Definition of "Tempe"
Tempe
proper noun
(by extension) a beautiful valley; any delightful rural spot.
Quotations
Farre vnworhie am I to ſpend the leaſt breath of commendation in the extolling ſo delightfull and pleaſant a Tempe, or once to conſecrate my inke with the excellent mention of the thrice noble and illuſtrious Chieftaine vnder whom it is flouriſhingly gouerned.
1594, Thomas Nashe, “The Terrors of the Night. Or A Discourse of Apparitions.”, in Alexander B[alloch] Grosart, editor, The Complete Works of Thomas Nashe. […] (The Huth Library […]), volumes III ([…]), […], published 1883–84, pages 263–264
And finally, ſeeing that the whole earth was once a Tempe, an Eden (that is, a place of all pleaſures and delights) and the aſsigned poſſeſsion and naturall inheritance of man and woman to labour and liue in with exceeding great ioy and felicity; […]
1606, Richard Surflet, “To the Courteous Reader”, in Charles Steuens [i.e., Charles Estienne], John Liebault [i.e., Jean Liébault], translated by Richard Surflet, Maison Rustique, or The Countrey Farme: […], London: […] Arnold Hatfield for Iohn Norton and Iohn Bill, book I
[…] refuſing to walke forth into the Tempe and Feelds of the Muſes, […]
1612, Michael Drayton, “To the Generall Reader”, in [John Selden], editor, Poly-Olbion. Or A Chorographicall Description of Tracts, Riuers, Mountaines, Forests, and Other Parts of this Renowned Isle of Great Britaine, […], London: […] H[umphrey] L[ownes] for Mathew Lownes; I. Browne; I. Helme; I. Busbie, published 1613, signature A, recto
I am rejoiced to be once more in the gay solitude of my own little Tempe.
1770 July 7, Horace Walpole, “Letter CCLVIII”, in Letters from the Hon. Horace Walpole, to George Montagu, Esq. from the Year 1736, to the Year 1770. […] (The Works of Horatio Walpole, Earl of Orford; VI), London: […] Rodwell and Martin, […], and Henry Colburn, […], published 1818, page 442