Raucocan´ti, leader of a troupe of singers going to act in Sicily. The whole were captured by Lambro, the pirate, and sold in Turkey as slaves.
’Twould not become myself to dwell upon
My own merits, and, tho’ young, I see, sir, you [Don Juan]
Have got a travelled air, which shews you one
To whom the opera is by no means new.
You’ve heard of Raucocanti—I’m that man ...
You was [sic] not last year at the fair of Lugo,
But next, when I’m engaged to sing there—do go.
Byron, Don Juan, iv. 88 (1820).
Raven (Barnaby’s), Grip, a large bird of most impish disposition. Its usual phrases were: “I’m a devil!” “Never say die!” “Polly, put the kettle on!” He also uttered a cluck like cork-drawing, a barking like a dog, and a crowing like a cock. Barnaby Budge used to carry it about in a basket at his back. The bird drooped while it was in jail with his master, but after Barnaby’s reprieve
It soon recovered its good looks, and became as glossy and sleek as ever ... but for a whole year it never indulged in any other sound than a grave and decorous croak.... One bright summer morning ... the bird advanced with fantastic steps to the door of the Maypole, and then cried “I’m a devil!” three or four times, with extraordinary rapture ... and from that time constantly practised and improved himself in the vulgar tongue.—C. Dickens, Barnaby Rudge, ii. (1841).
Raven (The), Edgar Allan Poe’s poem bearing this caption is the best known of his works, and one of the most remarkable in the English language (1845).
Ravens of Owain (The). Owain had in his army 300 ravens, who were irresistible. It is thought that these ravens were warriors who bore this device on their shields.
A man who caused the birds to fly upon the host
Like the ravens of Owain, eager for prey.
Bleddynt Vardd, Myvyrian Archaiology, i. 365.
Ravens once White. One day a raven told Apollo that Coro´nis, a Thessalian nymph whom he passionately loved, was faithless. Apollo, in his rage, shot the nymph, but hated the raven, and “bade him prate in white plumes never more.”—Ovid, Metam., ii.
Ravenswood (Allan, lord of), a decayed Scotch nobleman of the royalist party.
Master Edgar Ravenswood, the son of Allan. In love with Lucy Ashton, daughter of Sir William Ashton, lord-keeper of Scotland. The lovers plight their troth at the “Mermaid’s Fountain,” but Lucy is compelled to marry Frank Hayston, laird of Bucklaw. The bride, in a fit of insanity, attempts to murder the bridegroom, and dies in convulsions. Bucklaw recovers, and goes abroad. Colonel Ashton appoints a hostile meeting with Edgar; but young Ravenswood, on his way to the place appointed, is lost in the quicksands of Kelpies Flow, in accordance with an ancient prophecy.—Sir W. Scott, Bride of Lammermoor (time, William III.).