Hochspring´en (The young duke of), introduced in Donnerhugel’s narrative.—Sir W. Scott, Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).
Hocus (Humphry), “the attorney” into whose hands John Bull and his friends put the law-suit they carried on against Lewis Baboon (Louis XIV.). Of course, Humphry Hocus is John Churchill, duke of Mariborough, who commanded the army employed against the Grand Monarque.
Hocus was an old cunning attorney; and though this was the first considerable suit he was ever engaged in, he showed himself superior in address to most of his profession. He always kept good clerks. He loved money, was smooth-tongued, gave good words, and seldom lost his temper.... He provided plentifully for his family; but he loved himself better than them all. The neighbors reported that he was henpecked, which was impossible by such a mild-spirited woman as his wife was [his wife was a desperate termagant].—Dr. Arbuthnot, History of John Bull, v. (1712).
Hodei´rah (3 syl.), husband of Zei´nab (2 syl.) and father of Thalaba. He died while Thalaba was a mere lad.—Southey, Thalaba the Destroyer, i. (1797).
Hodeken (i.e. little hat), a German kobold or domestic fairy, noted for his little felt hat.
Hö´der, the Scandinavian god of darkness, typical of night. He is called the blind old god. Balder is the god of light, typical of day. According to fable Höder killed Balder with an arrow made of mistletoe, but the gods restored him to life again.
Höder, the blind old god,
Whose feet are shod with silence.
Longfellow, Tegner’s Death.
Hodge, Gammer Gurton’s goodman, whose breeches she was repairing when she lost her needle.—Mr. S., Master of Arts, Gammer Gurton’s Needle (1551).