⁂ The resemblance between this tale and the Bible story of Ruth and Boaz must be obvious to every one.
Law of Athens (The). By Athenian law, a father could dispose of his daughter in marriage as he liked. Egēus pleaded this law, and demanded that his daughter Hermia should marry Demētrius, or suffer the penalty of the law; if she will not
Consent to marry with Demetrius,
I beg the ancient privilege of Athens;
As she is mine, I may dispose of her:
Which shall be either to this gentleman,
Or to her death; according to our law.
Shakespeare, Midsummer Night’s Dream, act i. sc. 1 (1592).
Law of Flanders (The). Charles “the Good,” earl of Flanders, made a law that a serf, unless legally emancipated, was always a serf, and that whoever married a serf became a serf. S. Knowles has founded his tragedy called The Provost of Bruges on this law (1836).
Law of Lombardy (The).