Chapter Temir to Tendo Achillis of T by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Temir to Tendo Achillis

Temir, i.e. Tamerlane. The word occurs in Paradise Lost, xi. 389 (1665).

Temliha, king of the serpents, in the island of serpents. King Temliha was “a small yellow serpent, of a glowing colour,” with the gift of human speech, like the serpent which tempted Eve.—Comte de Caylus: Oriental Tales (“History of Aboutaleb,” 1743). (See Speech Ascribed to Dumb Animals, p. 1034.)

Temora, in Ulster, the palace of the Caledonian kings in Ireland. The southern kingdom was that of the Fir-bolg or Belgæ from South Britain, whose seat of government was at Atha, in Connaught.

Temora, in eight books, the longest of the Ossianic prose-poems. The subject is the dethronement of the kings of Connaught, and the consolidation of the two Irish kingdoms in that of Ulster. It must be borne in mind that there were two colonies in Ireland—one the Firbolg or British Belgæ, settled in the south, whose kin g was called the “lord of Atha,” from Atha, in Connaught, the seat of government; and the other the Cael, f rom Caledonia, in Scotland, whose seat of government was Temora, in Ulster. When Crothar was “lord of Atha,” he wished to unite the two kingdoms, and with this view carried off Conlama, only child of the rival king, and married her. The Caledonians of Scotland interfered, and Conar the brother of Fingal was set with an army against the usurper, conquered him, reduced the south to a tributary state, and restored in his own person the kingdom of Ulster. After a few years, Cormac II. (a minor) became king of Ulster and over-lord of Connaught. The Fir-bolg seizing this opportunity of revolt, Cairbar “lord of Atha” threw of his subjection, and murdered the young king in his palace of Temora. Fingal interfered in behalf of the Caels; but no sooner had he landed in Ireland, than Cairbar invited Oscar (Fingal’s grandson) to a banquet, picked a quarrel with him, and both fell dead, each by the other’s hand. On the death of Cairbar, Foldath became leader of the Fir-bolg, but was slain by Fillan son of Fingal. Fillan, in turn, was slain by Cathmor brother of Cairbar. Fingal now took the lead of his army in person, slew Cathmor, reduced the Fir-bolg to subjection, and placed on the throne Ferad-Artho, the only surviving descendant of Conar (first of the kings of Ulster of Caledonian race).

Tempê , a valley in Greece, between mount Olympus and mount Ossa. The word was employed by the Greek and Roman poets as a synonym for any valley noted for its cool shades, singing birds, and romantic scenery.

They would have thought, who heard the strain,
They saw in Tempé’s vale her native maids,
Amidst the festal-sounding shades,
To some unwearied minstrel dancing.
   —Collins: Ode to the Passions (1746).

TEMPEST (The), a drama by Shakespeare (1609). Prospero and his daughter Miranda lived on a d esert island, enchanted by Sycorax who was dead. The only other inhabitants were Caliban, the son of Sycorax, a strange misshapen thing like a gorilla, and Ariel a sprite, who had been imprisoned by Sycorax for twelve years in the rift of a pine tree, from which Prospero set him free. One day, Prospero saw a ship off the island, and raised a tempest to wreck it. By this means, his brother Anthonio, prince Ferdinand, and the king of Naples were brought to the island. Now, it must be known that Prospero was once duke of Milan; but his brother Anthonio, aided by the king of Naples, had usurped the throne, and set Prospero and Miranda adrift in a small boat, which was wind-driven to this desert island. Ferdinand (son of the king of Naples) and Miranda fell in love with each other, and the rest of the shipwrecked party being brought together by Ariel, Anthonio asked forgiveness of his brother, Prospero was restored to his dukedom, and the whole party was conducted by Ariel with prosperous breezes back to Italy. (Dryden has a drama called The Tempest, 1668.)

Tempest (The), a sobriquet of marshal Junot, one of Napoleon’s generals, noted for his martial impetuosity (1771–1813).

Tempest (The Hon. Mr.), late governor of Senegambia. He was the son of lord Hurricane; impatient, irascible, headstrong, and poor. He says he never was in smooth water since he was born, for, being only a younger son, his father gave him no education, taught him nothing, and then buffeted him for being a dunce.