Chapter Areopagitica to Ariconium of A by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Areopagitica to Ariconium

Areopagitica, a prose work by Milton in favour of “lib erty of the press,” published in 1644. It is powerfully written, but very temperate. The title was taken from the Areopagos, or Mars’ Hill, of Athens, a famous court of justice and equity.

Areouski, the Indian war-god; also war, tumult.

A cry of “Areouski!” broke our sleep.
   —Campbell: Gertrude of Wyoming, i. 16 (1809).

Arethusa, daughter of king Messina, in the drama of Philaster or Love lies a-bleeding, by John Fletcher (printed 1633). One of the very best.

Arethusa, a nymph pursued by Alpheos, the river-god, and changed into a fountain in the island of Ortygia; but the river-god pursued her still, and mingled his stream with the fountain. Ever since, “like friends once parted, grown single-hearted,” they leap and flow and slumber together, “like spirits that love, but live no more.”

This fable has been exquisitely turned into poetry by Percy B. Shelley (1820).

Arethuse , a Syracusian fountain, esp ecially noted because the poet Theokritos was born on its banks. Milton alludes to it in his Lycidas, v. 85.

Argalia, brother of Angelica, slain by Ferrau.—Ariosto: Orlando Furioso (1516).

Argan, the malade imaginaire and father of Angelique. He is introduced taxing his apothecary’s bills, under the conviction that he cannot afford to be sick at the prices charged, but then he notices that he has already reduced his bills during the current month, and is not so well. He first hits upon the plan of marrying Angelique to a young doctor, but to this the lady objects. His brother suggests that Argan himself should be his own doctor, and when the invalid replies he has not studied either diseases, drugs, or Latin, the objection is overruled by investing the “malade” in a doctor’s cap and robe. The piece concludes with the ceremonial in macaronic Latin.
When Argan asks his doctor how many grains of salt he ought to eat with an egg, the doctor answers, “Six, huit, dix, etc., par les nombres pairs, comme dans les médicaments par les nombres impairs.”—Molière : Le Malade Imaginaire, ii. 9 (1673).

Argano, leader of the Libicanians, and an ally of Agramont.—Ariosto: Orlando Furioso (1516).

Argante, a giantess, called “the very monster and miracle of lust.” She an d her twin-brother Ollyphant or Oliphant were the children of Typhœus and Earth. Argantê used to carry off young men as her captives, and seized “the Squire of Dames” as one of her victims. The squire, who was in fact Britomart (the heroine of chastity), was delivered by sir Satyrane.—Spenser: Faërie Queene, iii. 7 (1590).

Argante, fath er of Octave and Zerbinette. He promises to give his daughter Zerbinette to Leandre, the son of his friend Géronte; but during his absence abroad the young people fall in love, unknown to their respective fathers. Both fathers storm, and threaten to break off the engagement, but are delighted beyond measure when they discover that the choice of the young people has unknowingly coincided with their own.—Molière : Les Fourberies de Scapin (1671).
(Thomas Otway has adapted this play to the English stage, and called it The Cheats of Scapin. “Argante” he calls Thrifty; “Géronte” is Gripe; “Zerbinette” he calls Lucia; and “Leandre” he Anglicizes into Leander.)

Argantes, a Circassian of high rank and undoubted courage, but fierce and a great detester of the Nazarenes. Argantês and Solyman were undoubtedly the bravest heroes of the infidel host. Argantês was slain by Rinaldo, and Solyman by Tancred.—Tasso: Jerusalem Delivered (1575).
Bonaparte stood before the deputies like the Argantês of Italy’s heroic poet.—Sir W. Scott.

Argenis, a political romance in Latin, by John Barclay (1621). It has been frequently translated into English.