Fernando (Don), youngest son of the Duke Ricardo. Gay, handsome, generous, and polite; but faithless to his friend Cardenio, for, contrary to the lady’s inclination, and in violation of every principle of honor, he prevailed on Lucinda’s father to break off the betrothal between his daughter and Cardenio, and to bestow the lady on himself. On the wedding day Lucinda was in a swoon, and a letter informed the bridegroom that she was married already to Cardenio; she then left the house privately, and retired to a convent. Don Fernando, having entered the convent, carries her off, but stopping at an inn, found there Dorothea his wife, with Cardenio the husband of Lucinda, and the two parties paired off with their respective spouses.—Cervantes, Don Quixote, I. iv. (1605).
Fernan´do, a Venetian captain, servant to Annophel (daughter of the governor of Candy).—Beaumont and Fletcher, The Laws of Candy (1647).
Fernan´do [Florestan], a State prisoner of Seville, married to Leonora, who (in boy’s attire and under the name of Fidēlio) became the servant of Rocco the jailer. Pizarro, governor of the jail, conceived a hatred to the State prisoner, and resolved to murder him, so Rocco and Leonora were sent to dig his grave. The arrival of the minister of State put an end to the infamous design, and Fernando was set at liberty.—Beethoven, Fidelio (1791).
Ferney (The Patriarch of), Voltaire; so called because he lived in retirement at Ferney, near Geneva (1694-1778).
Ferquhard Day, the absentee from the Clan Chattan at the combat.—Sir W. Scott, Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).
Fer´racute, a giant who had the strength of forty men, and was thirty-six feet high. He was slain by Orlando, who wounded him in the navel, his only vulnerable part.—Turpin, Chronicle of Charlemagne.
⁂ Ferracute is the prototype of Pulci’s “Morgante,” in his serio-comic poem entitled Morgante Maggiore (1494).
Fer´ragus, the Portuguese giant, who took Bellisant under his care after her divorce from Alexander, emperor of Constantinople.—Valentine and Orson (fifteenth century).
My sire’s tall form might grace the part
Of Ferragus or Ascapart.