Note 309 — SCENE VII.
Reading edition
Phitonessa’s power] The word Phitoness—i.e. Pythoness—is of frequent occurrence in the works of our earliest poets. It generally means the witch of Endor:
“And speke as renably, and faire, and wel,
As to the Phitonesse did Samuel.”
Chaucer’s Freres Tale, v. 7091, ed. Tyr.
See also Gower’s Conf. Am. fol. lxxiii. ed. 1554; Skelton’s “Adicyon” to Phyllyp Sparowe; Sir D. Lyndsay’s Monarchie, Works, vol. iii. p. 151, ed. Chal. Sometimes it is used in a more extended sense;
“And Phetonisses, Charmeresses,” &c.
Chaucer’s House of Fame, fol. 267, Works, ed. 1602.
See also Lydgate’s Warres of Troy, sig. K vi. ed. 1555.