d Cressida" (i. 2), in the following
dialogue:

"_Pandarus._ When comes Troilus?--I'll show you Troilus anon:
if he see me, you shall see him nod at me.

_Cressida._ Will he give you the nod?

_Pandarus._ You shall see.

_Cressida._ If he do, the rich shall have more."[808]

[808] See Nares's "Glossary," vol. ii. p. 606.

The term "noddy" was also applied to a fool, because, says Minsheu, he
nods when he should speak. In this sense it occurs in "Two Gentlemen of
Verona" (i. 1):

"_Speed._ You mistook, sir: I say, she did nod; and you ask
me, if she did nod; and I say, 'Ay.'

_Proteus._ And that set together is noddy."

_Novem Quinque._ A game of dice, so called from its principal throws
being five and nine. It is alluded to in "Love's Labour's Lost" (v. 2)
by Biron, who speaks of it simply as "novem."

_Parish-top._ Formerly a top was kept for public exercise in a parish--a
custom to which the old writers often refer. Thus, in "Twelfth Night"
(i. 3), Sir Toby Belch says: "He's a coward, and a coystril, that will
not drink to my niece till his brains turn o' the toe like a
parish-top." On which passage Mr. Steevens says: "A large top was kept
in every village, to be whipped in frosty weather, that the peasants
might be kept warm by exercise, and out of mischief while they could not
work." Beaumont and Fletcher, in "Thierry and Theodoret" (ii. 3), speak
of the practice:

"I'll hazard
My life upon it, that a body of twelve
Should scourge him hither like a parish top,
And make him dance before you."

And in their "Night Walker" (i. 3) they mention the "town-top." Evelyn,
enumerating the uses of willow-wood, speaks of "great town-topps." Mr.
Knight[809] remarks that the custom which existed in the time of
Elizabeth, and probably long before, of a large top being provided for
the amusement of the peasants in frosty weather, presents a curious
illustration of the mitigating influences of social kindness in an age
of penal legislation.

[809] "Pictorial Shakespeare," vol. ii. p. 145.

_Primero._ In Shakespeare's time this was a very fashionable game at
cards, and hence is frequently alluded to by him. It was known under the
various designations of _Primero_, _Prime_, and _Primavista_; and,
according to Strutt,[810] has been reckoned among the most ancient games
of cards known to have been played in England. Shakespeare speaks