And yet besides all this, I’ve goodly bear-whelps tway,
Full dainty for my joy when she’s disposed to play
And twenty sows of lead to make our wedding-ring;”
but the saucy nymph only mocked the giant, and told his love story to the Muses, and all made him their jest and sport and laughter.—Drayton, Polyolbion, xxi. (1622).
Gold of Tolo´sa (The), ill gains, which never prosper. The reference is to Cæpio, the Roman consul, who, on his march to Gallia Narbonensis, stole from Tolosa (Toulouse) the gold and silver consecrated by the Cimbrian Druids to their gods. He was utterly defeated by the Cimbrians, and some 112,000 Romans were left dead on the field of battle (B.C. 106).
Gold Poured down the Throat. Marcus Licin´ius Crassus, surnamed “The Rich,” one of the first Roman triumvirate, tried to make himself master of Parthia, but being defeated and brought captive to Oro´dês, king of Parthia, he was put to death by having molten gold poured down his throat. “Sate thy greed with this,” said Orodês.
Manlius Nepos Aquilius tried to restore the kings of Bithynia and Cappado´cia, dethroned by Mithridātês, but being unsuccessful and made prisoner, he was put to death by Mithridātês by molten gold poured down his throat.
In hell, the avaricious are punished in the same way, according to the Shephearde’s Calendar.
And ladles full of melted gold
Were poured adown their throats.