Chapter Henriade to Herbert of H by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Henriade to Herbert

Henriade (The), an historical poem in ten chants, by Voltaire (1724). The subject is the struggle of Henri IV. with the League. There are some well-drawn characters, some good descriptions, and the verse is harmonious; but Voltaire himself said, “Les Français n’ont pas la tête epique,” and the Henriade is not an epic.

Henrietta Maria, widow of king Charles I., introduced in sir W. Scott’s Peveril of the Peak (1823)

Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square, London, is so called in compliment to Henrietta Cavendish, daughter of John Holles duke of Newcastle, and wife of Edward second earl of Oxford and Mortimer. From these come “Edward Street,” “Henrietta Street,” “Cavendish Square,” and “Holles Street.” (See Portland Place.)

Henriette, daughter of Chrysale, and Philaminte, She is in love with Clitandre, and ultimately becomes his wife. Philaminte, who is a blue-stocking, wants Henriette to marry Trissotin a bel esprit; and Armande the sister, also a bas bleu, thinks that Henriette ought to devote her life to science and philosophy; but Henriette loves woman’s work far better, and thinks that her natural province is domestic life, with wifely and motherly duties. Her father Chrysale takes the same views of woman’s life as his daughter Henriette, but he is quite under the thumb of his strong-minded wife. However, love at last prevails, and Henriette is given in marriage to the man of her choice. The French call Henriette “the type of a perfect woman,” i.e. a thorough woman.—Molière: Les Femmes Savantes (1672).

Henrique (Don), an uxorious lord, cruel to his younger brother don Jamie. Don Henrique is the father of Ascanio, and the supposed husband of Violante (4syl).—Beaumont and Fletcher: The Spanish Curate (1622).

HENRY, a soldier engaged to Louisa. Some rumours of gallantry to Henry’s disadvantage having reached the village, he is told that Louisa is about to be married to another. In his despair he gives himself up as a deserter, and is condemned to death. Louisa now goes to the king, explains to him the whole matter, obtains her sweetheart’s pardon, and reaches the jail just as the muffled drums begin to beat the death march.—Dibdin: The Deserter (1770).

Henry, son of sir Philip Blandford’s brother. Both the brothers loved the same lady, but the younger married her; and sir Philip, in his rage, stabbed him, as it was thought, mortally. In due time, the young “widow” had a son (Henry), a very high-minded, chivalrous young man, greatly beloved by every one. After twenty years, his father reappeared under the name of Morrington, and Henry married his cousin Emma Blandford.—Morton: Speed the Plough (1798).

Henry (Poor), prince of Hoheneck, in Bavaria. Being struck with leprosy, he quitted his lordly castle, gave largely to the poor, and retired to live with a small cottage farmer named Gottlieb [Got.leeb], one of his vassals. He was told that he would never be cured till a virgin, chaste and spotless, offered to die on his behalf. Elsie, the farmer’s daughter, offered herself, and after great resistance the prince accompanied her to Salerno to complete the sacrifice. When he arrived at the city, either the exercise, the excitement, or the charm of some relic, no matter what, had effected an entire cure, and when he took Elsie into the cathedral, the only sacrifice she had to make was that of her maiden name for lady Alicia, wife of prince Henry of Hoheneck.—Hartmann von der Aue (minnesinger): Poor Henry (twelfth century).

(This tale is the subject of Longfellow’s Golden Legend, 1851.)

Henry II., king of England, introduced by sir W. Scott, both in The Betrothed and in The Talisman (1825).

Henry II. and Thomas à Becket. The story of Raymond and Pierre de Castleneau presents a marvellously exact parallel. Pierre de Castelneau, like Becket, was called “a martyr.” Raymond comte de Toulouse said, in the hearing of others, “Que ce prêtre, à lui seul, I’empêchait de vivre en paix chezlin.” On January 15, 1208, while Pierre was at Mass, two men drew near, and one of them thrust a lance into his side. Pierre fell, saying as he fell, “Seigneur, pardonnez-lui comme je lui pardonne.”—Mgr.