BIRD LEGEND AND LIFE 



awaiting him upon the waters. The disasters which she pic- 

 tured were not born of idle fancy. Having lived in the cave 

 of Eolus, and having often witnessed the violence of the 

 winds, she knew whereof she spoke. She told him of the dire- 

 ful work of the winds, which rushed together with such fury 

 that fire flashed from the conflict; and of their battles with 

 the waves ; then, seeing that her Ceyx was not to be turned 

 aside, she said: "If you must go, take me with you, for if 

 I am left behind I shall suffer not only the real dangers 

 which you pass through, but those also which my fears sug- 

 gest." 



Ceyx was greatly troubled, for he also wished that she 

 might go with him, but he loved her too dearly to expose her 

 to the dangers which he knew he must encounter. Assuring 

 her of his enduring love, he left her with this promise: "By 

 the rays of my father, the day-star, if fate permits, I will re- 

 turn before the moon shall have twice rounded her orb." 

 With sobs and with weeping, the young wife clung to him 

 until the men at the oars were ready to pull out into the 

 waters, and he could linger no longer. 



With tearful eyes she watched him wave. a last farewell 

 as his barque went out across the ocean. Not until its hull 

 was lost to sight, and the sails, even, had disappeared, did 

 she return to their lonely abode, where everything reminded 

 her of the departed loved one. The long days which followed 

 were made dark by forebodings and tears. 



Ceyx, too, was lonely and longed to turn back where 

 love was calling, but duty bade him go — so away from home 

 and happiness and safety he sailed. Yet, though there was 

 a tumult in his heart, he felt no fear for his own safety, for 

 the sea was calm. 



But, when midway between the two lands, as night is 



86 



