Obs. Also 6 vage. [Of obscure origin.] A prank or trick. Only in pl.
Freq. in the second quarter of the 16th c., esp. in the phrase to play one’s vagues, with which to take one’s vagues appears to be synonymous.
(a) 1523. St. Papers Hen. VIII., VI. 200. Thei thought that Columpna had … takyn so his vages against the said Cardinall de Medyces … that the said Columpna dorst never have trustyd … hymself aftir in the desperat handes of the Cardinall.
1528. Roy, Rede me (Arb.), 120. Yf they playe thus their vages, They shall not escape the plages which to theym of Rome happened.
a. 1548. Hall, Chron., Hen. VIII., 252 b. The Scottes had some leysure to play their vagues and folowe their accustomed manier.
c. 1557. Abp. Parker, Ps. civ. There playth his vages Leviathan.
(b) 1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 80 b. She despyseth all outwarde vages & vanytees, & is content to fulfyll all yt her lady commaundeth.
1526. Skelton, Magnyf., 1968. Because of theyr neglygence and of theyr wanton vagys, I vysyte them and stryke them with many sore plagys.
