Chapter DEMETRIUS to Derry-Down Triangle of D by Brewer's Readers Handbook

DEMETRIUS to Derry-Down Triangle

DEMETRIUS, a young Athenian , to whom Egeus promised his daughter Hermia in marriage. As Hermia loved L ysander, she refused to marry Demetrius, and fled from Athens with Lysander. Demetrius went in quest of her, and was followed by Helena, who doted on him. All four fell asleep, and “dreamed a dream” about the fairies. On waking, Demetrius became more reasonable. When Egeus found out how the case stood, he consented to the union of his daughter with Lysander.—Shakespeare: Midsummer Night’s Dream (1592).

Demetrius, in The Poetaster, by Ben Jonson, is meant for John Marston, who died 1633.

Demetrius , son of king Antigonus, in love with Celia, alias Enanthê.—Beaumont and Fletcher: The Humorous Lieutenant (printed 1647).

Demetrius, a citizen of Greece during the reign of Alexius Comnenus.—Sir W. Scott: Count Robert of Paris (time, Rufus).

Demiurgus, that mysterious agent which, according to Plato, made the world and all that it contains. The Logos of St. John’s Gospel (ch. i. 1).

Democritos (in Latin Democritus), the laughing or scoffing philosopher; the friar Bacon of his age. To “dine with Democritos” is to go without dinner.

People think that we [authors] often dine with Democritos, but there they are mistaken. There is not one of the fraternity who is not welcome to some good table.—Lesage: Gil Blas, xii. 7 (1735).

Democritus Junior, Robert Burton, author of The Anatomy of Melancholy (1621).

Demodocos (in Latin Demodocus), bard of Alcinous king of the Phæacians.

Such as the wise Demodicos once told
In solemn songs at king Alcinous’ feast,
While sad Ulysses’ soul and all the rest
Are held, with his melodious harmony,
In willing chains and sweet captivity.
   —Milton: Vacation Exercise (1627).

Demogorgon, tyrant of the elves and fays, whose very name inspired terror; hence Milton speaks of “the dreaded name of Demogorgon” (Paradise Lost, ii. 965). Spenser says he “dwells in the deep abyss where the three fatal sisters dwell” (Faërie Queene, iv. 2); but Ariosto says he inhabited a splendid palace on the Himalaya Mountains. Mentioned by Statius in the Thebaid, iv. 516. Shelley so calls eternity in Prometheus Unbound.

He’s the first-begotten of Beëlzebub, with a face as terrible as Demogorgon.—Dryden: The Spanish Fryar, v. 2 (1680).

Demonology and Witchcraft (Letters on), by sir Walter Scott (1830).

Demophoon was brought up by Demêter, who anointed him with ambrosia and plunged him every night into the fire. One day, his mother, out of curiosity, watched the proceeding, and was horror-struck; whereupon Demêter told her that her foolish curiosity had robbed her son of immortal youth.

This story is also told of Isis.—Plutarch: De Isid. et Osirid., xvi. 357.

A similar story is told of Achillês. His mother Thetis was taking similar precautions to render him immortal, when his father Peleusinterfered.—Apollonius Rhodius: Argonautic Exp., iv. 866.

Demosthenes (Son of). (See Rulers of The World.)

The High-born Demosthenes, William the Silent, prince of Orange (born 1533, assassinated 1584).