The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-07
In HALCYON DAYS
A BEAUTIFUL AND PATHETIC LEGEND
OF TIE ClDEN TIME.

A Hapiess Qneen Whom Fate Parted From
the Husband She Adored - Her Loss
Made Known In Drcam-Changed by
che Gods Into Birds. They Were Reunited
No doubt you have noticed that usually
there are few days of mild, sunny wealth
er just before winter sets in for good
Sometimes there is a week Of sunshine and
calm, though oftener the period is shorter
We speak CT 'halcyon days" in referring
TO any pleasant interval of time, but the
expression originally referred only 10 the
sunny, pleasant calm that closes the au-
tumn and ushers in the winter season
The name originated with the ancients
Dies Halcyonii-which they gave TO the
seven days that precede the solstice and
the seven that follow it. because the hal
cyon, or kingiisher. laid her eggs at that
time OF the year. And as the weather dur
ing the period OF her incubation was said
to be always calm and serene the terra
halcyon days came frequently 10 be used
in figurati~e sense 10 express any season
of transient peace or happiness.
One Of the most charming stories OF the
ancients relates the origin Of the express
sion, and though the age OF fable Is past
and these symbolic fahrications are no
longer believed as truth the beauty of the
idea remains, and no doubt you will De
pleased TO read the legend.
Halcyone was the daughter OF Eolus,
the god OF the winds, and was queen OF
Thessaly. Her husbands name was Ceyx-
They lived happily together through
long and prosperous reign, but in their old
age dire prodigies seemed to threaten their
house and kingdom.
Perpiezed and alarmed, King Ceyx de-
termined 20 visit Delphi, where there was
a famous oracle, and consult the priestess
of Apollo, hoping thereby 10 learn by what
means he might socthe the wrath of the
gods. This made necessary long and
dangerous voyage by sea, as access to the
temple by land was prevented by the bands
of robbers that infested the neighborhood-
Queen Halcycne was overwhelmed with
bic at the resolution or her husband
and used svery argument in her power 10
prevent him from going. She represented
to him the many dangers that would attend
the voyage; reminded him OF the numer-
Gus shipwrecks of which they had been
eyewitness.
At last, finding all her entreaties I'M
availing, Halcyone besougbt her husband
to allow her TO accompany him. but the
king refused the request and at the same
time strove 10 assuage her fears, assuring
her that there was but little real danger,
and that he should certainly return before
two months should roll round.
When the moment of separation came,
Halcyone tainted away, and when she
came TO her senses the vessel was already
at distance, but she could perceive her
husband standing on the poop, waving his
hand in affectionate adieu. She followed
him with her eyes till the horizon of water
shut his vessel from her sight, and then,
with heavy heart, she returned to the
palace.
Hap,ess Halcyonel Her gloomy pre-
sages were but too soon realized. A tenn
pest arose, the horrors of which not only
surpass the powers Of description, but de-
feat even these of the imagination. The
vessel of the i'll starred monarch persisted
in the waves, and Ceyx went down with it.
Meanwhile, sad and fearful, but igno-
rant of her husband s fate, Halcyone count
ed with impotence the days that were yet
to pass before the date of his promised re-
turn. Nor was she uselessly idle, but en-
ployed herself in working superb gar
ment, which she intended TO present TO
him on his arrival.
Being faithful worshiper of the gods,
she repaired daily to the temples, where
she implored them to protect her lord and
offered costly gifts and incense on all their
affairs. The plying deities sympathlzed
with the fidelity of Halcyone. Being IN
willing that she should longer offer prayer
for one who was already numbered with
the dead. June, the queen Of heaven, dis
patched Iris, her messenger, to the cave Of
the god OF sleep, commanding him 10 an
nounce By a dream to Halcyone that her
husband was no more.
The fair messenger, arrayed in her most
brilliant robes, descended to the lower
world and entered the cavern Of the drow-
sy Somnus.
Iris announced her errand, and Somnus
prepared to obey the command of Juno.
Morpheus, his prime minister, was ordered
to visit Halcyone and by a dream make
known 10 her the fate of her husband.
Taking the form of Ceyx, pale, cold and
deathlike, with his hair wet and the water
dripping from his garment, he appeared TO
the sleeping Halcyone and thus addressed
her: Dear Halcyone, thy prayers for me
have been unavailing. Unhappy widow,
hope no moro 10 see thy husband Ceyx-
Prepare thy robe of mourning, for the wa
tiers of the sea cover thy husbands FORM
Console my wandering spirit by funeral
ceremonies and let not Ceyx descend TO
the realms CT Pluto unwept by the dear
object Of his faithful attachment"
Halcyone swoke in the most fearful
agitation She beIncaned her loss with
tears and EXPLANATIONS. When morning
came, she went to the beach with her ut
tendants and sought the spot where she
had last seen Ceyx a corpse appeared
floating on the water The waves brought
it to the shore, and Halcyone saw that it
was indeed her husband whose return she
had so fondly expected
Frantic with grief and despair, the
wretched woman cast herself into the VA
ter In her fall she was changed into
bird. In this new form she perched on the
dead body, pocked at il with her oil,
famed II with her wings, and BIZ hun
dred gestures and motions expressed her
attachment.
To the establishment OF al the specta-
tors OF this extraordinary scene the corpse
was seen 70 move. The gods, approving
the faithful attachment Ct the afectionats
couple, restored Ceyx 20 life under form
similar 70 the one they had given % Hal
cyone. The two strange birds mated, and
for seven placid days in winter time Hal
cyone brOods oyer her nest, which floats
upon t. waves among tie sea girt isles
Fred " Colby IN Philadelphia Times
The The-moxen.
The therm0sel l. an appliance for keep