_Fairy Queen, Book i. Canto 9._
3. The same artifice is used in "OEdipus," vol. vi. p. 149. to
impress, by a description of the feelings of the unfortunate pair
towards each other, a presentiment of their fatal relationship. The
prophecy of Nostradamus is also obviously imitated from the
response of the Delphic Pythoness to OEdipus.--_Ibid. See_ p. 156.
4. For, interpreter; more usually spelled dragoman.
5. A horrid Moorish punishment. The criminal was precipitated from a
high tower upon iron scythes and hooks, which projected from its
side. This scene Settle introduces in one of his tragedies.
6. These presages of misfortune may remind the reader of the ominous
feelings of the Duke of Guise, in the scene preceding his murder.
The superstitious belief, that dejection of spirits, without cause,
announces an impending violent death, is simply but well expressed
in an old ballad called the "Warning to all Murderers:"
And after this most bad pretence,
The gentleman each day
Still felt his heart to throb and faint,
And sad he was alway.
His sleep was full of dreadful dreams,
In bed where he did lie;
His heart was heavy in the day,
Yet knew no reason why.
And oft as he did sit at meat,
His nose most suddenly
Would spring and gush out crimson blood,
And straight it would be dry.
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