Quickly (Dame).

Hostess of a tavern in Eastcheap. (Shakespeare: Henry IV. parts 1 and 2.)

Mistress Quickly. Servant of all-work to Dr. Caius. She says: “I wash, wring, brew, bake, scour, dress meat and drink, make the beds, and do all myself.” She is the go-between of three suitors to Anne Page, and to prove her disinterestedness she says: “I would my master had Mistress Anne, or I would Master Slender had her, or in sooth I would Master Fenton had her. I will do what I can for them all three, for so I have promised; and Iʹll be as good as my word; but speciously for Master Fenton.” (Shakespeare: Merry Wives of Windsor.)

previous entry · index · next entry

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

Queux
Quey Calves are dear Veal
Qui
Qui sExcuse, sAccuse
Qui-Tam
Qui Vive? (French)
Quia Emptores
Quibble
Quick
Quick Sticks (In)
Quickly (Dame)
Quicksand
Quickset
Quicksilver
Quid
Half a Quid
Quids
Quid Libet
Quid of Tobacco
Quid pro Quo
Quid Rides