Chapter Paris Garden to Parson Adams of P by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Paris Garden to Parson Adams

Paris Garden, a bear-garden on the south bank of the Thames; so called from Robert de Paris, whose house and garden were there in the time of Richard II.

Do you take the court for Paris Garden?—Shakespeare: Henry VIII. act v. sc. 4 (1601).

Parisina, wife of Azo chief of Ferrara. She had been betrothed before her marriage to Hugo, a natural son of Azo, and after Azo took her for his bride, the attachment of Parisina and Hugo continued, and had freer scope for indulgence. One night, Azo heard Parisina in sleep confess her love for Hugo, where- upon he had his son beheaded, and, though he spared the life of Parisina, no one ever knew what became of her.—Byron: Parisina (1816).

Such is Byron’s version; but history says Niccolo III. of Ferrara (Byron’s “Azo ”) had for his second wife Parisina Malatesta, who showed great aversion to Ugo, a natural son of Niccolo, whom he greatly loved. One day, with the hope of lessening this strong aversion, he sent Ugo to escort her on a journey, and the two fell in love with each other. After their return, the affection of Parisina and Ugo continued unabated, and a servant named Zoesehaving told the marquis of their criminal intimacy, he had the two guilty ones brought to open trial. They were both condemned to death, Ugo was beheaded first, then Parisina. Some time after, Niccolo married a third wife, and had several children.—Frizzi: History of Ferrara.

Parish Register (The), a poem by Crabbe, in heroic metre, including the story of Phœbe Dawson (1807).

Parisian Wedding (The). The reference is to the massacre of St. Bartholomew, which took place during the wedding festivities of Henri of Navarre and Marguerite of France.

Charles IX., although it was not possible for him to recall to life the countless victims of the Paris Wedding, was ready to explain those murders to every unprejudiced mind.—Motley: Dutch Republic, iii. 9.

Parismenos, the hero of the second part of Parismus (q.v.). This part contains the adventurous travels of Parismenos, his deeds of chivalry, and love for the princess Angelica, “the Lady of the Golden Tower.”—Foord: Parismenos (1598).

Parismus, a valiant and renowned prince of Bohemia, the hero of a romance so called. This “history” contains an account of his battles against the Persians, his love for Laurana daughter of the king of Thessaly, and his strange adventures in the Desolate Island. The second part contains the exploits and love affairs of Parismenos.—Foord: Parismus (1598).

Parizade , daughter of Khrosrou-schah sultan of Persia, and sister of Bahman and Perviz. These three, in infancy, were sent adrift, each at the time of birth, through the jealousy of their two maternal aunts, who went to nurse the sultana in her confinement; but they were drawn out of the canal by the superintendent of the sultan’s gardens, who brought them up. Parizadê rivalled her brothers in horsemanship, archery, running, and literature. One day, a devotee who had been kindly entreated by Parizadê, told her the house she lived in wanted three things to make it perfect: (1) the talking bird, (2) the singing tree, and (3) the gold-coloured water. Her two brothers went to obtain these treasures, but failed. Parizadê then went, and succeeded. The sultan paid them a visit, and the talking bird revealed to him the story of their birth and bringing up. When the sultan heard the infamous tale, he commanded the two sisters to be put to death; and Parizadê, with her two brothers, were then proclaimed the lawful children of the sultan.—Arabian Nights (“The Two Sisters,” the last story).

The story of Chery and Fairstar by the comtesse D’Aulnoy, is an imitation of this tale; and introduces the “green bird,” the “singing apple,” and the “dancing water.”

Parley (Peter), Samuel Griswold Goodrich, an American. Above seven millions of his books were in circulation in 1859 (1793–1860).