Bottisham.
[The modern restricted use of the word _miser_ is subsequent to
Shakspeare's time for in Part I. _King Henry VI._, Act V. Sc. 4.,
"Decrepit _miser_! base ignoble wretch!"
Steevens says has no relation to avarice, but simply means a
_miserable_ creature. So in the interlude of _Jacob and Esau_, 1568:
"But as for these _misers_ within my father's tent."
Again, in Lord Stirling's tragedy of _Croesus_, 1604:
"Or think'st thou me of judgement too remiss,
A _miser_ that in miserie remains."
Otway, however, in his _Orphan_, published in 1680, uses it for a
covetous person:
"Though she be dearer to my soul than rest
To weary pilgrims, or to _misers_ gold,
Rather than wrong Castalio, I'd forget thee."
So also does Pope:
"No silver saints by dying _misers_ given,
Here brib'd the rage of ill-requited heaven."
_"Acis and Galatea."_--Is there any good evidence in support of the
commonly received opinion that the words to Handel's _Acis and Galatea_
were written by Gay? Hawkins merely states that they "are said to have been
written by Mr. Gay." I have no copy of Burney at hand to refer to; but I
find the same statement repeated by various other musical historians,
without, however, any authority being given for it. The words in question
are not to be found among the _Poems on several Occasions_, by Mr. John
Gay, published in 1767 by Tonson and others. Have they ever been included
in any collective edition of his works?