Lars Porsĕna of Clusium,By the nine gods he sworeThat the great house of TarquinShould suffer wrong no more.Lord Macaulay,Lays of Ancient Rome(“Horatius,” 1842).
Lars Porsĕna of Clusium,By the nine gods he sworeThat the great house of TarquinShould suffer wrong no more.Lord Macaulay,Lays of Ancient Rome(“Horatius,” 1842).
Lars Porsĕna of Clusium,By the nine gods he sworeThat the great house of TarquinShould suffer wrong no more.Lord Macaulay,Lays of Ancient Rome(“Horatius,” 1842).
Lars Porsĕna of Clusium,
By the nine gods he swore
That the great house of Tarquin
Should suffer wrong no more.
Lord Macaulay,Lays of Ancient Rome(“Horatius,” 1842).
Kamtschadales:Koutkhou (creator of heaven), Kouhttigith, his sister (creator of earth), Outleigin (creator of ocean).
Parsees:Ahura (the creator), Vohu Mano (“entity”), Akem Mano (“nonentity”).
Persians:Oromasdês or Oromāzês (the good principle), Arimanês (the evil principle), Mithras (fecundity).
Others give Zervanê (god the father), and omit Mithras from the trinity.
Peruvians(Ancient): Pachama (goddess mother), Virakotcha (=Jupiter), Mamakotcha (=Neptune). They called their Trinity “Tangatanga” (i.e., “three in one”).
Phœnicians:Kolpia (the Logos), Baaut (“darkness”), Mot (“matter”).
Romans(Ancient): Jupiter (god of heaven), Neptune (god of earth and sea), Pluto (god of Hades, the under-world).
(Their whole college of gods consisted of four times three deities.)
Scandinavians:Odin (“life”), Hænir (“motion”), Loda (“matter”).
Tahitians:Taroataihetoomoo (chief deity), Tepapa (the fecund principle), Tettoomatataya (their offspring).
Lao-Tseu, the Chinese philosopher, says the divine trinity is: Ki, Hi, Ouei.
Orpheus says it is: Phanês (light), Urănos (heaven), Kronos (time).
Plato says it is: Tô Agăthon (goodness), Nous (intelligence), Psuchê (the mundane soul).
Pythagoras says it is: Monad (the unitoroneness), Nous, Psuchê.
Vossius says it is: Jupiter (divinepower), Minerva (the Logos), Juno (divine progenitiveness).
Subordinate.The orders ofAngelsare three times three, viz.: (1) Seraphim, (2) Cherubim, (3) Thrones, (4) Dominions, (5) Virtues, (6) Powers, (7) Principalities, (8) Archangels, (9) Angels.--Dionysius, the Areopăgite.
In heaven aboveThe effulgent bands in triple circles move.Tasso,Jerusalem Delivered, xi. 13 (1575).
In heaven aboveThe effulgent bands in triple circles move.Tasso,Jerusalem Delivered, xi. 13 (1575).
In heaven aboveThe effulgent bands in triple circles move.Tasso,Jerusalem Delivered, xi. 13 (1575).
In heaven above
The effulgent bands in triple circles move.
Tasso,Jerusalem Delivered, xi. 13 (1575).
TheCities of Refugewere three on each side the Jordan.
TheFatesare three: Clotho (with her distaff, presides at birth), Lachĕsis (spins the thread of life), Atrŏpos (cuts the thread).
TheFuriesare three: Tisiponê, Alecto, Megæra.
TheGracesare three: Euphros´ynê (cheerfulness of mind), Aglaia (mirth), Thalīa (good-tempered jest).
TheJudges of Hadesare three: Minos (the chief baron), Æacus (the judge of Europeans), Rhadamanthus (the judge of Asiatics and Africans).
TheMusesare three times three.
Jupiter’s thunder is three-forked (trifĭdun); Neptune’s trident has three prongs; Pluto’s dog, Cerbĕrus, has three heads. The rivers of hell are three times three, and Styx flows round it thrice three times.
In Scandinavian mythology there are three times three earths; three times three worlds in Niflheim; three times three regions under the dominion of Hel.
According to a mediæval tradition, the heavens are three times three., viz., the Moon, Venus, Mercury, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the fixed stars and the primum mobĭlê.
Symbolic.(1) In the tabernacle and Jewish Temple.
TheTempleconsisted of three parts: the porch, the Temple proper and the holy of holies. It had three courts: the court of the priests, the court of the people and the court of foreigners. The innermost court had three rows, and three windows in each row (1 Kingsvi. 36; vii. 4).
Similarly, Ezekiel’s city had three gates on each side (Ezek.xlviii. 31). Cyrus left direction for the rebuilding of the Temple; it was to be three score cubits in height, and three score cubits wide, and three rows of great stones were to be set up (Ezravi. 3, 4). In like manner, the “New Jerusalem” is to have four times three foundations: (1) jasper, (2) sapphire, (3) chalcedony, (4) emerald, (5) sardonyx, (6) sardius, (7) chrysolyte, (8) beryl, (9) topaz, (10) chrysoprase, (11) jacinth, (12) amethyst. It is to have three gates fronting each cardinal quarter (Rev.xxi. 13-20).
(2) In theTemple Furniture: The golden candlestick had three branches on each side (Exod.xxv. 32); there were three bowls (ver. 33); the height of the altar was three cubits (Exod.xxvii. 1); there were three pillars for the hangings (ver. 14); Solomon’s molten sea was supported on oxen, three facing each cardinal point (1 Kingsvii. 25).
(3)Sacrifices and Offerings: A meat offering consisted of three-tenth deals of fine flour (Lev.xiv. 10); Hannah offered up three bullocks when Samuel was devoted to the temple (1 Sam.i. 24); three sorts of beasts--bullocks, rams, and lambs--were appointed for offerings (Numb.xxix.); the Jews were commanded to keep three national feasts yearly (Exod.. xxiii. 14-17); in all criminal charges three witnesses were required (Deut.xvii. 6).
