Night crowes screech aloud,Fluttering ’bout casements of departing soules.Marston,Antonio and Mellida, ii. (1602).
Night crowes screech aloud,Fluttering ’bout casements of departing soules.Marston,Antonio and Mellida, ii. (1602).
Night crowes screech aloud,Fluttering ’bout casements of departing soules.Marston,Antonio and Mellida, ii. (1602).
Night crowes screech aloud,
Fluttering ’bout casements of departing soules.
Marston,Antonio and Mellida, ii. (1602).
Several crows fluttered about the head of Cicero on the day that he was murdered by Popilius Lænas ... one of them even made its way into his chamber, and pulled away the bedclothes.--Macaulay,History of St. Kilda, 176.
If crows flock together early in the morning, and gape at the sun, the weather will be hot and dry; but if they stalk at nightfall into water, and croak, rain is at hand.--Willsford,Nature’s Secrets, 133.
When crows forsake a wood in a flock, it forebodes a famine.--Supplement to the Athenian Oracle, 476.
Death-watch.The clicking or tapping of the beetle called a death-watch is an omen of death to some one in the house.
Chamber-maids christen this worm a “Death-watch,”Because, like a watch, it always cries “click;”Then woe be to those in the house that are sick,For sure as a gun they will give up the ghost ...But a kettle of scalding hot water injectedInfallibly cures the timber infected;The omen is broken, the danger is over,The maggot will die, and the sick will recover.Swift,Wood an Insect(1725).
Chamber-maids christen this worm a “Death-watch,”Because, like a watch, it always cries “click;”Then woe be to those in the house that are sick,For sure as a gun they will give up the ghost ...But a kettle of scalding hot water injectedInfallibly cures the timber infected;The omen is broken, the danger is over,The maggot will die, and the sick will recover.Swift,Wood an Insect(1725).
Chamber-maids christen this worm a “Death-watch,”Because, like a watch, it always cries “click;”Then woe be to those in the house that are sick,For sure as a gun they will give up the ghost ...But a kettle of scalding hot water injectedInfallibly cures the timber infected;The omen is broken, the danger is over,The maggot will die, and the sick will recover.Swift,Wood an Insect(1725).
Chamber-maids christen this worm a “Death-watch,”
Because, like a watch, it always cries “click;”
Then woe be to those in the house that are sick,
For sure as a gun they will give up the ghost ...
But a kettle of scalding hot water injected
Infallibly cures the timber infected;
The omen is broken, the danger is over,
The maggot will die, and the sick will recover.
Swift,Wood an Insect(1725).
Dog.If dogs howl by night near a house, it presages the death of a sick inmate.
If doggs howle in the night neer an house where somebody is sick, ’tis a signe of death.--Dr. N. Home,Dæmonologie, 60.
When dogs wallow in the dust, expect foul weather:“Canis in pulvere volutans....”
Præscia ventorum, se volvit odora canum vis;Numina difflatur pulveris instar homo.Robert Keuchen,Crepundia, 211.
Præscia ventorum, se volvit odora canum vis;Numina difflatur pulveris instar homo.Robert Keuchen,Crepundia, 211.
Præscia ventorum, se volvit odora canum vis;Numina difflatur pulveris instar homo.Robert Keuchen,Crepundia, 211.
Præscia ventorum, se volvit odora canum vis;
Numina difflatur pulveris instar homo.
Robert Keuchen,Crepundia, 211.
Echinus.An echīnus, fastening itself on a ship’s keel, will arrest its motion like an anchor.--Pliny,Natural History, xxxii. 1.
Egg.The tenth egg is always the largest.
Decumana ova dicuntur, quia ovum decimum majus nascitur.--Festus.
Elephant.Elephants celebrate religious rites.--Pliny,Natural History, viii. 1.
Elephants have no knees.--Eugenius Philalethes,Brief Natural History, 89.
The elephant hath joints, but none for courtesy; his legs are for necessity, not for flexure.--Shakespeare,Troilus and Cressida, act iii. sc. 3 (1602).
Fish.If you count the number of fish you have caught, you will catch no more that day.
Frog.To meet a frog is lucky, indicating that the person is about to receive money.
Some man hadde levyr to mete a frogge on the way than a knight ... for than they say and ’leve that they shal have golde.--Dives and Pauper(first precepte, xlvi. 1493).
When frogs croak more than usual, it is a sign of bad weather.
Guinea-pig.A guinea-pig has no ears.
Haddock.The black spot on each side of a haddock, near the gills, is the impression of St. Peter’s finger and thumb, when he took the tribute money from the fish’s mouth.
The haddock has spots on either side, which are the marks of St. Peter’s fingers when he catched that fish for the tribute.--Metellus,Dialogues, etc., 57 (1693).
Hair.If a dog bites you, any evil consequences may be prevented by applying three of the dog’s hairs to the wound.
Take the hair, it is well written,Of the dog by which you’re bitten;Work off one wine by his brother,And one labor by another.Athenæus (ascribed to Aristophanês).
Take the hair, it is well written,Of the dog by which you’re bitten;Work off one wine by his brother,And one labor by another.Athenæus (ascribed to Aristophanês).
Take the hair, it is well written,Of the dog by which you’re bitten;Work off one wine by his brother,And one labor by another.Athenæus (ascribed to Aristophanês).
Take the hair, it is well written,
Of the dog by which you’re bitten;
Work off one wine by his brother,
And one labor by another.
Athenæus (ascribed to Aristophanês).
