THE ORIGIN OF THE KINGFISHER 



THE beautiful love story of Ceyx and Halcyone has 

 been handed down to us through the ages. 



He, the brave and handsome young Thessalian 

 king, son of the Morning Star, and his gentle and beautiful 

 wife, Halcyone, daughter of the wind god, Eolus, gave to 

 each other such love as few ever know. Each to the other 

 was dearer than life — to her he was the wisest and bravest 

 of mortals, while, to him, she was as beautiful as the morn- 

 ing. 



During the first days they spent together no discord 

 marred their happiness, no cloud darkened their sky — all was 

 joy and brightness. 



After a time, dire misfortune came to the family of 

 Ceyx — misfortunes which he believed to be indicative of the 

 displeasure of the gods. Not knowing what to do to appease 

 them, he decided to consult the oracle of Apollo. This neces- 

 sitated a long and dangerous voyage to Clares in Ionia. 



On telling Halcyone of his intention, a deathly paleness 

 came over her. Jealousy, which ever gnaws at the vitals of 

 those who love deeply, now tortured her till she cried out in 

 agony: "What fault of mine has turned you from me? 

 Where now is the love you once gave? Have you learned 

 to feel comfortable with Halcyone away?" 



Then with honeyed words she endeavored to dissuade 

 him. Finding these of no avail, she told him of the dangers 



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