Note 159 — ACT IV.
Reading edition
i.e., Says Mr Steevens (note to "Merry Wives of Windsor," act i. sc. 1), "three venues, Fr. three different set-to's, bouts, a technical term." Several instances are there produced, to which may be added the following:—
Ben Jonson's "Every Man in his Humour," act i. sc. 5—
"Mat. But one venue, sir. Bob. Venue! fie, a most gross denomination as ever I heard."
"The Old Law," by Massinger, &c., act iii. sc. 2—
"To give your perfum'd worship three venues. A sound old man puts his thrust better home Than a spic'd young man."
Greene's "Historie of Fryer Bacon and Fryer Bungay," Sig. G 4, edit. 1630—
"Why stand'st thou, Serlsby, doubt'st thou of thy life. A veney, man! faire Margaret craves so much."
Fennor's "Compter's Commonwealth," 1617, p. 21: "Thus are my young novices strucke to the heart at the first venny, and dares come no more for feare of as sharp a repulse."