Chapter Baubee to Bead of B by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Bay
   Supposed to be an antidote against lightning, because it was the tree of Apollo. Hence Tiberius and some other of the Roman emperors wore a wreath of bay as an amulet, especially in thunder-storms. (Pliny.)

“Reach the bays-
I'll tie a garland here about his head;
`Twill keep my boy from lightning.”
The White Devil.

   The withering of a bay-tree was supposed to be the omen of a death.

“ `Tis thought the king is dead. We'll not stay-
The bay-trees in our country are withered.”
Shakespeare: Richard II., ii. 4.

   Crowned with bays, in sign of victory. The general who obtained a victory among the Romans was crowned with a wreath of bay leaves.
   Bay. The reason why Apollo and all those under his protection are crowned with bay is a pretty fable. Daphne, daughter of the river-god Peneos, in Thessaly, was very beautiful and resolved to pass her life in perpetual virginity. Apollo fell in love with her, but she rejected his suit. On one occasion the god was so importunate that Daphne fled from him and sought the protection of her father, who changed her into the bay-tree. The gallant god declared henceforth he would wear bay leaves on his brow and lyre instead of the oak, and that all who sought his favour should follow his example.
   The Queen's Bays. The 2nd Dragoon Guards; so called because they are mounted on bay horses. Now called The Queen's.
   Bay. The colour of a horse is Varro's equus badius, given by Ainsworth as, “brown, bay, sorrel, chestnut colour.” Coles gives the same. Our bayard; bright bay, light bay, blood bay, etc.

Bay the Moon (To). To bark at the moon. (French, aboyer, to bark at.) (See Bark. )

Bay Salt is salt of a bay colour. It is the salt of sea-water hardened by the heat of the sun.

Bayadere (bah-ya-dare). A dancing girl dressed in Eastern costume; so called from the bajaderes of India, whose duty is to dance before the images of the gods; but the grandees employ similar dancers for their private amusements. The word is a corruption of the Portuguese bailadeira.

Bayard (Chevalier), Pierre du Terrail, a celebrated French knight (1476-1524). Le chevalier sans peur et sans reproche.
   The British Bayard. Sir Philip Sidney. (1554-1584.)
   The Polish Bayard. Prince Joseph Poniatowski. (1763-1814.)

Bayard of the East (The) or Of the Indian Army. Sir James Outram (1803-1863).

Bayard A horse of incredible swiftness, belonging to the four sons of Aymon. If only one of the sons mounted, the horse was of the ordinary size; but if all four mounted, his body became elongated to the requisite length. The name is used for any valuable or wonderful horse, and means a “high-bay” (bay- ard). (Villeneuve: Les Quatre-Filz Aymon.) (See Horse. )
   Keep Bayard in the stable, i.e. keep what is of value under lock and key. (See above.
   Bold as Blind Bayard. Foolhardy. If a blind horse leaps, the chance is he will fall into a ditch. Grose mentions the following expression, To ride bayard of ten toes- “Going by the marrow-bone stage”- i.e. walking.

Bayardo The famous steed of Rinaldo, which once belonged to Amadis of Gaul. (See Horse. )
   Bayardo's Leap. Three stones, about thirty yards apart, near Sleaford. It is said that Rinaldo was riding on his favourite steed Bayardo, when the demon of the place sprang behind him; but the animal in terror took three tremendous leaps and unhorsed the fiend.

Bayes in the Rehearsal, by the Duke of Buckingham, was designed to satirise John Dryden, the poet laureate.

Bayes's Troops Dead men may rise again, like Bayes's troops, or the savages in the Fantocini (Something New). In the Rehearsal, by George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, a battle is fought between foot- soldiers and great hobby-horses. At last Drawcansir kills all on both sides. Smith then asks how they are to go off, to which Bayes replies, “As they came on- upon their legs”; upon which they all jump up alive again.