" The friar sat him down in the shade of the willows and sighing, mopped his face again; quoth he: "Now may the curse of Saint Augustine, Saint Benedict, Saint Cuthbert and Saint Dominic light upon him for a lewd fellow, a clapper-claw, a thieving dog who hath no regard for Holy Churchforsooth a most vicious rogue, monstrum nulla virtute redemptum a vitiis!

Then Clappers ceasse, and belles are set againe at libertée, And herewithall the hungrie times of fasting ended bée.

The lonely wayfarer shrank within himself at the horrid clamor and clapper-clawing; eyed the den of discord askance; and hurried on his way, rejoicing, if a bachelor, in his celibacy.

Taxes, see ye, my lord Duke's taxesand all stolen, reft, and ravished from me, Guido, Steward and Bailiff of the northern Marches, by clapper-claws and raveners lewd and damned!

The tall grass about the borders of the island was alive with clapper rails.

Whenever you come near, the clapper strikes in your face.