Limbus of the Moon

In the limbo of the moon. Ariosto (in his Orlando Furioso, xxxiv. 70) says, in the moon are treasured up such stores as these: Time misspent in play, all vain efforts, all vows never paid, all intentions which lead to nothing, the vanity of titles, flattery, the promises of princes, deathbed alms, and other like vanities.

“There heroesʹ wits are kept in ponderous vases,

And beauxʹ in snuff-boxes and tweezer-cases;

There broken vows and death-bed alms are found,

And loversʹ hearts with ends of ribbon bound;

The courtier’s promises and sick man’s prayers,

The smiles of harlots, and the tears of heirs.”

Pope: Rape of the Lock, 115–120.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.