Are held, with his melodious harmony,
In willing chains and sweet captivity.
Milton, Vacation Exercise (1627).
Dem'ogor'gon, 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" (Faëry Queen, iv. 2); but Ariosto says he inhabited a splendid palace on the Himalaya Mountains. Demogorgon is mentioned by Statius in the Thebaid, iv. 516.
He's the first-begotten of Beëlzebub, with a face as terrible as Demogorgon.—Dryden, The Spanish Fryar, v. 2 (1680).
Demon. Increase Mather tells a long and circumstantial story of The Demon at William Morse His House, time of visitation being 1679. "The true story of these strange disturbances is as yet not certainly known," he says. "Some (as has been hinted), did suspect Morse's wife to be guilty of witchcraft."—Increase Mather, An Essay for the Eecording of Illustrious Providences (1681). Demoph'oôn (4 syl.) 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 Thet'is was taking similar precautions to render him immortal, when his father Pe'leus (2 syl.) interfered.—Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautic Exp., iv. 866.
Demos'thenes of the Pulpit. Dr. Thomas Rennell, dean of Westminster, was so called by William Pitt (1753-1840).