Anatomy of
Melancholy," writes: "And if men will be jealous in such cases, the
mends is in their own hands, they must thank themselves."

"Small herbs have grace, great weeds do grow apace" ("Richard III.,"
ii. 4).

"So wise so young, do ne'er live long" ("Richard III.," iii. 1).[889]

[889] See page 332.

"So like you, 'tis the worse." This is quoted as an old proverb by
Paulina in the "Winter's Tale" (ii. 3).

"Something about, a little from the right" ("King John," i. 1).

"Sowed cockle, reap no corn" ("Love's Labour's Lost," iv. 3).

"Speak by the card" ("Hamlet," v. 1). A merchant's expression,
equivalent to "be as precise as a map or book." The card is the document
in writing containing the agreement made between a merchant and the
captain of a vessel. Sometimes the owner binds himself, ship, tackle,
and furniture, for due performance, and the captain is bound to declare
the cargo committed to him in good condition. Hence, "to speak by the
card" is to speak according to the indentures or written instructions.

"Still swine eat all the draff" ("Merry Wives of Windsor," iv. 2). Ray
gives: "The still sow eats up all the draught."

"Still waters run deep." So in "2 Henry VI." (iii. 1), Suffolk says:

"Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep."

"Strike sail." A proverbial phrase to acknowledge one's self beaten. In
"3 Henry VI." (iii. 3), it occurs:

"now Margaret
Must strike her sail and learn awhile to serve,
Where kings command."

When a ship, in fight, or on meeting another ship, lets down her
topsails at least half-mast high, she is said to strike, that is, to
submit or pay respect to the other.[890]

[890] Brewer's "Dictionary of Phrase and Fable," p. 860.

"Strike while the iron is hot." Poins probably alludes to this proverb
in "2 Henry IV." (ii. 4): "My lord, he will drive you out of your
revenge, and turn all to a merriment, if you take not the heat."

Again, in "King Lear" (i. 1), Goneril adds: "We must do something, and
i' the heat."

"Take all, pay all" ("Merry Wives of Windsor," ii. 2). Ray gives another
version of this proverb: "Take all, and pay the baker."

"Tell the truth and shame the devil." In "1 Henry IV." (iii. 1), Hotspur
tells Glendower:

"I can teach thee, coz, to shame the devil
By telling truth: tell truth, and shame the devil."

"That was laid on with a trowel."[891] This proverb, which is quoted b