*** This name has become a household word for “the real man,” the ipsissimus ego.
Si´monie or Si´mony, the friar, in the beast-epic of Reynard the Fox (1498). So called from Simon Magus (Acts. viii. 9-24.)
Simony (Dr.), in Foote’s farce, called The Cozeners, was meant for Dr. Dodd.
Sim´org, a bird “which hath seen the world thrice destroyed.” It is found in Kâf, but as Hafiz says, “searching for the simorg is like searching for the philosopher’s stone.” This does not agree with Beckford’s account. (See [Simurgh].)
In Kâf the simorg hath its dwelling-place,
The all-knowing bird of ages, who hath seen
The world with all its children thrice destroyed.
Southey, Thalaba, the Destroyer, viii. 19 (1797).
Simpcox (Saunder), a lame man, who asserted he was born blind, and to whom St. Alban said, “Come, offer at my shrine, and I will help thee.” Being brought before Humphrey, duke of Gloucester, the lord protector, he was asked how he became lame; and Simpcox replied he fell from a tree which he had climbed to gather plums for his wife. The duke then asked if his sight had been restored? “Yes,” said the man; and, being shown divers colors, could readily distinguish between red, blue, brown, and so on. The duke told the rascal that a blind man does not climb trees to gather their fruits; and one born blind might, if his sight were restored, know that one color differed from another, but could not possibly know which was which. He then placed a stool before him and ordered the constables to whip him till he jumped over it; whereupon the lame man jumped over it, and ran off as fast as his legs could carry him. Sir Thomas More tells this story, and Shakespeare introduces it in 2 Henry VI. act ii. sc. 1 (1591).
Simple, the servant of Slender (cousin of Justice Shallow).—Shakespeare, The Merry Wives of Windsor (1596).
Simple (The), Charles III. of France (879, 893-929).
Simple (Peter), the hero and title of a novel by Captain Marryat (1833).
Simple Simon, a man more sinned against than sinning, whose misfortunes arose from his wife Margery’s cruelty, which began the very morning of their marriage.