Chapter S. P. Q. R to Saffron Gown of S by Brewer's Readers Handbook

S. P. Q. R to Saffron Gown

S. P. Q. R. generally stands for Senatus Populus-Que Romanus. But Bede gives several other sentences, as—

Salva Populum Quem Redemisti.
Sono Poltroni Questi Romani.
Sancti Pater, Quid Rides?
   —(Ans. Rideo quia Papa sum.)

Salus Papæ, Quies Regni.
Salvasti Populum Quem Regis.
Solidavit Pace Quietem Regni.
Salvavit Pecavit Que Regnum.
Stultus Populus Quærit Roman.
   —French phrase: Si Peu Que Rien. English: Seek Peaceful Quiet Repose.

It would afford amusement occasionally on a long evening to extend this list, which might easily be done.

Saadi or Sadi, the Persian poet, called “The Nightingale of a Thousand Songs.” His poems are The Gulistan or “Garden of Roses,” The Bostan or “Garden of Fruits,” and The Pend-Nâmeh, a moral poem. Saadi (1184–1263) was one of the “Four Monarchs of Eloquence” (see p. 321).

Saba or Zaba (The queen of), called Balkis. She came to the court of Solomon, and had by him a son named Melech. The queen of Ethiopia or Abyssinia is sometimes called Maqueda.—Zaga Zabo: Ap. Damian. a Goes.

The Korân (ch. xxvii.) tells us that Solomon summoned before him all the birds to the valley of ants, but the lapwing did not put in an appearance. Solomon was angry, and was about to issue an order of death, when the bird presented itself, saying, “I come from Saba, where I found a queen reigning in great magnificence, but she and her subjects worship the sun.” On hearing this, Solomon sent back the lapwing to Saba with a letter, which the bird was to drop at the foot of the queen, commanding her to come at once, submit herself unto him, and accept from him the “true religion.” So she came in great state, with a train of 500 slaves of each sex, bearing 500 “bricks of solid gold,” a crown, and sundry other presents.

Sabbath-Breakers. The fish of the Red Sea used to come ashore on the eve of the sabbath, to tempt the Jews to violate the day of rest. The offenders at length became so numerous that David, to deter others, turned the fish into apes.—Jallâloddin: Al Zamakh.

Sabbath-day Psalm (The), Ps. xcii., which begins with the words, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.”

Sabellan Song, incantation. The Sabelli or Samnites were noted for their magical arts and incantations.

Sabine (The) Numa the Sabi ne was taught the way to govern by Egeria, one of the Camenæ (prophetic nymphs of ancient Italy). He used to meet her in a grove, in which was a well, afterwards dedicated by him to the Camenæ.

Our statues!…she
That taught the Sabine how to rule.

Tennyson: The Princess, ii. (1830).

Sablonnière (La), the Tuileries. The word means the “sand-pit.” The tuileries means the “tile-works.” Nicolas de Neuville, in the fifteenth century, built a mansion in the vicinity, which he called the “Hotel des Tuileries,” and Francois I. bought the property for his mother in 1518.