Miscellaneous Threes.Joshua sent three men from each tribe to survey the land of Canaan (Josh.xvii. 4). Moses had done the same at the express command of God (Numb.xiii.). Job had three friends (Jobii. 11). Abraham was accosted bythree men (angels), with whom he pleaded to spare the cities of the plain (Gen.xviii. 2). Nebuchadnezzar cast three men into the fiery furnace (Dan.iii. 24). David had three mighty men of valor, and one of them slew 300 of the Philistines with his spear (2 Sam.xxiii. 9, 18). Nebuchadnezzar’s image was three score cubits high (Dan.iii. 1). Moses was hidden three months from the Egyptian police (Exod.ii. 2). The ark of the covenant was three months in the house of Obededom (2 Sam.vi. 11). Balaam smote his ass three times before the beast upbraided him (Numb.xxii. 28). Samson mocked Delilah three times (Judgesxvi. 15). Elijah stretched himself three times on the child which he restored to life (1 Kingsxvii. 21). The little horn plucked up three horns by the roots (Dan.vii. 8). The bear seen by Daniel in his vision, had three ribs in its mouth (ver. 5). Joab slew Absalom with three darts (2 Sam.xviii. 14). God gave David the choice of three chastisements (2 Sam.xxiv. 12). The great famine in David’s reign lasted three years (2 Sam.xxi. 1); so did the great drought in Ahab’s reign (Lukeiv. 25). There were three men transfigured on the mount, and three spectators (Matt.xvii. 1-4). The sheet was let down to Peter three times (Actsx. 16). There are three Christian graces: Faith, hope, and charity (1 Cor.xiii. 13). There are three that bear record in heaven, and three that bear witness on earth (1 Johnv. 7, 8). There were three unclean spirits that came out of the mouth of the dragon (Rev.xvi. 13).
So again. Every ninth wave is said to be the largest.
[They] watched the great sea fall,Wave after wave, each mightier than the last;Till last, a ninth one, gathering half the deepAnd full of voices, slowly rose and plunged,Roaring, and all the wave was in a flame.Tennyson,The Holy Grail(1858-59).
[They] watched the great sea fall,Wave after wave, each mightier than the last;Till last, a ninth one, gathering half the deepAnd full of voices, slowly rose and plunged,Roaring, and all the wave was in a flame.Tennyson,The Holy Grail(1858-59).
[They] watched the great sea fall,Wave after wave, each mightier than the last;Till last, a ninth one, gathering half the deepAnd full of voices, slowly rose and plunged,Roaring, and all the wave was in a flame.Tennyson,The Holy Grail(1858-59).
[They] watched the great sea fall,
Wave after wave, each mightier than the last;
Till last, a ninth one, gathering half the deep
And full of voices, slowly rose and plunged,
Roaring, and all the wave was in a flame.
Tennyson,The Holy Grail(1858-59).
A wonder is said to last three times three days. The scourge used for criminals is a “cat o’ nine tails.” Possession is nine points of the law, being equal to (1) money to make good a claim, (2) patience to carry a suit through, (3) a good cause, (4) a good lawyer, (5) a good counsel, (6) good witnesses, (7) a good jury, (8) a good judge, (9) good luck. Leases used to be granted for 999 years. Ordeals by fire consisted of three times three red-hot ploughshares.
There are three times three crowns recognized in heraldry, and three times three marks of cadency.
We show honor by a three times three in drinking a health.
The worthies are three Jews, three pagans, and three Christians: viz., Joshua, David, and Judas Maccabæus; Hector, Alexander, and Julius Cæsar; Arthur, Charlemagne, and Godfrey of Bouillon. The worthies of London are three times three also: (1) Sir William Walworth, (2) Sir Henry Pritchard, (3) Sir William Sevenoke, (4) Sir Thomas White, (5) Sir John Bonham, (6) Christopher Croker, (7) Sir John Hawkwood, (8) Sir Hugh Caverley, (9) Sir Henry Maleverer (Richard Johnson,The Nine Worthies of London).
⁂ Those who take any interest in this subject can easily multiply the examples here set down to a much greater number. (See below, theWelsh Triads.)
Three Ardent Lovers of Britain(The): (1) Caswallawn, son of Beli, the ardent lover of Flur, daughter of Mugnach Gorr; (2) Tristan or Tristram, son of Talluch, the ardent lover of Yseult, wife of March Meirchawn, his uncle, generally called King Mark of Cornwall; (3) Kynon, son of Clydno Eiddin, the ardent lover of Morvyth, daughter of Urien of Rheged.--Welsh Triads.
Three Battle Knights(The), in the court of King Arthur: (1) Cadwr, earl of Cornwall; (2) Launcelot du Lac; (3) Owain, son of Urien, prince of Rheged,i.e., Cumberland and some of the adjacent lands. These three would never retreat from battle, neither for spear, nor sword, nor arrow; and Arthur knew no shame in fight when they were present.--Welsh Triads.
Three Beautiful Women(The), of the court of King Arthur: (1) Gwenhwyvar or Guenever, wife of King Arthur; (2) Enid, who dressed in “azure robes,” wife of Geraint; (3) Tegau or Tegau Euron.--Welsh Triads.
Three Blessed Rulers(The) of the island of Britain: (1) Bran or Vran, son of Llyr, and father of Caradawc (Caractacus). He was called “The Blessed,” because he introduced Christianity into the nation of the Cymry from Rome; he learnt it during his seven years’ detention in that city with his son. (2) Lleurig ab Coel ab Cyllyn Sant, surnamed “The Great Light.” He built the cathedral of Llandaff, the first sanctuary in Britain. (3) Cadwaladyr, who gave refuge to all believers driven out by the Saxons from England.--Welsh Triads, xxxv.
Three Calenders(The), three sons of three kings, who assumed the disguise of begging dervises. They had each lost one eye. The three met in the house of Zobeidê, and told their respective tales in the presence of Haroun-al-Raschid, also in disguise. (SeeCalenders.)--Arabian Nights(“The Three Calenders”).
Three Chief Ladies(The) of the island of Britain: (1) Branwen, daughter of King Llyr, “the fairest damsel in the world;” (2) Gwenhwyvar or Guenever, wife of King Arthur; (3) Æthelflæd, the wife of Ethelred.
Three Closures(The) of the island of Britain: (1) The head of Vran, son of Llyr, surnamed “The Blessed,” which was buried under the White Tower of London, and so long as it remained there, no invader would enter the island. (2) The bones of Vortimer, surnamed “The Blessed,” buried in the chief harbor of the island; so long as they remained there, no hostile ship would approach the coast. (3) The dragons buried by Lludd, son of Beli, in the city of Pharaon, in the Snowdon rocks. (SeeThree Fatal Disclosures.)--Welsh Triads, liii.
