Chapter Medulla Theologica to Melibe of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Medulla Theologica to Melibe

Medulla Theologica, a theological work by Louis Abelli bishop of Rhodes (1604–1691). It is alluded to by Boileau, in the Lutrin, iv. (1683).

Medusa (The Soft), Mary Stuart queen of Scots (1542–1587).

Rise from thy bloody grave,
Thou soft Medusa of the “Fated Line,”
Whose evil beauty looked to death the brave!
   —Lord Lytton: Ode, i. (1839).

Meeta, the “maid of Mariendorpt,” a true woman and a true heroine. She is the daughter of Mahldenau, minister of Mariendorpt, whom she loves almost to idolatry. Her betrothed is major Rupert Roselheim. Hearing of her father’s captivity at Prague, she goes thither on foot to crave his pardon.—Knowles: The Maid of Mariendorpt (1838).

Meg, a pretty, bright, dutiful girl, daughter of Toby Veck, and engaged to Richard, whom she marries on New Year’s Day.—Dickens: The Chimes (1844).

Meg Dods, the old landlady at St. Ronan’s Well.—Sir W. Scott: St. Roman’s Well (time, George III.).

Meg Merrilies, a half-crazy sibyl, the ruler of the gipsy race. She was the nurse of Harry Bertram.—Sir W. Scott: Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

In Terry’s dramatized version of Guy Mannering, Miss Cushman was an inimitable Meg Merrilies. It was one of the finest pieces of acting I ever saw (1818–1876). The words of her part were poor stuff, but her look, her gestures, her tone of voice, her coming on and going off, were all eloquent.

Meg Murdochson, an old gipsy thief, mother of Madge Wildfire.—Sir W. Scott: Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).

Megiddon, the tutelar angel of Simon the Canaanite. This Simon, “once a shepherd, was called by Jesus from the field, and feasted Him in his hut with a lamb.”—Klopstock: The Messiah, iii. (1748).

Megingjard, the belt of Thor, whereby his strength was doubled.

Megissogwon (“the great pearl-feather”), a magician, and the Manîto of wealth. It was Megissogwon who sent the fiery fever on man, the white fog, and death. Hiawatha slew him, and taught man the science of medicine.

This great Pearl-Feather slew the father of Nikomis (the grandmother of Hiawatha). Hiawatha all day long fought with the magician without effect; at nightfall the woodpecker told him to strike at the tuft of hair on the magician’s head, the only vulnerable place; accordingly, Hiawatha discharged his three remaining arrows at the hair-tuft, and Megissogwon died.

Honour be to Hiawatha!
He hath slain the great Pearl-Feather;
Slain the mightiest of magicians—
Him that sent the fiery fever,…
Sent disease and death among us.
   —Longfellow: Hiawatha, ix. (1855).

Megnoun. (See Mejnoun.)

Megra, a lascivious lady in the drama called Philaster or Love Lies a-bleeding, by Beaumont and Fletcher (1608).

Meigle, in Strathmore, the place where Guinever, Arthur’s queen, was buried.

Meiklehose (Isaac), one of the elders of Roseneath parish.—Sir W. Scott: Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).