Hare.It is unlucky if a hare runs across a road in front of a traveller. The Roman augurs considered this an ill omen.
If an hare cross their way, they suspect they shall be rob’d, or come to some mischance.--Ramesay,Elminthologia, 271 (1668).
It was believed at one time that hares changed their sex every year.
Hedgehog.Hedgehogs foresee a coming storm.--Bodenham,Garden of the Muses, 153 (1600).
Hedgehogs fasten on the dugs of cows, and drain off the milk.
Horse.If a person suffering from whooping-cough asks advice of a man riding on a piebald horse, the malady will be cured by doing what the man tells him to do.
Jackal.The jackal is the lion’s provider. It hunts with the lion, and provides it with food by starting prey, as dogs start game.
Lady-bug.It is unlucky to kill a lady-bug.
Lion.The lion will not injure a royal prince.
Fetch the Numidian lion I brought over;If she be sprung from royal blood, the lionWill do her reverence, else he will tear her.Beaumont and Fletcher, The Mad Lover (1617).
Fetch the Numidian lion I brought over;If she be sprung from royal blood, the lionWill do her reverence, else he will tear her.Beaumont and Fletcher, The Mad Lover (1617).
Fetch the Numidian lion I brought over;If she be sprung from royal blood, the lionWill do her reverence, else he will tear her.Beaumont and Fletcher, The Mad Lover (1617).
Fetch the Numidian lion I brought over;
If she be sprung from royal blood, the lion
Will do her reverence, else he will tear her.
Beaumont and Fletcher, The Mad Lover (1617).
The lion will not touch the true prince.--Shakespeare,1 Henry IV.act ii. sc. 4 (1598).
The lion hates the game-cock, and is jealous of it. Some say because the cock wears a crown (its crest), and others because it comes into the royal presence “booted and spurred.”
The fiercest lion trembles at the crowing of a cock.--Pliny,Natural History, viii. 19.
According to legend, the lion’s whelp is born dead, and remains so for three days, when the father breathes on it, and it receives life.
Lizard.The lizard is man’s special enemy, but warns him of the approach of a serpent.
Magpie.To seeonemagpie is unlucky; to seetwodenotes merriment, or a marriage; to seethree, a successful journey;four, good news;five, company.--Grose.
Another superstition is: “One for sorrow; two for mirth; three, a wedding; four, a death.”
One’s sorrow, two’smirth,mirth,Three’s a wedding, four’s a birth,Five’s a christening, six’s a dearth,Seven’s heaven, eight is hell,And nine’s the devil his ane sel.Old Scotch Rhyme.
One’s sorrow, two’smirth,mirth,Three’s a wedding, four’s a birth,Five’s a christening, six’s a dearth,Seven’s heaven, eight is hell,And nine’s the devil his ane sel.Old Scotch Rhyme.
One’s sorrow, two’smirth,mirth,Three’s a wedding, four’s a birth,Five’s a christening, six’s a dearth,Seven’s heaven, eight is hell,And nine’s the devil his ane sel.Old Scotch Rhyme.
One’s sorrow, two’smirth,mirth,
Three’s a wedding, four’s a birth,
Five’s a christening, six’s a dearth,
Seven’s heaven, eight is hell,
And nine’s the devil his ane sel.
Old Scotch Rhyme.
In Lancashire, two magpies flying together is thought unlucky.
I have heard my gronny say, hoode os leef o seen two owd harries as two pynots [magpies].--Tim Bobbin,Lancashire Dialect, 31 (1775).
When the magpie chatters, it denotes that you will see strangers.
Man.A person weighs more fasting than after a good meal.
The Jews maintained that man has three natures--body, soul, and spirit. Diogĕnês Laertius calls the three natures body, phrên, and thumos; and the Romans called them manês, anĭma, and umbra.
There is a nation of pygmies.
The Patagonians are of gigantic stature.
There are men with tails, as the Ghilanes, a race of men “beyond the Sennaar;” the Niam-niams, of Africa, the Narea tribes, certain others south of Herrar, in Abyssinia, and the natives in the south of Formosa.
Martin.It is unlucky to kill a martin.
Mole.Moles are blind. Hence the common expression, “Blind as a mole.”
Pray you tread softly, that the blind mole may notHear a footfall.Shakespeare,The Tempest, act. iv. sc. 1 (1609).
Pray you tread softly, that the blind mole may notHear a footfall.Shakespeare,The Tempest, act. iv. sc. 1 (1609).
Pray you tread softly, that the blind mole may notHear a footfall.Shakespeare,The Tempest, act. iv. sc. 1 (1609).
Pray you tread softly, that the blind mole may not
Hear a footfall.
Shakespeare,The Tempest, act. iv. sc. 1 (1609).
Moon-calf, the offspring of a woman, engendered solely by the power of the moon.--Pliny,Natural History, x. 64.
Mouse.To eat food which a mouse has nibbled, will give a sore throat.
It is a bad omen if a mouse gnaws the clothes which a person is wearing.--Burton,Anatomy of Melancholy, 214 (1621).
A fried mouse is a specific for small-pox.
Ostrich.An ostrich can digest iron.
Stephen.I could eat the very hilts for anger.
Kno´well.A sign of your good digestion; you have an ostrich stomach.--B. Jonson,Every Man in His Humor, iii. 1 (1598).
I’ll make thee eat iron like an ostrich, and swallow my sword.--Shakespeare,2 Henry VI.act iv. sc. 10 (1591).
