Chapter Merlin the Wild to Metastasio of M by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Mordaunt Mertoun, son of Basil Mertoun. He marries Brenda Troil.—Sir W. Scott: The Pirate (time, William III.).

Merveilleuse [Mair-vay-uze], the sword of Doolin of Mayence. It was so sharp that, if placed edge downwards on a block of wood, it would cut through it.

Mervett (Gustavus de), in Charles XII., an historical drama by J. R. Planché (1826).

Mervinia, Merionethshire. On the Mervin Hills the British found security when driven by the Saxons out of England. Here the Welsh laws were retained longest. This part of Wales is peculiarly rich in mountains, meres, and springs.

Mervinia for her hills…especial audience craves.
   —Drayton: Polyolbion, ix. (1612).

Mervyn (Mr. Arthur), guardian of Julia Mannering.—Sir W. Scott: Guy Mannering (time, George II.).

Mesopotamia or Cubitopolis, the district about Warwick and Eccleston Squares, in London, mainly built by Cubit.

Messalina, wife of the emperor Claudius of Rome. Her name is a byword for incontinency (A. D. *-48).

She is not one of those Messalinas who, belying the pride of birth, humble their affections even to the dust, and dishonour themselves without a blush.—Lesage: Gil Blas, iv. 1 (1724).

Oh thou epitomê of thy virtuous sex, Madam Messalina II., retire to thy apartment!—Dryden: The Spanish Fryar, iii. 1 (1680).

When I meet a Messalina, tired and unsated in her foul desires,—a Clytemnestra, bathed in her husband’s blood,—an impious Tullia, whirling her chariot over her father’s breathless body,—horror invades my faculties.—Cibber: Love Makes a Man (1700).

The Modern Messalina, Catherine II. of Russia (1729–1796).

Messalina of Germany, Barbary of Cilley, second wife of kaiser Sigismund of Germany (fifteenth century).

Messiah (The), an epic poem in fifteen books, by F. G. Klopstock. The first three were published in 1748, and the last in 1773. The subject is the last days of Jesus, His crucifixion and resurrection. Bk. i. Jesus ascends the Mount of Olives, to spend the night in prayer. Bk. ii. John the Beloved failing to exorcise a demoniac, Jesus goes to his assistance; and Satan, rebuked, returns to hell, where he tells the fallen angels his version of the birth and ministry of Christ, whose death he resolves on. Bk. iii. Messiah sleeps for the last time on the Mount of Olives; the tutelar angels of the twelve apostles, and a description of the apostles are given. Satan gives Judas a dream, and then enters the heart of Caiaphas. Bk. iv. The council in the

palace of Caiaphas decree that Jesus must die; Jesus sends Peter and John to prepare the Passover, and eats His Last Supper with His apostles. Bk. v. The three hours of agony in the garden. Bk. vi. Jesus, bound, is taken before Annas, and then before Caiaphas. Peter denies his Master. Bk. vii. Christ is brought before Pilate; Judas hangs himself; Pilate sends Jesus to Herod, but Herod sends Him again to Pilate, who delivers Him to the Jews. Bk. viii. Christ nailed to the cross. Bk. ix. Christ on the cross. Bk. x. The death of Christ. Bk. xi. The vail of the temple rent, and the resurrection of many from their graves. Bk. xii. The burial of the body, and death of Mary the sister of Lazarus. Bk. xiii. The resurrection and suicide of Philo. Bk. xiv. Jesus shows Himself to His disciples. Bk. xv. Many of those who had risen from their graves show themselves to others. Conclusion.

(English versions: In prose, by Collyer in 1763, and by Raffles in 1815; in verse, by Egestorff in 1821.)