He [Rowland York] was a Londoner, famous among the cutters in his time for bringing in a new kind of fight—to run the point of a rapier into a man’s body ... before that time the use was with little bucklers, and with broadswords to strike and never thrust, and it was accounted unmanly to strike under the girdle.—Carleton,Thankful Remembrance(1625).
He [Rowland York] was a Londoner, famous among the cutters in his time for bringing in a new kind of fight—to run the point of a rapier into a man’s body ... before that time the use was with little bucklers, and with broadswords to strike and never thrust, and it was accounted unmanly to strike under the girdle.—Carleton,Thankful Remembrance(1625).
Rare Ben.Ben Jonson, the dramatist, was so called by Robert Herrick (1574-1637).
Raredrench(Master), apothecary.—Sir W. Scott,Fortunes of Nigel(time, James I.).
Rashleigh Osbaldistone, called “the scholar,” an hypocritical and accomplished villain, killed by Rob Roy.—Sir W. Scott,Rob Roy(time, George I.).
***Surely never gentleman was plagued with such a family as Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone, of Osbaldistone Hall. (1) Percival, “the sot;” (2) Thorncliff, “the bully;” (3) John, “the gamekeeper;” (4) Richard, “the horse-jockey;” (5) Wilfred, “the fool;” (6) Rashleigh, “the scholar and knave.”
Ras´selas, prince of Abyssina, fourthson of the emperor. According to the custom of the country, he was confined in a private paradise, with the rest of the royal family. This paradise was in the valley of Amhara, surrounded by high mountains. It had only one entrance, which was by a cavern under a rock concealed by woods, and closed by iron gates. He escaped with his sister, Nekayah, and Imlac, the poet, and wandered about to find out what condition or rank of life was the most happy. After careful investigation he found no lot without its drawbacks, and resolved to return to the “happy valley.”—Dr. Johnson,Rasselas(1759).
Rats(Devoured by). Archbishop Hatto, Count Graaf, Bishop Widerolf of Strasburg, Bishop Adolph of Cologne, Freiherr von Güttingen were all devoured by rats. (SeeHatto.)
Ratcliffe(James), a notorious thief.—Sir W. Scott,Heart of Midlothian(time, George II.).
Ratcliffe(Mr. Hubert), a friend of Sir Edward Mauley, “the Black Dwarf.”—Sir W. Scott,The Black Dwarf(time, Anne).
Ratcliffe(Mrs.), the widow of “Don Carlos,” who rescued Sheva at Cadiz from anauto da fe.
Charles Ratcliffe, clerk of Sir Stephen Bertram, discharged because he had a pretty sister, and Sir Stephen had a young son. Charles supported his widowed mother and his sister by his earnings. He rescued Sheva, the Jew, from a howling London mob, and was left the heir of the old man’s property.
Miss [Eliza] Ratcliffe, sister of Charles, clandestinely married to Charles Bertram, and given £10,000 by the Jew to reconcile Sir Stephen Bertram to the alliance. She was handsome, virtuous and elegant, mild, modest and gentle.—Cumberland,The Jew(1776).
Rath´mor, chief of Clutha (the Clyde), and father of Calthon and Colmar. Dunthalmo, lord of Teutha, “came in his pride against him,” and was overcome, whereupon his anger rose, and he went by night with his warriors and slew Rathmor in his own halls, where his feasts had so often been spread for strangers.—Ossian,Calthon and Colmal.
Rattlin(Jack), a famous naval character in Smollett’sRoderick Random. Tom Bowling is in the same novel (1749).
Rattray(Sir Runnion), of Runnagullion; the duelling friend of Sir Mungo Malagrowther.—Sir W. Scott,Fortunes of Nigel(time, James I.).
Raucocan´ti, leader of a troupe of singers going to act in Sicily. The whole were captured by Lambro, the pirate, and sold in Turkey as slaves.
’Twould not become myself to dwell uponMy own merits, and, tho’ young, I see, sir, you [Don Juan]Have got a travelled air, which shews you oneTo whom the opera is by no means new.You’ve heard of Raucocanti—I’m that man ...You was [sic] not last year at the fair of Lugo,But next, when I’m engaged to sing there—do go.Byron,Don Juan, iv. 88 (1820).
Raven(Barnaby’s), Grip, a large bird of most impish disposition. Its usual phrases were: “I’m a devil!” “Never say die!” “Polly, put the kettle on!” He also uttered a cluck like cork-drawing, a barking like a dog, and a crowing like a cock. Barnaby Budge used to carry itabout in a basket at his back. The bird drooped while it was in jail with his master, but after Barnaby’s reprieve
It soon recovered its good looks, and became as glossy and sleek as ever ... but for a whole year it never indulged in any other sound than a grave and decorous croak.... One bright summer morning ... the bird advanced with fantastic steps to the door of the Maypole, and then cried “I’m a devil!” three or four times, with extraordinary rapture ... and from that time constantly practised and improved himself in the vulgar tongue.—C. Dickens,Barnaby Rudge, ii. (1841).
It soon recovered its good looks, and became as glossy and sleek as ever ... but for a whole year it never indulged in any other sound than a grave and decorous croak.... One bright summer morning ... the bird advanced with fantastic steps to the door of the Maypole, and then cried “I’m a devil!” three or four times, with extraordinary rapture ... and from that time constantly practised and improved himself in the vulgar tongue.—C. Dickens,Barnaby Rudge, ii. (1841).
Raven(The), Edgar Allan Poe’s poem bearing this caption is the best known of his works, and one of the most remarkable in the English language (1845).
Ravens of Owain(The). Owain had in his army 300 ravens, who were irresistible. It is thought that these ravens were warriors who bore this device on their shields.
A man who caused the birds to fly upon the hostLike the ravens of Owain, eager for prey.Bleddynt Vardd,Myvyrian Archaiology, i. 365.
Ravens once White.One day a raven told Apollo that Coro´nis, a Thessalian nymph whom he passionately loved, was faithless. Apollo, in his rage, shot the nymph, but hated the raven, and “bade him prate in white plumes never more.”—Ovid,Metam., ii.
Ravenswood(Allan, lord of), a decayed Scotch nobleman of the royalist party.
Master Edgar Ravenswood, the son of Allan. In love with Lucy Ashton, daughter of Sir William Ashton, lord-keeper of Scotland. The lovers plight their troth at the “Mermaid’s Fountain,” but Lucy is compelled to marry Frank Hayston, laird of Bucklaw. The bride, in a fit of insanity, attempts to murder the bridegroom, and dies in convulsions. Bucklaw recovers, and goes abroad. Colonel Ashton appoints a hostile meeting with Edgar; but young Ravenswood, on his way to the place appointed, is lost in the quicksands of Kelpies Flow, in accordance with an ancient prophecy.—Sir W. Scott,Bride of Lammermoor(time, William III.).
***In Donizetti’s opera ofLucia di Lammermoor, Bucklaw dies of the wound inflicted by the bride, and Edgar, heart-broken, comes on the stage and kills himself.
