we want to be born,--it doesn't ask
us if we want to die. It is beyond us, and I don't believe it _can_ be
destroyed" (1889).

DIEU ET MON DROIT, the parole of Richard I. at the battle of Gisors
(1198).

DIGGERY, one of the house-servants at Strawberry Hall. Being
stage-struck, he inoculates his fellow-servants (Cymon and Wat) with
the same taste. In the same house is an heiress named Kitty Sprightly
(a ward of Sir Gilbert Pumpkin), also stage-struck. Diggery's favorite
character is "Alexander the Great," the son of "Almon." One day,
playing _Romeo and Juliet_, he turns the oven into the balcony, but,
being rung for, the girl acting "Juliet" is nearly roasted alive. (See
DIGGORY.)--J. Jackman, _All the World's a Stage_.

DIGGES (_Miss Maria_), a friend of Lady Penfeather; a visitor at the
Spa.--Sir W. Scott, _St. Ronan's Well_ (time, George III.).

DIGGON [DAVIE], a shepherd in the _Shephearde's Calendar_, by Spenser.
He tells Hobbinol that he drove his sheep into foreign lands, hoping
to find better pasture; but he was amazed at the luxury and profligacy
of the shepherds whom he saw there, and the wretched condition of the
flocks. He refers to the Roman Catholic clergy, and their abandoned
mode of life. Diggon also tells Hobbinol a long story about Roffynn
(_the bishop of Rochester_) and his watchful dog Lauder catching a
wolf in sheep's clothing in the fold.--_Ecl_. ix. (September, 1572 or
1578).

DIGGORY, a barn laborer, employed on state occasions for butler and
footman by Mr. and Mrs. Hardcastle. He is both awkward and familiar,
laughs at his master's jokes and talks to his master's guests while
serving. (See DIGGERY.)--Goldsmith, _She Stoops to Conquer_. (1773).

_Diggory_ (_Father_), one of the monks of St. Botolph's Priory.--Sir
W. Scott, _Ivanhoe_ (time, Richard I.).

DIMANCHE, (_Mons_.), a dun. Mons. Dimanche, a tradesman, applies to
Don Juan for money. Don Juan treats him with all imaginable courtesy,
but every time he attempts to revert to business interrupts him with
some such question as, _Comment se porte Madame Dimanche?_ or _Et
votre petite fille Claudine comment se porte-t-ell?_ or _Le petit
Colin fait-il toujours bien du bruit avec son tambour?_ or _Et votre
petit chien Brusquet, gronde-t-il toujours aussi fort_ ...? and, after
a time, he says he is very sorry, but he must say good-bye for the
present, and he leaves Mons. without his once stating the object of
his call. (See SHUFFLETON.) Mol