Chapter Andromache to Angelique of A by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Angels’ Visits. Norris of Bemerton (1657–1711) wrote—those joys which

Soonest take their flight
Are the most exquisite and strong,
Like angels’ visits, short and bright.

Robert Blair, in 1743, wrote in his poem called The Grave, “in visits,”

Like those of angels, short and far between.

Campbell, in 1799, appropriated the simile, but without improving it. He wrote—

Like angels’ visits, few and far between.

Of these the only sensible line is that by Blair. “Short and brief” is the same thing. “Few and far between” is not equal to “short and far between,” though more frequently quoted.

ANGELICA, in Bojardo’s Orlando Innamorato (1495), is daughter of Galaphron king of Cathay. She goes to Paris, and Orlando falls in love with her, forgetful of wife, sovereign, country, and glory. Angelica, on the other hand, disregards Orlando, but passionately loves Rinaldo, who positively dislikes her. Angelica and Rinaldo drink of certain fountains, when the opposite effects are produced in their hearts, for then Rinaldo loves Angelica, while Angelica loses all love for Rinaldo.

Angelica, in Ariosto’s Orlando Furioso (1516), is the same lady. She wa s sent to sow discord among the Christians. Charlemagne sent her to the duke to Bavaria, but she fled from the castle, and, being seized, was bound naked to a rock, exposed to sea-monsters. Rogero delivered her, but again she escaped by the aid of a magic ring. Ultimately she married Medoro, a young Moor, and returned to Cathay, where Medoro succeeded to the crown. As for Orlando, he is driven mad by jealousy and pride.

The fairest of her sex, Angelica,
… sought by many prowest knights,
Both painim and the peers of Charlemagne.
   —Milton: Paradise Regained, iii. (1671).

Angelica (The princess), called “The Lady of the Golden Tower.” The loves of Parisme’nos and Angelica form an important feature of the second part of Parismus Prince of Bohemia, by Emanuel Foorde (1598).

Angelica, an heiress, with whom Valentine Legend is in love. For a time he is unwilling to declare himself because of his debts; but Angelica gets possession of a bond for £4000, and tears it. The money difficulty being adjusted, the marriage is arranged amicably.—Congreve: Love for Love (1695).

[Mrs. Anne Bracegirdle] equally delighted in melting tenderness and playful coquetry, in “Statira” or “Millamant;” and even at an advanced age, when she played “Angelica.”—C. Dibdin.

Angelica, the troth-plight wife of Valere, “the gamester.” She gives him a picture, and enjoins him not to part with it on pain of forfeiting her hand. However, he loses it in play, and Angelica in disguise is the winner of it. After much tribulation, Valere is cured of his vice, and the two are happily united by marriage.—Mrs. Centlivre: The Gamester (1705).

Angelic Doctor (The), Thomas Aquinas, called the “Angel of the Schools” (1224–1274).

It is said that Thomas Aquinas was called the Angel of the Schools from his controversy “Utrum Angelus posset moveri in extremo ad extremum non transeundo per medium.” Aquinas took the negative.

Angelina, daughter of lord Lewis, in the comedy called The Elder Brother, by John Fletcher (1637).

Angelina, daughter of don Charino. Her father wanted her to marry Clodio, a coxcomb, but she preferred his elder brother Carlos, a bookworm, with whom she eloped. They were taken captives and carried to Lisbon. Here in due time they met the fathers, who, going in search of them, came to the same spot; and