Feed him with Apric.o.c.ks and Dewberries, With purple Grapes, green Figs, and Mulberries.

_Midsummer Night's Dream_, act iii, sc. 1 (169).

(2) _Constance._

And its grandam will Give it a Plum, a Cherry, and a Fig.

_King John_, act ii, sc. 1 (161).

(3) _Guard._

Here is a rural fellow That will not be denied your Highness's presence, He brings you Figs.

_Antony and Cleopatra_, act v, sc. 2 (233).

(4) _1st Guard._

A simple countryman that brought her Figs.

_Ibid._ (342).

_Ditto._

These Fig-leaves Have slime upon them.

_Ibid._, act v, sc. 2 (354).

(5) _Pistol._

When Pistol lies, do this; and Fig me, like The bragging Spaniard.

_2nd Henry IV_, act v, sc. 3 (123).

(6) _Pistol._

Die and be d.a.m.ned, and Figo for thy friendship.

_Fluellen._

It is well.

_Pistol._

The Fig of Spain.

_Henry V_, act iii, sc. 6 (60).

(7) _Pistol._

The Figo for thee, then.

_Ibid._, act iv, sc. 1 (60).

(8) _Iago._

Virtue! a Fig!

_Oth.e.l.lo_, act i, sc. 3 (322).

(9) _Iago._

Blessed Fig's end!

_Ibid._, act ii, sc. 1 (256).

(10) _Horner._

I'll pledge you all, and a Fig for Peter.

_2nd Henry IV_, act ii, sc. 3 (66).

(11) _Pistol._

"Convey," the wise it call; "steal!" foh! a Fico for the phrase!

_Merry Wives_, act i, sc. 3 (32).

(12) _Charmian._

O excellent! I love long life better than Figs.

_Antony and Cleopatra_, act i, sc. 2 (32).

In some of these pa.s.sages (as 5, 6, 7, and perhaps in more) the reference is to a grossly insulting and indecent gesture called "making the fig." It was a most unpleasant custom, which largely prevailed throughout Europe in Shakespeare's time, and on which I need not dwell.

It is fully described in Douce's "Ill.u.s.trations of Shakespeare," i, 492.