino, ha gran perdita del quatrino. Ital.   
He that loses his wife and a farthing hath a great loss of his farthing.  
There is one good wife in the Country, and every man thinks he hath her.  

Wife's must be had, be they good or bad.   
He that tells his wife news, is but newly married.  

A nice wife and a back door, do often make a rich man poor.   

Saith Solomon the wise,  
A good wife's a goodly prize.   
A dead wife's the best goods in a man's house.  
Long-tongued wives go long with bairn.  
A man of straw, is worth a woman of gold. 
This is a French Proverb. Un homme de paille vaut une femme d'or.   
One tongue is enough for a woman. 
This reason they give that would not have women learn languages.   
A woman's tongue wags like a lambs tail.  
Three women and a goose make a market. 
This is an Italian one, Tre done & un occa fan un mercato.   
A ship and a woman are ever repairing.  

A spaniel, a woman and a walnut tree,  
The more they're beaten the better still they be.   

Nux, asinus, mulier simili sunt l●ge ligata.  
Haec tria nil rectè faci●nt si verbera cessant.  Adducitur à Cognato, est tamen novum.  
All women are good, viz, either good for something or good for nothing.  
Women laugh when they can, and weep when they will. 
Femme rit quand elle peut & pleure quand elle veut. Gall.   
Women think Place a sweet fish.  
A woman conceals what she knows not.  
Women and dogs set men together by the ears.  
As great pity to see a woman weep, as a goose go barefoot.  
Winter-weather and women's thoughts change oft.  
A woman's mind and winter-wind change oft.  

There's no mischief in the world done,  
But a woman is always one.   
A wicked woman and an evil, Is three half pence worse than the Devil.  
The more women look in their glasses, the less they look to their houses.  
A woman's work is never at an end. Some add, 
 And washing of dishes.  
Change of women makes bald knaves.  
Every man can tame a shrew, but he that hath her.  
Better be a shrew then a sheep. 
For commonly shrews are good housewives.   
Better one house filled then two spilled. 
This we use when we hear of a bad Jack who hath married as bad a Jyll. For as it is said of Bonum, quò communius cò melius; So by the rule of contraries, What is ill, the further it spreads the worse. And as in a city it is better there should be one Lazaretto and that filled with the insected, then make every house in a town a Pesthouse, they dwelling dispersedly or singly: So is it in a neighbourhood, etc.   
Old maids lead apes in hell.  
Bachelors wives and maids children are always well taught. 

Chi non ha' moglie ben la veste.  
Chi non ha' figlivoli ben li pasce.    
Maiden's must be seen and not heard.  
A dog's nose and a maids knees are always cold.  
Young wenches make old wrenches.  

As the goodman saith, so say we,  
But as the good woman saith, so it must be.   
Better be an old man's darling, than a young man's warling.  
A grunting horse and a groaning wife seldom fail their master.  
In time comes she whom Gods sends.  
He that marries a widow and three children, marries four thiefs.  
Two daughters and a back door are three errand thiefs.  
A black man's a jewel in a fair woman's eye.  

Fair and sluttish, (or foolish) black and proud,  
Long and lazy, little and loud.  
Beautè & folly vont souvent de compagnie. Gall. Beauty and folly do often go hand in hand, are often matched together.   
Put another man's child in your bosom, and he'll creep out at your elbow. Chesh. 
That is, cherish or love him, he'll never be naturally affected toward you.   
When the good man's from home the good wife's table is soon spread.  
The good man's the last knows what's amiss at home. 
Dedecus ille domûs sciet ultimus.   
'Tis safe taking a shive of a cut loaf.  
Wine and wenches empty men's purses.  

Who drives an Ass and leads a whore,  
Hath pain and sorrow evermore.  The Italians add, & corre in arena. 
The French say, Qui femme croit & asne mien, son corpse ne sera ja sans peine. i e. He that trusts a woman and leads an ass, etc.   
I'll tent thee, quoth Wood, If I can't rule my daughter, I'll rule my good. Chesh.  
Ossing comes to bossing. Chesh. 
Ossing, i. e. offering or aiming to do. The meaning is the same, with Courting and wooing brings dallying and doing.   
Free of her lips free of her hips.  
A rouk-town's seldom a good housewife at home. 
This is a Yorkshire Proverb. A Rouk-town is a gossipping housewife, who loves to go from house to house.   
Quickly tooed, [i. e. toothed] and quickly go,  
Quickly will thy mother have moe. Yorksh. 
Some have it quickly told, quickly with God, as if early breeding of teeth, were a sign of a short life, whereas we read of some born with teeth in their heads, who yet have lived long enough to become famous men, as in the Roman History; M. Curius Dentatus, & Cn. Papyrius Carbo mentioned by Pliny, lib. 7. c. 16. and among our English Kings, Rich. 3.   
It's a sad burden to carry a dead man's child.  
A little house well filled, a little land well tilled, and a little wife well willed.  
One year of joy, another of comfort and all the rest of content. A marriage wish.  

My son's my son, till he hath got him a wife,  
But my daughter's my daughter all days of her life.   
The loan sheep's in danger of the wolf.  
A light heeled mother, makes a heavy heeled daughter. 
Because she doth all her work herself, and her daughter the mean time sitting idle, contracts a habit of sloth. Mere pitieuse fait sa fille rogneuse, Gall. A tender mother breeds a scabby daughter.   
When the husband drinks to the wife, all would be well: When the wife drinks to the husband, all is well.  
When a couple are newly married, the first month is honeymoon or smick smack: the second is, hither an thither: the third is, thwick thwack: the fourth, the Devil take them that brought thee and I together.  
Women must have their wills while they live, be-because they make none when they die.  
England is the Paradise of women. 
And well it may be called so, as might easily be demonstrated in many particulars, were not all the world already therein satisfied. Hence it hath been said, that if a bridge were made over the narrow seas, all the women in Europe would come over hither. Yet is it worth the noting, that though in no Country of the world, the men are so fond of, so much governed by, so wedded to their wives, yet hath no Language, so many Proverbial invectives against women.   
All meat's to be eaten, all maids to be wed.  
It's a sad house where the hen crows louder than the cock. 
Trista è quella casa dove le galline cantano e'l gallo tace. Ital.   

If a woman were as little as she is good,  
A peas-cod would make her a gown & a hood.  
Se la donna fossae piccola come e buona, laminima foglia la farebbe una veste & una corona. Ital.   
Many women many words, many geese many t ....  
Dove sonod nne & ocche non vi sono parole poche. Ital. 
Where there are women and geese there wants no noise.   
Not what is she, but what hath she. 

Protinus ad censum de moribus ultima fiet  
Quaestio etc. Juven.     
To these I shall add one French Proverb.  

Maison fact & femme à fair. A house ready made but a wife to make, i. e. One that is a virgin & young. Ne femina ne tela à lume de candela. Ital. Neither women nor linen by candlelight.    

AN ALPHABET Of Joculatory, Nugatory And Rustic Proverbs.  

A.  
YOu see what we must all come to if we live.  
If thou be hungry, I am angry, let us go fight.  
Lay on more wood, Ashes give money.  
Six Awls make a shoemaker.  
All asiden as hogs fighten.   

B.  
BAck with that leg.  
Of all and of all commend me to Ball, for by licking the dishes he saved me much labour.  
Like a Barber's chair, fit for every buttock.  
A Bargain is a bargain.  
His Bashful mind hinders his good intent.  
The son of a Bachelor. i e. a bastard.  
Then the town-bull is a Bachelor. i e. as soon as such an one.  
He speaks Bear-garden. 
That is, such rude and uncivil, or sordid and dirty language, as the Rabble that frequent those sports, are wont to use.   
He that hath eaten a Bear-pye will always smell of the garden.  
Your Belly chimes, it's time to go to dinner.  
You shall have as much favour at Billingsgate for a box on the ear.  
A Black shoe makes a merry heart.  
He's in his better Blue clothes. 
He thinks himself wondrous fine.   
Have among you blind harpers.  
Good blood makes bad puddings without groats or suet. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Nobility is nothing but ancient riches: and money is the idol the world adores.   
A Blot in his Escutcheon.  
To be bout, i. e. without, as Barrow was. Chesh.  
To leave Boyes-play, and go to blowpoint.  
You'll not believe a man is dead till you see his brains out.  
Well rhythmed Tutor, Brains and stairs. 
Now used in derision of such as make paltry ridiculous rhythmes.   
A brinded pig will make a good brawn to breed on.  
A redheaded man will make a good stallion.  
This buying of bread undoes us.  
If I were to fast for my life I would eat a good breakfast in the morning.  
She brides it. She bridles up the head, or acts the bride.  
As broad as long. i e. Take it which way you will, there's no difference, it is all one.  
To burst at the broad side.  
Like an old woman's breech, at no certainty.  
He's like a buck of the first-head. 
Brisk, pert, forward, Some apply it to upstart Gentlemen.   
The spirit of building is come upon him.  
He wears the Bull's feather. 
This is a French proverb, for a cuckold.   
It melts like butter in a Sow's tail: or, works like soap etc.  
I have a bone in mine arm. 
This is a pretended excuse, whereby people abuse young children when they are importunate to have them do something, or reach something for them, that they are unwilling to do, or that is not good for them.   
Burroughs end of sheep, some one.   

C.  
EVery cake hath its make, but a scrape-cake hath two. 
Every wench hath her sweetheart, and the dirtiest commonly the most: make, i. e. match, fellow.   
He Capers like a fly in a tarbox.  
He's in good carding.  
I would cheat mine own father at cards.  
When you have counted your cards you'll find you have gained but little.  
Catch that catch may.  
The cat hath eaten her count. 
It is spoken of women with child, that go beyond their reckoning.   
He lives under the sign of the eats foot. 
He is hen-peckt, his wife scratches him.   
Whores and thiefs go by the clock.  
Quoth the young Cock, I'll neither meddle nor make. 
When he saw the old cock's neck wrung off, for taking part with the master, and the old hens, for taking part with the dame.   
To order without a Constable.  
He's no Conjurer.  
Marry come up my dirty Cousin. 
Spoken by way of taunt, to those who boast themselves of their birth, parentage, or the like.   
Cousin germane quite removed.  
He's fallen into a Cow-turd.  
He looks like a Cowt— stuck with Primroses.  
To a Cow's thumb.  
Crack me that nut, quoth Bumsted.  
To rock the Cradle in ones spectacles.  
Cream-pot love. 
Such as young fellows pretend tun dairy-maids, to get cream and other good things of them.   
Cuckolds are christians. 
The story is well known of the old woman, who hearing a young fellow call his dog cuckold, says to him, Are you not ashamed to call a dog by a Christians name.   
He has deserved a Cushion. 
That is, he hath gotten a boy.   
To kill a man with a cushion.  
A Curtain-lecture. 
Such an one as a wife reads her husband when she chides him in bed.   
If a Cuckold come he'll take away the meat. viz.  
If there be no salt on the table.  
It's better to be acold than a Cuckold.  
For want of company welcome trumpery.  
That's the cream of the jest.  
It's but a copy of his countenance.  
His Cow hath calved, or sow piged. 
He hath got what he sought for, or expected.   
With Cost one may make pottage of a stool-foot.   

D.  
THe Dasnel dawcock sits among the Doctors. 
Corchorus inter olera. Corchorus is a small herb of little account: Some take it to be the Male Pimpernel: beside which there is another herb so called, which resembles Mallows, and is much eaten by the Egyptians.   
When the Devil is blind.  
Heigh ho, the Devil is dead.  
Strike Dawkin, the Devil is i'th' hemp.  
The Devil is good to some.  
It's good sometimes to hold a candle to the Devil. 
Holding a candle to the devil is assisting in a bad cause, an evil matter.   
The Devil is i'th' dice.  
When the Devil is a hog you shall eat bacon.  
To give one the Dog to hold. i e. To serve one a dogtrick.  
It's a good Dog can catch any thing.  
He looks like a Dog under a door.  
Make ado and have ado.  
I know what I do when I drink.  
Drink off your drink, and steal no lambs.  
Drift is as bad as unthrift.  
He was hanged that left his drink behind him. 
Good fellows have a story of a certain malefactor, who came to be suspected upon leaving his drink behind him in an Alehouse, at the News of an Hue and cry.   
A good day will not mend him, nor a bad day impair him.  
I'll make him dance without a pipe. 
i e. I'll do him an injury, and he shall not know how.    

E.  
I'll warrant you for an Egg at Easter.   

F.  
YOu two are finger and thumb.  
My wife cries five loaves a penny, i. e. She is in travel.  
It's good fish if it were but caught. 
It's spoken of any considerable good that one hath not, but talks much of, sues for, or endeavours after. A future good, which is to be catched, if a man can, is but little worth.   
To morrow morning I found an horse-shoe.  
The Fox was sick, and he knew not where:  
He clap't his hand on his tail, and swore it was there.  
That which one most forehets, soon comes to pass. 
Quod quisque vitet nunquam, homini satis cautum est in horas. Horat.   
Look to him Jailor, there's a frog i'th' stocks.   

G.  
THe way to be gone is not to stay here.  
Good goose do not bite.  
It's a sorry goose will not baste herself.  
I care no more for it then a goose-t .... for the Thames.  
Let him set up shop on goodwin's sands. 
This is a piece of Country wit; there being an aequivoque in the word Good-win, which is a surname, and also signifies gaining wealth.   
He would live in a gravel-pit. 
Spoken of a wary sparing, niggardly person.   
This growed by night. 
Spoken of a crooked stick or tree, it could not see to grow.   
Great doings at Gregory's, heat the oven twice for a custard.  
He hath swallowed a Gudgeon. 
He hath sworn desperately, viz. to that which there is a great presumption is false: Swallowed a false oath.   
The Devils guts. i e. The surveyors chain.  
A good fellow lights his candle at both ends.  
God help the fool, quoth Pedly. 
This Pedley was a natural fool himself, and yet had usually this expression in his mouth. Indeed none are more ready to pity the folly of others, than those who have but a small measure of wit themselves.    

H.  
HIs hair grows through his hood. 
He is very poor, his hood is full of holes.   
You have a handsome head of hair, pray give me a tester. 
When Spendthrifts come to borrow money they commonly usher in their errand with some frivolous discourse in commendation of the person they would borrow of, or some of his parts or qualities: The same be said of beggars.   
A handsome bodied man i'th' face.  
Hang yourself for a pastime.  
If I be hanged, I'll choose my gallows.  
A King Harry's face.  
Better have it then hear of it.  
To take heart of grace.  
To be hidebound.  
This was a Hill in King Harry's days.  
To be loosei'th ' Hilts.  
Hit or miss for a cow-heel.  
A hober de hoy, half a man and half a boy.  
Hold or cut Codpiece point.  
Hold him to't buckle and thong.  
She's an holiday dame.  
You'll make honey of a dog'st ...  
That horse is troubled with corns. i e. foundered.  
He hath eaten a horse, and the tail hangs out at his mouth.  
He had better put his horns in his pocket, then wind them.  
There's but an hour in a day between a good housewife and a bad. 
With a little more pains, she that slatters might do things neatly.   
He came in hosed and shod. 
He was born to a good estate. He came into the world as a Bee into the hive: or into an house, or into a trade, or employment.    

I.  
I Am not the first, and shall not be the last.  
To be Jack in an office.  
An inch an hour, a foot a day.  
A basket Justice; a Jyll Justice; a good forenoon Justice.  
He'll do justice right or wrong.   

K.  
THere I caught a Knave in a purse net.  
Knock under the board. He must do so that will not drink his cup.  
As good a knave I know, as a knave I know not.  
An horse - kiss. A rude kiss, able to beat one's teeth out.   

L.  
HIs house stands on my Lady's ground.  
A long lane and a fair wind, and always thy heels here away.  
Lasses are lads leave. Chesh. 
In the East part of England, where they use the word Mothther for a girl, they have a fond old saw of this nature, viz. Wenches are tinkers bitches, girls are pedlars trulls, and modhdhers are honest men's daughters.   
He'll laugh at the wagging of a straw.  
Neither lead nor drive. An unto ward, unmanageable person.  
To play least in sight.  
To go as if dead louse dropped out of him. 
He is so poor and lean and weak, that he cannot maintain his louse.   
Thou'lt lie all manner of colours but blue, and that is gone to the litting. i e. dying.  
Tell a lie and find the troth.  
Listeners ne'er hear good of themselves.  
To lie in bed and forecast.  
Sick o'th' Lombard fever, or of the idles.  
She hath been at London to call a strea a straw, and a waw a wall. Chesh. 
This the common people use in scorn of those who having been at London are ashamed to speak their-own Country dialect.   
She lives by love and lumps in corners.  
Every one that can lick a dish: as much to say, as every one simpliciter, tag rag and bobtail.  
It's a lightning before death. 
This is generally observed of sick persons, that a little before they die their pains leave them, and their understanding and memory return to them; as a candle just before it goes out gives a great blaze.   
The best dog leap the stile first. i e. Let the worthiest person take place.   

M.  
Maxfield measure heap and thrutch. i e. thrust. Chesh.  
To find a mare's nest.  
He's a man every inch of him.  
A match, quoth Hatch, when he got his wife by the breech.  
A match, quoth jack, when he kissed his dame.  
All the matter's not in my Lord Judges hand.  
Let him mend his manners, 't will be his own another day.  
He's metal to the back. A metaphor taken from knives and swords.  
'Tis Midsummer moon with you. i e. You are mad.  
To handle without mittins.  
He was born in a mill. i e. He 's deaf.  
Samson was a strong man, yet could he not pay money before he had it.  
Thou shalt have moonshine i'th' mustard-pot for it. i e. nothing.  
Sick o'th' mulligrubs with eating chop't hay.  
You make a muckhill on my trencher, quoth the Bride. 
You carve me a great heap. I suppose some bride at first, thinking to speak elegantly and finely might use that expression; and so it was taken up in drollery; or else it's only a droll, made to abuse country brides, affecting fine language.   
This maid was born odd. 
Spoken of a maid who lives to be old, and cannot get a husband.    

N.  
NIpence nopences, half a groat lacking two pence.  
Would No I thank you had never been made.  
His nose will abide no jests.  
Doth your nose swell [or eek, i. e. itch] at that?  
I had rather it wrung you by the nose then me by the belly. i e. a fart.  
It's the nature o' th' beast.   

O.  
A Small Officer.  
Once out and always out.  
Old enough to lie without doors.  
Old muckhills will bloom.  
Old man when thou diest give me thy doublet.  
An old woman in a wooden ruff. i e. in an antique dress.  
It will do with an onion.  
To look like an owl in an Ivy-bush.  
To walk by owl-light.  
He has a good estate, but that the right owner keeps it from him.  
How do you after your oysters?  
All one but their meat goes two ways.   

P.  
THere's a pad i'th'straw.  
As it pleases the painter.  
Mock no panyer-men, your father was a fisher.  
Every pease hath its veaze, and a bean fifteen. 
A veaze vescia in Italian is crepitus ventris. So it signifies Pease are flatulent, but Beans ten times more.   
You may know by a penny how a shilling spends.  
Peter of wood, church and mills are all his. Chesh.  
Go pipe at Padley, there's a peascod feast. 
Some have it, Go pipe at Colston, etc. It is spoken in derision to people that busy themselves about matters of no concernment.   
He pisses backwards, i. e. does the other thing.  
He has pissed his tallow. 
This is spoken of bucks who grow lean after rutting time, and may be applied to men.   
Such a reason pissed my goose.  
He plays you as fair as if he picked your pocket.  
If you be not pleased put your hand in your pocket and please yourself. 
A jeering expression to such as will not be pleased with the reasonable offers of others.   
As Plum as a jugglem ear. i e. a quagmire. Devonsh.  
To pocket up an injury. 
i e. To pass it by without revenge, or taking notice.   
The difference between the poor-man and the rich is, that the poor walketh to get meat for his stomach, the rich a stomach for his meat.  
Prate is prate, but it's the duck lays the eggs.  
She is at her last prayers.  
Proo naunt your mare puts. i e. bushes.  
It would vex a dog to see a pudding creep.  
He was christened with pump-water.  
It is spoken of one that hath a red face.  
Pye-lid makes people wise. 
Because no man can tell what is in a pie till the lid be taken up.   
To ride post for a pudding.  
Be fair conditioned, and eat bread with your pudding.  
He's at a forced put.   

Q.  

WE'll do as they do at Quern,  
What we do not to day, we must do i'th' morn.    

R.  
SOme rain some rest, A harvest proverb.  
The dirt-bird [or dirt-owl] sings, we shall have rain. 
When melancholy persons are very merry, it is observed that there usually follows an extraordinary fit of sadness; they doing all things commonly in extremes.   
Every day of the week a shower of rain, and on Sunday twain.  
A rich rogue two shirts and a rag.  
Right master right, four nobles a year's a crown a quarter. Chesh.  
Room for cuckolds, etc.  
He rose with his A .... upwards. A sign of good luck.  
He would live as long as old Rosse of Pottern, who lived till all the world was weary of him.  
Let him alone with the Saints bell, and give him rope enough.  
The lass i'th'red petticoat shall pay for all. 
Young men answer so when they are chid for being so prodigal and expensive, meaning, they will get a wife with a good portion, that shall pay for it.   
Neither rhythme nor reason.  
Rub and a good cast. 
Be not too hasty, and you'll speed the better: Make not more haste then good speed.    

S.  
'TIs sooner said then done.  
Schoolboys are the reasonablest people in the world, they care not how little they have for their money.  
A Scot on Scots bank.  
The Scotch ordinary. i e. The house of office.  
That goes against the shins. i e. It's to my prejudice, I do it not willingly.  
He knows not whether his shoe goes awry.  
Sigh not but send, He'll come if he be unhanged.  
Sirrah your dogs, sirrah not me, For I was born before you could see.  
Of all tame beasts I hate Sluts.  
He's nothing but skin and bones.  
To spin a fair thread.  
Spit in his mouth and make him a mastiff.  
No man ever cried stinking fish.  
Stretching and yawning leadeth to bed.  
To stumble at the truckle-bed. 
To mistake the chambermaids bed for his wives.   
He could have sung well before he broke his left shoulder with whistling.  
Sweet heart and bag pudding.  
Nay stay, quoth Stringer when his neck was in the halter.  
Say nothing when you are dead. i e. be silent.   

T.  
HIs tail will catch the kin-cough. 
Spoken of one that sits on the ground.   
A tall man of's hands, He will not let a beast rest in's pocket.  
He's Tom Telltruth.  
Two slips for a tester.  
The tears o th'tankard.  
Four farthings and a thimble make a tailors pocket jingle.  
To throw snot about. i e. to weep.  
Though he saith nothing, he pays it with thinking, like the Welshman's Jackdaw.  
Tittle tattle, give the goose more hay.  
Toasted cheese hath no master.  
Trick for trick, and a stone in thy foot besides, quoth one, pulling a stone out of his mare's foot, when she bit him on the back, and he her on the buttock.  
Are there traitors at the table that the loaf is turned the wrong side upwards?  
To troth like a do.  
There's not a t.. to choose, quoth the good wife by her two pounds of butter.  
He looks like a Tooth-drawer. i e. very thin and meager.  
That's as true as I am his uncle.  
Turnspits are dry.   

V.  
VEal will be cheap: Calves fall. 
A jeer for those who lose the calves of their legs by etc.   
In a shoulder of veal there are twenty and two good bits. 
This 〈◊〉 piece of country wit. They mean by it, There are twen (others say forty) bits in a shoulder of veal, and but two good ones.   
He's a velvet true heart. Chesh.  
I'll venture it as Johnson did his wife, and she did well.  
Up with it, if it be but a gallon, 't will ease your stomach.   

W.  
LOok on the wall, and it will not bite you. 
Spoken in jeer to such as are bitten with mustard.   
A Scotch warming-pan. i e. A wench. 
The story is well known of the Gentleman travelling in Scotland, who desiring to have his bed warmed, the servant-maid doffs her clothes, and lays herself down in it a while. In Scotland they have neither bellows, warming-pans, nor houses of office.   
She's as quiet as a wasp in ones nose.  
Every man in's way.  
Water bewitched. i e. very thin beer.  
Eat and welcome, fast and heartily welcome.  
I am very wheamow (i. e. nimble) quoth the old woman, when she step't into the milk-bowl. Yorksh.  
A white-livered fellow.  
To shoot wide of the mark.  
Wide quoth Wilson.  
To sit like a wiredrawer under his work. Yorksh.  
He hath more wit in's head then thou in both thy shoulders.  
He hath played wily beguiled with himself.  
You may truss up all his wit in an eggshell.  
Hold your tongue husband, and let me talk that have all the wit.  
The wit of you, and the wool of a blue dog will make a good medley.  
This is the world and the other is the country.  
When the Devil is dead there's a wife for Humphrey.  
To wrap it up in clean linen. 
To deliver sordid or uncleanly matter in decent language.   
A point next the wrist.   

Y.  
HE has made a younger brother of him.  
The younger brother hath the more wit.  
The younger brother is the ancienter Gentleman.  
Old and tough, young and tender.    

Miscellany Proverbial Sayings.  

PUt a miller, a weaver and a tailor in a bag, and shake them, the first that comes out will be a thief.  
Harry's children of Leigh, never an one like another.  
A Seaman if he carries a millstone will have a quait out of it. Spoken of the common mariners, if they can come at things that may be eat or drunk.  
Go here away, go there away, quoth Madge Whitworth, when she road the mare i'th'tedder.  
There's strushion, i. e. destruction, of honey, quoth Dunkinly when he licked up the henturd.  
I killed her for good will, said Scot, when he killed his neighbour's mare.  
Gip with an ill rubbing, quoth Badger when his mare kicked. 
This is a ridiculous expression, used to people that are pettish and froward.   
He's a Hot shot in a mustard pot, when both his heels stand right up.  
Three dear years will raise a bakers daughter to a portion. 'Tis not the smallness of the bread, but the knavery of the baker.  
I hope better quoth Benson, when his wife bade him come in cuckold.  
One, two, three, four, are just half a score.  
I'll make him fly up with jackson's hens. i e. undo him:  
So when a man is broke, or undone, we say he is blown up.  
I'll make him water his horse at Highgate. 
i e. I'll sue him, and make him take a journey up to London.   
What have I to do with bradshaw's windmill? Leycester.  
What have I to do with other men's matters?  
He that would have good luck in horses, must kiss the Parson's wife.  
He that snites his nose, and hath it not, forfeits his face to the King.  
A man can do no more than he can.  

It's an ill guest that never drinks to his host.  
Run tap run tapster.  
This is said of a tapster that drinks so much himself, and is so free of his drink to others that he is fain to run away.   
He hath got the fiddle, but not the stick. 
i e. The books but not the learning, to make use of them, or the like.   
That's the way, to catch the old one on the nest.  
This must be if we brew. 
That is if we undertake mean and sordid, or lucrative employments, we must be content with some trouble, inconvenience, affronts, disturbance, etc.    
Proverbial Periphrases of one drunk. 
HE's disguised. He has got a piece of bread and cheese in's head. He has drunk more than he has bled. He has been i'th' Sun. He has a jagg or load. He has got a dish. He has got a cup too much. He is one and thirty. He is daged. He has cut his leg. He is afflicted. He is top-heavy. The malt is above the water. As drunk as a wheelbarrow. He makes indentures with his legs. He's well to live. He's about to cast up his reckoning or accounts. He has made an example. He is concerned. He is as drunk as David's sow. He has stolen a manchet out of the brewer's basket. He's raddled. He is very weary. He drank till he gave up his halfpenny, i. e. vomited.  Proverbial Phrases and Sentences belonging to drink and drinking. 
LIck your dish. Wind up your bottom. Play off your dust. Hold up your dagger hand. Make a pearl on your nail. To bang the pitcher. There's no deceit in a brimmer. Sup Simon the best is at the bottom. Ale that would make a cat to speak. Fill what you will, and drink what you fill. He hath pissed out all he hath against the walls: She's not a good housewife that will not wind up her bottom, i. e. take off her drink.  One that hath the Fr. Pox. 
HE has been at Haddam. He has got the Crinckams. He is peppered. He is not pepper-proof. He has got a Kentish ague. He has got the new consumption. He has got a clap. He has got a blow over the nose with a French cowl-staff. He is Frenchified. The Covent-garden ague. The Barnwell ague.  To make water. etc. 
TO make a little maid's water. To water the Marigolds. To speak with a maid. To gather a rose. To look upon the wall.  A Liar. 
HE deserves the whetstone. He'll not let any body lie by him. He shall have the king's horse. He's a long-bow-man. He lies as fast as a dog can troth.  A great Lie. 
THat was laid on with a trowel. That's a loud one. That's a lie with a witness; a lie with a latchet. That sticks in's throat. If a lie could have choked him, that would have done it. The dam of that was a whisker.  A Bankrupt. 
HE's all to pieces. He has should ..... i'th' plum-bag. He's blown up. He has shut up shop-windows. He dare not show his head. He hath swallowed a spider. He hath shown them a fair pair of heels. He is marched off. He goes on's last legs. He is run off his legs.  A Wencher. 
HE loves laced mutton. He'll run at sheep. He'll commit poultry. He'll have a bit for's cat. He keeps a cast of Merlin's. Men of his hair are seen oftener at the B ... court then at the gallows.  A Whore. 
SHe's like a cat, she'll play with her tail. She's as right as my leg. A light-skirts. A kindhearted soul. She's loose i'th' hilts. A Lady of pleasure. As errand a wh ..... as ever pissed. A Cockatrice. A Leman. she's as common as a barber's chair. As common as the high way. She lies backward and lets out her fore-rooms. She is neither wife, widow, nor maid.  A covetous person. 
HIs money comes from him like drops of blood. He'll flay a flint. He'll not lose the droppings of his nose. He serves the poor with a thump on the back with a stone. He'll dress an egg, and give the offal to the poor. He's like a swine, never good until he come to the knife. Avarus nisi cum moritur nil recte facit. Lab. His purse is made of a toads skin.  Proverbial Phrases relating to several trades. 
THe smith hath always a spark in's throat. The smith and his penny are both black. Nine Tailors make a man. Cobbler's law, he that takes money must pay the shot. To brew in a bottle and bake in a bag. The Devil would have been a weaver but for the Temples. The gentle craft. S. Hugh's bones. A Hangman is a good trade, he doth his work by daylight. It is good to be sure. Toll it again quoth the miller. Any tooth good Barber. A horse-doctour, i. e. a farrier. He should be a ba●er by's bow-legs. Take all and pay the baker. He drives a subtle trade.    

Proverbs that are entire Sentences.  

A  
LOng absent soon forgotten 
Parallel to this are, Out of sight out of mind, and Seldom seen soon forgotten: And not much different those Greek ones. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Friends dwelling afar off are no friends. And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Forbearance of conversation dissolves friendship.   
Adversity makes a man wise not rich. 
The French say, Vent au visage rend un home sage. The wind in a man's face makes him wise. If to be good be the greatest wisdom, certainly affliction and adversity make men better. Vexatio dat intellectum.   
He that's afraid of every grass, must not piss in a meadow. 
Chi ha paura d'ogni urtica non pisci in herba. Ital. He that's afraid of every nettle, must not piss in the grass.   
He that's afraid of leaves must not come in a wood. 
This is a French Proverb englished. Qui a peur de fueilles ne doit aller au bois.   
He that's afraid of the wagging of feathers, must keep from among wild foul. 
Mr. Cotgrave in his French Dictionary produces this as an English Proverb, parallel to the precedent.   
He that's afraid of wounds must not come nigh a battle. 
These four Proverbs have all one and the same sense. viz. That timorous persons must keep as far off from danger as they can. They import also, that causeless fear works men unnecessary disquiet, puts them upon absurd and foolish practices, and renders them ridiculous.   
He'st ne'er have thing good cheap that's afraid to ask the price. Il n'aura ja bon marchè qui ne le demand. Gall.  
Agree, for the Law is costly. 
This is good counsel backed with a good reason, the charges of a suit many times exceeding the value of the thing contended for. The Italians say, Meglio è magro accordo che grassa sentenza. A lean agreement is better than a fat sentence.   
A man cannot live by the air.  
Good Ale is meat, drink and cloth.  
Fair chieve good Ale, it makes many folks speak as they think. 
Fair chieve is used in the same sense here as welfare sometimes is in the South, that is, Good speed, Good success have it, I commend it. It shall have my good wish, or good word. In vino veritas.   
We shall lie all alike in our graves. 
Aequa tellus Pauperi recluditur regúmque pueris. Horat. Mors sceptra ligonibus aequat.   
No living man all things can. 
Non omnia possumus omnes. Virgil. See many sentences to this purpose in Erasmus' Adages.   
Almost was never hanged.  
Almost and very nigh save many a lie. 
The signification of this word Almost having some latitude, men are apt to stretch it to cover untruths.   
Angry (or hasty) men seldom want woe. 
Hasty in our language is but a more gentle word for angry. Anger indeed makes men hasty, and inconsiderate in their actions. Furor iráque mentem praecipitant.   
He that's angry without a cause must be pleased without amends.  
Two Anons and a by and by is an hour and half.  
Scald not your lips in another man's pottage. 
Parallel hereto is that place, Proverb. Chap. 26. v. 17.   
The higher the Ape goes the more he shows his tail. 
The higher beggars, or base-bred persons are advanced, the more they discover the lowness and baseness of their spirits and tempers: For as the Scripture saith. Prov. 26. 1. Honour is unseemly for a fool. Tu fai come la simia, che piu va in alto piu mostra il culo. Ital. The Italians I find draw this Proverb to a different sense, to signify one, who the more he speaks the more sport he makes, and the more ridiculous he renders himself.   
Stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach. 
Metiri se quemque modulo suo ac pede verum est.   
Lend you mine A— and should— through my ribs. 
That is, lend you that whereof I have necessary and frequent use, and want it myself. It is a Russick proverb, and of frequent use in this nation; and was, I suppose, brought over to us by some merchants that traded there.   
Never be ashamed to eat your meat. 
Apud mensam vereeundari neminem decet. Erasm. takes notice that this Proverb is handed down to us from the Ancients, save that the vulgar adds neque in lecto: whereas (saith he) Nusquam magis habenda est vere cundiae ratio quam in lecto & convivio. Yet some there are who out of a rustic shamefac'tness or over mannerlyness are very troublesome at table, expecting to be carved to, and often invited to eat, and refusing what you offer them etc. The Italians say almost in the same words. A tavola non bisogna haver vergogna. And the French. Qui a honte de manger a Honte de viure. He that's ashamed to eat, is ashamed to live.   
Every man must eat a peck of Ashes before he dies.  
Lose nothing for ask.  
Every Ass thinks himself worthy to stand with the king's horses.  
A kindly Aver will never make a good horse. 
This is a Scottish Proverb quoted by K. James in his Basilicon Doron. It seems the word Aver in Scottish signifies a colt, as appears also by that other proverb, An inch of a nag is worth a span of an Aver: in our ancient writings Averium signifies any labouring beast, whether Ox or horse, and seems to be all one with the Latin Jumentum.   
Aw makes Dun draw.   

B.  
THat which is good for the back is bad for the head.  
Omnis commoditas sua fert incommoda secum.  
He loves bacon well that licks the Swine-sty door.  
Where bad's the best, naught must be the choice.  
A bad bush is better than the open field. 
That is, it's better to have any though a bad friend of relation, then to be quite destitute and exposed to the wide world.   
A bad shift is better than none.  
When bale is hext boot is next. 
Hext is a contraction of highest as next is of nighest. Bale is an old English word signifying misery, and boot profit or help. So 'tis as much as to say, When things are come to the worst they'll mend. cum duplicantur lateres venit Moses.   
A bald head is soon shaved.  
Make not balks of good ground. 
A balk, Lat. Scamnum; a piece of earth which the plough slips over without turning up or breaking, It is also used for narrow slips of land left unplowed on purpose in champain countries, for boundaries between men's lands or some other convenience.   
A good face needs no band; and a bad one deserves none. 
Some make a rhyme of this, by adding. And a pretty wench no land.   
More words than one go to a bargain.  
A good bargain is a pickpurse. 
Bon marchè tire l'argent hors de la bourse. Gall. Good cheap is dear, for it tempts people to buy what they need not.   
Bare walls make giddy housewives. 
i e. Idle housewives, they having nothing whereabout to busy themselves and show their good housewivery. We speak this in excuse of the good woman, who doth like St. Paul's widow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, gad abroad a little too much, or that is blamed for not giving the entertainment that is expected, or not behaving herself as other matrons do. She hath nothing to work upon at home, she is disconsolate, and therefore seeketh to divert herself abroad: she is inclined to be virtuous, but discomposed through poverty. Parallel to this I take to be that French Proverb, Vuides chambres font les dames folles, which yet Mr. Cotgrave thus renders, Empty chambers make women play the wantoness; in a different sense.   
The greatest barkers by't not forest: or dogs that bark at distance, by't not at hand. 
Cane chi abbaia non morde. Ital. Chien qui abbaye ne mord pas. Gall. Canes timidi vehementiùs latrant. Cave tibi à cane muto & aqua silente. Have a care of a silent dog and a still water.   
Sir John Barley-corn's the strongest Knight.  
It's a hard battle where none escapes.  
Be as it it may be is no banning.  
Every bean hath its black. 
Vitiis nemo sine nascitur. Horat. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Non est alauda sine crista. Omni malo Punico inest granum putre. Ogni grano ha' la sua semola. Every grain hath his bran. Ital.   
Sell not the bears skin before you have caught him. 
Non vender la pelle del orso inanzi che sia preso. Ital.   
He must have iron nails that scratches a Bear.  
A man may bear till his back breaks.  
If people find him patient they'll be sure to load him.  
You may beat a horse till he be sad, and a cow till she be mad.  
All that are in bed, must not have quiet rest.  
Where Bees are, there is honey. 
Where there are industrious persons, there is wealth, for the hand of the diligent maketh rich. This we see verified in our neighbours the Hollanders.   
A Beggar pays a benefit with a louse.  
Beggar's must be no choosers. 
The French say, Borrowers must be no choosers.   
Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride a gallop. 
Asperius nihil est humili cum surgit in altum. Claudian Il n'est orgueil que de pavure enrichi. Gall. There is no pride to the enriched beggar's. Il villain nobilitado non conosce il parentado. Ital. The villain ennobled will not own his kindred or parentage.   
Sue a beggar and get a louse. 
Rete non tenditur accipitri neque milvio, Terent. Phorm.   
Much ado to bring beggars to stocks, and when they come there, they'll not put in their legs.  
Beggar's breed, and rich men feed.  
A beggar can never be bankrupt.  
It's one beggars woe, to see another by the door go. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesiod. Etiam mendicum mendico invidet.   
A good beginning makes a good ending. 
De bon commencement bonne fin Gall. & de bonne vie bonne fin. A good life makes a good death. Boni principii finis bonus.   
Well begun is half done. 
Dimidium facti qui coepit habet. Horat. Which some make a Pentameter by putting in been before coepit.   
Believe well and have well.  
The belly hath no ears. 
Venture non habet aures. Ventre affame ●…'a point d'oreilles. Gall. Discourse to or call upon hungry persons, they'll not mind you, or leave their meat to attend. Or, as Erasmus, Ubi de pastu agitur, non attenduntur honestae rationes. Nothing makes the vulgar more untractable, fierce and seditious, than scarcity and hunger. Nescit plebes jejuna timere. There is some reason the belly should have no ears, because words will not fill it.   
Better belly burst then good drink lost.  
Better belly burst then good meat lost.  
Little difference between a feast and a bellyful.  
A Belly full's a belly full, whether it be meat or drink,  
When the belly is full, the bones would be at rest.  
The belly is not filled with fair words.  
Best to bend, while 'tis a twig. 

