Page:Biographical and critical studies by James Thomson ("B.V.").djvu/224

208 BIOGRAPHICAL STUDIES in love and war. It will be remarked that Kastril has not yet mastered the nice gradations of the gentle- manly quarrel, and can but blurt out grossly at the very beginning, " Vou //V," which should be the climax. It will also be remarked that his munition of invec- tive is neither abundant nor formidable. For the sake of his sister, Surly does not want to quarrel with him, but sees clearly through his vapouring, and tells him that he is valiant in company ; for all present — save Dame Pliant, always passively neutral — are dead against the gamester, who for once is playing an honest game. Even Ananias, entering, has his zeal mightily kindled against Surly's Spanish slops : — "Ana. They are profane, Lewd, superstitious, and idolatrous breeches. Sur. New rascals ! A'as. Will you be gone, sir ? Afia. Avoid, Sathan ! Thou art not of the light ! That ruff of pride About thy neck, betrays thee ; and is the same With that which the unclean birds, in seventy-seven. Were seen to prank it with on divers coasts : Thou look'st like antichrist in that lewd hat. Sur, I must give way " The " unclean birds of seventy-seven " may refer to the number of Spanish troops poured about that year, 1577, into the Netherlands under Alva. During the early part of James's reign Spanish influence and fashions were paramount at court; but the people remembered the Armada, and loved not Pope or Inquisition, and always welcomed any stage ridicule of their old enemies. The huge Spanish ruffs, with their deep sets or plaits, often came in for mockery ;