Chapter Forget-me-nots of the Angels to Foscari of F by Brewer's Readers Handbook

A marvellous parallel is the following story: In the reign of Heinrich IV. of Germany, count Adalbert plundered the bishop of Treves and carried off the spoil to his stronghold. Tycho, one of the bishop’s vassals, promised to avenge the affront; and, knocking at the chieftain’s door, craved a draught of water. The porter brought him a cup of wine, and Tycho said to the man, “Thank thy lord for his charity, and tell him he shall meet with his reward.” Returning home, he provided thirty large wine-butts, into each of which he stowed a retainer, and weapons for two others. Each cask was carried by two men to the count’s stronghold, and when the door was opened, Tycho said to the porter, “See, I am come to redeem my promise.” So saying, the sixty bearers carried in the thirty casks. When count Adalbert went to look at the “magnificent present,” at a signal given by Tycho, the tops of the casks flew off, and the ninety armed men set on the count and slew him with his whole band of brigands. After which, they burnt the castle to the ground.

Forty-five (No. 45), the celebrated number of Wilkes’s North Britain, in which the ministers were accused of “putting a lie into the king’s mouth.”

Forwards (Marshal). Blucher is so called for his dash and readiness to attack in the campaign of 1813 (1742–1819).

Foscari (Francis), doge of Venice for thirty-five years. He saw three of his sons die, and the fourth, nam ed Jacopo, was banished by the Council of Ten for taking bribes from his country’s enemies. The old doge also was deposed at the age of 84. As he was descending the “Giant Staircase” to take leave of his son, he heard the bell announce the election of his successor, and he dropped down dead.

Jacopo Foscari, the fourth and only surviving son of Francis Foscari the doge of Venice. He was banished for taking bribes of foreign princes. Jacopo had been several times tortured, and died soon after his banishment to Candia.—Byron: The Two Foscari (1820).

(Verdi has taken this subject for an opera.)