Owl.If owls screech with a hoarse and dismal voice, it bodes impending calamity. (SeeOwl.)
The oulê that of deth the bodê bringeth.Chaucer,Assembly of Foules(1358).
The oulê that of deth the bodê bringeth.Chaucer,Assembly of Foules(1358).
The oulê that of deth the bodê bringeth.Chaucer,Assembly of Foules(1358).
The oulê that of deth the bodê bringeth.
Chaucer,Assembly of Foules(1358).
Pelican.A pelican feeds its young brood with its blood.
The pelican turneth her beak against her brest, and therewith pierceth it till the blood gush, wherewith she nourisheth her young.--Eugenius Philalethes,Brief Natural History, 93.
Then sayd the Pellycane,“When my byrdts be slayne,With my bloude I them reuyue [revive],”Scrypture doth record,The same dyd our Lord,And rose from deth to lyue [life].Skelton,Armoury of Byrdts(died 1529).
Then sayd the Pellycane,“When my byrdts be slayne,With my bloude I them reuyue [revive],”Scrypture doth record,The same dyd our Lord,And rose from deth to lyue [life].Skelton,Armoury of Byrdts(died 1529).
Then sayd the Pellycane,“When my byrdts be slayne,With my bloude I them reuyue [revive],”Scrypture doth record,The same dyd our Lord,And rose from deth to lyue [life].Skelton,Armoury of Byrdts(died 1529).
Then sayd the Pellycane,
“When my byrdts be slayne,
With my bloude I them reuyue [revive],”
Scrypture doth record,
The same dyd our Lord,
And rose from deth to lyue [life].
Skelton,Armoury of Byrdts(died 1529).
And, like the kind, life rendering pelican,Repast them with my blood.Shakespeare,Hamlet, act iv. sc. 5 (1596).
And, like the kind, life rendering pelican,Repast them with my blood.Shakespeare,Hamlet, act iv. sc. 5 (1596).
And, like the kind, life rendering pelican,Repast them with my blood.Shakespeare,Hamlet, act iv. sc. 5 (1596).
And, like the kind, life rendering pelican,
Repast them with my blood.
Shakespeare,Hamlet, act iv. sc. 5 (1596).
Phœnix.There is but one phœnix in the world, which, after many hundred years, burns itself, and from its ashes another phœnix rises up.
Now I will believe, ... that in ArabiaThere is one tree, the phœnix’ throne; one phœnixAt this hour reigning there.Shakespeare,The Tempest, act iii. sc. 3 (1609).
Now I will believe, ... that in ArabiaThere is one tree, the phœnix’ throne; one phœnixAt this hour reigning there.Shakespeare,The Tempest, act iii. sc. 3 (1609).
Now I will believe, ... that in ArabiaThere is one tree, the phœnix’ throne; one phœnixAt this hour reigning there.
Now I will believe, ... that in Arabia
There is one tree, the phœnix’ throne; one phœnix
At this hour reigning there.
Shakespeare,The Tempest, act iii. sc. 3 (1609).
Shakespeare,The Tempest, act iii. sc. 3 (1609).
The phœnix is said to have fifty orifices in its bill, continued to its tail. After living its 1000 or 500 years, it builds itself a funeral pile, sings a melodious elegy, flaps its wings to fan the fire, and is burnt to ashes.
The enchanted pile of that lonely birdWho sings at the last his own death-lay.And in music and perfume dies away.T. Moore,Lalla Rookh(“Paradise and the Peri,” 1817).
The enchanted pile of that lonely birdWho sings at the last his own death-lay.And in music and perfume dies away.T. Moore,Lalla Rookh(“Paradise and the Peri,” 1817).
The enchanted pile of that lonely birdWho sings at the last his own death-lay.And in music and perfume dies away.T. Moore,Lalla Rookh(“Paradise and the Peri,” 1817).
The enchanted pile of that lonely bird
Who sings at the last his own death-lay.
And in music and perfume dies away.
T. Moore,Lalla Rookh(“Paradise and the Peri,” 1817).
The phœnix has appeared five times in Egypt: (1) in the reign of Sesostris; (2) in the reign of Amăsis; (3) in the reign of Ptolemy Philadelphos; (4) a little prior to the death of Tiberius; and (5) duringthe reign of Constantine. Tacitus mentions the first three (Annales, vi. 28).
Pig.In the fore feet of pigs is a very small hole, which may be seen when the pig is dead and the hair carefully removed. The legend is that the devils made their exit from the swine through the fore feet, and left these holes. There are also six very minute rings round each hole, and these are said to have been made by the devil’s claws.
When pigs carry straws in their mouth, rain is at hand.
When swine carry bottles of hay or straw to hide them, rain is at hand.--The Husbandman’s Practice, 137 (1664).
When young pigs are taken from the sow, they must be drawn away backwards, or the sow will be fallow.
The bacon of swine killed in a waning moon will waste much in the cooking.
When hogs run grunting home, a storm is impending.--The Cabinet of Nature, 262 (1637).
It is unlucky for a traveller if a sow crosses his path.
If, going on a journey on business, a sow cross the road, you will meet with a disappointment, if not an accident, before you return home.--Grose.
To meet a sow with a litter of pigs is very lucky.
If a sow is with her litter of pigs, it is lucky, and denotes a successful journey.--Grose.
Langley tells us this marvellous bit of etymology: “The bryde anoynteth the poostes of the doores with swynes grease, ... to dryve awaye misfortune, wherefore she had her name in Latinuxor, ´ab ungendo’ [to anoint].”--Translation of Polydore Vergil, 9.
