Note 384 — ACTUS III., SCÆNA 1.
Reading edition
Tarmagant or Termagant was, as Dr Percy observes, a Saracen deity, very clamorous and violent in the old moralities. He is frequently mentioned and alluded to in our ancient dramas and poems. Bishop Hall's "Satires" begin thus—
"Not Ladies' wanton love, nor wand'ring knight, Legend I out in rhimes all richly dight; Nor fright the reader with the Pagan vaunt Of mightie Mahound and great Termagaunt."
Mr Tyrwhitt says, the character is to be met with in an old romance, MSS. Bod. 1624, where it is constantly spelt Tervagan. (See notes to Chaucer, v. 13,741.)
See also "King and no King," act iv., and "Rule a Wife and have a Wife," act v.
Again, Hamlet says, "I would have such a fellow whipt for o'erdoing Termagant."
See notes on this passage, edit. 1778; also Warton's Observations on Spenser, ii. 226; [Bishop Percy's folio MS., ii. 467; and Nares, 1859, arts. Termagant and Trivigant.]