| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Al’ma (the human soul), | | |
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queen of “Body Castle,” beset by enemies for seven years (the Seven Ages of Man). The besiegers are a rabble rout of evil desires, foul imaginations, and silly conceits. Alma conducted Arthur and Sir Guyon over her castle. “The divine part of a man,” says Spenser, “is circular, a circle being the emblem of eternity; but the mortal part triangular, as it consists of three things—blood, flesh, and bones.”—Prior’s Poem. | 1 |
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