| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Astol’pho (in Orlando Furioso). | | |
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An English duke (son of Otho), who joined Charlemagne against the Saracens. He was carried on the back of a whale to Alci’na’s isle; but when Alcina tired of him, she turned him into a myrtle. He was disenchanted by Melissa. Astolpho descended into the infernal regions, and his flight to the moon (book xviii.) is one of the best parts of the whole poem. (See INFERNO.) | 1 |
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It came upon them like a blast from Astolpho’s horn—i.e. it produced a panic. Logistilla gave Astolpho a magic horn, and whatever man or beast heard its blast was seized with panic, and became an easy captive. (Orlando Furioso, book viii.) | 2 |
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Like Astolpho’s book, it told you everything. The same fairy gave Astolpho a book, which would not only direct him aright in his journeys, but would tell him anything he desired to know. (Ariosto Orlando Furioso, book viii.) | 3 |
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