m in running." In
later usage, _curtail dog_ means either a common dog, not meant for
sport, or a dog that missed the game, which latter sense it has in the
passage above.[416]

[416] "Nares's Glossary," vol. i. p. 218.

_Dragon._ As the type and embodiment of the spirit of evil, the dragon
has been made the subject of an extensive legendary lore. The well-known
myth of St. George and the Dragon, which may be regarded as a grand
allegory representing the hideous and powerful monster against whom the
Christian soldier is called to fight, has exercised a remarkable
influence for good in times past, over half-instructed people. It has
been truly remarked that "the dullest mind and hardest heart could not
fail to learn from it something of the hatefulness of evil, the beauty
of self-sacrifice, and the all-conquering might of truth." This graceful
conception is alluded to by Shakespeare, in his "King John" (ii. 1),
where, according to a long-established custom, it is made a subject for
sign-painting:[417]

"St. George, that swinged the dragon, and e'er since,
Sits on his horseback at mine hostess' door,
Teach us some fence!"

[417] For the various versions of this myth consult
Baring-Gould's "Curious Myths of the Middle Ages," 1877, pp.
266-316.

In ancient mythology the task of drawing the chariot of night was
assigned to dragons, on account of their supposed watchfulness. In
"Cymbeline" (ii. 2) Iachimo, addressing them, says:

"Swift, swift, you dragons of the night, that dawning
May bare the raven's eye!"[418]

[418] Cf. "Troilus and Cressida," v. 8; "Midsummer-Night's
Dream," iii. 2.

Milton, in his "Il Penseroso," mentions the dragon yoke of night, and in
his "Comus" (l. 130):

"the dragon womb
Of Stygian darkness."

It may be noticed that the whole tribe of serpents sleep with their
eyes open, and so appear to exert a constant watchfulness.[419]

[419] Singer's "Shakespeare," vol. x. p. 363.

In devising loathsome ingredients for the witches' mess, Shakespeare
("Macbeth," iv. 1) speaks of "the scale of dragon," alluding to the
horror in which this mythical being was held. Referring, also, to the
numerous legends associated with its dread form, he mentions "the spleen
of fiery dragons" ("Richard III.," v. 3), "dragon's wings" ("1 Henry
VI.," i. 1), and ("Pericles," i. 1), "death-like dragons." Mr.
Conway[420] has admirably summed