Rubo´nax, a man who hanged himself from mortification and annoyance at some verses written upon him by a poet.—Sir P. Sidney, Defence of Poesie (1595).
Rubrick (The Rev. Mr.), chaplain to the baron of Bradwardine.—Sir W. Scott, Waverley (time, George II.).
Ruby (Lady), the young widow of Lord Ruby. Her “first love” was Frederick Mowbray, and when a widow she married him. She is described as “young, blooming and wealthy, fresh and fine as a daisy.”—Cumberland, First Love (1796).
Rucellai (John), i.e. Oricellarius, poet (1475-1525), son of Bernard Rucellai, of Florence, historian and diplomatist.
As hath been said by Rucellai.
Longfellow, The Wayside Inn (prelude, 1863).
Ruddymane (3 syl.), the name given by Sir Guyon to the babe rescued from Amavia, who had stabbed herself in grief at the death of her husband. So called because:
... in her streaming blood he [the infant] did embay his little hands.
Spenser, Faëry Queen, ii. 1, 3 (1590).
Rudge (Barnaby), a half-witted young man of three and twenty years old; rather spare, of a fair height and strong make. His hair, of which he had a great profusion, was red and hung in disorder about his face and shoulders. His face was pale, his eyes glassy and protruding. His dress was green, clumsily trimmed here and there with gaudy lace. A pair of tawdry ruffles dangled at his wrists, while his throat was nearly bare. His hat was ornamented with a cluster of peacock’s feathers, limp, broken, and trailing down his back. Girded to his side was the steel hilt of an old sword, without blade or scabbard; and a few knee-ribbons completed his attire. He had a large raven named Grip, which he carried at his back in a basket, a most knowing imp, which used to cry out in a hoarse voice, “Halloa!” “I’m a devil!” “Never say die!” “Polly, put the kettle on!”
Barnaby joined the Gordon rioters for the proud pleasure of carrying a flag and wearing a blue bow. He was arrested and lodged in Newgate, from whence he made his escape, with other prisoners, when the jail was burnt down by the rioters; but both he and his father and Hugh, being betrayed by Dennis, the hangman, were recaptured, brought to trial, and condemned to death, but by the influence of Gabriel Varden, the locksmith, the poor half-witted lad was reprieved, and lived the rest of his life with his mother in a cottage and garden near the Maypole.
Here he lived, tending the poultry and the cattle, working in a garden of his own, and helping every one. He was known to every bird and beast about the place, and had a name for every one. Never was there a lighter-hearted husbandman, a creature more popular with young and old, a blither and more happy soul than Barnaby.—Ch. lxxxii.