E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Blatant Beast (The).
“A dreadful fiend of gods and men, ydrad;” type of “Common Rumour” or “Slander.” He has 100 tongues and a sting; with his tongues he speaks things “most shameful, most unrighteous, most untrue;” and with his sting “steeps them in poison.” Sir Calidore muzzled the monster, and drew him with a chain to Faërie Land. After a time the beast broke his chain and regained his liberty. (Saxon, blœtan, to bellow.) (Spenser: Faërie Queene, books v. vi.)