Pigeon.If a white pigeon settles on a chimney, it bodes death to some one in the house.
No person can die on a bed or pillow containing pigeon’s feathers.
If anybody be sick and lye a-dying, if they [sic] lie upon pigeon’s feathers they will be languishing and never die, but be in pain and torment.--British Apollo, ii. No. 93 (1710).
The blue pigeon is held sacred in Mecca.--Pitt.
Porcupine.When porcupines are hunted or annoyed, they shoot out their quills in anger.
Rat.Rats forsake a ship before a wreck, or a house about to fall.
They preparedA rotten carcass of a boat; the very ratsInstinctively had quit it.Shakespeare,The Tempest, act i. sc. 2 (1609).
They preparedA rotten carcass of a boat; the very ratsInstinctively had quit it.Shakespeare,The Tempest, act i. sc. 2 (1609).
They preparedA rotten carcass of a boat; the very ratsInstinctively had quit it.Shakespeare,The Tempest, act i. sc. 2 (1609).
They prepared
A rotten carcass of a boat; the very rats
Instinctively had quit it.
Shakespeare,The Tempest, act i. sc. 2 (1609).
If rats gnaw the furniture of a room, there will be a death in the family ere long.--Grose.
⁂ The bucklers at Lanuvium being gnawed by rats, presaged ill fortune, and the battle of Marses, fought soon after, confirmed the superstition.
The Romans said that to see awhiterat was a certain presage of good luck.--Pliny,Natural History, viii. 57.
Raven.Ravens are ill-omened birds.
The hoarse night raven, trompe of doleful dreere.Spenser.
The hoarse night raven, trompe of doleful dreere.Spenser.
The hoarse night raven, trompe of doleful dreere.Spenser.
The hoarse night raven, trompe of doleful dreere.
Spenser.
Ravens seen on the left hand side of a person bode impending evil.
Sæpe sinistra cava prædixit ab ilice cornix.Virgil,Ecl., i.
Sæpe sinistra cava prædixit ab ilice cornix.Virgil,Ecl., i.
Sæpe sinistra cava prædixit ab ilice cornix.Virgil,Ecl., i.
Sæpe sinistra cava prædixit ab ilice cornix.
Virgil,Ecl., i.
Ravens call up rain.
HarkHow the curst raven, with her harmless voice,Invokes the rain!Smart,Hop Garden, ii. (died 1770).
HarkHow the curst raven, with her harmless voice,Invokes the rain!Smart,Hop Garden, ii. (died 1770).
HarkHow the curst raven, with her harmless voice,Invokes the rain!Smart,Hop Garden, ii. (died 1770).
Hark
How the curst raven, with her harmless voice,
Invokes the rain!
Smart,Hop Garden, ii. (died 1770).
When ravens forsake a wood, it prognosticates famine.
This is because ravens bear the character of Saturn, the author of such calamities.--Athenian Oracle(supplement, 476).
Ravens forebode pestilence and death.
Like the sad-presaging raven, that tollsThe sick man’s passport in her hollow beak,And, in the shadow of the silent night,Doth shake contagion from her sable wing.Marlowe,The Jew of Malta(1633).
Like the sad-presaging raven, that tollsThe sick man’s passport in her hollow beak,And, in the shadow of the silent night,Doth shake contagion from her sable wing.Marlowe,The Jew of Malta(1633).
Like the sad-presaging raven, that tollsThe sick man’s passport in her hollow beak,And, in the shadow of the silent night,Doth shake contagion from her sable wing.Marlowe,The Jew of Malta(1633).
Like the sad-presaging raven, that tolls
The sick man’s passport in her hollow beak,
And, in the shadow of the silent night,
Doth shake contagion from her sable wing.
Marlowe,The Jew of Malta(1633).
Ravens foster forsaken children.
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children.(?) Shakespeare,Titus Andronicus, act ii. sc. 3 (1593).
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children.(?) Shakespeare,Titus Andronicus, act ii. sc. 3 (1593).
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children.(?) Shakespeare,Titus Andronicus, act ii. sc. 3 (1593).
Some say that ravens foster forlorn children.
(?) Shakespeare,Titus Andronicus, act ii. sc. 3 (1593).
It is said that King Arthur is not dead, but is only changed into a raven, and will in due time resume his proper form and rule over his people gloriously.
The raven was white till it turned tell-tale, and informed Apollo of the faithlessness of Corōnis. Apollo shot the nymph for her infidelity, but changed the plumage of the raven into inky blackness for his officious prating.--Ovid,Metamorphoses, ii.
He [Apollo] blackened the raven o’er,And bid him prate in his white plumes no more.Addison’sTranslation of Ovid, ii.
He [Apollo] blackened the raven o’er,And bid him prate in his white plumes no more.Addison’sTranslation of Ovid, ii.
He [Apollo] blackened the raven o’er,And bid him prate in his white plumes no more.Addison’sTranslation of Ovid, ii.
He [Apollo] blackened the raven o’er,
And bid him prate in his white plumes no more.
Addison’sTranslation of Ovid, ii.
If ravens gape against the sun, heat will follow; but if they busy themselves in preening or washing, there will be rain.
Rem´ora.A fish called the remora can arrest a ship in full sail.
A little fish that men call remora,Which stopped her course ...That wind nor tide could move her.Spenser,Sonnets(1591).
