Chapter Leontes to Levites of L by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Leontes to Levites

Leontes, king of Sicily. He invited his old friend Polixenês king of Bohemia to come and stay with him, but became so jealous of him that he commanded Camillo to poison him. Instead of doing so, Camillo warned Polixenês of his danger, and fled with him to Bohemia. The rage of Leontês was now unbounded, and he cast his wife Hermionê into prison, where she gave birth to a daughter. The king ordered the infant to be cast out on a desert shore, and then brought his wife to a public trial. Hermionê fainted in court, the king had her removed, and Paulina soon came to announce that the queen was dead. Ultimately, the infant daughter was discovered under the name of Perdita, and was married to Florizel the son of Polixenês. Hermionê was also discovered to the king in a tableau vivant, and the joy of Leontês was complete.—Shakespeare: The Winter’s Tale (1604).

Leontius, a brave but merry old soldier.—Fletcher: The Humorous Lieutenant (1647).

Leopold, a sea-captain, enamoured of Hippolyta, a rich lady wantonly in love with Arnoldo. Arnoldo, however, is contracted to the chaste Zenocia, who is basely pursued by the governor count Clodio.—Fletcher: The Custom of the Country (1647).

Leopold, archduke of Austria, a crusader who arrested Richard I. on his way home from the Holy Land.—Sir W. Scott: The Talisman (time, Richard I.).

Leopold, nicknamed Peu-à-peu by George IV. Stein, speaking of Leopold’s vacillating conduct in reference to the Greek throne, says of him, “He has no colour,” i.e. no fixed plan of his own, but only reflects the colour of those around him; in other words, he is “blown about by every wind.”

Lepolemo (The Exploits and Adventures of), part of the series called Le Roman des Romans, pertaining to “Amadis of Gaul.” This part was added by Pedro de Lujan.

Leporello, in The Libertine, by Shadwell (1676).

The following advertisement from Liston appeared in June, 1817:—

“My benefit takes place this evening at Covent Garden Theatre, and I doubt not will be splendidly attended.…I shall perform ‘Fogrun’ in The Slave, and ‘Leporello’ in The Libertine. In the delineation of these arduous characters I shall display much feeling and discrimination, together with great taste in my dresses and elegance of manner. The audiences will be delighted, and will testify their approbation by rapturous applause. When, in addition to my professional merits, regard is paid to the loveliness of my person and the fascination of my face,…there can be no doubt that this announcement will receive the attention it deserves.”—J. Liston.

Leporello, the valet of don Giovanni.—Mozart: Don Giovanni (an opera, 1787).

Lermites and Martafax, two rats that conspired against the White Cat.—Comtesse D’Aulnoy: Fairy Tales (“The White Cat,” 1682).

Lesbia, the poetic name given by the poet Catullus to his favourite lady Clodia.

Lesbian Kiss (A), an immodest kiss. The ancient Lesbians were noted for their licentiousness, and hence to “Lesbianize” became synonymous with licentious sexual indulgence, and “Lesbia” meant a shameless harlot.

Lesbian Poets (The), Terpander, Alcæus, Arion, and the poetess Sappho.

Lesbian Rule, squaring the rule from the act, and not the act from the rule; like correcting a sun-dial by a clock, and not the clock by the sun-dial. A Jesuit excuse for doing or not doing as inclination dictates.

Lesley (Captain), a friend of captain M’Intyre.—Sir W. Scott: The Antiquary (time, George III.).