Note 2. Si les nues tomboyent esperoyt prendre les alouettes (If the skies fall, one may hope to catch larks).Francis Rabelais: book i. chap. xi. [back]
Note 3. To cast beyond the moon, is a phrase in frequent use by the old writers. John Lyly: Euphues, p. 78.Thomas Heywood: A Woman Killed with Kindness. [back]
Note 7. Hold their noses to the grindstone.Thomas Middleton: Blurt, Master-Constable, act iii. sc. 3. [back]
Note 8. It is more blessed to give than to receive.John xx. 35. [back]
Note 9. This proverb occurs in Rabelais, book i. chap. xi.; in Vulgaria Stambrigi, circa 1510; in Butler, part i. canto i. line 490. Archbishop Trench says this proverb is certainly as old as Jerome of the fourth century, who, when some found fault with certain writings of his, replied that they were free-will offerings, and that it did not behove to look a gift horse in the mouth. [back]