E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Alphe’os and Arethu sa.
The Greek fable says that Alphe’os, the river-god, fell in love with the nymph Arethu’sa, who fled from him in affright. The god pursued under the sea, but the nymph was changed into a spring, which comes up in the harbour of Syracuse.
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“We have seen a moustachioed Alpheos, at Ramsgate, pursue an affrighted Arethus&adot;.”—London Review.
