Chapter Durandal to Dysmas of D by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Durandal to Dysmas

Durandal, the sword of Orlando, the workmanship of fairies. So admirable was its temper that it would “cleave the Pyrenees at a blow. ‘—Ariosto: Orlando Furioso (1516).

Durandarte , a knight who fell at Roncesvallês . Durandartê loved Belerma, whom he served for seven years, and was then slain; but in dying he requested his cousin Montesinos to take his heart to Belerma.

Sweet in manners, fair in favour,
Mild in temper, fierce in fight.
   —Lewis.

Durden (Dame), a notable country gentlewoman, who kept five men-servants “to use the spade and flail,” and five women-servants “to carry the milkennail.” The five men loved the five maids. Their names were—

Moll and Bet, and Doll and Kate, and Dorothy Draggletail;
John and Dick, and Joe and Jack, and Humphrey with his flail.
   —A Well-known Glee.

(In Bleak House, by C. Dickens, Esther Summerson is playfully called “Dame Durden.”)

Duretete (Captain), a rather heavy gentleman, who takes lessons of gallantry from his friend, young Mirabel. Very bashful with ladies, and for ever sparring with Bisarre, who teases him unmercifully [Dure- tait, Be-zar].—Farquhar: The Inconstant (1702).

Durindana, Orlando’s sword, given him by his cousi n Malagigi. This sword and the horn Olifant were buried at the feet of the hero.

Charlemagne’s sword “Joyeuse” was also buried with him, and “Tizona” was buried with the Cid.

Durotiges. Bel ow the Hedui (those of Somersetshire) came the Durotigês, sometimes called Morini. Their capital was Durinum (Dorchester), and their territory extended to Vindelia (Portland Isle).—Richard of Cirencester: Ancient State of Britain, vi. 15.

The Durotiges on the Dorsetian sand.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, xvi. (1613).

Durward (Quentin), hero and title of a novel by sir W. Scott. Quentin Durward is a nephew of Ludovic Lesly (surnamed Le Balafre). He enrolls himself in the Scottish guard, a company of archers in the pay of Louis XI. at Plessis lés Tours, and saves the king in a boar-hunt. When Liege is assaulted by insurgents, Quentin Durward and the countess Isabelle de Croye escape on horseback. The countess publicly refuses to marry the duc d’Orleans, and ultimately marries the young Scotchman.

Dusronnal, one of the two steeds of Cuthullin general of the Irish tribes. The other was “Sulin-Sifadda” (q.v.).

Before the left side of the car is seen the snorting horse! The thin-maned, high-headed, strong-hoofed, fleet-bounding son of the hill: His name is Dusronnal, among the stormy sons of the sword!…the [two] steeds like wreaths of mist fly over the streamy vales! The wildness of deer is in their course, the strength of eagles descending on the prey.—Ossian: Fingal. L

Dutch School of painting, noted for its exactness of detail and truthfulness.

For portraits: Rembrandt, Bol, Flinek, Hals, and Vanderhelst.

For conversation pieces: Gerhard Douw, Terburg, Metzu, Mieris, and Netscher.

For low life: Ostade, Brouwer or Brauwer, and Jan Steen.

For landscapes: Ruysdael, Hobbimer, Cuyp, Vandermeer (moonlight scenes), Berghem, and Both (brothers).