Udum & molle lutum es, nunc nunc properandus & acri, Fingendus fine since rota.  Pers. 
Quae praebet latas arbor spatiantibus umbras, Quo pofita est primùm tempore virga fait.  
Tunc poterat manibus summâ tellure revelli, Nunc stat in immensum viribus acta suis.  Ovid. Quare tunc formandi mores (inquit Erasmus) cum mollis adhuc aetas; tunc optimis assuescendum cum ad quidvis cereum est ingenium. Ce qui poulain prend en jeunesse. Il le continue en vie illesse. Gall. The tricks a colt getteth at his first backing, will whilst he continueth never be lacking. Cotgr.   
They have need of a bosom that sweep the house with a turf.  
The best is best cheap. 
For it doth the buyer more credit and service.   
Make the best of a bad bargain.  
The best things are worst to come by. 
Difficilia quae pulchra: 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Beware of had I wist.  
Do as you're bidden and you'll never bear blame.  
Birchen twigs break no ribs.  
Birds of a feather flock together. 
Like will to like. The Greeks and Latins have many Proverbs to this purpose, as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Semper Graculus assidet Graculo. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theocrit. Cicada cicadae chara, formicae formica. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Homer. Odyss. 5. Semper similem ducit Deus ad similem. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Simile gaudet simili. & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Simile appetit simile. unde & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Likeness is the mother of love. Aequalis aequalem delectat. Young men delight in the company of young, old men of old. Learned men of learned; wicked of wicked, good fellows of drunkards, etc. Tully in Cat. maj. Pares cum paribus (ut est in vetere proverbio) facillimè congregantur.   
He's in great want of a bird that will give a groat for an owl.  
One bird i'th' hand is worth two in the bush. 
E meglio aver hoggi un vovo che dimani una gallina, Ital. Better have an egg to day, than a hen to morrow. Mieux vant un tenez que deux vous l'aurez. Gall. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theocr. Praesentem mulgeas, quid fugientem inseq●eris? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hesiod. He that leaves certainty and sticks to chance, when fools pipe, he may dance.   
It's an ill bird that berays its own nest. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Every bird must hatch her own egg. 
Tute hoc intristi omne tibi exedendum est. Terent. It should seem this Latin Proverb is still in use among the Dutch, For Erasmus saith of it, Qu●… quidem sententia vel hodie vulgo nostrati in ere est. Faber compedes quas fecit ipse gestet. Auson.   
Small birds must have meat. 
Children must be fed, they cannot be maintained with nothing.   
Birth is much, but breeding more.  
If you cannot bite, never show your teeth.  
He that bites on every weed, must needs light on poison.  
He that is a blab is a scab.  
Black will take no other hue. 
This Dyer's find true by experience. It may signify, that vicious persons are seldom or never reclaimed. Lanarum nigrae nullum colorem bibunt, Plin. lib. 8. h. n.   
He that wears black, must hang a brush at his back.  
A black plum is as sweet as a white. 
The prerogative of beauty proceeds from fancy.   
A black hen lays a white egg. 
This is a French Proverb. Noire geline pond blanc oeuf. I conceive the meaning of it is, that a black woman may bear a fair child.   
It is ill to drive black hogs in the dark.  
They have need of a blessing, who kneel to a thistle.  
Blind men can judge no colours. 
Il cieco non giudica de colori. Ital. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; Quid coeco cum speculo?   
The blind eat many a fly.  
A man were better be half blind, then have both his eyes out.  
Who so bold as blind bayard? 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Ignorance breeds confidence, consideration, slowness and wariness.   
Who so blind, as he that will not see?  
Blow first and sip afterwards. 
Simul sorbere & flare difficile est.   
A blot is no blot unless it be hit.  
Blushing is virtues colour.  
Great boast, small roast. 
Grands vanteurs petits faiseurs. Gall. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Briarcus esse apparet cum sit lepus. And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
The nearer the bone, the sweeter the flesh.  
He that is born to be hanged, shall never be drowned.  
He that was born under a three halfpenny planet, shall never be worth twopences.  
He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.  
He that borrows must pay again with shame or loss. 
Shame if he returns not as much as he borrowed, loss if more, and it's very hard to cut the hair.   
The father to the bough; and the son to the plough. 
This saying I look upon as too narrow to be placed in the family of Proverbs; it is rather to be deemed a rule or maxim in the tenure of Gavil kind, where though the father had judgement to be hanged, yet there followed no forfeiture of his estate, but his son might (a happy man according to Horace his description) paterna rura bobus exercere suis. Though there be that expound this Proverb thus, The father to the bough, i. e. to his sports of hawking and hunting, and the son to the plough, i. e. to a poor husbandman's condition.   
They that are bound must obey.  
Bought wit is best, v. in W.  
Better to bow then break. 
Il vaut mieux plier que rompre. Gall. E meglio piegar che scavezzar. Ital.   
A bow long bend at last waxeth weak. 
L'arco si rompe se sta troppo teso. Ital. Arcus nimis intensus rumpitur. Things are not to be strained beyond their tonus and strength. This may be applied both to the body and the mind: too much labour and study weakens and impairs both the one and the other. 
Otia corpus alunt, animus quoque pascitur illis;  
Immodicus contra carpit utrumque labour.    
Brag's a good dog, but that he hath lost his tail.  
Brag's a good dog if he be well set on: but he dare not bite.  
Much bran and little meal.  
Beware of breed, Chesh. i e. an ill breed.  
That that's bred in the bone will never out of the flesh. 
Chi l'ha per natura fin alla fossa dura. Ital. That which comes naturally continues till death. The Latins and Greeks have many Proverbial sayings to this purpose, as Lupus pilum mutat non mentem. The wolf may change his hair (for wolves and horses grow grey with age) but not his disposition.  
Naturam expellas furcâ licet usque recurret. Horat. and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aristoph. You can never bring a crabfish to go strait forwards. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Wood that grows crooked, will hardly be straightened. Persons naturally inclined to any vice, will hardly be reclaimed. For this Proverb is for the most part taken in the worse sense.   
Let every man praise the bridge he goes over. i e. 
Speak not ill of him who hath done you a courtesy, or whom you have made use of to your benefit; or do commonly make use of.   
Bridges were made for wise men to walk over, and fools to ride over.  
A bribe will enter without knocking.  
A broken sack will hold no corn. 
This is a French Proverb englished, Un sac pierce ne peut tenir le grain: though I am not ignorant that there are many common both to France and England, and some that run through most Languages. Sacco rotto non tien miglio. Ital. Millet being one of the least of grains.   
A broken sleeve holdeth the arm back.  
Much bruit little fruit.  
Who bulls the cow must keep the calf. 
Mr Howell saith, that this is a Law Proverb.   
The burnt child dreads the fire. 
Almost all Languages afford us sayings and Proverbs to this purpose, such are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesiod. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Homer. Piscator ictus sapit; struck by the Scorpion fish or Pastinaca, whose prickles are esteemed venomous. Can'scottato da l'acqua calda ha paura poi della fredda. Ital. the same we find in French, Chien eschaudè craint l'eau froide. i e. The scalded dog fears cold water.   
Busy will have bands. 
Persons that are meddling and troublesome must be tied short.   
Who more busy than they that have least to do?  
Every man as his business lies.  
All is not butter the cow shites. 
Non è tutto butyro che fa la vocca. Ital.   
What is a pound of butter among a kennel of hounds?  
They that have good store of butter may lay it Thick on their bread. [or put some in their shoes.] 
Cui multum est piperis etiam oleribus immiseet.   
That which will not be butter must be made into cheese.  
They that have no other meat, bread and butter are glad to eat.  
Who buys hath need of an hundred eyes, who sells hath enough of one. 
This is an Italian Proverb. Chi compra ha' bisogno dicent' occhi, chi vend n'ha assai de uno. And it is an usual saying, Caveat emptor, Let the buyer look to himself. The seller knows both the worth and price of his commodity.   
Buying and selling is but winning and losing.   

C.  
A Calf's head will feast an hunter and his hounds.  
A man can do no more than he can.  
Care not would have it.  
Care will kill a cat. 
And yet a Cat is said to have nine lives. Cura facit canos.   
Care's no cure.  
A pound of care will not pay an ounce of debt. 
Cento car di pensieri non pagerannoun'oncia di debito. Ital. i e. An hundred cartload of thoughts will not pay an ounce of debt.   
The best cart may overthrow.  
A muffled cat is no good mouser. 
Gatta guantata non piglia mai sorice. Ital. A gloved cat, etc.   
That cat is out of kind that sweet milk will not lap.  
You can have no more of a cat than her skin.  
The cat loves fish, but she's loath to wet her feet. Or in rhyme thus. 

Fain would the cat fish eat,  
But she's loath her feet to wet.  Le chat aime le poisson,, mais il n'aime pas a meviller le patte. Gall. In the same words, so that it should seem we borrowed it of the French.   
The more you rub a cat on the rump, the higher she sets up her tail.  
The ca● sees not the mouse ever.  
Well might the cat wink when both her eyes were out.  
When the cat winketh little wots the mouse what the cat thinketh.  
Though the cat winks a while, yet sure she is not blind.  
How can the cat help it if the maid be a fool? 
This is an Italian proverb, che ne puo la gatta se la massara è matta. Not setting up things securely out of her reach or way.   
That that comes of a cat will catch mice. Ital. 
Parallel whereto is that Italian proverb. Chi di gallina nasce convien che rozole. That which is bred of a hen will scrape. Chi da gatta nasce sorici piglia. Ital.   
A cat may look on a King.  
An old cat laps as much as a young kitlin.  
When the cat is away, the mice play. Ital. 
Les rats se promenent a l'aise la ou il n'y a point des chats. Gall. Quando la gatta non è in casa, i sorici ballano Ital.   
When candles are out, all cats are grey. 
Joan is as good as my Lady in the dark. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
The cat knows whose lips she licks.  
Cry you mercy, killed my cat. 
This is spoken to them who do one a shrewd turn, and then make satisfaction with ask pardon or crying mercy.   
By biting and scratching cats and dogs come together, Or, Biting and scratching gets the cat with kitlin. 
i e. Men and maidservants that wrangle and quarrel most one with the other, are often observed to marry together.   
Who shall hang the bell about the cat's neck? 
Appiccar chi vuol'il sonaglio à la gatta? Ital. The mice at a consultation held how to secure themselves from the cat, resolved upon hanging a bell about her neck, to give warning when she was near, but when this was resolved, they were as far to seek; for who would do it. This may be sarcastically applied to those who prescribe impossible or unpracticable means for the effecting any thing.   
A scalded cat fears cold water. v. in S.  
He that leaves certainty and sticks to chance, When fools pipe he may dance.  
They may sit i'th' chair that have malt to sell.  
It chanceth in an hour, that comes not in seven years. 
Plus enim fati valet hora benigni quam si te Veneris commendet epistola Marti. Horat. Every man is thought to have some lucky hour, wherein he hath an opportunity offered him of being happy all his life, could he but discern it and embrace the occasion. Accasca in un punto quel che non accasca in cento anni. Ital. It falls out in an instant which falls not out in an hundred years.   
There is chance in the cock's spur.  
Change of pasture makes fat calves.  
Charity begins at home. 
Self-love is the measure of our love to our neighbour. Many sentences occur in the ancient Greek and Latin Poets to this purpose, as, Omnes sibi meliùs esse malunt quam alteri. Terent. Andr. Proximus sum egomet mihi. ibid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. V. Erasm Adag. Fa bone á te & tuoi, Epoi à gli altri se tu puoi. Ital. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
When good cheer is lacking our friends will be packing.  
Those that eat cherries with great persons shall have their eyes sprinted out with the stones.  
Chickens feed capons. 
i e. As I understand it, chickens come to be capons, and capons were first chickens.   
It's a wife child knows his own father. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Homer. Odyssa.   
Child's pig, but father's bacon. 
Parents usually tell their children, this pig or this lamb is thine, but when they come to be grown up and sold, parents themselves take the money for them.   
Charre-folks are never paid. 
That is, give them what you will they are never contented.   
When the child is christened, you may have godfathers enough. 
When a man's need is supplied or his occasions over, people are ready to offer their assistance or service.   
Children and fools speak truth. 
The Dutch Proverb hath it thus, You are not to expect truth from any but children, persons drunk or mad. In vino veritas, we know. Enfans & fols sont Divins. Gall.   
Children and fools have merry lives. 
For out of ignorance or forgetfulness and inadvertency, they are not concerned either for what is past, or for what is to come. Neither the remembrance of the one, nor fear of the other troubles them, but only the sense of present pain: nothing sticks upon them, they lay nothing to heart. Hence it hath been said, Nihil scire est vita jucundissima, to which that of Ecclesiastes gives some countenance. He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.   
Children suck the mother when they are young, and the father when they are old.  
So we have the chink we'll bear with the stink. 
Lucri bonus est odor ex re Quâlibet. Juvenal. This was the Emperor Vespasians answer to those who complained of his setting gabels on urine and other sordid things.   
After a Christmas comes a Lent.  
The Church is not so large but the Priest may say Service in it.  
The nearer the Church the further from God. 
This is a French Proverb. Pres de l'eglise loin de Dieu.   
Church-work goes on slowly.  
Let the Church stand in the Churchyard.  
Where God hath his Church the Devil will have his chapel. 
Non si tosto si fa un tempio à Dio come il Diavolo ci fabrica una capella appresso. Ital.   
Pater noster built Churches, and Our father pulls them down. 
I do not look upon the building of Churches as an argument of the goodness of the Roman Religion, for when men have once entertained an opinion of expiating sin and meriting heaven by such works, they will be forward enough to give not only the fruit of their land, but even of their body for the sin of their soul: and it's easier to part with ones goods then ones sins.   
Claw a churl by the breech, and he will should— in your fist. 
Persons of servile temper or education, have no sense of honour or ingenuity, and must be dealt with accordingly.  Ungentem pungit, pungentem rusticus ungit. 
Which sentence both the French and Italian in their languages have made a Proverb. Oignez villain qu' il vous poindra. Gall. etc. Insomuch that one would be apt with Aristotle to think, that there are servi naturâ.   
The greatest clerks, are not always the wisest men. 
For prudence is gained more by practice and conversation, then by study and contemplation.   
It's the clerk makes the Justice.  
Hasty climbers, have sudden falls. 
Those that rise suddenly from a mean condition to great estate or dignity, do often fall more suddenly, as I might easily instance in many Court-favourite's: and there is reason for it, because such a speedy advancement is apt to beget pride and consequently folly in them, and envy in others, which must needs precipitate them. Sudden changes to extraordinary good or bad fortune, are apt to turn men's brains. A cader va chi troppo alto sale. Ital.   
The clock goes at it pleases the clerk.  
Can jack-an-apes be merry when his clog is at's heels?  
Close sits my shirt, but closer my skin. 
That is, I love my friends well, but myself better: none so dear to me as I am to myself. Or my body is dearer to me then my goods. Plus pres est la chair che la chemise. Gall.   
A close mouth catcheth no flies. 
People must speak and solicit for themselves, or they are not like to obtain preferment. Nothing carries it like to boldness and importunate, yea, impudent begging. Men will give to such se defendendo, to avoid their trouble, who would have no consideration of the modest, though never so much needing or well deserving. Bocca trinciata mosca non ci entra Ital.   
It's a bad cloth indeed will take no colour. 
Cattiva è quella lana che non si puo tingere. Ital.   
Cloudy mornings turn to clear evenings. 
Non si malè nunc & olim sic erit.   
Better see a clout then a hole out.  
They that can cobble and clout, shall have work when others go without.  
Glowing coals sparkle oft. 
When the mind is heated with any passion, it will often break out in words and expressions, Psalm 39 1.   
You must cut your coat according to your cloth. 
Noi facciamo la speses secondo l'entrata. Ital. We must spend according to our income. Selon le pain il faut le couteau. Gall. According to the bread must be the knife. & Folly est qui plus despend que sa rent ne vault. Gall. He is a fool that spends more than his receipts. Sumptus censum nè superet. Plaut. Poen. Messe tenus propria vive. Pers.   
Every cock is proud on his own dunghill. 
Gallus in suo sterquilinio plurimum potest. Senec. in ludicro. The French say, Chien sur son fumire est hardi. A dog is stout on his own dunghill.   
Let him that is cold blow the coal.  
In the coldest flint there is hot fire.  
Cold of complexion good of condition.  
A ragged colt may make a good horse. 
An unhappy boy may make a good man. It is used sometimes to signify, that children which seem less handsome when young, do afterwards grow into shape and comeliness: as on the contrary we say, fair in the cradle, and soul in the saddle: and the Scots, A kindly aver will never make a good horse.   
Company makes Cuckolds.  
Comparisons are odious.  
Conceited goods are quickly spent.  
Confess and be hanged.  
An evil conscience breaks many a man's neck.  
He's an ill cook that cannot lick his own fingers. 
Celuy gouverne bien mal le miel qui n'en taste & ses doigts n'en leech. Gall. He is an ill keeper of honey, who tastes it not.   
God sends meat, and the Devil sends cooks.  
Salt cooks bear blame, but fresh bear shame.  
Corn and horn go together. 
i e. for prices, when corn is cheap cattle are not dear, & vice versâ.   
Much corn lies under the straw that is not seen.  
More cost more worship.  
I'll not change a cottage in possession for a kingdom in reversion.  
All covet all lose.  
Covetousness brings nothing home. 
Qui tout convoite tout perd. Gall. & qui trop empoigne rien n'estrained. He that grasps at too much, holds fast nothing. The fable of the dog is known, who catching at the appearance in the water of the Shoulder of mutton he had in his mouth, let it drop in and lost it. Chi tutto abbraccia nulla stringa. Ital.   
A cough will stick longer by a horse then half a peck of oats.  
Good counsel lightly never comes too late. 
For if good, it must suit the time when it is given.   
Count not your chickens before they be hatched. 
Ante victoriam nè canas triumphum.   
So many country's so many customs. 
Tant de gens tant de guises. Gall.   
A man must go old to the Court and young to a Cloister, that would go from thence to heaven.  
A friend in Court is worth a penny in a man's purse. 
Bon fait avoir amy en cour, car le proces en est plus court. Gall. A friend in Court makes the process short.   
Far from Court far from care.  
Full of courtesy full of craft. 
Sincere and truehearted persons are least given to compliment and ceremony. It's suspicious he hath some design upon me who courts and flatters me. Chi te sa piu carezza che non vuole, O ingannato t' ha, o ingannar te vuole. Ital. He that makes more of you than you desire or expect, either he hath cozened you or intends to do it.   
Less of your courtesy and more of your purse. 
Re opitulandum non verbis.   
Call me cousin but cozen me not.  
Cursed cows have short horns. 
Dat Deus immiti cornua curta bovi. Providence so disposes that they who have will, want power or means to hurt.   
Who would keep a cow, when he may have a pottle of milk for a penny?  
Many a good cow hath but a bad calf. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Heroum filii noxae. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Homer. Odyss. ε. Aelius Spartianus in the life of Severus shows by many examples, that men famous for learning, virtue, valour, success have for the most part either left behind them no children, or such as that it had been more for their honour and the interest of humane affairs that they had died childless. We might add unto those which he produceth, many instances out of our own history. So Edward the first a wise and valiant Prince, left us Edward the second: Edward the black Prince Richard the second: Henry the fifth a valiant and successful King, Henry the sixth a very unfortunate Prince, though otherwise a good man. And yet there want not in history instances to the contrary, as among the French, Charles Martell, Pipin and Charl●main in continual succession, so Joseph Scaliger the son, was in point of scholarship no whit inferior to Julius the father. Forts creantur fortibus & bonis, etc.   
Where coin 's not common, commons must be scant.  
A colliers cow and an ale wives sow are always well said. 
Others say a poor man's cow, and then the reason is evident, why a colliers is not so clear.   
Much coin much care. 
Crescentem sequitur cura pecuniam. Horat.   
The greatest crabs are not always the best meat 
Great and good are not always the same thing, though our Language oft makes them synonymous terms, as when we call a great way a good way, and a great deal a good deal, etc. in which and the like phrases good signifies somewhat less than great, viz. of a middle size or indifferent. Bonus also in Latin is sometimes used in the same sense, as in that of Persius. Sat. 2. Bona pars procerum. Les grands boeuss ne font pas les grands journees. Gall. The greatest oxen rid not most work.   
Crabs breed babs by the help of good lads. 
Country wenches when they are with child usually long for Crabs: or Crabs may signify Scolds.   
There's a craft in daubing. or, There is more craft in daubing then throwing dirt on the wall.  
There is a mystery in the meanest trade.  
No man is his crafts-master the first day. 
Nessuno nasce maestro. Ital.   
Shameless craving must have, etc. V. in S.  
You must learn to creep before you go.  
Soon crooks the tree that good gambrel would be. 
A gambrel is a crooked piece of wood on which butchers h●ng up the carcases of beasts by the legs, from the Italian word gamba signifying a leg. Parallel to this Is that other Proverb, It early prick, that will be a thorn. Adcò à teneris assuescere mulium est.   
Each cross hath its inscription. 
Crosses and afflictions come not by chance, they spring not out of the earth, but are laid upon men for some just reason. Divines truly say, that many times we may read the sin in the punishment.   
No cross no crown.  
It's ill killing a crow with an empty sling.  
The crow thinks her own bird fairest. 
Afinus asino, sus sui pulcher, & suum cuique pulchrum. So the Ethiopians are said to paint the Devil white. Every one is partial to, and well conceited of his own art, his own compositions, his own children, his own country, etc. Self-love is a more in every one's eye; it influences, biasses and blinds the judgements even of the most modest and perspicatious. Hence it is (as Aristotle well observes) that men for the most part love to be flattered. Rhetor. 2. & A tous oiseaux leur nid▪ sont beaux. Gall. Every bird likes its own nest. A ogni grolla paion belli i suoi grollatini. Ital.   
A crow is never the whiter for washing herself often.  
No carrion will kill a crow.  
Cunning is no burden. 
It is part of Bias his goods, it will not hinder a man's flight when the enemies are at hand.   
Many things fall between the cup and the lip. 
Multa cadunt inter calicem supremáque labra. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Citantur ab A. Gell●o. De la main à la bouche so perd souvent la soup. Gall. Between the hand and the mouth, the broth is many times shed. Entre la bouche & le cueillier vient Souvent grand destourbier. Gall.   
What cannot be cured, must be endured. 
Levius fit patientia quicquid corrigere est nesas. Horat. Odd   
A bad custom is like a good cake, better broken then kept.  
A cursed cur must be tied short. 
A meschant chien courtlien. Gall.   
Custom is another nature.  
Desperate cuts, must have desperate cures.   

D.  
HE that will not be ruled by his own dame, must be ruled by his stepdame.  
He dances well, to whom Fortune pipes. 
Assal ben balla à chi Fortuna suona. Ital. The French have a Proverb, Mieux vaut une once de fortune qui une liure de sagesse. Better is an ounce of good Fortune, than a pound of good forecast.   
They love dancing well, that dance among thorns.  
When you go to dance, take heed whom you take by the hand.  
It's as good to be in the dark, as without light.  
Jone's as good as my Lady in the dark. v. in I.  
One may see day at a little hole.  
The better day, the better deed. 
A bon jour bon oevure. Gall. Dicenda bonâ sunt bona verba die.   
He never broke his hour that kept his day.  
To day a man, tomorrow a mouse.  
To day me, tomorrow thee. 
Aujourd'huy Roy, demain rien. Gall.   
The longest day must have an end. 
Il n'est si grand jour qui ne vienne à vespre. Gall. Non vine di, che non venga sera. Ital.   
Be the day never so long, at length cometh evensong.  
'Tis day still while the Sun shines.  
Speak well of the dead. 
Mortuis non conviciandum, & De mortuis nil nisi bonum. Namque cum mortui non mordent iniquum est ut mordeantur.,   
A dead mouse feels no cold.  
He that waits for dead men's shoes, may go long enough barefoot. 
A longue cord tyre qui d'autruy mort desire. Gall. He hath but a cold suit who longs for another man's death.   
After death the Doctor. 
This is a French Proverb, Apres la mort le medicine, parallel to that ancient Greek one, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Post bellum auxilium. We find it in Quintilians' Dec●am. Cadavirib. pasti, with another of the like import; Quid quod medicina mortuorum sera est? Quid quod nemo aquam infundit in cineres? After a man's house is burnt to ashes, it's too late to pour on water.   

Who gives away his goods before he is dead,  
Take a beetle and knock him on the head.  
Chi dona il suo inanzi morire il s' apparecchia assai patire. Ital. He that gives away his goods before death, prepares himself to suffer.   

He that could know what would be dear,  
Need be a merchant but one year.  
Such a merchant was the Philosopher Thales, of whom it is reported, that to make proof, that it was in the power of a Philosopher to be rich if he pleased, he foreseeing a future dearth of Olives, the year following, bought up at easy rates all that kind of fruit then in men's hands.   
Out of debt, out of danger. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Happy he that owes nothing.   
Desperate cuts must have, etc. v. in C.  
There's difference between staring and stark blind [or mad.] 
This Proverb may have a double sense, if you read it stark mad, it signifies, that we ought to distinguish, and not presently pronounce him stark mad that sta●es a little, or him a rank fool who is a little impertinent sometimes, etc. If you read it stark blind, than it hath the same sense with that of Horace, Est inter Tanaim medium soccrúmque Vitelli. and is a reprehension to those who put no difference between extremes, as perfect blindness and Lynceus his sight.   
He that would eat a good dinner let him eat a good breakfast.  
Dinners can't be long, where dainties want.  
He that saveth his dinner, will have the more for his supper. 
This is a French Proverb, Qui garde son disne il a mieux à souper. He that spares when he is young, may the better spend when he is old. Mal soupe qui tout disne. He sups ill who eats all at dinner.   
An ounce of discretion, is worth a pound of wit. 
The French say, An ounce of good fortune, etc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Nazianz. Gutta fortunae prae dolio sapientiae.   
I will not make my dishclout my tablecloth.  
It's a sin to belie the Devil.  
Give the Devil his due.  
He that takes the Devil into his boat, must carry him over the Sound.  
He that hath shipped the Devil, must make the best of him.  
Seldom lies the Devil dead in a ditch. 
We are not to trust the Devil or his Children, though they seem never so gentle or harmless, without all power or will to hurt. The ancients in a Proverbial Hyperbole, said of a woman, Mulierinè credas nè mortuae quidem, because you might have good reason to suspect that she feigned; we may with more reason say the like of the Devil and diabolical persons, when they seem most mortified. Perchance this Proverb may allude to the fable of the fox, which escaped by feigning himself dead. I know no phrase more frequent in the mouths of the French and Italians then this, The Devil is dead, to signify that a difficulty is almost conquered, a journey almost finished, or as we say, The neck of a business broken.   
Talk of the Devil and he'll either come or send.  
As good eat the Devil, as the broth he is boiled in.  
The Devil rebukes sin. 
Clodius accusat moechos. Aliorum medicus ipse ulceribus scates.   
The Devil's child the Devil's luck.  
He must needs go, whom the Devil drives.  
He had need of a long spoon, that eats with the Devil.  
The Devil shites upon a great heap.  
The Devil is good when he is pleased.  
The Devil is never nearer than when we are talking of him.  
The Devil's meal is half bran. 
La farine du diable n'e que bran, or s' en va moitie en bran. Gall.   
What is gotten over the Devils back, is spent under his belly. 
Malè parta malè dilabuntur. What is got by oppression or extortion is many times spent in riot and luxury.   
Every dog hath his day, and every man his hour.  
All the dogs follow the salt bitch.  
Love me and love my dog. 
Qui aime Jean aime son chien. Gall. Spesse volte si ha rispetto all can per il padrone.   
He that would hang his dog, giveth out first that he's mad. 
He that is about to do any thing disingenuous, unworthy, or of evil fame, first bethinks himself of some plausible pretence.   
The hind most dog may catch the hare.  
He that keeps another man's dog, shall have nothing left him but the line. 
This is a Greek Proverb, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The meaning is, that he who bestows a benefit upon an ungrateful person; loses his cost. For if a dog break loose he presently gets him home to his former master, leaving the cord he was tied with.   
What? keep a dog and bark myself. 
That is, must I keep servants, and do my work myself.   
There are more ways to kill a dog then hanging.  
Hang a dog on a crabtree, and he'll never love verjuice. 
This is a ludicrous and nugatory saying, for a dog once hanged is past loving or hating. But generally men and beasts shun those things, by or for which they have smarted. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Amphis in Ampelurgo apud Stoboeum. 
Et mea cymba semel vastâ percussa procellâ,  
Illum quo leasa est, horret adire locum.  Ovid.   
Dog's bark before they by't.  
It's an ill dog that deserves not a crust. 
Digna canis pabulo. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Eras. ex Suida.   
A good dog deserves a good bone.  
It is an ill dog that is not worth the whistling.  
Better to have a dog fawn on you then bite you.  
He that lies down with dogs, must rise up with fleas. 
Chi con cane dorme con pulse si leva. Ital. Qui se couche avec les chiens se leve avec des puces. Gall.   
Give a child till he craves, and a dog while his tail doth wave, and you'll have a fair dog, but a foul knive.  
The dog that licks ashes trust not with meal. 
The Italians say this of a cat, Gatto che lecca cenere non sidar farina.   
Into the mouth of a bad dog, often falls a good bone. 
Souvent à mauvais chien tombe un bon os en gueule. Gal.   
Hungry dogs will eat dirty pudding. 
Jejun●● raró stomachus vulgaria temnit. A la faim il n'y a point de mauvais pain. Gall. To him who is hungry any bread seems good, or none comes amiss. l'Asino chi ha fame mangia d'ogni strame. Ital.   
It's an easy thing to find a staff to beat a dog: or a stone to throw at a dog. 
Qui veut battre son chien trouve assez de bastons. Gal. Malefacere qui vult nusquam non causam invenit. Pub. Mimus. He who hath a mind to do me a mischief, will easily find some pretence. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. To do evil, a flight pretence or occasion will serve men's turns. A petite achoison le loup prend le mouton. Gall.   
An old dog will learn no tricks, v. in O.  
Do well and have well.  
Draff is good enough for swine.  
He that's down down with him.  
Drawn wells are seldom dry.  
Drawn wells have sweetest water. 
Puteus si hauriatur melior evadit. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Basil. in epist. ad Eustachium medicum. All things, especially men's parts, are improved and advanced by use and exercise. Standing waters are apt to corrupt and putrify: weapons laid up and disused do contract rust, nay the very air if not agitated and broken with the wind, is thought to be unhealthful and pestilential, especially in this our native Country, of which it is said, Anglia ventosa, si non ventosa venenosa.   
Golden dreams make men awake hungry.  
After a dream of a wedding comes a corpse.  
Draff was his errand, but drink he would have.  
Drunken folks seldom take harm. 
This is so far from being true, that on the contrary of my own observation, I could give divers instances of such as have received very much harm when drunk.   
Ever drunk, ever dry. 
Parthi quo plus bibunt ed plus sitiunt.   
What soberness conceals drunkenness reveals. 
Quod est in cord sobrii est in ore ebrii. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plutarch. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Erasmus citys to this purpose a sentence out of Herodotus, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, when wine sinks, words swim: and Pliny hath an elegant saying to this purpose, Vinum usque adeò mentis a●●ana prodit, ut mortisera etiam inter pocula loquantur homines, & nè per jugulum quidem reditur as voces contineant. Quid non ebrietas designat? operta recludit.   
He that kills a man when he is drunk, must be hanged when he is sober.  
The ducks fare well in the Thames.  
Dumb folks get no lands. 
This is parallel to that, Spare to speak and spare to speed, and that former, A close mouth catcheth no flies.    

E.  
EArly up and never the nearer.  
Early sow early mow.  
It early pricks that will be a thorn. 
Soon crooks the tree that good gambrel would be.   
The early bird catcheth the worm.  
A pennyworth of ease is worth a penny.  
The longer East the shorter West.  
You can't eat your cake, and have your cake. 
Vorrebbe mangiar la forcaccia & trover lafoy in tasca. Ital.   
Eating and drinking takes away ones stomach. 
En mangeant l'appetit se perd. To which the French have another seemingly contrary. En mangeant l'appetit vient, parallel to that of ours, One shoulder of mutton draws down another.   
He that will eat the kernel must crack the nut. 
Qui nucleum esse vult nucem srangat oportet. No gains without pains.   
Madam Parnel crack the nut and eat the kernel.  
Eaten bread is forgotten.  
It's very hard to shave an egg. 
Where nothing is, nothing can be had.   
An egg will be in 3 bellies in 24 hours.  
Better half an egg than an empty shell. 
Better half a loaf than no bread.   
Ill egging makes ill begging. 
Evil persons by enticing and flattery, draw on others to be as bad as themselves.   
All ekes [or helps] as the Geni-wren said, when she pissed in the sea. 
Many littles make a much, the whole Ocean is made up of drops. Goutte a goutte on remplit la cuve. Gall. And Goutte à goutte la mer s' egoute. Drop by drop the sea is drained.   
Empty vessels make the greatest sound. 
The Scripture saith, A fools voice is known by multitude of words. None more apt to boast then those who have least real worth; lest whereof justly to boast. The deepest streams flow with least noise.   
Empty hands no hawks allure.  
A right Englishman knows not when a thing is well.  
Whoso hath but a mouth, shall ne'er in England suffer drought, v. supra. 
For if he doth but open it, it's a chance but it will rain in. True it is, we seldom suffer for want of rain: and if there be any fault in the temper of our air, it is its over-moistness, which inclines us to the scurvy and consumptions; diseases the one scarce known, the other but rare in hotter Countries.   
Every thing hath an end, and a pudding hath two.  
All's well that ends well. 
Exitus acta probat.   
There's never enough where nought leaves. 
This is an Italian Proverb, Non vi è à bastanza se niente auvanza. It is hard so to cut the hair, as that there should be no want and nothing to spare.   
Enough is as good as a feast. 
Asser y a, si trop n'y a. Gall.   
Better be envied then pitied. 
This is a saying in most languages, although it hath little of the nature of a Proverb in it. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Herodot. in Thalia. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pindar. Piu tosto invidia che compassione. Ital.   
Essex styles, Kentish miles, Norfolk wiles many men beguiles. 
For styles Essex may well vie with any County of England, it being wholly divided into small closes, and not one common field that I know of in the whole County. Length of miles I know not what reason Kent hath to pretend to, for generally speaking, the further from London the longer the miles, but for cunning in the Law and wrangling, Norfolk men are justly noted.   
Where every hand fleeceth, etc. v. fleeceth.  
Evening orts are good morning fodder.  
The Evening crowns the day. 
La vita il fine, e ' l di loda la sera. Ital. The end or death commends the life, and the evening the day. Dicique beatus Ante obitum nemo supremáque funera debet. Ovid.   
Of two evils the least is to be chosen. 
This reason the Philosopher rendered why he chose a little wife.   
Exchange is no robbery.  
A bad excuse is better than none at all.  
Experience is the mistress of fools. 
Experientia stultorum magistra. Wise men learn by others harms, fools by their own, like Epimetheus, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
What the eye sees not, the heart rues not. 
Le coeur ne veut douloirce que l'oeil ne peut veoir. Gall. Therefore it is not good to peep and pry into every corner, to be two inquisitive into what our servants or relations do or say, lest we create ourselves unnecessary trouble.   
Better eye out then always aching, [or watching]  
He that winketh with one eye, and seeth with the other,  
I would not trust him, though he were my brother. 
This is only a Physiognomical observation.   
He that hath but one eye sees the better for it. 
Better than he would do without it: a ridiculous saying.    

F.  
A Good face, etc. v. band.  
Faint heart ne'er won fair Lady. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Suidas ex Eupolide, Timidi nunquam statuêre tropaeum. Ja couard n'aura belle amie. Gall. For, audentes fortuna juvat.   
Fair feathers make fair fowls. 
Fair clothes, ornaments and dresses set off persons, and make them appear handsome, which if stripped of them would seem but plain and homely. God makes, and apparel shapes. I panni rifanno le stanghe, vesti una colonna & par una donna. Ital.   
Fair words, etc. v. words.  
Fair and softly goes far in a day. 
Pas à pas on va bien loing. Gall. Chi va piano va sano è anche lontano. Ital. He that goes softly, goeth sure and also far. He that spurs on too fast at first setting out, tires before he comes to his journey's end. Festinalenté.   
Fair in the cradle, and foul in the saddle.  
A fair face is half a portion.  
Praise a fair day at night. 
Or else you may repent, for many times clear mornings turn to cloudy evenings. La vita il fine e ' l di loda la sera. The end commends the life, and the evening the day.   
The fairest silk is soon stained. 
This may be applied to women. The handsomest women are soon corrupted, because they are most tempted. It may also be applied to good natures, which are more easily drawn away by evil company.   
Men speak of the Fair, as things went with them there.  
If a man once fall, all will tread on him. 
Dejecta arbore quivis ligna colligit. Vulgus sequitur fortunam & odit damnatos. Juven. When the tree is fallen every man goeth to it with his hatchet. Gall.   
There's falsehood in fellowship.  
Common fume's seldom to blame. 
A general report is rarely without some ground. No smoke without some fire. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesiod.   
Too much familiarity breeds contempt. 
Nimia familiaritas contemptum parit. E tribus optimis rebus tres pessimae oriuntur; è veritate odium, è familiaritate contemptus, è felicitate invidia. Plutarch.   
Fancy passes beauty.  
Fancy may boult bran and think it flour.  
You can't far well, but you must cry roast-meat. 
Sasse bonne farine sans trompe ny buccine. Gall. Bolt thy fine meal, and eat good past, without report or trumpets blast. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. They that are thirsty drink silently. Si corvus tacuisset haberet  
Plus dapis & rixae multò minùs invidiaeque. Horat.   
Farneze fetch't and dear bought's good for Ladies. 
Vache de loin a laict assez. Gall.   
Far folks fare well, and fair children die. 
People are apt to boast of the good and wealthy condition of their far-off friends, and to commend their dead children.   
It's good farting before one's own fire.  
A man far from his good, is near his harm. 
Qui est loing du plat est prez de son damage. Gall. Far from the dish and near to his loss; for commonly they that are far from the dish, shed their broth by the way.   
As good be out of the world as out of the fashion.  
Fat drops fall from fat flesh.  
Fat sorrow is better than lean sorrow. 
Better have a rich husband and a sorrowful life then a poor husband and a sorrowful life with him, spoken to encourage a maid to marry a rich man, though ill conditioned.   
Little knows the fat sow what the lean one means.  
The father to the bough, etc. v. in B.  
Where no fault is there needs no pardon.  
Every man hath his faults, or He is liveless that is faultless. 
Ut vitiis nemo sine nascitur. Quisque suos patimur manes.   
They that feal [i. e. hide] can find.  
It's good to fear the worst, the best will save itself.  
No feast to a Misers. 
Il n'est banquet que d'homme chiche. Gall.   
Little difference between a feast and a bellyful.  
Better come at the latter end of a feast, than the beginning of a fray.  
Feeling hath no fellow.  
No fence against a flail. Ill fortune. 
Some evils and calamities assault so violently that there is no resisting or bearing them off.   
No man loves his fetters though of gold. 
Next to health and necessary food, no good in this world more desirable than liberty.   
The finest lawn soon stains.  
The finest shoe often hurts the foot.  
There is no fire without some smoke. 
Nul feu sans fumée. Gall.   
Fire and water are good servants, but bad masters.  
First come first served. 
Qui premier arrive au moulin, premier doit mouldre. Gal.   
It's ill fishing before the net. One would rather think after the net.  
No fishing to fishing in the sea. 
Il fait beau pescher en eau large. Gall. It's good fishing in large waters.   
Fishes are cast away, that are cast into dry ponds.  
It's good fishing in troubled waters. 
Il n'y a pesche qu' en eau troublé. Gall. In troubled waters; that is, in a time of public calamity, when all things are in confusion.   
Fresh fish and new come guests, smell by that they are three days old. 
L'hoste & le poisson pass trois jours puent. Gall. Piscis nequam est nisi recens, Plaut. Ordinary friends are welcome at first, but we soon grow weary of them.   
The best fish swim near the bottom.  
Still he fisheth that catcheth one. 
Tousjours pesche qui en prend un. Gall.   
When flatterers meet the Devil goes to dinner.  
Where every hand fleeceth the sheep goes naked.  
All flesh is not venison. 
This is a French Proverb, Toute chair n'est pas venaison.   
Flesh stands never so high but a dog will venture his legs.  
A flow will have an ebb.  
No flying without wings, or,  
He would fain fly, but he wants feathers. 
Sine pennis volare haud facile est. Plaut. in Poenulo. Nothing of moment can be done without necessary helps, or convenient means. Non si puo volar senza ale, Ital.   
How can the foal amble, when the horse and mare troth.  
A fool and his money are soon parted.  
No fool to the old fool.  
Every man hath a fool in his sleeve.  
Fool's will be meddling.  
A fool may ask more questions in an hour, than a wise man can answer in seven years.  
A fool may put somewhat in a wise body's head.  
A fools bolt is soon shot. 
De fol juge brieve sentence. Gall. A foolish judge passes a quick sentence.   
As the fool thinks, so the bell tinks, or clinks.  
Fools set stools for wise folks to stumble at.  
Fools build houses, and wise men buy them.  
Fools make feasts and wise men eat them. 
Le fols font la feste & lessages le mangent. Gall. The same almost for word.   
Fools lad water and wise men catch the fish.  
The fool will not part with his babble for the Tower of London.  
If every fool should wear a babble fuel would be dear. 
Si tous les fols portoient le marotte, on ne seait de quel bois s' eschaufferoit. Gall.   
Send a fool to the market and a fool he will return again. 
The Italians say, Chi bestia va à Roma bestia retorna. He that goes a beast to Rome returns thence a beast. Change of place changes not men's minds or manners. Coelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt.   
Fortune favours fools, or fools have the best luck. 
Fortuna favet fa●uis. It's but equal, Nature having not that Fortune should do so.   
It's good to go on foot when a man hath a horse in his hand. 
Al aise marche à pied qui mene son cheval par la bride. Gall.   
Forbearance is no acquittance.  
In the forehead and the eye the lecture of the mind doth lie. 
Vultus index animi.   
To forget a wrong's the best revenge. 
Delle ingiurie il remedio è lui scordarsi. Ital. Infirmi est animi exiguique voluptas Ultio. Juv.   
It's not good praising a ford till a man be over.  
Forewarned forearmed. Praemonitus, praemunitus.  
Forecast is better than work-hard.  
Every one's faults are not written in their foreheads.  
The fox prey's furthest from's hole. 
To avoid suspicion. Crafty thiefs steal far from home.   
The fox never fares better, then when he's baned [or cursed.] 
Populus me sibilat, at mihi plaudo  
Ipse domi, quoties nummos contemplor in area.  Horat.  
It's an ill sign to see a fox lick a lamb.  
When the fox preaches, beware of your geese.  
Fire quoth the fox, when he pissed on the ice. He saw it smoked, and thought there would be fire e'er long. 
This is spoken in derision to those which have great expectation from some fond design or undertaking, which is not likely to succeed.   
Fie upon heps (quoth the fox) because he could not reach them.  
The fox knows much, but more he that catcheth him.  
Every fox must pay his own skin to the flayer. 
Tutte le volpi si trouvano in pelliceria. Ital. En fin les regnards se trouvent chez le pelletier. Gal. The crafty are at length surprised. Thiefs most commonly come to the gallows at last.   
What's freer than gift?  
It's good to have some friends both in heaven and hell.  
He is my friend, that grindeth at my mill. 
That shows me real kindness.   
A friend in need is a friend indeed.  
Prove thy friend ere thou have need.  
All are not friends, that speak us fair.  
He's a good friend that speaks well on's behind our backs.  
No longer foster no longer friend.  
As a man is friended, so the law is ended.  
Where shall a man have a worse friend, than he brings from home?  
Friends may meet, but mountains never greet. 
Mons cum monte non miscebitur: Pares cum paribus Two haughty persons will seldom agree together. Deux hommes se rencontrent bien, mais jamais deux montagnes. Gall.   
Many kinsfolk, few friends. 
Ones kindred are not always to be accounted one's friends, though in our Language they be synonymous terms. There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.   
One God no more, but friends good store. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Unus Deus, sed plures amici parandi.   
Where ever you see your friend, trust yourself.  
A friend is never known till one have need. 
Amicus certus in re incerta cernitur. Cic. ex Enyo. 
Scilicet ut fulvum spectatur in ignibus aurum,  
Tempore sic duro est inspicienda fides.  Ovid.   
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Friends stand afar off, when a man is in adversity.  
What was good, the Friar never loved.  
When the Friar's beaten, then comes james. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Sic est ad pugnae partes re peractâ veniendum.   
The Friar preached against stealing when he had a pudding in his sleeve. 
Il srate predicava, che non si dovesse robbare & lui haveva l'occha nel scapulario. Ital. The same with the English, only goose instead of pudding.   
To fright a bird is not the way to catch her. 
Qui veut prendre un oiseau qu' il ne l'affarouche. Gall. The same with the English. 
The frog cannot out of her bog.  
Frost and fraud both end in foul.  A saying ordinary in the mouth of Sr Tho. Egerton Lord Chancellor.   
Take away fuel take away flame. 
Remove the tale-bearer and contention ceaseth. Sine Cercre & Libero friget Venus.   
The furthest way about's the nearest way home. 
What is gained in the shortness may be lost in the goodness of the way. Compendia plerumque sunt dispendia.   
Fields have eyes, and woods have ears. 
Bois ont oreilles, & champs oeillets. Gall. Some hear and see him whom he heareth and seeth not; For fields have eyes, and woods have ears, ye wot. Heywood.    

