Chapter Fathom to Feeble of F by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Faun. Tennyson uses this sylvan deity of the classics as the symbol of a drunkard.

Arise and fly
The reeling Faun, the sensual feast.
   —Tennyson: In Memoriam, cxviii.

Faust, a famous magician of the sixteenth century, a native of Suabia. A rich uncle having left him a fortune, Faust ran to every excess; and when his fortune was exhausted, he made a pact with the devil (who assumed the name of Mephistophelês, and the appearance of a little grey monk) that if he might indulge his propensities freely for twenty-four years, he would at the end of that period consign to the devil both body and soul. The compact terminated in 1550, when Faust disappeared. His sweetheart was Margherita [Margaret], whom he seduced, and his faithful servant was Wagner.

(Bayle Bernard made an English version; Goethê has a dramatic poem entitled Faust (1798); Gounod an opera called Faust e Margherita (1859). See Faustus.)

Faustus (Dr.), the same as Faust; but Marlowe, in his admirable tragedy, makes the doctor sell himself to Lucifer and Mephistophilis.

When Faustus stands on the brink of everlasting ruin, waiting for the fatal moment … a scene of enchanting interest, fervid passion, and overwhelming pathos, carries captive the sternest heart, and proclaims the first triumph of the tragic poet.—R. Chambers: English Literature, i. 171.

(W. Bayle Bernard, of Boston, U.S. America, has a tragedy on the same subject.)

Favorita (La), Leonora de Guzman, “favourite” of Alfonzo XI. of Castile. Ferdinando fell in love with her; and the king, to save himself from excommunication, sanctioned the marriage. But when Ferdinando learned that Leonora was the king’s mistress, he rejected the alliance with indignation, and became a monk. Leonora also became a novice in the same monastery, saw Ferdinando, obtained his forgiveness, and died.—Donizetti: La Favorita (an opera, 1842).

Faw (Tibbie), the ostler’s wife, in Wandering Willie’s tale.—Sir W. Scott: Redgauntlet (time, George III.).

Fawnia, the lady beloved by Dorastus.—R. Greene: Pandosto, the Triumph of Time (1588).

Shakespeare founded his Winter’s Tale on Greene’s romance.

Fazio, a Florentine, who first tried to make a fortune by alchemy, but being present when Bartoldo died, he buried the body secretly, and stole the miser’s money-bags. Being now rich, he passed his time with the marchioness Aldabella in licentious pleasure, and his wife Bianca, out of jealousy, accused him to the duke of being privy to Bartoldo’s death. For this offence Fazio was condemned to die; and Bianca, having tried in vain to save him, went mad with grief, and died of a broken heart.—Dean Milman: Fazio (1815).

Fea (Euphane), the old housekeeper of the old udaller at Burgh-Westra.—Sir W. Scott: The Pirate (time, William III.).

A “udaller” is one who holds land by allodial tenure.

Fear Fortress, near Saragossa. An allegorical bogie fort, conjured up by fear, which vanishes as it is courageously approached and boldly besieged.

If a child disappeared, or any cattle were carried off, the frightened peasants said, “The lord of Fear Fortress has taken them.” If a fire broke out anywhere, it was the lord of Fear Fortress who must have lit it. The origin of all accidents, mishaps, and disasters was traced to the mysterious owner of this invisible castle.—L’Epine: Croquemitaine, iii. 1.

Fearless (The), Jean duc de Bourgoigne, called Sans Peur (1371–1419).