_By Hook or by Crook_.--I send you a note, which I made some
years ago.
This expression is much more ancient than the time of Charles I., to
which it is generally referred. It occurs in Skelton, _Colin
Clout_, line 31. _a fine_:--
"Nor wyll suffer this boke
_By hooke ne by crooke_
Prynted for to be."