The catastrophe in theBride of Lammermoor, where [Edgar] Ravenswood is swallowed up by a quicksand, is singularly grand in romance, but would be inadmissible in a drama.—Encyc. Brit., Art. “Romance.”
The catastrophe in theBride of Lammermoor, where [Edgar] Ravenswood is swallowed up by a quicksand, is singularly grand in romance, but would be inadmissible in a drama.—Encyc. Brit., Art. “Romance.”
Rawhead and Bloody-Bones, two bogies or bugbears, generally coupled together. In some cases the phrase is employed to designate one and the same “shadowy sprite.”
Servants awe children ... by telling them of Rawhead and Bloody-bones.—Locke.
Servants awe children ... by telling them of Rawhead and Bloody-bones.—Locke.
Ray.One of two brothers, divided by the civil war. Beltran is in the Southern army, Ray in the Northern. Both love the same woman whose heart is Beltran’s. The brothersmetin battle and Beltran falls. Ray is wounded and left for dead; recovers and makes his way homeward. There he lives—undergoing volcanic changes, now passionless lulls, and now rages and spasms of grief; “gradually out of them all he gathers his strength about him,” and wins Vivia’s hand.—Harriet Prescott Spofford,Ray.
Ray(Will), popular officer in a frontier brigade who steals through the deadly lineof Cheyennes drawn about a handful of U. S. soldiers, and, followed by shots and yells, rides for his life and his comrades’ lives to the nearest encampment of troops and brings succor to the devoted little band with the dawn of the day that, but for him, would have been the last on earth for those left behind.—Charles King,Marion’s Faith(1886).
Rayland(Mrs.), the domineering lady of theOld Manor-House, by Charlotte Smith (1749-1806).
Mrs. Rayland is a sort of Queen Elizabeth in private life.—Sir W. Scott.
Mrs. Rayland is a sort of Queen Elizabeth in private life.—Sir W. Scott.
Raymond, count of Toulouse, the Nestor of the crusaders. He slays Aladine, king of Jerusalem, and plants the Christian standard on the tower of David.—Tasso,Jerusalem Delivered, xx. (1516).
***Introduced by Sir W. Scott inCount Robert of Paris, a novel of the period of Rufus.
Raymond(Sir Charles), a country gentleman, the friend and neighbor of Sir Robert Belmont.
Colonel Raymond, son of Sir Charles, in love with Rosetta Belmont. Being diffident and modest, Rosetta delights in tormenting him, and he is jealous even of William Faddle “a fellow made up of knavery, noise and impudence.”
Harriet Raymond, daughter of Sir Charles, whose mother died in giving her birth. She was committed to the care of a gouvernante, who changed her name to Fidelia, wrote to Sir Charles to say that she was dead, and sold her at the age of 12 to a villain named Villard. Charles Belmont, hearing her cries of distress, rescued her and took her home. The gouvernante at death confessed the truth, and Charles Belmont married her.—Edward Moore,The Foundling(1748).
Raz´eka, the giver of food, one of the four gods of the Adites (2syl.).
We called on Razeka for food.Southey,Thalaba, the Destroyer, i. 24 (1797).
Razor, a barber who could “think of nothing but old England.” He was the friend and neighbor of Quidnunc, the upholsterer, who was equally crazy about the political state of the nation, and the affairs of Europe in general.—Murphy,The Upholsterer(1758).
Razor(To cut blocks with a). Oliver Goldsmith said of Edward Burke, the statesman.
Too deep for his hearers, he went on refining,And thought of convincing, while they thought of dining:Tho’ equal to all things, to all things unfit;Too nice for a statesman, too proud for a wit;For a patriot too cool; for a drudge disobedient;And too fond of therightto pursue theexpedient.In short, ’twas his fate, unemployed or in place, sir,To eat mutton cold, and cut blocks with a razor.Retaliation(1774.)
Read(Sir William), a tailor, who set up for oculist, and was knighted by Queen Anne. This quack was employed both by Queen Anne and George I. Sir William could not read. He professed to cure wens, wry-necks, and hare-lips (died 1715).
None shall their rise to merit owe—That popish doctrine is exploded quite,Or Ralph had been no duke, and Read no knight.A Political Squib of the Period.
***The “Ralph”referedto is Ralph Montagu, created viscount in 1682, and duke of Montagu in 1705 (died 1709).
Ready-to-Halt, a pilgrim that journeyed to the Celestial City on crutches.He joined Mr. Greatheart’s party, and was carried to heaven in a chariot of fire.—Bunyan,Pilgrim’s Progress, ii. (1684).
Reason(The goddess of), in the French Revolution, some say, was the wife of Momoro, the printer; but Lamartine says it was Mdlle. Malliard, an actress.
Rebecca, leader of the Rebeccaïtes, a band of Welsh rioters, who, in 1843, made a raid upon toll-gates. The captain and his guard disguised themselves in female attire.
***This name arose from a gross perversion of a text of Scripture: “And they blessed Rebekah, and said unto her, ... let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them.” (Gen.xxiv. 60).
Rebecca, daughter of Isaac, the Jew; meek, modest, and high-minded. She loves Ivanhoe, who has shown great kindness to her and to her father; and when Ivanhoe marries Rowena, both Rebecca and her father leave England for a foreign land.—Sir W. Scott,Ivanhoe(time, Richard I.).
Rebecca(Mistress), the favorite waiting-maid of Mrs. Margaret Bertram, of Singleside.—Sir W. Scott,Guy Mannering(time, George II.).
Record, noted for his superlatives, “most presumptuous,” “most audacious,” “most impatient,” as:
Oh, you will, most audacious.... Look at him, most inquisitive.... Under lock and key, most noble.... I will, most dignified.—S. Birch,The Adopted Child.
Oh, you will, most audacious.... Look at him, most inquisitive.... Under lock and key, most noble.... I will, most dignified.—S. Birch,The Adopted Child.
Recruiting Officer(The), a comedy by G. Farquhar (1705). The “recruiting officer” is Sergeant Kite, his superior officer is Captain Plume, and the recruit is Sylvia, who assumes the military dress of her brother and the name of Jack Wilful,aliasPinch. Her father, Justice Balance, allows the name to pass the muster, and when the trick is discovered, to prevent scandal, the justice gives her in marriage to the captain.
Red Book of Hergest(The), a collection of children’s tales in Welsh; so called from the name of the place where it was discovered. Each tale is called in Welsh aMabinogi, and the entire collection is theMabinogion(fromnab, “a child”). The tales relate chiefly to Arthur and the early British kings. A translation in three vols., with notes, was published by Lady Charlotte Guest (1838-49).
Red-Cap(Mother), an old nurse at the Hungerford Stairs.—Sir W. Scott,Fortunes of Nigel(time, James I.).
Red-Cap(Mother). Madame Bufflon was so called, because her bonnet was deeply colored with her own blood in a street fight at the outbreak of the French Revolution.—W. Melville.
