1591. Greene, Second Part Conny-catching, in Works, vol. x. p. 83.
These fellows will refuse no lay if the ods may grow to their
aduantage.
1602. Shakspeare, Othello, ii. 8. My fortunes to any lay worth
naming.
1606. John Day, Ile of Guls, ii. 5, p. 57. Lis. Badd’s the best. I
winne her for ten crownes; and there they be. Vist. I take your
lay.
1630. Massinger, Renegado, iii. 4. It is an even lay, but that you
had A courtier to your father.
1672. Lacy, Old Troop, v. 1. It’s an even lay whether this farce be
a comedy or a tragedy.
1735. Oldys, Life of Sir W. Raleigh. Looked upon it as an uneven
lay to stake himself against Sir Amias.