*** This tragedy is based on “The Baneful Marriage,” an episode in Gil Blas, founded on fact.
Sigismunda, the heroine of Cervantes’s last work of fiction. This tale is a tissue of episodes, full of most incredible adventures, astounding prodigies, impossible characters, and extravagant sentiments. It is said that Cervantes himself preferred it to his Don Quixote, just as Corneille preferred Nicomede to his Cid, and Milton Paradise Regained to his Paradise Lost.—Encyc. Brit., Art. “Romance.”
Sigurd, the hero of an old Scandinavian legend. Sigurd discovered Brynhild, encased in a complete armor, lying in a death-like sleep, to which she had been condemned by Odin. Sigurd woke her by opening her corselet, fell in love with her, promised to marry her, but deserted her for Gudrun. This ill-starred union was the cause of an Iliad of woes.
An analysis of this romance was published by Weber in his Illustrations of Northern Antiquities (1810).
Sijil (Al), the recording angel.
On that day we will roll up the heavens as the angel Al Sijil rolleth up the scroll wherein every man’s actions are recorded.—Al Korân, xxi.
Sikes (Bill), a burglar, and one of Fagin’s associates. Bill Sikes was a hardened, irreclaimable villian, but had a conscience which almost drove him mad after the murder of Nancy, who really loved him (ch. xlviii.) Bill Sikes (1 syl.) had an ill-conditioned savage dog, the beast-image of his master, which he kicked and loved, ill-treated and fondled.—C. Dickens, Oliver Twist (1837).
The French “Bill Sikes” is “Jean Hiroux,” a creation of Henry Monnier.
Sikundra (The), a mausoleum about six miles from Agra, raised by Akhbah “the Great.”
Silence, a country justice of asinine dullness when sober, but when in his cups of most uproarious mirth. He was in the commission of the peace with his cousin Robert Shallow.