Chapter Polexandre to POLYDORE of P by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Polexandre to POLYDORE

Polexandre, an heroic romance by Gomberville (1632).

Policy (Mrs.), housekeeper at Holyrood Palace. She appears in the introduction.—Sir W. Scott: Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).

Polidore, father of Valére.—Moliére: Le Dépit Amoureux (1654).

Polinesso, duke of Albany, who falsely accused Geneura of incontinency, and was slain in single combat by Ariodantés.—Ariosto: Orlando Furioso (1516).

Polish Jew (The), also called The Bells, a melodrama by J. R. Ware, brought prominently into note by the acting of [sir] Henry Irving at the Lyceum. Matthias, a miller in a small German town, is visited on Christmas Eve by a Polish Jew, who comes through the snow in a sledge. After rest and refreshment, he leaves for Nantzig, “four leagues off.” Matthias follows him, kills him with an axe, and burns the body in a lime-kiln. He then pays his debts, becomes a prosperous and respected man, and is made burgomaster. On the wedding night of his only child, Annette, he dies of apoplexy, of which he had ample warning by the constant sound of sledge-bells in his ears. In his dream he supposes himself put into a mesmeric sleep in open court, when he confesses everything and is condemned (1874).

Polixene, the name assumed by Madelon Gorgibus, a shopkeeper’s daughter, as far more romantic and genteel than her baptismal name. Her cousin Cathos called herself Aminte.

“A-t-on jamais parlé,” asks Madelon, “dans le beau style, de Cathos ni de Madelon? et ne m’avouerez- vous pas que ce seroit assez d’un de ces noms pour décrier le plus beau roman du monde.”

“Il est vrai,” says Cathos to Madelon’s father, “et le nom de Polixéne…et celui d’ Aminte…ont une grace dont il faut que vous demeuriez d’accord.”—Moliére: Les Précieuses Ridicules, 5 (1659).

Polixenes , king of Bohemia, schoolfellow and old companion of Leontês king of Sicily. While on a visit to the Sicilian king, Leontês grew jealous of him, and commanded Camillo to poison him; but Camillo only warned him of his danger, and fled with him to Bohemia. (For the rest of the tale, see Perdita, p. 825.)—Shakespeare: The Winter’s Tale (1604).

Poll Pineapple, the bumboat woman, once sailed in seaman’s clothes with lieutenant Belaye, in the Hot Cross-Bun. Jack tars generally greet each other with “Messmate, ho! what cheer?” but the greeting on the Hot Cross-Bun was always, “How do you do, my dear?” and never was any oath more naughty than “Dear me!” One day, lieutenant Belaye came on board and said to his crew, “Here, messmates, is my wife, for I have just come from church.” Whereupon they all fainted; and it was found that the crew consisted of young women only, who had dressed like sailors to follow the fate of lieutenant Belaye.—Gilbert: The Bab Ballads (“The Bumboat Woman’s Story”).

Pollente, a Saracen, lord of the Perilous Bridge. When his groom Guizor demands “the passage-penny” of sir Artegal, the knight gives him a “stunning blow,” saying, “Lo! knave, there’s my hire;” and the groom falls down dead. Pollentê then comes rushing up at full speed, and both he and sir Artegal fall into the river, fighting most desperately. At length sir Artegal prevails, and the dead body of the Saracen is carried down the blood-stained stream.”—Spenser: Faërie Queene, v. 2 (1596).

(Upton conjectures that “Pollente” is intended for Charles IX. of France, and his groom “Guizor” (he says) means the duke of Guise, noted for the part he took in the St. Bartholomew Massacre.)

Polly, daughter of Peachum. A pretty girl, who really loved captain Macheath, married him, and remained faithful even when he disolaimed her. When the reprieve arrived, “the captain” confessed his marriage, and vowed to abide by Polly for the rest of his life.—Guy: The Beggar’s Opera. (1727).