Amphion there the loud creating lyre
  Strikes, and behold a sudden Thebes aspire.

Pope, Temple of Fame.

AMPHIS-BAENA, a reptile which could go head foremost either way, because it had a head at each extremity.  Milton uses the word in Paradise Lost, x. 524. (Greek, ampi baino, “I go both ways.”)

  The amphis-baena doubly armed appears,
  At either end a threatening head she rears.

Rowe, Pharsalia, ix. 696, etc. (by Lucan).

AMPHITRYON, a Theban general, husband of Alcme’ne (3 syl.).  While Amphitryon was absent at war with Pter’elas, king of the Tel’eboans, Jupiter assumed his form, and visited Alcmene, who in due time became the mother of Her’cules.  Next day Amphitryon returned, having slain Pterelas, and Alcmene was surprised to see him so soon again.  Here a great entanglement arose, Alcmene telling her husband he visited her last night, and showing him the ring he gave her, and Amphitryon declaring he was with the army.  This confusion is still further increased by his slave Sos’ia, who went to take to Alcmene the news of victory, but was stopped at the door of the house by Mercury, who had assumed for the nonce Sosia’s form, and the slave could not make out whether he was himself or not.  This plot has been made a comedy by Plautus, Moliere, and Dryden.

  The scenes which Plautus drew, to-night we show,
  Touched by Moliere, by Dryden taught to glow.

  Prologue to Hawksworth’s version.

As an Amphitryon chez qui l’on dine, no one knows better than Ouida the uses of a recherche dinner.—­E.  Yates, Celebrities, xix.

“Amphitryon”:  Le veritable Amphitryon est l’Amphitryon ou l’on dine ("The master of the feast is the master of the house").  While the confusion was at its height between the false and true Amphitryon, Socie [Sosia] the slave is requested to decide which was which, and replied—­

  Je ne me trompois pas, messieurs; ce mot termine
  Toute l’irresolution;
  Le veritable Amphitryon
  Est l’Amphitryon ou l’on dine.

  Moliere, Amphitryon, iii. 5 (1668).

  Demosthenes and Cicero
  Are doubtless stately names to hear,
  But that of good Amphitryon
  Sounds far more pleasant to my ear.

  M.A.  Desaugiers (1772-1827).

AMRAH, the faithful woman-servant of the household of Ben-Hur in Lew Wallace’s novel, Ben-Hur.  Through her heroic services, Judah, the son, finds the mother and sister from whom he has been so long separated (1880).

AM’RI, in Absalom and Achitophel, by Dryden and Tate, is Heneage Finch, earl of Nottingham and lord chancellor.  He is called “The Father of Equity” (1621-1682).

  To whom the double blessing did belong,
  With Moses’ inspiration, Aaron’s tongue.

Part ii.