C — Cyclops to Cypriote (Part 2 of 2)

called Cynthia from Mount Cynthus, where she was born.

"And from embattled clouds emerging slow,
Cynthia came riding on her silver car."
Beattie: Minstrel.

   Cynthia. Pope, speaking of the inconstant character of woman, "matter too soft a lasting mark to bear," says -

"Come, then, the colours and the ground prepare!
Dip in the rainbow, trick her off in air;
Choose a firm cloud, before it fall, and in it
Catch, ere she change, the Cynthia of the minute." Epistle ii. 17-20.

Cypress (The) is a funeral tree, and was dedicated by the Romans to Pluto, because when once cut it never grows again.

"Cypresse garlands are of great account at funeralls amongst the gentiler sort, but rosemary and bayes are used by the commons both at funeralls and weddings. They are plants which fade not a good while after they are gathered ... and intimate that the remembrance of the present solemnity might not dye presently." - Coles: Introduction to the Knowledge of Plants.

   The magic cypress branch. In the opera of Roberto il Diavolo, after the "dance of love," in which Helena seduces the duke, he removes the cypress branch, which has the power of imparting to him whatever he wishes. With this he enters the palace of Isabella, princess of Sicily, and transfixes the princess and her attendants in a magic sleep, but afterwards relenting, he breaks the branch, and is dragged away by the guards.

Cyprian Brass or "æs Cyprium," copper. Pliny (book xxxiv. c. ii.) says, "in Cypro enim prima æris inventio fuit."

Cypriote A native of Cyprus; the dialect spoken on the island; pertaining or special to Cyprus.