T. Tusser, Five Hundred Points of Good Husbandry, liv. (1557).
The´seus (2 syl.), the Attic hero. He induced the several towns of Attica to give up their separate governments and submit to a common jurisdiction, whereby the several petty chiefdoms were consolidated into one state, of which Athens was the capital.
⁂ Similarly, the several kingdoms of the Saxon heptarchy were consolidated into one kingdom by Egbert; but in this latter case, the might of arms, and not the power of conviction, was the instrument employed.
Theseus (Duke) of Athens. On his return home, after marrying Hypolĭta, a crowd of female suppliants complained to him of Creon, king of Thebes. The duke therefore set out for Thebes, slew Creon, and took the city by assault. Among the captives taken in this siege were two knights, named Palămon and Arcite, who saw the duke’s sister from their dungeon window, and fell in love with her. When set at liberty, they told their loves to the duke, and Theseus (2 syl.) promised to give the lady to the best man in a single combat. Arcite overthrew Palamon, but as he was about to claim the lady his horse threw him, and he died; so Palamon lost the contest, but won the bride.--Chaucer, Canterbury Tales (“The Knight’s Tale,” 1388).
⁂ In classic story, Theseus is called “king;” but Chaucer styles him “duke,” that is, dux, “leader or emperor” (imperātor).
Thespian Maids (The), the nine Muses. So called from Thespia, in Bœotia, near Mount Helĭcon, often called Thespia Rupes.
Those modest Thespian maids thus to their Isis sung.
Drayton, Polyolbion, xv. (1613).
Thespi´o, a Muse. The Muses were called Thespi´adês, from Thespīa, in Bœo´tia, at the foot of mount Helĭcon.
Tell me, oh, tell me then, thou holy Muse,