Chapter Orsino to O'Shanter of O by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Orsino to O'Shanter

Orsino, duke of Illyria, who sought the love of Olivia a rich countess; but Olivia gave no encouragement to his suit, and the duke moped and pined, leaving manly sports for music and other effeminate employments. Viola entered the duke’s service as a page, and soon became a great favourite. When Olivia married Sebastian (Viola’s brother), and the sex of Viola became known, the duke married her and made her duchess of Illyria.—Shakespeare: Twelfth Night (1614).

Orson, twin-brother of Valentine, and son of Bellisant. The twin-brothers were born in a wood near Orleans, and Orson was carried off by a bear, which suckled him with its cubs. When he grew up, he became the terror of France, and was called “The Wild Man of the Forest.” Ultimately, he was reclaimed by his brother Valentine, overthrew the Green Knight, and married Fezon daughter of the duke of Savary, in Aquitaine.—Valentine and Orson (fifteenth century).

Orson and Ellen. Young Orson was a comely young farmer from Taunton, stout as an oak, and very fond of the lasses, but he hated matrimony, and used to say, “The man who can buy milk is a fool to keep a cow.” While still a lad, Orson made love to Ellen, a rustic maiden; but, in the fickleness of youth, forsook her for a richer lass, and Ellen left the village, wandered far away, and became waiting-maid to old Boniface the innkeeper. One day, Orson happened to stop at this very inn, and Ellen waited on him. Five years had passed since they had seen each other, and at first neither knew the other. When, however, the facts were known, Orson made Ellen his wife, and their marriage feast was given by Boniface himself.—Peter Pindar [Dr. Wolcot]: Orson and Ellen (1809).

Ortellius (Abraham), a Dutch geographer, who published, in 1570, his Theatrum Orbis Terræ or Universal Geography (1527–1598).

I more could tell to prove the place our own,
Than by his spacious maps are by Ortellius shown.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, vi. (1612).

Orthodoxy. When lord Sandwich said “he did not know the difference between orthodoxy and heterodoxy,” Warburton bishop of Gloucester replied, “Orthodoxy, my lord, is my doxy, and heterodoxy is another man’s doxy.”

Orthodoxy (The Father of), Athanasius (296-373).

Orthrus, t he two-headed dog of Eurytion the herdsman of Geryoneo. It was the progeny of Typhaon and Echidna.

With his two-headed dogge that Orthrus hight,
Orthrus begotten by great Typhaon
And foule Echidna in the house of Night.
   —Spenser: Faërie Queene, v. 10, 10 (1596).

Ortwine , Knight of Metz, sister’s son of sir Hagan of Trony, a Burgundian.—The Nibelungen Lied (eleventh century).

Orville (Lord), the amiable and devoted lover of Evelina, whom he ultimately marries. He is represented as “handsome, gallant, polite, and ardent,—he dressed handsomely,” and was altogether irresistible.—Miss Burney: Evelina (1778).

Osbaldistone (Mr.), a London merchant.

Frank Osbaldistone, his son, in love with Diana Vernon, whom he marries.

Sir Hildebrand Osbaldistone, of Osbaldistone Hall, uncle of Frank, his heir.

His Sons were: Percival, “the sot;” Thorncliff, “the bully;” John, “the gamekeeper;” Richard, “the horse- jockey;” Wilfred, “the fool;” and Rashleigh, “the scholar,” a perfidious villain, killed by Rob Roy.—Sir W. Scott: Rob Roy (time, George I.).