[L. Corydon, Gr. Κορύδων proper name, applied by Theocritus and Vergil to a shepherd: cf. Ecl. ii. 56. ‘Rusticus es Corydon.’] A generic proper name in pastoral poetry for a rustic.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 256 b. I suppose Coridon him selfe could not have done more rustically.
1603. H. Crosse, Vertues Commw. (1878), 61. The shomaker must not goe beyond his latchet,… nor schollers teach Coridon to holde the plough.
1632. Milton, L’Allegro, 83. Where Corydon and Thyrsis met, Are at their savoury dinner set … Which the neat-handed Phillis dresses.
1763. J. Cunningham, To Shenstone, Corydon, a Pastoral, iv. Give me my Corydon’s flute.
1848. Thackeray, Van. Fair, II. xii. 191. ‘Gad, what a debauched Corydon!’ said my lord.
Hence † Corydonical a.
1656. S. Holland, Zara, 185. Being either not well in his wits, or a Coridonicall Coxcombe.
