Chapter Malengin to Mambrino's Helmet of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Malengin to Mambrino's Helmet

Malengin, Guile personified. When attacked by Talus, he changed himself into a fox, a bush, a bird, a hedgehog, and a snake; but Talus, with his iron flail, beat him to powder, and so “deceit did the deceiver fail.” On his back Malengin carried a net “to catch fools” with.—Spenser: Faërie Queene, v. 9 (1596).

Malepardus, the castle of Master Reynard the fox, in the beast-epic of Reynard the Fox (1498).

Mal-Fet (The chevalier), the name assumed by sir Launcelot in Joyous Isle, during his fit of madness, which lasted two years.—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, iii. (1470).

Malfort (Mr.), a young man who has ruined himself by speculation.

Mrs. Malfort, the wife of the speculator, “houseless, friendless, defenceless, and forlorn.” The wants of Malfort are temporarily relieved by the bounty of Frank Heartall and the kindness of Mrs. Cheerly “the soldier’s daughter.” The return of Malfort, senior, from India, restores his son to ease and affluence.—Cherry: The Soldier’s Daughter (1804).

Malfy (Duchess of), twin-sister of Ferdinand duke of Calabria. She fell in love with Antonio, her steward, and gave thereby mortal offence to her twin-brother Ferdinand, and to her brother the cardinal, who employed Bosola to strangle her.—Webster: Duchess of Malfy (1618).

Malgo, a mythical king of Britain, noted for his beauty and his vices, his munificence and his strength. Malgo added Ireland, Iceland, Gothland, the Orkneys, Norway, and Dacia to his dominions.—Geoffrey: British History, xi. 7 (1142).

Next Malgo…first Orkney overran,
Proud Denmark then subdued, and spacious Norway wan,
Seized Iceland for his own, and Gothland to each shore.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, xix. (1622).

Malherbe . If any one asked Malherbe his opinion about any French words, he always sent him to the street porters at the Port au Foin, saying that they were his “masters in language.”—Racan: Vie de Malherbe (1630).

It is said that Shakespeare read his plays to an oyster-woman when he wished to know if they would suit the popular taste.

Malinal, brother of Yuhidthiton. When the Aztecas declared war against Madoc and his colony, Malinal cast in his lot with the White strangers. He was a noble youth, who received two arrow-wounds in his leg while defending t he white women; and, being unable to stand, fought in their defence on his knees. When Malinal was disabled, Amalahta caught up the princess, and ran off with her; but Mervyn the “young page” (in fact, a girl) struck him on the hamstrings with a bill-hook, and Malinal, crawling to the spot, thrust his sword in the villain’s groin and killed him.—Southey: Madoc, ii. 16 (1805).

Maliom. Mahomet is so called in some of the old romances.

“Send five, send six against me! By Maliom! I swear I’ll take them all.”—Fierabras.

Malkin. The Maid Marian of the morris-dance is so called by Beaumont and Fletcher—

Put on the shape of order and humanity,
Or you must marry Malkin the May-Lady.
   —Monsieur Thomas (1619).

Mall Cutpurse, Mary Frith, a thief and receiver of stolen goods. John Day, in 1610, wrote “a booke called The Madde Prancks of Merry Mall of the Bankside, with her Walks in Man’s Apparel, and to what Purpose.” It is said that she was an androgyne (1584– 1659).

Last Sunday, Mall Cutpurse, a notorious baggage, that used to go about in man’s apparel, and challenged the field of diverse gallants, was brought to [St. Paul’s Cross], where she wept bitterly, and seemed