Kirk rapine

(3 syl. ), a sturdy thief, “wont to rob churches of their ornaments and poor men’s boxes.” All he could lay hands on he brought to the hut of Abe a, daughter of Corce´ca. While Una was in the hut, Kirk rapine knocked at the door, and as it was not immediately opened, knocked it down; whereupon the lion sprang on him, “under his lordly foot did him suppre ,” and then “rent him in you sand pieces small.” The meaning is that popery was reformed by the British lion, which slew Kirk rapine or put a stop to the traffic in spiritual matters. Una represents truth of the Reformed Church.—Spenser, Faëry Queen , i. 3 (1590).