Jeron´imo, the principal character in The Spanish Tragedy, by Thomas Kyd (1597). On finding his application to the king ill-timed, he says to himself, “Go by! Jeronimo;” which so tickled the fancy of the audience that it became a common street jest.
Jerry, manager of a troupe of dancing dogs. He was a tall, black-whiskered man, in a velveteen coat.—C. Dickens, The Old Curiosity Shop, xviii. (1840).
Jerry Sneak, a hen-pecked husband.—Foote, Mayor of Garrat (1763).
Jeru´salem, in Dryden’s Absalom and Achitophel, means London; “David” is Charles II., and “Absalom” the duke of Monmouth, etc.
Jerusalem. Henry IV. was told “he should not die but in Jerusalem.” Being in Westminster Abbey, he inquired what the chapter-house was called, and when he was told it was called the “Jerusalem Chamber,” he felt sure that he would die there “according to the prophecy,” and so he did.
Pope Sylvester II. was told the same thing, and died as he was saying mass in a church so called at Rome.—Brown, Fasciculus.
Cambyses, son of Cyrus, was told that he should die in Ecbat´ana, which he supposed meant the capital of Medĭa; but he died of his wounds in a place so called in Syria.
Jerusalem Delivered, an epic poem in twenty books, by Torquato Tasso (1575).
The crusaders, having encamped on the plains of Torto´sa, choose Godfrey for their chief. The overtures of Argantês being declined, war is declared by him in the name of the king of Egypt. The Christian army reaches Jerusalem, but it is found that the city cannot be taken without the aid of Rinaldo, who had withdrawn from the army because Godfrey had cited him for the death of Girnando, whom he had slain in a duel. Godfrey sends to the enchanted island of Armi´da to invite the hero back, and on his return Jerusalem is assailed in a night attack. The poem concludes with the triumphant entry of the Christians into the Holy City, and their adoration at the Redeemer’s tomb.
The two chief episodes are the loves of Olindo and Sophronia, and of Tancred and Corinda.