A feigned note of the nightingale.
Tēreu vocative of Gr.-L. Tēreus, name in mythology of the husband of Philomela’s sister Progne, and father of Itys; all, according to Ovid Met., VI. viii. transformed to birds; the nightingale’s note being still a piteous cry to Tereus.
1576. Gascoigne, Compl. Philomene, in Streee Gl., etc. (Arb.), 110. And for hir foremost note, Tereu Tereu doth sing.
1598. Barnfield, Ode, Poems (Arb.), 120. The Nightingale … (poore Bird) … sung the dolefulst Ditty, That to heare it was great Pitty. Fie, fie, fie, now would she cry Teru Teru, by and by.
a. 1627. Middleton, Father Hubbard’s T., Wks. (Dyce), V. 603. Away she flew, Crying Tereu!
1657. Thornley, trans. Longus’ Daphnis & Chloe, 124. The Nightingales began to jug and warble their Tereus and Ity’s again.
