Lycus, which lately[111] is to Venice gone,
Shall if he doe returne, gaine three for one:[112]
But ten to one, his knowledge and his wit
Will not be bettered or increas'd a whit.
[Footnote 111: Recently: the MS. reads 'that is of late.' G.]
[Footnote 112: In our author's days, it was a common practice for
persons, before setting out on their travels, to deposit a sum of
money, on condition of receiving large interest for it on their
return: if they never returned, the deposit was forfeited. Innumerable
allusions to 'putters out' occur in the works published during the
reigns of Elizabeth and James. D.]