A little fish that men call remora,Which stopped her course ...That wind nor tide could move her.Spenser,Sonnets(1591).
A little fish that men call remora,Which stopped her course ...That wind nor tide could move her.Spenser,Sonnets(1591).
A little fish that men call remora,
Which stopped her course ...
That wind nor tide could move her.
Spenser,Sonnets(1591).
Robin.The red of a robin’s breast is produced by the blood of Jesus. While the “Man of Sorrows” was on His way to Calvary, a robin plucked a thorn from His temples, and a drop of blood, falling on the bird, turned its bosom red.
Another legend is that the robin used to carry dew to refresh sinners parched in hell, and the scorching heat of the flames turned its feathers red.
He brings cool dew in his little bill,And lets it fall on the souls of sin;You can see the mark on his red breast still,Of fires that scorch as he drops it in.J. G. Whittier,The Robin.
He brings cool dew in his little bill,And lets it fall on the souls of sin;You can see the mark on his red breast still,Of fires that scorch as he drops it in.J. G. Whittier,The Robin.
He brings cool dew in his little bill,And lets it fall on the souls of sin;You can see the mark on his red breast still,Of fires that scorch as he drops it in.J. G. Whittier,The Robin.
He brings cool dew in his little bill,
And lets it fall on the souls of sin;
You can see the mark on his red breast still,
Of fires that scorch as he drops it in.
J. G. Whittier,The Robin.
If a robin finds a dead body unburied, it will cover the face at least, if not the whole body.--Grey,On Shakespeare, ii. 226.
The robins so red, now these babies are dead,Ripe strawberry leaves doth over them spread.Babes in the Wood.
The robins so red, now these babies are dead,Ripe strawberry leaves doth over them spread.Babes in the Wood.
The robins so red, now these babies are dead,Ripe strawberry leaves doth over them spread.Babes in the Wood.
The robins so red, now these babies are dead,
Ripe strawberry leaves doth over them spread.
Babes in the Wood.
It is unlucky either to keep or to kill a robin. J. H. Pott says, if any one attempts to detain a robin which has sought hospitality, let him “fear some new calamity.”--Poems(1780).
Salamander.The salamander lives in the fire.
Should a glass-house fire be kept up without extinction for more than seven years, there is no doubt but that a salamander will be generated in the cinders.--J. P. Andrews,Anecdotes, etc., 359.
The salamander seeks the hottest fire to breed in, but soon quenches it by the extreme coldness of its body.--Pliny,Natural History, x. 67; xxix. 4.
Food touched by a salamander is poisonous.--Ditto, xxix. 23.
Saliva.The human saliva is a cure for blindness.--Ditto, xxviii. 7.
If a man spits on a serpent, it will die. Ditto, vii. 2.
The human saliva is a charm against fascination and witchcraft.
Thrice on my breast I spit, to guard me safeFrom fascinating charms.Theocritos.
Thrice on my breast I spit, to guard me safeFrom fascinating charms.Theocritos.
Thrice on my breast I spit, to guard me safeFrom fascinating charms.Theocritos.
Thrice on my breast I spit, to guard me safe
From fascinating charms.
Theocritos.
To unbewitch the bewitched, you must spit into the shoe of your right foot.--Scot,Discoverie of Witchcraft(1584).
Spitting for luck is a most common superstition.
Fishwomen generally spit upon their hansel.--Grose.
A blacksmith who has to shoe a stubborn horse, spits in his hand to drive off the “evil spirit.”
The swarty smith spits in his buckthorne fist.Browne,Britannia’s Pastorals, i.
The swarty smith spits in his buckthorne fist.Browne,Britannia’s Pastorals, i.
The swarty smith spits in his buckthorne fist.Browne,Britannia’s Pastorals, i.
The swarty smith spits in his buckthorne fist.
Browne,Britannia’s Pastorals, i.
If a pugilist spits in his hand, his blows will be more telling.--Pliny,Natural History, xxviii. 7.
Scorpion.Scorpions sting themselves.
Scorpions have an oil which is a remedy for their stings.
’Tis true the scorpion’s oil is saidTo cure the wound the venom made.S. Butler,Hudibras, iii. 2 (1678).
’Tis true the scorpion’s oil is saidTo cure the wound the venom made.S. Butler,Hudibras, iii. 2 (1678).
’Tis true the scorpion’s oil is saidTo cure the wound the venom made.S. Butler,Hudibras, iii. 2 (1678).
’Tis true the scorpion’s oil is said
To cure the wound the venom made.
S. Butler,Hudibras, iii. 2 (1678).
Spider.It is unlucky to kill a moneyspinner.
Small spiders, called “money-spinners,” prognosticate good luck, if they are not destroyed or removed from the person on whom they attach themselves.--Park.
The bite of a spider is venomous.
No spider will spin its web on an Irish oak.
Spiders will never set their webs on a cedar roof.--Caughey,Letters(1845).
Spiders indicate where gold is to be found. (SeeSpiders Indicators of Gold.)
There are no spiders in Ireland, because St. Patrick cleared the island of all vermin.
Spiders envenom whatever they touch.
There may be in the cupA spider steeped, and one may drink, depart,And yet partake no evil.Shakespeare,Winter’s Tale, act iii. sc. 1 (1604).
There may be in the cupA spider steeped, and one may drink, depart,And yet partake no evil.Shakespeare,Winter’s Tale, act iii. sc. 1 (1604).
There may be in the cupA spider steeped, and one may drink, depart,And yet partake no evil.Shakespeare,Winter’s Tale, act iii. sc. 1 (1604).
