Chapter Zemia to Zobeide of Z by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Zemia to Zobeide

Zemia, one of the four who, next in authority to Uriel, preside over our earth.—Klopstock: The Messiah, iii. (1748).

Zemzem, a fountain at Mecca. The Mohammedans say it is the very spring which God made to slake the thirst of Ishmael, when Hagar was driven into the wilderness by Abraham. A bottle of this water is considered a very valuable present, even by princes.

There were also a great many bottles of water from he fountain of Zemzem, at Mecca.—Arabian Nights “The Purveyor’s Story”).

Zemzem, a well where common believers abide who are not equal to prophets or martyrs. The prophets go direct to paradise, and the latter await the resurrection in the form of green birds.—Sale: Al Korân.

Zenelophon, the beggar-girl who married king Cophetua of Africa. She is more generally called Penelophon.—Shakespeare: Love’s Labour’s Lost, act iv. sc. 1 (1594).

Zenjebil, a stream in paradise, flowing from the fountain Salsabil (q.v.). The word means “ginger.”

Their attendants [in paradise] shall go round with vessels of silver, … and there shall be given to them to drink cups of wine mixed with the water of Zenjebil.—Sale. Al Korán, lxxvi.

Zenobia, queen of Palmyra, who claimed the title of “Queen of the East.” She was defeated by Aurelian and taken prisoner in A.D. 273.

Zenocia, daughter of Charino, and the chaste troth-plight wife of Arnoldo. While Arnoldo is wantonly loved by the rich Hippolyta, Zenocia is dishonourably pursued by the governor count Clodio.—Fletcher: The Custom of the Country (1647).

Zephalinda, a young lady who has tasted the delights of a London season, taken back to her home in the country, to find enjoyment in needlework, dull aunts, and rooks.

She went from opera, park, assembly, play,
To morning walks, and prayers three hours a day;
To part her time ’twixt reading and Bohea,
To muse, and spill her solitary tea,
O’er her cold coffee trifle with her spoon,
Count the slow clock, and dine exact at noon.
   —Pope: Epistle to Miss Blount (1715).

Zephon, a cherub who detected Satan squatting in the garden, and brought him before Gabriel the archangel. The word means “searcher of secrets.” Milton makes him “the guardian angel of paradise.’

Ithuriel and Zephon, with winged speed
Search thro’ this garden, leave unsearched no nook;
But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge,
Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm.
   —Milton: Paradise Lost, iv. 788 (1665).

Zephyr. (See Morgane, p. 726.)

Zerbinette , the daughter of Argante , stolen from her parents by gipsies when four years old, and brought up by them. (For the tale, see Léandre, p. 602.)—Molière: Les Fourberies de Scapin (1671).

Zerbino, son of the king of Scotland, and intimate friend of Orlando.—Ariosto: Orlando Furioso (1516).

Zerlina, a rustic beauty, who was about to be married to Masetto, when don Giovanni allured her away under the promise of making her a fine lady.—Mozart: Don Giovanni (opera, 1787).

Zerlina, in Auber’s opera of Fra Diavolo (1830).

Zesbet, daughter of the sage Oucha of Jerusalem. She had four hus