Chapter Hermesind to Hero of H by Brewer's Readers Handbook

‘What doest Thou?’ but say in thy heart, ‘Must not the Lord of all the earth do right?’ ”—The Talmud (“Trust in God”). (See Gesta Romanorum, Ixxx.)

(See also Tale 80 of the Gesta Romanorum; Voltaire’s Zadig is a similar allegory.)

Hermite (Tristan l’) or “Tristan of the Hospital,” provost-marshal of France. He was the main instrument in carrying out the nefarious schemes of Louis XI., who used to call him his “gossip.” Tristan was a stout, middle-sized man, with a hang-dog visage and most repulsive smile.—Sir W. Scott: Quentin Durward and Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).

Hero, daughter of Leonaato governor of Messina. She was of a quiet, serious disposition, and formed a good contrast to the gay, witty rattle-pate, called Beatrice, her cousin. Hero was about to be married to lord Claudio, when don John played on her a most infamous practical joke out of malice. He bribed Hero’s waiting-woman to dress in Hero’s clothes, and to talk with him by moonlight from the chamber balcony; he then induced Claudio to hide himself in the garden, to overhear what was said. Claudio, thinking the person to be Hero, was furious, and next day at the altar rejected the bride with scorn. The priest, convinced of Hero’s innocence, gave out that she was dead, the servant confessed the trick, don John took to flight, and Hero married Claudio her betrothed.—Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing (1600).

Hero [Sutton], niece of sir William Sutton, and beloved by sir Valentine de Grey. Hero “was fair as no eye ever fairer saw, of noble stature, head of antique mould, magnificent as far as may consist with softness, features full of thought and moods, wishes and fancies, and limbs the paragon of symmetry.” Having offended her lover by waltzing with lord Athunree, she assumed the garb of a quakeress, called herself “Ruth,” and got introduced to sir Valentine, who proposed marriage to her, and then discovered that Hero was Ruth, and Ruth was Hero.—Knowles: Woman’s Wit, etc. (1838).