Red Cross Knight(The) represents St. George, the patron saint of England. His adventures, which occupy bk. i. of Spenser’sFaëry Queen, symbolize the struggles and ultimate victory of holiness over sin (or protestantism over popery). Una comes on a white ass to the court of Gloriana, and craves that one of the knights would undertake to slay the dragon which kept her father and mother prisoners. The Red Cross Knight, arrayed in all the armor of God (Eph.vi. 11-17), undertakes the adventure, and goes, accompanied for a time, with Una; but, deluded by Archimago, he quits the lady, and the two meet with numerous adventures. At last, the knight, having slain the dragon, marriesUna; and thus holiness is allied to the Oneness of Truth (1590).
Red Hand of Ulster.
Calverley, of Calverley, Yorkshire. Walter Calverley, Esq., in 1605, murdered two of his children, and attempted to murder his wife and a child “at nurse.” This became the subject ofThe Yorkshire Tragedy. In consequence of these murders, the family is required to wear “the bloody hand.”
The Holt family, of Lancashire, has a similar tradition connected with their coat armor.
Red Knight(The), Sir Perimo´nês, one of the four brothers who kept the passages leading to Castle Perilous. In the allegory of Gareth, this knight represents noon, and was the third brother. Night, the eldest born, was slain by Sir Gareth; the Green Knight, which represents the young day-spring, was overcome, but not slain; and the Red Knight, being overcome, was spared also. The reason is this: darkness isslain, but dawn is onlyovercomeby the stronger light of noon, and noon decays into the evening twilight. Tennyson in hisGareth and Lynette, calls Sir Perimonês “Meridies,” or “Noonday Sun.” The Latin name is not consistent with a British tale.—Sir T. Malory,History of Prince Arthur, i. 129 (1470); Tennyson,Idylls.
Red Knight of the Red Lands(The), Sir Ironside. “He had the strength of seven men, and every day his strength went on increasing till noon.” This knight kept the Lady Lionês captive in Castle Perilous. In the allegory of Sir Gareth, Sir Ironside represents death, and the captive lady “the Bride,” or Church triumphant. Sir Gareth combats with Night, Morn, Noon, and Evening, or fights the fight of faith, and then overcomes the last enemy, which is death, when he marries the lady, or is received into the Church, which is “the Lamb’s Bride.” Tennyson, in hisGareth and Lynette, makes the combat with the Red Knight (“Mors,” or “Death”) to be a single stroke; but theHistorysays it is endured from morn to noon, and from noon to night—in fact, that man’s whole life is a contest with moral and physical death.—Sir T. Malory,History of Prince Arthur, i. 134-137 (1470); Tennyson,Idylls(“Gareth and Lynette”).
Red Pipe.The Great Spirit long ago called the Indians together, and, standing on the red pipe-stone rock, broke off a piece, which he made into a pipe, and smoked, letting the smoke exhale to the four quarters. He then told the Indians that the red pipe-stone was their flesh, and they must use the red pipe when they made peace; and that when they smoked it, the war-club and scalping-knife must not be touched. Having so spoken, the Great Spirit was received up into the clouds.—Indian Mythology.
The red pipe has blown its fumes of peace and war to the remotest corners of the continent. It visited every warrior, and passed through its reddened stem the irrevocable oath of war and desolation. Here, too, the peace-breathing calumet was born, and fringed with eagle’s quills, which has shed its thrilling fumes over the land, and soothed the fury of the relentless savage.—Catlin,Letters on ... the North Americans, ii. 160.
The red pipe has blown its fumes of peace and war to the remotest corners of the continent. It visited every warrior, and passed through its reddened stem the irrevocable oath of war and desolation. Here, too, the peace-breathing calumet was born, and fringed with eagle’s quills, which has shed its thrilling fumes over the land, and soothed the fury of the relentless savage.—Catlin,Letters on ... the North Americans, ii. 160.
Red Ridinghood(Little), a child with a red cloak, who went to carry cakes to her grandmother. A wolf placed itself in the grandmother’s bed, and when the child remarked upon the size of its eyes, ears, and nose, replied it was the better to see, hear, and smell the little grandchild. “But, grandmamma,” said the child, “what agreat mouth you have got!” “The better to eat you up,” was the reply, and the child was devoured by the wolf.
This nursery tale is, with slight variations, common to Sweden, Germany, and France. In Charles Perrault’sContes des Fées(1697) it is called “Le Petit Chaperon Rouge.”
Red Swan(The). Odjibwa, hearing a strange noise, saw in the lake a most beautiful red swan. Pulling his bow, he took deliberate aim, without effect. He shot every arrow from his quiver with the same result; then, fetching from his father’s medicine sack three poisoned arrows, he shot them also at the bird. The last of the three arrows passed through the swan’s neck, whereupon the bird rose into the air and sailed away towards the setting sun.—Schoolcraft,Algic Researches, ii. 9 (1839).
Redgauntlet, a story told in a series of letters, about a conspiracy formed by Sir Edward Hugh Redgauntlet, on behalf of the “Young Pretender,” Charles Edward, then above 40 years of age. The conspirators insist that the prince shall dismiss his mistress, Miss Walkingshaw, and, as he refuses to comply with this demand, they abandon their enterprise. Just as a brig is prepared for the prince’s departure from the island, Colonel Campbell arrives with the military. He connives, however, at the affair, the conspirators disperse, the prince embarks, and Redgauntlet becomes the prior of a monastery abroad. This is one of the inferior novels, but is redeemed by the character of Peter Peebles.—Sir W. Scott,Redgauntlet(1824).
Redgauntletembodies a great deal of Scott’s own personal history and experience.—Chambers,English Literature, ii. 589.
Redgauntletembodies a great deal of Scott’s own personal history and experience.—Chambers,English Literature, ii. 589.
Redgauntlet(Sir Alberick), an ancestor of the family.
Sir Edward Redgauntlet, son of Sir Alberick; killed by his father’s horse.
Sir Robert Redgauntlet, an old tory, mentioned in Wandering Willie’s tale.
Sir John Redgauntlet, son and successor of Sir Robert, mentioned in Wandering Willie’s tale.
Sir Redwald Redgauntlet, son of Sir John.
Sir Henry Darsie Redgauntlet, son of Sir Redwald.
Lady Henry Darsie Redgauntlet, wife of Sir Henry Darsie.
Sir Arthur Darsie Redgauntlet, aliasDarsie Latimer, son of Sir Henry and Lady Darsie.
Miss Lilias Redgauntlet, aliasGreen-mantle, sister of Sir Arthur. She marries Allan Fairford.
Sir Edward Hugh Redgauntlet, the Jacobite conspirator. He is uncle to Darsie Latimer, and is called “Laird of the Lochs,”alias“Mr. Herries of Birrenswark,”alias“Master Ingoldsby.”—Sir W. Scott,Redgauntlet(time, George III.).
Redi(Francis), an Italian physician and lyric poet. He was first physician to the grand-duke of Tuscany (1626-1698).