Three Counselling Knights(The) of the court of King Arthur: (1) Kynon or Cynon, son of Clydno Eiddin; (2) Aron, son of Kynfarch ab Meirchion Gul; (3) Llywarch Hên, son of Elidir Lydanwyn. So long as Arthur followed the advice of these three, his success was invariable, but when he neglected to follow their counsel, his defeat was sure.--Welsh Triads.
Three Diademed Chiefs(The) of the island of Britain: (1) Kai, son of Kyner, the steward of King Arthur. He could transform himself into any shape he pleased. Always ready to fight, and always worsted. Half knight and half buffoon. (2) Trystan mab Tallwch, one of Arthur’s three heralds, and one whom nothing could divert from his purpose; he is generally called Sir Tristram. (3) Gwevyl mab Gwestad, the melancholy. “When sad, he would let one of his lips drop below his waist, while the other turned up like a cap upon his head.”--The Mabinogion, 227.
Three Disloyal Tribes(The) of the island of Britain: (1) The tribe of Goronwy Pebyr, which refused to stand substitute for their lord, Llew Llaw Gyffes, when a poisoned dart was shot at him by Llech Goronwy; (2) the tribe of Gwrgi, which deserted their lord in Caer Greu, when he met Eda Glinmawr in battle (both were slain); (3) the tribe of Alan Vyrgan, which slunk away from their lord on his journey to Camlan, where he was slain.--Welsh Triads, xxxv.
Three Estates of the Realm: the nobility, the clergy, and the commonalty.
N.B.--The sovereign is not one of the three estates.
Three Fatal Disclosures(The) of the island of Britain: (1) That of the buried head of Vran “The Blessed,” by King Arthur, because he refused to hold the sovereignty of the land except by his own strength; (2) that of the bones of Vortimer by Vortigern, out of love for Ronwen (Rowena), daughter of Hengist, the Saxon; (3) that of the dragons in Snowdon by Vortigern, in revenge of the Cymryan displeasure against him; having this done, he invited over the Saxons in his defence. (SeeThree Closures.)--Welsh Triads, liii.
Three-Fingered Jack, the nickname of a famous negro robber, who was the terror of Jamaica in 1780. He was at length hunted down and killed in 1781.
Three Golden-Tongued Knights(The) in the court of King Arthur; (1) Gwalchmai, called in French Gawain, son of Gwyar; (2) Drudwas, son of Tryffin; (3) Eliwlod, son of Madog ab Uthur. They never made a request which was not at once granted.--Welsh Triads.
Three Great Astronomers(The), of the island of Britain: (1) Grwydion, son of Don. From him the Milky Way is called “Caer Gwydion.” He called the constellation Cassiopeia “The Court of Don,” or Llys Don, after his father; and the Corona Borealis, he called “Caer Arianrod,” after his daughter. (2) Gwynn, son of Nudd. (3) Idris.--Welsh Triads, ii. 325.
Three Holy Tribes(The), of the island of Britain: (1) That of Bran or Vran, who introduced Christianity into Wales; (2) that of Cunedda Wledig; and (3) that of Brychan Brycheiniog.--Welsh Triads, xxxv.
Three Guardsmen, trio of French gentlemen, who enter the army of Louis XIII., assuming the pseudonyms of Athos, Porthos and Aramis. Their adventures are traced through three books of Dumas,Les Trois Mousquetaires,Vingt Ans AprèsandLe Vicomte de Bragelonne.
Three Kings’ Day, Twelfth Day or Epiphany, designed to commemorate the visit of the “three kings,” or “Wise Men of the East,” to the infant Jesus.
Three Kings of Cologne(The), the three “Wise Men” who followed the guiding star “from the East” to Jerusalem, and offered gifts to the babe Jesus. Their names were Jaspar or Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar; or Apellius, Ameĕrus, and Damascus; or Magalath, Galgalath, and Sarasin; or Ator, Sator and Peratŏras. Klopstock, in hisMessiah, says the Wise Men were six in number, and gives their names as Hadad, Selĭma, Zimri, Mirja, Beled, and Sunith.
⁂ The toys shown in Cologne Cathedral as the “three kings” are called Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar.
Three Learned Knights(The), of the island of Britain: (1) Gwalchmai ab Gwyar, called in French romances Gawain; (2) Llecheu ab Arthur; (3) Rhiwallon with the broom-bush hair. There was nothing that man knew they did not know.--Welsh Triads.
Three-Leg Alley(London), now called Pemberton Row, Fetter Lane.
Three Letters(A Man of), a thief. A Roman phrase, fromfur, “a thief.”
Tun’ trium literarum homoMe vituperas? Fur!Plautus,Aulularia, ii. 4.
Tun’ trium literarum homoMe vituperas? Fur!Plautus,Aulularia, ii. 4.
Tun’ trium literarum homoMe vituperas? Fur!Plautus,Aulularia, ii. 4.
Tun’ trium literarum homo
Me vituperas? Fur!
Plautus,Aulularia, ii. 4.
Three Makers of Golden Shoes(The), of the island of Britain; (1) Caswallawn, son of Beli, when he went to Gascony to obtain Flur. She had been abducted for Julius Cæsar, but was brought back by the prince. (2) Manawyddan, son of Llyr, when he sojourned in Lloegyr (England). (3) Llew Llaw Gyffes, when seeking arms from his mother.--Welsh Triads, cxxiv.
“What craft shall we take?” said Manawyddan.... “Let us take to making shoes.”... So he bought the best cordwal ... and got the best goldsmith to make clasps ... and he was called one of the three makers of gold shoes.--The Mabinogion(“Manawyddan,” twelfth century).
Three Robbers(The). The three stars in Orion’s belt are said to be “three robbers climbing up to rob the Ranee’s silver bedstead.”--Miss Frere,Old Deccan Days, 28.
Three Stayers of Slaughter(The): (1) Gwgawn Gleddyvrud; the name of his horse was Buchestom. (2) Morvran eil Tegid. (3) Gilbert mab Cadgyffro.--Welsh Triads, xxix.
