drayhorse

plural drayhorses · alternative dray horse · alternative dray-horse

1. A large, powerful horse used for pulling drays.

   Then his dray-horſe and he, in the ſtreets we did ſee, With his hanger, his ſling, and bis jacket; Long time he did watch, to meet with his match; For he'd ever a mind to the placket.

   (Can we date this quote?), Alexander Brome, The New Knight Errant, line 6

2. broadlySomeone who undergoes or underwent many a hardship, who suffers some great burden; a burdened, beleaguered, downtrodden man.

   "Archbiſhops, Biſhops," (ſo ſays Doctor Parr) "By delta, Beta, merely, have been made : "Why from the mitre then am I ſo far; "So long a dray-horſe in this thundering trade ? "O Pitt, ſhame on thee !—art thou ſtill to ſeek "The ſoul of wiſdom in the ſound of Greek ?"

   (Can we date this quote?), Peter Pindar, Ode to my Ass, Peter