Note 192 — GAMMER GURTON'S NEEDLE.
Reading edition
This is the reading of the first edition, which in all the subsequent ones is very improperly altered to cover. To cower, is to bend, stoop, hang, or lean over. See Beaumont and Fletcher's "Monsieur Thomas," act. iv., sc. 6, and Nash's "Pierce Pennilesse," 1592, p. 8.
Again—
"He much rejoyst, and cour'd it tenderly, As chicken newly hatcht, from dreaded destiny."— Spenser's Fairy Queen, B. ii., c. 8. sc. 9.
So in Shakspeare's "King Henry VI." Part II. vol. vi., p. 362, edit. 1778—
"The splitting rocks cowr'd in the sinking sand."—S.
Again—
"As thus he spake, each bird and beast behold Approaching two and two, these cow'ring low With blandishment, each bird stoop'd on his wing." —Paradise Lost, B. viii., l. 349.