Chapter Fiddler to Fights and Runs Away of F by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Fiesco, the chief character of Schiller’s tragedy so called. The poet makes Fiesco killed by the hand of Verrina the republican; but history says his death was the result of a stumble from a plank (1783).

Fig Sunday, Palm Sunday. So called from the custom of eating figs on this day, as snapdragons on Christmas Eve, plum-pudding on Christmas Day, oranges and barley sugar on St. Valentine’s Eve, pancakes on Shrove Tuesday, salt cod-fish on Ash Wednesday, frumenty on Mothering Sunday (Mid-lent), crossbuns on Good Friday, gooseberry-tart on Whit Sunday, goose on Michaelmas Day, nuts on All-Hallows, and so on.

Figs of Holvan. Holvan is a stream of Persia, and the Persians say its figs are not to be equalled in the whole world.

Luscious as the figs of Holvan.
   —Saadi: Gulistan (thirteenth century).

Figaro, a barber of extraordinary cunning, dexterity, and intrigue.—Beaumarchais: Barbier de Séville (1775).

Figaro, a valet, who outwits every one by his dexterity and cunning.—Beaumarchais: Mariage de Figaro (1784).

Several operas have been founded on these two comedies: e.g. Mozart’s Nozze di Figaro (1786); Paisiello’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia (1810); Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia (1816).

Figaro, the sweetheart of Susan (favourite waiting-woman of the countess Almaviva). Figaro is never so happy as when he has two or three plots in hand.—Holcroft: The Follies of a Day (1745–1809).

Fights and Runs Away (He that).

He that fights and runs away
May live to fight another day
But he that is in battle slain
Can never rise to fight again.
   —Sir John Mennis: Musarum Delicia (1656).

Demosthenês, being reproached for running away from the battle of Chæronea, replied, anhr o fengwn kai palin machsetai (“A man who runs away may fight again”).

Those that fly may fight again,
Which he can never do that’s slain.
   —S. Butler: Hudibras, iii. 3 (1678).