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From: John Cowan <cowan@ccil.org>
Subject: Re: Meaning of Orchit?
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Date: Tue, 11 Feb 1997 20:23:17 GMT
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> I am looking for the meaning/etymology of the word "orchit" used
> in the poem below. The poem is cast as a lament by an unmarried
> women about her single state. It is humorous and funny in a cruel
> sort of way.  It is c. 1550, and here's the relevant stanza, with
> the rest of it updated to modern English:

Unfortunately, I can't help, but...

> My father, my mother, my master, nor my madam
> Shall not let me, I swear by St Ives;

I suggest that "let" here means "hinder", and
your modern English version should have used
"hinder".

Could you post the original?  Context is a
powerful source of clues?

-- 
John Cowan						cowan@ccil.org
			e'osai ko sarji la lojban
