subs. phr. (old).—A sham; humbug; pretence.
1579. GOSSON, An Apologie of the Schoole of Abuse, p. 64 (ARBER). They have eaten bulbief, and threatned highly, too put water in my woortes, whensoeuer they catche me; I hope it is but a COPPY OF THEIR COUNTENANCE.
1607. DEKKER, Westward Ho! Act ii., Sc. 1. I shall love a puritan’s face the worse, whilst I live, for that COPY OF THY COUNTENANCE.
1637. FLETCHER, The Elder Brother, V., i. Nor can I change my COPY, if I purpose to be of your society.
1754. FIELDING, Jonathan Wild, bk. III., ch. xiv. This, as he afterwards confessed on his death-bed, i.e., in the court at Tyburn, was only a COPY OF HIS COUNTENANCE; for that he was at that time as sincere and hearty in his opposition to Wild as any of his companions.
1756. FOOTE, The Englishman Returned from Paris, Act i. And if the application for my advice is not a COPY OF YOUR COUNTENANCE, a mask; if you are obedient, I may set you right.