There may be in the cup
A spider steeped, and one may drink, depart,
And yet partake no evil.
Shakespeare,Winter’s Tale, act iii. sc. 1 (1604).
A spider enclosed in a quilt and hung round the neck will cure the ague.--Mrs. Delany,A Letter dated March 1, 1743.
I ... hung three spiders about my neck, and they drove my ague away.--Elias Ashmole,Diary(April 11, 1681).
A spider worn in a nutshell round the neck is a cure for fever.
Cured by the wearing a spider around one’s neck in a nutshell.Longfellow,Evangeline, ii. (1849).
Cured by the wearing a spider around one’s neck in a nutshell.Longfellow,Evangeline, ii. (1849).
Cured by the wearing a spider around one’s neck in a nutshell.Longfellow,Evangeline, ii. (1849).
Cured by the wearing a spider around one’s neck in a nutshell.
Longfellow,Evangeline, ii. (1849).
Spiders spin only on dark days.
The subtle spider never spinsBut on dark days his slimy gins.S. Butler,On a Nonconformist, iv.
The subtle spider never spinsBut on dark days his slimy gins.S. Butler,On a Nonconformist, iv.
The subtle spider never spinsBut on dark days his slimy gins.S. Butler,On a Nonconformist, iv.
The subtle spider never spins
But on dark days his slimy gins.
S. Butler,On a Nonconformist, iv.
Spiders have a natural antipathy to toads.
Stag.Stags draw, by their breath, serpents from their holes, and then trample them to death. (Hence the stag has been used to symbolize Christ.)--Pliny,Natural History, viii. 50.
Stork.It is unlucky to kill a stork.
According to Swedish legend, a stork fluttered round the cross of the crucified Redeemer, crying,Styrkê! styrkê!(“Strengthen ye! strengthen ye!”), and was hence called thestyrkorstork, but ever after lost its voice.
Swallow.According to Scandinavian legend, the bird hovered over the cross of Christ, crying,Svalê! svalê!(“Cheer up! cheer up!”), and hence it received the name ofsvalêorswallow, “the bird of consolation.”
If a swallow builds on a house, it brings good luck.
The swallow is said to bring home from the seashore a stone which gives sight to her fledglings.
Seeking with eager eyes that wondrous stone which the swallowBrings from the shore of the sea, to restore the sight of its fledglings.Longfellow,Evangeline, i. 1 (1849).
Seeking with eager eyes that wondrous stone which the swallowBrings from the shore of the sea, to restore the sight of its fledglings.Longfellow,Evangeline, i. 1 (1849).
Seeking with eager eyes that wondrous stone which the swallowBrings from the shore of the sea, to restore the sight of its fledglings.Longfellow,Evangeline, i. 1 (1849).
Seeking with eager eyes that wondrous stone which the swallow
Brings from the shore of the sea, to restore the sight of its fledglings.
Longfellow,Evangeline, i. 1 (1849).
To kill a swallow is unlucky.
When swallows fly high, the weather will be fine.
When swallows fleet soar high and sport in air,He told us that the welkin would be clear.Gay,Pastoral, i. (1714).
When swallows fleet soar high and sport in air,He told us that the welkin would be clear.Gay,Pastoral, i. (1714).
When swallows fleet soar high and sport in air,He told us that the welkin would be clear.Gay,Pastoral, i. (1714).
When swallows fleet soar high and sport in air,
He told us that the welkin would be clear.
Gay,Pastoral, i. (1714).
Swan.The swan retires from observation when about to die, and sings most melodiously.
Swans a little before their death sing most sweetly.--Pliny,Natural History, x. 23.
The swanne cannot hatch without a cracke ofthunder.--Lord Northampton,Defensive, etc.(1583).
Tarantula.The tarantula is poisonous.
The music of a tarantula will cure its venomous bite.
Toad.Toads spit poison, but they carry in their head an antidote thereto.
... the toad ugly and venomous,Wears yet a precious jewel in its head.Shakespeare,As You Like It, act ii. sc. 1 (1600).
... the toad ugly and venomous,Wears yet a precious jewel in its head.Shakespeare,As You Like It, act ii. sc. 1 (1600).
... the toad ugly and venomous,Wears yet a precious jewel in its head.Shakespeare,As You Like It, act ii. sc. 1 (1600).
... the toad ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in its head.
Shakespeare,As You Like It, act ii. sc. 1 (1600).
In the dog days, toads never open their mouths.
Toads are never found in Ireland, because St. Patrick cleared the island of all vermin.
Unicorn.Unicorns can be caught only by placing a virgin in their haunts.
The horn of a unicorn dipped into a liquor will show if it contains poison.
Viper.Young vipers destroy their mothers when they come to birth.
Weasel.To meet a weasel is unlucky.--Congreve,Love for Love.
You never catch a weasel asleep.
Wolf.If a wolf sees a man before the man sees the wolf, he will be struck dumb.
Men are sometimes changed into wolves.--Pliny,Natural History.
Wren.If any one kills a wren, he will break a bone before the year is out.
Miscellaneous.No animal dies near the sea, except at the ebbing of the tide.--Aristotle.
’A parted even just between twelve and one, e’en at the turning o’ the tide.--Shakespeare,Henry V.act. ii. sc. 3 (Falstaff’s death, 1599).
Superstitions about Precious Stones.