G.  
TOuch a galled horse on the back, and he'll kick, [or wince.]  
Try your skill in galt first, and then in gold. 
In care periculum, subaudi fac. Cares olim notatisunt. quód primi vitam mercede locabant. They were the first mercenary soldiers. Practise new and doubtful experiments in cheap commodities, or upon things of small value.   
You may gape long enough, ere a bird fall in your mouth.  
He that gapeth until he be fed, well may he gape until he be dead.  
C' est folly de beer contre un four. Gall. 
No gaping against an oven.   
Make not a gauntlet of a hedging glove.  
What's a Gentleman but his pleasure.  
A Gentleman without living, is like a pudding without suet.  
Gentry sent to market, will not buy one bushel of corn.  
Gentility without ability, is worse than plain beggary.  
Giff gaff was a good man, but he is soon weary.  
Giffe gaffe is one good turn for another.  
Look not a gift horse in the mouth. 
It seems this was a Latin Proverb in Hieroms time, Erasmus quotes it out of his preface to his commentaries on the epistle to the Ephesians, Noli (ut vulgare est proverbium) equi dentes inspicere donati. A caval donato non guardar in bocca. Ital. A cheval donne il ne saut pas regarder aux dens. Gall. It is also in other modern Languages.   
There's not so bad a Gill but there's as bad a Will.  
Giving much to the poor, doth increase a man's store.  
Give a thing and take a thing, etc.  
Or, give a thing and take again, And you shall ride in hell's wain. 
Plato mentions this as a children's Proverb in his time. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, which with us also continues a Proverb among children to this day.   
Better fill a glutton's belly then his eye. 
Les yeux plus grands que la pance. Gall. Piu tosto si satolla il ventre chel'occhio. Ital.   
A belly full of gluttony will never study willingly, i. e. the old proverbial Verse. 
Impletus venter non vult studere libenter.   
Man doth what he can, and God what he will.  
When God wills, all winds bring rain. 
Deus undecunque juvat modò propitius. Eras. La ou Dieu veut il pleut. Gall.   
God sends corn, and the Devil mars the sack.  
God sends cold after clothes. 
After clothes, i. e. according to the people's clothes. Dieu donne le sroid selon le drape. Gall.   
God is where he was. 
Spoken to encourage People in any distress.   
Not God above, gets all men's love. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theogn.   
God knows well which are the best Pilgrims.  
What God will, no frost can kill.  
Tell me with whom thou goest, and I'll tell thee what thou dost. 
La mala compagnia è quella che mena huomini à la furca, Ital.   
Gold goes in at any gate except Heavens. 
Philip Alexander's father was reported to say, that he did not doubt to take any castle or citadel, let the ascent be never so steep and difficult, if he could but drive up an ass laden with gold to the gate.   
All is not gold that glisters. 
Toutce qui luit n'est pas or. Gall. Non è oro tutto quel che luce. Ital. Fronti nulla fides. Juven.   
A man may buy gold too dear.  
Though good be good, yet better is better, or better carries it.  
That's my good that does me good.  
Some good things I do not love, a good long mile, good small beer, and a good old woman.  
Good enough is never aught.  
A good man can no more harm than a sheep.  
Ill gotten goods, seldom prosper. 
Della robba di mal acquista non se ne vede allegrezza. Ital. And, Vien presto consumato l'ingiustamente acquistato. De mal è venu l'agneau & à mal retourne le peau. Gall. To naught it goes that came from naught. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesiod. Mala lucra aequalia damnis. Malè parta malè dilabuntur: and, De malè quaesitis vix gaudet tertius haeres. Juven.   
That that's good sauce for a goose, is good for a gander. 
This is a woman's Proverb.   
There's meat in a goose's eye.  
As deep drinketh the goose, as the gander.  
Goose, and gander and gosling are three sounds, but one thing.  
A Goshawk beats not at a bunting. 
Aquila non capit muscas.   
Grace will last, favour will blast.  
While the grass grows, the steed starves. 
Caval non morire, che herba dè venire. Ital.   
Grass grows not upon the high way.  
Grace and green make the worst medley. 
Turpe senex miles, turpe senilis amor. Ovid. An old lecher is compared to an onion, or leek, which hath a white head but a green tail.   
Grey hairs are deaths blossoms.  
Great gifts are from great men.  
The Gull comes against the rain.   

H.  
HAckney mistress hackney maid. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Cic. Epist. Att. 5. Qualis hera tales pedijsequae. Et, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Catulae dominam imitantur. Videas autem (inquit Erasmus) & Melitaeas, opulentarum mulierum delicias, fastum, laseiviam totàmque ferè morum imaginem reddere.   
Had I fish is good without mustard.  
Half an acre is good land.  
No halting before a cripple. 
For fear of being detected. Il nè faut pas clocher devant un boiteux. Gall.   
Half an egg, etc. v. egg.  
Half a loaf, v. loaf.  
Help hands for I have no lands.  
He is handsome that handsome doth.  
Half an hours hanging hinders 5 m. riding.  
It's better to be happy then wise. 
E meglio esser fortunato che savio. Ital. Gutta fortunae prae dolio sapientiae. Mieux vaut une once de fortune qu' une libre de sagesse. Gall. An ounce of good fortune is better than a pound of wisdom.   
Happy is he whose friends were born before him.  
i e. Who hath rem non labore parandam sed relictam.  
Happy man happy dole, or Happy man by his dole.  
Happy is the child whose father went to the Devil. 
For commonly they who first raise great estates, do it either by usury and extortion, or by fraud and cozening, or by flattery and ministering to other men's vices.   
Some have the hap, some stick i'th' gap.  
Hap, and halfpenny goods enough, i. e. Good luch is enough, though a man hath not a penny left him.  
Set hard heart against hard hap. 
Tu-ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito. In re mala enimo si bono utare adjuvat.   
Hard with hard makes not the stone wall. 
Duro con duro non fa mai buon muro. Ital. Though I have seen at Ariminum in Italy an ancient Roman bridge made of hewn stone laid together without any mortar or cement.   
Hard fare makes hungry bellies.  
It's a hard winter, etc. v. winter.  
It's a hard battle, etc. v. battle.  
Where we least think, there goeth the hare away.  
Harm watch, harm catch.  
King Harry loved a man, i. e. valiant men love such as are so, hate cowards.  
Most haste worst speed. 
Come s' ha fretta non si fa mai niente che stia bene. Ital. Qui trop se haste en cheminent, en beau chemin se fourvoye souvent. Gall. He that walks too hastily, often stumbles in plain way. Qui nimis properè minùs prosperè, & Nimium properans seriùs absolvit. Et Canis festinans caecos parit catulos. Et festinalenté. Tarry a little that we may make an end the sooner, was a saying of Sr Amias Paulet. Presto & bene non si conviene. Ital. Hastily and well never meet.   
Haste makes waste, And waste makes want, And want makes strife between the good man and his wife.  
As the man said to him on the tree top. Make no more haste when you come down then when you went up.  
Nothing most be done hastily but killing of fleas.  
Hasty climbers, etc. v. climbers.  
A hasty [or angry] man never wants woe, v. A.  
Hasty People will never make good Midwives.  
Hasty gamesters oversee.  
No haste to hang true men.  
It's good to have a hatch before the door.  
High flying hawks are fit for Princes.  
Make hay while the sun shines.  
A great head and a little wit. 
This is only for the clinch sake become a Proverb, for certainly the greater, the more brains; and the more brains, the more wit, if rightly conformed.   
Better be the head of a pike, than the tail of a sturgeon.  
Better be the head of a dog, than the tail of a lion. 
Meglio è esser capo di lucertola che coda di dragone. Ital.   
Better be the head of an ass, than the tail of a horse.  
Better be the head of the yeomanry, than the tail of the gentry. 
E meglio esser testa di luccio che coda di sturione. Ital. These four Proverbs have all the same sense, viz. Men love priority and precedency, had rather govern then be ruled, command then obey, lead then be said, though in an inferior rank and quality.   
He that hath no head needs no hat. 
Qui n'a point de teste n'a que faire de chaperon. Gall.   
A man is not so soon healed as hurt.  
You must not pledge your own health.  
Health is better than wealth.  
The more you heap, the worse you cheap. 
The more you rake and scrape the worse success you have; or the more busy you are and stir you keep, the less you gain.   
He that hears much and speaks not all, shall be welcome both in bower and hall. 
Parla poco, ascolta assai, & non fallirai. Ital.   
Where the hedge is lowest commonly men leap over. 
Chascun joue au Roy despoville. Gall. They that are once down shall be sure to be trampled on.   
Take heed is a good read. 
Or as another Proverb hath it, Good take heed doth surely speed. Abundans cautela non nocct.   
One pair of heels is often worth two pair of hands. 
Always for cowards. The French say, Qui n'à coeur ait jambes; and the Italian in the same words, Chi non ha' cuore habbi gambe. He that hath no heart let him have heels. So we see, Nature hath provided timorous creatures, as Deers, Hares, Rabbits, with good heels, to save themselves by flight.   
They that be in hell think there's no other Heaven.  
Every herring must hang by his own gill.  
Every tub must stand upon its own bottom. Every man must give an account for himself.  
Hide nothing from thy Minister, Physician and Lawyer. 
All confessor medico & advocato Non si dè tener il vero celato. Ital. He that doth so doth it to his own harm or loss wronging thereby either his soul, body or estate.   
Look not too high, lest a chip fall in thine eye. 
Noli altum sapere. Mr Howel hath it, Hue not too high, etc. according to the Scottish Proverb.   
The higher standing the lower fall. 
Tolluntur in altum ut lapsu graviora ruant. The higher flood hath always the lower ebb.   
The highest tree hath the greatest fall.  
Celsae graviore casu decidunt turres. Horat.  
Up the hill favour me, down the hill beware thee.  
Every man for himself, and God for us all.  
Ogniun per se & Dio per tutti, Ital.  
It is hard to break a hog of an ill custom.  
ne'er lose a hog for an half-penny-worth of tarr. 
A man may spare in an ill time: as some who will rather die, then spend ten groats in Physic. Some have it, lose not a sheep, etc. Indeed tarr is more used about sheep then swine.   
A man may hold his tongue in an ill time. 
Amyclas silentium perdidit. It's a known story, that the Amycleans having been oft frighted and disquieted with vain reports of the enemies coming, made a law that no man should bring or tell any such news. Whereupon it happened, that when the enemies did come indeed, they were surprised and taken. There is a time to speak as well as to be silent.   
Who can hold that they have not in their hand, i. e. a fart.  
Home is home though it be never so homely. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Because there we have greatest freedom. v. Eras. Bos alienus subinde prospect at for as.   
An honest man's word is as good as his bond.  
An honey tongue a heart of gall.  
Honour's change manners. 
Honours mutant mores. As poverty depresseth and debaseth a man's mind. So great place and estate advance and enlarge it; but many times corrupt and puff it up.   
Where honour ceaseth, there knowledge decreaseth. 
Honos alit arts. Quis enim virtutem amplectitur ipsam praemia si tollas? On the other side. 
Sint Mecaenates non deerunt Flacco Marones':  
Virgiliumque tibi vel tua rura dabunt.    
A hook well lost to catch a Salmon. 
Il faut perdre un veron pour pescher un Saulmon. Gall.   
If it were not for hope, the heart would break. 
Spes alunt exules. Spes servat afflictos. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Spes bona dat vires, animum quoque spes bona firmat. Vivere spe vidi qui moriturus crat. Hope well and have well, quoth Hickwell.   
You can't make a horn of a pig's tail. 
Parallel hereto is that of Apostolius, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. An ass' tail will not make a sieve. Ex quovis ligno non sit Mercurius.   
Horns and grey hairs do not come by years.  
Who hath horns in's bosom, let him not put them on his head.  
Let a man hide his shame, not publish it.  
It's a good horse that never stumbles: and a good wife that never grumbles. 
Il n'y a si bon cheval qui ne bronche. Gall. Quandóque bonus dormitat Homerus.   
A good horse cannot be of a bad colour.  
A good horse often wants a good spur.  
It's an ill horse will not carry his own provender.  
It's an ill horse can neither whinny nor wag his tail.  
Let a horse drink when he will, not what he will.  
A man may lead a horse to the water, but he cannot make him drink unless he will. 
On ne fait boire a l'Asne quand il ne veut. Gall. & On a beau mener le boeuf a l'eau s' il n'a soif. Gall. In vain do you lead the ox to the water, if he be not thirsty.   
A resty horse must have a sharp spur. A scaled horse is good, etc. v. scald.  
The common horse is worst shod. A short horse, etc. v. short.  
The best horse needs breaking, and the aptest child needs teaching.  
Where the horse lies down, there some hair will be found. Fuller's Worth.  
The horse that's next the mill, etc. v. mill.  
A galled horse will not endure the comb. Touch a galled horse, etc. v. galled. 
Il tignosa non ama il pettine. Ital. Jamais tigneux n'aime le pigne. Gall. & Cheval roigneux n'a cure qu' on l'estrille. Gall.   
You may know the horse by his harness.  
They are scarce of horseflesh where two and two ride on a dog.  
A short horse is soon wisped, And a bare a— soon kissed.  
The horse that draws his halter, is not quite escaped. 
Non á scappato chi strascina la catena dietro. Ital. Il n'est pas eschappée qui train son lain. Gall.   
Trust not a horses heel, nor a dog's tooth. 
Ab equinis pedibus procul recede.   
He that hires the horse must ride before.  
The fairer the hostess the fouler the reckoning. 
Belle hostess c' est un mal pour la bourse. Gall.   
Hot sup, hot swallow.  
It chanceth in an hour, etc. v. chanceth.  
Better ones house too little one day, than too big all the year after.  
When thy neighbour's house is on fire, beware of thine own. 
Tua res agitur paries cum proximus ardet.   
A man's house is his castle. 
This is a kind of Law Proverb, Jura publica savent privato domîls.   
He that builds a house by the highway side, it's either too high or too low. 
Chi fabrica la casa in piazza, o che è troppo alta o troppo bassa. Ital.   
He that buys a house ready wrought, hath many a pin and nail for nought. 
Il faut acheter maison fait & femme à fair. Gall. A house ready made and a wife to make. Hence we say, Fools build houses and wise men buy them.   
When a man's house burns, it's not good playing at chess.  
A man may love his house well, and yet not ride on the ridge. 
A man may love his children and relations well, and yet not cocker them, or be foolishly fond and indulgent to them.   
Huge winds blow on high hills. 
Feriúntque summos fulmina montes, Horat.   
Hunger is the best sauce. 
Appetito non-vuol salsa. Ital. Il n'y a saulce que d'appetit. Gall. This Proverb is reckoned among the Aphorisms of Socrates, Optimum cibi condimentum fames sitis potûs. Cic. lib. 2. de finibus.   
Hunger will break through stone walls.  
Hungry flies by't sore. 
The horse in the Fable with a galled back desired the flies that were full might not be driven away, because hungry ones would then take their places.   
Hungry dogs, etc. v. dogs.  
They must hunger in frost that will not work in heat.  
A hungry horse makes a clean manger.  
Hunger makes hard bones sweet beans. 
Erasmus relates as a common Proverb (among the Dutch I suppose) Hunger makes raw beans relish well or taste of Sugar. Manet holiéque vulgò tritum proverbium. Famem efficere ut crudae ctiam fabae saccharum sapiant. Darius in his slight drinking puddle-water defiled with dead carcases, is reported to have said, that he never drank any thing that was more pleasant, for saith the story, Neque enim sitiens unquam biberat: he never had drank thirsty. The full stomach loatheth the honeycomb, but to the hungry, every bitter thing is sweet. Prov. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
All are not hunters that blow the horn.   

I.  
EVery jack must have his Gill. 
Chascun demande sa sort. Gall. Like will to like. It ought to be written Jyll, for it seems to be a nickname for Julia or Juliana.   
A good jack makes a good Gill. 
Bonus dux bonum reddit comitem. Inferiors imitate the manners of superiors; subjects of their Princes, servants of their masters, children of their parents, wives of their husbands. Praecepta ducunt, exempla trahunt.   
jack would be a gentleman, if he could but speak French. 
This was a Proverb, when the Gentry brought up their children to speak French. After the conquest, the first Kings endeavoured to abolish the English Language, and introduce the French.   
More to do with one jack-an apes, than all the bears.  
jack would wipe his nose if he had it.  
jack sprat would teach his Grandam. 
Ante barbam doces senes.   
Of idleness comes no goodness.  
Better to be idle, than not well occupied. 
Praestat otiosum esse quam nihil agere. Plin. epist. Better be idle then do that which is to no purpose, or as good as nothing; much more than that which is evil.   
An idle brain is the Devil's shop.  
Idle folks have the most labour.  
Idle folks lack no excuses.  
No jesting with edge tools, or with bell-ropes. 
Tresca con i fanti & lascia stari santi. Ital. Play with children, and let the saints alone.   
When the demand is a jest, the fittest answer is a scoff.  
Better lose a jest then a friend.  
Ill gotten goods, etc. v. goods.  
Ill news comes apace.  
Ill weeds grow apace. 
Mauvaise herb croist tous jours. Gall. Pazzi crescono senza inaffiargli. Ital. Fools grow without watering. A mauvais chien la queüe luy vient. Gall. Herba mala praesto cresce, Ital.   
Ill will never said well.  
An inch breaks no squares. Some add, in a bourn of thorns. 
Pour un petit n'avant n'arriere. Gall.   
An inch in a miss is as good as an ell.  
Ione's as good as my Lady in the dark. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Erasmus draws this to another sense, viz. There is no woman chaste where there is no witness: but I think he mistakes the intent of it, which is the same with ours. When candles are out all cats are grey.   
No joy without annoy. 
Extrema gaudii luctus occupat: & Usque adeò nulla est sincera voluptas, Sollicitumque aliquid laetis intervenit.   
Strike while the iron is hot. 
Infin che il ferro è caldo bisogna batterlo. Ital. Il fait bon battre le fer tandis qu' il est chaud. Gal. People must then be plied when they are in a good humour or mood.   
He that hath many irons in the fire, some of them will cool.  
Ill luck is worse than found money.  
He that will not endure to itch must endure to smart.   

K.  
KA me and I'll ka thee. 
Da mihi mutuum testimonium. Cic. orat. pro Flacco. Lend me an oath or testimony. Swear for me and I'll do as much for you. Or claw me and I'll claw you. Commend me and I'll commend you. & Pro Delo Calauriam. Neptune changed with Latona Delos for Calauria.   
Keep some till furthermore come.  
The kettle calls the pot black a— 
Lafoy padella diee all paivolo vati in la, che tu mi non tinga. Ital. Il lavezzo fabeffe de la pignata. Ital.   
All the keys hang not at one man's girdle.  
A piece of a kid's worth two of a cat.  
Who was killed by a cannon bullet, was cursed in his mother's belly.  
He that kills a man when he's drunk, v. in D.  
The kiln calls the oven burnt-house.  
It's good to be near of kin to an estate.  
A king's favour is no inheritance.  
The King's cheese goes half away in parings.  
Kissing goes by favour.  
Better kiss a knave then be troubled with him.  
He that kisseth his wife in the marketplace, shall have enough to teach him.  
If you can kiss the mistress, never kiss the maid.  
To kiss a man's wife or wipe his knife, is but a thankless office.  
Many kiss the child for the nurse's sake.  
A carrion kite will never make good hawk. 
On ne seauroit faire d'une buse un espreuvier. Gall,   
Many kinsfolks, etc. v. friends.  
Knaves and fools divide the world.  
When knaves fall out, true men come by their goods. 
Les larrons s' entrebatent, les larcins se descovurent. Gall. When Highway men fall out, robberies are discovered.   
Knavery may serve for a turn, But honesty is best at long run.  
The more knave the better luck.  
Two cunning knaves need no broker: or a cunning knave, etc.  
It's as hard to please a knave as a Knight.  
It is better to knit then blossom. 
As in trees those that bear the fairest blossoms, as double flowered cherries and peaches, often bear no fruit at all, so in children, etc.   
Where the knot is loose, the string slippeth.  
They that know one another salute afar off.   

L.  
AN unhappy lad may make a good man. 
A ragged colt, etc.   
A quick landlord makes a careful tenant.  
He that hath some land must have some labour.  
No sweet without some sweat, without pains no gains.  
Land was never lost for want of an heir. 
A i ricchi non mancano parenti. Ital. The rich never want kindred.   
One leg of a lark 's worth the whole body of a kite.  
He that comes last makes all fast. 
Le dernier ferme la porte, ou la laisse ouverte. Gall.   
Better late than never. 
Il vaut mieux tard que jamais. Gall. Meglio tarde che non mai. Ital.   
It's never too late to repent. 
Nunquam sera est. &c▪   
Let them laugh that win. 
Merchand qui perd ne peut rire. Gall. The merchant that loses cannot laugh. Give losers leave to speak, and I say, Give winners leave to laugh, for if you do not, they'll take it.   
He that buys lawn before he can fold it, shall repent him before he have sold it.  
They that make laws must not break them.  
Patere legem quam ipsc tulisti.  
In commune jubes siquid censésve tenendum,  
Primus jussa subi, tunc observantior aequi  
Fis populus, nec ferre vetat cum viderit ipsum, Autorem parere sibi. Claudian.  
Better a lean jade then an empty halter.  
Never too old to learn. 
Nulla aetas ad perdiscendum sera est, Ambros.   
The least boy always carries the greatest fiddle. 
All lay load upon those that are least able to bear it. For they that are least able to bear, are least able to resist the imposition of the burden.   
Better leave than lack.  
Leave is light. 
It's an easy matter to ask leave, but the expense of a little breath, and therefore servants and such as are under command are much to blame, when they will do, or neglect to do what they ought not or aught, without ask it,   
While the leg warmeth, the boot harmeth.  
He that doth lend will lose his friend. 
Qui pressed all amiss perd au double. Gall. He that lends to his friend, loseth double, i. e. both money and friend.   
Learn to lick betimes, you know not whose tail you may go by.  
Show me a liar, and I'll show you a thief.  
Life is sweet.  
While there's life there's hope. 
Infin que v è fiato v è speranza, Ital. Aegroto dum anima est spes est. Tull. ad Attic. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. When all diseases fled out of Pandora's box, hope remained there still.   
There's life in a muscle, i. e. There is some hopes though the means be but weak.  
Life lieth not in living, but in liking. 
Martial saith, Non est vivere, sed valere vita.   
Light gains make a heavy purse. 
Le petit gain remplit la bourse. Gall. They that sell for small profit, vend more commodities and make quick returns, so that to invert the Proverb, What they lose in the hundred, they gain in the county. Whereas they who sell dear, sell little, and many times lose a good part of their wares, either spoiled or grown out of use and fashion by long keeping. Poco è spesso empie il borsetto. Ital. Little and often fills the purse.   
Light burdens far heavy. 
Petit far deau poise à la longue, or Petite chose de loing poise, Gall.   
Light cheap lither yield. 
That that costs little, will do little service, for commonly the best is beast cheap.   
Lightly come lightly go.  
The light is nought for sore eyes. 
Al'oeil malade le lumiere nuit. Gall. He that doth evil hateth the light, etc.   
There's lightning lightly before thunder.  
A heavy purse makes a light heart.  
The lions not half so fierce as he is painted. 
Minuunt prasentia famam, is a true rule. Things are represented at a distance, much to their advantage beyond their just proportion and merit. Fame is a magnifying glass.   
Every one as they like best, as the good man said when he kissed his cow.  
Like will to like (as the Devil said to the Collier.) Or as the scabbed Squire said to the mangy Knight, when they both met in a dish of buttered fish. 
Ogni simile appetisce il suo simile, Ital. Chascum cherche son semblable, or, demand sa sort, Gall. Cascus eascam ducit, i. vetulus anum. Significat a. similis similem delectat.   
Like lips like lettuce. 
Similes habent labra lactucas. A thistle is a salad fit for an ass' mouth. We use when we would signify that, things happen to people which are suitable to them, or which they deserve: as when a dull scholar happens to a stupid or ignorant master, a froward wife to a peevish husband, etc. Dignum patellâ operculum. Like priest, like people, and on the contrary. These Proverbs are always taken in the worse sense. Tal carne tal cultello. Ital. Like flesh like knife.   
Like saint like offering.  
Like carpenter like chips.  
Trim tram, like master like man. 
Quell maistre tel valet, Gall. Tal Abbate tali i monachi. Ital.   
A liquorish tongue is the purses canker.  
A liquorish tongue a liquorish lecherous tail.  
A little pot's soon hot. 
Little persons are commonly choleric.   
Little things are pretty. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Many littles make a much. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesiod.  
Add parum parvo magnus acervus erit.  
De petit vient on au grand. and, Les petits ruisseaux font les grands rivieres, Gall. All ekes, etc. The greatest number is made up of unites; and all the waters of the sea, of drops. Piuma à piuma se pela l'occha. Ital. Feather by feather the goose is plucked.   
Little pitchers have ears. 
Ce quel'enfant oit au fovyer, est bien tost cogneu jusques au Monstier. That which the child hears by the fire, is often known as far as Monstier, a Town in Savoy. So that it seems they have long tongues, as well as wide ears. And therefore (as Juvenal well said) Maxima debetur puero reverentia.   
By little and little the poor whore sinks her barn.  
Little said soon amended.  
Little strokes fell great oaks. 
Multis ictibus dejicitur quercus. Many strokes fell, etc.  
Assiduity overcomes all difficulty. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Minutula pluvia imbrem parit. Assidua stilla saxum excavat.  
Quid magis est durum saxon? quid mollius unda?  
Dura tamen molli saxa cavantur aqud. Ovid.  
Annulus in digito subter tenuatur habendo:  
Stillicidî casus lapidem cavat, uncus aratri  
Ferrcus occultè decrescit vomer in armis, Lucret.  
Pliny reports, that there are to be found flints worn by the feet of Pismires. Which is not altogether unlikely; for the Horse ants especially, I have observed to have their roads or foot-paths so worn by their travelling, that they may easily be observed.   
A little good is soon spent.  
A little stream drives a light mill.  
Live and let live, i. e. Do as you would be done by. Let such pennyworths as your Tenants may live under you; sell such bargains, etc.  
Every thing would live.  
They that live longest, must go furthest for wood.  
Longer lives a good fellow than a dear year.  
As long lives a merry heart as a sad.  
One may live and learn. 
Non si finisce mai d'imparare, Ital. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, A famous saying of Solon, Discenti assiduè multa senecta vexit.  
And well might he say so, for Ars longa vita brevis, As Hypocrates begins his Aphorisms.   
They that live longest must fetch fire furthest.  
They that live longest must die at last.  
All lay load on the willing horse. 
On touch tous jours sur le cheval qui tire, Gall. The horse that draws is most whipped.   
Half a loaf is better than no bread.  
It's a long run that never turns.  
The longest day, etc. v. day.  
Long looked for comes at last.  
Look to the main chance.  
Look before you leap, For snakes among sweet flowers do creep.  
Look not too high, etc. v. high.  
Where the knot is loose, etc. v. knot.  
No great loss, but some small profit. 
As for instance, he whose sheep die of the rot, saves the skins and wool.   
It's not lost that comes at last.  
All is not lost that is in danger.  
In love is no lack.  
Love thy neighbour, but pull not down thy hedge.  
Better a louse i'th' pot then no flesh at all. 
The Scotch Proverb saith a mouse, which is better sense, for a mouse is flesh and edible.   
He must stoop that hath a low door.  
Lowly sit richly warm. 
A mean condition is both more safe and more comfortable, than a high estate.   
The lower millstone grinds as well as the upper.  
Ill luck is worse, etc. v. iii.  
What is worse than ill luck?  
Give a man luck, and throw him into the sea.  
The honester man, the worse luck, v. honester.  
Thiefs and rogues have the best luck, if they do but scape hanging.  
He that's sick of a fever lurden must be cured by the hazel gelding.  
No law for lying. A man may lie without danger of the law.   

M.  
YOu'll ne'er be mad, you are of so many minds.  
There are more maids than Maukin, and more men than Michael, i. e. little Malipiero or Mary.  
Maids say nay and take.  
Who knows who's a good maid?  
Every maid is undone.  
Look to the main, etc. v. look.  
Make much of one, good men are scarce.  
Malice is mindful.  
Man proposes, God disposes. 
Homme propose, mais Dieu dispose, Gall. Humana confiiia divinitus gubernantur.   
A man's a man though he hath but a hose on's head.  
He that's man'd with boys and horsed with colts, shall have his meat eaten and his work undone.  
Many hands make light [or quick] work. 
Multorum manibus grande levatur onus.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Homer. Unus vir nullus vir. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Euripid.   
He that hath many irons, etc. v. irons.  
Many sands will sink a ship. 
We must have a care of little things, lest by degrees we fall into great inconveniences. A little leak neglected, in time will sink a ship.   
Many littles, etc. v. little.  
So many men so many minds. 
Tant● teste tanti cervelli, Ital. Autant de testes autant d'opinions, Gall. Quot homines tot sententiae, Terent.   
There are more mares in the wood then Grisell.  
You may know by the marketfolks, how the market goes.  
He that cannot abide a bad market deserves not a good one.  
Forsake not the market for the toll.  
No man makes haste to the market, where there's nothing to be bought but blows.  
The master's eye makes the horse fat. 
l'occhio del padrone ingrassa il cavallo, Ital. L'oeil du maistre engraisse le cheval. Gall. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Arist. Oeconom. 2. The answers of Perses and Libys are worth the observing. The former being asked, what was the best thing to make a horse fat, answered the master's eye: the other being demanded what was the best manure, answered the master's footsteps. Not impertinent to this purpose, is that story related by Gellius. A fat man riding upon a lean horse asked, how it came to pass, that himself was fat, and his horse so lean. He answered because I feed myself, but my servant my horse.   
That is not always good in the maw that is sweet in the mouth.  
Who that may not as he will, etc. v. will.  
Every may be hath a may not be.  
Two ill meals make the third a glutton.  
Measure is a treasure.  
After meat comes mustard. 
When there is no more use of it.   
Meat is much, but manners is more.  
Much meat much maladies. 
Surfeiting and diseases often attend full tables. Our nation in former time, hath been noted for excess in eating, and it was almost grown a Proverb, That English men dig their graves with their teeth.   
Meat and matins hinder no man's journey. 
In other words, Prayers and provender, etc.   
He that will meddle with all things, may go shoe the goslins. 
C ' e da fare per tutto, diceva colui che fer●ava l'occha. Ital.   
Of little meddling comes great ease.  
It's merry in the hall when beards wag all. 
When all are eating, feasting or making good cheer. By the way we may note that this word cheer, which is particularly with us applied to meats and drinks, seems to be derived from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifying joy: As it doth also with us in those words cheerly and cheerful.   
Merry meet merry part.  
Be merry and wise.  
The more the merrier, the fewer the better cheer.  
Merry is the feast-making till we come to the reckoning.  
As long lives a merry, etc. v. lives.  
Can Jack-an-apes be merry, etc. v. clog.  
Who doth sing so merry a note, etc. v. sing.  
Much ado and little help.  
Might overcomes right.  
No mill no meal. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Qui sugit molam sugit sarinam. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. He that would have honey, must have bees. Erasmus saith, they commonly say, He that would have eggs, must endure the cackling of hens. It is I suppose a Dutch Proverb.   
Much water goes by the mill, the miller knows not of. 
Assai acqua passa per il molino the i'll molinaio non vede, Ital.   
An honest miller hath a golden thumb.  
In vain doth the mill clack, if the miller his hearing lack.  
Every miller draws water to his own mill. 
Amener eau au moulin, or; Tirer eau en son moulin, Gall. Tutti tira l'acqua al suo molino. Ital.   
The horse next the mill, carries all the grist.  
My mind to me a kingdom is.  
A pennyworth of mirth is worth a pound of sorrow.  
Mischiefs come by the pound, and go away by the ounce. 
I mali vengono à carri & suggino a onze. Ital.   
Better a mischief, than an inconvenience. 
That is, better a present mischief that is soon over, than a constant grief and disturbance. Not much unlike to that, Better eye out, then always aching. The French have a Proverb in sense, contrary to this, Il faut laisser son enfant morveux plus tost que luy arracher le nez. Better let ones child be snotty then pluck his nose off. Better endure some small inconvenience, then remove it with a great mischief.   
There's no feast to the misers, v. feast.  
Misfortune's seldom come alone. 
The French say, Malheur ne vient jamais seul. One misfortune never came alone. & Apres perdre perd on bien. When one begins once to lose, one never makes an end. & Un mal attire l'autre. One mischief draws on another, or one mischief falls upon the neck of another. Fortuna nulli obesse contenta est semel.   
Misreckoning's no payment.  
Misunderstanding brings lies to town. 
This is a good observation, lies and false reports arise most part from mistake and misunderstanding. The first hearer mistakes the first reporter, in some considerable circumstance or particular; the second him, and so at last the truth is lost, and a lie passes currant.   
Money will do more than my lords letter.  
It's money makes the mare to go. 
Pecuniae obediunt omnia. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 etc. I danari san correre i cavaili. Ital.   
Prate is but prate, it's money buys land.  
Beauty is potent, but money is omnipotent. 
Amour fait beaucoup, mais a gent fait tout. & Amour fait rage, mais argent fait marriage, Gall. Love makes rage, And money makes marriage.   
God makes, and apparel shapes, but money makes the man. 
Pecunia vir. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Tanti quantum habeas fis, Horat.   
Tell money after your own father.  
Do as the most do, and fewest will speak evil of thee.  
The moon's not seen where the sun shines.  
A mote may choke a man.  
A child may have too much of his mother's blessing. 
Mother's are oftentimes too tender and fond of their children. Who are ruined and spoiled by their cockering and indulgence.   
The mouse that hath but one hole is easily taken. 
Tristo è quel topo, che non ha ch' un sol pertuggio per salvarsi. Ital. La souris qui n'a qu' une entrée est incontinent happée, Gall. Must non uni fidit antro. Good riding at two anchors, having two strings to one's bow. This sentence came originally from Plautus in Truculento, v. Erasm. Adag.   
A mouse in time may bite in two, etc. v. time.  
God never sends mouths, but he sends meat. 
This Proverb is much in the mouth of poor people: who get children, but take no care to maintain them.   
Much would have more. 
Multa petentibus desunt multa, Horat.  
Creverunt & opes & opum furiosa Cupido,  
Ut quò possideant plurima plura p●●ant.  
Sic quibus intumuit suffusa venter ab unda,  
Quo plus sunt potae plus sitiuntur aquae. Ovid. Fast.   
Muck-hill and money go together. 
Those that are slovenly and dirty usually grow rich, not they that are nice and curious in their diet, houses and clothes.   
Murder will out. 
This is observed very often to fall out in the immediate sense, as if the Providence of God were more then ordinarily manifested in such discoveries, It is used also to signify, that any knavery or crime or the like will come to light.   
Men muse as they use, measure other folks corn by their own bushel,  
When a musician hath forgot his note, he makes as though a crumb stuck in his throat. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. When a singing-man or musician is out or at a loss, to conceal it he coughs. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Some seeking to hide a escape with a cough, render themselves doubly ridiculous.   
He loves mutton well, that dips his bread in the wool.   

N.  
IF ones name be up he may lie in bed. 
Qui a bruit de se lever matin peut dormir jusques a disner, Gall. Etiam trimestres liberi felicibus, Sue.   
He that hath an ill name is half hanged.  
Take away my good name and take away my life.  
Naught is never in danger.  
Near is my petticoat, etc. v. petticoat.  
Necessity hath no law. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. La necessita non ha leg, Ital. Ingens telum necessitas. Cic. de Amic.   
Necessity is coal-black.  
They need much whom nothing will content.  
Need makes the old wife troth. 
Bisogno la trottar la vecchia, Ital. Besoign fait vieille trotter, Gall. All the same, word for word.   
Need will have its course.  
Need makes the naked man run, [or the naked quean spin.]  
A good neighbour, a good good-morrow. 
Qui à bon voisin à bon matin, Gall. Chi ha cattivo vicino ha' il mal matino, Ital. Aliquid mali propter vicinum malum, Plaut. in Merc. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Hesiod. Themistocles having a farm to sell, caused the crier who proclaimed it, to add that it had a good neighbour: rightly judging that such an advantage would make it more vendible.   
Love thy neighbour, etc. v. in L.  
Neighbour-quart is good quart, i. e. Giffe gaffe is a good fellow.  
He dwells far from neighbours [or hath ill neighbours] that's fain to praise himself. 
Proprio laus sordet in ore. Let another man praise thee and not thine own mouth, a stranger and not thine own lips.   
Here's talk of the Turk and Pope, but it's my next neighbour does me the harm.  
You must ask your neighbour if you shall live in peace.  
The rough net's not the best catcher of birds.  
New lords new laws. 
De nouveau seigneur nouvelle mesnie, Gall.   
Every one has a penny to spend at a new Alehouse.  
A new broom sweeps clean.  
No penny no, etc. v penny.  
No mill no, etc. v. mill.  
No silver no, etc. v. silver.  
No living man all, etc. v. all.  
One may know by your nose, what pottage you love.  
Every man's nose will not make a shooing horn. 
Non cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum, Horat.   
Where nothing is a little doth ease.  
Where nothing 's to be had, the King must lose his right. 
Ninno da quello che non ha, Ital. Le Roy perd sa rente ou il n'y a que prendre, Gall.   
One year a nurse and seven years the worse. 
Because feeding well and doing little she becomes liquorish and gets a habit of idleness.   
Fair fall nothing once by the year. 
It may sometimes be better to have nothing then something. So said the poor man, who in a bitter snowy morning could lie still in his warm bed, when as his neighbours who had sheep and other cattle, were fain to get up betimes and abroad, to look after and secure them.    

O.  
AN unlawful oath is better broke then kept.  
He that measureth oil, shall anoint his fingers. 
Qui measure l'huile il s' en oingt les mains, Gall.   
To cast oil in the fire's not the way to quench it.  
Old men are twice children. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. And that not in respect of the mind only, but also of the body.   
Old be or young die.  
Never too old to learn. v. learn.  
Older and wiser. 
Discipulus est prioris posterior dies, Senec. Nunquam ita quisquam benè subductâ ratione ad vitam suit, quin res, aetas usus semper aliquid apportet novi, etc. Terent. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
You can't catch old birds with chaff. 
Annosa vulpes non capitur laqueo.   
If you would not live to be old, you must be hanged when you are young.  
Young men may die, old men must.  
The old woman would never have looked for her daughter i'th' oven, had she not been there herself. 
Se la madre non fosse mai stata nel forno, non vi cercarebbe la figlia. Ital. The same to a word.   
An old ape hath an old eye.  
An old dog biteth sore. 
Un vieil chien jamais ne jappe en vain, Gall.   
Of young men die many, of old men scape not any. 
De Giovane ne muoiono di molti, di vecchi ne scampa nessuno, Ital.   
An old fox needs learn no craft.  
An old sack asketh much patching.  
Old men and far travellers may lie by authority. 
Il à beau, mentir qui vient de loin. Gall.   
Better keep under an old hedge, then creep under a new furze-bush.  
As the old cock crows, so crows the young [or so the young learns.] 
Chi di gallina nasce convien che rozole, Ital. Some have it,  
The young pig grunts like the old sow.   
An old thief desires a new halter.  
Old cattle breed not. 
This I believe is a true observation, for probable it is, that all terrestrial animals both birds and beasts have in them from the beginning, the seeds of all those young they afterwards bring forth, which seeds, eggs if you so please to call them; when they are all spent, the female becomes effaete or ceases to breed. In birds these seeds or eggs are visible, and Van Horn hath discovered them also in beasts.   
An old naught will never be aught.  
An old dog will learn no tricks. 
It's all one to physic the dead, as to instruct old men. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Senis mutare inguam is an absurd impossible thing. Old age is intractable, morose, slow and forgetful. If they have been put in a wrong way at first, no hopes then of reducing them. Senex psittacus negligit ferulam.   
An old man hath one foot in the grave.  
An old man is a bed full of bones.  
The old withy tree would have a new gate hung at it.  
Old mares lust after new cruppers.  
That that's one man's meat's another man's poison. 
l'un mort dont l'autre vit, Gall.   
One swallow makes not a spring, nor one woodcock a winter. 
This is an ancient Greek Proverb. Arist. Ethic. Nicom. lib. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
One shoulder of mutton draws down another. 
En mangeant l'appetit vient. Gall.   
One man's breath's another man's death.  
One man may better steal a horse, than another look over the hedge. 
If we once conceive a good opinion of a man, we will not be persuaded he doth any thing amiss; but him whom we have a prejudice against, we are ready to suspect on the sleightest occasion. Some have this good fortune, to have all their actions interpreted well, and their faults overlookt; others to be ill beheld and suspected, even when they are innocent. So parents many times are observed to have great partiality towards some child; and not to be offended with him for that, which they would severely punish in their other children.   
One beats the bush and another catcheth the bird. 
Il bat le buisson sans prendre l'oisillon. Gall. Alii sementem faciunt, alii metent. This Proverb was used by Henry the fifth, at the siege of Orleans: when the citizens besieged by the English, would have yielded up the town to the D. of Burgundy who was in the English camp, and not to the King. He said, shall I beat the bush and another take the bird? no such matter. Which words did so offend the Duke, that he made peace with the French, and withdrew from the English.   
One doth the scathe and another hath the scorn, i. e. One doth the harm and another bears the blame. Scathe signifies loss or harm.  
Opportunity makes the thief. 
Occasio facit furem. Therefore, masters and superiors and housekeepers ought to secure their moneys and goods under lock and key; that they do not give their servants, or any others, a temptation to steal.   
It is good to cry ule at other men's costs. Ule that is Christmas.  
It's time to set in when the oven comes to the dough, 
i. e. Time to marry when the maid woes the man: parallel to that Cheshire Prov. Its time to yoke when the cart comes to the caples, i. e. horses.   
All's out is good for prisoners but naught for the eyes. 
It's good for prisoners to be out, but bad for the eyes to be out. This is a droll used by good fellows when one tells them, all the drink is out.   
God send us of our own when rich men go to dinner.  
Let him that owns the cow take her by the tail.  
'tis good christening a man's own child first.  
The ox when weariest treads surest. 
Bos lassus fortiùs sigit pedem. Those that are slow are sure.    

