E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Fortu’nio.
The assumed name of a damsel, youngest of three sisters, who dressed herself as a cavalier to save her aged father, who was summoned to the army. Fortunio on the way engaged seven servants: Strong-back, who could carry on his back enough liquor to fill a river; Lightfoot, who could traverse any distance in no time; Marksman, who could hit an object at any distance; Fineear, who could hear anything, no matter where uttered; Boisterer, who could do any amount of cudgelling; Gourmand, who could eat any amount of food; and Tippler, who could drink a river dry and thirst again. Fortunio, having rendered invaluable services to King Alfourite, by the aid of her seven servants, at last married him. (Grimm’s Goblins: Fortunio. Countess D’Aulnoy: Fairy Tales.)
