ORION. Arion was a semi-mythical poet, born at Methymnan, Lesbos, where he is said to have been a pupil of Alcman, the Greek lyric poet of the second half of the seventh century B.C. As court poet to Periander, tyrant of Corinth, Arion was well paid for his services. While he was returning to Lesbos by ship, the captain and his crew threatened his life if he did not give up his gold. He asked permission to sing one last song before his death, which was granted. As he finished his song, he leapt into the sea, but a dolphin caught him on its back, and in this way he reached Lesbos. His dolphin and lyre were placed in the heavens (Fasti II.79-118). Gower presents Arion as a figure of harmony (Confessio Amantis, Prologue, 1054-1075).

The eagle points out the constellations Arion's Harp and the Dolphin to the terrified poet-dreamer, HF II.1005. Orion stands with other musicians in Fame's house, HF III.1203-1205. [Arionis Harpe: Delphyn]

The genitive singular, Arionis Harpe, HF II.1005, shows that Chaucer knew that the name was Arion. Orion, possibly a scribal error, occurs in final rhyming position, HF III.1205.