84 
THE LANGUAGE OF BIRDS. 
reason they were styled Halcyon days, and the wind 
Halcyone. This ridiculous story runs thus : — " Ceyx, 
king of Magnesia, had espoused Alcyone, the daugh- 
ter of the wind, by whom he was most passionately 
beloved ; their affection was mutual, as he regarded 
her with the most sincere attachment. Some unplea- 
sant and unforeseen events, which affected both his 
country and his relation, Peleus, exciting his fears, 
induced him to consult the oracle of Apollo. With 
this determination he made preparations for his voy- 
age, contrary to the tears and entreaties of Alcyone, 
who earnestly besought him either to allow her to 
accompany him or to abandon the enterprise, which 
her prophetic feelings led her to fear would prove 
fatal. Dryden, in his translation of Ovid, says — 
But ah ! be warned to shun the wat'ry way ; 
The face is frightful of the stormy sea ; 
For late I saw a-drift disjointed planks. 
And empty tombs erected on the banks. 
Nor let false hopes to trust betray thy mind. 
Because my sire in caves constrains the wind. 
Can, with a breath, their clam'rous rage appease, 
They fear his whistle, and forsake the seas. 
