Chapter Roman Birds to Roncesvalles of R by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Rome Founders of Rome. (1) Romulus, the legendary founder, B.C. 752; (2) Camillus was termed the Second Romulus, for saving Rome from the Gauls, B.C. 365; (3) Caius Marius was called the Third Romulus, for saving Rome from the Teutones and Cimbri, B.C. 101.
   From Rome to May. A bantering expression, equivalent to the following:- “From April to the foot of Westminster Bridge;” “Inter pascha Rennesque feror” (Reinardus, ii. 690); “Inter Cluniacum et Sancti festa Johannis obit” (Reinardus, iv. 972); “Celasest passé entre Maubeuge et la Pentecóte.”
   'Tis ill sitting at Rome and striving with the Pope. Never tread on a man's corns. “Never wear a brown hat in Friesland” (q.v.).

“Mr. Harrison the steward, and Gudyell the butler, are no very fond o' us, and it's ill sitting at Rome and striving with the pope, sae I thought it best to flit before ill came.”- Sir W. Scott: Old Mortality, chap. viii.

   Oh, that all Rome had but one head, that I might strike it off at a blow! Caligula, the Roman emperor, is said to have uttered this amiable sentiment.
   When you go to Rome, do as Rome does- i.e. conform to the manners and customs of those amongst whom you live, and don't wear a brown hat in Friesland. St. Monica and her son St. Augustine, said to St. Ambrose: At Rome they fast on Saturday, but not so at Milan; which practice ought to be observed? To which St. Ambrose replied, “When I am at Milan, I do as they do at Milan; but when I go to Rome, I do as Rome does.” (Epistle xxxvi.) Compare 2 Kings v. 18, 19.

Rome of the West Aachen, or Aix la Chapelle, the favourite city of Charlemagne, where, when he died, he was seated, embalmed, on a throne, with the Bible on his lap, his sword (La Joyeuse) by his side, the imperial crown on his head, and his sceptre and shield at his feet. So well had the Egyptians embalmed him, that he seemed only to be asleep.

Rome was not Built in a Day Achievements of great pith and moment are not accomplished without patient perseverance and a considerable interval of time. The French say, “Grand bien ne vient pas en peu d'heures,” but the English proverb is to be found in the French also: “Rome n'a pas été faite en un jour.” (1615.)
   Rome was not built in a day, like Anchiale, of Cilicia, where Sardanapalus was buried. It is said that Anchiale was actually built in a day.

Rome's best Wealth is Patriotism So said Mettius Curtius, when he jumped into the chasm which the soothsayers gave out would never close till Rome threw therein “its best wealth.”

Romeo (A). A devoted lover; a lady's man; from Romeo in Shakespeare's tragedy. (See Romeo and Juliet.)

“James in an evil hour went forth to woo
Young Juliet Hart, and was her Romeo.”
Crabbe: Borough.

Romeo and Juliet (Shakespeare). The story is taken from a poetical version by Arthur Brooke of Boisteau's novel, called Rhomeo and Julietta. Boisteau borrowed the main incidents from a story by Luigi da Porto, of Vicenza (1535), entitled La Giulietta. In many respects it resembles the Ephesiaca (in ten books) of Ephesius Xenophon, whose novel recounts the loves of Habrocomas and Anthia.

Romulus We need no Romulus to account for Rome. We require no hypothetical person to account for a plain fact.
    Romulus and Remus were suckled by a wolf; Atalanta by a she-bear.

Ron or Rone. The name of Prince Arthur's spear, made of ebony.

“His spere he nom [took] an honde tha Ron was thaten [called].
Layamon: Brut (twelfth century).

Ronald Lord Ronald gave Lady Clare a lily-white doe as a love-token, and the cousins were to be married on the following day. Lady Clare opened her heart to Alice the nurse, and was then informed that she was not Lady Clare at all, but the nurse's child, and that Lord Ronald was rightful heir to the estate. “Lady” Clare dressed herself as a peasant, and went to reveal the mystery to her lord. Ronald replied, “If you are not the heiress born, we will be married to-morrow, and you shall still be Lady Clare.” (Tennyson.)

Roncesvalles (4 syl.). A defile in the Pyrenees, famous for the diaster which here befell the rear of Charlemagne's army, on the return march from Saragossa. Ganelon betrayed Roland, out of jealousy,