subs. phr. (old cant).—Poverty. ON THE PENNILESS BENCH = poverty stricken; PIERCE PENNILESS = an embodiment of impecuniosity: cf. POVERTY CORNER.
1581. J. LYLY, Euphues D. 3. That everie stoole he sate on was PENNILESSE BENCH, that his robes were rags.
1630. TAYLOR (‘The Water Poet’), Workes. I entred like PIERCE PENNILESSE, altogether monyles.
d. 1640. MASSINGER, The City Madam, iv. 1.
| Bid him bear up: he shall not | |
| Sit long on PENNILESS-BENCH. |
