Chapter Rondo to Rosalia of R by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Roque (1 syl.). A blunt, feeling old man in the service of Donna Floranthe. (George Colman: The Mountaineers.)
   Saint Roque. Patron saint of those who suffer from plague or pestilence; this is because “he worked miracles on the plague-stricken, while he was himself smitten with the same judgment.”

Roque Guinart A famous robber, whose true name was Pédro Rocha Guinarda, leader of los Nicerros, which, with the los Cadelles, levied heavy contributions on all the mountain districts of Catalonia in the seventeenth century. He was a Spanish Rob Roy, and was executed in 1616. (Pellicer.)

Roquelaure A cloak; so called from the Duke de Roquelaure. (George II.)

“ `Your honour's roquelaure,' replied the corporal, `has not once been had on since the night before your honour received your wound:' ”- Sterne: Tristram Shandy; Story of Le Fevre.

Rory O'More Slang for a door, (Explained under the word CHIVY.)

Ros-crana Daughter of Cormac, King of Moi-lena, wife of Fingal. (Ossian: Tamora, iv.)

Rosa (Salvator). An Italian painter, noted for his scenes of savage nature, gloomy grandeur, and awe- creating magnificence. (1615-1673.)

“Whate'er Lorrain light touched with softened hue,
Or savage Rosa dashed, or learnëd Poussi drew.”
Thomson: Castle of Indolence, canto i.

Rosabelle The favourite palfrey of Mary Queen of Scots. (See Horse .)

“I could almost swear I am at this moment mounted on my own favourite Rosabelle, who was never matched in Scotland for swiftness, for ease of motion, and for sureness of foot.”- Sir W. Scott: The Abbot, chap. xxxvi.

Rosalia or St. Rosalie. A native of Palermo, who was carried by angels to an inaccessible mountain, where she lived for many years in the cleft of a rock, a part of which she wore away with her knees in her devotions. If anyone doubts it, let him know that a rock with a hole in it may still be seen, and folks less sceptical have built a chapel there, with a marble statue, to commemorate the event.

“That grot where olives nod,
Where, darling of each heart and eye,
From all the youths of Sicily,
St. Rosalie retired to God.”
Sir Walter Scott: Marmion i. 23

   St. Rosalia, in Christian art, is depicted in a cave with a cross and skull; or else in the act of receiving a rosary or chaplet of roses from the Virgin.