R. B. means Rabbi Benoni (fourteenth century); S. means Streeter,Precious Stones(1877).
Agatequenches thirst, and if held in the mouth, allays fever.--R. B.
It is supposed, at least, in fable, to render the wearer invisible, and also to turn the sword of foes against themselves.
The agate is an emblem of health and long life, and is dedicated to June. In the Zodiac it stands for Scorpio.
Amberis a cure for sore throats and all glandular swellings.--R. B.
It is said to be a concretion of birds’ tears.--Chambers.
Around thee shall glisten the lovliest amberThat ever the sorrowing sea-bird hath wept.T. Moore, Lalla Rookh (“Fire-Worshippers,” 1817).
Around thee shall glisten the lovliest amberThat ever the sorrowing sea-bird hath wept.T. Moore, Lalla Rookh (“Fire-Worshippers,” 1817).
Around thee shall glisten the lovliest amberThat ever the sorrowing sea-bird hath wept.T. Moore, Lalla Rookh (“Fire-Worshippers,” 1817).
Around thee shall glisten the lovliest amber
That ever the sorrowing sea-bird hath wept.
T. Moore, Lalla Rookh (“Fire-Worshippers,” 1817).
The birds which wept amber were the sisters of Meleager, called Meleagrĭdês, who never ceased weeping for their brother’s death.--Pliny,Natural History, xxxvii. 2, 11.
Amethystbanishes the desire for drink, and promotes chastity.--R. B.
The Greeks thought that it counteracted the effects of wine.
The amethyst is an emblem of humility and sobriety. It is dedicated to February and Venus. In the Zodiac it stands for Sagittarius, in metallurgy for copper, in Christian art it is given to St. Matthew, and in the Roman Catholic Church it is set in the pastoral ring of bishops, whence it is called the “prelate’s gem,” orpierre d’évêque.
Cat’s-eye, considered by the Cingalese as a charm against witchcraft, and to be the abode of some genii.--S., 168.
Coral, a talisman against enchantments, witchcrafts, thunder, and other perils of flood and field. It was consecrated to Jupiter and Phœbus.--S., 233.
Red coral worn about the person is a certain cure for indigestion.--R. B.
Crystalinduces visions, promotes sleep, and ensures good dreams.--R. B.
It is dedicated to the moon, and in metallurgy stands for silver.
Diamondproduces somnambulism, and promotes spiritual ecstasy.--R. B.
The diamond is an emblem of innocence, and is dedicated to April and the sun. In the Zodiac it stands for Virgo, in metallurgy for gold, in Christian art invulnerable faith.
Emeraldpromotes friendship and constancy of mind.--R. B.
If a serpent fixes its eyes on an emerald, it becomes blind.--Ahmed ben Abdalaziz,Treatise on Jewels.
The emerald is an emblem of success in love, and is dedicated to May. In the Zodiac, it signifies Cancer. It is dedicated to Mars, in metallurgy it means iron, and in Christian art, is given to St. John.
Garnetpreserves health and joy.--R. B.
The garnet is an emblem of constancy, and, like the jacinth, is dedicated to January.
This was the carbuncle of the ancients, which they said gave out light in the dark.
Loadstoneproduces somnambulism.--R. B.
It is dedicated to Mercury, and in metallurgy means quicksilver.
Moonstonehas the virtue of making trees fruitful, and of curing epilepsy.--Dioscorĭdês.
It contains in it an image of the moon, representing its increase and decrease every month.--Andreas Baccius.
Onyxcontains in it an imprisoned devil, which wakes at sunset, and causes terror to the wearer, disturbing sleep with ugly dreams.--R. B.
Cupid, with the sharp point of his arrows, cut the nails of Venus during sleep, and the parings, falling into the Indus, sank to the bottom, and turned into onyxes.--S., 212.
In the Zodiac it stands for Aquarius; some say it is the emblem of August and conjugal love; in Christian art it symbolizes sincerity.
Opalis fatal to love, and sows discord between the giver and receiver.--R. B.
Given as an engagement token, it is sure to bring ill luck.
The opal is an emblem of hope, and is dedicated to October.
Ruby.The Burmese believe that rubies ripen like fruit. They say a ruby in its crude state is colorless, and, as it matures, changes first to yellow, then to green, then to blue, and lastly to a brilliant red, its highest state of perfection and ripeness.--S., 142.
The ruby signifies Aries in the Zodiacal signs; but some give it to December, and make it the emblem of brilliant success.
Sapphireproduces somnambulism, and impels the wearer to all good works.--R. B.
In the Zodiac it signifies Leo, and in Christian art is dedicated to St. Andrew, emblematic of his heavenly faith and good hope. Some give this gem to April.
Topazis favorable to hemorrhages, imparts strength, and promotes digestion.--R. B.
Les anciens regardaient la topaze comme utile contre l’épilepsie et la mélancolie.--Bouillet,Dict. Univ. des Sciences, etc.(1855).
The topaz is an emblem of fidelity, and is dedicated to November. In the Zodiac it signifies Taurus, and in Christian art is given to St. James the Less.
Turquoise, given by loving hands, carries with it happiness and good fortune. Its color always pales when the well-being of the giver is in peril.--S., 170.
The turquoise is an emblem of prosperity, and is dedicated to December. It is dedicated to Saturn, and stands for lead in metallurgy.
A bouquet composed of diamonds, loadstones and sapphires combined, renders aperson almost invincible, and wholly irresistible.--R. B.
All precious stones are purified by honey.
