Note 215 — SCENE IV.
Reading edition
Or, as it was more frequently written, tray-trip. This game is mentioned very frequently in our ancient writers, but it is by no means clear what the nature of it was. Mr Steevens considers it as a game at cards; and Mr Tyrwhitt, as a game at tables. In opposition to both, Mr Hawkins was of opinion that it was the same play which is now called "Scotch Hop," the amusement at present of the lower class of young people. In support of this idea, the above passage was quoted by that gentleman. See notes on "Twelfth Night," act ii. sc. 5.
The truth of Mr Tyrwhitt's conjecture will be established by the following extract from "Machiavell's Dogge," 1617, 4o, sig. B.
"But leaving cardes, lett's goe to dice a while, To passage, trei-trippe, hazarde, or mum-chance, But subtill mates will simple mindes beguile, And blinde their eyes with many a blinking glaunce. "Oh cogges and stoppes, and such like devilish trickes, Full many a purse of golde and silver pickes. "And therefore, first for hazard, hee that list, And passeth not, puts many to a blancke; And trippe without a treye makes hard, I wist, To sitte and mourne among the sleepers ranke. And for mum-chance howe'er the chance doe fall, You must be mum for fear of marring all."
[See also "Popular Antiquities of Great Britain," 1870, ii. 340.]