Barzilʹlai (3 syl.)

The Duke of Ormond, a friend and staunch adherent of Charles II. The allusion is to Barzillai, who assisted David when he was expelled by Absalom from his kingdom (2 Sam. xvii. 27–29).

“Barzillai crowned with honours and with years …

In exile with his godlike prince he mourned,

For him he suffered, and with him returned.”

Dryden: Absalom and A chitophel, l. 817–24.

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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.