P.  
A Small pack, etc. v. small.  
Pain is forgotten where gain follows.  
Great pain and little gain make a man soon weary.  
Without pains no gains. 
Dii laboribus omnia vendunt.   
It's good enough for the Parson unless the parish were better 
It's here supposed that if the Parish be very bad the Parson must be in some fault; and therefore any thing is good enough for that Parson whose Parishioners are bad, either by reason of his ill example, or the neglect of his duty.   
Fat paunches make lean pates, etc. 
Pinguis venter non gignit sensum tenuem. This Hierom mentions in one of his Epistles as a Greek Proverb. The Greek is more elegant.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
All the honesty is in the parting.  
Patch by patch is good husbandry, but patch upon patch is plain beggary, or  
One patch on a knee, etc.  
Two patches on a knee, etc.  
Patience with poverty, is all a poor man's remedy.  
Patience perforce is a medicine for a mad dog.  
Patience is a plaster for all sores.  
Paul's will not always stand.  
A fair pawn never shamed his master.  
A good paymaster needs no surety, or Starts not at assurances.  
Once paid never craved.  
He that pays last, never pays twice.  
He that cannot pay, let him pray.  
They take a long day that never pay.  
He that would live in peace and rest, must hear and see and say the best. 
Oy, voy, & te tais, si tu veux viure en paix, Gall. Ode, vede, tace, Sevuoi viver in pace, Ital.   
Pen an ink is wits plough.  
A penny in my purse will bid me drink when all the friends I have will not.  
Penny in pocket's a good companion.  
No penny no pater noster.  
That penny is well spent that saves a groat. 
Bonne la maille qui suave le denier, Gall. The halfpenny is well spent that saves a penny.   
Penny and penny laid up will be many.  
Who will not keep a penny shall never have many. 
The greatest sum is made up of pence: and he that is prodigal of a little can never gain a great deal: besides by his squandring a little one may take a scantling of his inclination.   
Near is my petticoat, but nearer is my smock. 
Mu chemise m' est plus proche que ma robe. Gall. Tocca piu la camisia ch' il gippone, Ital. i. e. Tunica pallio propior. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theocr. Some friends are nearer to me then others: my Parents and Children then my other Relations, those than my neighbours, my neighbours then strangers: but above all I am next to myself. Plus pres est la chair que la chemise. Gall. My flesh is nearer than my shirt.   
If Physic do not work, Prepare for the kirk.  
I'll not buy a pig in a poke. 
The French say chat en poche, i. e. a cat in a poke.   
Pig's love that lie together. 
A familiar conversation breeds friendship among them who are of the most base and fordid natures.   
When the pig's proffered hold up the poke. 
Never refuse a good offer.   
He that will not stoop for a pin, shall never be worth a point.  
He can ill pipe, that wants his upper lip. 
Things cannot be done without necessary helps and instruments.   
No longer pipe no longer dance.  
Piss not against the wind. 
Chi piscia contra il vento si bagna la camiscia, Ital. He that pisseth against the wind, wets his shirt. It is to a man's own prejudice, to strive against the stream; he wearies himself and loses ground too. Chi spuda contra il vento si spuda contra il viso. Ital. He that spits against the wind spits in his own face.   
The pitcher doth not go so often to the water, but it comes home broken at last. 
Tant souvent va le pot à l'eau que l'anse y demeure, Gall. Quem saepe transit aliquando invenit. Sen. Trag.   
Foolish pity spoils a city.  
Plain deal's a jewel but they that use it die beggars.  
He plays well that wins.  
As good play for nothing as work for nothing.  
He that plays more than he sees forfeits his eyes to the King.  
He had need rise betimes that would please every body.  
He that would please all and himself too, Undertakes what he cannot do. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Pleasing ware is half sold. 
Chose qui plaist est à demi vendu. Gall. Mercantia chi piace è meza venduta. Ital.   
Short pleasure long lament, v. in S.  
Plenty makes dainty.  
The plough goes not well if the ploughman holds it not.  
He that by the plough would thrive Himself must either hold or drive.  
There belongs more than whistling to going to plow.  
A man must plow with such oxen as he hath.  
He is poor indeed that can promise nothing.  
Poor folks are glad of pottage.  
Poor and proud, fie, fie.  
The devil wipes his tail with the poor man's pride.  
A poor man's table is soon spread.  
Possession is eleven points of the Law, and they say there are but twelve.  
A cottage in possession, etc. v. cottage.  
If you drink in your pottage, you'll cough in your grave.  
When poverty comes is at the doors, love leaps out at the windows.  
Plain of poverty and die a beggar.  
Poverty parteth good fellowship.  
Pour not water on a drowned mouse.  
i e. Add not affliction to misery.  
Praise a fair day, etc. v. fair.  
Praise the sea, etc. v. sea.  
Prayers and provender hinder no man's journey.  
They shall have no more of our prayers then we of their pies (quoth the Vicar of Layton.)  
He that would learn to pray, let him go to sea. 
Qui veut apprendre à prier, Aille souvent sur la mer, Gal.   
Prettiness makes no pottage.  
Pride will have a fall.  
Pride feels no cold.  
Pride goes before, shame follows after.  
It's an ill procession where the Devil carries the cross.  
A proud mind and a beggar's purse agree not well together.  
There's nothing agrees worse than a proud mind and a beggar's purse.  
As proud come behind as go before. 
A man may be humble that is in high estate, and people of mean condition may be as proud as the highest.   
It's good beating proud folks, for they'll not complain.  
The Priest forgets that he was a clerk. 
Proud upstarts remember not the meanness of their former condition.   
He that prieth into every cloud, may be stricken with a thunderbolt.  
Proffered service [and so beware] stinks. 
Merx ultronea putet, apud Hieronym. Erasmus saith, Quin vulgo etiam in ore est, ultro delatum obsequium plerunque ingratum esse, So that it seems this Proverb is in use among the Dutch too. Merchandise offe●te est à demi vendue, Gall. Beware that is proffered is sold for half the worth, or at half the price.   
All promises are either broken or kept. 
This is a flame or droll, used by them that break their word.   
The properer man [and so the honester] the worse luck. 
Aux bons meschet il, Gall.   
Better some of a pudding than none of a pie.  
There's no deceit in a bag pudding.  
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.  
Pull hair and hair, and you'll make the carl bald. 
Caudae pilos equinae paulatim vellere. There is a notable story of Sertorius mentioned by Plutarch in his life. He to persuade his soldiers that counsel was more available than strength, cause, two horses to be brought out, the one poor and lean; the other strong and having a bushy tail. To the poor weak horse he sets a great, strong, young man. To the strong horse he sets a little weak fellow, each to pluck off his horse's tail. This latter pulling the hairs one by one, in a short space got off the whole tail: whereas the young man catching all the tail at once in his hands, fell a tugging with all his might, labouring and sweeting to little purpose; till at last he tired, and made himself ridiculous to all the company. Piuma à piuma se pela l'occha. Ital. Feather by feather the goose is plucked.   
Like punishment and equal pain, both key and keyhole do maintain.  
Let your purse be your master. 
Messe tenus propria vive.   
All is not won that is put in the purse.  
He that shows his purse longs to be rid of it.  
Be it better or be it worse, be ruled by him that bears the purse.  
That's but an empty purse that is full of other men's money.   

Q.  
QUick at meat, quick at work. 
Bonne beste s' eschausse en mangeant, Gall. A good beast will get himself on heat with eating. Hardi gaigneur hardi mangeur, Gall.   
We must live by the quick, and not by the dead.  
Any thing for a quiet life.  
Next to love quietness.   

R.  
SMall rain lays great dust. 
Petite pluye abat grand vent. Small rain, or a little rain lays a great wind, Gall. So said a mad fellow, who lying in bed bepissed his farting wives back.   
After rain comes fair weather.  
Raise no more spirits than you can conjure down.  
Thou art a bitter bird, said the Raven to the Sterling.  
Raw leather will stretch.  
There's reason in roasting of eggs. 
Est modus in rebus.   
No receiver no thief.  
The receiver's as bad as the thief. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Phocyl.   
He that reckons without his host, must reckon again. 
Chi fa conto senza l'hoste fa conto due volte, Ital. Qui compte sans son host, il lui convient compter deux sois, Gal.   
Even reckoning keeps long friends. 
A vieux comptes nouvelles disputes, Gall. Old reckonings breed new disputes or quarrels. Conto spesso è amicitia longa. Ital.   
Never refuse a good offer.  
If I had revenged all wrong, I had not worn my skirts so long.  
'Tis brave scrambling at a rich man's dole.  
Soon ripe soon rotten. 
Citò maturum citò putridum. Odi puerulum praecoci sapientia, Apul. It is commonly held an ill sign, for a child to be too forward and rise-witted, viz. either to betoken premature death, according to that motto I have somewhere seen under a coat of arms,  
Is cadit ante sencm qui sapit ante diem; or to betoken as early a decay of wit and parts. As trees that bear double flowers, viz Cherties Peaches, etc. Bring forth no fruit, but spend all in the blossom. Wherefore as another Proverb hath it; It is better to knit then blossom. Praesto maturo, praesto marzo. Ital.   
Why should a rich man steal?  
Men use to worship the rising sun. 
Plures adorant solem orientem quam occidentem. They that are young and rising have more followers, than they that are old and decaying. This consideration, it is thought, withheld Queen Elizabeth, a prudent Princess, from declaring her successor.   
All's lost that's put in a riven dish. 
All is lost that is bestowed upon an ungrateful person; he remembers no courtesies. Perit quod facis ingrato. Senec.   
He loves roast-meat well, that licks the spit.  
Many talk of Robin Hood, that never shot in his bow.  
And many talk of little John that never did him know.  
Tales of Robin Hood are good enough for fools. 
That is, many talk of things which they have no skill in, or experience of. Robert Hood was a famous robber in the time of King Richard the first: his principal haunt was about Shirewood forest in Notingham-shire. Camden calls him, praedonem mitissimum. Of his stolen goods he afforded good pennyworths, Lightly come lightly go. Molti parlan di Orlando chi non viddero mai suo brando. Ital. Non omnes qui citharam tenent citharoedi.   
Spare the rod and spoil the child.  
A rogues wardrobe is harbour for a louse.  
A r●lling stone gathers no moss. 
Saxum volutum non obducitur musco. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pietra mossa non fa muschio, Ital. La pierte souvent remuée n'amasse pas volontiers mousse. Gall. To which is parallel that of Fabius, Qu. Planta quae saepiùs transscrtur non coalescit. A plant often removed cannot thrive.   
Rome was not built in one day. 
Rome n'a ste basti tout en un jour, Gall. & Grand bien ne vient pas en peu d'heures. A great estate is not gotten in a few hours.   
Name not a rope in his house that hanged himself.  
No rose without a thorn.  
Nulla est sincera voluptas.  
The fairest rose at last is withered.  
The rough net, etc. v. net.  
At a round table there's no dispute of place. 
This deserves not place among Proverbs, yet because I find it both among our English Collections, and likewise the French and Italian, I have let it pass. A tavola tonda non si contend del luoco, Ital. Ronde table host le debat, Gall.   
He may ill run that cannot go.  
He that runs fastest, gets most ground.  
There's no general rule without some exception.   

S.  
AN old sack, etc. v. old.  
Set the saddle on the right horse. 
This Proverb may be variously applied; either thus, Let them bear the blame that deserve it: or thus, Let them bear the burden that are best able.   
Where saddles do lack, better ride on a pad, than the bare horseback. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Sadness and gladness succeed each other.  
It's hard to sail o'er the sea in an egg shell.  
A young saint an old devil, v. young.  
A good salade is the prologue to a bad supper. Ital.  
There's a salve for every sore. 
A ogni cosa è rimedio fuora qu' alla morte. Ital. There's a remedy for every thing but death.   
Save something for the man that rides on the white horse. 
For old age, wherein the head grows white. It's somewhat a harsh Metaphor to compare age to a horse.   
Some saviours in a house do well.  
Every penny that's saved is not gotten.  
Of saving cometh having.  
Learn to say before you sing.  
He that would sail without danger, must never come on the main sea.  
Saying and doing are two things. 
Du dire au faict y a grand traict, Gall.   
Say well and do well end with one letter, Say well is good, but do well is better.  
One scabbed sheep will mar a whole flock. 
Un a pecora insetta n'ammorba una setta. Ital. Il nè faut qu' une brebis rogneuse pour gaster tout le troupeau, Gall. Grex toius in agris unius scabie cadit & porrigine porci, Juvenal.   
Scald not your lips in another, etc. v. another.  
A scalded cat fears cold water. 
Can scottato d'acqua calda ha paura poi della fredda, Ital. Chat eschaudè craint l'eau froide. Gall.   
A scaled head is soon broken.  
A scaled horse is good enough for a scabbed squire. 
Dignum patellâ operculum.   
Among the common people Scoggin's a doctor. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Est autem Corydus vilissimum aviculae genus miniméque canorum.   
Who more ready to call her neighbour scold, than the arrantest scold in the parish?  
Scorning is catching. 
He that scorns any condition, action or employment, may come to be, nay often is driven upon it himself. Some word it thus: hang's stretching, mockings catching.   
Scratch my breech, and I'll claw your elbow. 
Mutuum muli scabunt. Ka me and I'll ka thee. When undeserving persons commend one another. Manus manum fricat & Manus manum lavat. Differ not much in sense.   
Praise the sea, but keep on land. 
Loda il mare & tienti à terra, Ital.   
The second blow makes the fray.  
Seldom seen soon forgotten.  
Seeing is believing. 
Chi con l'occhio vede, col cuor crede. Ital.   
Seek till you find, and you'll not lose your labour.  
Seldom comes a better.  
To see it rain is better than to be in it.  
The self-edge makes show of the cloth.  
Self do, self have.  
Self-love's a mote in every man's eye.  
Service is no inheritance.  
A young servingman, etc. v. young.  
It's a shame to steal, but a worse to carry home.  
Shameless craving must have shameful nay.  
A bon demandeur bon refuseur, Gall.  
It's very hard to shave an egg, v. egg.  
A barber learns to shave by shaving of fools. 
A barb de fol on apprend à raire, Gall. Ala barba de pazzi il barbier impara a radere, Ital. He is a fool that will suffer a young beginner to practise first upon him.   
It's ill shaving against the wool.  
He that makes himself a sheep, shall be eaten by the wolf. 
Chi pecora si fa il lupo la mangia, Ital. Qui se fait brebis le loup le mange Gall. He that is gentle, and puts up affronts and injuries shall be sure to be loaden. Veterem ferendo injuriam invitas novam, Terent. Post folia cadunt arbores, Plaut.   
Shear sheep that has them.  
The difference is wide that the sheets will not decide.  
He that shows his purse, etc. v. purse.  
Hang him that hath no shifts.  
A bad shift, etc. v. bad.  
A good shift may serve long, but it will not serve ever.  
Close sits my shirt, etc. v. close.  
Shitten luck good luck.  
The wearer best knows where the shoe wrings him.  
Every shoe fits not every foot. 
It is therefore an instance of absurd application, Eundem calceum omni pedi endure. Or Eodem collyrio omnibus mederi.   
Who goes worse shod than the shoemakers wife? or, Who goes more bare than the shoemakers wife and the smith's mare.  
The shoe will hold with the sole. 
La suola tien con la Scarpa, Ital. i. e. The sole holds with the shoe.   
Every man will shoot at an enemy, but few will go to fetch the shaft.  
Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee.  
Short and sweet. 
i e. Sermonis prolixitas fastidiosa. Cognat. è Ficino.   
Short acquaintance brings repentance.  
A short horse is soon curried.  
Short shooting loseth the game.  
Short pleasure long lament. 
De court plaisir long repentir, Gall.   
A short man needs no stool to give a great lubber a box on the ear.  
A sharp stomach makes short devotion.  
Out of sight out of mind. 
This is (I suppose) also a Dutch Proverb. For Erasmus saith, Jam omnibus in ore est, qui semotus sit ab oculis eundem quoque ab animo semotum esse. Absens hares non erit.   
Silence is consent. Chi tace confessa, Ital. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Euripid. Qui tacet consentire videtur, inquiunt Juris consulti. Assez consent qui nè mot dit, Gall.   
White Silver draws black lines.  
No silver no servant. 
The Swisses have a Proverb among themselves, parallel to this. Point d'argent point de Suisse. No money no Suisse. The Swisses for money will serve neighbouring Princes in their wars, and are as famous in our days for mercenary soldiers, as were the Carians of old.   
Who doth sing so merry a note, as he that cannot change a groat? 
Cantabit vacuus coram latrone viator.   
The brother had rather see the sister rich then make her so.  
As good sit still as rise up and fall.  
If the sky falls we shall catch larks. 
Se rovinâsse il cielo si pigliarebbon di molti uccelli, Ital. Sile ciel tomboiles cailles scroyent prinses, Gall.   
A broken sleeve, etc. v. broken.  
Good to sleep in a whole skin.  
The sluggards guise, Loath to go to bed and loath to rise.  
Sluts are good enough to make slovens pottage.  
A small sum will serve to pay a short reckoning.  
A small pack becomes a small pedlar. 
Petit mercier, petit panier, Gall.   
Better are small fish then an empty dish.  
The smoke follows the fair.  
No smoke without some fire, i. e. There is no strong rumour without some ground for it. Cognatus hath it among his Latin Proverbs, Non est fumus absque igne, though it be no ancient one.  
Snotty folks are sweet, But slavering folks are weet. Others have it.  
Slavering folks kiss sweet, but snotty folks are wise.  
Ride softly, that we may come sooner home.  
Soft fire makes sweet malt.  
Something hath some savour.  
Soon hot soon cold.  
Soon ripe, etc. v. ripe.  
Soon crooks the tree, etc. v. crooks.  
Sorrow and an evil life, maketh soon an old wife.  
Sorrow comes unsent for. Mala ultro adsunt.  
Sorrow will pay no debt.  
Sorrow is always dry.  
A turd's as good for a sow as a pancake. 
Truy aime mieux bran que roses, Gall.   
Every sow to her own trough.  
In space comes grace.  
Better spared, then ill spent.  
Better spare at the brim, then at the bottom.  
Ever spare and ever bare.  
Spare the rod, etc. v. rod.  
What the goodwife spares the cat eats.  
It's too late to spare when the bottom is bare. 
Sera in fundo parsimonia. Seneca Epist. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesiod.   
Spare to speak, and spare to speed.  
Speak fare and think what you will.  
He that speaks lavishly, shall hear as knavishly. 
Qui pergit ea quae vult dicere, ea quae non vult audict. Terent.   
Speak when you are spoke to, come when you are called. 
Ad consilium nè accesseris antequam voceris.   
Great spenders are bad lender's.  
Raise no more spirits, etc. v. raise.  
Spend and God will send. 
A qui chapon mange chapon lui vient, Gall. He that eats good meat shall have good meat.   
A man cannot spin and reel at the same time.  
You must spoil before you spin.  
That is well spoken, that is well taken.  
The worst spoke in a cart breaks first.  
No sport no pie.  
Sport is sweetest, when no spectators.  
Do not spur a free horse. 
Non opus admisso subdere calcar equo, Ovid.   
A spur in the head's worth two in the heel.  
It's a bad stake will not stand one year in the hedge.  
Nothing stake nothing draw.  
Standing pools gather filth.  
Standards by, see more than gamesters. 
Plus in alieno quam in suo negotio vident homines.   
He that will steal an egg, will steal an ox.  
He that will steal a pin, will steal a better thing.  
When the steed is stolen, the stable door shall be shut. 
Serrar la stalla quando sh' han perduti i buovi, Ital. Il est temps de sermer l'estable quand les chevaux en sontalles, Gall. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
Quandoquide accepto claudenda est janua damno, Juv. Sa. 13. Serò clypeum post unlnera sumo, Ovid.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Lucian.   
Blessed be S. Stephen, there's no fast on his even.  
He that will not go over the stile must be thrust through the gate.  
The still sow eats up all the draff.  
Whoso lacketh a stock, his gain's not worth a chip.  
Store is no sore.  
Stretch your arm, etc. v. arm.  
Strike while the iron, etc. v. iron.  
He must stop that hath a low door.  
After a storm comes a calm. 
Doppo il cattivo ne vien il buon tempo, Ital. Apres la pluye vient le beau temps, Gall.   
No striving against the stream. 
Contra torrentem niti. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Stultus ab obliquo qui cum discedere possit, Pugnat in adversas ire natator aquas, Ovid.   
Of sufferance comes ease.  
That suit is best that best fits me.  
No sunshine but hath some shadow.  
Put a stool in the sun, when one knave rises another comes, viz. to places of profit.  
They that walk much i'th' sun, will be tanned at last.  
Sure bind sure find. 
Bon guet chasse mal aventure, Gall. Abundans cautetela non nocet.   
If you swear you'll catch no fish.  
No sweet without some sweat. 
Nul'pain sans peine, Gall.   
Sweet meat must have sour sauce.  
He must needs swim, that's held up by the chin. 
Celuy peut hardiment nager à qui l'on soustient le menton, Gall.   
Put not a naked sword in a mad man's hand. 
Nè puero gladium. For they will abuse it to their own and others harm.   
He that strikes with the sword, shall be beaten with the scabbard.  
Sweep before your own door.   

T.  
MAke not thy tail broader than thy wings, i. keep not too many attendants.  
A tailors shreds are worth the cutting.  
Good take heed doth surely speed.  
A good tale ill told, is marred in the telling.  
One tale is good till another is told. 
Therefore a good Judge ought to hear both parties. Qui statuit aliquid parte inauditá alterâ, Aequum licet statuerit haud aquus fucrit.   
The greatest talkers are always the least doers. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Non verbis sed fact is opus est. Nec mihi diccre promptum, nec facere est lsti. Ovid. Verba importat Hermodorus.   
He teacheth ill, who teacheth all.  
Nothing dries sooner than tears. 
Niente piu tosto se secca che lagrime, Ital.   
When I've thatched his house, he would throw me down. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. I have taught thee to dive, and thou seekest to drown me.   
He that thatches his house with T— shall have more teachers than reachers.  
Set a thief to take a thief.  
All are not thiefs that dogs bark at.  
Save a thief from the gallows, and he'll be the first shall cut your throat. 
Dispiccha l'impicchato che impicchera poi te, Ital. Ostez un vilain du gibet il vous y mettra, Gall.   
Give a thief rope enough, and he'll hang himself.  
One may think that dares not speak.  
And it's as usual a saying, Thoughts are free. 
Humane laws can take no cognizance of thoughts, unless they discover themselves by some overt actions.   
Where ever a man dwells, he shall be sure to have a thornbush near his door. 
No place no condition is exempt from all trouble. Nihil est ab omni parte beatum. In medio Tybride Sardinia est. I think it is true of the thornbush in a literal sense, Few places in England where a man can live in but he shall have one near him.   
He that handles thorns, shall prick his fingers.  
Thought lay a bed and besh— himself. 
Certo so appiccato per ladro. Ital. i e. Truly or certainly was hanged for a thief.   
Threatened folks live long.  
Three may keep counsel, if two be away. 
The French say, Secret de Deux secret de Dieu, secret de trois secret de tous. The Italians in the same words, Tre taceranno, se due vi non sono.   
If you make not much of three pence you'll ne'xe be worth a groat.  
Tickle my throat with a feather, and make a fool of my stomach.  
He that will thrive, must rise at five: He that hath thriven may lie till seven.  
The thunderbolt hath but his clap.  
Tidings make either glad or sad.  
Time fleeth away without delay. 
Cito pede praeterit atas, Fugit irrevocabile tempus.   
A mouse in time may bite in two a cable.  
Time and tide tarry for no man.  
Time and straw make medlars ripe. 
Col tempo & la paglia si maturano mespoli, Ital. Avec le temps & la paille l'on meure les mesles, Gall.   
Take time when time is, for time will away.  
Timely blossom timely ripe.  
A tinker's budgets full of necessary tools.  
Too much of one thing is good for nothing. 
Assez y a si trop n'y a, Gall. Nè quid nimis. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. This is an Apophthegm of one of the seven wise men; some attribute it to Thales, some to Solon. Est modus in rebus, sunt, etc. Hor. l'abondanza delle coz ingenera fastidio. Ital.   
Too too will in two, Chesh. i e. Strain a thing too much and it will not hold.  
Touch a galled horse, etc. v. galled.  
He that travels far, knows much.  
Trash and trumpery is the highway to beggary.  
Tread on a worm, etc. v. worm.  
There's no tree but bears some fruit.  
Such as the tree is, such is the fruit. 
Tell racine, telle fueille. Gall. De fructu arborem cognosco. Mat. 12. 34. The tree is known by its fruit.   
If you trust before you try, you may repent before you die. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Theogn. Therefore it was an ancient precept. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Non vine ingannato se non che si fida. Ital. There is none deceived but he that trusts.   
In trust is treason.  
Speak the truth and shame the devil.  
Truth may be blamed, but it shall never be shamed.  
Truth finds foes where it makes none. 
Obsequium amicos, veritas odium parit, Terent.   
Truth hath always a fast bottom.  
All truth must not be told at all times.  
Tout uray n'est pas bon à dire, Gall.  
That is true which all men say. 
Vox populi, vox Dei.   
Fair fall truth and daylight.  
Let every tub stand on it's own bottom. 
Chascun ira au moulin avec son propre sac, Gall. Every one must go to the mill with his own sack, i. e. bear his own burden.   
A t— is as good for a sow, v. sow.  
Where the Turks horse once treads, the grass never grows.  
One good turn asks another. 
Qui plaisir fait plaisir requiert, Gall. Gratia gratiam parit. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Sophocl. He that would have friends, must show himself friendly. Fricantem refrica, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. It is meet and comely, just and equal to requite kindnesses, and to make them amends who have deserved well of us. Mutual offices of love, and alternate help or assistance, are the fruits and issues of true friendship.   
Swine, women and bees cannot be turned.  
For one good turn another doth itch, claw my elbow, etc.  
All are not turners that are dish-throwers.  
As good twenty as nineteen.  
If things were to be done twice, all would be wise.  
Two heads are better than one. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Unus vir nullus vir.   
Two good things are better than one.  
Two eyes see more than one. 
Deux yeux voyent plus clair qu' un, Gall. Plus vidont oculi quam oculus.   
Two of a trade seldom agree.  
Two ill meals, etc. v. meals.  
Between two stools the breech cometh to the ground. 
Tener il cull sum due scanni, Ital. Il a le cul entre deux sells, are, Assis entre deux selles le cul à terre, Gall. Tout est fait negligemment la ou l'un l'autre s' attend. While one trusts another, the work is left undone.   
Two dry sticks will kindle a green one.  
Two to one is odds. 
Noli pugnare duobus, Catull. & Nè Hercules quidem adversus duos. It's no uncomely thing to give place to a multitude. Hard to resist the strength, or the wit, or the importunity of two or more combined against one. Hercules was too little for the Hydra and Cancer together.   
Two cats and a mouse, two wives in one house, two dogs and a bone never agree in one. 
Deux chiens ne s' accordent point à un os, Gall.   
Good riding at two anchors men have told, For if one break another's may hold. 
Duabus anchoris fultus. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Aristid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Pindar. It's good in a stormy or winter night, to have two anchors to cast out of a ship.   
Two dogs strive for a bone, and the third runs away with it.   

V.  
HE that stays in the valley, shall never get over the hill.  
Valour would fight, but discretion would run away.  
You cannot make velvet of a sows ear.  
Venture a small fish to catch a great one. 
Il faut hazarder un petit poisson pour prendre un grand, Gall. Butta una sardola per pigliar un luccio. Ital.   
Venture not all in one bottom.  
Nothing venture nothing have. 
Chi non s' arrischia non guadagna, Ital. Qui ne s' adventure n'à cheval ny mule, Gall. Quid enim tentare nocebit? & Conando Graeci Troja potiti sunt.   
Where vice is, vengeance follows. 
Rarò antecedentem scelestum deseruit pede poena claudo, Horat.   
Unbidden guests, etc. v. in G.  
Better be unborn then unbred.  
Make a virtue of necessity. 
Il savio fa della necessita virtu, Ital. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Erasmus makes to be much of the same sense, That is, to do or suffer that patiently which cannot well be avoided. Levius fit patientia, Quicquid corrigere est nefas. Or to do that ourselves by an act of our own, which we should otherwise shortly be compelled to do. So the Abbeys and Covents which resigned their lands into King Henry the eight his hands, made a virtue of necessity.   
Ungirt unblessed.  
Better be unmannerly, then troublesome.  
Unminded unmoned.  
Use makes perfectness. 
Usus promptos facit.   
Use legs and have legs.  
Once an use and ever a custom.  
To borrow on usury brings sudden beggary. 
Citiùs usura currit quam Heraclitus. The pay days recur before the creditor is aware. Of the mischiefs of usury I need say nothing, there having been two very ingenious treatises lately published upon that subject, sufficient to convince any desinteressed person of the evil consequences of a high interest and the benefit that would accrue to the common wealth in general, by the depression of interest.    

W.  
NO safe wading in an unknown water.  
It's not good to wake a sleeping dog; or lion. Ital.  
Good ware makes quick markets. 
Proba merx facilè emptorem reperit, Plaut. poen.   
When the wares be gone, shut up the shop windows.  
One cannot live by selling ware for words.  
War must be waged by waking men.  
Wars bring scars.  
No marvel if water be lieu. 
Lue, i. e. inclining to cold, whence comes the word lukewarm.   
Foul water will quench fire.  
Where the water is shallow, no vessel will ride.  
It's a great way to the bottom of the sea.  
There are more ways to the wood then one.  
The weakest must go to the wall. 
Les mal vestus devers le vent, Gall. The worst clothed are still put to the windward.   
Weak men had need be witty.  
Wealth makes worship.  
The wearer best knows where the shoe, etc. v. shoe.  
Never be weary of well doing.  
It's hard to make a good web of a bottle of hay.  
There goes the wedge where the beetle drives it.  
One ill weed mars a whole pot of pottage.  
An ill-spun waif, will out either now or est.  
Weft, i. e. web. This is a Yorkshire Proverb.  
Great weights hang on small wires. 
Tutte le gran facende si fanno di poca cosa. Ital.   
Welcome is the best cheer. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. In muncribus res praestantissima mens est. Super omnia vultus accessêre boni.   
That that is w●ll done is twice done.  
Well well, is a word of malice, Chesh. 
In other places, if you say well well, they will ask, whom you threaten.   
If well and them cannot, then ill and them can, Yorksh.  
A whet is no let.  
As good never a whit as never the better.  
A white wall is a fools paper. 
Muro bianco carta da matti, Ital Some put this in rhyme; He is a fool and ever shall, that writes his name upon a wall.   
Two whores in a house will never agree.  
A young whore an old saint.  
Once a whore and ever a whore. 
Qui semel scurra nunquam patersamilias, Cic. Orat. Aliquando qui lusit iterum ludet.   
Wide will wear but narrow will tear.  
Who so blind, as they that will not see? v. in B.  
Who so deaf, as they that will not hear? 
Il n'est de pire sourd que celuy qui ne veut ouïr, Gall.   
He that will not when he may, when he wills he shall have nay.  
Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.  
Will is the cause of wo.  
They who cannot as they will, must will as they may: or must do as they can. 
Chi non puo sare come voglia faccia come puo, Ital. and Chi non puo quel che vuol, quel che puo voglia. Quoniam id fieri quod vis non potest, velis id quod possis. Terent. Andria.   
Puff not against the wind.  
It is an ill wind blows no body profit. 
A quelque chose malheur est bonne, Gall. Misfortune is good for something.   
The wind keeps not always in one quarter.  
Good wine needs no bush. 
All buon vino non bisogna frasca, Ital. A bon vin il ne faut point d'enseigne, Gall. Vino vendibili hederâ suspensâ nihil est opus.   
When the wine is in, the wit is out. 
In Proverbium cessit, Sapientiam vino obumbrari, Plin. lib. 27. cap. 1. Vin dentro, senno fuora. Ital.   
The sweetest wine, makes the sharpest vinegar. 
Vinegar, i. e. Vinum acre. Forte e l'aceto di vin dulce, Ital. Corruptio optimi est pessima.   
Wink at small faults.  
It's a hard winter, when one wolf eats another. 
This is a French Proverb, Mauvaise est la saison quand un loup mange l'autre.   
Winter is Summer's heir.  
He that passeth a winter's day, escapes an enemy. 
This is also a French Proverb, Qui passe un jour d'hyver pass un de ses ennemis mortels.   
Winter finds out what Summer lays up.  
By wisdom peace, by peace plenty.  
Wise men are caught in wiles.  
A wise head makes a close mouth.  
Some are wise, and some are otherwise.  
Send a wise man of an errand, and say nothing to him.  
Wishers and woulders are never good householders.  
If wishes were butter-cakes beggars might bite.  
If wishes were thrushes, beggars would eat birds.  
If wishes would bide, beggars would ride. 
Si souhaits furent urais pastoureaux seroyent rois, Gall. If wishes might prevail, shepherds would be Kings.   
It will be long enough ere you wish your skin full of holes.  
I never fared worse, than when I wished for my supper.  
Wish in one hand and sh— in the other, and see which will be full first.  
Bought wit is best. 
Duro flagello mens docetur rectiús. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Nazianz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Nocumenta documenta, Galeatum serò duelli poenitet.   
Good wits jump.  
Wit once bought, is worth twice taught.  
A wonder lasts but nine days.  
A wooll-seller knows a wooll-buyer. Yorksh.  
A word is enough to the wise. 
A buon intenditor poche parole, Ital. A bon entendeuril ne faut que demye parole, Gall. So the Italians say, A few words; we say one word; and the French say, half a word is enough to the understanding and apprehensive.   
Many go out for wool and come home shorn.  
Words are but wind, but blows unkind. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
Words are but sands Its money buys lands.  
Fair words make fools fain, i. e. glad. 
Douces' promesses obligent les fols, Gall. I fatti sono maschii, le parole femine. Ital. Deeds are males, words are females.   
Few words are best. 
Poche parole & buon regimento. Ital. A fools voice is known by multitude of words. Nature hath furnished man with two ears and but one tongue, to signify, He must hear twice so much as he speaks.   
Fair words butter no parsnips. 
Re opitulandum non verbis: the same in other terms,   
Good words fill not a sack.  
Good words cost nought.  
Good words cool more than cold water.  
Soft words hurt not the mouth. 
Douces' or belles paroles ne scorchent pas la langue, Gall. Soft words scald not the tongue.   
Words have long tails; and have no tails.  
Soft words break no bones.  
Soft words and hard arguments.  
Many words hurt more than swords.  
An ill workman quarrels with his tools. 
Meschant ovurier ja ne trouvera bons outils, Gall.   
He that kills himself with working must be buried under the gallows.  
The better workman the worse husband. 
Though this be no Proverb, yet it is an observation generally true (the more the pity) and therefore as I have found it, I put it down.   
Account not that work slavery, That brings in penny savoury.  
All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy.  
The world was never so dull, but if one will not another will.  
It's a great journey to the world's end.  
I wot well how the world wags, he is most loved that hath most bags. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Felicium multi cognati. It was wont to be said, Ubi amici ibi opes, but now it may (as Erasmus complains) well be inverted, Ubi opes ibi amici.   
Tread on a worm and it will turn. 
Habet & musca splcnem. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Inest & formicae & serpho bilis. The meanest or weakest person is not to be provoked or despised. No creature so small, weak or contemptible, but if it be injured and abused, will endeavour to revenge itself.   
Every thing is the worse for wearing.  
He that worst may, still holds the candle. 
Au plus debile la chandelle a la main, Gall.   
The worth of a thing, is best known by the want. 
Bien perdu bien connu, or Chose perdue est lors connue, Gall. Vache ne seait que vaut sa queue jusques a ce qu' elle l'ait perduë. The cow knows not what her tail is worth, till she hath lost it.   
He that wrestles with at— is sure to be besh— whether he fall over or under. 
That is, he that contends with vile persons, will get nothing but a stain by it. One cannot touch pitch without being defiled.    

Y.  
AS soon goes the young lambs skin to the market, as the old ewes. 
Aussi toast meurt veau comme vache, Gall. Cosi tosto muore il capretto come capra, Ital.   
Young men think old men fools, and old men know young men to be so. 
This is quoted by Camden, as a saying of one Doctor Metcalf. It is now in many people's mouths, and likely to pass into a Proverb.   
A young saint an old Devil. 
De jeune Angelote vieux diable, Gall. A Tartesso ad Tartarum.   
A young servingman an old beggar. 
Chi vive in corte muore à pagliaro. Ital.   
A young whore an old saint. v. in W.  
Young men may die, but old men must. v. in O.  
If youth knew what age would crave, it would both get and save.    

Proverbial Phrases and forms of Speech that are not Entire Sentences.  

A.  
TO bring an Abbey to a Grange. 
To bring a noble to ninepences. We speak it of an unthrift. Ha fatto d'una lanza una spina, & d'una calza una borsetta. Ital. He hath made of a lance a thorn, and of a pair of breeches a purse: parallel to ours, He hath thwitten amill-post to a pudding-prick.   
To commit as many absurdities as a clown in eating of an egg.  
Afraid of far enough. Chesh.  
Of that which is never likely to happen.  
Afraid of him that died last year. Chesh.  
Afraid of the hatchet lest the helve stick in's a — Ches.  
Afraid of his own shadow.  
More afraid than hurt.  
They agree like cats and dogs.  
They agree like harp and harrow. 
This hath the same sense with the precedent. Harp and harrow are coupled, chiefly because they begin with the same letter.   
They agree like bells, they want nothing but hanging.  
He is paced like an Alderman.  
The case is altered, quoth Ployden. 
Edmund Plowden was an eminent common Lawyer in Queen Elizabeth's time, born at Plowden in Shropshire, of whom Camden gives this character, Vitae integritate inter homines suae professionis nulli secundus. Elizabeth. Ann. 1584. And Sr Edward Coke calls him the Oracle of the common Law. This Proverb is usually applied to such Lawyers or others as being corrupted with larger fees shift sides and pretend the case is altered; such as have bovem in lingua. Some make this the occasion of the Proverb: Plowden being asked by a neighbour of his, what remedy there was in Law against his neighbour for some hogs that had trespassed his ground, answered, he might have very good remedy, but the other replying, that they were his hogs, Nay then neighbour (quoth he) the case is altered. Others more probably make this the original of it. Plowden being a Roman Catholic, some neighbours of his who bore him no good will, intending to entrap him and bring him under the lash of the Law, had taken care to dress up an Altar in a certain place, and provided a Layman in a Priest's habit, who should do Mass there at such a time. And withal notice thereof was given privately to Mr Plowden, who thereupon went and was present at the Mass. For this he was presently accused and indicted. He at first stands upon his defence and would not acknowledge the thing. Witnesses are produced, and among the restone, who deposed, that he himself performed the Mass, and saw Mr Plowden there. Saith Plowden to him, art thou a Priest then? the fellow replied, no. Why then Gentlemen (quoth he) the case is altered: No Priest no Mass. Which came to be a Proverb, and continues still in Shropshire with this addition. The case is altered (quoth Ployden) No Priest no Mass.   
To angle with a silver hook. 
Peschar col hamo d'argento. The Italians by this phrase mean, to buy fish in the market. It is also a Latin Proverb, Aureo hamo piscari. Money is the best bait to take all sorts of persons with.   
If you be angry you may turn the buckle of your girdle behind you.  
To cut large shives of another man's loaf.  
To cut large thongs of another man's leather. 
De alieno corio liberalis. Del cuoio d'altri si fanno le corregge largee. Ital. Il coupe large courroye du cuir d'autruy. Gall. It may pass for a sentence thus, Men cut large shives of others loaves. This should seem to be also a Dutch Proverb: for Erasmus saith, Circumfertur apud nostratium vulgus non absimile huic Proverbium, Ex alieno tergore lata secari lora.   
To hold by the Apron-strings.  
i e. in right of his wife.  
To answer one in his own language. 
Ut salutaris ita resalutaberis.   
A bit and a knock [or bob] as men feed apes.  
Arsy versy. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
She is one of mine Aunts that made mine uncle go a begging.  
A pretty fellow to make an axletree for an oven. Chesh.   

B.  
HE knows not a B from a battledoor.  
His back is broad enough to bear jests.  
My Lord Baldwin's dead. 
It is used when one tells that for knews which every body knows. A Sussex Proverb, but who this Lord Baldwin was I could not learn there.   
You'll not believe he's bald till you see his brains.  
Never a barrel better herring.  
Bate me an ace, quoth Bolton. 
Who this Bolton was I know not, neither is it worth the enquiring. One of this name might happen to say Bate me an ace, and for the coincidence of the first letters of these two words Bate and Bolton it grew to be a Proverb. We have many of the like original as v. g. Sup Simon. etc. Stay quoth Stringer, etc. There goeth a story of Queen Elizabeth, that being presented with a Collection of English Proverbs, and told by the Author that it contained all the English Proverbs, nay replied she, Bate me an ace quoth Bolton: which Proverb being instantly looked for happened to be wanting in his Collection.   
You dare as well take a bear by the tooth.  
If it were a bear it would bite you.  
Are you there with your bears.  
To go like a bear to the stake.  
He hath as many tricks as a dancing bear.  
If that the course be fair, again and again quoth Bunny to his bear.  
I bear him on my back. 
That is I remember his injuries done to me with indignation and grief, or a purpose of revenge.   
To bear away the bell.  
You'll scratch a beggar before you die. 
That is, you'll be a beggar, you'll scratch yourself.   
It would make a beggar beat his bag.  
I'll not hang all my bells on one horse. 
That is, give all to one son.   
Better believe it then go where it was done to prove it. 
Voglio piu tosto crederlo che andar a cercarlo. Ital.   
The belly thinks the throat cut.  
To have the bend of ones bow.  
There's ne'er a best among them, as the fellow said by the Fox-cubs.  
Between hawk and buzzard.  
To look as big as if he had eaten bull-beef.  
He'll have the last word though he talk bilk for it. 
Bilk, i. e. nothing. A man is said to be bilked at Cribbets when he gets nothing, when he can make never a game.   
Bill after helve.  
He'll make 19 bits of a bilberry. 
Spoken of a covetous person.   
To bite upon the bridle. 
That is, to far hardly, to be cut short or suffer want, for a horse can eat but slowly when the bridle is in his mouth. Or else it may signify to fret, swell and disquiet himself with anger. Froena mordere in Latin hath a different sense, i. e. to resist those who have us in subjection, as an unruly horse gets the bridle between his teeth and runs away with his rider, or as a dog bites the staff you beat him with. Statius useth it in a contrary sense, viz. to submit to the Conqueror and take patiently the bridle in ones mouth. Subiit leges & froena momordit.   
Though I be bitten I am not all eaten.  
What a Bishop's wife? eat and drink in your gloves?  
To wash a Blackmore white. 
Aethiopem lavare or dealbare, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Labour in vain. Parallel whereto are many other Latin Proverbs, as laterem lavare, arenas arare.   
You cannot say black is his eye [or nail] 
That is you can find no fault in him, charge him with no crime.   
Blindman's holiday, i. e. twilight, almost quite dark.  
As the blind man shot the crow.  
He hath good blood in him if he had but groats to it. 
That is, good parentage, if he had but wealth. Groats are great oatmeal of which good housewives are wont to make black puddings.   
To come bluely off.  
He's true blue, he'll never slain. 
Coventry had formerly the reputation for dying blues, in so much that true blue came to be a Proverb, to signify one that was always the same, and like himself.   
To make a bolt or a shaft of a thing.  
There's a bone for you to pick. 
Egli my ha dato un osso da rosegar. Ital.   
To be bought and sold in a company.  
She hath broken her elbow at the Church door. 
Spoken of a housewively maid that grows idle after marriage.   
You seek a brack where the hedge is whole.  
His brains are addle.  
His brains crow.  
His brains will work without barm. Yorksh.  
He knows which side his bread is buttered on.  
'Twould make a horse break his bridle, or a dog his halter.  
One may as soon break his neck as his fast there.  
Break my head, and bring me a plaster. 
Taglia m' il naso & soppis me poi nelle orecchie. Ital.   
Spare your breath [or wind] to cool your pottage.  
You seek breeches of a bare-arsed man. 
Ab asino lanam.   
His breech makes buttons. 
This is said of a man in fear. We know vehement fear causes a relaxation of the sphincter ani, and unvoluntary dejection. Buttons, because the excrements of some animals are not unlike buttons or pellets: as of sheep, hares, etc. Nay they are so like, that they are called by the same name; this figure they get from the cells of the Colon.   
As they brew even so let them bake. 
Some have it, so let them drink, and it seems to be better sense so. Tute hoc intrîsti tibi omne exedendum est. Terent. Phorm. Ut sementem feceris ita meats. Cic. de Orat. lib. 2.   
To make a bridge of ones nose. 
i e. to intercept one's trencher, cup, or the like; or to offer or pretend to do kindnesses to one, and then pass him by and do it to another, to lay hold upon and serve himself of that which was intended for another.   
To leave one i'th' briers or suds.  
He hath brought up a bird to pick out his own eyes. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Tal nutre il corvo che gli cavera poi gli occhi. He brings up a raven, etc. Ital.   
He'll bring buckle and thong together.  
To build castles in the air. 
Far castellis in aria. Ital.   
He thinks every bush a boggard, i. e. a bugbear or phantasm.  
Bush natural, more hair then wit.  
No butter will stick to his bread.  
To buy and sell and live by the loss.  
To have a breeze, i. e. a gad-fly, in his breech. 
Spoken of one that frisks about, and cannot rest in a place.   
The butcher looked for his knife when he had it in his mouth.  
His bread is buttered on both sides. 
i e. He hath a plentiful estate: he is fat and full.    

