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Gorgon
Anything unusually hideous. There were three Gorgons, with
serpents on their heads instead of hair; Medusa was the chief of the
three, and the only one that was mortal; but so hideous was her face
that whoever set eyes on it was instantly turned into stone. She was
slain by Perseus, and her head placed on the shield of Minerva.
Lest Gorgon rising from the infernal lakes
With horrors armed, and curls of hissing snakes,
Should fix me, stiffened at the monstrous sight,
A stony image in eternal night.
Odyssey, xi.
What was that snaky-headed Gorgon shield
That wise Minerva wore unconquered virgin,
Where with she freezed her foes to congealed stone?
But rigid looks of chaste austerity,
And noble grace, that dashed brute violence
With sudden adoration and blank awe.
Milton: Comus, 458-463.
Gorham Controversy This arose out of the refusal of the bishop of
Exeter to institute the Rev. Cornelius Gorham to the vicarage of
Brampford Speke, “because he held unsound views on the doctrine of
baptism.” Mr. Gorham maintained that “spiritual regeneration is not
conferred on children by baptism.” After two years' controversy, the
Privy Council decided in favour of Mr. Gorham. (1851).
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 More on Gorgon from Infoplease:
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