Or´raca (Queen), wife of Affonso II. The legend says that five friars of Morocco, went to her, and said, “Three things we prophesy to you: (1) we five shall all suffer martyrdom; (2) our bodies will be brought to Coimbra; and (3) which ever see our relics the first, you or the king, will die the same day.” When their bodies were brought to Coimba, the king told Queen Orraca she must join the procession with him. She pleaded illness, but Affonso replied the relics would cure her; so they started on their journey. As they were going, the queen told the king to speed on before, as she could not travel so fast; so he speeded on with his retinue, and started a boar on the road. “Follow him!” cried the king, and they went after the boar and killed it. In the mean time, the queen reached the procession, fully expecting her husband had joined it long ago; but lo! she beheld him riding up with great speed. That night the king was aroused at midnight with the intelligence that the queen was dead.—Southey, Queen Orraca (1838); Francisco Manoel da Esperança, Historia Sarafica (eightteenth century).
Orrock (Puggie), a sheriff’s officer at Fairport.—Sir W. Scott, The Antiquary (time, George III.).
Orsin, one of the leaders of the rabble rout that attacked Hudibras at the bear-baiting.—S. Butler, Hudibras (1663).
Orsi´ni (Maffio), a young Italian nobleman, whose life was saved by Genna´ro at the battle of Rim´ini. Orsini became the fast friend of Gennaro, but both were poisoned by the Princess Neg´roni at a banquet.—Donizetti, Lucrezia di Borgia (opera, 1834).
Orsi´no, duke of Illyria, who sought the love of Olivia, a rich countess; but Olivia gave no encouragement to his suit, and the duke moped and pined, leaving manly sports for music and other effeminate employments. Viola entered the duke’s service as a page, and soon became a great favorite. When Olivia married Sebastian (Viola’s brother), and the sex of Viola became known, the duke married her, and made her duchess of Illyria.—Shakespeare, Twelfth Night (1614).
Orson, twin brother of Valentine, and son of Bellisant. The twin-brothers were born in a wood near Orleans, and Orson was carried off by a bear, which suckled him with its cubs. When he grew up he became the terror of France, and was called “The Wild Man of the Forest.” Ultimately, he was reclaimed by his brother Valentine, overthrew the Green Knight, and married Fezon, daughter of the duke of Savary, in Aquitane.—Valentine and Orson (fifteenth century).
Orson and Ellen. Young Orson was a comely young farmer from Taunton, stout as an oak, and very fond of the lasses, but he hated matrimony, and used to say, “the man who can buy milk is a fool to keep a cow.” While still a lad, Orson made love to Ellen, a rustic maiden; but, in the fickleness of youth, forsook her for a richer lass, and Ellen left the village, wandered far away, and became waiting maid to old Boniface, the innkeeper. One day Orson happened to stop at this very inn, and Ellen waited on him. Five years had passed since they had seen each other, and at first neither knew the other. When, however, the facts were known, Orson made Ellen his wife, and their marriage feast was given by Boniface himself.—Peter Pindar [Dr. Wolcot], Orson and Ellen (1809).
Ortel´lius (Abraham), a Dutch geographer, who published in 1570, his Theatrum Orbis Terræ, or Universal Geography (1527-1598).
I more could tell to prove the place our own,
Than by his spacious maps are by Ortellius shown.
Drayton, Polyolbion, vi. (1612).
Ortheris, cockney companion of Mulvaney. He suffers violently from homesickness in India.—Rudyard Kipling, Soldiers Three.