Three Tailors of Tooley Street(The), three worthies who held a meeting in Tooley Street, for the redress of popular grievances, and addressed a petition to the House of Commons, while Canning was prime minister, beginning, “We, the people of England.”
Three Tribe Herdsmen of Britain(The): (1) Llawnrodded Varvawe, who tended the milch cows of Nudd Hael, son of Senyllt; (2) Bennren, who kept the herd of Caradawc, son of Brân, Glamorganshire; (3) Grwdion, son of Don, the enchanter, who kept the kine of Gwynedd, above the Conway. All these herds consisted of 21,000 milch cows.--Welsh Triads, lxxxv.
Three Tyrants of Athens(The); Pisistrătos (B.C.560-490), Hippias and Hipparchos (B.C.527-490).
(The two brothers reigned conjointly from 527-514, when the latter was murdered.)
Three Unprofessional Bards(The), of the island of Britain: (1) Rhyawd, son of Morgant; (2) King Arthur; (3) Cadwallawn, son of Cadvan.--Welsh Triads, lxxxix, 113.
Three Weeks after Marriage, a comedy by A. Murphy (1776). Sir Charles Racket has married the daughter of a rich London tradesman, and, three weeks of the honeymoon having expired, he comes on a visit to the lady’s father, Mr. Drugget. Old Drugget plumes himself on his aristocratic son-in-law, so far removed from the vulgar brawls of meaner folk. On the night of their arrival the bride and bridegroom quarrel about a game of whist; the lady maintained that Sir Charles ought to have played a diamond instead of a club.So angry is Sir Charles that he resolves to have a divorce; and, although the quarrel is patched up, Mr. Drugget has seen enough of thebeau mondeto decline the alliance of Lovelace for his second daughter, whom he gives to a Mr. Woodley.
Three Writers(The). TheScriptores Tresare Richardus Corinensis, Gildas Badonĭcus and Nennius Banchorensis; three who wrote onThe Ancient History of the British Nation, edited, etc., by Julius Bertram (1757).
⁂ The Five Writers, orScriptores Quinque, are five English chronicles on the early history of England, edited by Thomas Gale (1691). The names of these chroniclers are: William of Malmesbury, Henry of Huntingdon, Roger Hoveden, Ethelwerd, and Ingulphus of Croyland.
The Ten Writers, orScriptores Decem, are the authors of ten ancient chronicles on English history, compiled and edited by Roger Twysden and John Selden (1652). The collection contains the chronicles of Simeon of Durham, John of Hexham, Richard of Hexham, Ailred of Rieval, Ralph de Diceto, John Brompton, Gervase of Canterbury, Thomas Stubbs, William Thorn and Henry Knighton. (SeeSix Chronicles.)
Thresher(Captain), the feigned leader of a body of lawless Irishmen, who attacked, in 1806, the collectors of tithes and their subordinates.
Captain Right was a leader of the rebellious peasantry in the south of Ireland in the eighteenth century.
Captain Rock was the assumed name of a leader of Irish insurgents in 1822.
Thrummy-Cap, a sprite which figures in the fairy tales of Northumberland. He was a “queer-looking little auld man,” whose scene of exploits generally lay in the vaults and cellars of old castles. John Skelton, in hisColyn Clout, calls him Tom-a-Thrum, and says that the clergy could neither write nor read, and were no wiser than this cellar sprite.
Thrush(Song of the). Marvellous, rippling music, like the sweet babble of a brook over stones; like the gentle sighing of the wind in pine trees ... a rhapsody impossible to describe, but constantly reminding one of running streams and gentle waterfalls, and coming nearer to “put my woods in song” than any other bird-notes whatever.--Olive Thorne Miller,In Nesting Time(1888).
Thrush(Golden-crowned). Commencing in a very low key ... he grows louder and louder, till his body quakes, and his chant runs into a shriek, ringing in my ear with a peculiar sharpness. This lay may be represented thus: “Teacher!teacher!Teacher!Teacher!TEACHER!” the accent on the first syllable, and each word uttered with increasing force and shrillness.--John Burroughs,Wake Robin(1871).
Thu´le(2syl.), the most remote northern portion of the world known to the ancient Greeks and Romans; but whether an island or part of a continent nobody knows. It is first mentioned by Pythĕas, the Greek navigator, who says it is “six days’ sail from Britain,” and that its climate is a “mixture of earth, air and sea.” Ptolemy, with more exactitude, tells us that the 63° of north latitude runs through the middle of Thulê, and adds that “the days there are at the equinoxes [sic] twenty-four hours long.” This, of course, is a blunder, but the latitude would do roughly for Iceland.
(No place has a day of twenty-four hours long at either equinox; but anywhere beyond either polar circle the day is twenty-four hours long at one of the solstices.)
Thule(2syl.). Antonius Diogenês, a Greek, wrote a romance on “The Incredible Things beyond Thulê” (Ta huper Thoulen Apista), which has furnished the basis of many subsequent tales. The work is not extant, but Photius gives an outline of its contents in hisBibliotheca.
Thumb(Tom), a dwarf no bigger than a man’s thumb. He lived in the reign of King Arthur, by whom he was knighted. He was the son of a common ploughman, and was killed by the poisonous breath of a spider in the reign of Thunstone, the successor of King Arthur.
Amongst his adventures may be mentioned the following:--He was lying one day asleep in a meadow, when a cow swallowed him as she cropped the grass. At another time he rode in the ear of a horse. He crept up the sleeve of a giant, and so tickled him that he shook his sleeve, and Tom, falling into the sea, was swallowed by a fish. The fish being caught and carried to the palace gave the little man his introduction to the king.
⁂ The oldest version extant of this nursery tale is in rhyme, and bears the following title:--Tom Thumb, His Life and Death; wherein is declared many marvailous acts of manhood, full of wonder and strange merriments. Which little knight lived in King Arthur’s time, and was famous in the court of Great Brittaine. London: printed for John Wright, 1630(Bodleian Library). It begins thus:
In Arthur’s court Tom Thumbe did liue--A man of mickle might,The best of all the Table Round,And eke a doughty knight.His stature but an inch in height,Or quarter of a span;Then thinke you not this little knightWas prov’d a valiant man?
In Arthur’s court Tom Thumbe did liue--A man of mickle might,The best of all the Table Round,And eke a doughty knight.His stature but an inch in height,Or quarter of a span;Then thinke you not this little knightWas prov’d a valiant man?
