Turkey (1504?)

[Jan Ivarsson TransEdit]

I could bet a small sum on this "turkeys" being "turquoise". RHUD gives ME turkeis < MF under "turquoise".
In MA turquoise was considered to possess many virtues and was often carried as an amulet.
Jan Ivarsson

----- Original Message -----
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Sent: Thursday, January 16, 2003 3:21 AM
Subject: [ADS-L] Turkey (1504?)


>    I plugged "tomato" into EEBO full text, without success.  I then tried
> "turkey" and came up with this.  OED and MERRIAM-WEBSTER have 1555 for
> "turkey."  See what you think about it.
>
>
> HERE BEGYNNETH THE BOKE CALLED THE EXAMPLE OF VERTU
> by Stephen Hawes (d. 1523?)
> London: Wynkyn de Worde
> 1504?
>
> Forth than we went vnto the habytacle
> Of dame hardynes moost pure and fayre
> Aboue all places a ryght fayre spectacle
> Strowyd with floures that gaue good eyer
> Of vertuous turkeys there was a cheyr
> Wherein she sate in her cote armure
> Berynge a shelde the felde of asure.
>