C.  
I Think this is a butcher's horse, he carries a calf so well.  
His calves are gone down to grass. 
This is a jeer for men with over-slender legs.   
His candle burns within the socket. 
That is, he is an old man, Philosophers are wont to compare man's life not ineptly to the burning of a lamp, the vital heat always preying upon the radical moisture, which when it is quite consumed a man dies. There is indeed a great likeness between life and flame, air being as necessary to the maintaining of the one as of the other.   
If his cap be made of wool. 
In former times when this Proverb came first in use men generally wore caps: Hats were a thing hardly known in England, much less hats made of rabbits or beavers fur. Capping was then a great trade and several statutes made about it. So that, if his cap were made of wool, was as much as to say most certainly, As sure as the clothes on his back. Dr Fuller.   
They may cast their caps at him. 
When two or more run together, and one gets ground, he that is cast and despairs to overtake commonly casts his hat after the foremost, and gives over the race. So that to cast their caps at one is to despair of catching or overtaking him.   
He carries fire in one hand and water in the other. 
Alterâ manu sert aquam, alterâ ignem. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, etc. Plutarch. Il porte le feu & l'eau, Gall. Alterâ manu sert lapidem, alterâ panem ostentat. Plaut.   
To set a spoke in one's cart.  
To set the cart before the horse. 
Currus bovem trahit. Metter il carro inanzi aibuoi. Ital. La charrue va devant les boeufs. Gall.   
The cat's in the cream-pot. 
This is used when People hear a great noise and hubbub amongst the good wives of the town, and know not what it means; but suppose that some sad accident is happened; as that the cat is fallen into the cream-pot, or the like.   
Before the cat can lick her ear.  
You shall have that the cat left i'th' malt-heap.  
They are not catercousins.  
He hath good cellarage.  
That char is charged (as the good wife said when she had hanged her husband.) 
A char in the Northern dialect is any particular business, affair or charge, that I commit to or entrust another to do. I take it to be the same with charge 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
To go cheek by jowl with one.  
To chew the cud upon a thing. 
i e. To consider of a thing, to revolve it in one's mind: to ruminate, which is the name of this action, is used in the same sense both in Latin and English.   
The child hath a red tongue like its father.  
Children to bed, and the goose to the fire. 
I cannot conceive what might be the occasion, nor what is the meaning of this saying. I take it to be senseless and nugatory.   
A chip of the old block. 
Patris est silius. He is his fathers own son; taken always in an ill sense.   
Like a chip in a pottage-pot, doth neither good nor harm.  
It goes down like chop't hay.  
I'll make him know churning days.  
To clip one's wings. 
Pennas incidere alicui.   
He hath a cloak for his knavery.  
He is in the cloth-market, i. e. in bed.  
To carry coals to Newcastle. 
Soli lumen mutuari; coelo stellas; ranae aquam. Crocum in Ciliciam, ubi sc. maximè abundat: Noctuas Athenas. Porter de fueilles au bois. Gall. To carry leaves to the wood. Alcinoo poma dare.   
To set cook on hoop. 
This is spoken of a Prodigal, one that takes out the spigget and lays it upon the top of the barrel, drawing out the whole vessel without any intermission.   
His cockloft is unfurnished. 
i e. He wants brains. Tall men are commonly like high houses, in which the uppermost room is worst furnished.   
To have a colis tooth in his head. 
It is usually spoken of an old man that's wanton and petulant.   
To cut one's comb. 
As is usually done to cocks when gelded; to cool one's courage.   
They'll come again, as Goodyers pigs did, i. e. never.  
Come and welcome, go by and no quarrel.  
Command your man and do't yourself.  
Ask my companion if I be a thief. 
In the North they say, Ask my mother if my father be a thief. Demanda all hosto s' egl'ha buon vino. Ital. Ask your host if he have good wine.   
To complain of ease.  
To outrun the Constable. 
To spend more then ones allowance or income.   
You might be a Constable for your wit.  
Cook-ruffian, able to scald the devil in's feathers.  
To cool one's courage.  
He's corn-fed.  
A friend in a corner.  
To take counsel of ones pillow. 
Lafoy nuict donne conseil. Gall. Noctu urgenda consilia. Ind nox 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 dicitur, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. La notte e madre di pensieri. Ital. The night is the mother of thoughts.   
Counsels as good for him as a shoulder of mutton for a sick horse.  
What is got in the County is lost in the hundred. 
What is got in the whole sum is lost in particular reckonings; or in general, what is got one way is lost another.   
Court holy-water. 
Eau beniste de la cour. Gall. Fair words and nothing else.   
One of the Court but none of the Counsel.  
All the craft is in the catching.  
To speak as though he would creep into ones mouth.  
He hath never a cross to bless himself withal. 
i e. No money which hath usually a cross on the averse side.   
To have crotchets in one's crown.  
You look as if you were crow-trodden.  
You look as if you would make the crow a pudding, i. e. die.  
I have a crow to pluck with you.  
You need not be so crusty, you are not so hard baked.  
Here's a great cry and but a little wool (as the fellow said when he sheared his hogs.) 
Assai romor & poca lana. Ital. A sinum tondes. Parturiunt montes, etc.   
You cry before you're hurt.  
Let her cry, she'll piss the less.  
To lay down the cudgels.  
His belly cries cupboard.  
To curse with bell, book and candle.  
To be beside the cushion. 
Aberrari a janua.   
To stand for a cipher.   

D.  
TO take a dagger and drown one's self.  
To be at daggers drawing.  
To look as if he had sucked his dam through a hurdle.  
To dance to every man's pipe or whistle.  
To burn daylight.  
Dead in the nest.  
To deal fools dole. 
To deal all to others and leave nothing to himself.   
Good to send on a dead body's errand.  
To work for a dead horse or goose. 
To work out an old debt or without hope of future reward. Argent receu le bras rompu. Gall. The wages had the arm is broken. Chi paga inanzi è servito indietro. Ital. He that pays beforehand is served behindhand. Chi paga inanzi tratto Trova il lavor mal fatto. Ital.   
If thou hadst the rent of Dee-mills thou wouldst spend it. Chesh. 
Dee is the name of the river on which the city Chester stands: the mills thereon yield a great annual rent, the biggest of any houses about that city.   
As demure as if butter would not melt in's mouth. 
Some add, And yet cheese will not choke him.   
To get by a thing as Dickson did by his distress. 
That is, over the shoulders, as the vulgar usually say. There is a coincidence in the first letters of Dickson and distress: otherwise who this Dickson was I know not.   
Hold the dish while I shed my pottage.  
To lay a thing in one's dish.  
He claps his dish at a wrong man's door.  
To play the Devil i'th' bulmong, i. e. corn mingled of pease, tares and oats.  
If the Devil be a vicar thou wilt be his clerk,  
Do and undo, the day is long enough.  
To play the dog in the manger, not eat yourself nor let any body else. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Lucian. Canis in praescpi. E come il cane del ortolano, che non mangia de cavoli egli & non ne lascia mangiar altri. Ital. Like the gardener's dog who cannot eat the coleworts himself, nor will suffer others.   
Dogs run away with whole shoulders. 
Not of mutton, but their own; spoken in derision of a miser's house.   
We dog's worried the hare.  
To serve one a dogtrick.  
It would make a dog doff his doublet. Chesh.  
A dog's life, hunger and ease.  
To dote more on't then a fool on's babble.  
He'll not put off his doublet before he goes to bed, 
i. e. part with his estate before he die.   
You need not doubt you are no Doctor.  
A drachm o'th' bottle. 
This is the Seamens phrase for a draught of brandy wine or strong waters.   
To dream of a dry summer.  
One had as good be nibbled to death by ducks, or pecked to death by a hen.  
To take things in dudgeon, or to wear a dudgeon-dagger by his side.  
To dine with Duke Humphrey. 
That is, to fast, to go without ones dinner. This Duke Humphrey was uncle to K. Henry the sixth, and his Protector during his minority, Duke of Gloucester, renowned for hospitality and good house-keeping. Those were said to dine with Duke Humphrey, who walked out dinner time in the body of S. Paul's Church; because it was believed the Duke was buried there. But (saith Dr Fuller) that saying is as far from truth as they from dinner, even twenty miles off: seeing this Duke was buried in the Church of St Alban, to which he was a great benefactor.   
She's past dying of her first child, i. e. she hath had a bastard.   

E.  
HE dares not for his ears.  
To fall together by the ears.  
In at one ear and out at the other. 
Dentro da un orecchia & fuora dal altra. Ital.   
To eat one's words.  
You had as good eat your nails.  
He could eat my heart with garlic. 
That is, he hates me mortally. So we know some of the Americans feast upon the dead carcases of their enemies.   
There's as much hold of his word as of a wet cel by the tail. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
I have eggs o'th' spit. 
I am very busy. Eggs if they be well roasted require much turning.   
Neither good egg nor bird.  
You come with your five eggs a penny, and four of them be rotten.  
Set a fool to roast eggs; and a wise man to eat them.  
An egg and to bed.  
Give him the other half egg and burst him.  
To smell of elbow-grease. 
Lucernam olere.   
She hath broken her elbow. 
That is, she hath had a bastard; another meaning of this phrase see in the letter B, at the word broken.   
Elden hole needs filling. Darbysh. 
Spoken of a liar. Elden hole is a deep pit in the Peak of Darbyshire near Castleton, fathomless the bottom, as they would persuade us. It is without water, and if you cast a stone into it you may for a considerable time hear it strike against the sides to and again as it descends, each stroke giving a great report.   
To make both ends meet.  
To bring buckle and thong together.  
To have the better end of the staff.  
He'll have enough one day when his mouth is full of moulds.  
A sleeveless errand.  
Find you without an excuse and find a hare without a muse. 
Vias novit quibus effugit Eucrates. This Eucrates was a miller in Athens who getting share in the Government was very cunning in finding out shifts and pretences to excuse himself from doing his duty.   
I was by, (quoth Pedley) when my eye was put out. 
This Pedley was a natural fool of whom go many stories.   
To cry with one eye, and laugh with the other.   

F.  
TO set a good face on a thing. 
Fair bonne mine. Gall.   
I think his face is made of a fiddle, every one that looks on him loves him.  
To come a day after the fair. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Post festum venisti. Plat. in Gorg.   
It will be fair weather when the shrews have dined.  
He pin's his faith on another man's sleeve.  
To fall away from a horseload to a cartload.  
Fall back, fall edge.  
Farewell and be hanged, friends must part.  
Farewell frost, Nothing got nor nothing lost.  
He thinks his fart as sweet as musk.  
He farts frankincense. 
This is an ancient Greek Proverb, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Self-love makes even a man's vices, infirmities and imperfections to please him. Suus cuique crepitus bene 〈◊〉.   
He makes a very fart a thunderclap.  
All the fat's i'th' fire.  
To feather one's nest well.  
To go to heaven in a featherbed. 
Non est è terris mollis ad astra via.   
Better fed then taught.  
All fellows at football. 
If Gentlemen and Persons ingeniously educated will mingle themselves with rustics in their rude sports, they must look for usage like to or rather courser than others.   
Go fiddle for shives among old wives.  
Fight dog, fight bear. 
Nè depugnes in alleno negotio.   
To fight with ones own shadow. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. To fight with shadows, to be afraid of his own fancies; imagining danger where there is none.   
To fill the mouth with empty spoons.  
To have a finger i'th' pie.  
He had a finger i'th' pie when he burned his nail off.  
He hath more wit in's little finger than thou in thy whole body.  
To put one's finger i'th' fire. 
Prudens in flammam nè manum injicito. Hieron. Put not your finger needlessly into the fire. Meddle not with a quarrel voluntarily wherein you need not be concerned. Prov. 26. 17.   
To foul ones fingers with.  
To have a thing at his finger's ends. 
Scire tanquam ungues digitósque.   
His fingers are lime-twigs, spoken of a thievish person.  
All fire and tough.  
To come to fetch fire.  
To go through fire and water to serve or do one good. 
Probably from the two sorts of Ordeall by fire and water   
To add fuel to the fire. 
Oleum camino addere.   
All is fish that comes to net.  
You fish fair and catch a frog.  
Neither fish, nor flesh, nor good red herring.  
I have other fish to fry.  
By fits and starts, as the hog pisseth.  
To give one a flap with the fox's tail, i. e. to cozen or defraud one.  
He would flay a flint, or flay a groat, spoken of a covetous person.  
To send one away with a flea in his ear. 
Lo gli ho messo un pulse nel orecchio. Ital. It's not easy to conceive by them who have not experienced it, what a buzzing and noise a flea will make there.   
It's the fairest flower in his crown or garden.  
To fly at all game.  
More fool than fiddler.  
The vicar of fools is his ghostly father.  
To set the best foot forward.  
He hath a fair forehead to graft on.  
Better lost then found.  
Too free to be fat.  
He's free of Fumblers hall. Spoken of a man that cannot get his wife with child.  
He may even go write to his friends. 
We say it of a man when all his hopes are gone.   
To fry in his own grease.  
Out of the frying-pan into the fire. 
Cader dalla padella nelle bragie. Ital. Saulter de la poile & see jetter dans les braises. Gall. De fume in flammam (which Ammianus Marcellinus citys as an ancient Proverb) hath the same sense, Evitatâ Charybdi in Scyllam incidere. Nè cinerem vitans in prunas incidas. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Lucian.   
You are never well full nor fasting.   

G.  
THe gallows groans for you.  
To gape for a benefice.  
He may go hang himself in's own garters.  
All your geese are swans. 
Suum cuique pulchrum. Ill suo soldo val tredeci danari. Ital. His shilling's worth 13 pence.   
You're a man among the geese when the gander is away.  
What he gets he gets out of the fire.  
To get over the shoulders.  
All that you get you may put in your eye and see never the worse.  
He bestows his gifts as broom doth honey. 
Broom is so far from sweet that it's very bitter.   
I thought I would give him one and lend him another, i, e. I would be quit with him.  
Give a loaf and beg a shive.  
There's a glimmer i'th' touchbox.  
Out of God's blessing into the warm sun. 
Ab equis ad asinos.   
Go in God's name, so ride no witches.  
Go forward and fall, go backward and mar all. 
A front praecipitium, à tergo lupi.   
I'll go twenty miles on your errand first.  
To give one as good as he brings, or his own. 
Qui quae vult dicit quae non vult audiet. Terent. ut salutaris ita resalutaberis.   
One Yate for another, good fellow. v. in O.  
I am a fool, I love any thing that is good.  
To come from little good to stark naught. 
Ab equis ad asinos. Mandrabuli in morem. Mandrabulus finding gold mines in Samos, at first offered and gave to Juno a golden ram, afterward a silver one, than a small one of brass, and at last nothing at all.   
Some good some bad, as sheep come to the fold. 
Sunt bona, sunt quaedam mediocria, sunt mala plura Quae legis, etc. Mart.   
I'll do my good will, as he said that thresht in's cloak. 
This was some Scotchman, for I have been told, that they are wont to do so: myself have seen them hold plough in their cloaks.   
He did me as much good as if he had pissed in my pottage.  
To brag of many goodmorrows.  
A goose cannot graze after him.  
He hopes to eat of the goose shall graze on your grave.  
Steal my goose and stick me down a feather.  
He cannot say shooh to a goose.  
You're a pretty fellow to ride a goose a gallop through a dirty lane.  
You find fault with a fat goose.  
You'll be good when the goose pisseth.  
All is not Gospel comes out of his mouth.  
He must have his grains of allowance.  
A knave or a rogue in grain. 
That is of a scarlet dye, The Alkermes berry wherewith they die scarlet is called in Greek, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. that is granum in Latin, and in English grain.   
It goeth against the grain. 
The grain, Pecten ligni, longways the wood, as the fibres run. To go transversly to these fibres is to go against the grain.   
Teach your grandam to grope her ducks.  
Teach your grandameto sup sour milk. 
Aquilam volare, Delphinum natare doce. Il ne faut apprendre aux poissons à nager. Gall. You must not teach fish to swim. Teach me to do that I know how to do much better than yourself. Teach your father to beget children. Sus Minervam.   
He's grey before he is good.  
To grease a fat sow on the A— 
On ne doit pas à gras porceau le cul oindre. Gall.   
To grease a man i'th' fist. 
That is to put money into his hand; to fee or bribe him.   
I'll either grind or find.  
All brings grist to your mill.  
To grow like a cow's tail, i. e. downwards.  
He has no guts in's brains. 
The anfractus of the brain, looked upon when the Dura mater is taken oft, do much resemble guts.   
He has more guts than brains.  
Out of gunshot.   

H.  
TO be hail fellow well met with one.  
It goes against the hair. 
The hair of most animals lies one way, and if you struck them down that way the hair lies, your hand slides smoothly down; but if you struck the contrary way, the hair rises up and resists the motion of your hand.   
To take a hair of the same dog. 
i e. To be drunk again the next day.   
To cut the hair. 
i e. To divide so exactly as that neither part have advantage.   
You halt before you're lame.  
To make a hand of a thing.  
To live from hand to mouth. 
In diem vivere, or as Persius, Ex tempore vivere.,   
Hand over head, as men took the Covenant.  
Two hands in a dish and one in a purse.  
To have his hands full. 
I ay assez á fair environ les mains. Gall.   
I'll lay my hand on my halfpenny ere I part with it.  
To hang one's ears. 
Demitto auriculas ut iniquae mentis ascllus. Horat.   
They hang together like burrs, or like pebbles in a halter.  
To catch a hare with a tabret. 
On ne prend le lieure au tabourin. Gall. One cannot catch a hare with a tabret. 'Bove venari leporem.   
You must kiss the hare's foot, or the cook. 
Spoken to one that comes so late that he hath lost his dinner or supper. Why the hare's foot must be kissed I know not; why the cook should be kissed there is some reason, to get some victuals of her.   
Set the hare's head against the goose giblets. 
i e. Balance things, set one against another.   
It's either a hare or a brake-bush. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aut navis, aut galerus. Something if you knew what.   
To be out of harms way. 
Ego ero post principia. Terent.   
To harp upon the same string. 
Eandem cantilenam recinere; & eâdem chordâ aberrare. Horat.   
He is drinking at the harrow when he should be following the plow.  
To make a long harvest of a little corn.  
To hear as hogs do in harvest, or with your harvest ears.  
He is none of the Hastings. 
Spoken of a slow person. There is an aequivoque in the word Hastings which is the name of a great family in Leicestershire, which were Earls of Huntingdon. They had a fair house at Ashby de la zouch, now much ruined.   
Too hasty to be a parish Clerk.  
He knows not a hawk from a handsaw.  
To be as good eat hay with a horse.  
To have his head under ones girdle.  
He cannot hear on that ear.  
He may be heard where he is not seen.  
His heart fell down to his hose or heels. Animus in pedes decidit.  
He is heart of oak.  
Hell is broken loose with them.  
Harrow [or rake] hell, and scum the devil.  
To help at a dead lift.  
To throw the helve after the hatchet. 
To be in despair. Ad perditam securim manubrium adjicere.   
To fish for a herring, and catch a sprat.  
To be high in the instep.  
To hit the nail o'th' head. 
Toucher au blanc. Gall. To hit the white.   
To hit the bird o'th' eye.  
Hobson's choice. 
A man is said to have Hobson's choice, when he must either take what is left him, or chose whether he will have any part or no. This Hobson was a noted Carrier in Cambridge in K. James his time, who partly by carrying, partly by grazing raised himself to a great estate, and did much good in the Town; relieving the Poor, and building a public Conduit in the Marketplace.   
To make a hog or a dog of a thing.  
To bring one's hogs to a fair market.  
To hold with the hare and run with the hound. 
Not much unlike hereto is that Latin one, Duabus sellis sedere, i. e. incertarum esse partium, & ancipiti fide ambabus servire velle, v. Erasm. Liberius Mimus chosen into the Senate by Caesar, coming to sit down by Cicero, he refusing him, said, I would take you in did we not sit so close [nisi angustè sederemus] reflecting upon Caesar, who chose so many into the Senate that there was scarce room for them to sit. Liberius replied, but you were wont to sit upon two stools [duabus sellis sedere] meaning to be on both sides.   
He'll find some hole to creep out at.  
He's all honey or all t—  
As honest a man as ever broke bread.  
As honest a man as ever trod on shoe leather.  
An honest man and a good bowler.  
By hook or by crook. 
Quo jure, quâque injuriâ. Terent. Soit à droit ou à tort. Gall.   
You'll ride on a horse that was foaled of an acorn. 
That is the gallows.   
They cannot set their horses together.  
He hath good skill in horseflesh to buy a goose to ride on.  
See how we apples swim quoth the horse-t—  
To throw the house out of the windows. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
He is so hungry he could eat a horse behind the saddle.   

I.  
TO be jack on both sides. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. A turncoat, a weathercock.   
To play the jack with one.  
To break the ice. 
Romper il giaccio. Ital. Scindere glaciem. To begin any hazardous or difficult thing.   
Sick o'th' idles.  
Sick o'th' idle crick, and the belly-wark i'th' heel. 
Belly-wark, i. e. belly-ache. It is used when People complain of sickness for a pretence to be idle upon no apparent cause.   
You'll soon learn to shape idle a coat.  
Give him an inch and he'll take an ell.  
He hath no ink in's pen, i. e. no money in his purse, or no wit in his head.   

K.  
TO lay the key under the threshold.  
To kill with kindness. 
So the Ape is said to strangle her young ones by embracing and hugging them. And so may many be said to do, who are still urging their sick friends to eat this and that and t'other thing, thereby clogging their stomaches and adding fuel to their diseases. fond imagining that if they eat not a while they'll presently die.   
Kim kam.  
It comes by kind, it costs him nothing.  
A man of a strange kidney.  
Whosoever is king thou'lt be his man.  
I'll make one, quoth Kirkham, when he danced in his clogs.  
You'd kiss my a— before my breeches are down.  
She had rather kiss then spin.  
Kit after kind. 
A chip of the old block. Qui naist de geline il aime à grater. Gall. He that was born of a hen loves to be scraping.   
Kit careless, your a— hangs by trumps.  
As very a knave as ever pissed.  
Knit my dog a pair of breeches and my cat a codpiece.  
He hath tied a knot with his tongue that he cannot untie with all his teeth. Meaning matrimony.  
It's a good knife; it will cut butter when 'tis melted.  
A good knife, it was made five miles beyond Cutwell.  
You say true, will you swallow my knife?  
It does me Knights service.  
He got a knock in the cradle.  
To know one from a black sheep.  
To know one as well as the beggar knows his dish.  
To know one no more than he does the Pope of Rome.  
Better known than trusted.   

L.  
To have nothing but ones labour for ones pains. 
Avoir l'aller pour le venir. Gall. To have ones going for one's coming.   
You'll go up the ladder to bed, i. e. be hanged. At latter Lammas. 
Ad Graecas calendas, i. e. never. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. cum muli pariunt. Herodot.   
Help the lame dog over the stile.  
He was lap't in his mother's smock.  
The lapwing cries most furthest from her nest.  
To laugh in ones face and cut his throat. 
As bottled Ale is said to do. Da una banda m' onge, da l'altra me ponge. Ital.   
He can laugh and cry both in a wind.  
To laugh in ones sleeve.  
More like the devil then S. Laurence.  
He'll go to Law for the wagging of a straw.  
To have the Law in ones own hand.  
She doth not leap an inch from a shrew.  
To leap over the hedge before you come at the stile.  
She hath broken her leg above the knee, i. e. had a bastard.  
He's on his last legs.  
To have the length of ones foot.  
To lick one's self whole again.  
To lick honey through a cleft stick.  
To lie as fast as a dog can lick a dish.  
That's a lie with a latchet, All the dogs i'th' town cannot match it.  
To tell a man a lie, and give him a reason for it.  
To stand in ones own light.  
Like me, God bless the example.  
If the Lion's skin cannot the Foxes shall. 
Si leonina pellis non satis est, assuenda vulpina. Coudre le peau de regnard à celle du lion. Gall. To attempt or compass that by craft which we cannot obtain or effect by force. Dolus an virtus quis in host requirit.   
If he were as long as he is lither, he might thatch a house without a ladder. Chesh.  
To send by Tom Long the carrier.  
He looks as if he had neither won nor lost.  
He stands as if he were moped, in a brown study, unconcerned. 
To lose one's longing.   
He'll not lose the droppings of his nose.  
He'll not lose the paring of's nails. 
Egli scortarebbe un pedocchio per haverne la pelle. Ital. He would flay a louse to get the skin. Aquam plorat cum lavat fundere. Plaut.   
Aware skins, quoth Grubber when he flung the louse into the fire.  
There's love in a budget.  
To love at the door and leave at the hatch.  
See for your love, and buy for your money.  
I could not get any neither for love nor money.  
To leave one i'th' lurch.   

M.  
MAdge good cow gives a good pail of milk, & then kicks it down with her foot.  
To correct or mend the Magnificat. 
i e. To correct that which is without any fault or error. Magnificat is the Virgin Mary's hymn Luke 1. So called from the first word of it, which is Magnificat. As the other hymns are called Benedictus, Nunc dimittis, Te Deum, etc. For the same reason. Nodum in scirpo quaerere.   
She's a good maid but for thought, word and deed.  
There are never the fewer maids for her. 
Spoken of a woman that hath maiden children.   
For my peck of malt set the kiln on fire. 
This is used in Cheshire and the neighbour Countries. They mean by it, I am little concerned in the thing mentioned: I care not much come on it what will.   
One Lordship is worth all his manners. 
There is an aequivoque in the word manners, which if written with an e signifies mores, if with an o manneria; howbeit in the pronunciation they are not distinguished; and perhaps in writing too they ought not.   
You know good manners, but you use but a few.  
To miss his mark. 
Aberrare a scopo, non attingere scopum, or extra scopum jaculare.   
She hath a mark after her mother. 
That is, she is her mothers own daughter. Patris est filius.   
The grey mare is the better horse. 
i e. The woman is master, or as we say wears the breeches.   
I'll not go before my mare to the market. 
I'll do nothing preposterously: I'll drive my mare before me.   
All is well, and the man hath his mare again.  
Much matter of a wooden platter. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Mira de len●e. A great stir about a thing of nothing.   
One may know your meaning by your gaping.  
You measure every one's corn by your own bushel. 
Tu misuri gli altri col tuo passetto. Ital.   
To measure his cloth by another's yard.  
To bring meat in its mouth.  
Meddle with your old shoes.  
I'll neither meddle nor make, said Bill Heaps when he spilled the buttermilk.  
To mend as sour ale does in summer.  
I cry you mercy, I took you for a joined stool.  
To spend his Michaelmas rend in Midsummer moon.  
You'd marry a midden for muck.  
Either by might or by sleight.  
I can see as far into a millstone as another man.  
A Scotch mist, that will wet an English man to th' skin.  
Mock not (quoth Montford) when his wife called him cuckold.  
To have a month's mind to a thing. 
In ancient wills we find often mention of a month's mind and also of a years mind and a weeks mind: they were lesser funeral solemnities appointed by the deceased at those times, for the remembrance of him.   
Tell me the moon's made of a green cheese. 
Quid si coelum ruat?   
You may as soon shape a coat for the moon.  
To make a mountain of a molehill. 
Areem ex cloaca sacere, ex elephanto museam.   
To speak like a mouse in a cheese.  
Your mouth hath beguiled your hands.  
You'st have his muck for his meat. Yorksh.  
He hath a good muckhill at's door, i. e. he is rich.   

N.  
HE had as good eat his nails.  
You had not your name for nothing. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.  
I took him napping, as Moss took his mare. 
Who this Moss was is not very material to knew: I suppose some such man might find his mare dead, and taking her to be only asleep might say, have I taken you napping?   
I'll first see thy neck as long as my arm.  
To seek a needle in a bottle of hay.  
I may see him need, but I'll not see him bleed. 
Parents will usually say this of prodigal or undutiful children; meaning I will be content to see them suffer a little hardship, but not any great misery or calamity.   
As much need on't as he hath of the pip, or of a cough.  
Tell me news.  
More nice than wise.  
Nichils' in nine pokes or nooks. Chesh. i e. nothing at all.  
To bring a noble to ninepences, and ninepences to nothing. 
Il fait de son teston six sols. Gall. To bring an Abbey to a Grange.   
He hath a good nose to make a poor man's sow. 
Il seroit bon truy à pavure homme. Gall.   
To hold one's nose to the grindstone.  
To follow one's nose.  
To lead one by the nose. 
Menar uno per il naso, Ital. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. This is an ancient Greek Proverb. Frasmus saith the metaphor is taken from Buffles, who are led and guided by a ring put in one of their nostrils, as I have often seen in Italy: so we in England are wont to lead Bears.   
To put one's nose out of joint.  
You make his nose warp.  
It will be a nosegay to him as long as he lives.  
It will stink in his nostrils, spoken of any bad matter a man hath been engaged in.   

O.  
TO cut down an Oak and set up a Strawberry. 
Cavar un chiodo & piantar una cavicchia. Ital. To dig up a nail and plant a pin.   
To have an oar in every man's boat.  
Be good in your office, you'll keep the longer on.  
To give one a cast of his office.  
He hath a good office, he must needs thrive.  
To bring an old house on ones head.  
To rip up old sores.  
To cast up old scores.  
Once at a Coronation.  
Never but once at a Wedding.  
Once and use it not.  
One yate for another, Good fellow. 
They father the original of this upon a passage between one of the Earls of Rutland and a Country-fellow. The Earl riding by himself one day overtook a Countryman, who very civility opened him the first gate they came to, not knowing who the Earl was. When they came to the next gate the Earl expecting he should have done the same again, Nay soft, saith the Countryman, One yate for another, Good fellow.   
A man need not look in your mouth to know how old you are. 
Fancies tua computat annos.   
To make orts of good hay.  
Over shoes over boots. 
This hath almost the same sense with that, Ad perditam securim manubrium adjicore.   
A shive of my own loaf.  
A pig of my own sow.  
To outshoot a man in his own bow.  
The black ox never trod on his foot. 
i e. He never knew what sorrow or adversity meant.    

P.  
MAke a page of your own age. 
That is▪ Do it yourself.   
To stand upon ones pantofles.  
To pass the pikes.  
He is pattering the Devils Pater noster. 
When one is grumbling to himself and it may be cursing those that have angered or displeased him.   
To pay one in his own coin.  
He is going into the pease-field, i. e. falling asleep.  
To be in a peck of troubles.  
To take one a peg lower.  
Pennywise and pound foolish. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, i. e. Ad mensuram aquam bibunt, since mensura offam comedentes. He spares at the spigot and lets it out at the bunghole.   
He thinks his penny good silver.  
To take pepper in the nose.  
To take physic before one be sick.  
To pick a hole in a man's coat.  
He knows not a pig from a dog.  
Pigs play on the Organs. 
A man so called at Hogs Norton in Leicestershire, or Hocks Norton.   
Pigs fly in the air with their tails forward.  
To shoot at a pigeon and kill a crow.  
Not to high for the pie, nor to low for the crow.  
If there be no remedy then welcome Pillvall.  
To be in a merry pin. 
Probably this might come from drinking at pins. The Dutch, and English in imitation of them, were wont to drink out of a cup marked with certain pins, and he accounted the man that could neck the pin; whereas to go above or beneath it was a forseiture. Dr Fuller Eccles. Hist. lib 3. p. 17.   
As surly as if he had pissed on a nettle.  
To piss in the same quill.  
To stay a pissing-while.  
He'll play at small game rather than stand out. 
Auloedus sit qui citharoedus esse non potest.   
Let the plough stand to catch a mouse.  
To be tossed from Post to Pillory.  
To go to pot.  
I know him not should I meet him in my pottage dish.  
To prate like a Parrot.  
To say his prayers backward.  
To be in the same Predicament.  
To have his head full of proclamations.  
Provender pricks him.  
To come in pudding time.  
Her pulse beats matrimony.  
To no more purpose then to beat your heels against the ground or wind.  
To as much purpose as the geese slur on the ice. Chesh.  
To as much purpose as to give a goose hay. Chesh.   

Q.  
TO be in a quandary.  
To pick a quarrel.  
Ha'll be Quartermaster where ere he comes.  
To touch the quick, or to the quick.   

R.  
TO lie at rack and manger.  
If it should rain pottage he would want his dish.  
He is better with a rake then a fork, & vice versâ. 
Most men are better with a rake then a fork, more apt to pull in and scrape up then to give out and communicate.   
No remedy but patience.  
Set your heart at rest.  
You ride as if you went to fetch the midwise,  
You shall ride an inch behind the tail.  
He'll neither do right nor suffer wrong.  
Give me roastmeat, and beat me with the spit or run it in my belly.  
You are in your roastmeat when others are in their sod. 
Priusquam mactaris excorias.   
To rob the spittle.  
To rob Peter to pay Paul. 
Il oste à S. Pierre pour donner à S. Pol. Gall.   
He makes Robin Hoods pennyworths. 
This may be used in a double sense; either he sells things for half their worth: Robin Hood afforded rich pennyworths of his plundered goods; or he buys things at what price he pleases: The owners were glad to get any thing of Robin Hood, who otherwise would have taken their goods for nothing.   
To have rods in piss for one.  
You gather a rod for your own breech. 
Tell porte le baston dont à son regret le bat on. Gall. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Hesiod. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. In tuum ipsius caput lunam deducis.   
Right Roger, your sow is good mutton.  
To twist a rope of sand. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
A rope and butter, if one slip the other may hold.  
I thought I had given her rope enough, said Pedley when he hanged his mare.  
He rose on his right side.  
To give one a Rowland for an Oliver. 
That is Quid pro quo, to be even with one. Je lui bailleray Guy contre Robert. Gall.   
To run through thick and thin.  
His shoes are made of running leather.  
To run the wild goose chase.  
To row one way and look another. 
As skullers do, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Aristoph. apud Suidam. Altera manu fert lapidem, panem ostentat alterâ. Plaut.    

S.  
MOre sacks to the mill.  
To come sailing in a sows ear.  
To scape a scouring.  
You make me scratch where it doth not itch.  
The sea complains it wants water.  
That would I fain see said blind George of Hollowee.  
To set up ones staff. 
i e. To resolve to abide in a place.   
To set up his sail to every wind. 
Fair voile à tout vent. Gall. Evannare ad omnem auram. Nazianzen.   
Share and share like, some all, some never a whit. 
Leonina Societas.   
To cast a sheep's eye at one.  
To cast an old shoe after one.  
Not worth shooe-buckles.  
To make a fair show in a Country Church.  
Good to fetch a sick man sorrow and a dead man woe. Chesh.  
To pour water into a sieve. 
Cribro aquam haurire.   
To sing the same song. 
Cantilenam candem canere. Terent. Phorm. Cram bis cocta. Nothing more troublesome and ungrateful than the same thing over and over.   
Thou singest like a bird called a swine.  
Sink or swim.  
To call one Sir and something else, i. e. Sirrah.  
To set all at six and seven.  
To sit upon ones skirts.  
To slander one with a matter of truth.  
To sleep dogs sleep.  
Slow and sure. This might have been put among the Sentences.  
I smell a rat.  
To drive snails: A snails gallop. 
Testudineus gradus. Plaut. Vicistis cochleam tarditate. Idem.   
Tell me it snows.  
To take a thing in snuff.  
To have a soft place in's head.  
Fair and softly, as Lawyers go to Heaven.  
As softly as foot can fall. 
Suspensos pedes ponere. Quintil. Suspenso gradu ire. Terent.   
To take a wrong sow by the ear.  
A sow to a fiddle. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Asinus ad lyram.   
To sow his wild oats.  
As they sow so let them reap. 
Ut sementem seceris ita meats.   
To be tied to the sour appletree. i e. To be married to an ill husband.  
To call a spade a spade.  
You never speak but your mouth opens.  
Spick and span new. 
From spica an ear of corn, and the spawn of fishes, saith Mr Howel: but rather as I am informed by a better author; Spike is a sort of nail, and spawn is a chip of a boat; so that it is all one as to say, Every chip and nail is new.   
Spare at the spigget and let it out at the bunghole. 
E tien sum dalla spina & spande dal coccone. Ital.   
He hath spit his venom.  
Spit in your hand and take better hold.  
You would spy faults if your eyes were out.  
To make one a stalking horse.  
What starve in a cooks shop? 
Endurer la soif aupres d'une fontaine. Gall. Mourir de faim aupres de mestier. Gall. This may be made a sentence by putting it imperatively. Never starve, etc.   
To go through stitch with a business.  
To stick by the ribs.  
He hath swallowed a stake, he cannot stoop.  
The more you stir the worse you stink. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Plus foetent stercora mota. Quanto piu si ruga tanto piu puzza il stronzo. Ital. The more you stir a t— etc.   
To strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.  
To stumble at a straw, and leap over a block. 
These two Proverbs have the same sense: the former is used by our Saviour. Matth. 23. 24.   
When two Sundays meet, i. e. never. Ad Graecas Calendas.  
To swallow an ox, and be choked with the tail. 
It hath the same sense with the two last save one.   
He'll swear through an inch board.  
He'll swear dagger out of sheath.  
He'll swearthe devil out of hell.   

T.  
TO thrust his feet under another man's ' table. 
Alienâ vivere quadrâ.   
To take from ones right side, to give to one's left.  
To take one up before he is down.  
Tell you a tale, and find you ears.  
A tale of a tub.  
To tell tales out of school.  
To talk like an Apothecary.  
Tenterden steeple's the cause of goodwin's sands. 
This Proverb is used when an absurd and ridiculous reason is given of any thing in question: an account of the original whereof I find in one of Bishop Latimers' sermons in these words. Mr Moor was once sent with commission into Kent, to try out, if it might be, what was the cause of goodwin's sands, and the shelf which stopped up Sandwich haven. Thither cometh Mr Moor, and calleth all the Country before him, such as were thought to be men of experience, and men that could of likelihood best satisfy him of the matter concerning the stopping of Sandwich haven. Among the rest came in before him an old man with a white head, and one that was thought to be little less than an hundred years old. When Mr Moor saw this aged man, he thought it expedient to hear him say his mind in this matter (for being so old a man, it was likely that he knew most in that presence, or company) So Mr Moor called this old aged man unto him and said, Father (said he) tell me if you can, what is the cause of the great arising of the sands and shelves here about this haven, which stop it up, so that no ships can arrive here. You are the oldest man I can espy in all this company, so that if any man can tell any cause of it, you of all likelihood can say most to it, or at leastwise more than any man here assembled. Yea forsooth, good Mr Moor, quoth this old man, for I am well nigh an hundred years old, and no man here in this company any thing near my age. Well then (quoth Mr Moor) how say you to this matter? What think you to be the cause of these shelves and sands, which stop up Sandwich haven? Forsooth sir (quoth he) I am an old man, I think that Tenterton-steeple is the cause of Goodwin's sands. For I am an old man sir (quoth he) I may remember the building of Tenterton-steeple, and I may remember when there was no steeple at all there. And before that Tenterton-steeple was in building, there was no manner of talking of any flats, or sands that stopped up the haven; and therefore, I think that Tenterton-steeple is the cause of the decay and destroying of Sandwich haven. Thus far the Bishop.   
I'll thank you for the next, for this I am sure of.  
There's a thing in't (quoth the fellow) when he drank the dishclout.  
I'll not pull the thorn out of your foot and put it into my own.  
To stand upon thorns.  
Thrift and he are at a fray.  
When thrift's in the field, he's in town.  
He struck at Tib, but down fell Tom.  
His tongue's no slander.  
Your tongue runs before your wit. 
This is an ancient form of speech; I find it in Isocrates his oration to Demonicus, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   
His tongue runs on wheels [or at random.]  
To have a thing at one's tongues end, or at the tip of ones tongue.  
Tooth and nail. 
Manibus pedibúsque. Remis velisque.   
To have an aching tooth at one.  
From top to toe.  
Topsie turvy.  
I'd not touch him with a pair of tongs.  
To it again, no body comes. 
Nemo nos infequitur aut impellit, Erasmus è Platone; who tells us that this Proverb continues to this day in common use (among the Dutch I suppose) to signify that it is free for us to stay upon any business [immorari in re aliqua.]   
To drive a subtle trade.  
To put one to his trumps.  
I'll trust him no further than I can fling him, or, than I can throw a millstone.  
You may trust him with untold gold.  
To turn with the wind, or tide.  
To turn over a new leaf.  
To turn cat in pan.  
In the twinkling of an eye.  
To stop two gaps with on bush.  
To stop two mouths with one morsel. 
Duas linit parietes eâdem sideliâ. Unicâsiliâ duos parare generos: This is a modern Proverb, but deserves (saith Erasmus) to be numbered amongst the ancient ones. I find it among the French, D'une fille deux gendres. To get himself two sons in law with one daughter.   
To kill two flies with one flap.  
To kill two birds with one shaft [or stone.] 
D'une pierre faire deux coups, Gall. Di un'dono far duoi amici, Ital. To make two friends with one gift. Pigliar due colombe con una fava, Ital. To take two pigeons with one bean.   
To carry two faces under one hood. 
Il a une face à deux visages, Gall. Due visi sotto una beretta, Ital.   
To have two strings to one's bow. 
Il fait bien avoir deux chordes en son are, Gall. This may be made a sentence by adding to it, It is good, or such like words. Duabus ancoris fultus.   
Two hands in a dish, and one in a purse.  
To have thwitten a mill-post to a pudding prick.  
She's cured of a tympany with two heels.   

U.  
TO nourish a viper in ones bosom. 
Tu ti allevi la biscia in seno, Ital. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, Theocr. in hodoep. Colubrum in sinu fovere. Est apud Aesopum Apologus de rustico quodam in hanc rem.   
Nothing but up and ride?  
To be up the Queen appletree.  
No sooner up, but the head in the Aumbrey, and nose in the cup.   

W.  
A warrant sealed with butter.  
To look to ones water.  
To cast water into the Thames. 
Lumen soli mutuari, etc.   
You canted see green cheese, but your teeth must water.  
I'll not wear the wooden dagger, i. e. lose my win.  
Wear a horn, and blow it not.  
To come home by weeping cross. 
This weeping cross which gave occasion to this phrase, is about two miles distant from the town of Stafford.   
You may make as good music on a wheel-barrow.  
Without welt or guard.  
All shall be well, and Jack shall have Jyll.  
With a wet finger. 
Levi brachio & molli trachio.   
But when, quoth Kettle to his mare? Chesh.  
Whist whist, I smell a birds nest.  
You'll make an end of your whistle though the cart overthrow.  
Whist and catch a mouse.  
To let leap a whiting. 
i e. To let slip an opportunity.   
she's neither wife, widow nor maid.  
Your windmill dwindles into a nutcrack.  
All this wind shakes no corn.  
Either win the horse or lose the saddle. 
Aut ter sex aut tres tesserae. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. The ancients used to play with three dice, so that thrice six must needs be the best, and three aces the worst chance. They called three aces simply three dice, because they made no more than the number of the dice. The ace side was left empty without any spot at all, because to count them was no more than to count the dice. Hereupon this chance was called, Jactus inanis, the empty chance.   
Wind and weather do thy worst.  
To go down the wind.  
Win it and wear it.  
To have one in the wind.  
To have windmills in's head.  
Keep your wind, etc. v breath.  
You may wink and choose. 
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Thrax ad Thracem compositus▪   
He shows all his wit at once.  
God send you more wit, and me more money.  
You were born when wit was scant.  
Your wits are on wool gathering.  
You have wit enough to drown ships in.  
You give the wolf the weather to keep. 
Ha dato la pecora in guardia al lupo, Ital. Ovem lupo commisisti.   
To have a wolf by the ears. 
This is also a Latin Proverb, Lupum auribus tenere. When a man hath a doubtful business in hand, which it is equally hazardous to pursue or give over; as it is to hold or let go a wolf which one hath by the ears.   
To be in a wood.  
You cannot see wood for trees. 
In mari aquam quaeris.   
To make woof or warp of any business.  
A word and a blow.  
When he should work, every finger is a thumb.  
If any thing stay let work stay.  
The world is well amended with him.  
To have the world in a string.  
He has a worm in's brain.  
Not worthy to carry his books after him.  
Not worthy to be named the same day.  
Not worthy to wipe his shoes. 

