(198).

(3) _Simpcox._

A fall off a tree.

_Wife._

A Plum-tree, master.

* * * * *

_Gloucester._

Mass, thou lovedst Plums well that wouldst venture so.

_Simpcox._

Alas! good master, my wife desired some Damsons,
And made me climb with danger of my life.

_2nd Henry VI_, act ii, sc. 1 (196).

(4) _Evans._

I will dance and eat Plums at your wedding.

_Merry Wives of Windsor_, act v, sc. 5.[217:1]

(5)

The mellow Plum doth fall, the green sticks fast,
Or, being early pluck'd, is sour to taste.

_Venus and Adonis_ (527).

(6)

Like a green Plum that hangs upon a tree,
And falls, through wind, before the fall should be.

_Passionate Pilgrim_ (135).

(7) _Slender._

Three veneys for a dish of stewed Prunes.

_Merry Wives of Windsor_, act i, sc. 1 (295).

(8) _Falstaff._

There's no more faith in thee than in a stewed Prune.

_1st Henry IV_, act iii, sc. 3 (127).

(9) _Pompey._

Longing (saving your honour's presence) for stewed Prunes.

* * * * *

And longing, as I said, for Prunes.

* * * * *

You being then, if you he remembered, cracking the stones of
the foresaid Prunes.

_Measure for Measure_, act ii, sc. 1 (92).

(10) _Clown._

Four pounds of Prunes, and as many of Raisins of the sun.

_Winters Tale_, act iv, sc. 3 (51).

(11) _Falstaff._

Hang him, rogue; he lives upon mouldy stewed Prunes and dried
cakes.

_2nd Henry IV_, act ii, sc. 4 (158).

Plums, Damsons, and Prunes may conveniently be joined together, Plums
and Damsons being often used synonymously (as in No. 3), and Prunes
being the dried Plums. The Damsons were originally, no doubt, a good
variety from the East, and nominally from Damascus.[217:2] They seem to
have been considered great delicacies, as in a curious allegorical
drama of the fifteenth century, called "La Nef de Sante," of which an
account is given by Mr. Wright: "Bonne-Compagnie, to begin the day,
orde