I dread more the policy of Louis, who, unless my espials have grossly deceived me, has even already proposed a secret peace to Edward, offering with large sums of money to purchase England to the Yorkists, and ❋ Unknown (2008)
There is a kind of followers likewise, which are dangerous, being indeed espials; which inquire the secrets of the house, and bear tales of them, to others. ❋ Unknown (2007)
At the same time the Spanish Fleete was escried by an English pinasse, captaine whereof was M. Thomas Fleming, after they had bene aduertised of the Spaniards expedition by their scoutes and espials, which hauing ranged along the coast of Spaine, were lately returned home into ❋ Unknown (2003)
Which house being razed and those Tartarians espials beeing excluded, the Tartars at length were quite bereaued and vtterly dispossessed of their authoritie which they had exercised ouer the Russians for many yeres, and could neuer yet recouer it; albeit they haue giuen sundry attempts. ❋ Unknown (2003)
[Berozoua Vstia.] 8 Item, if you shall vnderstand as you are outwards bound, that the enemie is gone before you to S. Nicholas, remember what aduice hath bene giuen you for your stay at Berozoua Vstia, till you haue by espials viewed and vnderstood the forces, and the manner of their abode at that place. ❋ Unknown (2003)
K. Harold being as yet in the north parts, and hearing that duke William was thus landed in England, sped him southward, and gathering his people togither out of the countries as he went forwards, at length came néere his enimies: and sending espials into their campe to vnderstand of what ❋ Raphael Holinshed (N/A)
Harold goeth towards his enimies, why his vnskilfull espials tooke the ❋ Raphael Holinshed (N/A)
There is a kind of followers likewise which are dangerous, being indeed espials; 3 which inquire the secrets of the house, and bear tales of them to others. ❋ Unknown (1909)
Polonius to Ophelia, when he and Claudius would be "lawful espials" of her meeting with Hamlet: ❋ Dutton Cook (1856)
Her Father, and my selfe (lawful espials) 1682: Will so bestow our selues, that seeing vnseene ❋ Unknown (1623)
Tartarians espials beeing excluded, the Tartars at length were quite bereaued and vtterly dispossessed of their authoritie which they had exercised ouer the Russians for many yeres, and could neuer yet recouer it; albeit they haue giuen sundry attempts. ❋ Richard Hakluyt (1584)
[S.denote: Berozoua Vstia.] 8 Item, if you shall vnderstand as you are outwards bound, that the enemie is gone before you to S. Nicholas, remember what aduice hath bene giuen you for your stay at Berozoua Vstia, till you haue by espials viewed and vnderstood the forces, and the manner of their abode at that place. ❋ Richard Hakluyt (1584)
It is not long since that a subtile deluder, verie craftely having upon set purpose his brokers or espials abroade, using sundry secret drifts to allure many, as did the syrens by their sweet sonets and melody seduce mariners to make them their pray, so did his brokers or espials deceive many, in proclayming and sounding out his fame abroade from house to house, as those use which crye, "Mistresse, have you any worke for the tincker?" ❋ Robert Means Lawrence (N/A)
The lords that tooke part with his sonne, being aduertised by espials of the dooings of the father, and hearing that he was readie (if he were constreined) to defend himselfe by battell, and yet willing to receiue his sons into his fauour againe, if they would be reformed, they tooke great care how to cause his sons to persist in their enterprise, till the father were compelled by force to resigne the gouernment vnto them. ❋ Raphael Holinshed (N/A)
Or is the sword a piece of lath — my word a bulrush — my memory a dream — and my eyes good for nought — espials which corbies might pick out of my head?” ❋ Unknown (2008)
At the same time the Spanish Fleete was escried by an English pinasse, captaine whereof was M. Thomas Fleming, after they had bene aduertised of the Spaniards expedition by their scoutes and espials, which hauing ranged along the coast of Spaine, were lately returned home into Plimmouth for a new supply of victuals and other necessaries, who considering the foresayd tempest, were of opinion that the nauy being of late dispersed and tossed vp and downe the maine Ocean, was by no means able to performe their intended voiage. ❋ Richard Hakluyt (1584)
That’ll prevent any unlawful espials up there, and give me a chance to get the tag end of a night’s sleep in my room. ❋ Marsh, Ngaio, 1895-1982 (1945)
