Phaʹeton

The son of Phœbus, who undertook to drive the chariot of the sun, was upset, and caused great mischief; Libya was parched into barren sands, and all Africa was more or less injured, the inhabitants blackened, and vegetation nearly destroyed.

“Gallop apace, you fiery-footed steeds,

Towards Phœbusʹ mansion; such a waggoner

As Phæton would whip you to the west,

And bring in cloudy night immediately.”

Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet, iii. 2.

Phaʹeton. A sort of carriage; so called from the sun-car driven by Phaeton. (See above.)

Phaeton’s bird. The swan. Cyenus was the friend of Phaeton, and lamented his fate so grievously that Apollo changed her into a swan, and placed her among the constellations.

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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.