E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Talus.
Sir Artegal’s iron man. Spenser, in his Faërie Queene, makes Talus run continually round the island of Crete to chastise offenders with an iron flail. He represents executive power—“swift as a swallow, and as lion strong.” In Greek mythology, Talos was a man of brass, the work of Hephætos (Vulcan), who went round the island of Crete thrice a day. Whenever he saw a stranger draw near the island he made himself red-hot, and embraced the stranger to death.
