fabulous history, daughter of Oeneus king of Ætolia, and wife to Hercules. The centaur Nessus endeavouring to ravish her, was slain by Hercules with a poisoned arrow. Nessus, when dying, 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 she had reason to suspect his fidelity, sent him the shirt; which he had no sooner put on, than he was seized with the most excruciating torments. Being unable to support his pains, he retired to Mount Oeta, and erecting a pile of wood, set fire to it, and threw himself into the flames; upon which Dejanira killed herself in despair.