Chapter Danaw to Darby and Joan of D by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Danhasch, one of the genii who did not “acknowledge the great Solomon.” When the princess Badoura in her sleep was carried to the bed of prince Camaralzaman that she might see him, Danhasch changed himself into a flea, and bit her lip, at which Badoura awoke, saw the prince sleeping by her side, and afterwards became his wife.—Arabian Nights (“Camaralzaman and Badoura”).

Daniel (The Book of), in the Old Testament, may be divided into two parts, the first of which (ch. i.-iv.) is historical, and the rest a series of visions.

Daniel, son of Widow Lackitt; a wealthy Indian planter. A noodle, whom Lucy Weldon marries for his money.—Southern: Oroonoko (1696).

Dannischemend, the Persian sorcerer, mentioned in Donnerhugel’s narrative.—Sir W. Scott: Anne of Geierstein (time, Edward IV.).

Dante. (See Divina Commedia.)

Dante (The Prophecy of), a poem by lord Byron, in the Italian measure. Written in 1821.

Dante and Beatrice. Some say that Beatrice, in Dantê’s Divina Commedia, merely personifies faith; others think it a real character, and say she was the daughter of an illustrious family of Portinari, for whom the poet entertained a purely platonic affection. She meets the poet after he has been dragged through the river Lethê (Purgatory, xxxi.), and conduc ts him through paradise. Beatrice Portinari married Simon de Bardi, and died at the age of 24; Dantê was a few months older.

Some persons say that Dante meant Theology
By Beatrice, and not a mistress; I …
Deem this a commentator’s phantasy.
   —Byron: Don Fuan, iii. 11 (1820).

N.B.—The poet married Gemma, of the powerful house of Donati. (See Loves.)

Dantê’s Beard. All the pictures of Dantê which I have seen represent him without any beard or hair on his face at all; but in Purgatory, xxxi., Beatrice says to him, “Raise thou thy beard, and lo! what sight shall do?” i.e. lift up your face and look about you; and he adds, “No sooner lifted I mine aspect up … than mine eyes [encountered] Beatrice.”

Danton of the Cevennes, Pierre Seguier, prophet and preacher of Magistavols, in France. He was a leader amongst the Camisards.

Danvers (Charles), an embryo barrister of the Middle Temple.—C. Selby: The Unfinished Gentleman (1841).

Daphnaida, an elegy by Spenser, on the daughter of lord Howard, an heiress (1591).

Daphne , daughter of Sileno and Mysis, and sister of Nysa. The favourite of Apollo while sojourning on earth in the character of a shepherd-lad named “Pol.”—Kane O’Hara: Midas (a burletta, 1764).

(In classic mythology Daphnê fled from the amorous god, and escaped by being changed into a laurel.)

Daphne, the vulgar proud wife of Chrysos the art patron.—Gilbert: Pygmalion and Galatea (1871).

Daphnis, a beautiful Sicilian shepherd, the inventor of bucolic poetry. He was a son of Mercury, and friend both of Pan and of Apollo.

Daphnis, the modest shepherd.

This is that modest shepherd, he
That only dare salute, but ne’er could be
Brought to kiss any, hold discourse or sing,
Whisper, or boldly ask.
   —F. Fletcher: The Faithful Shepherdess, i. 3 (1610).