or Rowland, subs. phr. (old).—A match; a tit for tat; six of one and half a dozen of the other: a fanciful or practical proof of equality.—B. E. and GROSE. Fr. Guy Contre Robert.

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  [?].  MS. Cantab, Ff. ii. 38, f. 109.

        Soche strokys were never seen yn londe,
Syth OLYVERE dyed AND ROWLONDE.

2

  1548.  EDWARD HALL, The Union of the Noble and Illustre Famelies of Lancastre and York, Henry the Sixt, f. But to have a ROWLAND TO resist AN OLIVER, he sent solempne Ambassadors to the kyng of Englande, offeryng hym his doughter in mariage.

3

  1565.  J. CALFHILL, An Answer to John Martiall’s Treatise of the Cross [Parker Society], 374. To have a quarrel to ROWLAND, AND fight with OLIVER?

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  1598.  SHAKESPEARE, 1 Henry VI., i. 2. England all OLIVERS AND ROLANDS bred.

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  1612.  The Court and Times of James the First, 187. There is hope you shall have AN OLIVER FOR A ROLAND.

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  1706.  WARD, The Wooden World Dissected, 68. By the help of some twopenny Scribbler she will always return him a ROWLAND FOR HIS OLIVER.

7

  1820.  COMBE, Dr. Syntax, II. iii.

                I doubt not but I shall be able
        With all fair reasoning to bestow
        What you will find a Quid pro Quo.
Which I translate for Madam there    A ROWLAND FOR YOUR OLIVER.

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  1901.  Daily Telegraph, 18 Nov., 7, 3. Oh, we are getting on splendidly! (Laughter.) That IS A ROLAND FOR AN OLIVER.

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