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.
—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).
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”).
Which he can never do that’s slain.
—S. Butler: Hudibras, iii. 3 (1678).