Chapter Sonnambula to Sotenville of S by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Sonnambula to Sotenville

Sonnambula (La), Amina the miller’s daughter. She was betrothed to Elvino a rich; young farmer, but the night before the wedding was discovered in the bed of conte Rodolpho. This very ugly circumstance made the farmer break off the match, and promise marriage to Lisa the innkeeper’s daughter. The count now interfered, and assured Elvino that the miller’s daughter was a sleepwalker, and while they were still talking she was seen walking on the edge of the mill-roof while the huge mill-wheel was turning rapidly. She then crossed a crazy old bridge, and came into the midst of the assembly, when she woke and ran to the arms of her lover. Elvino, convinced of her innocence, married her, and Lisa was resigned to Alessio whose paramour she was.—Bellini’s opera, La Sonnambula (1831).

(Taken from a melodrama by Romani, and adapted as a libretto by Scribe.)

Sonnets of Shakespeare (?), published in 1609. Described in the title-page as “Shakspear’s Sonnets never before published.” Still the authorship is doubtful.

Sooterkin, a false birth, as when a woman gives birth to a rat, dog, or other monstrosity. This birth is said to be produced by Dutch women, from their sitting over their foot-stoves.

Soper’s Lane (London), now called “Queen Street.”

Sophi, in Arabic, means “pure,” and therefore one of the pure or true faith. As a royal title, it is tantamount to “catholic” or “most Christian.”—Selden: Titles of Honour, vi. 76–7 (1614).

SOPHIA, mother of Rollo and Otto dukes of Normandy. Rollo is the “bloody brother.” — Fletcher: The Bloody Brother (1639).

Sophia, wife of Mathias a Bohemian knight. When Mathias went to take service with king Ladislaus of Bohemia, the queen Honoria fell in love with him, and sent Ubaldo and Ricardo to tempt Sophia to infidelity. But immediately Sophia perceived their purpose, she had them confined in separate chambers, and compelled them to earn their living by spinning.

Sophia’s Picture. When Mathias left, Sophia gave him a magic picture, which turned yellow if she were tempted, and black if she yielded to the temptation. —Massinger: The Picture (1629).

Sophia (St.) or Agia [Aya] Sofia, the most celebrated mosque of Constantinople, once a Christian church, but now a Mohammedan jamih. It is 260 feet long and 230 feet broad. Its dome is supported on pillars of marble, granite, and green jasper, said to have belonged to the temple of Diana at Ephesus.

Sophia’s cupola with golden gleam.
   —Byron: Don Juan, v. 3 (1820).

Sophia (The princess), only child of the old king of Lombardy, in love with Paladore, a Briton, who saved h er life by killing a boar which had gored her horse to death. She was unjustly accused of wantonness by duke Bireno, whom the king wished her to marry, but whom she rejected. By the law of Lombardy, this offence was punishable by death, but the accuser was bound to support his charge by single combat, if any champion chose to fight in her defence. Paladore challenged the duke, and slew him. The whole villainy of the charge was then exposed, the character of the princess was cleared, and her marriage with Paladore concludes the play.—Jephson: The Law of Lombardy (1779).

Sophia [Freelove], daughter of the Widow Warren by her first husband. She is a lovely, innocent girl, passionately attached to Harry Dornton the banker’s son, to whom ultimately she is married. —Holcroft: The Road to Ruin (1792).

Sophia [Primrose], the younger daughter of the vicar of Wakefield, soft, modest, and alluring. Being thrown from her horse into a deep stream, she was rescued by Mr. Burchell, alias sir William Thornhill. Being abducted, she was again rescued by him, and finally married him.—Goldsmith: Vicar of Wakefield (1766).