All kinds of precious stones dipped into honey become more brilliant thereby, each according to its color, and all persons become more acceptable when they join devotion to their graces. Household cares are sweetened thereby, love is more loving, and business becomes more pleasant.--S. Francis de Salis,The Devout Life, iii. 13 (1708).
Supporters in Heraldryrepresent the pages who supported the banner. These pages, before the Tudor period, were dressed in imitation of the beasts, etc., which typified the bearings or cognizances of their masters.
Surface(Sir Oliver), the rich uncle of Joseph and Charles Surface. He appears under the assumed name of Premium Stanley.
Charles Surface, a reformed scapegrace, and the accepted lover of Maria, the rich ward of Sir Peter Teazle. In Charles, theevilof his character was all on the surface.
Joseph Surface, elder brother of Charles, an artful, malicious, but sentimental knave; so plausible in speech and manner as to pass for a “youthful miracle of prudence, good sense, and benevolence.” Unlike Charles, hisgoodwas all on the surface.--Sheridan,School for Scandal(1777).
Surgeon’s Daughter(The), a novel by Sir Walter Scott, laid in the time of George II. and III., and published in 1827. The heroine is Menie Gray, daughter of Dr. Gideon Gray, of Middlemas. Adam Hartley, the doctor’s apprentice, loves her, but Menie herself has given her heart to Richard Middlemas. It so falls out that Richard Middlemas goes to India. Adam Hartley also goes to India, and, as Dr. Hartley, rises high in his profession. One day, being sent for to visit a sick fakir´, he sees Menie Gray under the wing of Mde. Montreville. Her father had died, and she had come to India, under madame’s escort, to marry Richard; but Richard had entrapped the girl for a concubine in the harem of Tippoo Saib. When Dr. Hartley heard of this scandalous treachery, he told it to Hyder Ali, and the father of Tippoo Saib, who were so disgusted at the villainy that they condemned Richard Middlemas to be trampled to death by a trained elephant, and liberated Menie, who returned to her native country under the escort of Dr. Hartley.
Surgery(Father of French), Ambrose Paré (1517-1590).
Surly, a gamester and friend of Sir Epicure Mammon, but a disbeliever in alchemy in general, and in “doctor” Subtle in particular.--Ben Jonson,The Alchemist(1610).
Surplus(Mr.), a lawyer, Mrs. Surplus, and Charles Surplus, the nephew.--J. M. Morton,A Regular Fix.
Surrey(White), name of the horse used by Richard III. in the battle of Bosworth Field.
Saddle White Surrey for the field to-morrow.Shakespeare,King Richard III.act v. sc. 3 (1597).
Saddle White Surrey for the field to-morrow.Shakespeare,King Richard III.act v. sc. 3 (1597).
Saddle White Surrey for the field to-morrow.Shakespeare,King Richard III.act v. sc. 3 (1597).
Saddle White Surrey for the field to-morrow.
Shakespeare,King Richard III.act v. sc. 3 (1597).
Surtur, a formidable giant, who is to set fire to the universe at Ragnarök, with flames collected from Muspelheim.--Scandinavian Mythology.
Sur´ya(2syl.), the sun-god, whose caris drawn by seven green horses, the charioteer being Dawn.--Sir W. Jones,From the Veda.
Susanna, the wife of Joacim. She was accused of adultery by the Jewish elders, and condemned to death; but Daniel proved her innocence, and turned the criminal charge on the elders themselves.--History of Susanna.
Susannah, in Sterne’s novel entitledThe Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman(1759).
Suspicions Husband(The), a comedy by Dr. Hoadly (1747). Mr. Strictland is suspicious of his wife, his ward, Jacintha, and Clarinda, a young lady visitor. With two attractive young ladies in the house, there is no lack of intrigue, and Strictland fancies that his wife is the object thereof; but when he discovers his mistake, he promises reform.
Sussex(The earl of), a rival of the earl of Leicester, in the court of Queen Elizabeth; introduced by Sir W. Scott inKenilworth.
Sut´leme´me(4syl.), a young lady attached to the suite of Nouron´ihar, the emir’s daughter. She greatly excelled in dressing a salad.
Sutor.Ne sutor supra Crepĭdam.A cobbler, having detected an error in the shoe-latchet of a statue made by Apellês, became so puffed up with conceit that he proceeded to criticize the legs also; but Apellês said to him, “Stick to the last, friend.” The cobbler is qualified to pass an opinion on shoes, but anatomy is quite another thing.
Boswell, one night sitting in the pit of Covent Garden Theatre, with his friend, Dr. Blair, gave an imitation of a cow lowing, which the house greatly applauded. He then ventured another imitation, but failed; whereupon the doctor turned to him and whispered in his ear, “Stick to the cow.”
A wigmaker sent a copy of verses to Voltaire, asking for his candid opinion on some poetry he had perpetrated. The witty patriarch of Ferney wrote on the MS., “Make wigs,” and returned it to the barber-poet.
Sutton(Sir William), uncle of Hero Sutton, the City maiden.--S. Knowles,Woman’s Wit, etc.(1838).
Suwarrow(Alexander), a Russian general, noted for his slaughter of the Poles in the suburbs of Warsaw, in 1794, and the still more shameful butchery of them on the bridge of Prague. After having massacred 30,000 in cold blood, Suwarrow went to return thanks to God “for giving him the victory.” Campbell, in hisPleasures of Hope, i., refers to this butchery; and Lord Byron, inDon Juan, vii., 8, 55, to the Turkish expedition (1786-1792).