Chapter Polydore to Poinposus of P by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Polydore to Poinposus

Polydore, brother of general Memnon, beloved by the princess Calis sister of Astorax king of Paphos.—Beaumont and Fletcher: The Mad Lover (1618).

(Beaumont died 1616.)

Polydore (Lord), son of lord Acasto, and Castalio’s younger brother. He entertained a base passion for his father’s ward Monimia “the orphan,” and, making use of the signal (“three soft taps upon the chamber door”) to be used by Castalio, to whom she was privately married, indulged his wanton love, Monimia supposing him to be her husband. When, next day, he discovered that Monimia was actually married to Castalio, he was horrified, and provoked a quarrel with his brother; but as soon as Castalio drew his sword, he ran upon it and was killed.—Otway: The Orphan (1680).

Polydore , a comrade of Ernest of Otranto (page of prince Tancred).—Sir W. Scott: Count Robert of Paris (time, Rufus).

Polyglot (Ignatius), the master of seventeen languages, and tutor of Charles Eustace (aged 24). Very learned, very ignorant of human life; most strict as a disciplinarian, but tender-hearted as a girl. His pupil has married clandestinely, but Polyglot offers himself voluntarily to be the scapegoat of the young couple, and he brings them off triumphantly.—Poole: The Scapegoat.

Polyglot (A Walking), cardinal Mezzofanti, who knew fifty-eight different languages (1774–1849).

Polyglot Bible (The), by Walton, in six large folio volumes, in nine languages (1654–1657).

A gigantic work, both to compile and print. The Gospels are given in six languages. The books of the Old Testament are not all in the same number of versions, and no single book is in all the nine. Walton’s Polyglot is not a translation of the several languages, but each language is printed in its own character, and eight are accompanied with a Latin translation, viz. the Hebrew [version], Samaritan, Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, Ethiopic, Persian, and Greek; the ninth is the Latin version itself. Origen (220-250) published an Hexapla, but all his six versions were in the Greek character.

There are other polyglots besides Walton’s, as (1) the Complutensian, printed at Complutum (1502–1517); (2) the Antwerp (1569–1572); (3) the Parisian (1526–1545); all therefore published before Walton’s great work (1654–1657).

(Polyglot is from two Greek words pola glotta, “many tongues.”)

Polyolbion (the “greatly blessed”), by Michael Drayton, in thirty parts, called “songs.” It is a topographical description of England. Song i. The landing of Brute. Song ii. Dorsetshire, and the adventures of sir Bevis of Southampton. Song iii. Somerset. Song iv. Contention of the rivers of England and Wales respecting Lundy—to which country did it belong? Song v. Sabrina, as arbiter, decides that it is “allied alike both to England and Wales;” Merlin, and Milford Haven. Song vi. The salmon and beavor of Twy; the tale of Sabrina; the druids and bards. Song vii. Hereford. Song viii. Conquest of Britain by the Romans and by the Saxons. Song ix. Wales. Song x. Merlin’s prophecies; Winifred’s well; defence of the “tale of Brute” (1612). Song xi. Cheshire; the religious Saxon kings. Song xii. Shropshire and Staffordshire; the Saxon warrior kings; and Guy of Warwick. Song xiii. Warwick; Guy of Warwick concluded. Song xiv. Gloucestershire. Song xv. The marriage of Isis and Thame. Song xvi. The Roman roads and Saxon kingdoms. Song xvii. Surrey and Sussex; the sovereigns of England from William to Elizabeth. Song xviii. Kent; England’s great generals and sea-captains (1613). Song xix. Essex and Suffolk; English navigators. Song xx. Norfolk. Song xxi. Cambridge and Ely. Song xxii. Buckinghamshire, and England’s intestine battles. Song xxiii. Northamptonshire. Song xxiv. Rutlandshire; and the British saints. Song xxv. Lincolnshire. Song xxvi. Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire; with the story of Robin Hood. Song xxvii. Lancashire and the Isle of Man. Song xxviii. Yorkshire. Song xxix. Northumberland. Song xxx. Cumberland (1622).