Even Redi, tho’ he chantedBacchus in the Tuscan valleys,Never drank the wine he vauntedIn his dithyrambic sallies.Longfellow,Drinking Song.
Redlaw(Mr.), the “haunted man.” He was a professor of chemistry, who bargained with the spirit which haunted him to leave him, on condition of his imparting to others his own idiosyncrasies. From this moment the chemist carried with him the infection of sullenness, selfishness, discontent and ingratitude. On Christmas Day the infection ceased. Redlaw lost hismorbid feelings, and all who suffered by his infection, being healed, were restored to love, mirth, benevolence and gratitude.—C. Dickens,The Haunted Man(1848).
Redmain(Sir Magnus), governor of the town of Berwick (fifteenth century).
He was remarkable for his long red beard, and was therefore called by the English “Magnus Red-beard,” but by the Scotch, in derision, “Magnus Red-mane,” as if his beard had been a horse-mane.—Godscroft, 178.
He was remarkable for his long red beard, and was therefore called by the English “Magnus Red-beard,” but by the Scotch, in derision, “Magnus Red-mane,” as if his beard had been a horse-mane.—Godscroft, 178.
Redmond O’Neale, Rokeby’s page, beloved by Rokeby’s daughter, Matilda, whom he marries. He turns out to be Mortham’s son and heir.—Sir W. Scott,Rokeby(1812).
Reece(Captain), R.N., of theMantelpiece; adored by all his crew. They had feather-beds, warm slippers, hot-water cans, brown Windsor soap, and a valet to every four, for Captain Reece said, “It is my duty to make my men happy, and I will.” Captain Reece had a daughter, ten female cousins, a niece and a ma, six sisters and an aunt or two, and, at the suggestion of William Lee, the coxswain, married these ladies to his crew—“It is my duty to make my men happy, and I will.” Last of all, Captain Reece married the widowed mother of his coxswain, and they were all married on one day—“It was their duty, and they did it.”—W. S. Gilbert,The Bab Ballads(“Captain Reece, R.N.”).
Reeve’s Tale(The). Symond Symkyn, a miller of Trompington, near Cambridge, used to serve “Soler Hall College,” but was an arrant thief. Two scholars, Aleyn and John, undertook to see that a sack of corn sent to be ground was not tampered with; so one stood by the hopper, and one by the trough which received the flour. In the mean time the miller let their horse loose, and, when the young men went to catch it, purloined half a bushel of the flour, substituting meal instead. It was so late before the horse could be caught that the miller offered the two scholars a “shakedown” in his own chamber, but when they were in bed he began to belabor them unmercifully. A scuffle ensued, in which the miller, being tripped up, fell upon his wife. His wife, roused from her sleep, seized a stick, and, mistaking the bald pate of her husband for the night-cap of one of the young men, banged it so lustily that the man was almost stunned with the blows. In the mean time the two scholars made off without payment, taking with them the sack and also the half-bushel of flour, which had been made into cakes.—Chaucer,Canterbury Tales(1388).
***Boccaccio has a similar story in hisDecameron. It is also the subject of afabliauentitledDe Gombert et des Deux Clers. Chaucer borrowed his story from afabliaugiven by Thomas Wright in hisAnecdota Literaria, 15.
Reformation(The). It was in germ in the early Lollards, and was radiant in the works of Wycliffe.
It was present in the pulpit of Pierre de Bruys, in the pages of Arnoldo da Brescia, in the cell of Roger Bacon.
It was active in the field with Peter Revel, in the castle of Lord Cobham, in the pulpit with John Huss, in the camp with John Ziska, in the class-room of Pico di Mirandola, in the observatory of Abraham Zacuto, and the college of Antonio di Lebrija, and it burst into full light through Martin Luther.
Re´gan, second daughter of King Lear, and wife of the duke of Cornwall. Having received the half of her father’sking-she refused to entertain him with his suite. On the death of her husband, she designed to marry Edmund, natural son of the earl of Gloster, and was poisoned by her elder sister, Goneril, out of jealousy. Regan, like Goneril, is proverbial for “filial ingratitude.”—Shakespeare,King Lear(1605).
Regent Diamond(The). So called from the regent duke of Orleans. This diamond, the property of France, at first set in the crown, and then in the sword of state, was purchased in India by a governor of Madras, of whom the regent bought it for £80,000.
Regillus(The Battle of Lake). Regillus Lacus is about twenty miles east of Rome, between Gabii (north) and Lavīcum (south). The Romans had expelled Tarquin the Proud from the throne, because of the most scandalous conduct of his son Sextus, who had violated Lucretia, the wife of Collatinus. Thirty combined cities of Latium, with Sabines and Volscians, took the part of Tarquin, and marched towards Rome. The Romans met the allied army at the Lake Regillus, and here, on July 15,B.C.499, they won the great battle which confirmed their republican constitution, and in which Tarquin, with his sons Sextus and Titus, was slain. While victory was still doubtful, Castor and Pollux, on their white horses, appeared to the Roman dictator, and fought for the Romans. The victory was complete, and ever after the Romans observed the anniversary of this battle with a grand procession and sacrifice. The procession started from the temple of Mars outside the city walls, entered by the Porta Capēna, traversed the chief streets of Rome, marched past the temple of Vesta in the Forum, and then to the opposite side of the “great square,” where they had built a temple to Castor and Pollux in gratitude for the aid rendered by them in this battle. Here offerings were made, and sacrifice was offered to the Great Twin-Brothers, the sons of Leda. Macaulay has a lay, calledThe Battle of the Lake Regillus, on the subject.
Where, by the Lake Regillus,Under the Porcian height,All in the land of Tusculum,Was fought the glorious fight.Macaulay,Lays of Ancient Rome(1842).
A very parallel case occurs in the life of Mahomet. The Koreishites had armed to put down “the prophet;” but Mahomet met them in arms, and on January 13, 624, won the famous battle of Bedr. In theKorân(ch. iii.), he tells us that the angel Gabriel, on his horse, Haïzûm, appeared on the field with 3000 “angels,” and won the battle for him.
In the conquest of Mexico, we are told that St. James appeared on his grey horse at the head of the Castilian adventurers, and led them on to victory. Bernal Diaz, who was in the battle, saw the grey horse, but fancies the rider was Francesco de Morla, though, he confesses, “it might be the glorious apostle St. James” for aught he knew.
Regimen of the School of Salerno, a collection of precepts in Latin verse, written by John of Milan, a poet of the eleventh century, for Robert, the duke of Normandy.
A volume universally knownAs the “Regimen of the School of Salern.”Longfellow,The Golden Legend(1851).
Reginald Archer.A refined, debonnaire sensualist, courted by women and envied by men. He wooes and marries a gentle, pure heiress, and would, as her husband, break her heart were not theevil work cut short by his death at the hands of a man whose wife Reginald has lured from her allegiance to her lawful lord.—Anne Crane Seemuller,Reginald Archer(1865).