In Arthur’s court Tom Thumbe did liue--A man of mickle might,The best of all the Table Round,And eke a doughty knight.His stature but an inch in height,Or quarter of a span;Then thinke you not this little knightWas prov’d a valiant man?
In Arthur’s court Tom Thumbe did liue--
A man of mickle might,
The best of all the Table Round,
And eke a doughty knight.
His stature but an inch in height,
Or quarter of a span;
Then thinke you not this little knight
Was prov’d a valiant man?
N.B.--“Great Britain” was not a recognized term till 1701 (Queen Anne), when the two parliaments of Scotland and England were united. Before that time, England was called “South Britain,” Scotland “North Britain,” and Brittany “Little Britain.” The date, 1630, would carry us back to the reign of Charles I.
Fielding, in 1730, wrote a burlesque opera calledTom Thumb, which was altered in 1778, by Kane O’Hara. Dr. Arne wrote the music to it, and his “daughter (afterwards Mrs. Cibber), then only 14, acted the part of ‘Tom Thumb’ at the Haymarket Theatre.”--T. Davies,Life of Garrick.
⁂ Here again the dates do not correctly fit in. Mrs. Cibber was born in 1710, and must have been 20 when Fielding produced his opera ofTom Thumb.
Thumb(General Tom), a dwarf exhibited in London in 1846. His real name was Charles S. Stratton. At the age of 25, his height was 25 inches, and his weight 25 lbs. He was born at Bridgeport, Connecticut, in 1832, and died in January, 1879.
They rush by thousands to see Tom Thumb. They push, they fight, they scream, they faint, they cry, “Help!” and “Murder!” They see my bills and caravan, but do not read them. Their eyes are on them, but their sense is gone.... In one week 12,000 persons paid to see Tom Thumb, while only 133½ paid to see my “Aristidês.”--Haydon, the artist,MS. Diary.
Thunder(The Giant), a giant who fell into a river and was killed, because Jack cut the ropes which suspended a bridge which the giant was about to cross.--Jack the Giant Killer.
Thunder(The Sons of). James and John, the sons of Zebedee, were called “Boaner´gês.”--Lukeix. 54;Markiii. 17.
Thunder and Lightning, Stephen II. of Hungary, was surnamedTonnant(1100, 1114-1131).
Thunderbolt(The). Ptolemy, king of Macedon, eldest son of Ptolemy Sotêr I., was so called from his great impetuosity (B.C.*, 285-279).
Handel was called by Mozart “The Thunderbolt” (1684-1759).
Thunderbolt of Italy(The), Gaston de Foix, nephew of Louis XII. (1489-1512).
Thunderbolt of War(The). Roland is so called in Spanish ballads.
Tisaphernês is so called in Tasso’sJerusalem Delivered, xx. (1575).
Thunderer(The), theTimesnewspaper. This popular name was first given to the journal in allusion to a paragraph in one of the articles contributed by Captain Edward Sterling, while Thomas Barnes was editor.
We thundered forth the other day an article on the subject of social and political reform.
Some of the contemporaries caught up the expression, and called theTimes“The Thunderer.” Captain Sterling used to sign himself “Vetus” before he was placed on the staff of the paper.
Thundering Legion(The), the twelfth legion of the Roman army under Marcus Aurēlius acting against the Quadi,A.D.174. It was shut up in a defile, and reduced to great straits for want of water, when a body of Christians, enrolled in the legion, prayed for relief. Not only was rain sent, but the thunder and lightning so terrified the foe that a complete victory was obtained, and the legion was ever after called “The Thundering Legion.”--Dion Cassius,Roman History, lxxi. 8; Eusebius,Ecclesiastical History, v. 5.
The Theban legion,i.e., the legion raised in the Thebaïs of Egypt, and composed of Christian soldiers led by St. Maurice, was likewise called “The Thundering Legion.”
The term “Thundering Legion” existed before either of these two was so called.
Thunstone(2syl.), the successor of King Arthur, in whose reign Tom Thumb was killed by a spider.--Tom Thumb.
Thu´rio, a foolish rival of Valentine for the love of Silvia, daughter of the duke of Milan.--Shakespeare,The Two Gentlemen of Verona(1595).
Thwacker(Quartermaster), in the dragoons.--Sir W. Scott,Redgauntlet(time, George III.).
Thwackum, in Fielding’s novel,The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling(1749).
Thyamis, an Egyptian thief, native of Memphis. Theagĕnês and Chariclēa being taken by him prisoners, he fell in love with the lady, and shut her up in a cave for fear of losing her. Being closely beset by another gang stronger than his own, he ran his sword into the heart of Chariclea, that she might go with him into the land of shadows, and be his companion in the future life.--Heliodorus,Æthiopica.
Like to the Egyptian thief, at point of death,Kill what I love.Shakespeare,Twelfth Night, act v. sc. 1 (1614).
Like to the Egyptian thief, at point of death,Kill what I love.Shakespeare,Twelfth Night, act v. sc. 1 (1614).
Like to the Egyptian thief, at point of death,Kill what I love.Shakespeare,Twelfth Night, act v. sc. 1 (1614).
Like to the Egyptian thief, at point of death,
Kill what I love.
Shakespeare,Twelfth Night, act v. sc. 1 (1614).
Thyeste´an Banquet(in LatincænaThyestæ), a cannibal feast. Thyestês was given his own two sons to eat in a banquet served up to him by his brother, Atreus [At.truce].
Procnê and Philomēla served up to Tereus (2syl.) his own son Itys.
⁂ Milton accents the word on the second syllable inParadise Lost, x. 688, but then he calls Chalybe´an (Samson Agonistes, 133) “Chalyb´ean,” Æge´an (Paradise Lost, i. 745) “Æ´gean,” and Cambuscan´ he calls “Cambus´can.”
Thyeste´an Revenge, blood for blood, tit for tat of bloody vengeance.
1. Thyestês seduced the wife of his brother, Atreus (2syl.), for which he was banished. In his banishment he carried off his brother’s son, Plisthĕnês, whom he brought up as his own child. When the boy was grown to manhood, he sent him to assassinate Atreus, but Atreus slew Plisthenês, not knowing him to be his son. The corresponding vengeance was this: Thyestês had a son named. Ægisthos, who was brought up by King Atreus as his own child. When Ægisthos was grown to manhood, the king sent him to assassinate Thyestês, but the young man slew Atreus instead.
