=Water-Poet= (_The_), John Taylor, a Thames waterman (1580-1654). =Water-Wraith=, the evil spirit of the waters. By this the storm grew loud apace, The water-wraith was shrieking. Campbell, _Lord Ullin’s Daughter_. =Waterman= (_The_), Tom Tug. It is the title of a ballad opera by Charles Dibdin (1774). (For the plot, see WILELMINA BUNDLE.) =Watkins= (_William_), the English attendant on the prince of Scotland.--Sir W. Scott, _Fair Maid of Perth_ (time, Henry IV.). =Watts= (_Dr. Isaac_). It is said that Isaac Watts, being beaten by his father for wasting his time in writing verses, exclaimed: O, father, pity on me take, And I will no more verses make. A similar anecdote is told of Ovid, the Latin poet: Parce, precor, genitor, posthac non versificabo. =Wauch= (_Mansie_), fictitious name of D. M. Moir, author of _The Life of Mansie Wauch, Tailor in Dalkeith, written by himself_ (1828). =Waverley=, the first of Scott’s historical novels, published in 1814. The materials are Highland feudalism, military bravery, and description of natural scenery. There is a fine vein of humor, and a union of fiction with history. The chief characters are Charles Edward, the Chevalier, the noble old baron of Bradwardine, the simple, faithful clansman, Evan Dhu, and the poor fool, Davie Gellatley, with his fragments of song and scattered gleams of fancy. Scott did not prefix his name to _Waverley_, being afraid that it might compromise his poetical reputation.--Chambers, _English Literature_, ii. 586. _Waverley_ (_Captain Edward_), of Waverley Honor, and hero of the novel called by his name. Being gored by a stag, he resigned his commission, and proposed marriage to Flora M’Ivor, but was not accepted. Fergus M’Ivor (Flora’s brother) introduced him to Prince Charles Edward. He entered the service of the Young Chevalier, and in the battle of Preston Pans saved the life of Colonel Talbot. The colonel, out of gratitude, obtained the pardon of young Waverley, who then married Rose Bradwardine, and settled down quietly in Waverley Honor. _Mr. Richard Waverley_, the captain’s father, of Waverley Honor. _Sir Everard Waverley_, the captain’s uncle. _Mistress Rachel Waverley_, sister of Sir Everard.--Sir W. Scott, _Waverley_ (time, George II.). =Wax= (_A lad o’_), a spruce young man, like a model in wax. Lucretius speaks of _persona cerea_, and Horace of the waxen arms of Telĕphus, meaning beautiful in shape and color. A man, young lady! Lady, such a man As all the world----Why, he’s a man o’ wax! Shakespeare, _Romeo and Juliet_ (1595).