XXIII. Sir Roger and the Gipsies
Motto. "They find their constant delight in gathering new spoils, and living upon plunder."—Virgil, Æneid, vii. 748.
[166]: 2. Set the heads of our servant-maids so agog, i.e. by telling their fortunes.
166: 6. Crosses their hands with a piece of silver. It was customary to make the sign of the cross upon the hand of the gipsy with the coin given him—probably with a view to avert any evil influence from such doubtful characters.
166: 23. A Cassandra of the crew. Cassandra, daughter of Priam, king of Troy, had been given by Apollo the gift of prophecy; but the god, afterward offended by her, rendered the gift futile by decreeing that she should never be believed.