• The Balascio (in French rubi balais ) is supposed to take its name from the place in the East where it was found. Chaucer, Court of Love , 78:⁠— “No saphire of Inde, no rube riche of price, There lacked then, nor emeraude so grene, Balais Turkis, ne thing to my devise That may the castel maken for to shene.” The mystic virtues of this stone are thus enumerated by Mr. King, Antique Gems , p. 419:⁠— “The Balais Ruby represses vain and lascivious thoughts, appeases quarrels between friends, and gives health of body. Its powder taken in water cures diseases of the eyes, and pains in the liver. If you touch with this gem the four corners of a house, orchard, or vineyard, they will be safe from lightning, storms, and blight.” ↩
• Joy is shown in heaven by greater light, as here on earth by smiles, and as in the infernal regions the grief of souls in torment is by greater darkness. ↩
• In Him thy sight is; in the original tuo veder s’ inluia , thy sight in-Hims-itself . ↩