Chapter Battle to Bean Lean of B by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Battle to Bean Lean

Battle for Battle-axe.

The word battle … seems to be used for battle-axe In this unnoticed passage of the Psalms: “There brake He the arrows of the bow, the shield, the sword, and the battle [axe].”—Rev. T. Whitaker: Gibbon’s History Reviewed (1791).

Battle-Bridge, King’s Cross, London. Called “Battle” from being the site of a battle between Alfred and the Danes; and called “King’s Cross” from a wretched statue of George IV., taken down in 1842. The historic name of “Battle Bridge” was changed in 1871, by the Metropolitan Board, for that of “York Road.” Miserabile dictu!

Battus, a shepherd of Arcadia. Having witnessed Mercury’s theft of Apollo’s oxen, he received a cow from the thief to ensure his secrecy; but, in order to test his fidelity, Mercury reappeared soon afterwards, and offered him an ox and a cow if he would blab. Battus fell into the trap, and was instantly changed into a touchstone.

When Tantalus in hell sees store and staves;
And senseless Battus for a touchstone serves.
   —Lord Brooke: Treatise on Monarchie, iv.

Baucis and Philemon, an aged Phrygian woman and her husband, who received Jupiter and Mercury hospitably when every one else in the place had refused to entertain them. For this courtesy the gods changed the Phrygians’ cottage into a magnificent temple, and appointed the pious couple over it. They both died at the same time, according to their wish, and were converted into two trees before the temple.—Greek and Roman Mythology.

Bauldie, stable-boy of Joshua Geddes the quaker.—Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet (time, George III.).

Bauldie, the old shepherd in the introduction of The Black Dwarf, by sir W. Scott (time, Anne).

Baviad (The), a satire by W. Gifford on the Della Cruscan school of poetry (1794). It was followed in 1800 by The Mœviad. The words “Baviad” and “Mæviad” were suggested by Virgil, Eclogue, iii. 90, 91.

He may with foxes plough, and milk he-goats,
Who praises Bavius or on Mævius dotes.
   —E. C. B.

Bavian Fool (The), one of the characters in the old morris-dance. He wore a red cap faced with yellow, a yellow “slabbering-bib,” a blue doublet, red hose, and blackshoes. He represented an overgrown baby, but was a tumbler, and mimicked the barking of a dog. The word “Bavian” is derived from bavon, a “bib for a slabbering child” (see Cotgrave’s French Dictionary). In modern French bave means “drivel,” “slabbering,” and the verb baver “to slabber,” but the bib is now called bavette.

Bavieca, the Cid’s horse. He survived his master two years and a half, and was buried at Valencia. No one was ever allowed to mount him after the death of the Cid.

The duke of Wellington’s horse, Copenhagen, was pensioned off after the battle of Waterloo.

Bavieca [i.e. “Booby”]. When Rodrigo was taken in his boyhood to choose a horse, he passed over the best steeds, and selected a scrubby-looking colt. His godfather called the boy a booby [bavieca] for making such a silly choice, and the name was given to the horse.

Bavius, any vile poet. (See Mævius.)

Qui Bavium non odit, amet tua carmina, Mævi,
Atque idem jungat vulpes, et mulgeat hircos.
   —Virgil: Eclogue, iii. 90, 91.

May some choice patron bless each grey goose-quill:
May every Bavius have his Bufo still!
   —Pope: Prologue to the Satires.