Last Laugh

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401. Last Laugh (See also Irony.)

  1. Alcyoneus giant who threw stone at Hercules; killed when Hercules batted it back. [Gk. Myth.: Zimmerman, 17]
  2. Diomedes eaten by his own horses, which he had reared on human flesh. [Gk. and Rom. Myth.: Hall, 149]
  3. Fultons Folly everybody scoffed at his 1807 steamboat, the Clermont. [Am. Hist.: Jameson, 190]
  4. Hop-Frog immolates king and court after repeated insults. [Am. Lit.: Hop-Frog in Portable Poe, 317329]
  5. Magnificent Ambersons, The Eugene acquires same position George fell from. [Am. Lit.: The Magnificent Ambersons ]
  6. Mordecai and Haman latter hanged on gallows he built for former. [O.T.: Esther 7:910]
  7. Palamon and Arcite victorious jouster (Arcite) dies in fall; loser wins ladys hand. [Br. Lit.: Canterbury Tales, Palamon and Arcite]
  8. Pizarro, Don illegally imprisons Florestan; is later imprisoned himself. [Ger. Opera: Beethoven, Fidelio, Westerman, 109110]
  9. Sewards Folly ridiculed purchase of Alaska proved wise buy (1867). [Am. Hist.: Van Doren, 254]
  10. Truman, Harry S. (18841972) presidential winner; photographed with Chicago Tribune headline announcing Deweys victory (1948). [Am. Hist.: Plain Speaking, 406]
  11. Tuck, Friar cajoled to ferry Robin across stream, dumps him returning. [Br. Lit.: Robin Hood ]