Note 917 — SCENE III.
Reading edition
from the Master’s side down to ... the Hole] The best side or department in those prisons was called the Master’s side; and one of the worst, the Hole: see Fennor’s Compter’s Commonwealth, pp. 4, 5, 11, 18, 62, 69, 79; and Jordan’s Walks of Islington and Hogsdon, &c. act iv.
Gifford (note on B. Jonson’s Works, vol. ii. p. 208) mentions the Knights’ ward as if it had been the best department; but, I believe, it was the second best,—after the Master’s side.