cozen's

Updated: May 28, 2025

Thus, it was in the year 1560, or 1650, or mayhap 1710 for my memory is not what it hath been and I ever cared little for monkish calendars or such dry-as-dust matter, being active as becometh one who hath to make his way in the world yet I wot well it was after the Great Plague, which I have great cause to remember, lying at my cozen's in Wardour Street, London, in that lamentable year, eating of gilly flowers, sulphur, hartes tongue and many stynking herbes; touching neither man nor mayd, save with a great tongs steept in pitch; wearing a fine maske of silk with a mouth piece of aromatic stuff by reason of which acts of hardihood and courage I was miraculously preserved.

Bret Harte - Condensed Novels: New Burlesques