Indignus qui illi matellam porrigat.  
Dispeream si tu Pyladi praestare matellam  
Dignus es, aut porcos pascere Pirithoi.  Martial.   
Not worthy to carry guts after a Bear.    

Proverbial Similes, in which the quality and subject begin with the same letter.  

AS bare as a birds arse, or as the back of my hand.  
As blind as a beetle or bat. 
Talpâ caecior, As blind as a mole, though indeed a mole be not absolutely blind; but hath perfect eyes, and those not covered with a membrane, as some have reported; but open and to be sound without side the head, if one search diligently, otherwise they may easily escape one, being very small and lying hid in the fur. So that it must be granted, that a mole sees but obscurely, yet so much as is sufficient for her manner of living, being most part under ground. Hypsaea caecior. This Hypsaea was a woman famous for her blindness. Tiresia caecior, The fable of Tircsias, and how he came to be blind, is well known. Leberide caecior. Est autem Leberis exuviae sive spolium serpentis, in quo apparent effigies duntaxat oculorum, ac membranula quaedam tenuissima quâ serpentum oculi praeteguntur. A Beetle is thought to be blind, because in the evening it will fly with its full force against a man's face or any thing else which happens to be in its way; which other infects as Bees, hornets, etc. will not do.   
To blush like a black dog.  
As bold as blind bayard.  
As bold as Beauchamp. 
Of this surname there were many Earls of Warwick, amongst whom (saith Doctor Fuller) I conceive Thomas the first of that name, gave chief occasion to this Proverb; who in the year 1346, with one Squire and six archers, fought in hostile manner with an hundred armed men at Hogs in Normandy and overthrew them, slaying sixty Normans, and giving the whole fleet means to land.   
As brisk as a body louse.  
As busy as a bee.  
As clear as crystal.  
As cold as charity.  
As common as Coleman hedge.  
As coy as Crokers' mare.  
As cunning as Craddock, etc.  
As dead as a door nail.  
As dull as dun in the mire.  
To feed like a farmer; or freeholder▪  
As fine as five pence.  
As fit as a fiddle.  
As flat as a flounder.  
As grave as an old gate-post.  
As hard as horn.  
As high as three horse loaves  
As high as a hog all but the bristles. 
Spoken of a dwarf in derision.   
As hungry as a hawk, or horse.  
As kind as a kite, all you cannot eat you'll hide.  
As lazy as Ludlams dog, that leaned his head against a wall to bark.  
As mad as a March hare. 
Foenum habet in cornu.   
As merry as the maids.  
As nice as a nuns hen.  
As pert as a Pearmongers' mare.  
As plain as a packsaddle, or a pike staff.  
As plump as a Partridge.  
As proud as a peacock.  
As seasonable as snow in summer.  
As soft as silk.  
As true as a turtle to her mate.  
As warm as wool.  
As wise as Walthams' calf, that ran nine miles to suck a bull.  
As wise as a wisp, or woodcock.  
As welcome as water into a ship, or, into ones shoes.  
As weak as water.   

Others.  
AS angry as a wasp.  
As bald as a coat.  
As bare as the back of my hand.  
As bitter as gall. Ipsa bile amariora.  
As black as a coal; as a crow or raven; as the Devil; as jet; as ink; as soot.  
As busy as a hen with one chicken.  
As busy as a good wife at oven; and neither meal nor dough.  
He's like a cat; fling him which way you will he'll light on's legs.  
She's like a cat; she'll play with her own tail.  
He claws it as Clayton clawed the pudding, when he eat bag and all.  
As clear as a bell. 
Spoken principally of a voice or sound without any jarring or harshness.   
As clear as the Sun.  
As comfortable as matrimony.  
It becomes him as well as a sow doth a cartsaddle.  
As crowse as a new washen louse. 
This is a Scotch and Northern Proverb. Crowse signifies brisk lively.   
As dark as pitch. 
Blackness is the colour of darkness.   
As dead as a herring. 
A Herring is said to die immediately after it is taken out of its element the water; that it dies very suddenly myself can witness: so likewise do Pilchards, Shads, and the rest of that tribe.   
As dear as two eggs a penny.  
As like a dock to a daisy. 
That is very unlike.   
As dizzy as a goose.  
As drunk as a beggar. 
This Proverb begins now to be disused, and in stead of it people are ready to say, As drunk as a Lord: so much hath that vice (the more is the pity) prevailed among the Nobility & Gentry of late years.   
As dry as a bone.  
As dull as a beetle.  
As dun as a mouse.  
As easy as pissing a bed; as to lick a dish.  
As false as a Scot 
I hope that nation generally deserves not such an imputation; and could wish that we English men, were less partial to ourselves, and censorious of our neighbours.   
As fair as Lady Done. Chesh. 
The Dones were a great family in Cheshire, living at Utkinton by the forest side: Nurses use there to call their children so if girls, if boy's Earls of Derby.   
As fast as hops.  
As fat as butter; as a Fool; as a hen i'th' forehead.  
To feed like a freeholder of Macklesfield, who hath neither corn nor hay at Michaelmas. Chesh. 
This Macklesfield or Maxfield is a small market town and borough in Cheshire.   
As fierce as a goose.  
As fine [or proud] as a Lords bastard.  
As fit as a pudding for a Friar's mouth.  
As fit as a shoulder of mutton for a sick horse.  
As flattering or fawning as a spaniel.  
As fond of it as an Ape of a whip and a bell.  
To follow one like a St. Anthony's pig. 
It is applicable to such as have servile saleable souls, who for a small reward will lackey it many miles, being more officious and assiduous in their attendance then their patron's desire. St. Anthony is notoriously known to be the patron of Hogs, having a pig for his page in all pictures, I am not so well read in his legend as to give the reason of it; but I dare say, there is no good one.   
As freely as S. Robert gave his cow. 
This Robert was a Knareburgh Saint, & the old women there can still tell you the legend of the cow.   
As hollow as a gun; as a kex. 
A Kex is a dried stalk of Hemlock or of wild Cicely.   
As free as a blind man is of his eye.  
As free as an ape is of his tail.  
As free as a dead horse is of farts.  
As fresh as a rose in june.  
As full as an egg is of meat. 
E pieno quanto un novo. Ital.   
As full as a pipers bag; as a tick.  
As full as a toad is of poison.  
As full as a Jade, quoth the Bride.  
As gaunt as a greyhound.  
As glad as a fowl of a fair day.  
To go like a cat upon a hot bake stone.  
To go out like a candle in a snuff.  
As good as George of Green. 
This George of Green was that famous Pinner of Wakefield who fought with Robin Hood & little John both together, and got the better of them, as the old ballad tells us.   
As good as goose-skins that never man had enough of. Chesh.  
As good as ever flew in the air.  
As good as ever went endways.  
As good as ever the ground went upon.  
As good as ever water wet.  
As good as ever twanged.  
As good as any between Bagshot and Baw-waw, 
There's but the breadth of a street between these two.   
As greedy as a dog.  
As green as grass; as a leek.  
As hail as a roch, Fish whole. 
E sano come un pesce. Ital.   
As hardhearted as a Scot of Scotland.  
As hasty as a sheep, so soon as the tail is up the t— is out.  
To hold up his head like a steed of ten pounds.  
As hot as a toast.  
To hug one as the Devil hugs a witch.  
As hungry as a Church-mouse.  
As innocent as a Devil of two years old.  
A conscience as large as a shipman's hose.  
As lawless as a Town-bull.  
As lazy as the tinker who laid down his budget to fart.  
As lean as a rake.  
To leap like a cock at a black-berry. 
Spoken of one that desires and endeavours to do harm but cannot.   
As lecherous as a he-goat.  
As light as a fly.  
To lick it up like Limb hay. Chesh. 
Limb is a village on the river Mersey that parts Cheshire and Lancashire, where the best hay is gotten.   
As like his noun father as e'er he can look.  
As like one as if he had been spit out of his mouth.  
As like as an apple to an oyster.  
As like as four pence to a groat.  
As like as nine pence to nothing.  
No more like than chalk and cheese.  
To look like the picture of ill luck.  
To look like a strained hair in a can. Chesh.  
To look like a drowned mouse.  
To look like a dog that hath lost his tail.  
To look as if he had eaten his bedstraw.  
To look on one as the Devil looks over Lincoln. 
Some refer this to Lincoln-minster, over which when first finished the Devil is supposed to have looked with a torve and tetrick countenance, as envying men's costly devotion, saith Dr Fuller, but more probable it is that it took its rice from a small image of the Devil standing on the top of Lincoln College in Oxford.   
As loud as a horn.  
To love it as a cat loves mustard.  
To love it as the Devil loves holy water.  
To love it as a dog loves a whip.  
As good luck as had the cow, that stuck herself with her own horn.  
As good luck as the lousy calf, that lived all winter and died in the summer.  
As melancholy as a gibbed cat.  
As merry as cup and can.  
As merry as a cricket.  
As mild [or gentle] as a lamb.  
As natural to him as milk to a calf.  
As necessary as a sow among young children.  
As nimble as an Eel.  
As nimble as a cow in a cage.  
As nimble as a new gelt dog.  
As old as Charing-Cross.  
As plain as the nose on a man's face.  
As poor as job. 
This similitude runs through most Languages. In the University of Cambridge the young Scholars are wont to call chiding Jobing,   
As proud as a cock on's own dunghill.  
As proud as an Apothecary.  
To quake like an Aspen leaf.  
To quake like an oven.  
He's like a Rabbit, fat and lean in 24 hours.  
As red as a cherry; as a petticoat.  
As rich as a new shorn sheep.  
As right as a rams horn; as my leg.  
As rotten as a t—  
As rough as a tinker's budget.  
As safe as a mouse in a cheese; in a malt-heap.  
As safe as a crow in a gutter.  
As safe as a thief in a mill.  
As scabbed as a cuckoo.  
To scold like a cutpurse; like a wych-waller. Chesh. 
That is a boiler of Salt: Wych houses are Salt-houses, and walling is boiling.   
To scorn a thing as a dog scorns a tripe.  
As sharp as a thorn; as a razor; as vinegar. Aceto acrius.  
As much sibed as sieve and ridder, that grew in the same wood together. 
Sibed that is a kin: In Suffolk the banes of matrimony are called Sibberidge.   
As sick as a cushion.  
She simpers like a bride on her wedding day.  
She simpers like a riven dish.  
She simpers like a furmity kettle.  
To sit like a frog on a chopping block.  
As slender in the middle as a cow in the waist.  
As slippery as an Eel.  
As smooth as a carpet: Spoken of good way.  
As softly as foot can fall.  
As sound as a trout.  
As sour as verjuice.  
As spruce as an onion.  
To stink like a poll-cat.  
As straight as an arrow.  
As straight as the backbone of a herring.  
Thou'lt strip it as Slack stripped the cat, when he pulled her out of the churn.  
As strong as mustard.  
To strut like a crow in a gutter.  
As sure as a gun [or as death.]  
As sure as check or Exchequer pay. 
This was a Proverb in Q. Elizabeth's time; the credit of the Exchequer beginning in and determining with her reign, saith Dr Fuller.   
As sure [or as round] as a Juggler's box.  
As sure as a louse in bosom. Chesh.  
As sure as a louse in Pomfret. Yorksh.  
As sure as the coat's on ones back.  
As surly as a Butcher's dog.  
As sweet as honey, or as a nut.  
As tall as a Maypole.  
As tender as a chicken.  
As tender as a parson's leman, i. e. whore.  
As tender as Parnell that broke her finger in a posset-curd.  
As testy as an old cook.  
As tough as whitleather.  
As true as God is in heaven.  
As true as steel.  
As warm as a mouse in a churn.  
As wanton as a calf with two dams.  
As welcome as Hopkin, that came to jail over night, and was hanged the next morning.  
As white as the driven snow.  
As wild as a buck.  
As wily as a fox.  
As much wit as three folks, two fools and a madman. Chesh.  
As well worth it as a thief is worth a rope.  
Like Goodyers pig, never well but when he is doing mischief. Chesh.  
He stands like Mumphazard, who was hanged for saying nothing. Chesh.  
Like the parson of Saddleworth, who could read in no book but his own. Chesh.  
To come home like the parson's cow with a calf at her foot. Chesh.  
To use one like a Jew. 
This poor nation was into lerably abused by the English, while they lived in this land, especially at London on Shrove-tuesday. Thus it came to pass, which God frequently foretold, that they should become a byword and a reproach among all nations. Dr Fuller.   
He's like a swine, he'll ne'er do good while he lives.  
Undone as a man would undo an oyster.  
He feeds like a boar in a frank.  
He's like a bagpipe, he never talks till his belly be full.  
Like Hunt's dog, that will neither go to Church nor stay at home.  
She goes as if she cracked nuts with her tail.  
As wilful as a pig, he'll neither lead nor drive.  
As honest a man as any is in the cards when all the kings are out.  
As good as ever drove top over tiled house.  
You been like Smithwick, either clemed or borsten. Chesh.    

Proverbial Rhythmes and old saws.  

THe crab of the wood is sauce very good  
For the crab of the sea.  
But the wood of the crab is sauce for a drab,  
That will not her husband obey.   

Snow is white and lies in the dike.  
And every man lets it lie:  
Pepper is black and hath a good smack,  
And every man doth it buy.   
Alba ligustra cadunt, vaccinia nigra leguntur. Virg.  

My horse pisseth whey, my man pisseth amber,  
My horse is for my way, my man is for my chamber.   

The higher the plum-tree the riper the plum.  
The richer the cobbler, the blacker his thumb.   

When Adam delved and Eve span,  
Where was then the gentleman:  
Upstart a churl and gathered good,  
And thence did spring our gentle blood.   
Le rob fanno il primo sangue. Ital.  

With a red man read thy read;  
With a brown man break thy bread:  
At a pale man draw thy knife;  
From a black man keep thy wife.   

Bounce buckram, velvet's dear,  
Christmas comes but once a year;  
And when it comes it brings good cheer,  
But when it's gone its never the near.   

He that buys land buys many stones;  
He that buys flesh buys many bones:  
He that buys eggs buys many shells,  
But he that buys good Ale buys nothing else.   

Jack Sprat he loved no fat, and his wife she loved no lean:  
And yet betwixt them both, they licked the platters clean.   

He that hath it and will not keep it,  
He that wants it and will not seek it,  
He that drinks and is not dry,  
Shall want money as well as I.   

The third of November the D. of Vendosme past the water,  
The fourth of November the Queen had a daughter,  
The fifth of November we scap't a great slaughter,  
And the sixth of November was the next day after.   

A man of words and not of deeds,  
Is like a garden full of weeds.   

Fridays hair and Sundays horn  
Goes to the D'ule on monday morn.   

Our fathers which were wondrous wise,  
Did wash their throats, before they washed their eyes.   

When thou dost hear a toll or knell,  
Then think upon thy pasting bell.   

If Fortune favour I may have her, for I go about her;  
If Fortune fail you may kiss her tail, and go without her.   

A red beard and a black head,  
Catch him with a good trick and take him dead.   

He that hath plenty of good shall have more;  
He that hath but little he shall have less;  
And he that hath right nought, right nought shall possess.   
Cardinal Wolsey.  

A whip for a fool, and a rod for a school,  
Is always in good season.   
Will. Summer.  

A halter and a rope for him that will be Pope,  
Without all right or reason.   

The shape of a good greyhound.  
A head like a snake, a neck like a drake,  
A back like a beam, a belly like a bream,  
A foot like a cat, a tail like a rat.   

Punch Cole, cut candle, set brand on end,  
Neither good housewife, nor good housewives friend.   

Alum si sit stalum non est malum.  
Beerum si sit eleerum est syncerum.   

If one knew how good it were,  
To eat a hen in January;  
Had he twenty in the flock,  
He'd leave but one to go with the cock.   

Children pick up words as pigeon's pease,  
And utter them again as God shall please.   

Deux ace non possunt & six cinque solvere nolunt  
Omnibus est notum quater trois solvere totum.   

As a man lives so shall he die,  
As a tree falls so shall it lie.   

Aegrotat Daemon monaechus tunc esse volebat:  
Daemon convaluit Daemon ut ante fuit.   

The Devil was sick, the Devil a monk would be,  
The Devil was well the devil a monk was he.   

Thither as I would go I can go late,  
Thither as I would not go I know not the gate.   

No more mortar no more brick,  
A cunning knave has a cunning trick.   

Tobacco hic If a man be well it will make him sick.  
Tobacco hic Will make a man well if he be sick.   
Per ander salvo per ill mondo bisogna havere occhio di Falcone, orecchie di Asino, viso di Scimia, parole di Mercante, spalle di camelo, bocca di Porco, gambe di cervo. Ital.  
To travel safely through the world a man must have a Falcon's eye, an Ass' ears, an Ape's face, a Merchant's words, a camels back, a hog's mouth, and a Heart's legs.  

It would make a man scratch where it doth not itch,  
To see a man live poor to die rich.   

Est furor haud dubius simul & manifesta phrenests,  
Ut locuples moriar is egenti vivere fato. Juvenal.    

Out of Doctor Fuller's Worthies of England, such as are not entered already in the Catalogues.  

Berkshire.  
THe Vicar of Bray, will be Vicar of Bray still. 
Bray is a village well known in Bark-shire, the vivacious Vicar whereof living under King Henry the eighth, King Edward the sixth, Queen Marry and Queen Elizabeth: was first a Papist, then a Protestant, than a Papist, then a Protestant again. This Vicar being taxed by one for being a turncoat, not so (said he) for I always kept my Principle; which is this, to live and die Vicar of Bray.    

Bedfordshire.  
AS plain as Dunstable road. 
It is applied to things plain and simple, without either welt or guard to adorn them; as also to matters easy and obvious to be found out without any difficulty or direction. Such this road being broad and beaten, as the confluence of many leading to London from the North and North-west-parts of this land. I conceive besides this, there is an allusion to the first syllable of this name Dunstable, for there are other roads in England as broad, plain and well beaten as this.   
As crooked as Crawley brook. 
This is a nameless brook arising about Wobourn, running by Crawley and falling immediately into the Ouse, a river more crooked and Maeandrous than it, running above eighty miles, in eighteen by land.   
The Bailiff of Bedford is coming. 
The Ouse or Bedford river is so called in Cambridgeshire, because when swollen with rain, etc. in the winter time it arrests the Isle of Ely with an inundation, bringing down suddenly abundance of water.    

Buckinghamshire.  
BUckinghamshire bread and beef. 
The former as fine, the latter as fat in this, as in any other County.   
Here if you beat a bush, its odds you'll start a thief. 
No doubt there was just occasion for this Proverb at the original thereof, which then contained a Satirical truth, proportioned to the place before it was reform: whereof thus our great Antiquary. It was altogether unpassable in times passed by reason of trees, until Leofstane Abbot of St. Alban did cut them down, because they yielded a place of refuge for thiefs. But this Proverb is now antiquated as to the truth thereof; Buckinghamshire affording as many maiden Assizes as any County of equal populousness.    

Cambridgeshire.  
CAntabridgia petit aequales or aequalia. 
That is (as Doctor Fuller expounds it) either in respect of their Commons; all of the same mess have equal share: or in respect of extraordinaries, they are all 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, club alike: or in respect of Degree, all of the same degree are fellows well met. The same degree levels, although of different age.   
Cambridgeshire. camels. 
I look upon this as a nickname groundlessly fastened on this country men, perhaps because the three first letters are the same in Cambridge and camel. I doubt whether it had any respect to the Fen men stalking upon their stilts, who then in the apparent length of their legs do something resemble that beast.   
An Henry-sophister. 
So they are called, who after four years standing in the University, stay themselves from commencing bachelors of Arts, to render them in some Colleges more capable of preferment.  
That tradition is senseless (and inconsistent with his Princely magnificence) of such who fancy that King Henry the eighth coming to Cambridge, stayed all the Sophisters a year, who expected that a year of grace should have been given to them. More probable it is, that because that King is commonly conceived of great strength and stature, that these Sophistae Henriciani were elder and bigger than others. The truth is this, in the reign of King Henry the eighth, after the destruction of Monasteries, learning was at a loss; and the University (thanks be unto God more scared then hurt) stood at a gaze what would become of her. Hereupon many students stayed themselves two, three, some four years; as who would see, how their degrees (before they took them) would be rewarded and maintained.   
Twittle twattle, drink up your posset-drink. 
This proverb had its original in Cambridge, and is scarce known elsewhere.    

Cheshire.  
CHeshire chief of men. 
It seems the Cestrians have formerly been renowned for their valour. v. Fuller.   
She hath given Lawton gate a clap. 
Spoken of one got with child and going to London to conceal it. Lawton is in the way to London from several parts of Cheshire.   
Better wed over the Mixon then over the Moor. 
That is hard by or at home, the Mixon being that heap of compost which lies in the yards of good husbands, then far off or from London. The road from Chester leading to London over some part of the Moor-lands in Staffordshire. The meaning is, the gentry in Cheshire find it more profitable to match within their own County, then to bring a bride out of other shires. 1. Because better acquainted with her birth and breeding. 2. Because though her portion may chance to be less, the expense will be less to maintain her. Such intermarriages in this County have been observed both a prolonger of worshipful families, and the preserver of amity between them.   
Every man cannot be vicar of Bowden. 
Bowden, it seems, is one of the greatest livings near Chester, otherwise doubtless there are many greater Church-preferments in Cheshire.   
The Mayor of Altringham lies in bed while his breeches are mending. 
The Mayor of Altringham and the Mayor of Over. The one is a that cher the other a dauber.  
These are two petty Corporations whose poverty makes them ridiculous to their neighbours.   
Stopford law, no stake no draw.  
Neither in Cheshire nor Chawbent 
That is, nither in Kent nor Christendom. Chawbent is a town in Lancashire.   
The Constable of Oppenshaw sets beggars in Stocks at Manchester.  
He feeds like, a Freeholder of Maxfield [or Macklesfield,] who hath neither corn nor hay at Michaelmas. 
Maxfield is a market town and burrow of good account in this County, where they drive a great trade of making and selling buttons. When this came to be a Proverb, it should seem the inhabitants were poorer or worse husbands than now they are.   
Maxfield measure heap and thrutch, i. e. thrust.   

Cornwall.  

BY Tre, Pol, and Pen,  
You shall know the Cornish men.  
These three words are the Dictionary of such surnames as are originally Cornish; and though Nouns in sense, I may fitly term them Prepositions. 

1. Tre signifieth a Town, hence Tre-fry, Tre-lawney, Trevanion, etc.  
2. Pol signifieth an head hence Pol-wheel.  
3. Pen signifieth a Top. hence Pentire, Pen-rose, Pen-kevil, etc.     
To give one a Cornish Hug. 
The Cornish are masters of the Art of wrestling. Their hug is a cunning close with their fellow combatants, the fruit whereof is his fair fall or soil at the least. It is figuratively appliable to the deceitful dealing of such, who secretly design their overthrow whom they openly embrace.   

Hengsten down well ywrought,  
Is worth London town dear ybought.  
In respect of the great quantity of tin to be found there under ground. Though the gainful plenty of metal this place formerly afforded, is now fallen to a scant-saving-scarcity. As for the Diamonds which Doctor Fuller fancieth may be found there, I believe they would be little worth.   
He is to be summoned before the Major of Halgaver. 
This is a joculary and imaginary court, wherewith men make merriment to themselves, presenting such persons who go slovenly in their attire: where judgement in formal terms is given against them, and executed more to the scorn then hurt of the persons.   
When Dudman and Ram-head meet. 
These are two forelands, well known to sailors, nigh twenty miles asunder, and the Proverb passeth for the Periphrasis of an impossibility.   
He doth sail into Cornwall without a bark. 
This is an Italian Proverb, where it passeth for a description (or derision rather) of such a man as is wronged by his wife's disloyalty. The wit of it consists in the allusion to the word horn.    

Cumberland.  

IF Skiddaw hath a cap,  
Scruffell wots full well of that.  
These are two neighbour hills, the one in this County, the other in Anandalc in Scotland: if the former be caped with clouds and foggy mists, it will not be long ere rain falls on the other. It is spoken of such who must expect to sympathise in their sufferings by reason of the vicinity of their habitations.   

Skiddaw, Lauvellin and Casticand.  
Are the highest hills in all England.  
I know not how to reconcile this rhythme with another mentioned by the same Author, Camden. Britan. in Lancashire.  
Ingleborough, Pendle and Penigent,  
Are the Highest hills between Scotland and Trent.  
Unless it be, that the later ternary are highest in Yorkshire mens account; the former in Cumberland mens account: every County being given to magnify (not to say altifie) their own things.    

Devonshire.  
TO Devonshire or Denshire land. 
That is, to pair off the surface or top-turf thereof, and to lay it upon heaps and burn it; which ashes are a marvellous improvement to battle barren land, by reason of the fixed salt which they contain. This course they take with their barren spongy heathy land in many Counties of England, and call it Denshiring. Land so used will bear two or three good crops of corn, and then must be thrown down again.   
A Plymouth cloak. 
That is, a can or staff; whereof this the occasion. Many a man of good extraction coming home from far voyages, may chance to land here, and being out of sorts, is unable for the present time and place to recruit himself with clothes. Here, (if not friendly provided) they make the next wood their Draper's shop, where a staff cut out, serves them for a covering. For we use when we walk in cuerpo to carry a staff in our hands, but none when in a cloak.   
He may remove Mort-stone. 
There is a bay in this County called Morts-bay, but the harbour in the entrance thereof is stopped with a huge rock, called Mort-stone, and the people merrily say, none can remove it but such as are masters of their wives.   

First hang and draw;  
Then hear the cause by Lidford law.  
Lidsord is a little and poor (but ancient) Corporation in this County with very large privileges, where a Court of Stanneries was formerly kept. This libellous Proverb would suggest unto us, as if the Townsmen thereof (generally mean persons) were unable to manage their own liberties with necessary discretion, administering preposterous and preproperous justice.    

Dorsetshire.  
AS much a kin as Lenson-hill to Pilsen pen. 
That is no kin at all. It is spoken of such who have vicinity of habitation or neighbourhood, without the least degree of consanguinity or affinity betwixt them. For these are two high hills, the first wholly, the other partly in the Parish of Broad Windsor. Yet the seamen make the nearest relation between them, calling the one the cow, the other the calf, in which forms it seems they appear first to their fancies, being eminent sea-marks.   
Stabbed with a Byrdport dagger. 
That is hanged. The best if not the most hemp (for the quantity of ground) growing about Byrdport, a market-town in this County. And hence it is that there is an ancient statute (though now difused and neglected) that the cable ropes for the Navy-royal were to be made thereabouts.   
Dorsetshire dorsers. 
Dorsers are beds or paniers carried on the backs of horses, on which Higlers use to ride and carry their commodities. It seems this homely but most useful instrument was either first sound out, or is most generally used in this County; where fish-jobbers bring up their fish in such contrivances, above an hundred miles from Lime to London.    

Essex.  
ESsex styles. 
See the catalogue of Sentences.   
Essex calves. 
This County produceth calves of the fattest, fairest and finest flesh in England, and consequenly in all Europe. Sure it is that a Cumberland cow may be bought for the price of an Essex calf at the beginning of the year. Let me add that it argues the goodness of flesh in this County, and that great gain was got formerly by the sale thereof, because that so many stately Monuments were erected therein anciently for Butchers inscribed Carnifices in their Epitaphs in Cogshall, Chelmsford and else where, made with marble, inlaid with brass, befitting (saith my Author) a more eminent man: whereby it appears, that those of that trade have in that County been richer (or at least prouder) then in other places.   

As valiant as an Essex lion, i. e. a calf.  
The Weavers beef of Colchester.  
That is sprats, caught hereabouts, and brought hither in incredible abundance, whereon the poor Weavers (numerous in this Town) make much of their repast, cutting ●ands, rumps, Sirloins, chines, etc. out of them, as he goes on.   
Jeering Cogshall. 
This is no Proverb: but an ignominious Epitheté fastened on this place by their neighbours, which as I hope they do not glory in; so I believe they are not guilty of. Other towns in this Country have had the like abusive Epithets. I remember a rhyme which was in common use formerly of some towns, not far distant the one from the other.   

Braintree for the pure, and Bocking for the poor,  
Cogshall for the jeering Town, and Kelvedon for the whore.    

Gloucestershire.  
AS sure as God's in Gloucestershire. 
This is a foolish and profane Proverb, unfit to be used. However some seek to qualify it, making God eminently in his, though not exclusively of other Counties; where such he former fruitfulness thereof, that it is (by William of Malmesbury, in his book of Bishops) said to return the seed with the increase of an hundred fold: others find a superstitious sense therein, supposing God by his gracious presence more peculiarly fixed in this Country, wherein there were more and richer mitred Abbeys, then in any two shires of England besides.   
You are a man of Duresley. 
It is taken for one that breaks his word, and fails in performance of his promise; parallel to Fides Graca or Punica. Duresley is a market and clothing Town in this County, the inhabitants whereof will endeavour to confute and disprove this Proverb, to make it false now, whatsoever it was at the first original thereof.   
It's as long in coming as Cotswald barely. 
It's applied to such things as are slow, but sure. The corn in this cold Country on the Wowlds, exposed to the winds bleak and shelterless, is very backward at the first, but afterward overtake, the forwardest in the County, if not in the barn in the bushel, both for the quantity and goodness thereof.   
He looks as if he had lived on Tewksbury mustard. 
Tewksbury is a fair Market-town in this County, noted for the mustard-balls made there, and sent into other parts. This is spoken partly of such, who always have a sad, severe and tetrick countenance. Si ecastor hic homo sinapi victite● non conseam tam tristem esse posse. Plaut. in Trucul. Partly of such as are snappish, captious, and prone to take exceptions.   
The Traceys have always the wind in their faces. 
This is sounded on a fond and false tradition, which reporteth, that ever since Sir William Tracy, was most acti●… among the four Knights, which killed Thomas Becket, it is imposed on the Tracies for miraculous penance, that whether they go by land or by water, the wind is ever in their faces. If this were so (saith the Doctor) it was a favour in an hot summer to the females of that family, and would spare them the use of a Fan, etc.   
As fierce as a lion of Cotswald. 
i e. A sheep.    

Hampshire.  

Manner's make a man,  
Quoth William of Wickham.  
William of Wickham was a person well known. He was Bishop of Winchester, founded New College in Oxford, and Winchester College in this County. This generally was his Motto, inscribed frequently on the places of his founding. So that it hath since acquired a Proverbial reputation.   
Canterbury is the higher Rack but Winchester is the better Manger. 
W. Edington Bishop of Winchester was the Author of this expression, rendering this the reason of his refusal to be removed to Canterbury, though chosen thereunto. Indeed though Canterbury be graced with an higher honour; the revenues of Winchester are greater. It is appliable to such, who prefer a wealthy privacy before a less profitable dignity.   
The Isle of Wight o'th' no Monks, Lawyers nor Foxes. 
This speech hath more mirth than truth in it. (Speeds Catal. of religious houses.) That they had Monks I know, Black ones at Caris-brook, White ones at Quarter in this Island. That they have Lawyers they know when they pay them their fees: and that they have Foxes their Lambs know. But of all these, perchance fewer than in other places of equal extent.    

Hartfordshire.  
HArtfordshire clubs and clouted shoes. 
Some will wonder how this shire lying so near to London, the staple of English civility, should be guilty of so much rusticalness. But the finest cloth must have a list, and the pure Peasants are of as coarse a thread in this, as in any other place. Yet though some may smile at their clownishness, let none laugh at their industry; the rather, because the high-shoons of the tenant, pays for the Spanish leatherboots of the Landlord.   
Hartfordshire hedgehogs. 
Plenty of hedgehogs are found in this high woodland Country, reported to suck the kine, though the Dairy-maids con them small thanks for sparing their pains in milking them. Whether this Proverb may have any further reflection on the people of this County, as therein taxed for covetousness and constant nudling on the earth, I think not worth the enquiry; these nicknames being imposed on several Counties groundlessly, as to any moral significancy.   
Ware and Wades-mill are worth all London. 
This I assure you is a masterpiece of the vulgar wits in this County, wherewith they endeavour to amuse travellers, as if Aware a thoroughfare market, and Wades-mill part of a village lying two miles' North thereof were so prodigiously rich, as to countervail the wealth of London. The sallacy lieth in the homonymy of Ware, here not taken for that Town so named, but appellatively for all vendible commodities. It is rather a riddle then a Proverb.   
Hartfordshire kindness. 
It is, when one drinks back again to the party, who immediately before drank to him: and although it may signify as much, as, Manus manum fricat, & par est de merente be ne mereri, yet it is commonly used only by way of derision of those, who through forgetfulness or mistake, drink to them again whom they pledged immediately.    

Herefordshire.  

BLessed is the eye,  
That is between Severn and Wye.  
Not only because of the pleasant prospect; but it seems this is a prophetical promise of safety, to such as live secured within those great rivers, as if privileged from Martial impressions.   

Sutton wall and Kenchester hill  
Are able to buy London were it to sell.  
These are two fruitful places in this Country, saith Mr Howell.   
Lemster Bread and Weabley Ale. 
Both these the best in their kinds, understand it of this County. Otherwise there is Wheat in England that will vie with that of Lemster for pureness: for example that of (Nordens Middlesex. Camden. Brit.) Heston near Harrow on the hill in Middlesex, of which for a long time the manchet for the Kings of England was made: and for Ale Derby town, and Northdown in the Isle of Thanet, Hull in Yorkshire, and Sambich in Cheshire will scarce give place to Webley.   
Every one cannot dwell at Rotheras. 
A delicate seat of the Bodmans' in this County.    

Huntingtonshire.  
AN Huntingdon Sturgeon.  
This is the way to Beggers-bush. 
It is spoken of such, who use dissolute and improvident courses, which tend to poverty. Beggers-bush being a tree notoriously known, on the left hand of London road from Huntingdon to Caxton.   
Nay stay quoth Stringer when his neck was in the halter.  
Ramsey the rich. 
This was the Croesus of all our English Abbeys, for having but sixty Monks to maintain therein, the revenues thereof according to the standard of those times amounted unto seven thousand pounds per annum; which in proportion was an hundred pounds for every Monk, and a thousand pounds for their Abbot; yet at the dissolution of Monasteries, the income of this Abbey was reckoned at but one thousand nine hundred eighty three pound a year; whereby it plainly appears how much the Revenues were under-rated in those valuations.    

Kent.  
NEither in Kent nor Christendom. 
That is, saith Dr Fuller, our English Christendom, of which Kent was first converted to the Christian saith, as much as to say as Rome and all Italy, or the first cut and all the loaf besides: not by way of opposition, as if Kent were no part of Christendom, as some have understood it. I rather think that it is to be understood by way of opposition, and that it had its original upon occasion of Kent being given by the ancient Britain's to the Saxons, who were then Pagans. So that Kent might well be opposed to all the rest of England in this respect, it being Pagan when all the rest was Christian.   

A Knight of Cales, a Gentleman of Wales, and a Laird of the North-countree,  
A Yeoman of Kent with his yearly rent, will buy them out all three.  
Cales Knights were made in that voyage by Robert Earl of Essex, to the number of sixty; whereof (though many of great birth) some were of low fortunes; and therefore Queen Elizabeth was half offended with the Earl, for making Knighthood so common.  
Of the numerousness of Welsh Gentlemen nothing need be said, the Welsh generally pretending to Gentility. Northern Lairds are such, who in Scotland hold lands in chief of the King, whereof some have no great Revenue. So that a Kentish Yeoman (by the help of an Hyperbole) may countervail, etc.  
Yeomen contracted for Gemen-mein from Gemein signifying common in old Dutch, so that a Yeoman is a Commoner, one undignified with any title of Gentility: a condition of people almost peculiar to England, and which is in effect the basis of all the Nation.   
Kentish long-tails. 
Those are mistaken who found this Proverb on a miracle of Austin the Monk; who preaching in an English village, and being himself and his associates beat and abused by the Pagans there, who opprobriously tied Fish-tails to their backsides; in revenge thereof such appendants grew to the hind-parts of all that generation. For the scence of this lying wonder was not laid in any part of Kent, but pretended many miles off, nigh Cerne in Dorsetshire. I conceive it first of outlandish extraction, and cast by foreigners as a note of disgrace on all English men, though it chanceth to stick only on the Kentish at this day. What the original or occasion of it at first was is hard to say; whether from wearing a pouch or bag to carry their baggage in behind their backs; whilst probably the proud Monsieurs had their Lackeys for that purpose; or whether from the mentioned story of Austin. I am sure there are some at this day in foreign parts, who can hardly be persuaded but that English men have tails.  
Why this nickname (cut off from the rest of England) continues still entailed on Kent, the reason may be (as the Doctor conjectures) because that County lies nearest to France, and the French are beheld as the first founders of this aspersion.   
Dover-court all speakers and no hearers. 
The Doctor understands this Proverb of some tumultuous Court kept at Dover, the confluence of many blustering seamen, who are not easily ordered into any awful attention. It is appliable to such irregular conferences, where the people are all tongue and no ears.   
A jack of Dover. 
I find the first mention of this Proverb in our English Ennius, Chaucer in his Proem to the Cook.   

And many a jack of Dover he had sold,  
Which had been two times hot, and two times cold.  
This he makes parallel to Crambe his cocta; and appliable to such as grate the ears of their Auditors with ungrateful tautologies, of what is worthless in itself, tolerable as once uttered in the notion of novelty, but abominable if repeated.  
Some part of Kent hath health and no wealth, viz. East Kent. Some wealth and no health, viz. The weald of Kent. Some both health and wealth, viz. the middle of the Country and parts near London.    

Lancashire.  
LAncashire fair women. 
Whether the women of this County be indeed fairer than their neighbours I know not; but that the inhabitants of some Countries may be and are generally fairer than those of others, is most certain. The reason whereof is to be attributed partly to the temperature of the air, partly to the condition of the soil, and partly to their manner of food. The hotter the climate, generally the blacker the inhabitants, and the colder the fairer: the colder I say to a certain degree, for in extreme cold countries the inhabitants are of dusky complexions. But in the same climate that in some places the inhabitants should be fairer than in others, proceeds from the diversity of the situation (either high or low, maritime or far from sea) or of the soil and manner of living, which we see have so much influence upon beasts, as to alter them in bigness, shape and colour, and why it may not have the like on men, I see not.   

It is written upon a wall in Rome,  
Ribchester was as rich as any town in Christendom.  
Some monumental wall, whereon the names of principal places were inscribed then subject to the Roman Empire. And probably this Ribchester was anciently some eminent colony (as by pieces of coins and columns there daily digged out doth appear) However at this day it is not so much as a market-town, but whether decayed by age, or destroyed by accident is uncertain. It is called Ribchester because situate on the river Ribble.   

As old as Pendle hill.  
If Riving pike do wear a hood,  
Be sure that day will ne'er be good.  
A mist on the top of that hill is a sign of foul weather.   

He that would take a Lancashire man at any time or tide,  
Must bait his hook with a good egge-pie or an apple with a red side.    

Leicestershire.  
BEan-belly Leicestershire. 
So called from the great plenty of that grain growing therein. Yea those of the neighbouring countries use to say merrily, Shake a Leicestershire man by the collar, and you shall hear the beans rattle in his belly. But those Yeomen smile at what is said to rattle in their bellies, whilst they▪ know good silver ringeth in their pockets.   

If Beaver hath a cap,  
You churls of the vale look to that.  
That is when the clouds hang over the towers of Bever-castle, it is a prognostic of much rain and moisture, to the much endamaging that fruitful vale, lying in the three Counties of Leicester, Lincoln and Nottingham.   
Bread for Borrough - men,  
At Great Gleu there are more great dogs then honest men. Carleton wharlers.  
I'll throw you into harbour field. A threat for children, harbour having no field.  
Put up your pipes, and go to Lockington wake.  
The last man that he killed keeps hogs in Hinckley field.  
Spoken of a coward that never durst fight.  
He has gone over Asfordby bridge backwards.  
Spoken of on that is past learning.  
Like the Mayor of Hartle pool, you cannot do that.  
Then I'll thatch Groby pool with pancakes.  
For his death there is many a wet cye in Groby pool.  
In and out like Billesdon I wot.  
A Leicestershire plover, i. e. a Bag-pudding.  
Bedworth beggars.  
The same again, quoth Mark of Bellgrave.  
What have I to do with bradshaw's windmill, i. e. What have I to do with another man's business?   

Lincolnshire.  
LIncolnshire, where hogs shit soap and cows shit fire. 
The inhabitants of the poorer sort washing their clothes with hog's dung, and burning dried cowdung for want of better fuel.   
Lincolnshire bagpipes. 
Whether because the people here do more delight in the bagpipes than others, or whether they are more cunning in playing upon them, indeed the former of these will infer the latter.   
As loud as Tom of Lincoln. 
This Tom of Lincoln is an extraordinary great bell hanging in one of the towers of Lincoln Minster; how it got the name I know not, unless it were imposed on it, when baptised by the Papists. Howbeit this present Tom was cast in King James his time, Anno 1610.   
All the carts that come to Crowland are shod with silver. 
Crowland is situate in so moorish rotten ground in the Fens, that scarce a horse, much less a cart can come to it. Since the draining, in summer time carts may go thither.   
As mad as the baiting bull of Stamford. 
Take the original hereof. (R. Butcher in his Survey of Stamford p. 40.) William Earl Warren Lord of this Town in the time of King John, standing upon the Castle walls of Stamford, saw two bulls fight for a cow in the meadow, till all the butcher's dogs great and small pursued one of the bulls (being madded with noise and multitude) clean through the town. This sight so pleased the said Earl, that he gave all those meadows (called the castle meadows) where first the Bull duel begin, for a common to the butchers of the Town (after the first grass was eaten) on condition they find a mad Bull, the day six weeks before Christmas day, for the continuance of that sport every year.   
He was born at little Wittham. 
Little Wittham is a village in this County. It is applied to such as are not overstocked with acuteness, being a nominal allusion; of the like whereto we have many current among the vulgar.   
Grantham gruel, nine grits, and a gallon of water. 
It is appliable to those who in their speeches or actions, multiply what is superfluous, or at best less necessary, either wholly omitting or less regarding the essentials thereof.   
They hold together as the men of Marham, when they lost their common. 
Some understand it ironically, that is, they are divided with several factions, which ruins any cause. Others use it only as an expression of ill success, when men strive and plot together to no purpose.    

