I
say fatal, for they are so to some, who, having no money, are obliged
to give up part of their scanty apparel; and if they have no bedding
or straw to sleep on, contract
diseases
which I have known to prove
mortal.
Ben Jonson - The Devil's Association
58, 59 You had some straine 'Boue E-la?= Cf. 1593 Nash,
_Christ's Tears_, _Wks._ 4. 188: 'You must straine your wits an Ela
aboue theyrs.' Cf. also Nash, _Wks._ 5. 98 and 253; Lyly, _Euphues_,
Aij; and Gloss.
=5. 6. 1 your garnish.= 'This word _garnish_ has been made familiar
to all time by the writings of John Howard. "A cruel custom," says
he, "obtains in most of our gaols, which is that of the prisoners
demanding of a newcomer _garnish_, footing, or (as it is called in
some London gaols) chummage. _Pay_ or _strip_ are the fatal words.
I
say fatal, for they are so to some, who, having no money, are obliged
to give up part of their scanty apparel; and if they have no bedding
or straw to sleep on, contract
diseases
which I have known to prove
mortal.
"'--C.
Cf. Dekker, _If this be not a good Play_, _Wks._ 3. 324:
Tis a strong charme gainst all the noisome smels
Of Counters, Iaylors, garnishes, and such hels.
and Greene, _Upstart Courtier_, Dija: 'Let a poore man be arrested
... he shal be almost at an angels charge, what with garnish,
crossing and wiping out of the book ... extortions ... not allowed by
any statute.
