Baliol (Mrs. Martha Bethune), a lady of quality and fortune, who had a house called Baliol Lodging, Canongate, Edinburgh.  At her death she left to her cousin Mr. Croftangry two series of tales called The Chronicles of Canongate (q.v.), which he published.—­Sir W. Scott, The Highland Widow (introduction, 1827).

BALISARDA, a sword made in the garden of Orgagna by the sorceress Falerina; it would cut through even enchanted substances, and was given to Rogero for the express purpose of “dealing Orlando’s death.”—­Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, xxv. 15 (1516).

  He knew with Balisarda’s lightest blows,
  Nor helm, nor shield, nor cuirass could avail,
  Nor strongly tempered plate, nor twisted mail.

  Book xxiii.

BALIVERSO, the basest knight in the Saracen army.—­Ariosto, Orlando Furioso, (1516).

BALK or BALKH ("to embrace"), Omurs, surnamed Ghil-Shah ("earth’s king"), founder of the Paishdadian dynasty.  He travelled abroad to make himself familiar with the laws and customs of other lands.  On his return he met his brother, and built on the spot of meeting a city, which he called Balk; and made it the capital of his kingdom.

BALKIS, the Arabian name of the queen of Sheba, who went from the south to witness the wisdom and splendor of Solomon.  According to the Koran she was a fire-worshipper.  It is said that Solomon raised her to his bed and throne.  She is also called queen of Saba or Aaziz.—­Al Koran, xxvi. (Sale’s notes).

She fancied herself already more potent than Balkis, and pictured to her imagination the genii falling prostrate at the foot of her throne.—­W.  Beckford, Vathek.

Balkis queen of Sheba or Saba.  Solomon being told that her legs were covered with hair “like those of an ass,” had the presence-chamber floored with glass laid over running water filled with fish.  When Balkis approached the room, supposing the floor to be water, she lifted up her robes and exposed her hairy ankles, of which the king had been rightly informed.—­Jallalo’dinn.

BALLENKEIROCH (Old), a Highland chief and old friend of Fergus M’Ivor.—­Sir W. Scott, Waverley (time, Greorge II.).

BALMUNG, the sword of Siegfried forged by Wieland the smith of the Scandinavian gods.  In a trial of merit Wieland cleft Amilias (a brother smith) to the waist; but so fine was the cut that Amilias was not even conscious of it till he attempted to move, when he fell asunder into two pieces.—­Niebelungen Lied.

BALRUDDERY (The laird of), a relation of Godfrey Bertram, laird of Ellangowan.—­Sir W. Scott, Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

BALTHAZAR, a merchant, in Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors (1593).

Balthazar, a name assumed by Portia, in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice (1598).