Chapter Arnold to Aryans of A by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Arnold to Aryans

Arnold of Melchthal, patriarch of the forest cantons of Switzerland. He was in love with Matilda, a sister of Gessler, the Austrian governor of the district. When the tyranny of Gessler drove the people into rebellion, Arnold gave up Matilda and joined the insurgents; but when Gessler was shot by William Tell, he became united to her in marriage. (Rossini's opera of Guglielmo Tell.)

Arnoldists The partisans of Arnold of Brescia, who raised his voice against the abuses and vices of the papacy in the twelfth century. He was burnt alive by Pope Adrian IV.

Arod in the satire of Absalom and Achitopel, by Dryden and Tate, is designed for Sir William Waller.

But in the sacred annals of our plot
Industrious Arod never be forgot,
The labours of this midnight magistrate
May vie with Corah [Titus Oates] to preserve the state."
Part ii.

Aroint thee Get ye gone, be off. In Cheshire they say, rynt ye, witch; and milk-maids say to their cows when they have done milking them, rynt ye. (or 'roint) my beauties; but it is doubtful whether this is connected with the word in question.

Aronteus (4 syl.) in Jerusalem Delivered. An Asiatic king, who joined the Egyptian armament against the Crusaders, "not by virtue fired, but vain of his titles and ambitious of fame."

Aroundight The sword of Sir Launcelot of the Lake. (See Sword.)

"It is the sword of a good knight,
Though homespun was his mail,
What matter if it be not hight,
Joyeuse, Colada, Durindale,
Excalibar, or Aroundight?"
Longfellow.

Arras tapestry. So called from Arras, in Artois, famed for its manufacture. When rooms were hung with tapestry it was a common thing for persons to hide behind it, especially the arras curtain before the door. Hubert concealed the two villains who were to put out Arthur's eyes behind the arras. Polonius was slain by Hamlet while concealed behind the arras. Falstaff proposed to hide behind the arras at Windsor, etc.

Arria a Roman lady, the wife of Cæcina Pætus. Pætus being accused of conspiring against the Emperor Claudius was condemned to death and sent by sea to Rome. Arria accompanied him, and stabbed herself in the boat, then presenting the dagger to her husband, she said: "Pætus, it gives no pain" (non dolet). (Pliny, vii.) Her daughter Arria, wife of Thraseas, when her husband was condemned to death by Nero, opened her veins; but Thraseas entreated her to live, for the sake of her children.

Arrière Pensée (plural arrières pensées), a hidden or reserved motive, not apparent on the surface.

Arrot the weasel, in the tale of Reynard the Fox.

Arrow The broad arrow, thus =17=. A mark used by the British Board of Ordnance, and placed on their stores. (See Broad Arrow.)

Arrowroot is araruta, the Indian word ara is the name of the plant. There is no evidence of its being used to absorb the poison of poisoned arrows in fleshy wounds.

Arsetes (in Jerusalem Delivered). The aged eunuch who brought up Clorinda, and attended her steps.

Artaxerxes called by the Persians Kai-Ardeshir, and surnamed diraz-dest (long-handed), because his right hand was longer than his left. The Romans translated diraz-dest into longi-manus; the Greek Arta into Arde ("noble").

Artegal (Sir) (in Spenser's Faërie Queene), is the hero of the fifth book, and impersonates Justice, the foster child of Astræa. In the previous books he occasionally appears, and is called Sir Arthegal. It is said that Arthur, Lord Grey of Wilton, was the prototype of this character. He was sent to Ireland as