Chapter Rock to Rogero, of R by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Roderigo A Venetian gentleman in Shakespeare's Othello. He was in love with Desdemona, and when the lady eloped with Othello, hated the “noble Moor.” Iago took advantage of this temper for his own ends, told his dupe the Moor will change, therefore “put money in thy purse.” The burden of his advice was always the same- “Put money in thy purse.”
   This word is sometimes pronounced Rod'r-igo: e.g. “It is as sure as you are Roderigo;” and sometimes Rode-rigo: e.g. “On, good Roderigo; I'll deserve your pains.” (Act i. scene 1.)

Rodhaver The lady-love of Zal, a Persian hero. Zal wanted to scale her bower, and Rodhaver let down her long tresses to assist him; but the lover managed to climb to his mistress by fixing his crook into a projecting beam. (Champion: Ferdosi.)

Rodilardus A huge cat which scared Panurge, and which he declared to be a puny devil. The word means “gnaw-bacon” (Latin, rodo-lardum). (Rabelais: Gargantua and Pantagruel, iv. 67.)

Rodolpho (Count). The count, returning from his travels, puts up for the night at an inn near his castle. While in bed, a lady enters his chamber, and speaks to him of her devoted love. It is Amina, the somnambulist, who has wandered thither in her sleep. Rodolpho perceives the state of the case, and quits the apartment. The villagers, next morning, come to congratulate their lord on his return, and find his bed occupied by a lady. The tongue of scandal is loud against her, but the count explains to them the mystery, and his tale is confirmed by their own eyes, which see Amina at the moment getting out of the window of a mill, and walking in her sleep along the edge of a roof under which the wheel of the mill is rolling with velocity. She crosses the crazy bridge securely, and everyone is convinced of her innocence. (Bellini: La Sonnambula.) (See Amina, Elvino.)

Rodomont (in Orlando Inamorato and Orlando Furioso). King of Sarza or Algiers, Ulien's son, and called the “Mars of Africa.” He was commander both of horse and foot in the Saracen army sent against Charlemagne and may be termed the Achilles of the host. His lady-love was Doralis, Princess of Granada, who ran off with Mandricardo, King of Tartary. At Rogero's wedding-feast Rodomont rode up to the king of France in full armour, and accused Rogero, who had turned Christian, of being a traitor to King Agramant, his master and a renegrade; whereupon Rogero met him in single combat, and slew him. (See Rogero .)

“Who more brave than Rodomont?”- Cervantes: Don Quixote.

Rodomontade (4 syl.). From Rodomont, a brave but braggart knight in Bojardo's Orlando Inamorato. He is introduced into the continuation of the story by Ariosto (Orlando Furioso), but the braggart part of his character is greatly toned down. Neither Rodomont nor Hector deserves the opprobium which has been attached to their names. (See Rodomont .)

Rodrigo [Rod-reé-go] or Roderick, King of Spain, conquered by the Arabs. He saved his life by flight, and wandered to Guadalet'e, where he saw a shepherd, and asked food. In return he gave the shepherd his royal chain and ring. He passed the night in the cell of a hermit, who told him that by way of penance he must pass certain days in a tomb full of snakes, toads, and lizards. After three days the hermit went to see him, and he was unhurt, “because the Lord kept His anger against him.” The hermit went home, passed the night in prayer, and went again to the tomb, when Rodrigo said, “They eat me now, they eat me now, I feel the adder's bite.” So his sin was atoned for, and he died.

Rogation Days The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Ascension Day. Rogation is the Latin equivalent of the Greek word “Litany,” and on the three Rogation days “the Litany of the Saints” is appointed to be sung by the clergy and people in public procession. (“Litany,” Greek litaneia, supplication. “Rogation,” Latin rogatio, same meaning.)

Rogation Week used to be called Gang Week, from the custom of ganging round the country parishes to mark their bounds. Similarly, the weed Milkwort is still called Rogation or Gang-flower, from the custom of decorating the pole (carried on such occasions by the charity children) with these flowers.