Delphinus (constellation)

Originally posted to Shrubbery, 1 Nov 2003

Arion was a poet and musician (in those days they went hand in hand) born in Lesbos. His great skill had won him the favour of King Periander of Corinth, and he spent a great deal of time as a teacher and court musician in that city.

One day the poet came to the king to ask his permission to leave Corinth for a time. There was to be a great contest in Sicily, and Arion wanted to try his skill against the Mediterranean's best poets. King Periander reluctantly gave his assent in return for a promised return, and soon the poet was headed across the sea to the competition.

Arion's poems far surpassed anything else offered at the contest, and the poet was pleased and amazed to find himself showered with not only the stated prize but many other gifts besides. The Sicilians begged Arion to stay with them, but he remembered King Periander's kindness and the promise he'd made to return to Corinth. Loaded with riches, he set sail on a ship bound back to his adopted home town and dreamed of the proud return he would make.

The sailors on board the ship, however, had other plans. They couldn't help but notice Arion's rich cargo and were soon scheming to have it for themselves.

One day, as the poet sat gazing over the waves, they approached him from behind, bound him, and told him they were going to kill him for his money. Arion offered them everything he had except for his cythara (musical instrument) in exchange for his life, but the sailors didn't want a witness to their crimes and refused.

Arion pleaded with his captors to be allowed one more song before his death, and the men agreed. The poet took up his harp and sang his sweetest song in hopes of melting the sailors' hard hearts, but he could see it was in vain. Choosing his own end, he finished his song and leaped out of the boat into the sea.

The sailors were surprised by the poet's sudden disappearance, but rather than look for him they decided to let him drown. Either way, they would keep the money.

Unbeknownst to the wicked sailors, Arion's last song had attracted attention from Poseidon, god of the sea. As the poet thrashed in the water, he felt himself lifted mysteriously back up to the surface. Poseidon had sent a dolphin to take him to safety, and before Arion would have thought it possible he found himself returned to the harbour of Corinth.

King Periander was naturally very glad to see Arion back in his city, and when he heard the story of the evil sailors and the poet's magical rescue he was astounded. He vowed to get revenge on the sailors when their ship eventually returned to Corinth.

Sure enough, a day later the ship pulled into harbour. The king went down to the docks pretending to greet the poet, and when the poet wasn't to be found he demanded that the crew tell him any news they had of Arion. The sailors were ready for this, however, and told the king that Arion had been so well received in Sicily that he'd decided to settle there, a rich and honoured man.

Periander listened to this story carefully, then asked the sailors if they'd mind repeating it to a friend of his. With that, the "drowned" poet appeared before his captors. The men were so startled by this that they confessed to their crimes at once.

The king saw to the punishment of the sailors (read that as: he had them executed), Arion was restored to his riches, and Corinth was enriched by his songs for a very long time.

Poseidon's faithful dolphin was rewarded by being placed in the heavens. Delphinus is often spoken of as a lucky constellation in honour of the lucky poet.