Wat Dreary, alias Brown Will, a highwayman, in Captain Macheath’s gang. Peachum says, “he has an underhand way of disposing of the goods he stole,” and therefore he should allow him to remain a little longer “upon his good behavior.”--Gay, The Beggar’s Opera, i. (1727).
Water-Poet (The), John Taylor, a Thames waterman (1580-1654).
Water-Wraith, the evil spirit of the waters.
By this the storm grew loud apace,
The water-wraith was shrieking.
Campbell, Lord Ullin’s Daughter.
Waterman (The), Tom Tug. It is the title of a ballad opera by Charles Dibdin (1774). (For the plot, see Wilelmina Bundle.)
Watkins (William), the English attendant on the prince of Scotland.--Sir W. Scott, Fair Maid of Perth (time, Henry IV.).
Watts (Dr. Isaac). It is said that Isaac Watts, being beaten by his father for wasting his time in writing verses, exclaimed:
O, father, pity on me take,