52 THE GENTLE ART OP BLAZON 



whereas the Ghost in Hamlet alludes to oral com- 

 munication : 



' But that I am forbid 

 To tell the secrets of my prison-bouse, 

 I could a tale unfold, ■whose lightest word 

 Would harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood. 

 But this eternal blazon must not be 

 To tars of flesh and blood.' 



Modern usage may be held to sanction the use of this 

 word to signify the illumination of arms; but Dr. 

 Johnson knew better than so to interpret it. He 

 cited Addison for the primary meaning of the verb 

 being ' to explain in proper terms the figures on ensigns 

 armorial.' However, I hear the reader yawning; all 

 this is matter fitter for the precise disputants of Notes 

 and Queries than for these irresponsible pages. 



