29) says that 'overlashing
in apparel is so common a fault, that the verye
hyerlings
of
some of our plaiers, which stand at reversion of vi^s by
the weeke, jet under gentlemens noses in sutes of silke.
Ben Jonson - The Devil's Association
The
fourth chapter of Dekker's _Guls Horne-booke_ is entitled 'How a
Gallant should behaue himselfe in Powles walkes.' He bids the gallant
make his way directly into the middle aisle, 'where, in view of all,
you may publish your suit in what manner you affect most, either with
the slide of your cloake from the one shoulder, and then you must
(as twere in anger) suddenly snatch at the middle of the inside (if
it be taffata at the least) and so by that meanes your costly lining
is betrayd,' etc. A little later on (_Non-dram. Wks._ 2. 238) Dekker
speaks of 'Powles, a Tennis-court, or a Playhouse' as a suitable
place to 'publish your clothes.' Cf. also _Non-dram. Wks._ 4. 51.
Sir Thomas Overbury gives the following description of 'a
Phantastique:' 'He withers his clothes on a stage as a salesman is
forced to do his suits in Birchin Lane; and when the play is done, if
you mark his rising, 'tis with a kind of walking epilogue between the
two candles, to know if his suit may pass for current.' Morley, p. 73.
Stephen Gosson (_School of Abuse_, p.
29) says that 'overlashing
in apparel is so common a fault, that the verye
hyerlings
of
some of our plaiers, which stand at reversion of vi^s by
the weeke, jet under gentlemens noses in sutes of silke.
'
=1. 6. 37, 8 For, they doe come
To see vs, Loue, as wee doe to see them.= Cf. _Induction_ to _The
Staple of News_, _Wks._ 5. 151: 'Yes, on the stage; we are persons
of quality, I assure you, and women of fashion, and come to see
and to be seen.' _Silent Woman_, _Wks._ 3. 409: 'and come abroad
where the matter is frequent, to court, ... to plays, ...
