Note 193 — GAMMER GURTON'S NEEDLE.
Reading edition
I believe we should read halse anchor, or anker, as it was anciently spelt; a naval phrase. The halse or halser was a particular kind of cable. Shakspeare, in his "Antony and Cleopatra, has an image similar to this—
"The brize upon her, like a cow in June, Hoists sail and flies."—S.