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Arachnē’s Labours

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Spinning and weaving. Arachnē was so skilful a needlewoman that she challenged Minerva to a trial of skill, and hanged herself because the goddess beat her. Minerva then changed her into a spider.

“Arachnēs labours neʹer her hours divide,

Her noble hands nor looms nor spindles guide.”

Hoole’s Jerusalem Delivered, book ii.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.