Yea, with gladness did they pæan, bowing low before my car, / In my ears their homage echoed from the sunrise to the star.

Alfie was familiar with the term ‘understrapper’. The Harry Fielding Alfie knew was an understrapper; a bob-a-job man for MI5. Somebody who could do a bit of house- or office-breaking, or some surveillance work.

Nay, nay, Reynallt, said Ap Teudor, replying to the angry glance of the Forester, thou saddlest the wrong steed: like the Abbot, I have no voice but that of obedience. Used figuratively.

The purchase of Alaska from Russia was termed Seward's folly.