Chapter Maid Marian to Maimuna of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Maidens’ Castle (The), on the Severn. It was taken from a duke by seven knights, and held by them till sir Galahad expelled them. It was called “The Maidens’ Castle” because these knights made a vow that every maiden who passed it should be made a captive. This is an allegory.

The Castle of Maidens betokens the good souls that were in prison afore the incarnation of Christ. And the seven knights betoken the seven deadly sins which reigned in the world…And the good knight sir Galahad may be likened to the Son of the High Father, that Light within a maiden which brought all souls out of thraldom.—Sir T. Malory: History of Prince Arthur, iii. 44 (1470).

Mailsetter (Mrs.), keeper of the Fairport post-office.

Davie Mailsetter, her son.—Sir W. Scott: The Antiquary (time, George III.).

Maimoune , a fairy, daughter of Damriat “king of a legion o f genii.” When the princess Badoura, in her sleep, was carried to the bed of prince Camaralzaman to be shown to him, Maimounê changed herself into a flea, and bit the prince’s neck to wake him. Whereupon he sees the sleeping princess by his side, falls in love with her, and afterwards marries her.—Arabian Nights (“Camaralzaman and Badoura”).

Maimuna or Maimuna, on e of the sorceresses of Dom-Daniel, who repents and turns to Allah. Thalaba first encounters her, disguised as an old woman spinning the finest thread. He greatly marvels at its extreme fineness, but she tells him he cannot snap it; whereupon he winds it round his two wrists, and becomes powerless. Maimuna and her sister-sorceress Khwala, then carry him to the island of Mohareb, where he is held in durance; but Maimuna releases him, repents, and dies.—Southey: Thalaba the Destroyer, ix. (1797).