mistress of Ammon and mother of Bacchus. Ammon hid
his mistress in the island Nysa (in Africa), in order to elude the
vigilance and jealousy of his wife Rhea. This account (given by
Diodorus Sic'ulus, bk. iii., and by sir Walter Raleigh in his _History
of the World_, I. vi. 5) differs from the ordinary story, which makes
Sem'ele the mother of Bacchus, and Rhea his nurse. (Ammon is Ham or
Cham, the son of Noah, founder of the African race.)

... that Nyseian ile,
Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham
(Whom Gentiles Ammon call, and Libyan Jove)
Hid Amalthea and her florid son,
Young Bacchus, from his stepdame Rhea's eye.

Milton, _Paradise Lost_, iv. 275 (1665).

AMANDA, wife of Loveless. Lord Foppington pays her amorous attentions,
but she utterly despises the conceited coxcomb, and treats him with
contumely. Colonel Townly, in order to pique his lady-love, also
pays attention to Loveless's wife, but she repels his advances with
indignation, and Loveless, who overhears her, conscious of his own
shortcomings, resolves to reform his ways, and, "forsaking all
other," to remain true to Amanda, "so long as they both should
live."--Sheridan, _A Trip to Scarborough_.

_Aman'da_, in Thomson's _Seasons_, is meant for Miss Young, who
married admiral Campbell.

And thou, Amanda, come, pride of my song!
Formed by the Graces, loveliness itself.

"Spring," 480, 481 (1728).

_Amanda_, the victim of Peregrine Pickle's seduction, in Smollett's
novel of _Peregrine Pickle_ (1751).

_Amanda_, worldly woman in Julia Ward Howe's poem, _Amanda's
Inventory_, who sums up her wealth and honors, and is forced to
conclude the list with death (1866).

AMARAN'TA, wife of Bar'tolus, the covetous lawyer. She was wantonly
loved by Leandro, a Spanish gentleman.--Beaumont and Fletcher, _The
Spanish Curate_ (1622).

AM'ARANTH (_Lady_), in _Wild Oats_, by John O'Keefe, a famous part of
Mrs. Pope (1740-1797).

AMARIL'LIS, a shepherdess in love with Per'igot (_t_ sounded), but
Perigot loved Am'oret. In order to break off this affection, Amarillis
induced "the sullen shepherd" to dip her in "the magic well," whereby
she became transformed into the perfect resemblance of her rival, and
soon effectually disgusted Perigot with her bold and wanton conduct.
When afterwards he met the true Amoret, he repulsed her, and even
wounded her with intent to kill. Ultimately, the trick was discovered
by Cor'in, "the faithful shepherdess,"