Region of Death, (Marovsthulli), Thurr, near Delhi, fatal, from some atmospheric influence, especially about sunset.
Regno(The), Naples.
Are our wiser heads leaning towards an alliance with the pope and the Regno?—George Eliot (Marian Evans).
Are our wiser heads leaning towards an alliance with the pope and the Regno?—George Eliot (Marian Evans).
Reg´ulus, a Roman general, who conquered the Carthaginians (B.C.256), and compelled them to sue for peace. While negotiation was going on, the Carthaginians, joined by Xanthippos, the Lacedemonian, attacked the Romans at Tunis, and beat them, taking Regulus prisoner. The captive was sent to Rome to make terms of peace and demand exchange of prisoners, but he used all his influence with the senate to dissuade them from coming to terms with their foe. On his return to captivity, theCathaginianscut off his eyelids and exposed him to the burning sun, then placed him in a barrel armed with nails, which was rolled up and down a hill till the man was dead.
***This subject has furnished Pradon and Dorat with tragedies (French), and Metastasio, the Italian poet, with an opera calledRegolo(1740).
“Regulus” was a favorite part of the French actor, François J. Talma.
Rehearsal(The), a farce by George Villiers, duke of Buckingham (1671). It was designed for a satire on the rhyming plays of the time. The chief character, Bayes (1syl.), is meant for Dryden.
The name of George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, demands cordial mention by every writer on the stage. He lived in an age when plays were chiefly written in rhyme, which served as a vehicle for foaming sentiment clouded by hyperbolê.... The dramas of Lee and Settle ... are made up of blatant couplets that emptily thundered through five long acts. To explode an unnatural custom by ridiculing it, was Buckingham’s design inThe Rehearsal, but in doing this the gratification of private dislike was a greater stimulus than the wish to promote the public good.—W. C. Russell,Representative Actors.
The name of George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, demands cordial mention by every writer on the stage. He lived in an age when plays were chiefly written in rhyme, which served as a vehicle for foaming sentiment clouded by hyperbolê.... The dramas of Lee and Settle ... are made up of blatant couplets that emptily thundered through five long acts. To explode an unnatural custom by ridiculing it, was Buckingham’s design inThe Rehearsal, but in doing this the gratification of private dislike was a greater stimulus than the wish to promote the public good.—W. C. Russell,Representative Actors.
Reichel(Colonel), inCharles XII., by J. R. Planché (1826).
Rejected Addresses, parodies on Wordsworth, Cobbett, Southey, Scott, Coleridge, Crabbe, Byron, Theodore Hook, etc., by James and Horace Smith; the copyright after the sixteenth edition was purchased by John Murray, in 1819, for £131. The directors of Drury Lane Theatre had offered a premium for the best poetical address to be spoken at the opening of the new building, and the brothers Smith conceived the idea of publishing a number of poems supposed to have been written for the occasion and rejected by the directors (1812).
“I do not see why they should have been rejected,” said a Leicestershire clergyman, “for I think some of them are very good.”—James Smith.
“I do not see why they should have been rejected,” said a Leicestershire clergyman, “for I think some of them are very good.”—James Smith.
Reksh, Sir Rustam’s horse.
Relapse, (The), a comedy by Vanbrugh (1697). Reduced to three acts, and adapted to more modern times by Sheridan, under the title ofA Trip to Scarborough(1777).
Rel´dresal, principal secretary for private affairs in the court of Lilliput, and great friend of Gulliver. When it was proposed to put the Man-mountain todeath for high treason, Reldresal moved as an amendment, that the “traitor should have both his eyes put out, and be suffered to live that he might serve the nation.”—Swift,Gulliver’s Travels(“Voyage to Lilliput,” 1726).
***Probably the dean had the Bible story of Samson and the Philistines in his thoughts.
Relics.The following relics are worthy of note, if for no other reason, because of the immense number of pilgrims who are drawn to them from all parts of the world.
1.The House of the Virgin.This is now to be seen at Loreto, a town on the Adriatic, near Ancona, whither it was miraculously transported through the air by angels in the year 1294. It had been originally brought from Nazareth to Dalmatia in 1291, but after resting there for three years was again lifted up and placed where it now stands. It is a small brick structure surrounded by a marble screen designed by Bramante and decorated with carvings and sculptures by a number of celebrated sculptors. The church in which the house stands was built over it to protect it shortly after its arrival.2.The Holy Coat.This is the seamless coat worn by Jesus, and for which the soldiers drew lots at his crucifixion. It is described by John alone of the evangelists: “Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.” John 19, 23. It is preserved at Treves in the cathedral, and is shown at long intervals to the faithful, attracting vast crowds of pilgrims from all parts of Europe and America. It was last shown in 1891. The village of Argenteuil, near Paris, disputes with Treves the possession of the true garment, insisting on its own superior claim, but the right of Treves is generally acknowledged by Catholics.3.The Holy Face.According to the legend, when Jesus was on His way to Calvary, one of the women standing by, whose name was Veronica, seeing Him sinking under the weight of the cross, gave Him her handkerchief to wipe the sweat from His face. When He returned it the impression of His face was left upon the cloth, and remains distinctly to be seen at the present day.4.The Sainte Chapelleat Paris, one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Europe, was built as a shrine to contain the fragment of the true Cross and a thorn from the Crown of Thorns given by Louis IX. of France (Saint Louis). These relics have since been transferred to the Treasury of Notre Dame, at Paris. The church at Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) also contains a fragment of the true Cross. In various churches of Italy, pictures of the Virgin Mary said to have been painted by Saint Luke (a painter as well as a physician, and the patron saint of both professions) are preserved, but no one of them has any fame above the rest.
1.The House of the Virgin.This is now to be seen at Loreto, a town on the Adriatic, near Ancona, whither it was miraculously transported through the air by angels in the year 1294. It had been originally brought from Nazareth to Dalmatia in 1291, but after resting there for three years was again lifted up and placed where it now stands. It is a small brick structure surrounded by a marble screen designed by Bramante and decorated with carvings and sculptures by a number of celebrated sculptors. The church in which the house stands was built over it to protect it shortly after its arrival.
2.The Holy Coat.This is the seamless coat worn by Jesus, and for which the soldiers drew lots at his crucifixion. It is described by John alone of the evangelists: “Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.” John 19, 23. It is preserved at Treves in the cathedral, and is shown at long intervals to the faithful, attracting vast crowds of pilgrims from all parts of Europe and America. It was last shown in 1891. The village of Argenteuil, near Paris, disputes with Treves the possession of the true garment, insisting on its own superior claim, but the right of Treves is generally acknowledged by Catholics.
3.The Holy Face.According to the legend, when Jesus was on His way to Calvary, one of the women standing by, whose name was Veronica, seeing Him sinking under the weight of the cross, gave Him her handkerchief to wipe the sweat from His face. When He returned it the impression of His face was left upon the cloth, and remains distinctly to be seen at the present day.
