H o m e r *s Life and Writings.
83
The Name of these Enchantresses comes Sect. from the Punic or Phenician Word—Sir, a XI. i&wg-; — thence Siren, <z«y thing vocals that p^aT^l) ^wgj. ^Their Abode was upon a long Pro- 261. (*j ' montory near to Nap/es, with a Temple of ' the Sirens, upon one fide towards the Sea,
- and three little Islands lying opposite to the
' other ; uninhabited Rocks which they call the
- Sirenufœ.'
Strabo. They likewise shew in Naples the Tomb of Parthenope, one of the Sirens.—Their first Seat was about the Promontory Pelorus, and after wards they came and inhabited the Island Capreœ. Servius, Æneid. V. In the same Class with these singing Ladies, Horace, speaking ofUIyJfes, has placed the other Enchantress, the powerful Circe. The Sirens' Songs, and Circe'j Cups you know, Which had he drunk, as did his greedy Crew,
MJ. (n) i6'-
A vile Dog he had liv'd, or wallowing Sow. L e t t e r t o Lollius. Nor are they joined without Reason, either from the Moral, or from the real Characters. Circe" was herself a Siren : When UlyJJ'es' Mes sengers approached her Palace, Within they heard ^ The powerful Circe Jing, with Voice divine : 2b2 w 1
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