As he did only drink what crystal Hodney yields,
And fed upon the leeks he gathered in the fields,
In memory of whom, in each revolving year,
The Welshmen, on his day [March 1], that sacred herb do wear.
Polyolbion, iv. (1612).
Lefevre (Lieutenant), a poor officer dying from want and sickness. His pathetic story is told by Sterne, in a novel called The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy (1759).
“Mr. Fulmer, I have borrowed a book from your shop. ’Tis the sixth volume of my deceased friend, Tristram.... The divine story of Lefevre, which makes part of this book, ... does honor, not to its author only, but to human nature.”—Cumberland, The West Indian, ii. 1.
Legend (Sir Sampson), a foolish, testy, prejudiced, and obstinate old man, between 50 and 60. His favorite oath is “Odd!” He tries to disinherit his elder son, Valentine, for his favorite son Ben, a sailor; and he fancies Angelica is in love with him, when she only intends to fool him.
He says: “I know the length of the emperor of China’s foot, have kissed the Great Mogul’s slipper, and have rid a-hunting upon an elephant with the cham of Tartary.”—W. Congreve, Love for Love, ii. (1695).
“Sir Sampson Legend” is such another lying, over-bearing character, but he does not come up to “Sir Epicure Mammon” [in Ben Jonson’s play, The Alchemist].—C. Lamb.