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DELPHYN. Delphinus, the Dolphin, is one of the smallest constellations and lies in the northern hemisphere. It represents the Dolphin that caught Arion as he leapt into the sea to escape the murderous captain of his ship (Fasti II.79-118).

The Learned Eagle points out the constellation to the frightened dreamer as they fly through the sky, HF II.1006. [Arionis Harpe: Orion]

Chaucer's Delphyn is a variant of Ovid's Delphina and occurs in final rhyming position.


R.H. Allen, Star Names and their Meanings, 198-199; Ovid, Fasti, ed. and trans J.G. Frazer, 62-65.
From CHAUCER NAME DICTIONARY
Copyright © 1988, 1996 Jacqueline de Weever
Published by Garland Publishing, Inc., New York and London.

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