Who washed his secret knife in Swane’s relentless gore.
Drayton, Polyolbion, xii. (1613).
Swanston, a smuggler.--Sir W. Scott, Redgauntlet (time, George III.).
Swaran, king of Lochlin (Denmark), son and successor of Starno. He invaded Ireland in the reign of Cormac II. (a minor), and defeated Cuthullin, general of the Irish forces. When Fingal arrived the tide of battle was reversed, and Swaran surrendered. Fingal, out of love to Agandecca (Swaran’s sister), who once saved his life, dismissed the vanquished king with honor, after having invited him to a feast. Swaran is represented as fierce, proud and high-spirited; but Fingal as calm, moderate and generous.--Ossian, Fingal.
Swash-Buckler (A), a riotous, quarrelsome person. Nash says to Gabriel Harvey: “Turpe senex miles, ’tis time for such an olde fool to leave playing the swash-buckler” (1598).
Swedenborgians (called by themselves “The New Jerusalem Church”). They are believers in the doctrines taught by Dr. Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772). Their views respecting salvation, the inspiration of the Bible, future life and the Trinity, differ widely from those of other Christians. In regard to the Trinity, they believe it to be centered in the person of Jesus Christ.
Swedish Nightingale (The), Jenny Lind, the public singer. She married Mr. Goldschmidt, and retired (1821-1887).
Swee´dlepipe (Paul), known as “Poll,” barber and bird-fancier; Mrs. Gamp’s landlord. He is a little man, with a shrill voice but a kind heart, in appearance “not unlike the birds he was so fond of.” Mr. Sweedlepipe entertains a profound admiration of Bailey, senior, whom he considers to be a cyclopædia “of all the stable-knowledge of the time.”--C. Dickens, Martin Chuzzlewit (1844).
Sweepclean (Saunders), a king’s messenger at Knockwinnock Castle.--Sir W. Scott, The Antiquary (time, George III.).
Sweet Singer of Israel (The), King David.