2. Atreus slew his own son, Plisthenês, thinking him to be his brother’s child. When he found out his mistake, he pretended to be reconciled to his brother, and asked him to a banquet. Thyestês went to the feast, and ate part of his own two sons, which had been cooked, and were set before him by his brother.
3. Thyestês defiled the wife of his brother, Atreus, and Atreus married Pelopia, the unwedded wife of his brother, Thyestês. It was the son of this woman by Thyestês who murdered Atreus (his uncle and father-in-law).
⁂ The tale of Atreus and that of Œdĭpus are the two most lamentable stories of historic fiction, and in some points resemble each other: Thus Œdipus married his mother, not knowing who she was; Thyestês seduced his daughter, not knowing who she was. Œdipus slew his father, not knowing who he was; Atreus slew his son, not knowing who he was. Œdipus was driven from his throne by the sons born to him by his own mother; Atreus [At´.ruce] was killed by the natural son of his own wife.
Thymbræ´an God(The), Apollo; so called from a celebrated temple raised to his honor on a hill near the river Thymbrĭus.
The Thymbræan godWith Mars I saw and Pallas.Dantê,Purgatory, xii. (1308).
The Thymbræan godWith Mars I saw and Pallas.Dantê,Purgatory, xii. (1308).
The Thymbræan godWith Mars I saw and Pallas.Dantê,Purgatory, xii. (1308).
The Thymbræan god
With Mars I saw and Pallas.
Dantê,Purgatory, xii. (1308).
Thymert, priest and guardian of Guenn. Beloved by the fisherfolk, and secretly in love with his beautiful ward. He finds her drowned on the shore of his island home.--Blanche Willis Howard,Guenn(1883).
Thyrsis, a herdsman introduced in theIdyllsof Theocrĭtos, and in Virgil’sEclogue, vii. Any shepherd or rustic is so called.
Hard by, a cottage chimney smokesFrom betwixt two agêd oaks,Where Corydon and Thyrsis met,Are at their savory dinner set.Milton,L’Allegro(1638).
Hard by, a cottage chimney smokesFrom betwixt two agêd oaks,Where Corydon and Thyrsis met,Are at their savory dinner set.Milton,L’Allegro(1638).
Hard by, a cottage chimney smokesFrom betwixt two agêd oaks,Where Corydon and Thyrsis met,Are at their savory dinner set.Milton,L’Allegro(1638).
Hard by, a cottage chimney smokes
From betwixt two agêd oaks,
Where Corydon and Thyrsis met,
Are at their savory dinner set.
Milton,L’Allegro(1638).
Thyrsus, a long pole with an ornamental head of ivy, vine leaves, or a fir cone, carried by Bacchus and by his votaries at the celebration of his rites. It was emblematic of revelry and drunkenness.
[I will] abash the frantic thyrsus with my song.Akenside,Hymn to the Naiads(1767).
[I will] abash the frantic thyrsus with my song.Akenside,Hymn to the Naiads(1767).
[I will] abash the frantic thyrsus with my song.Akenside,Hymn to the Naiads(1767).
[I will] abash the frantic thyrsus with my song.
Akenside,Hymn to the Naiads(1767).
Tibbs(Beau), a poor, clever, dashing young spark, who had the happy art of fancying he knew all thehaut monde, and that all themondeknew him; that his garret was the choicest spot in London, for its commanding view of the Thames; that his wife was a lady of distinguished airs; and that his infant daughter would marry a peer. He took off his hat to every man and woman of fashion, and made out that dukes, lords, duchesses, and ladies addressed him simply as Ned. His hat was pinched up with peculiar smartness; his looks were pale, thin, and sharp, round his neck he wore a broad black ribbon, and in his bosom a glass pin; his coat was trimmed with tarnished lace; and his stockings were silk. Beau Tibbs interlarded his rapid talk with fashionable oaths, such as, “Upon my soul! egad!”
“I was asked to dine yesterday,” he says, “at the Duchess of Piccadilly’s. My Lord Mudler was there. ‘Ned,’ said he, ‘I’ll hold gold to silver I can tell you where you were poaching last night ... I hope Ned, it will improve your fortune,’ ‘Fortune, my lord? five hundred a year at least--great secret--let it go no further.’ My lord took me down in his chariot to his country seat yesterday, and we had atête-à-têtedinner in the country.” “I fancy you told us just now you dined yesterday at the duchess’s, in town.” “Did I so?” replied he, coolly. “To be sure, egad! now I do remember--yes, I had two dinners yesterday.”--Letter liv.
Mrs. Tibbs, wife of the beau, a slattern and a coquette, much emaciated, but with the remains of a good-looking woman. She made twenty apologies for being indishabille; but had been out all night with the countess. Then, turning to her husband, she added, “And his lordship, my dear, drank your health in a bumper.” Ned then asked his wife if she had given orders for dinner. “You need make no great preparation--only we three. My lord cannot join us to-day--something small and elegant will do, such as a turbot, an ortolan, a----”
“Or,” said Mrs. Tibbs, “what do you think, my dear, of a nice bit of ox-cheek, dressed with a little of my own sauce?” “The very thing,” he replies; “it will eat well with a little beer. His grace was very fond of it, and I hate the vulgarity of a great load of dishes.” The citizen of the world now thought it time to decamp, and took his leave, Mrs. Tibbs assuring him that dinner would certainly be quite ready in two or three hours.--Letter lv.
Mrs. Tibbs’s lady’s-maid, a vulgar, brawny Scotchwoman. “Where’s my lady?” said Tibbs, when he brought to his garret his excellency the ambassador of China. “She’s a-washing your twa shirts at the next door, because they won’t lend us the tub any longer.”--Goldsmith,A Citizen of the World(1759).
Tibert(Sir), the name of the cat in the beast-epic ofReynard the Fox(1498).
Tibet Talkapace, a prating hand-maid of Custance, the gay and rich widow, vainly sought by Ralph Roister Doister.--Nicholas Udall,Ralph Roister Doister(first English comedy, 1534).
