Chapter Davenant to Dawson of D by Brewer's Readers Handbook

the army. Valiant as they are, none of them is equal to the youngest, who possesses prodigious strength.” The young man was sent for, and being set before the grand-duke, asked permission to make trial of his strength. A vigorous bull was irritated with red-hot irons, but the young man stopped it in its full career, threw it on the ground, and tore off its skin. This proof of strength inspired the greatest confidence. The hour of battle arrived. The two champions advanced between the camps, and the Petcheneguan could not restrain a contemptuous smile when he observed the diminutive stature of his adversary, who indeed was yet without a beard. Being, however, attacked with great impetuosity, the giant gave ground, was seized by the young Russian, and crushed to death. The Petcheneguans took to flight, were pursued, and utterly routed. The conqueror, who was only a carrier, was laden with honours, raised with his father to the rank of the high nobility, and the place of combat was made the site of the city Pereislave, which soon rose to eminence in the government of Vladimir. N.B.—The young conqueror’s name was Ivan Usmovitched, but was changed by Vladimir into Pereislave.—Duncan: Russia, vol. ii. pp. 201, 202 (Pereislave means “one who wins the victory”). (See Fierabras.)

David and Jonathan, inseparable friends. The allusion is to David the psalmist and Jonathan the son of Saul. David’s lamentation at the death of Jonathan was never surpassed in pathos and beauty.—2 Sam. i. 19–27.

David Copperfield. (See Copper-field, p. 233.)

Davideis, the chief poem of Cowley (1635). It is in four books. The quotation following is well known, and the last line is very felicitous:—

Begin, be bold, and venture to be wise;
He who defies this work from day to day
Does on a river’s bank expectant stay,
Till the old stream that stopped him shall be gone,
Which runs, and as it runs, for ever shall run on.

Davie Debet, debt.

So ofte thy neighbours banquet in thy hall,
Till Davie Debet in thy parler stand,
And bids the[e] welcome to thine own decay.
   —Gascoigne: Magnum Vectigal, etc. (died 1775).

Davie of Stenhouse, a friend of Hobbie Elliott.—Sir W. Scott: The Black Dwarf (time, Anne).

Davies (Fohn), an old fisherman employed by Joshua Geddes the quaker.—Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet (time, George III.).

Davus, a plain, uncouth servitor. A common name for a slave in Greek and Roman plays, as in the Andrla of Terence.

His face made of brass, like a vice in a game,
His gesture like Davus, whom Terence doth name.
   —Tusser: Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry, liv. (1557).

Davus sum, non Œdipus. I am a homely man, and do not understand hints, innuendoes, and riddles, like Œdipus. Œdipus was the Theban who expounded the riddle of the Sphinx, that puzzled all his countrymen. Davus was the stock name of a servant or slave in Latin comedies. The proverb is used by Terence, Andria, 1, 2, 23.

Davy, the varlet of justice Shallow, who so identifies himself with his master that he considers himself half host, half varlet. Thus when he seats Bardolph and Page at table, he tells them they must take “his” good will for their assurance of welcome.—Shakespeare: 2 Henry IV. (1598).

Daw (Sir David), a rich, dunder-headed baronet of Monmouthshire, without wit, words, or worth; but believing himself somebody, and fancying himself a sharp fellow, because his servants laugh at his good sayings, and his mother calls him a wag. Sir David pays his suit to Miss [Emily] Tempest; but as the affections of