Harmless as a Dove (Matt. x. 16.)
Harmonia's Necklace An unlucky possession, something that brings evil to all who possess it. Harmonia
was the daughter of Mars and Venus. On the day of her marriage with King Cadmos, she received a
necklace which proved fatal to all who possessed it.
The collar given by Alphesibea (or Arsinoë) to her
husband Alcmæon was a like fatal gift. So were the collar and veil of Eriphyle, wife of Amphiaraos, and
the Trojan horse. (See Fatal Gifts.)
Harmonia's Robe On the marriage of Harmonia, Vulcan, to avenge the infidelity of her mother, made
the bride a present of a robe dyed in all sorts of crimes, which infused wickedness and impiety into
all her offspring. Both Harmonia and Cadmos, after having suffered many misfortunes, and seen their
children a sorrow to them, were changed into serpents. (Pausanias, 9, 10.) (See Nessus.)
Medea, in a
fit of jealousy, sent Creusa a wedding robe, which burnt her to death. (Euripides: Medea.)
Harness To die in harness. To continue in one's work or occupation till death. The allusion is to soldiers
in armour or harness.
"At least we'll die with harness on our back."
Shakespeare: Macbeth, v. 5.