Thamʹyris

A Thracian bard mentioned by Homer (Iliad, ii. 595). He challenged the Muses to a trial of skill, and, being overcome in the contest, was deprived by them of his sight and power of song. He is represented with a broken lyre in his hand.

“Blind Thamyris and blind Mæonʹidēs [Homer],

And Tiresias and Phineus, prophets old.”

Milton: Paradise Lost, iii. 35–36.

⁂ “Tiresias” pronounce Tiʹ-re-sas, “Phineus” pronounce Fiʹnuce.

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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.