4.The Sainte Chapelleat Paris, one of the most beautiful Gothic buildings in Europe, was built as a shrine to contain the fragment of the true Cross and a thorn from the Crown of Thorns given by Louis IX. of France (Saint Louis). These relics have since been transferred to the Treasury of Notre Dame, at Paris. The church at Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) also contains a fragment of the true Cross. In various churches of Italy, pictures of the Virgin Mary said to have been painted by Saint Luke (a painter as well as a physician, and the patron saint of both professions) are preserved, but no one of them has any fame above the rest.
Remember, Thou Art Mortal!When a Roman conqueror entered the city in triumph, a slave was placed in the chariot to whisper from time to time into the ear of the conqueror, “Remember, thou art a man!”
Vespasian, the Roman emperor, had a slave who said to him daily as he left his chamber, “Remember, thou art a man!”
In the ancient Egyptian banquets it was customary during the feast to draw a mummy, in a car, round the banquet hall, while one uttered aloud, “To this estate you must come at last!”
When the sultan of Serendib (i.e.Ceylon) went abroad, his vizier cried aloud, “This is the great monarch, the tremendous sultan of the Indies ... greater than Solimo or the grand Mihragê!” An officer behind the monarch then exclaimed, “This monarch, though so great and powerful, must die, must die, must die!”—Arabian Nights(“Sindbad,” sixth voyage).
Remois(2syl.), the people of Rheims, in France.
Remond, a shepherd inBritannia’s Pastorals, by William Browne (1613).
Remond, young Remond, that full well could sing,And tune his pipe at Pan’s birth carolling;Who, for his nimble leaping, sweetest layes,A laurell garland wore on holidayes;In framing of whose hand Dame Nature swore,There never was his like, nor should be more.Pastoral, i.
Rem´ores, birds which retard the execution of a project.
“Remores” aves in auspicio dicuntur quæ acturum aliquid remorari compellunt.—Festus,DeVerborumSignificatione.
“Remores” aves in auspicio dicuntur quæ acturum aliquid remorari compellunt.—Festus,DeVerborumSignificatione.
Remus.(SeeRomulus and Remus.)
Remus(Uncle). Hero of many of Joel Chandler Harris’s tales of negro-life. His fables of “Brer Rabbit,” “Brer Bear,” and the like are curious relics of African folk-lore (1886).
Re´naud, one of the paladins of Charlemagne, always described with the properties of a borderer, valiant, alert, ingenious, rapacious, and unscrupulous. Better known in the Italian formRinaldo(q.v.).
Renault, a Frenchman, and one of the chief conspirators in which Pierre was concerned. When Jaffier joined the conspiracy, he gave his wife, Belvide´ra, as surety of his fidelity, and a dagger to be used against her if he proved unfaithful. Renault attempted the honor of the lady, and Jaffier took her back in order to protect her from such insults. The old villain died on the wheel, and no one pitied him.—T. Otway,Venice Preserved(1682).
René, the old king of Provence, father of Queen Margaret of Anjou (wife of Henry VI. of England). A minstrel-monarch, friend to the chase and tilt, poetry, and music. Thiebault says he gave in largesses to knights-errant and minstrels more than he received in revenue (ch. xxix.).—Sir W. Scott,Anne of Geierstein(time, Edward IV.).
René(2syl.), the hero and title of a romance by Châteaubriand (1801). It was designed for an episode to hisGénie du Christianisme(1802). René is a man of social inaction, conscious of possessing a superior genius, but his pride produces in him a morbid bitterness of spirit.
René[Leblanc], notary public of Grand Pré, in Arcadia (Nova Scotia). Bent with age, but with long yellow hair flowing over his shoulders. He was the father of twenty children, and had a hundred grandchildren. When Acadia was ceded by the French to England, George II. confiscated the goods of the simple colonists, and drove them into exile. René went to Pennsylvania, where he died, and was buried.—Longfellow,Evangeline(1849).
Renton(Dr.). A Boston physician, whose best friend, dying, leaves a letter charging Renton, “In the name of the Saviour, be true and tender to mankind.” The doctor believes himself to be haunted by the ghost of this man, intent upon inforcing the admonition, and the needy and the afflicted profit by the hallucination.—William D. O’Connor,The Ghost.
Rentowel(Mr. Jabesh), a covenanting preacher.—Sir W. Scott,Waverley(time, George II.).
With vehemence of some pulpit-drumming Gowkthrapple, or “precious” Mr. Jabesh Rentowel.—Carlyle.
With vehemence of some pulpit-drumming Gowkthrapple, or “precious” Mr. Jabesh Rentowel.—Carlyle.
Renzo and Lucia, the hero and heroine of an Italian novel by Alessandro Manzoni,entititledThe Betrothed Lover(“I Promessi Sposi”). This novel contains an accountof the Bread Riot and plague of Milan. Cardinal Borro´meo is also introduced. There is an English translation (1827).
Republican Queen, (The), Sophie Charlotte, wife of Frederick I. of Prussia.
Resequenz, wily major-domo to the duke of Romagna, audacious, unscrupulous and treacherous.—William Waldorf Astor,Valentino(1886).
Resolute(The), John Florio, philologist (1545?-1625). Translated Montaigne’s Essays and wrote a French and English Dictionary called aWorld of Words. One of the few autographs of Shakespeare is in a copy of Florio’s Montaigne in the British Museum.
***Florio is said to have been the prototype of Shakespeare’s “Holofernês,” inLove’s Labour’s Lost.
Resolute Doctor(The), John Baconthorpe (*-1346).
***Guillaume Durandus de St. Pourçain was called “the Most ResoluteDoctor(1267-1332).
Restless(Sir John), the suspicious husband of a suspicious wife.
Lady Restless, wife of Sir John. As she has a fixed idea that her husband is inconstant, she is always asking the servants, “Where is Sir John?” “Is Sir John returned?” “Which way did Sir John go?” “Has Sir John received any letters?” “Who has called?” etc.; and, whatever the answer, it is to her a confirmation of her surmises.—A. Murphy,All in the Wrong(1761).
Reuben Dixon, a village schoolmaster of “ragged lads.”
’Mid noise, and dirt, and stench, and play, and prate,He calmly cuts the pen or views the slate.Crabbe,Borough, xxiv. (1810).
Reuben and Seth, servants of Nathan ben Israel, the Jew at Ashby, a friend of Isaac and Rebecca.—Sir W. Scott,Ivanhoe(time, Richard I.).
Reullu´ra(i.e. “beautiful star”), the wife of Aodh, one of the Culdees, or primitive clergy of Scotland, who preached the gospel of God in Io´na, an island south of Staffa. Here Ulvfa´gre, the Dane, landed, and, having put all who opposed him to death, seized Aodh, bound him in iron, carried him to the church, and demanded where the treasures were concealed. Just then appeared a mysterious figure all in white, who first unbound Aodh, and then taking the Dane by the arm, led him up to the statue of St. Columb, which immediately fell and crushed him to death. Then turning to the Norsemen, the same mysterious figure told them to “go back and take the bones of their chief with them;” adding, whoever lifted hand in the island again, should be a paralytic for life.“The“saint” then transported the remnant of the islanders to Ireland; but when search was made for Reullura, her body was in the sea, and her soul in heaven.—Campbell,Reullura.
