Chapter Rodogune to Roland of R by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Rodogune to Roland

Rodogune, Rhodogune, or Rhodogyne, daug hter of Phraatês king of Parthia. She married Demetrius Nicanor (the husband of Cleopatra queen of Syria, q.v.), while in captivity.—Rowe: The Royal Convert (1708).

(P. Corneille has a tragedy on the subject, entitled Rodogune, 1646.)

Rodolfo (Il conte). It is in the bedchamber of this cou nt that Amina is discovered the night before her espousal to Elvino. Ugly suspicion is excited, but the count assures the young farmer that Amina walks in her sleep. While they are talking, Amina is seen to get out of a window and walk along a narrow ledge of the mill-roof while the huge wheel is rapidly revolving. She crosses a crazy bridge, and walks into the very midst of the spectators. In a few minutes she awakes, and flies to the arms of her lover.—Bellini: La Sonnambula (opera, 1831).

Rodomont, king of Sarza or Algiers. He was Ulien’s son, and called the “Mars of Af rica.” His lady-love was Doralis princess of Granada, but she eloped with Mandricardo king of Tartary. At Rogero’s wedding, Rodomont accused him of being a renegade and traitor, whereupon they fought, and Rodomont was slain.—Orlando Innamorato (1495); and Orlando Furioso (1516).

Who so meek? I’m sure I quake at the very thought of him; why, he’s as fierce as Rodomont!—Dryden: Spanish Fryar, v. 2 (1680).

(Rodomontade, from Rodomont, a bragging although a brave knight.)

Rodrigo, king of Spain, conquered by the Moors. He saved his life by flight, and wandered to Guadaletê, where he begged food of a shepherd, and gave him in recompense his loyal chain and ring. A hermit bade him, in penance, retire to a certain tomb full of snakes and toads, where, after three days, the hermit found him unhurt; so, going to his cell, he passed the night in prayer. Next morning, Rodrigo cried aloud to the hermit, “They eat me now; I feel the adder’s bite.” So his sin was atoned for, and he died.

(This Rodrigo is Roderick, the last of the Goths.)

Rodrigo, rival of Pedro “the pilgrim,” and captain of a band of outlaws.—Fletcher: The Pilgrim (1621).

Rodrigo de Mondragon (Don), a bully and tyrant, the self-constituted arbiter of all disputes in a tennis- court of Valladolid.

Don Rodrigo de Mondragon was about 30 years of age, of an ordinary make, but lean and muscular; he had two little twinkling eyes, that rolled in his head and threatened everybody he looked at; a very flat nose, placed between red whiskers that curled up to his very temples; and a manner of speaking so rough and passionate that his words struck terror into everybody.—Lesage: Gil Blas, ii. 5 (1715).

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

Roger, the cook, who “cowde roste, sethe, broille, and frie, make mortreux, and wel bake a pye.”—Chaucer: Canterbury Tales (1388).

Roger (Sir), curate to “The Scornful Lady” (no name given).—Beaumont and Fletcher: The Scornful Lady (1616).

(Beaumont died 1616.)