Thomas Dekker. "The Shoemaker's Holiday" 1598/9

Act I, Scene I.

Eyre: "I am  Simon Eyre, the Mad Shoemaker of Tower Street."
Eyre: "Here's Firk, my fine firking journeyman."
Firk: "...for he's as good a workman at a prick and an awl, as any in our trade."
Hodge: "Th'art a gull, by my stirrup, If thou dost not go.  I will not have thee strike thy gimlet into the weak vessels; prick thine enemies, Ralph."
Eyre: "... fight for the honour of the gentle craft, for the gentlemen shoemakers, the courageous cordwainers, the flower of St. Martin's, th emad knaves of Bedlam, Fleet Street, Tower Street, and White Chapel;..."
Ralph: "Thou know'st our trade makes rings for women's heels: Here take this pair of shoes, cut out by Hodge, Stitch'f by my fellow Firk, seam'd by myself, made up and pink'd with letters for thy name.

Act II, Scene III.  

Eyre: "Call the quean up: if my men want shoe-thread, I'll swing her in a stirrup."
Firk: "Yet, that's but a dry beating; here's still sign of drought."
Firk: "Master, for my life, yonder's a brother of the gentle craft; if he bear not Saint Hugh's bones, I'll forfeit my bones..."
Firk: "If Saint Hugh's bones shall not be set a-work, I may prick mine awl in the walls and go play."
Firk: "And hark you, sko-maker, have you all your good tools, a good rubbing-pin, a good stopper, a good dresser, your four sorts of awls, and your two balls of wax, your paring knife, your hand- and thumb- leathers, and good Saint Hugh's Bones to smooth up your work?"
Eyre: Hear ye, friend, have ye any skill in the mystery of cordwainers?"
Firk: "...Ho, boy, bring him an heel-block, here's a new journeyman."

Act III, Scene I.

Eyre: "...quarrel not with me and my men, with me and my fine Firk; I'll firk you, if you do."
Firk: "If I tarry now, I would my guts might  be turn'd to shoe-thread."
Eyre: "Yark and seam, yark and seam!"
Firk: "For yarking and seaming let me alone, and I come to't."
Hodge: "Well, master, this is all from the bias..."

Act III, Scene IV.

Margery: "Roger, thou know'st the length of my foot; as it is none of the biggest, so I thank God, it is handsome enough; prithee, let me have a pair of shoes made, cork, good Roger, wooden heel too."
Eyre: "Come, Madge, on with your tinkets!"

Act III, Scene V.

  The First Three-Men's Song.
  Enter Hodge, Hans, Ralph, Firk and other Shoemakers, in a morris...
Sybil: "I'll bind you prentice to the gentle trade."

Act IV, Scene II.

  Hodge, at his shop-board...
Firk: "Not so neither, my organ-pipe squeaks this morning for want of liquoring."
Hans: "... cut me un pair vampres vor Mester Jeffre's boots."
Firk: "Pray now, you are in the cutting vein, cut me out a pair of counterfeits, or else my work will not pass current."
Firk: "... I would have yearked and firked your Priscilla."

Act IV, Scene III.

Serv.: "Let me see now, the sign of the Last in Tower Street."
Ralph: "Yes sir, you shall have them.  But what's the length of her foot?"
Serv.: "Why you must make them in all parts like this shoe..."
Ralph: "Why, then I do: shis shoe, I durst be sworn, once covered the instep of my Jane.  This is her size, her breadth, thus trod my love; These true-love knots I pricked.

Act IV, Scene IV.

Hans: "... forware, 'tis un good skoo, 'tis gimait van neit's leither; se euer, mine here."

Act IV, Scene V.

Firk: "... my profession is the gentle craft;..."
Firk: "Firk is your man -- [aside] in a new pair of stretchers."
Firk: "No! Shall I cry treason to my corporation? No, I shall be firked and yerked then."
Firk: "...by this rush, or else turn Firk into a firkin of butter, to tan leather withal."

Act V, Scene II.

Hodge: "... My masters, as we are the brave bloods of the shoemakers, heirs apparent to Saint Hugh, and perpetual benefactors to all good fellows."
Ralph: "This morning when I stroked on her shoes..."
Firk: "Touch not one rag, lest I and my brethren beat you to clouts."
Firk: "Noy, more, my hearts!  Every Shrove-Tuesday is our year of jubilee; and when the pancake-bell rings, we are as free as my lord mayor; we may shut up our shops and make holiday.  I'll have it called Saint Hugh's Holiday."

Act V, Scene V.

Eyre: "... Tamar Cham's beard was a rubbing brush to't..."