"Learn,
caitiff, the expediency of uncalculating zeal.
I am Robin Hood, as thy
caitiff carcase soon shall know."
Failure was often the
caitiff's portion, and disaster once; owing, ironically enough, to that very mist which should have served them.
By your dress you should be one of those cursed clerks who overrun the land like vile rats, poking and prying into other men's concerns, too caitiff to fight and too lazy to work.
What man would be so caitiff and thrall as to fail you at your need?
Caitiff! But if you bolt off on the head of it, I shall go back and sack him into the bargain!"
Of
caitiff wretched thralls, that wailed night and day,
It is only when he descends from the clouds to pounce upon carrion that he betrays his low propensities, and reveals his
caitiff character.
Down went Rocinante, and over went his master, rolling along the ground for some distance; and when he tried to rise he was unable, so encumbered was he with lance, buckler, spurs, helmet, and the weight of his old armour; and all the while he was struggling to get up he kept saying, "Fly not, cowards and
caitiffs! stay, for not by my fault, but my horse's, am I stretched here."
But be it known to you, brave knights, that certain murderous
caitiffs, casting behind them fear of God, and reverence of his church, and not regarding the bull of the holy see, Si quis, suadende Diabolo ''
The lady is frequently a "ladye" in 1838, the wretch that kills Earl Walter is a "
caitiff," and so on.
He cared for his courtesy, lest a
caitiff he proved, yet more for his sad case, if he should sin commit and to the owner of the house, to his host, be a traitor.