Reutha´mir, the principal man of Balclutha, a town belonging to the Britons on the river Clyde. His daughter, Moina, married Clessammor (Fingal’s uncle on the mother’s side). Reuthamir was killed by Combal (Fingal’s father) when he attacked Balcutha and burned it to the ground.—Ossian,Carthon.
Reutner(Karl), young German, serving in the Federal army, finds, on the Gettysburg battle-field, a four-leafed clover, andwaves it in the air. The gesture attracts a sharp-shooter, and Reutner falls insensible. He is taken from hospital to prison, and languishes for weeks, in delirium, all the while haunted by a vision of a woman, dark-eyed and beautiful, who brings him handfuls of four-leaved clover. When he reaches home, he recognizes her in Margaret Warren, a guest in his father’s house. The betrothal-ring bears a four-leaved clover of green enamel, set in diamonds.—Helen Hunt Jackson,A Four-Leaved Clover(1886).
Rev´eller(Lady), cousin of Valeria, the blue-stocking. Lady Reveller is very fond of play, but ultimately gives it up, and is united to Lord Worthy.—Mrs. Centlivre,The Basset Table(1706).
Revenge(The), a tragedy by Edward Young (1721). (For the plot, seeZanga.)
Revenge(The), the ship under the command of Sir Richard Grenville, anchored at Flores, in the Azores, when a fleet of fifty-three Spanish ships hove in sight. Lord Thomas Howard, with six men-of-war, sailed off; but Sir Richard stood his ground. He had only a hundred men, but with this crew and his one ship, he encountered the Spanish fleet. The fight was very obstinate. Some of the Spanish ships were sunk, and many shattered; but Sir Richard at length was wounded, and the surgeon shot while dressing the wound. “Sink the ship, master gunner!” cried Sir Richard; “sink the ship, and let her not fall into the hands of Spain!” But the crew were obliged to yield, and Sir Richard died. The Spaniards were amazed at Grenville’s pluck, and gave him all honors, as they cast his body into the sea.The Revengewas then manned by Spaniards, but never reached the Spanish coast, for it was wrecked in a tempest, and went down with all hands aboard.—Tennyson,The Revenge, a ballad of the fleet (1878).
***This sea-fight is the subject of one of Froude’s essays.
Canon Kingsley has introduced it inWestward Ho!where he gives a description of Sir Richard Grenville.
Lord Bacon says the fight “was memorable even beyond credit, and to the height of heroic fable.”
Mr. Arber published three interesting contemporary documents relating toThe Revenge, by Sir Walter Raleigh.
Gervase Markham wrote a long poem on the subject (two hundred stanzas of eight lines each).
Revenge(The Palace of), a palace of crystal, provided with everything agreeable to life except the means of going out of it. The fairy Pagan made it, and when Imis rejected his suit because she loved Prince Philax, he shut them up in this palace out of revenge. At the end of a few years Pagan had his revenge, for Philax and Imis longed as eagerly for a separation as they had once done to be united.—Comtesse D’Aunoy,Fairy Tales(“Palace of Revenge,” 1682).
Revenons à nos Moutons, let us return to the matter in hand. This phrase comes from an old French comedy of the fifteenth century, entitledL’Avocat Patelin, by Blanchet. A clothier, giving evidence against a shepherd who had stolen some sheep, is for ever running from the subject to talk about some cloth of which Patelin, his lawyer, had defrauded him. The judge from time to time pulls him up by saying, “Well, well! and about the sheep?” “What about the sheep!” (SeePatelin.)
Revolutionary Songs.By far the most popular were:
1.La Marseillaise, both words and music by Rouget de Lisle (1792).
2.Veillons au Salut de l’Empire, by Adolphe S. Boy (1791). Music by Dalayra. Very strange that men whose whole purpose was todestroythe empire should go about singing “Let us guard it!”
3.Ça Ira, written to the tune ofLe Carillon National, in 1789, while preparations were being made for theFête de la Féderation. It was a great favorite with Marie Antoinette, who was for ever “strumming the tune on her harpsichord.”
4.Chant du Départ, by Marie Joseph de Chénier (1794). Music by Méhul. This was the most popular next to theMarseillaise.
5.La Carmagnole.“Madame Veto avait promis de faire égorger tout Paris ...” (1792). Probably so called from Carmagnole, in Piedmont. The burden of this dancing song is:
Danson la Carmagnole,Vive le son! Vive le son!Danson la Carmagnole,Vive le son du canon!
6.La Vengeur, a spirited story, in verse, about a ship so called. Lord Howe took six of the French ships, June 1, 1794; butLa Vengeurwas sunk by the crew, that it might not fall into the hands of the English, and went down while the crew shouted “Vive la République!” The story bears a strong resemblance to that of “The Revenge,” Sir Richard Grenville’s ship. Seeante.
In the second Revolution we have:
1.La Parisienne, called “TheMarseillaiseof 1830,” by Casimir Delavigne, the same year.
2.La France a l’Horreur du Servage, by Casimir Delavigne (1843).
3.Le Champ de Bataille, by Emile Debreaux (about 1830).
The chief political songs of Béranger are:Adieux de Marie Stuart,La Cocarde Blanche,Jacques,La Déesse,Marquis de Carabas,Le Sacre de Charles le Simple,Le Senateur,Le Vieux Caporal, andLe Vilain.
In the American Revolution the air ofYankee Doodlewas sung to various sets of words, all derisive of the British and exhilarating to the Americans.
In the Civil War of the United StatesThe Star-Spangled Banner,Hail Columbia,Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!and Julia Ward Howe’sBattle Hymn of the Republicto the air ofJohn Brown’s Body Lies Mouldering in the Groundwere favorites with the Federal troops.
Among the Confederates,Dixie, andMaryland, My Maryland, were most popular.
Rewcastle(Old John), a Jedburgh smuggler, and one of the Jacobite conspirators with the laird of Ellieslaw.—Sir W. Scott,The Black Dwarf(time, Anne).
Reynaldo, a servant to Polonius.—Shakespeare,Hamlet(1596).
Reynard the Fox, the hero of the beast-epic so called. This prose poem is a satire on the state of Germany in the Middle Ages. Reynard represents the Church; Isengrin, the wolf (his uncle), typifies the baronial element; and Nodel, the lion, stands for the regal power. The plot turns on the struggle for supremacy between Reynard and Isengrin. Reynard uses all his endeavors to victimize every one, especially his uncle, Isengrin, and generally succeeds.—Reinecke Fuchs(thierepos,1498).
Reynardine(3syl.), eldest son of Reynard the Fox. He assumed the names ofDr. Pedanto and Crabron.—Reynard the Fox(1498).
Reynold of Montalbon, one of Charlemagne’s paladins.
