Brewer's: Limbus of the Moon

In the limbo of the moon. Ariosto (in his Orlando Furioso, xxxiv. 70) says, in the moon are treasured up such stores as these: Time misspent in play, all vain efforts, all vows never paid, all intentions which lead to nothing, the vanity of titles, flattery, the promises of princes, death-bed alms, and other like vanities.

There heroes' wits are kept in ponderous vases, And beaux' in snuff-boxes and tweezer-cases; There broken vows and death-bed alms are found, And lovers' hearts with ends of ribbon bound; The courtier's promises and sick man's prayers, The smiles of harlots, and the tears of heirs.

Pope: Rape of the Lock, 115-120.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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