Note 635 — VI THE MASK (continued)
Reading edition
R. J. i. 5. 95; Hen. VIII, i. 4. 95,
I were unmannerly to take you out. And not to kiss you.
The amorous tradition of the 'commoning' which apparently frightened some of the ladies at Henry's court, survived under Elizabeth. In Lyly's Euphues and his England (Works, ii. 103), Philautus takes Camilla by the hand in a mask and begins 'to boord hir' in this manner, 'It hath ben a custome faire Lady, how commendable I wil not dispute, how common you know, that Masquers do therfore couer their faces that they may open their affections, & vnder yᵉ colour of a dance, discouer their whole desires'; cf. Reyher, 23.