S. Butler, Hudibras, iii. 2 (1678).
Lyæus (“spleen-melter”), one of the names of Bacchus.
He perchance the gifts
Of young Lyæus, and the dread exploits,
May sing.
Akenside, Hymn to the Naiads (1767).
Lyb´ius (Sir), a very young knight who undertook to rescue the lady of Sinadone. After overcoming sundry knights, giants, and enchanters, he entered the palace, when the whole edifice fell to pieces, and a horrible serpent coiled about his neck and kissed him. The spell being broken, the serpent turned into the lady of Sinadone, who became Sir Lybius’s bride.—Libeaux (a romance).
Lyca´on, king of Arcadia, instituted human sacrifices and was metamorphosed into a wolf. Some say all his sons were also changed into wolves, except one named Nictimus. Oh that
Of Arcady the beares
Might plucke away thine ears;