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Rosʹcius

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A first-rate actor; so called from the Roman Roscius, unrivalled for his grace of action, melody of voice, conception of character, and delivery. He was paid thirty pounds a day for acting; Pliny says four thousand a year, and Cicero says five thousand.

“What scene of death hath Roscius now to act?”


Shakespeare: 3 Henry VI., v. 6.

Another Roscius. So Camden terms Richard Burbage (1566–1619).

The British Roscius. Thomas Betterton, of whom Cibber says, “He alone was born to speak what only Shakespeare knew to write.” (1635–1710.)

David Garrick (1716–1779).

The Roscius of France. Michel Boyron, generally called Baron. (1653–1729.)

The Young Roscius. William Henry West Betty, who in fifty-six nights realised £34,000. (Died 1874, aged 84.)

 

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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.

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Rosa (Salvator)
Rosabelle
Rosalia or St. Rosalie
Rosalind
Rosalinde
Rosaline
Rosamond (Fair)
Rosana
Rosary [the rose article]
Rosciad
Roscius
Rose
Rose
Rose
Rose (in Christian art)
Rose for Rose-noble
Rose Sunday
Rose of Jericho
Rose of Raby (The)
Roses
Rosemary