The metre runs thus:
I hearde our nourse speake of an husbande to-dayReady for our mistresse, a rich man and gay;And we shall go in our French hoodes every day ...Then shall ye see Tibet, sires, treade the mosse so trig ...Not lumperdee, clumperdee, like our Spaniel Rig.
I hearde our nourse speake of an husbande to-dayReady for our mistresse, a rich man and gay;And we shall go in our French hoodes every day ...Then shall ye see Tibet, sires, treade the mosse so trig ...Not lumperdee, clumperdee, like our Spaniel Rig.
I hearde our nourse speake of an husbande to-dayReady for our mistresse, a rich man and gay;And we shall go in our French hoodes every day ...Then shall ye see Tibet, sires, treade the mosse so trig ...Not lumperdee, clumperdee, like our Spaniel Rig.
I hearde our nourse speake of an husbande to-day
Ready for our mistresse, a rich man and gay;
And we shall go in our French hoodes every day ...
Then shall ye see Tibet, sires, treade the mosse so trig ...
Not lumperdee, clumperdee, like our Spaniel Rig.
Tibs(Mr.), a most “useful hand.” He will write you a receipt for the bite of a mad dog, tell you an Eastern tale to perfection, and understands the business part of an author so well that no publisher canhumbug him. You may know him by his peculiar clumsiness of figure, and the coarseness of his coat; but he never forgets to inform you that his clothes are all paid for. (SeeTibbs.)--Goldsmith,A Citizen of The World, xxix. (1759).
Tibullus(The French), the chevalier Evariste de Parny (1742-1814).
Tiburce(2 or 3syl.), brother of Valerian, converted by St. Cecile, his sister-in-law, and baptized by Pope Urban. Being brought before the Prefect Almachius, and commanded to worship the image of Jupiter, he refused to do so, and was decapitated.--Chaucer,Canterbury Tales(“Second Nun’s Tale,” 1388).
⁂ When Tiburce is followed by a vowel it is made 2syl., when by a consonant it is 3syl., as:
And after this, Tiburce in good entente (2syl.),With Valerīan to Pope Urban went,And this thing sche unto Tiburce tolde (3syl.).Chaucer.
And after this, Tiburce in good entente (2syl.),With Valerīan to Pope Urban went,And this thing sche unto Tiburce tolde (3syl.).Chaucer.
And after this, Tiburce in good entente (2syl.),With Valerīan to Pope Urban went,And this thing sche unto Tiburce tolde (3syl.).Chaucer.
And after this, Tiburce in good entente (2syl.),
With Valerīan to Pope Urban went,
And this thing sche unto Tiburce tolde (3syl.).
Chaucer.
Tibur´zio, commander of the Pisans, in their attack upon Florence, in the fifteenth century. The Pisans were thoroughly beaten by the Florentines, led by Lu´ria, a Moor, and Tiburzio was taken captive. Tiburzio tells Luria that the men of Florence will cast him off after peace is established, and advises him to join Pisa. This Luria is far too noble to do, but he grants Tiburzio his liberty. Tiburzio, being examined by the council of Florence, under the hope of finding some cause of censure against the Moor, to lessen or cancel their obligations to him, “testifies to his unflinching probity,” and the council could find no cause of blame, but Luria, by poison, relieves the ungrateful state of its obligation to him.--Robert Browning,Luria.
Tichborne Dole(The). When Lady Mabella was dying, she requested her husband to grant her the means of leaving a charitable bequest. It was to be a dole of bread, to be distributed annually on the Feast of the Annunciation, to any who chose to apply for it. Sir Roger, her husband, said he would give her as much land as she could walk over while a billet of wood remained burning. The old lady was taken into the park, and managed to crawl over twenty-three acres of land, which was accordingly set apart, and is called “The Crawls” to this hour. When the Lady Mabella was taken back to her chamber, she said, “So long as this dole is continued, the family of Tichborne shall prosper; but immediately it is discontinued, the house shall fall, from the failure of an heir male. This,” she added, “will be when a family of seven sons is succeeded by one of seven daughters.” The custom began in the reign of Henry II., and continued till 1796, when, singularly enough, the baron had seven sons and his successor seven daughters, and Mr. Edward Tichborne, who inherited the Doughty estates, dropping the original name, called himself Sir Edward Doughty.
Tickell(Mark), a useful friend, especially to Elsie Lovell.--Wybert Reeve,Parted.
Tickler(Timothy), an ideal portrait of Robert Sym, a lawyer of Edinburgh (1750-1844).--Wilson,Noctes Ambrosianæ(1822-36).
Tiddler.(SeeTom Tiddler’s Ground.)
Tiddy-Doll, a nickname given to Richard Grenville, Lord Temple (1711-1770).
Tide-Waiters(Ecclesiastical). So theRev. Lord Osborne (S. G. O.) calls the clergy in convocation whose votes do not correspond with their real opinions.
Tider(Robin), one of the servants of the earl of Leicester.--Sir W. Scott,Kenilworth(time, Elizabeth).
Tiffany, Miss Alscrip’s lady’s-maid; pert, silly, bold, and a coquette.--General Burgoyne,The Heiress(1781).
Tigg(Montague), a clever impostor, who lives by his wits. He starts a bubble insurance office--“the Anglo-Bengalee Company”--and makes considerable gain thereby. Having discovered the attempt of Jonas Chuzzlewit to murder his father, he compels him to put his money in the “new company,” but Jonas finds means to murder him.--C. Dickens,Martin Chuzzlewit(1844).
Tiglath-Pile´ser, son of Pul, second of the sixth dynasty of the new Assyrian empire. The word isTiglath Pul Assur: “the great tiger of Assyria.”
Tigra´nes(3syl.), one of the heroes slain by the impetuous Dudon soon after the arrival of the Christian army before Jerusalem.--Tasso,Jerusalem Delivered, iii. (1575).
Tigranes(3syl.), king of Arme´nia.--Beaumont and Fletcher,A King or No King(1619).
Tigress Nurse(A). Tasso says that Clorinda was suckled by a tigress.--Jerusalem Delivered, xii.
Roman story says Romulus and Remus were suckled by a she-wolf.
Orson, the brother of Valentine, was suckled by a she-bear, and was brought up by an eagle.--Valentine and Orson.
Tilburi´na, the daughter of the governor of Tilbury Fort; in love with Whiskerandos. Her love-ravings are the crest unto the crest of burlesque tragedy (see act ii. 1).--Sheridan,The Critic(1779).
