Chapter FERDINAND to Fiction of F by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Festus, a long dramatic poem, by Philip J. Bailey (1839). In the Times the scope of the poem was given as “The exhibition of a soul gifted, tried, buffeted, beguiled; stricken, purified, redeemed, pardoned, and triumphant.”

Fetnab [“tormentor of hearts”], a female favourite of the caliph Haroun-al-Raschid. While the cali ph was absent in his wars, Zobeidê, his wife, out of jealousy, ordered Fetnab to be buried alive. Ganem happened accidentally to see the interment, rescued her, and took her home to his own private lodgings in Bagdad. The caliph, on his return, mourned for Fetnab as dead; but receiving from her a letter of explanation, he became jealous of Ganem, and ordered him to be put to death. Ganem, however, contrived to escape. When the fit of jealousy was over, the caliph heard the facts plainly stated, whereupon he released Fetnab, gave her in marriage to Ganem, and appointed the young man to a very lucrative post about the court.—Arabian Nights (“Ganem, the Slave of Love”).

Fezon, daughter of Savary duke of Aquitaine. The Green Knight, who was a pagan, demanded her in marriage, but Orson (brother of Valentine), called “The Wild Man of the Forest,” overthrew the pagan and married Fezon. — Valentine and Orson (fifteenth century).

Fiammetta, a lady beloved by Boccaccio, supposed to be Maria, daughter of Robert king of Naples. (See Lovers.) (Italian, fiamma, “a little flame.”)

Fib, an attendant on queen Mab.—Drayton: Nymphidia.

Fiction. Father of Modern Prose Fiction, Daniel Defoe (1663–1731).