Δ.
Alarum (Vol. ii., pp. 151. 183.).—There can be no doubt that the word alarm (originally French) comes from the warning war-cry à l'arme. So all the French philologists agree; and the modern variance of aux armes does not invalidate so plain an etymology. When CH. admits that there can be no doubt that alarm and alarum are identical, it seems to one that cadit questio,—that all his doubts and queries are answered. I will add, however, that it appears that in the words' original sense of an awakening cry, Shakspeare generally, if not always, spelled it alarum. Thus—
"Ring the alarum bell!"—Macbeth.
"—Murder
"Alarum'd by his sentinel the wolf."
Macbeth.
"When she speaks, is it not an alarum to love?"
Othello.
"But when he saw my best-alarum'd spirits roused
to the encounter."—Lear.