Reynolds(Sir Joshua), is thus described by Goldsmith:
Here Reynolds is laid; and, to tell you my mind,He has not left a wiser or better behind.His pencil was striking, resistless and grand;His manners were gentle, complying and bland ...To coxcombs averse, yet most civilly steering,When they judged without skill he was still hard of hearing;When they talked of their Raphaels, Corregios, and stuff,He shifted his trumpet, and only took snuff.Retaliation(1774).
N.B.—Sir Joshua Reynolds was hard of hearing, and used an ear-trumpet.
Rez´io(Dr.) or “Pedro Rezio of Ague´ro,” the doctor of Barata´ria, who forbade Sancho Panza to taste any of the meats set before him. Roast partridge was “forbidden by Hippoc´ratês.” Podri´da was “the most pernicious food in the world.” Rabbits were “a sharp-haired diet.” Veal was “prejudicial to health.” But, he said, the governor might eat “a few wafers, and a thin slice or two of quince.”—Cervantes,Don Quixote, II. iii. 10 (1615).
Rhadaman´thus, son of Jupiter and Euro´pa. He reigned in the Cycladês with such partiality, that at death he was made one of the judges of the infernal regions.
And if departed souls must rise again ...And bide the judgment of reward or pain ...Then Rhadamanthus and stern Minos wereTrue types of justice while they livèd here.Lord Brooke,Monarchie, i. (1554-1628).
Rhampsini´tos, king of Egypt, usually called Ram´esês III., the richest of the Egyptian monarchs, who amassed 72 millions sterling, which he secured in a treasury of stone. By an artifice of the builder, he was robbed every night.—Herodotus, ii. 121.
A parallel tale is told of Hyrieus [Hy´.ri.uce] of Hyrĭa. His two architects, Trophōnios and Agamēdês (brothers), built his treasure-vaults, but left one stone removable at pleasure. After great loss of treasure, Hyrieus spread a net, in which Agame´des was caught. To prevent recognition, Trophonios cut off his brother’s head.—Pausanias,Itinerary of Greece, ix. 37, 3.
A similar tale is told of the treasure-vaults of Augĕas, king of Elis.
Rha´sisor Mohammed Aboubekr ibn Zakaria el Razi, a noted Arabian physician. He wrote a treatise on small-pox and measles, with some 200 other treatises (850-923).
Well, error has no end;And Rhasis is a sage.R. Browning,Paracelsus, iii.
Rhea’s Child.Jupiter is so called by Pindar. He dethroned his father, Saturn.
The childOf Rhea drove him [Saturn] from the upper sky.Akenside,Hymn to the Naiads(1767).
Rheims(The Jackdaw of), The cardinal-archbishop of Rheims made a great feast, to which he invited all the joblillies of the neighborhood. There were abbots and prelates, knights and squires, and all who delighted to honor the great panjandrum of Rheims. The feast over, water was served, and his lordship’s grace, drawing off his turquoise ring, laid it besidehis plate, dipped his fingers into the golden bowl, and wiped them on his napkin; but when he looked to put on his ring, it was nowhere to be found. It was evidently gone. The floor was searched, the plates and dishes lifted up, the mugs and chalices, every possible and impossible place was poked into, but without avail. The ring must have been stolen. His grace was furious, and, in dignified indignation, calling for bell, book, and candle, banned the thief, both body and soul, this life and for ever. It was a terrible curse, but none of the guests seemed the worse for it—except, indeed, the jackdaw. The poor bird was a pitiable object, his head lobbed down, his wings draggled on the floor, his feathers were all ruffled, and with a ghost of a caw he prayed the company follow him; when lo! there was the ring, hidden in some sly corner by the jackdaw as a clever practical joke. His lordship’s grace smiled benignantly, and instantly removed the curse; when lo! as if by magic, the bird became fat and sleek again, perky and impudent, wagging his tail, winking his eye, and cocking his head on one side, then up he hopped to his old place on the cardinal’s chair. Never after this did he indulge in thievish tricks, but became so devout, so constant at feast and chapel, so well-behaved at matins and vespers, that when he died he died in the odor of sanctity, and was canonized, his name being changed to that of Jim Crow.—Barham,Ingoldsby Legends(“Jackdaw of Rheims,” 1837).
Rheingold.The treasure given Siegfried by the dwarfs, and the cause of contention after his death.
Rhesuswas on his march to aid the Trojans in their siege, and had nearly reached Troy, when he was attacked in the night by Ulysses and Diomed. In this surprise Rhesus and all his army were cut to pieces.—Homer,Iliad, x.
A parallel case was that of Sweno, the Dane, who was marching to join Godfrey and the crusaders, when he was attacked in the night by Solyman, and both Sweno and his army perished.—Tasso,Jerusalem Delivered(1575).
Rhiannon’s Birds.The notes of these birds were so sweet that warriors remained spell-bound for eighty years together, listening to them. These birds are often alluded to by the Welsh bards. (Rhiannon was the wife of Prince Pwyll.)—The Mabinogion, 363 (twelfth century).
The snow-white bird which the monk Felix listened to, sang so enchantingly that he was spell-bound for a hundred years, listening to it.—Longfellow,Golden Legend.
Rhodalind, daughter of Aribert, king of Lombardy, in love with Duke Gondibert; but Gondibert preferred Birtha, a country girl, daughter of the sage, Astrăgon. While the duke is whispering sweet love-notes to Birtha, a page comes post-haste to announce to him that the king has proclaimed him his heir, and is about to give him his daughter in marriage. The duke gives Birtha an emerald ring, and says if he is false to her, the emerald will lose its lustre; then hastens to court, in obedience to the king’s summons. Here the tale breaks off, and was never finished.—Sir Wm. Davenant,Gondibert(1605-1668).
Rhodian Venus(The). This was the “Venus” of Protog´enês mentioned by Pliny,Natural History, xxxv. 10.
When first the Rhodian’s mimic art arrayedThe Queen of Beauty in her Cyprian shade,The happy master mingled in his pieceEach look that charmed him in the fair of Greece.Campbell,Pleasures of Hope, ii. (1799).
Prior (1664-1721) refers to the same painting in his fable ofProtogênes and Appellês:
I hope, sir, you intend to stayTo see our Venus; ’tis the pieceThe most renowned throughout all Greece.
Rhod´ope(3syl.), orRhod´opis, a celebrated Greek courtezan, who afterwards married Psammetichus, king of Egypt. It is said she built the third pyramid.—Pliny,Nat. Hist., xxxvi. 12.
A statelier pyramis to her I’ll rear,Than Rhodope’s.Shakespeare,Henry VI.act i. sc. 6 (1589).
Rhombus, a schoolmaster who speaks “a leash of languages at once,” puzzling himself and his hearers with a jargon like that of “Holofernês” in Shakespeare’sLove’s Labor’s Lost(1594).—Sir Philip Sidney,Pastoral Entertainment(1587).
Rhombus, a spinning-wheel or rolling instrument used by the Roman witches for fetching the moon out of heaven.