CLOUT (Colin), a shepherd loved by Marian “the parson’s maid,” but for whom Colin (who loved Cicily) felt no affection. (See COLIN CLOUT).

  Young Colin Clout, a lad of peerless meed,
  Full well could dance, and deftly tune the reed;
  In every wood his carols sweet were known,
  At every wake his nimble feats were shown.

Gay, Pastoral, ii. (1714).

Clout (Loblin), a shepherd in love with Blouzelinda.  He challenged Cuddy to a contest of song in praise of their respective sweethearts, and Cloddipole was appointed umpire.  Cloddipole was unable to award the prize, for each merited “an oaken staff for his pains.”  “Have done, however, for the herds are weary of the song, and so am I.”—­Gay, Pastoral, i. (1714).

CLOYSE (Goody). A pious and exemplary dame, especially well-versed in the catechism, who, in Goodman Brown’s fantasy of the witches’ revel in the forest, joins him on his way thither, and croaks over the loss of her broomstick, which was “all anointed with the juice of small-age and cinquefoil and wolf’s bane—­” “Mingled with fine wheat and the fat of a new-born babe,” says another shape.—­Nathaniel Hawthorne, Mosses from an Old Manse (1854).

CLUB-BEARER (The), Periphe’tes, the robber of Ar’golis, who murdered his victims with an iron club.—­Greek Fable.

CLUMSEY (Sir Tunbelly), father of Miss Hoyden.  A mean, ill-mannered squire and justice of the peace, living near Scarborough.  Most cringing to the aristocracy, whom he toadies and courts.  Sir Tunbelly promises to give his daughter in marriage to Lord Foppington, but Tom Fashion, his lordship’s younger brother, pretends to be Lord Foppington, gains admission to the family and marries her.  When the real Lord Foppington arrives he is treated as an imposter, but Tom confesses the ruse.  His lordship treats the knight with such ineffable contempt, that Sir Tunbelly’s temper is aroused, and Tom is received into high favor.—­Sheridan, A Trip to Scarborough (1777).

[Illustration] This character appears in Vanbrugh’s Relapse, of which comedy the Trip to Scarborough is an abridgment and adaptation.

CLU’RICAUNE (3 syl.), an Irish elf of evil disposition, especially noted for his knowledge of hidden treasure.  He generally assumes the appearance of a wrinkled old man.

CLUTTERBUCK (Captain), the hypothetical editor of some of Sir Walter Scott’s novels, as The Monastery and The Fortunes of Nigel.  Captain Clutterbuck is a retired officer, who employs himself in antiquarian researches and literary idleness. The Abbot is dedicated by the “author of Waverley” to “Captain Clutterbuck,” late of his majesty’s—­infantry regiment.