The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 12.0420  Wednesday, 21 February 2001

From:           William Proctor Williams <
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Date:           Wednesday, 21 Feb 2001 08:44:55 -0500
Subject:        Cornish Curates

Although this is not strictly about Shakespeare it does come from a play
published in 1652 and I have been struggling to gloss this passage for
some months without success.

    My spiritual exercise grows too laborious.
    O for a Cornish Curate from beyond sea, to officiate in my
    Absence but for one moneth!

Does anyone out there know what could possibly be meant?  The line is
spoken by false Evangelical "minister" in London prior to 1652.  I
understand the curate part; it is the Cornish and beyond the sea which
are causing me trouble.  Many thanks for any help anyone may have and it
can certainly be communicated to be off the list.  Maybe I need a
Cornish Curate to help me with it?

William Proctor Williams