Possible Clues:

• One who didn't strike Shakespeare as a sword carrier
• - - fish, long narrow fish with whiplike tail
• Poet supports anti-union sword-bearer
• This provides cover for a strike-breaking poet and one of 8 down
• Dull method of payment set up to secure cover
• Holder for a bladed weapon
• Where the swordsman goes for cover
• Scoundrel poet, a dagger-concealer?
• Dagger holder and betrayer by Shakespeare
• One will not come out with poet for this fish