Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/17

Rh of a gentleman in Holland, and a nun of the order of St. Augustin. She distinguished herself by her talent for poetry which she exercised only on religious subjects; one of which was, A Version of the Psalms of David.

A Pagan and courtezan, Afra had no sooner heard the gospel preached, than she was struck with horror at her past life. She confessed her sins, and was baptized; but her former lovers, enraged that they could no longer obtain admission at her house, denounced her as a Christian. She was examined, confessed her faith before the judge with firmness, and was burnt alive. Her mother and three servants, who had shared her crimes and her repentance, were arrested, as they watched at her tomb, and suffered the same punishment.

A Woman of the island of Corfu, whose knowledge is highly spoken of by ancient authors. She excelled principally in rhetoric and grammar. It is said she composed some treatises on these subjects. Meursius, in his work on Grecian games, attributes the invention of a play at ball to her. AGATHA,