753 q In bloody, &c.] Cynarctomachy signifies no thing in the world but a fight between dogs and bears; though both the learned and ignorant agree that in such words very great knowledge is contained:  And our Knight, as one, or both, of these, was of the same opinion.

758 r Or Force, &c.] Averruncate:  Another of the same kind, which, though it appear ever so learned and profound, means nothing else but the weeding of corn.

777 s The Indians fought for the Truth
      Of th’ Elephant and Monkey’s Tooth. 
The History of the White Elephant and the Monkey’s-Tooth, which the Indians adored, is written by Mons. le Blanc.  This monkey’s tooth was taken by the Portuguese from those that worshipped it; and though they offered a vast ransom for it, yet the Christians were persuaded by their priests rather to burn it.  But as soon as the fire was kindled, all the people present were not able to endure the horrible stink that came from it, as if the fire had been made of the same ingredients with which seamen use to compose that kind of granados which they call stinkards.

786 t The Rage, &c.] Boute-feus is a French word, and therefore it were uncivil to suppose any English person (especially of quality) ignorant of it, or so ill-bred as to need an exposition.

903 u ’Tis sung, &c.] Mamaluke is the name of the militia of the Sultans of Egypt.  It signified a servant or soldier.  They were commonly captives taken from amongst the Christians, and instructed in military discipline, and did not marry.  Their power was great; for besides that the Sultans were chosen out of their body, they disposed of the most important offices of the kingdom.  They were formidable about 200 years; ’till at last Selim, Sultan of the Turks, routed them, and killed their Sultan, near Aleppo, 1516, and so put an end to the empire of Mamalukes, which had lasted 267 years.  No question but the rhime to Mamaluke was meant Sir Samuel Luke, of whom in the Preface.

913 w Honour is like, &c.] Our English proverbs are not impertinent to this purpose: 

He that woos a Maid, must seldom come in her sight: 
But he that woos a Widow, must woo her Day and Night. 
He that woos a Maid, must feign, lye, and flatter: 
But he that woos a Widow, must down with his Breeches, and at her.

This proverb being somewhat immodest, Mr Ray says he would not have inserted it in his collection, but that he met with it in a little book, intitled, the Quakers’ Spiritual Court Proclaimed; written by Nathaniel Smith, Student in Physic; wherein the author mentions it as counsel given him by Hilkiah Bedford, an eminent Quaker in London, who would have had him to have married a rich widow, in whose house he lodged.  In case he could get her, this Nathaniel Smith had promised Hilkiah a chamber gratis.  The whole narrative is worth the reading.

PART I.