E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Mars.
Under this planet “is borne theves and robbers . . nyght walkers and quarell pykers, bosters, mockers, and skoffers; and these men of Mars causeth warre, and murther, and batayle. They wyll be gladly smythes or workers of yron . lyers, gret swerers… . He is red and angry . . a great walker, and a maker of swordes and knyves, and a sheder of mannes blode … and good to be a barboure and a blode letter, and to drawe tethe.” (Compost of Ptholomeus.)
1
Mars, in Camoën’s Lusiad, is “divine fortitude” personified. As Bacchus, the evil demon, is the guardian power of Mahometanism: so Mars or divine fortitude is the guardian power of Christianity.
2
The Mars of Portugal. Alfonso de Albuquerque, Viceroy of India. (1452–1515.)