“An oyster may be crossed in love,” says the gentle Tilburina.--Sir W. Scott.
Tilbury Fort(The governor of), father of Tilburīna; a plain, matter-of-fact man, with a gushing, romantic and love-struck daughter. In Mr. Puff’s tragedy,The Spanish Armada.--Sheridan,The Critic(1779).
Tim Syllabub, a droll creature, equally good at a rebus, a riddle, a bawdy song or a tabernacle hymn. You may easily recognize him by his shabby finery, his frizzled hair, his dirty shirt and his half-genteel, but more than half-shabby dress.--Goldsmith,A Citizen of the World, xxix. (1759).
Times(The), a newspaper founded by John Walter in 1785. It was first calledThe London Daily Universal Register; in 1788 the wordsThe Times or ...were added. This long title was never tolerated by the public, which always spoke of the journal asThe Register, till the original title was suppressed, and the present title,The Times, remained. In 1803, John Walter, son of the founder, became manager, and greatly improved the character of the paper, and in 1814 introduced a steam press. He died in 1847, and was succeeded by his son, John Walter III. In the editorial department, John (afterwards “Sir John”) Stoddart (nicknamed “Dr. Slop”), who began to write political articles inThe Timesin 1810, was appointededitor in 1812, but, in 1816, was dismissed for his rabid hatred of Napoleon. He tried to establish an opposition journal,The New Times, which proved an utter failure. Sir John Stoddart was succeeded by John Stebbing; then followed Thomas Barnes (“Mr. T. Bounce”), who remained editor till his death, in 1841. W. F. A. Delane came next, and continued till 1858, when his son, John Thaddeus Delane, succeeded him. The following gentlemen were connected with this paper between 1870 and 1880:--
An East End Incumbent, Mr. Rowsell, a volunteer correspondent.
Anglicanus, Arthur P. Stanley, dean of Westminster, a volunteer correspondent.
C., Dr. Cumming, who often dates from Dunrobin.
C. E. T., Sir Charles E. Trevelyan, a volunteer correspondent.
Church Matters, the Rev. Henry Wace, preacher at Lincoln’s Inn.
City Article, M. B. Sampson.
Colleagues To Correspondents, Dr. Charles Austin, with Messrs. Dallas, Broome, and Kelly.
Correspondentsin every chief town of the United Kingdom, and in all the most important foreign countries.
Critic.Fine Arts, Tom Taylor;Dramatic, John Oxenford (died 1876);Musical, T. J. Davidson.
Editor, John Thaddeus Delane, who succeeded his father; Assistant, Mr. Stebbings, who succeeded G. W. Dasent (“The Hardy Norseman”).
H., Vernon Harcourt, M. P., a volunteer correspondent.
Hertfordshire Incumbent, Canon Blakesley, dean of Lincoln.
Historicus, Vernon Harcourt, M. P., who also wrote slashing articles in theSaturday Review.
Irish Correspondent, Dr. G. V. Patten, editor and proprietor of theDublin Daily Express.
Irish Matters, O’Conor Morris.
J. C., Dr. Cumming (see C.), a volunteer correspondent.
Leaders, Leonard H. Courteney, Dr. Gallenga, Mr. Knox, Robert Lowe, Canon Moseley, Lawrence Oliphant.
Manager of Office, Mowbray Morris.
Manager of Printing and Machinery, Mr. Macdonald.
Mercator, Lord Overstone, a volunteer correspondent.
Military Affairs, Captain Hozier.
Religious Matters, the Rev. Henry Wace, preacher at Lincoln’s Inn.
Reporters, about sixteen.
Runnymede, Benjamin Disraeli, afterwards earl of Beaconsfield, a volunteer correspondent.
Senex, Grote (died in 1871), a volunteer correspondent.
S. G. O., the Rev. Lord Sidney Godolphin Osborne, a volunteer correspondent.
Special Correspondent, Dr. W. Howard Russell, famous for his letters from the Crimēa, in 1854; from India, in 1857; from America, in 1861; from Bohemia, in 1866; from France, on the Franco-Prussian war, in 1870-71; etc. Occasionally, Captain Hozier has acted as “Our Own Correspondent.”
Vetus, Capt. Edw. Sterling, a volunteer correspondent.
Viator, John Alexander Kinglake, a volunteer correspondent.
⁂ Paper is supplied from the Taverham Mills;inkby Messrs. Fleming and Co., Leith, and by Messrs. Blackwell and Co., London;Daily Issue, between 70,000 and 80,000, which can be thrown from the press in two hours;Working Staff, 350 hands.
Called “The Thunderer” from an article contributed by Captain E. Sterling, beginning: “We thundered forth the other day an article on the subject of social and political reform;” and “The Turnabout,” because its politics jump with the times, and are not fossilized whig or tory.
Tim´ias, King Arthur’s squire. He went after the “wicked foster,” from whom Florimel fled, and the “foster,” with his two brothers, falling on him, were all slain. Timias, overcome by fatigue, now fell from his horse in a swoon, and Belphœbê, the huntress, happening to see him fall, ran to his succor, applied an ointment to his wounds, and bound them with her scarf. The squire, opening his eyes, exclaimed, “Angel or goddess; do Icall thee right?” “Neither,” replied the maid, “but only a wood-nymph.” Then was he set upon his horse and taken to Belphœbê’s pavilion, where he soon “recovered from his wounds, but lost his heart” (bk. iii. 6). In bk. iv. 7 Belphœbê subsequently found Timias in dalliance with Amoret, and said to him, “Is this thy faith?” She said no more, “but turned her face and fled.” This is an allusion to Sir Walter Raleigh’s amour with Elizabeth Throgmorton (Amoret), one of the queen’s maids of honor, which drew upon Sir Walter (Timias) the passionate displeasure of his royal mistress, Queen Elizabeth, (Belphœbê).--Spenser,Faëry Queen, iii. (1590).
Timms(Corporal), a non-commissioned officer in Waverley’s regiment.--Sir W. Scott,Waverley(time, George II.).
Timo´leon, the Corinthian. He hated tyranny, and slew his own brother, whom he dearly loved, because he tried to make himself absolute in Corinth. “Timophănês he loved, but freedom more.”