Middlesex.  
MIddlesex clowns. 
Because Gentry and Nobility are respectively observed according to their degree, by people far distant from London, less regarded by these Middlesexians (frequency breeds familiarity) because abounding there abouts. It is generally true where the common people are richer, there are they more surly and uncivil: as also where they have less dependence on the Gentry, as in places of great trade.   
He that is at a low ebb at Newgate, may soon be afloat at Tyburn.  


Mr Bedwell descript. of Tottenham, Chap. 3.  
When Tottenham wood is all on fire,  
Then Tottenham street is nought but mire.   
That is, when Tottenham wood standing on an high hill at the west end of the Parish, hath a foggy mist hanging over it in manner of a smoke, then generally foul weather followeth.   

Idem ibid.  Tottenham is turned French. 
It seems about the beginning of the reign of King Henry the eighth, French mechanics swarmed in England, to the great prejudice of English artisans, which caused the insurrection in London on ill May-day, A. D. 1517. Nor was the City only but the Country villages for four miles about filled with French fashions and infections. The Proverb is applied to such, who contemning the customs of their own Country, make themselves more ridiculous by affecting foreign humours and habits.    

London.  
A London Jury, hang half and save half. 
Some affirm this of an Essex, others of a Middlesex Jury: and my charity believes it equally true, that is equally untrue of all three. It would fain suggest to credulous people, as if Londoners frequently impanneled on Juries, and loaded with multiplicity of matters, aim more at dispatch then justice, and to make quick riddance, (though no haste to hang true men) acquit half and condemn half. Thus they divide themselves in aquilibrio between justice and mercy, though it were meet the latter should have the more advantage, etc.  
The falseness of this suggestion will appear to such, who by perusing history, do discover the London Jurors most conscientious in proceeding secundùm allegata & probata, always inclining to the merciful side in saving life, when they can find any cause or colour for the same.   
London lick-penny. 
The country man coming up hither, by his own experience will easily expound the meaning thereof.   
London bridge was made for wise men to go over, and fools to go under.  
A London Cockney. 
This nickname is more than four hundred years old. For when Hugh Bigot added artificial fortifications to his naturally strong Castle of Bungey in Suffolk, he gave out this rhythme, therein, vaunting it for impregnable,   

Were I in my castle of Bungey,  
Upon the river of Waveney,  
I would ne care for the King of Cockney.  
Meaning thereby King Henry the second, then quierly possessed of London, whilst some other places did resist him: though afterwards he so humbled this Hugh, that he was fain with large sums of money, and pledges for his loyalty to redeem this his Castle from being razed to the ground. I meet with a double sense of this word Cockney. 1. One coaksed and cocquered, made a wanton or Nestle-cock, delicately bred and brought up, so as when grown up to be able to endure no hardship. 2. One utterly ignorant of country affairs, of husbandry and housewivery as there practised. The original thereof, and the tale of the citizens son, who knew not the language of a Cock, but called it neighing is commonly known.   
Billingsgate language. 
Billings was formerly a gate, and (as some would make us believe) so called from Belinus the brother of Brennus: it is now rather portus a haven, then porta. Billingsgate language is such as the fishwives and other rude people which flock thither use frequently one to another, when they fall out.   

Kirbes castle and Megses glory,  
Spinola's pleasure and Fisher's folly.  
These were four houses about the City, built by citizens, large and sumptuous above their estates. He that would know any thing more of the builders of these houses, let him consult the Author.   
He was born within the sound of Bow-bell. 
This is the Periphrasis of a Londoner at large. This is called Bow-bell because hanging in the steeple of Bow Church, and Bow Church, because built on bows or arches (saith my Author) But I have been told that it was called from the cross stone arches, or bows on the top of the steeple.   

St Peter's in the poor,  
Where no Tavern, Alehouse, or sign at the door.  
Under correction I concelve it called in the Poor, because the Augustinian friars professing wilful poverty for some hundreds of years, possessed more than a moiety thereof. Otherwise this was one of the richest Parishes in London, and therefore might say, Malo pauper vocari quam esse. How ancient the use of signs in this city on private houses is to me unknown; sure I am it was generally used in the reign of King Edward the fourth.   
Good manners to except my Lord Major of London. 
This is a corrective for such, whose expressions are of the largest size; and too general in their extent.   
I have dined as well as my Lord Major of London. 
That is, though not so dubiously or daintily on variety of costly dishes, yet as comfortably, as contentedly, according to the Rule, Satis est quod sufficit, Enough is as good as a feast, and better than a surfeit.   
As old as Paul's, or as Paul's steeple. 
Different are the dates of the age thereof, because it had two births or beginnings, one when it was originally cofounded by King Ethelbert, with the body of the Church, Anno 610. another when burnt with lightning, and afterwards rebuilt by the Bishops of London, 1087.   
He is only fit for Ruffians-hall. 
West Smithfield (now the house-market) was formerly called (continuer of Stow's annals.) Ruffians-hall, where Ruffians met casually, and otherwise to try masteries with sword and buckler.   
A loyal heart may be landed under Traitor's bridge. 
This is a bridge under which is an entrance into the Tower, over against Pink-gate, formerly fatal to those who landed there; there being a muttering that such never came forth alive, as dying, to say no worse therein, without any legal trial. The Proverb importeth that passive innocence overpowered with adversaries, may be accused without cause, and disposed at the pleasure of others.   
To cast water into the Thames. 
That is, to give to them who had plenty before; which notwithstanding is the Dole general of the world.   
He must take a house in Turn-again Lane. 
This in old Records is called Wind-again Lane, and lieth in the Parish of St Sepulchers, going down to Fleetdike, having no exit at one end. It is spoken of, and to those who take prodigal or other vicious and destructive courses.   
He may whet his knife on the threshold of the Fleet. 
The Fleet is a place notoriously known for a prison, so called from Fleet-brook running by it, to which many are committed for their contempts, more for their debts. The Proverb is appliable to such who never owed aught; or having run into debt have crept out of it, so that now, they may triumphare in hostico, defy danger and arrests, etc.   
All goeth down Gutter-lane. 
Guttur-lane (the right spelling whereof is Guthurn-lane, from him the once owner thereof) is a small Lane (inhabited anciently by gold-beaters) leading out of Cheapside, East of Foster-lane. The Proverb is applied to those, who spend all in drunkenness and gluttony, mere belly gods: Guttur being Latin for the throat.   
As lame as St Giles Cripplegate. 
St Giles was by birth an Athenian, of noble extraction but quitted all for a solitary life. He was visited with a lameness, (whether natural or casual I know not) but the tradition goes, that he desired not to be healed thereof, for his greater mortification. Cripplegate was so called before the Conquest, from cripples begging of passengers therein.  
This Proverb may seem guilty of false heraldry, lameness on lameness; and in common discourse is spoken rather merrily then mournfully of such, who for some sleight hurt lag behind; and sometimes is applied to those who out of laziness counterfeit infirmity.   
You are all for the Hoisting or Hustings. 
It is spoken of those, who by pride or passion, are elated or mounted to a pitch above the due proportion of their birth, quality or estate. It cometh from Hustings the principal and highest Court in London (as also in Winchester, Lincoln, York, etc.) so called from the French word haulser to raise or lift up.   
They agree like the clocks of London. 
I find this among both the French and Italian Proverbs for an instance of disagreement.   

Who goes to Westminster for a wife, to Paul's for a man, and to Smithfield for a horse, may meet with a whore, a knave and a jade.   

Gray's Inn for walks, Lincoln's Inn for a wall,  
The Inner Temple for a garden, and the Middle for a hall.    

Westminster.  
THere is no redemption from Hell. 
There is a place partly under, partly by the Exchequer chamber, commonly called Hell, (I could wish it had another name, seeing it is ill jesting with edged tools) formerly appointed a prison for the King's debtors, who never were freed from thence, until they had paid their utmost due.   
As long as Megg of Westminster. 
This is applied to persons very tall, especially if they have hop-pole height, wanting breadth proportionable. That there ever was such a Gyant-woman cannot be proved by any good witness, I pass not for a late lying Pamphlet, etc. vide sis. He thinks it might relate to a great gun lying in the Tower called long Megg, in trouble some times brought to Westminster, where for some time it continued.    

Norfolk.  
Norfolk dumplings. 
This refers no● to the stature of their bodies; but to the fare they commonly feed on and much delight in.   
A Yarmouth Capon. 
That is a red herring: more herrings being taken then capons bred here. So the Italian Friars (when disposed to eat flesh on Fridays) call a capon piscem è corte, a fish out of the coop.   
He is arrested by the Bailiff of Mershland. 
That is, clapped on the back by an ague, which is incident to strangers at first coming into this low, fenny and unwholesome Country.   

Gimmingham, Trimmingham, Knapton and Trunch,  
North Repps and South Repps are all of a bunch.  
These are names of Parishes lying close together.   
There never was a Paston poor, a Heyden a coward, nor a Cornwallis a fool.   

Northamptonshire.  
THe Major of Northampton opens oysters with his dagger. 
To keep them at a sufficient distance from his nose. For this Town being eighty miles from the sea, fish may well be presumed stale therein. Yet have I heard (saith the Doctor) that oysters put up with care, and carried in the cool, were weekly brought fresh and good to Althrop, the house of the Lord Spencer at equal distance: and it is no wonder, for I myself have eaten in Warwickshire, above eighty miles from London, oysters sent from that city, fresh and good; and they must have been carried some miles before they came there.   
He that would eat a buttered faggot, let him go to Northampton. 
I have heard that king James should speak this of Newmarket; but I am sure it may better be applied to this Town, the dearest in England for fuel, where no coals can come by water, and little wood doth grow on land.  
One Proverb there is of this County, which I wonder how Doctor Fuller being native thereof could miss, unless perchance he did studiously omit, as reflecting disgrace on a Market town therein.   
Brackley breed, better to hang then feed. 
Brackley is a decayed Market town and borough in Northamptonshire, not far from Banbury, which abounding with poor, and troubling the country about with beggars, came into disgrace with its neighbours. I hear that now this place is grown industrious and thriving, and endeavours to wipe off this scandal.   
Like Banbury tinkers that in mending one hole make three.   

Northumberland.  
From Barwick to Dover, three hundred miles over. 
That is from one end of the land to the other, parallel to that Scripture expression, From Dan to Beer-sheba.   
To take Hector's cloak. 
That is to deceive a friend, who confideth in his faithfulness. When Thomas Percy Earl of Northumberland, Anno 1569. was routed in the rebellion he had raised against Queen Elizabeth, he hid himself in the house of one Hector Armstrong of Harlaw in this County, having confidence he would be true to him, who notwithstanding, for money betrayed him to the Regent of Scotland. It was observable that Hector being before a rich man fell poor of a sudden, and so hated generally that he never durst go abroad. Insomuch that the Proverb to take Hector's cloak is continued to this day among them, in the sense above mentioned.   
We will not lose a Scot 
That is, any thing how inconsiderable soever that we can save or recover. During the enmity between the two nations, they had little esteem of, and less affection for a Scotchman in the English border.   
A Scottish man and a Newcastle grindstone, travel all the world over. 
The Scots are great travellers into foreign parts, most for maintenance, many for accomplishment. And Newcastle grindstones, being the best in their kind, must needs be carried far and near.   
If they come they come not. 
 and, 
 If they come not they come. 
The cattle of people living hereabout, turned into the common pasture, did by custom use to return to their home at night, unless intercepted by the Free booters and borderers. If therefore those Borderers came, their cattle came not: if they came not, their cattle surely returned.    

Notinghamshire.  
As wise as a man of Gotham. 
It passeth for the Periphrasis of a fool, and an hundred sopperies are feigned and fathered on the Towns folk of Gotham, a village in this County. Here two things may be observed.  
1. Men in all ages have made themselves merry with singling out some place, and fixing the staple of stupidity and stolidity therein. So the Phrygians in Asia, the Abderita in Thrace, and the Boeotians in Greece were notorious for dulmen and block heads.  
2. These places thus slighted and scoffed at, afforded some as witty and wise persons as the world produced. So Democritus was an Abderite, Plutarch a Boeotian, etc. Hence Juvenal well concludes, 
Summos posse viros & magna exempla daturos,  
Vervecum in patria crassóque sub aëre nasci.   
As for Gotham it doth breed as wise people as any, which causelessly laugh at their simplicity. Sure I am, Mr William de Gotham, fifth master of Michael-house in Cambridge 1336, and twice Chancellor of the University, was as grave a governor as that age did afford. Sapientum octavus. Hor.   

The little smith of Nottingham,  
Who doth the work that no man can.  
Who this little smith and great Workman was, and when he lived I know not, and have cause to suspect, that this of Nottingham is a Periphrasis of Nemo, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or a person who never was. By way of Sarcasme it is applied to such, who being conceited of their own skill, pretend to the achieving of impossibilities.    

Oxfordshire.  
You were born at Hogs Norton. 
This is a village properly called Hoch Norton, whose inhabitants (it seems formerly) were so rustical in their behaviour, that boarish and clownish people are said to be born there. But whatever the people were, the name was enough to occasion such a Proverb.   
To take a Burford bait. 
This it seems is a bait not to stay the stomach, but to lose the wit thereby, as resolved at last into drunkenness.   
Banbury veal, cheese and cakes. 
In the English edition of Camden's Brit. it was through the correctors mistake, printed Banbury zeal, etc. vide Autorem.   

Oxford knives, and London wives.   
Testons are gone to Oxford to study in Brazen-nose. 
This began about the end of the reign of King Henry the eighth, at such time as he debased the coin, allaying of it with copper, (which common people confound with brass) It continued till about the middle of Queen Elizabeth, who by degrees called in all that adulterate coin. Testone and our English tester come from the Italian testa signifying a head, because that money was stamped with a head on one side. Copstick in high Dutch hath the same sense, i. e. Nummus capitatus, money with a head upon it.   
Send Verdingales to Broadgates in Oxford. 
For they were so great, that the wearers could not enter (except going sidelong) at any ordinary door. Though they have been long disused in England, yet the fashion of them is still well enough known. They are used still by the Spanish women, and the Italian living under the Spanish dominion, and they call them by a name signifying cover-infant; because they were first brought into use to hide great bellies. Of the name Verdingal I have not met with a good, that is, true Etymology.    

Rutlandshire. Draitons' Polyolbion.  
RUtland Raddleman. 
That is perchance Reddleman, a Trade and that a poor one only in this County, whence men bring on their backs a pack of red stones or ochre, which they sell to their neighbouring Countries for the marking of sheep.   

Stretton i'th' street, where shrews meet.  
An Uppingham trencher.    

Shropshire.  
HE that fetcheth a wife from Shrewsbury, must carry her into Staffordshire, or else he shall live in Cumberland. 
The staple wit of this vulgar Proverb, consisting solely in similitude of sound is scarce worth the inserting.    

Somersetshire.  
‛ CHANGED was boar at Taunton Dean, where should I be bore else. 
This is a parcel of ground round about Taunton very pleasant and populous (containing many Parishes) and so fruitful, to use their own phrase, with the Zun and Zoil alone, that it needs no manuring at all. The pesantry therein are as rude as rich, and so highly conceited of their own Country, that they conceive it a disparagement to be born in any other place.   
The beggars of Bath. 
Many in that place; some natives there, others repairing thither from all parts of the land, the poor for alms, the pained for ease.   
Bristol milk. 
That is Sherry-sack, which is the entertainment of course, which the courteous Bristolians present to strangers, when first visiting their city.    

Staffordshire. Camden's Britan. in this County.  

IN April Doves flood.  
Is worth a King's good.  
Dove is a river parting this and Derbyshire, which when it overflows its banks in April is the Nilus of Staffordshire, much battling the meadows thereof.   

Idem ibidem.  
Wotton under Weaver,  
Where God came never.  
This profane Proverb it seems, took its wicked original from the situation of Wotton, covered with hills from the light of the Sun, a dismal place, as report represents it.   
The Devil run through thee booted and spurred, with a scythe on his back. 
This is Sedgeley curse. Mr Howel.    

Suffolk.  
SUffolk milk. 
This was one of the staple commodities of the land of Canaan, and certainly most wholesome for man's body, because of Gods own choosing for his own people. No County in England affords better and sweeter of this kind, lying opposite to Holland in the Netherlands, where is the best dairy in Christendom.   
Suffolk fair maids. 
It seems the God of Nature hath been bountiful in giving them beautiful complexions; which I am willing to believe, so far forth as it fixeth not a comparative disparagement on the same sex in other places.   
You are in the highway to Needham. 
Needham is a market-town in this County; according to the wit of the vulgar, they are said to be in the highway thither, which do hasten to poverty.   

Beckles for a puritan, Bungey for the poor,  
Hallsworth for a drunkard, and Bliborouh for a whore.   
Between Cowhithe and merry Cassingland, The Devilish— Benacre, look where it stands. 
It seems this place is infamous for its bad situation.    

Surrey.  
THe vale of Holms-dale Was never won, ne ever shall. 
This Proverbial rhythme hath one part of History, the other of prophecy. As the first is certainly untrue, so the second is frivolous, and not to be heeded by sober persons, as neither any other of the like nature.    

Sussex.  
A Chichester lobster, A Selfey cockle, an Arundel mullet, a Pulborough eel, an Amberley trout, a Rye herring; a Bourn wheat-ear, 
Are the best in their kind, understand it of those that are taken in this Country.    

Westmoreland.  

LEt Uter Pendragon do what he can,  
The river Eden will run as it ran.  
Parallel to that Latin verse,  
Naturam expellas fured licet usque recurret.  
Tradition reporteth, that Uter Pendragon had a design to fortify the castle of Pendragon in this County. In order whereto with much art and industry, he invited and tempted the river Eden to forsake his old channel, but all to no purpose.   
As crafty as a Kendale fox.   

Wiltshire.  
IT is done secundùm usum Sarum. 
This Proverb coming out of the Church hath since enlarged itself into a civil use, signifying things done with exactness, according to rule and precedent. Osmund Bishop of Sarum about the year 1090, made that Ordinal or Office, which was generally received all over the land, so that Churches thence forward easily understood one another, speaking the same words in their Liturgy.   
Salisbury plain is seldom without a thief or twain.   

Yorkshire.  
FRom Hell, Hull and Halifax — deliver us. 
This is a part of the beggars and vagrants Litany. Of these three frightful things unto them, it is to be feared, that they least fear the first, conceiting it the furthest from them. Hull is terrible to them as a town of good government, where beggars meet with punitive charity, and it is to be feared are oftener corrected then amended. Halifax is formidable to them for the Law thereof, whereby thiefs taken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the very act of stealing cloth, are instantly beheaded with an engine; without any further legal proceedings. Doubtless the coincidence of the initial letters of these three words, helped much the setting on foot this Proverb.   
A Scarborough warning. 
That is none at all but a sudden surprise, when a mischief is felt before it is suspected. This Proverb is but of an hundred and four years standing, taking its original from Thomas Stafford, who in the reign of Queen Mary, Anno 1557 with a small company seized on Scarborough castle (utterly destitute of provision for resistance) before the Townsmen had the least notice of his approach. However within six days by the industry of the Earl of Westmoreland he was taken, brought to London and beheaded, etc. vide.   
As true steel as Rippon rowels. 
It is said of trusty persons, men of metal, faithful in their employments. Rippon in this County is a Town famous for the best spurs of England, whose rowels may be enforced to strike through a shilling, and will break sooner than bow.   
A Yorkshire way-bit. 
That is an overplus not accounted in the reckoning, which sometimes proves as much as all the rest. Ask a countryman, How many miles it is to such a Town, and he will return commonly so many miles and a way-bit. Which way-bit is enough to make the weary Traveller surfeit of the length thereof. But it is not way-bit though generally so pronounced, but wee-bit, a pure Yorkshirism, which is a small bit in the Northern language.   
Merry Wakefield. 
What peculiar cause of mirth this Town hath above others, I do not know and dare not too curiously inquire. Sure it is seated in a fruitful soil and cheap country: and where good cheer and company are the premises, mirth (in common consequence) will be the conclusion.   

Pendle, Ingleborough and Penigent.  
Are the three highest hills between Scotland and Trent.  
And which is more common in the mouths of the vulgar,  
Pendle, Penigent and Ingleborough,  
Are the three highest hills all England thorough.  
These three hills are in sight of each other, Pendle on the edge of Lancashire, Penigent and Ingleborough near Settle in Yorkshire, and not far from Westmoreland. These three are indeed the highest hills in England not comprehending Wales. But in Wales I think Snowdon, Caderidris and Plimllimmon are higher.   

If Brayton bargh, and Hambleton hough, and Burton bream,  
Were all in thy belly 't would never be team.  
It is spoken of a covetous and unsatiable person, whom nothing will content. Brayton and Hambleton and Burton are places between Cawood and Pontefraict in this County. Brayton Bargh is a small hill in a plain Country covered with wood. Bargh in the Northern dialect is properly a horse-way up a steep hill, though here it be taken for the hill itself.   

When Dighton is pulled down.  
Hull shall become a great Town.  
This is rather a prophecy then a Proverb. Dighton is a small Town not a mile distant from Hull, and was in the time of the late wars for the most part pulled down. Let Hull make the best they can of it.   

Cleveland in the clay,  
Bring in two soles and carry one away.  
Cleveland is that part of Yorkshire, which borders upon the Bishopric of Durham, where the ways in winter time are very foul and deep.   

When Sheffield Park is ploughed and sown,  
Then little England hold thine own.  
It hath been ploughed and sown these six or seven years.   
You have eaten some Hull cheese. 
i e. Are drunk, Hull is famous for strong Ale.   

When all the world shall be aloft,  
Then Hallam-shire shall be God's croft.  
Winkabank and Temple borough,  
Will buy all England through and through.  
Winkabank is a wood upon a hill near Sheffield where there are some remainders of an old Camp. Temple borough stands between the Rother and the Don, about a quarter of a mile from the place where these two rivers meet. It is a square plat of ground encompassed by two trenches. Selden often enquired for the ruins of a temple of the god Thor, which he said was near Rotherham: This probably might be it, if we allow the name for any argument: besides there is a Pool not far from it called Jordon-dam, which name seems to be compounded of Jor one of the names of the god Thor and Don the name of the river.    

Miscellaneous local Proverbs.  
Dunmow bacon and Doncaster daggers,  
Monmouth caps and Lemster wool,  
Derby ale and London beer. 
There is a currant story, that the Prior and convent of Dunmow were obliged by their Charter, to give a Flitch of Bacon to any man, who coming with his wife, should depose both of them that they had been married a twelve month, and neither of them had at any time repent.   
You may sip up the Severn and swallow Mavern as soon.  
Little England beyond Wales, i. e. Pembrokeshire.  
Little London beyond Wales; i. e. Beaumaris in the Isle of Anglesey: both so called because the inhabitants speak good English: indeed in Pembrokeshire many of the people can speak no Welsh.  
There's great doings i'th' North when they bar their doors with tailors.  
There's great stirring in the North when old wives ride scout.  
Three great evils come out of the North,  
A cold wind, a cunning knave, and a shrinking cloth.    

Proverbs communicated by Mr Andrew Paschall of Chedsey in Somersetshire, which came not to hand till the copy of this second Edition was delivered to the Bookseller, and so could not be referred to their proper places.  

STeal the horse, & carry home the bridle.  
What are you good for? to stop bottles?  
I'll not pin my faith on your sleeve.  
A fine new nothing.  
What wine blew you hither?  
As nimble as a cow in a cage.  
Set a cow to catch a share.  
Is the wind in that corner?  
I'll watch your water.  
One's too few, three too many.  
He put a fine feather in my cap. 
i. e. Honour without profit.   
All Ilchester is Gaol, say prisoners there. 
i e. The people hardhearted, Somers.   
The Bird that can sing and will not sing must be made to sing.  
After a lank comes a bank; 
Said of breeding women.   
There or thereabouts, as Parson Smith says. Proverbial about Dunmow in Essex.  
I wiped his nose on't.  
Tomorrow come never.  
Choke up, the Church-yard's nigh.  
Sow or set beans in Candlemas waddle. 
i e. Wane of the Moon. Somerset.   
You are right for the first— miles.  
Eat thy meat and drink thy drink, and stand thy ground old Harry. Somerset.  
Blow out the marrow and throw the bone to the dogs. 
A taunt to such as are troublesome by blowing their nose.   
'Twere well for your little belly if your guts were out.  
Murder will out. 
This is remarkably true of murder however secretly acted, but it is applied also to the discovery of any fault.   
To put out the miller's eye. 
Spoken by good-housewives when they have wet their meal for bread or paste too much.   
As your wedding-ring wears your cares will wear away. Somerset.  
She stamps like an Ewe upon yeaning. Somers.  
Pinch on the Parson's side.  
A old as Glaston-bury torre. Somerset. 
This torre, i. e. tower, so called from the Latin Turris, stands upon a round hill in the midst of a level, and may be seen sar off. It seemed to me to have been the steeple of a Church that had formerly stood upon that hill, though now scarce any footsteps of it remain.   
On Candlemas day throw candle and candlestick away.  
Share & share-like, some all, some ne'er a white.  
To help at a dead lift.  
To water a stake.  
As welcome as water into ones shoes.  
March birds are best.  
I will not want when I have & when I han't too. Somerset.  
So many frosts in March so many in May.  
'Tis yeared. Spoken of a desperate debt.  
The Snite need not the woodcock betwite. Som.  
You shall have the Whetstone. 
Spoken to him that tells a lie.   
You have no more sheep to shear. Somerset.  
That's a dogtrick.  
You shall have the basket. Taunton. 
Said to the journeyman that is envied for pleasing his master.   
You are as fine as if you had a whiting hanging at your side, or girdle.  
April cling good for nothing. Somerset.  
You must go into the country to hear what news at London.  
'Twill not be why for thy. Somerset. 
Of a bad bargain or great loss for little profit.   
The lamentation of a bad market.  
The chicken crammes the capon. Somerset.  
I have victualled my camp: (filled my belly.)  
Parsley fried will bring a man to his saddle, and a woman to her grave. 
I know not the reason of this Proverb. Parsley was wont to be esteemed a very wholesome herb, however prepared, only by the Ancients it was forbidden them that had the falling sickness, and modern experience hath found it to be bad for the eyes.   
I'll make you know your driver. Somerset.  
I'll vease the. (i. e. hunt, drive thee.) Somerset.  
Better untaught then ill taught.  
Snapping so short makes you look so lean.  
Wondering makes you look so lean.  
'tis long of your eyes, the crows might have helped it when you were young.  
Quick and nimble, 'twill be your own another day. 
In some places they say in drollery, Quick and nimble, more like a bear then a squirrel.   
Upon S. David's day put oats and barley in the clay. 
With us it is accounted a little too early to sow barley (which is a tender grain) in the beginning of March.   
Be patient and you shall have patient children.  
Too hot to hold. Moderata durant.  
Talk is but talk, but 'tis money buys lands.  
You cry before you are hurt.  
Cradle-straws are scarce out of his Br.  
God send me a friend that may tell me my faults;  
if not, an enemy, and to be sure he will.  
He is a fool that is not melancholy once a day.  
He frets like gummed tasfaty.  
You speak in clusters, you were begot in nutting.  
he'll turn rather than burn.  
I never see't but once and that was at a wedding.  
Hang him that hath no shift, and him that hath one too many.  
How doth your whither go you? (your wife.)  
Farewell and be hanged, friends must part.  
What she wants in up and down she hath in round about.  
He's steel to the back.  
A man every inch of him.  
Cut off the head and tail, and throw the rest away.  
To play fast and loose.  
You are mope-eyed by living so long a maid.  
Your horns hang in your light.  
What do you come or send.  
Look to the Cow, and the Sow, & the Wheat-mow, and all will be well enough. Somerset.  
Better have it then hear on't.  
here's to our friends, and hang up the rest of our kindred.  
Do, jeer poor folks, and see how 'twill thrive.  
You love to make much of naught. (your self.)  
In the shoemaker's stocks.  
Neck or nothing.  
They two are hand and glove. Somerset.  
They love like chick. Somerset.  
To give one the goe-by.  
I'll not play with you for shooe-buckles.  
God make you an honester man than your father.  
One may wink and choose.  
Want goes by such an one's door. Somerset.  
Maids want nothing but husbands, and when they have them they want every thing. Som.  
Often to the water often to the tatter. (of linen.)  
Beware of him whom God hath marked.  
Most take all.  
A Somerton ending. Somers. 
i e. When the difference between two is divided.   
Truth fears no colours.  
Never good that mind their belly so much.  
Old head and young hands. Somerset.  
Lend and lose, so play fools.  
Cast not thy cradle over thy head.  
The dunder clo galley [affright] the beans. 
Somers. Beans shoot up fast after thunder-storms.   
Wheat will not have two praises. (Summer and Winter.)  
If size cinque will not, and deuce ace cannot, then quatre trey must. 
The middle sort bear public burdens Taxes, etc. most.  
Deux ace non possunt & size cinque solvere nolunt:  
Est igitur notum quatre trey solvere totum.   
Take all and pay the baker.  
Never sigh but send.  
My son, buy no stocks. Good counsel at Gleek.  
There's never a why but there's a wherefore.  
Spend not where you may save; spare not where you must spend.  
Listeners seldom hear good of themselves.  
Where there is whispering there is lying.  
Happy is the bride the Sun shines on, and the corpse the Rain reins on.  
By fits and girds, as an ague takes a goose.  
Will you snap [or bite] off my nose?  
You will tell another tale when you are tried.  
You eat above the tongue like a calf.  
Recipe scribe, scribe solve. 
A good rule for stewards.   
He needs a bird that gives a groat for an owl.  
You go as if nine men held you.  
Under the furze is hunger and cold;  
Under the broom is silver and gold.  
Nine tailors make but one man.  
I am loath to change my mill. Somerset. 
i e. Eat of another dish.   
Your horse cast a shoe.  
To hit over the thumbs.  
Win at first and loose at last.  
he'll bear it away, if it be not too hot or too heavy. Spoken of a pilferer.  
Hickledy pickledy, one among another. 
We have in our language many the like conceited, rhyming words or reduplications to signify any confusion or mixture, as hurly burly, hodge podge, minlge mangle, arsy versy, kim kam, hub bub, crawly mauly, hab nab.   
Londoner-like ask as much more as you will take.  
So got so gone.  
Oysters are not good in a month that hath not an R. in it.  
I love thee like pudding, if thou wert pie I'd eat thee.  
here's nor rhythm, nor reason. 
This brings to mind a story of Sr Tho. More, who being by the Author asked his judgement of an impertinent book, wished him by all means to put it into verse, and bring it him again, which done, Sr Tho. looking upon it saith, yea now it is somewhat like, now it is rhythm, before it was neither rhythm nor reason.   
Take all and pay all.  
A penny saved is a penny got.  
A lisping lass is good to kiss.  
When the shoulder of mutton is going 'tis good to take a slice.  
Make the vine poor and it will make you rich. (prune off its branches.)  
Not a word of Pensants.  
You may if you list, but do if you dare.  
Set trees poor and they will grow rich, set them rich and they will grow poor. Remove them always out of a more barren into a fatter soil.  
No cut to unkindness.  
A good saver is a good server. Somerset.  
To slip one's neck out of the collar.  
I will keep no more cats than will catch mice (i. e. no more in family then will earn their living) Somerset.  
Blindman's holiday.  
If you would a good hedge have, carry the leaves to the grave.  
As yellow as the golden noble.  
As good be hanged for an old sheep as a young lamb. Somerset.  
She loves the poor well, but cannot abide beggars. Somerset. (of pretenders to charity.)  
You put it together with an hot needle and burnt thread.  
Like a loaders horse that lives among thiefs. (the country man near a town.) Som.  
Apples, pears, hawthorn-quick, oak, set them at All-hollontide and command them to prosper, set them at Candlemas and entreat them to grow.  
'Tis good sheltering under an old hedge.  
Let not a child sleep upon bones. Somerset. 
i e. The nurse's lap.   
The more Moors the better victory.  
No man hath a worse friend than he brings from home.  
Defend me and spend me. (saith the Irish churl.)  
To fear the loss of the bell more than the loss of the steeple.  
Nab me, I'll nab thee.  
He hath a conscience like a Cheverels skin. 
(That will stretch) A Cheverel is a wild goat. Somers.   
If you touch pot you must touch penny. Somers. 
(Pay for what you have.)   
He hath a spring at his elbow. (spoken of a Gamester.)  
Pull not out your teeth but with a leaden instrument.  
When Tom pitcher's broken I shall have the shards. 
(i. e. Kindness after others have done with it; or refuse.)   
A child's bird and a boys wife are well used. Som.  
Be it weal or be it woe,  
Beans blow before May doth go.  
Little mead little need. Somerset. 
(A mild winter hoped for after a bad summer.)   
A good tither a good thriver. Somerset.  
Who marries between the sickle and the scythe will never thrive.  
She will assoon part with the crock as the porridge. Somerset.  
You shall have the red cap. Somerset.  
(Said to a marriage-maker.)  
Let them buckle for it. Somerset.  
She is as crousty as that is hard baked. Somerset.  
(One that is surly and loath to do any thing.)  
Money is wise, it knows its way. Somerset.  
Says the poor man that must pay as soon as he receives.  
After Lammas corn ripens as much by night as by day.  
If you will have a good cheese and have'n old, you must turn'n seven times before he is cold. Som.  
He is able to bury an Abbey. (a spendthrift.)  
When elder's white brew and bake a peck;  
When elder's black brew and bake a sack. Som.  
More malice than matter. Somerset.  
He builds cages for oxen to bring up birds in. (Disproportionable.)  
Where there is store of oatmeal you may put enough in the crock [pot.] Somerset.  
He that hath more smocks than shirts in a bucking, had need be a man of good fore-looking. Chaveer.  
You never speak but your mouth opens.  
The charitable gives out at door and God puts in at the window.  
All the levers you can lay will not do it. Som.  
Hampshire ground requires every day of the week a shower of rain, & on Sunday twain.  
As cunning as captain Drake.  
Let him hang by the heels. Som. 
(Of a man that dies in debt: His wife leaving all at his death, crying his goods in three markets and three Parish Churches is so free of all his debts.)   
He is ready to leap over nine hedges.  
She looked on me as a cow on a bastard calf. Som.  
I will wash my hands and wait upon you.  
The death of wives and the life of sheep make men rich.  
April fools. (People sent on idle errands.)  
After a famine in the stall,  
Comes a famine in the hall. Somerset.  
Wellington roundheads. 
Proverbial in Taunton for a violent fanatic.   
None so old that he hopes not for a year of life.  
The young are not always with their bow bend. 
i e. Under rule.   
To catch two pigeons with one bean.  
Every honest miller hath a golden thumb. 
They reply, None but a cuckold can see it. Somerset.   
In wiving and thriving a man should take counsel of all the world.  
'Tis good grafting on a good stock.  
The eye is a shrew.  
To measure the meat by the man. 
(i. e. The message by the messenger.)   
He sucked evil from the dug.  
They are so like that they are the worse for it.  
Out of door out of debt. Somerset. 
Of one that pays not when once gone.   
Words may pass, but blows fall heavy. Som.  
Poverty breeds strife. Somerset.  
Every gap hath its bush.  
A dead woman will have four to carry her forth.  
K. Harry robbed the church, and died a beggar.  
To take the birds by its feet.  
The hogs to the honey-pots.  
Their milk sod over.  
He hath good cards to show.  
'Tis best to take half in hand and the rest by and by. 
(The tradesman that is for ready money.)   
To heave and theave. Somers. 
(The labouring husbandman.)   
Here is Gerard's Bailiff, work or you must die with cold. Somers.  
Come every one heave a pound. Som.  
As fond as an Ape of a whip. Som.  
You make the better side the worse. Som.    

Northern Proverbs communicated by Mr Fr. Brokesby of Rowley, in Yorkshire.  

AS black [i. e. yellow] as a paigle.  
he'll never dow [i. e. be good] egg nor bird.  
As flat as a flaun, i. e. a custard.  
I'll foreheet [i. e. predetermine] nothing but building Churches and louping over them.  
Meeterly [indifferently] as maids are in fairness.  
Weal and women cannot pan, i. e. close together.  
But woe and women can.    

SCOTTISH PROVERBS.  

A.  
ALl things hath a beginning (God excepted)  
A good beginning makes a good ending.  
A slothful man is a beggar's brother.  
A vaunter and a liar is both one thing.  
All is not tint that is in peril.  
All is not in hand that helps.  
A toom purse makes a bleat merchant.  
As long runs the fox as he feet hath.  
A hasty man never wanted wo.  
A wight man wanted never a weapon.  
A fools bolt is soon shot.  
A given horse should not be looked in the teeth.  
A good asker should have a good naysay.  
A dear ship stands long in the haven.  
An oleit mother makes a sweir daughter.  
A careless hussy makes money thiefs.  
A liar should have a good memory.  
A black shoe makes a blithe heart.  
A hungry man sees far.  
A silly bairn is eith to lear.  
A halfpenny cat may look to the King.  
A greedy man God hates.  
A proud heart in a poor breast, hes meikle dolour to dree.  
A scald man's head is soon broken.  
A skabbit sheep files all the flock.  
A burnt bairne, fire dreads.  
Auld men are twice bairnes.  
A tratler is worse than a thief.  
A borrowed len should come laughing hame.  
A blithe heart makes a blomand visage.  
A year a nurish, seven years a daw.  
An unhappy man's cairt is eith to tumble.  
An old hound bites fair.  
A fair bride is soon buskt, and a short horse soon wispt.  
As good haud as draw.  
A man that is warned, is half armed.  
An ill win penny will cast down a pound.  
All the corn in the country, is not shorn by pratlers.  
Ane beggar is wae that another be the gate gay.  
A traveled man hath leave to lie.  
Ane ill word meets another, and it were at the bridge of London.  
A hungry louse bites fair.  
A gentle horse would not be over fair spurred.  
A friends dinner is soon dight.  
An ill cook walled have a good claver.  
A good fellow tint never, but at an ill fellows hand.  
At open doors, dog's cometh in.  
A word before, is worth two behind.  
A still sow eats all the draff.  
A dumb man holds all.  
All fails that fools thinks.  
A wool seller ken a wool buyer.  
All fellows, Jock and the Laird.  
As the sow fills, the draff sours.  
A full heart lied never.  
As good merchant tynes as wins.  
All the speid is in the spurs.  
As fair greits the bairne that is dung afternoon, as he that is dung before noon.  
An ill life, an ill end.  
Anes wood, never wise, ay the worse.  
Anes pay it never cravit.  
A good rufer, was never a good rider.  
All the keys in the country hangs not at ane belt.  
A dumb man won never land.  
As soon comes the lambs skin to the market, as the old sheep.  
As many heads, as many wits.  
A blind man should not judge of colours.  
As the old cock craws, the young cock leers.  
A skabbed horse is good enough for a skald squire.  
A murky mirror is a man's mind.  
As meikle up with, as meikle down with.  
An ill shearer got never a good book.  
A tarrowing bairn was never fat.  
A good cow may have an ill calls.  
A cock is crouse in his own midding.  
A new bissome soups clean.  
As fair fights wranes as crane's.  
A yelt sow was never good to gryses.  
As the carl riches he wretches.  
A fool when he hes spoken hes all done.  
An old seck eraves meikle clouting.  
An old seck is ay skailing.  
A fair fire makes a room flet.  
An old knave is na bairne.  
A good yeoman makes a good woman.  
A man hath no more good than he hath good of.  
A fool may give a wise man a counsel.  
A man may speir the gate to Rome.  
As long lives the merry man as the wretch for all the craft he can.  
All walled have all, all walled forgive.  
Ane may lead a horse to the water, put four and twenty cannot gar him drink.  
A bleat cat makes a proud mouse.  
An ill willy kow should have short horns.  
A good piece steil is worth a penny.  
A shored tree stands long.  
A gloved cat was never a good hunter.  
A gangand foot is ay getting, an it were but a thorn.  
All is not gold that glitters.  
A swallow makes not summer or spring-time.  
A man may spit on his hand and do full ill.  
An ill servant will never be a good master.  
An hired horse tired never.  
All the winning is in the first buying.  
Anuch [enough] is a feast (of bread and cheise.)  
A horse may stumble on four feet.  
All thing wytes that well not fairs.  
All things thrives but thrice.  
Absence is a shrew.  
Auld sin new shame.  
A man cannot thrive except his wife let him.  
A bairne mon creep or he gang.  
As long as ye serve the tod, ye man bear up his tail.  
All overs are ill, but over the water.  
A man may woo where he will, but he will wed where he is weard.  
A mean pot [where several share in it] played never evin.  
Among twenty four fools not ane wise man.  
Ane man's meat, is another man's poison.  
A fool will not give his babble for the tower of Lon.  
A foul foot makes a full weamb.  
A man is a lion in his own cause.  
A hearty hand to give a hungry meltith.  
A cumbersome cur in company, is hated for his miscarriage.  
A poor man is fain of little.  
An answer in a word.  
A beltless bairn cannot lie.  
A yule feast may be quat at Pasche.  
A good dog never barket 'bout a bone.  
A full-seek will take a clout on the side.  
An ill hound comes halting home.  
All things help (quoth the Wran) when she pished in the sea.  
All cracks, all bears.  
A houndless man comes to the best hunting.  
All things hes an end, and a pudding hes twa.  
All is well that ends well.  
As good hadst the stirrep, as he that loups on.  
A begun work is half ended.  
A Scottish man is ay wise behind the hand.  
A new sound, [per onomatop.] in an old horn.  
As broken a ship hes come to land.  
As the fool thinks, ay the bell clinks.  
A man may see his friend need, but he will not see him bleed.  
A friend is not known but in need.  
A friend in court, is better nor a penny in the purse.  
All things is good unseyed.  
A good goose indeed, but she hes an ill gander.  
All are not maidens that wears bair hair.  
A manche and a horse-shoe are both alike.  
Airlie crooks the tree, that good cammok should be.  
An ounce of mother's wit is worth a pound of Clergy.  
An inch of a nag is worth the span of an aver.   

