Note 158 — LETTER IV.
Reading edition
Hence our English word Bug-bear. In Matthews's Bible, Ps. xci. 5. is rendered, "Thou shalt not nede to be afraid of any bugs by night." The word in this sense often occurs in Shakespear. Winter's Tale, act iii. sc. 2. 3. Hen. VI. act v. sc. 2. Hamlet, act v. sc. 2. See Douce's Illustrations of Shakespear, i. 329.