fabulous history, daughter of Oe- neus king of Ætolia, and wife to Hercules. The ce- taur Nessus endeavouring to ravish her, was slain by Hercules with a poisoned arrow. Nessus, when dy- ing, gave his bloody shirt to Dejanira; assuring her, that it was a sovereign remedy to cure her husband if ever he proved unfaithful. Some time after, Dejanira thinking he had reason to suspect his fidelity, lent him the shirt; which he had no sooner put on, than he was seized with the most excruciating torments. Be- ing unable to support his pains, he retired to mount