B.  
BEtter sit idle then work for nought.  
Better learn by your neighbour's skaith nor by your own.  
Better half egg nor an empty shell.  
Better apple given nor eaten.  
Better a dog fan nor bark on you.  
Bodin [offered] geir stinks.  
Board [jest] neither with me, nor with my honour.  
Buy when I bid you.  
Better late thrive then never.  
Better hand louse nor bound to an ill baikine.  
Better long little nor soon right nought.  
Better give nor take.  
Better bide the cooks nor the mediciners.  
Better saucht with little aucht, nor care with many kow.  
Bring a kow to the hall, and she will to the byre again.  
Bear wealth, poverty will bear itself.  
Better good sale nor good ale.  
Better woo over midding nor over moss.  
Blaw the wind never so fast it will lower at the last.  
Bind fast, find fast.  
Better old debts nor old saires.  
Better a fowl in hand nor two flying.  
Better spare at the breird nor at the bottom.  
Bind the seck before it be full.  
Better be well loved nor ill won geir.  
Better finger off nor ay warking.  
Better rue sit, nor rue flit.  
Board not with bawty, fear lest he by't you.  
Better say, Here it is, nor here it was.  
Better plays a full weamb, nor a new coat.  
Better be happy nor wise.  
Better happy to court, nor good service.  
Better a wit bought, nor twa for nought.  
Better bow nor break.  
Better two seils, nor ane sorrow.  
Better bairnes greit nor bearded men.  
Betwixt twa stools, the arse falls down.  
Better na ring nor the ring of a rush.  
Better hold out nor put out.  
Better sit still, nor rise and get a fall.  
Better leave nor want.  
Better unborn nor untaught.  
Better be envied nor pitied.  
Better a little fire that warms, nor a meikle that burns.  
Be the same thing that thou walled be called.  
Black will be no other hue.  
Beauty but bounty avails nought.  
Beware of had I wist.  
Better be alone, nor in ill company.  
Better a thigging mother, nor a riding father.  
Before I wein and now I wat.  
Bonny silver is soon spendit.  
Better never begun nor never endit.  
Biting and scratching is Scotsfolks wooing.  
Breads house skiald never.  
Bairns mother burst never.  
Bannoks [a tharfecake oat bread] is better nor na kin bread.  
Better a laying hen nor a lyin crown.  
Better be dead as out of the fashion.  
Better buy as borrow.  
Better have a mouse in the pot as no flesh.   

C.  
COurt to the town, and whore to the window.  
Cadgers [meal-men] speaks of packsaddles  
Changing of words is lighting of hearts.  
Charge your friend or you need.  
Cat's eats that hussies spares.  
Cast not forth the old water while the new come in.  
Crabbit was, and cause had.  
Comparisons are odious.  
Come not to the counsel uncalled.  
Condition makes, and condition breaks.  
Cut duelles in every town.  
Cold cools the love that kindles over hot.  
Cease your snowballs casting.  
Come it air, come it late, in May comes the cow-quake.  
Courtesy is cumbersome to them that ken it not.  
Chalk is na shears.   

D.  
DO in hill as ye walled do in hall.  
Do as ye walled be done to.  
Do weill and have weill.  
Dame deem warily.  
Dead and marriage makes tearm-day.  
Draff is good enough for swine.  
Do the likeliest, and God will do the best.  
Drive out the inch as thou hast done the span.  
Dead men bites not.  
Daffling [jesting] good for nothing.  
Dog's will red swine.  
Dirt parts company.  
Drink and drought comes sindle together.  
Daft talk dow not.  
Do well and doubt na man, and do weill and doubt all men.  
Dead at the one door, and heirship at the other.  
Dummie [a dumb man] cannot lie.   

E.  
EArly master, long knave.  
Eaten meat is good to pay.  
Eild [old age] walled have honour.  
Evening orts is good morning fodder.  
Every land hes the lauch, and every corn hes the caffe.  
Every man wishes the water to his own miln.  
Every many can rule an ill wife but he that hes her.  
Eat measurelie and defy the mediciners.  
Every man for himself (quoth the Merteine)  
Every man flames the fat sows arse.  
Experience may teach a fool.  
Every man wates best where his own shoe binds him.  
Efter long mint, never dint.  
Efter word comes weird.  
Efter delay comes a let.   

F.  
FAir fowls hes fair feathers.  
Fair heights makes fools fain.  
Fools are fain of flitting.  
Falshood made never a fair hinder end.  
Freedom is a fair thing.  
For a lost thing care not.  
Fool haste is no speed.  
Fools let for trust.  
For love of the nurse, money kisses the bairne.  
Folly is a bonny dog.  
Fair words break never bone; foul words breaks many ane.  
Foul water slokens fire.  
Far fought, and dear bought, is good for Ladies.  
For fault of wise men, fools sit on binks.  
Fools makes feasts, and wise men eats them.  
Fools are fain of right nought.  
Forbid a thing, and that we will do.  
Follow love and it will flee thee, flee love and it will follow thee.  
Fegges after peace.  
Fool's should have no chappin sticks.  
Friendship stands not in one side.  
Few words sufficeth to a wiseman.  
Fire is good for the farcie.  
Fiddler's dogs and flies comes to feasts uncalled.  
Fill fow and had fow makes a stark man.   

G.  
GRace is best for the man.  
Giff gaff [one gift for another] makes good friends.  
Good wine needs not a wisp.  
Good cheir and good cheap garres many haunt the house.  
God sends men cold as they have clothes to.  
God's help is neirer nor the fair evin.  
Give never the wolf the wether to keep.  
Good will should be ta'en in part of payment.  
God sends never the mouth but the meat with it.  
Girn when ye tie, and laugh when ye louse.  
Go to the Devil and bishop you.  
Go shoe the geese.  
God sends meat, and the Devil sends cooks.   

H.  
HUnger is good kitchine meat.  
He that is far from his geir, is near his skaith.  
Had I fish, was never good with garlic.  
He mon have leave to speak that cannot had his tongue.  
He that lippens to lent blows, his land will lie ley.  
He rides sicker that fell never.  
He that will not hear motherhead, shall hear stepmotherhead.  
He that crabs without cause, should mess without mends.  
He that may not as he would, money do as he may.  
He that spares to speak, spares to speed.  
He is weil easit that hes aught of his own, when others goes to the meat.  
He that is welcome, fairs weil.  
He that does ill hates the light.  
He that speaks the thing he should not, hears the things he would not.  
He that is evil deemed is half hanged.  
Help thyself, and God will help thee.  
He that spends his geir on a whore, hes both shame and skaith.  
He that forsakes missour, missour forsakes him.  
Half a tale is enough to a wise man.  
He that hews over high, the spail will fall into his eye.  
He that eats while he lasts, will be the war while he die.  
He is a weak horse that may not bear the saidle.  
He that borrows and bigs, makes feasts and things, drinks and is not dry, these three are not thrifty.  
He is a proud Tod that will not scrape his own hole.  
He is wise when he is well, can had him sa.  
He is is poor that God hates.  
He is wise that is ware in time.  
He is wise that can make a friend of a foe.  
Hair and hair, makes the cairles' head baire:  
Hear all parties.  
He that is red for windlestraws, should not sleep in lees.  
He rises over early that is hangit or noon.  
He is not the fool that the fool is, but he that with the fool deals.  
He that tholes overcomes.  
He loves me for little, that hates me for nought.  
He that hes twa herds, is able to get the third.  
He is a sairie beggar that may not gay by ane man's door.  
Hall binks are sliddery.  
He is not the best wright that hews the maniest speals.  
He that evil does, never good weines.  
whoredom and grace, can never bide in one place.  
He that counts all costs, will never put plough in the earth.  
He that slays, shall be slain.  
He that is ill of his harberie, is good of his way kenning.  
He that will not when he may, shall not when he walled.  
Hanging ganges be hap.  
He is a fool that forgets himself.  
Happy man, happy cavil.  
He that comes uncalld, sits unserud.  
He that comes first to the hill, may sit where he will.  
He that shames, shall be shent.  
He gangs early to steal, that cannot say na.  
He should have a long shafted spoon that sups kail with the Devil.  
He sits above that deals aikers.  
He that ought the cow, goes nearest her tail.  
He is worth na weill that may not bide na wae.  
He should have a hail pow, that calls his neighbour nik●ienow.  
He that hes gold may buy land.  
He that counts without his host, counts twice.  
He that looks not or he loup, will fall or he wit of himself.  
Haste makes waste.  
Hulie [softly] and fair, men rides far journeys.  
He that marries a daw [slut] eats meikle dirt.  
He that marries or he be wise, will die or he thrive.  
Hunting, hawking, and paramours, for ane joy, a hundred displeasures.  
Hauled in geir, helps well.  
He is twice fain, that sits on a stean.  
He that does his turn in time, sits half idle.  
He plaints early, that plaints on his kail.  
He is good that failed never.  
Half anuch, is half fill.  
He is a sairie cook that may not lick his own finger.  
Hunger is hard in a heal maw.  
He should wear iron shone that bides his neighbour's deed.  
Hame, is hamelie.  
He that is hated of his subjects, cannot be counted a king.  
Hap and a halfpenny, is warlds' geir enough.  
He calls me skabbed, because I will not call him skade.  
He is blind that eats his marrow, but far blinder that lets him.  
Have God, and have all.  
Honesty is na pride.  
He that fishes afore the net, long or he fish get.  
He tint never a cow, that great for a needle.  
He that hes na geir to lose, hes shins to pine.  
He that takes all his geir fra himself, and gives to his bairns, it were weill ward to take a mallet and knock our his brains.  
He sits full still that hes a riven breech.  
He that does bidding, deserves na dinging.  
He that blaws best bears away the horn.  
He is weill staikit within, that will neither borrow nor len.  
Hea will gar a deaf man hear.  
He is fairest dung when his awn wand dings him.  
He hes wit at will, that with angry heart can hold him still.    

Proverbial speeches of persons given to such vices or virtues as follows.  

Of greedy persons it is said,  
HE can hide his meat and seek more.  
He will see day at a little hole.  
He comes for drink, though drafft be his errand.   

Of well skilled persons.  
He was born in August.  
He sees an inch before his nose.   

Of wilful persons.  
He is at his wit's end.  
He hears not at that ear.  
He walled fain be forwart if he wist how.  
He will not give an inch of his will, for a span of his thrift.   

Of vousters or new upstarts.  
His wind shakes no corn.  
He thinks himself na pays peir.  
He counts himself worthy meikle mice dirt.  
Henry Cheike never slew a man until he came to him.   

Of fleyit persons.  
His heart is in his hose.  
He is war frighted nor he is hurt.  
He looks as the wood were full of thiefs.  
He looks like the laird of pity.  
He looks like a Lochwhaber axe,   

Of false persons.  
He will get credit of a house full of unbored millstones.  
He looks up with the one eye, and down with the other.  
He can lie as weill as a dog can lick a dish.  
He lies never but when the holen is green.  
He bides as fast as a cat bound with a sacer.  
He walled gar a man trow that the moon is made of green cheiss, or the cat took the heron.   

Of misnortured persons.  
He hes a brazen face.  
He knows not the door be the door bar.  
He spits on his own blanket.   

Of unprofitable foolish persons.  
He harps ay on ane string.  
He robs Peter to pay Paul.  
He rives the kirk to thatch the quire.  
He wags a wand in the water.  
He that rides or he be ready, wants some of his geir.   

Of weillie persons.  
He can hauled the cat to the sun.  
He ken his oatmeal among other folks kail.  
He changes for the better.  
He is not so daft as he pretends him.   

Of angry persons.  
He hes pisht on a nettle.  
He hes not gotten the first seat of the midding the day.  
He takes pepper in the nose.   

Of unconstant persons.  
He is like a widder cock.  
He hes changed his tippet, or his cloak on the other shoulder.  
He is like a dog on a cat.  
His evening song and morning song are not both alike.  
He is an Aberdeens' man, taking his word again.   

Of persons speaking pertinently.  
He hes hit the nail on the head.  
He hes touched him in the quick.   

Of weasters and divers.  
He hes not a heal nail to claw him with.  
He hes not a penny to buy his dog a leaf.  
He is as poor as Job.  
He is as bair as the birch at Zule evin.  
He begs at them that borrowit at him.  
He hes brought his pack to a fit speed.  
He is on the ground.  
His hair grows through his hood.  
He hes cried himself diver.   

Of proud persons.  
He counts his halfpenny good silver.  
He makes meikle of his painted sheits.  
He goes away with lifted up head.  
He answers unspoken to.  
He hes not that bachell to swear by.   

Of untymous persons:  
He is as welcome as water in a rivin ship.  
He is as welcome as snaw in harvest.   

Of rash persons:  
He sets all on sex or sevin.  
He stumbles at a strea and loupes at a bank.   

Of ignorant persons.  
He does as the blind man when he casts his staff.  
He brings a staff to his own head.  
He gars his awn wand ding him.  
He takes after the goat that casts all down at evin.  
He hes good skill of roasted wool, when it stinks it is enough.   

Of effeminate persons:  
He is John Thomsones man, couching carl.  
He wears short hose.   

Of drankards.  
His head is full of bees.  
He may write to his friends.  
His hand is in the pannier.  
He is better fed nor nortured.  
He needs not a cake of bread at all his kin.   

Of hypocrites.  
He hes meikle prayer, but little devotion.  
He runs with the hound and holds with the hair.  
He hes a face to God, and another to the Devil.  
He is a wolf in a lambs skin.  
He breaks my head, and since puts on my hood.  
He can say, my joy, and think it not.  
He sleeps as dogs does, when wives sifts meal.  
He will go to hell for the house profit.   

I.  
IT is a sairie brewing, that is not good in the newing.  
It is tint that is done to child and old men.  
Ill weids waxes weill.  
In some men's aught money the old horse die.  
It is a sooth board that men sees wakin.  
In space comes grace.  
It is ill to bring out of the flesh that is bred in the bane.  
Ill win, ill warit.  
It is a silly flock where the yowe bears the bell.  
It is a sin to lie on the Devil.  
It is eith till, that the awn self will.  
It is good mows that fills the womb.  
It is na time to stoop when the head is asf.  
It is fair in hall, where beards wags all.  
It will come in an hour that will not come in a year.  
If thou do na ill, do na ill like.  
If thou steal not my kail, break not my dyke.  
If ye may spend meikle, put the more to the fire.  
If I can get his cairt at a wolter, I shall lend it a put.  
If I may not keep geese, I shall keep gesline.  
It is kindly that the poke savour of the herring.  
It is eith to cry zu●o on another man's cost.  
like [each] a man as he loves, let him send to the cooks.  
It is eith to swim where the head is holden up.  
It is well warit they have sorrow that buys it with their silver.  
If ane will not, another will.  
It is ill to take breeches off a bare arse.  
It is dear bought honey that is licked off a thorn.  
If God be with us, wha will be against us.  
It is weill warit that wasters want geir.  
It is ill to bring up the thing that is not therein.  
It that lies not in your gate, breaks not your shins.  
It is na play where ane greits, and another laughs.  
If a man knew what walled be dear, he walled be but merchant for a year.  
It is true that all men says.  
I have a good bow, but it is in the castle.  
It is hard to fling at the broad [a stick that children use, when they play at penny prick] or kick at the prick.  
Ilk man mend ane, and all will be mendit.  
It is a fairy collope that is tain off a Capone.  
Ill bairnes are best heard at home.  
It is ill to wakin sleeping dogs.  
Ill herds makes fat wolffs.  
It is hard to wife, and thrive in a year.  
It is good sleeping in a heal skin.  
It is not tint that is done to friends.  
It is ill to draw a strea before an old cat.  
It is a pain both to pay and pray.  
It is good fishing in drumbling waters.  
It is little of God's might, to make a poor man a knight.  
It is good baking without meal.  
It is a good goose that drops ay.  
It is not the habit that makes the monk.  
It is not good to want and to have.  
It hes neither arse nor elbow.  
I shall sit on his skirt.  
It is a bair moor that he goes over and gets not a cow.  
I shall hold his nose on the grindstone.  
It goes as meikle in his heart as in his heel.  
It goes in at the one ear, and out at the other.  
It is na mair pity to see a woman greit, nor to see a goose go bare fit.  
It is weill said, but wha will bell the cat.  
It is short while seen the louse boor the langelt.  
I have a sliddrie eil by the tail.  
It is as meit as a sow to bear a saddle.  
It is as meit as a thief for the widdie.  
I walled I had as meikle pepper as he counts himself worthy myse dirt.  
It will be an ill web to bleitch.  
I cannot find you baith tales and ears.  
It is ill to make a blown horn of a tods tail.  
If ever ye make a lucky pudding I shall eat the prick.  
It that God will give, the Devil cannot reave.  
In a good time I say it, in a better I leave it.  
It's a silly pack that may not pay the custom.  
I have seen as light green.  
It's a cold coal to blow at.  
It's a fair field where all are dung down.  
It's a fair dung bairn that dare not great.  
I wat where my awn shoe binds me.  
If ye wanted me and your meat, ye walled want ane good friend.   

K.  
KAme single, kame sair.  
Kindness comes of will.  
Kindness will creep where it may not gang.  
Kindness cannot be bought for geir.  
Kail spaires bread.  
Kamesters are ay greasy.  
Knowledge is eith born about.  
King's are out of play.  
Kings and Bares oft worries their keepers.  
King's hes long ears.  
King's caff is worth other men's corn.  
Kindness lies not ay in ane side of the house.   

L.  
LIttle intermeddling makes good friends.  
Long tarrying takes all the thank away.  
Little good is soon spendit.  
Lang lean makes hameald cattle.  
Little wit makes meikle travel.  
Learn young, learn fair.  
Like draws to like, and a skabbed horse to an ald dyke.  
Laith to the bed, laith out of the bed.  
Little may an ald horse do, if he may not nigh.  
Let them that are cold blow at the coal.  
Lang standing, and little offering makes a poor prize  
Love hes na lack.  
Leave the court, before the court leave thee.  
Light supper makes long life.  
Lykit geir is half bought.  
Lordship's changes manners.  
Light winning makes a heavy purse.  
Live and let live.  
Liveless, faultless.  
Little said, soon mendit.  
Laith to the drink, and loath fra it.  
Lightly comes, lightly goes.  
Last in the bed, best heard.  
Lata is long and tedious.  
Little waits an ill hussy what a dinner holds in.  
Lads will be men.  
Lauch and lay down again.  
Likely lies in the mire, and unlikely goes by it.  
Let him drink as he hes brewed.  
Like to die mends not the kirk yard.  
Luck and a bone voyage.  
Lang or ye cut Falkland wood with a pen knife.  
Love me little and love me long.  
Let alone makes money lurdon.  
Little troubles the eye, but far less the soul.  
Little ken the wise that sits by the fire, how the wind blows cold in hurl burle swyre.   

M.  
Money irons in the fire part mon cool.  
Maiden's should be meek until they be married.  
Men may buy gold over dear.  
Money purses holds friends together.  
Meat and cloth makes the man.  
Money hands make light work.  
Make not twa mews of ane daughter.  
Meat is good, but mense is better.  
Money masters, quoth the frog to the harrow, when every tooth took her a knock.  
Mint [offer] or ye strike.  
Measure, is treasure.  
Money men does lack, that yat walled fain have in their pack.  
Misterfull folk money not be mensfull.  
Many smals makes a great.  
Mastery maws the meadows down.  
Money speaks of Robin Hood, that never shot in his bow.  
Mister makes men of craft.  
Meikle water runs where the miller sleeps.  
Meikle mon a good heart endure.  
Money cares for meal that hes baking bread enough.  
Meikle spoken, part mon spill.  
Messengers should neither be headed nor hanged.  
Men are blind in their own cause.  
Money words walled have meikle drink.  
Man propons, but God dispons.  
Money man serves a thankless master.  
Money words fills not the furlot.  
Money kinsfolk, but few friends.  
Men goes over the dyke at the ebbest.  
Might oftentimes overcomes right.  
Mends is worth misdeeds.  
Meikle head, little wit.  
Mustard after meat.  
Miller's takes ay the best toll with their own hand.  
Money man speirs the gate he knows full well.  
Mussel not the oxens' mouth.  
Meikle hes, walled ay have mair.  
Money tynes the half mark whinger, for the halfpenny thong.  
Make not meikle of little.  
Money man makes an errand to the hall, to bid the Lady good-day.  
Money brings the raike, but few the shovel.  
Make no balks of good bear land.  
March whisquer was never a good fisher.  
Meat and mass never hindered no man.   

N.  
NAture passes norture.  
Na man can baith sup and blaw at once.  
Nothing enters in a close hand.  
Need makes virtue.  
Need hes na law.  
Neirest the Kirk, farrest fra God.  
Neirest the King, neirest the widdie.  
New lords, new laws.  
Na man may puind for unkindness.  
Neirest the heart, neirest the mouth.  
Never road, never fell.  
Need gars naked men run, and sorrow gars websters spin.  
Near is the kirtle, but neirer is the sark.  
Nothing is difficile to a well willit man.  
Na man makes his awn hap.  
Na reply is best.  
Nothing comes sooner to light, then that which is long hid.  
Na man can play the fool sa weill as the wise man.  
Na penny, na pardon.  
Na man can seek his marrow in the churn, sa weill as he that hes been in it himself.   

O.  
OVer fast, over louse.  
Of anuch men leaves.  
Over great familiarity genders despite.  
Oft counting makes good friends.  
Over narrow counting culzies na kindness.  
Out of sight, out of langer.  
Of twa ills choose the least.  
Of other men's leather, men takes large whanges.  
Over jolly dough not.  
Of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.  
Of all war, peace is the final end.  
Of ill debtors, men takes oats.  
Of need make virtue.  
Of the earth mon the dyke be builded.  
Of ane ill, comes many.  
Over hot over cold.  
Over heigh, over low.  
Over meikle of ane thing, is good for nathing.   

P.  
PEnny wise, pound fool.  
Priest and doves makes foul houses.  
Pride and laziness walled have meikle uphald.  
Put your hand na farther nor your sleive may reach.  
Poor men are fain of little thing.  
Play with your peirs.  
Pith is good in all plays.  
Put twa half-pennies in a purse, and they will draw together.  
Painters and Poets have leave to lie.  
Possession is worth an ill charter.  
Pride will have a fall.  
Poverty parts good company, and is an enemy to virtue.  
Put not your hand betwixt the rind and the tree.  
Poor men they say hes na souls.  
Patience perforce.  
Provision in season, makes a rich house.  
Put that in the next parcel.  
Peter in, and Paul out.  
Plenty is na dainty.  
Puddings and paramours walled be hotelie handlit.   

Q.  
QUhair [where] the Deer is slain, some blood will lie.  
Quhen the eye sees it saw not, the heart will think it thought not.  
Quhen wine is in, wit is out.  
Quhen the steed is stowen, shut the stable door.  
Quhen the Tod preaches, beware of the hens.  
Quhen the cup is fullest, bear it evinest.  
Quhat better is the house that the da rises in the morning.  
Quhen thiefs reckons, leall men comes to their geir.  
Quhen I am dead, make me a caudle.  
Quhiles the hawk hes, and whiles he hunger hes.  
Quhen the craw flees, her tail follows.  
Quhen the play is best, it is best to leave.  
Quha may woo without cost.  
Quhiles thou, whiles I, so goes the bailleri.  
Quhen a man is full of lust, his womb is full of leese  
Quha may hold that will away.  
Quhen tailors are true, there little good to show.  
Quhen thy neighbour's house is on fire, take heed to thy awn.  
Quhen the iron is hot, it is time to strike.  
Quhen the belly is full, the bones walled have rest.  
Quhom God will help, na man can hinder.  
Quhen all men speaks, na man hears.  
Quhen the good man is fra hame, the tablecloths tint.  
Quhair stands your great horse.  
Quhair the pig breaks, let the shells lie.  
Quhen friends meets, hearts warms.  
Quhen the well is full, it will run over.   

R.  
REason bound the man.  
Ruse [praise] the ford as ye find it.  
Ruse the fair day at evin.  
Rackless youth, makes a goustie age.  
Rhyme spares na man.  
Reavers should not be rewers.  
Rule youth weill, and eild will rule the sell.  
Rome was not biggit on the first day.   

S.  
SIke man, sike master.  
Seldom rides, tynes the spurs.  
Shod in the cradle, bairfoot in the stubble.  
Sike lips, sike latace.  
Sike a man as thou walled be, draw thee to sike company.  
Sooth board is na board.  
Seldom lies the Devil dead by the dyke side.  
Saying goes good cheap.  
Spit on the stane, it will be wet at the last.  
Soft fire makes sweet malt.  
Sorrows gars websters spin.  
Sturt pays na debt.  
Silly bairns are eith to lear.  
Saw thin, and maw thin.  
Soon ripe, soon rotten.  
Send and fetch.  
Self deed, self ha.  
Shame shall fall them that shame thinks, to do themselves a good turn.  
Sike father, sike son, etc.  
Seill comes not while sorrow be gone.  
she's a foul bird that files her own nest.  
Speir at Jock thief my marrow, if I be a leal man.  
Soon gotten, soon spendit.  
Sike priest, sike offering.  
She is a sairie mouse that hes but ane hole.  
Surfeit slays mae nor the sword.  
Seik your sauce where you get your all.  
Sokand seal is best.  
Sike answer as a man gives, sike will he get.  
Small winning makes a heavy purse.  
Shame is passed the shed of your hair.  
Send him to the sea and he will not get water.  
Saine [bless] you weill fra the Devil and the Lairds bairns.  
She that takes gifts herself, she sells, and she that gives, does not else.  
Shrew the ghast that the house is the war of.  
Show me the man, and I shall show you the law.  
Swear by your burnt shyves.  
Sairie be your me●l poke, and ay your fist in the nook of it.   

T.  
THe mair haste the war speid.  
Tide bides na man.  
Twa daughters and a back door, are three stark thiefs.  
There was never a cake, but it had a make.  
There came never a large fart forth of a Wrans' arse.  
Tomb [empty] bags rattles.  
The thing that is trusted, is not forgiven.  
Take part of the pelf, when the pack is a dealing.  
Tread on a worm, and she will steir her tail.  
They are lightly robbed that hes their awn.  
The Craw thinks her awn bird fairest.  
There is little to the rake to get after the bissome.  
They buy good cheap that brings nothing hame.  
Thraw [twist] the wand while it is green.  
The shoemakers wife is worst shod.  
The worst world that ever was, some man wan.  
They will know by a halfpenny if a Priest will take offering.  
Time tries the truth.  
The weeds overgaes the corn.  
Take time while time is, for time will away.  
The piper wants meikle that wants the nether chaps.  
They are welcome that brings.  
The langer we live, the mae strange sights we see.  
There are many sooth words spoken in boarding.  
There is na thief without a receiver.  
There is many fair thing full false.  
There came never ill of a good advisement.  
There is na man sa deaf, as he that will not hear.  
There was never a fair word inhicding.  
The mouth that lies, slays the soul.  
Trot mother, trot father, how can the foal amble.  
They were never fain that shrugged.  
Twa wolves may worry ane sheep.  
Twa fools in ane house is over many.  
The day hes eyen, the night hes ears.  
The tree falls not at the first straike.  
The mair ye tramp in a turd, it grows the breader.  
There is none without a fault.  
The Devil is a busy Bishop in his awn diocie.  
There is no friend to a friend in need.  
There is na fool to an old fool.  
Touch a good horse in the back, and he will fling.  
There is remeid for all things but stark died.  
There is na medicine for fear.  
The weakest goes to the walls.  
That which hussies spares, cats eats.  
Thou wilt get na mair of the cat but the skin.  
There mae madines nor makines.  
They laugh ay that wins.  
Twa wit is better nor ane.  
They put at the cairt that is ay gangand.  
Three may keep counsel if twa be away.  
They are good willie of their horse that hes nane.  
The mae the merrier, the fewer the better cheer.  
The blind horse is hardiest.  
There mae ways to the wood nor ane.  
There is meikle between word and deed.  
They that speirs meikle, will get wot of part.  
The less play the better.  
The mair cost, the mair honour.  
There is nothing more precious nor time.  
True love kyths in time of need.  
There are many fair words in the marriage making, but few in the portion paying.  
The higher up, the greater fall.  
The mother of mischief is na mair nor a gnat wing.  
Tarrowing bairns were never fat.  
There little sap in dry pease hulls.  
This bolt came never out of your bag.  
Thy tongue is na slander.  
Take him up there with his five eggs, and four of them rotten.  
The next time ye dance, wit whom ye take by the hand.  
The goose pan is above the roast.  
Thy thumb is under my belt.  
There is a dog in the well.  
The malt is above the beir.  
Touch me not on the fair heel.  
The pig's overgaes the ald swine.  
Take a man by his word, and a cow by her horn.  
There meikle hid meat in a goose eye.  
They had never an ill day that had a good evening.  
There belongs mair to a bed nor four bair legs.  
The greatest clarks are not the wisest men.  
Thou should not tell thy foe when thy fit slides.  
The grace of god is geir enough.  
Twa hungry meals makes the third a glutton.  
This world will not last ay.  
The Devil and the Dean begins with a letter, when the Devil hes the Dean, the kirk will be the better.  
They are as wise that spear not.  
There is nothing so crouse as a new washen louse.   

W.  
Wrong hes nea warrant.  
Will hes that weill is.  
Well done, soon done.  
Weapons bodes peace.  
Wiles helps weak folk.  
Wishers and walders are poor house halders.  
Words are but wind, but dunts are the Devil.  
Wark bears witness wha weill does.  
Wealth gars wit waver.  
Weill bides, weill betides.  
Wrong count, is na payment.  
Wrong hears, wrong answer gives.  
With empty hand, na man should hawks allure.  
Weill what's the mouse, the cats out of the house.  
Well worth awe, that gars the plough draw.  
We hounds slew the hair, quoth the messoun.  
Wonder lasts but nine nights in a Town.  
Women and bairns keeps counsel of that they ken not.  
Want beguilt the Lady.  
Waken not sleeping dogs.  
We have a craw to pluck.  
Well good mother daughter.  
Wood in wilderness, and strength in a fool.  
Wit in a poor man's head, moss in a mountain avails nothing.  
Weils him & woos him that hes a Bishop in his kin.  
Use makes perfectness.  
Unskilled mediciners, and horsemarshels, slays both man and beast.  
What reaks of the seed, where the friendship dow nought.   

Y.  
YE will break your crag and your fast alike in his house.  
Ye strive against the stream.  
Youth never casts for peril.  
Ye seek hot water under cold ice.  
Ye drive a snail to Rome.  
Ye ride a bootless errand.  
Ye seek grace at a graceless face.  
Ye learn your father to get bairns.  
Ye may not sit in Rome and strive with the Pope.  
Youth and age will never agree.  
Ye may puind for debt, but not for unkindness.  
Ye breid of the cat, ye walled fain eat fish, but ye have na will to weet your feet.  
Ye breid of the gouk, ye have not a rhyme but ane.  
Ye should be a king of your word.  
Ye will get war bodes before Belten.  
Ye may drink of the bourn, but not bite of the braes.  
Ye walled do little for God an the Devil were dead.  
Ye have a ready mouth for a ripe cherry.  
Ye breid of the miller's dog, ye lick your mouth or the pok be open.    

Adagia Hebraica.  
〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
The axe goes to the wood, from whence it borrowed its helve: 
It is used against those who are injurious to those from whom they are derived, or from whom they have received their power.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
If any say that one of thine ears is the ear of an ass, regard it not: If he say so of them both, procure thyself a bridle. 
That is, it is time to arm ourselves with patience when we are greatly reproached.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
Do not speak of secret matters in a field that is full of little hills. 
Because it is possible some body may lie hid there and here what is said.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
That city is in a bad case whose Physician hath the gout.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
Do not dwell in a city whose governor is a Physician.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
A myrtle standing among nettles does notwithstanding retain the name of a myrtle.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Where there is a man, there do not thou show thyself a man: 
The meaning is, that it becomes us not to intermeddle in an office where there is already such good provision made that there is no need of our help.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. At the door of the fold words, within the fold an account. 
The shepherd does with fair words call back his fugitive sheep to the door of the fold, but when he gets them in he punisheth them for straying away. It is applicable to what may be expected from our governor's against whom we have rebelled:   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. He is pleased with guourds, and his wife with cucumbers. 
A Proverb by which is expressed that both the man and his wife are vicious much alike.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. It is not as thy mother says, but as thy neighbours Say: 
The meaning is that we are not to regard the praises of a near relation, but to listen to what is said by the neighbourhood.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. If the dog bark, go in; if the bitch bark, go out.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. We may not expect a good whelp from an ill dog.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Sichem marries the wife (viz. Dinah) and Mifgaeus is circumcised (i. e. punished.) 
Delirant Reges plectuntur Achivi.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
A Camel in Media dances in a little cab: 
This Proverb is used against those who tell incredible things.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. The Camel going to seek horns, lost his ears. 
Against those who being discontented with what they have, in pursuit of more lose what they once had.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Many old Camels carry the skins of the young ones to the market.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. The great Cab, and the little Cab go down to the grave.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. He that hires one garden (which he is able to look after) eats birds; He that hires more than one will be eaten by the birds.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. As is the garden such is the gardener.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. If I had not lifted up the stone you had not found the Jewel. 
It is used when one man reaps the fruit of the labours of another.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. When the Sun rises, the disease will abate. 
It is said by one of the Jews that there was a precious stone which did hang on the neck of Abraham, which when the sick man looked on he was presently healed; And that when Abraham died God placed this stone in the Sun: This is thought to have given occasion to the Proverb above named. V. Buxtorf. Lexic. Rabbin: in voce 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Whoever hath a divided beard, the whole world will not prevail against him: 
This Proverb is used of those who are cunning, and such are they thought to be whose beard is divided, which, by their much handling; when they are musing and thoughtful, they are said to divide.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Go down the ladder when thou marriest a wife, go up when thou choosest a friend. 
The meaning is, that we should not marry a wife above our rank, though we choose such a friend.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Rather sell then be poor.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. He that buys and sells is called a merchant. 
This Proverb is used in derision of those who buy and sell to their loss.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. While the dust is on your feet sell what you have bought. 
The meaning is that we should sell quickly (though with light gains) that we may trade for more.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Cast your staff into the air, and it will fall upon its root, or heavy end. 
Naturam expel as furcâ licet usque recurret.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. The wine is the masters, but the goodness of it is the butler's.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
When an ass climbs a ladder we may find wisdom. in women.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. An ass is cold even in the summer solstice. 
The meaning is, that some men are so unhappy that nothing will do them good.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Asinario— Camelarius: 
i. e. A man that hath the care of leading a Camel, and driving an Ass. Such a man is in the midst and knows not how to go forward or backward; For the Ass will not lead, nor the Camel be driven. It is applicable to him who hath to do with two persons of contrary humours, and knows not how to please both, nor dares he displease either of them.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. They had thought to have put others into a sleeve and they are put in themselves.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. The poor man turns his cake and another comes and takes it away.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Open thy purse (viz. to receive thy money) and then open thy sack; i. e. then deliver thy goods.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. An hungry dog will eat dung.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. If you take away the salt you may throw the flesh to the dogs.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. The servant of a King is a king.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Do not dwell in a city where an horse does not neigh, nor a dog bark: 
The meaning is that if we would be safe from danger we must not dwell in a city where there is neither horse against an enemy, nor dogs against thiefs.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Make hast when you are purchasing a field; but when you are to marry a wife, be slow.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
When the shepherd is angry with his sheep he sends them a blind guide.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. In the time of affliction, a vow; in the time of prosperity an inundation: or a greater increase of wickedness. 

The Devil was sick, the Devil a monk would be;  
The Devil was well, the Devil a monk was he.    〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. An old man in an house is a good sign in an house. 
Old men are fit to give wise counsel:   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Woe be to him whose advocate becomes his accuser. 
This Proverb is accommodable to various purposes: God required propitiatory sacrifices of his people; when they offered them up, as they should, they did receive their pardon upon it; But if they offered the blind or lame, etc. they were so far from gaining their pardon, that they increased their guilt: And thus their advocate became their accuser.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. While thy shoe is on thy foot tread upon the thorns.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Your surety wants a surety. 
This Proverb is used of an infirm argument that is not sufficient to prove what it is alleged for.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. One bird in the net is better than an hundred flying.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Little and good.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Never cast dirt into that fountain of which thou hast sometime drank. 
The meaning is that we should not proudly despise or reproach that person or thing which formerly have been of use to us.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Do not look upon the vessel, but upon that which it contains.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. A lie hath no feet.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. One sheep follows another. 
So one thief, and any other evil doer, follows the ill example of his companion.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. We never find that a fox dies in the dirt of his own ditch: 
The meaning is that men do rarely receive any hurt from the things to which they have accustomed themselves.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. If a word be worth one shekel, silence is worth two. 
Nunquam etenim tacuisse nocet, nocet esse locutum.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. If the Ox fall, whet your knife. 
The meaning is, we must not let slip the occasion of getting the victory over an Enemy.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. When the Ox falls, there are many that will help to kill him. 
The meaning is, that there are many ready to trample upon him that is afflicted.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. We must fall down before a fox in season: 
The meaning is that we ought to observe cunning men and give them due respect in their prosperity.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Choose rather to be the tail of Lions than the head of Foxes.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. When the weasil and the cat make a marriage it is a very ill presage. 
The meaning is that when evil men, who were formerly at variance, and are of great power, make agreement, it portends danger to the innocent and to others who are within their reach. Thus upon the agreement of Herod and Pilate the most innocent blood is shed. The Jews tell of two dogs that were very fierce one against the other; one of them is assaulted by a Wolf, and thereupon the other dog resolves to help him against the Wolf who made the assault.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. In two Cabs of dates there is one Cab of stones and more. 
The meaning is that there is much evil mingled with the good which is found in the world.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. If the whole world does not enter yet half of it will. 
'Tis meant of Calumny and reproach, where many times some part is believed though all be not. Calumniare fortiter, & aliquid adhaerebit.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. He that hath been bitten by a Serpent is afraid of a rope. 
The meaning is, he is afraid of any thing that hath the least likeness to a Serpent.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. She plays the whore for apples and then bestows them upon the sick: 
This Proverb is used against those who give Alms of what they get unjustly.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. The door that is not opened to him that begs our alms, will be opened to the Physician.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
Let but the drunkard alone, and he will fall of himself.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Thou hast dived deep in to the water and hast brought up a potsherd.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. If thou hast increased thy water, thou must also increase thy meal. 
Thus he that raiseth many objections is obliged to find solutions for them also.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. There is nothing so bad, in which there is not something of good.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. He that hath had one of his family hanged, may not say to his neighbour hang up this fish. 
The meaning is, we must abstain from words of reproach, and then especially when we are not free from the crimes which we reproach others for.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. O thou Nazarite go about, go about and do not come near the Vineyard. 
The meaning is that we should avoid the occasions of sin. The Nazarite was forbidden the use of wine, and it was therefore his wisest course to avoid all occasions of trespassing.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Thy secret is thy prisoner, if thou let it go thou art a prisoner to it. 
The meaning is plain, viz. That we ought to be as careful in keeping a secret as an officer in keeping his prisoner, who makes himself a prisoner by letting his prisoner go. There is sometimes a great danger in revealing a secret, and always it is an argument of great folly. For as the Jews say well, thy friend hath a friend, and thy friend's friend hath a friend: And therefore what thou wouldst have kept as a secret reveal not to thy friend. And they elsewhere say, that He who hath a narrow heart: i. e. but a little wisdom, hath a broad tongue. i e. Is apt to talk at large.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. The Magician mutters and knows not what he mutters. 
This is Proverbially used against those who pray in an unknown Tongue; or do any thing which they do not understand.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. If thy daughter be marriageable set thy servant free, and give her to him in marriage.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. To expect, to expect is worth four hundred drachms. 
Zuz is the fourth part of the Sacred Shekel. This Proverb is used to recommend to us the advantage of deliberation in our actions.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. They can find money for mischief, when they can find none to buy Corn.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
In my own City my Name, in a strange City my clothes procure me a respect.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. 'Tis not a basket of hay but a basket of flesh which will make a lion roar. 
That is, it must be flesh and not hey which will give courage and strength to a lion.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Let thy grandchild buy wax and do not thou trouble thyself.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Pull off the skin in the streets and receive thy wages. 
That is, we were better submit to the meanest employment then want necessaries.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. One grain of sharp pepper is better than a basket full of guourds. 
That is, One wise man, how mean soever is more valuable than many that are unwise.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. As if a man that is killed should come home upon his feet: 
This is used proverbially of those things which we give for lost.    

These that follow are the sentences of Ben Syra, a man of great fame and antiquity among the Jews.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Honour a Physician before thou hast need of him: 
That is, we must honour God in our health and prospetity that he may be propitious to us in our adversity.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Thy Child that is no child leave upon the waters and let him swim. 
That is, where our Child is not reclaimable by fair means we may not hinder him from condign punishment.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Gnaw the bone which is fallen to thy lot: 
That is, He that hath an ill wife must patiently bear with her: It may also be applied to other things.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Gold must be beaten, and a child scourged.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Be good, and refrain not to be good.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Woe be to the wicked, and woe be to them that cleave to them. Or, to their neighbours that live near them.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
If we would avoid a mischief we must not be very kind and familiar with an evil man.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. Withhold not thine hand from showing mercy to the poor.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. The Bride goes to her marriage bed, but knows not what shall happen to her. 
The meaning is, that we ought not confidently to promise ourselves in any thing any great success. Thus it is said, that a certain man said he would enjoy his Bride on the morrow, and when he was admonished to say he would; if God will: He answered that he would, whether God would or not. This man and his bride were both found dead the following night. Thus was the saying of Ben Syra verified, the Bride, etc.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. A nod for a wise man, and a rod for a fool.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. He that gives honour to his enemy is like to an Ass.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. A little fire burns up a great deal of Corn. 
This saying is to be understood of the mischief which an evil and slandering tongue does, and is exemplified in Doeg, who by this means brought destruction upon the Priests. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Jam. 3. 5.   〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. An old man in an house is a good sign in an house.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
Spread the table and contention will cease.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. If thou must deal, be sure to deal with an honest man.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
Be not ungrateful to your old friend.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
Though thou hast never so many Counsellors, yet do not forsake the Counsel of thy own soul.  〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 
i. e. The day is short, and the work is much. 
Ars long a vita brevis.    
FINIS.   

Books sold by W. Morden Bookseller in Cambridge.  

DR Henry Moor's Philosophical Collections, Fol.  
Mystery of Iniquity, Fol.  
Enchyridion Metaphysicum Lat. 4ᵒ. cum Fig.  
Enchyridion Ethicum Lat. 8o.  
Divine Dialogues in 2 Vol. 8o.  
His Epist. to the 7 Churches with an Antidote against Idolatry 8o.  
Introductio ad Cartesium, 8o.  
Observations on Antroposophia Theomagica.  
Merceri in Job Proverb. Eccles. & Cant. Fol.  
Cocceius in Prophetas Minor. Fol.  
Bullialdi Astro. Fol.  
Origines contra Celsum; Ejusdem Philocalia, cum Ann. Gulielmi Spenceri, 4ᵒ. G. L. Edit. secund.  
Scheyneri Fundamenta Optica, 4o.  
Glissoni de Natura Substantiae, 4o.  
Cartesii Epistolae, 4o.  
Causabons' Letter against the Royal Society, 4o.  
Smith's select Discourses, 4o.  
Enjedini in Vet. & Novum Testament. 4o.  
Letter of Resol. concerning the chief of Orig. Opinions, 4o.  
Warrens no Praeexistence, 4o.  
Godmans' Sermon, 4o.  
Officium Concionatorium, 8o.  
Epicteti Enchyridion cum Cebetis Tabula. Accesserunt Simplicii & Arriani Comment. G. L. 8o.  
Gassendi Astronomia, 8o.  
Billingsly's Idea of Arithmetic, 8o.  
Rami Logica cum Comment. Amesii, 8o.  
Ray's Collection of English and Scotch Proverbs, 8o.  
Templeri Idea Theolog. Leviathanis, 8o.  
Psalterium Lat. 8o.  
Gazaei Pia Hilaria. Tomus alter cum Indice Philologico, 12o.  
Lucretius come not. Tan. Fabri, 12o.  
Florus Germanicus, 16o.  
Dr Templars Sermon at the Bishop's Visitation Camb. 1676.