Hylas and the Nymphs by John William Waterhouse (1849 - 1917)
The Greek poet wrote (in THE ARGONAUTICA by Apollonius Rhodius)
" . . . . Meantime Hylas with pitcher of bronze in hand had gone apart
from the throng, seeking the sacred flow of a fountain,
that he might be quick in drawing water for the evening meal
and actively make all things ready in due order against his lord's return.
For in such ways did Heracles nurture him from his first childhood
when he had carried him off from the house of his father, goodly Theiodamas,
whom the hero pitilessly slew among the Dryopians because
he withstood him about an ox for the plough. Theiodamas was cleaving
with his plough the soil of fallow land when he was smitten with the curse;
and Heracles bade him give up the ploughing ox against his will.
For he desired to find some pretext for war against the Dryopians for their bane,
since they dwelt there reckless of right.
But these tales would lead me far astray from my song. And quickly Hylas
came to the pond which the people who dwell thereabouts call Pegae.
And the dances of the nymphs were just now being held there;
for it was the care of all the nymphs that haunted that lovely headland
ever to hymn Artemis in songs by night. All who held the mountain
peaks or glens, all they were ranged far off guarding the woods; but one,
a water-nymph was just rising from the fair-flowing spring; and the boy
she perceived close at hand with the rosy flush of his beauty and sweet grace.
For the full moon beaming from the sky smote him. And Cypris
made her heart faint, and in her confusion she could scarcely gather
her spirit back to her. But as soon as he dipped the pitcher in the
stream, leaning to one side, and the brimming water rang loud as it poured
against the sounding bronze, straightway she laid her left arm above
upon his neck yearning to kiss his tender mouth; and with her right
hand she drew down his elbow, and plunged him into the midst of the eddy. "
. . . . Alone of his comrades the hero Polyphemus, son of Eilatus,
as he went forward on the path, heard the boy's cry, for he expected
the return of mighty Heracles. And he rushed after the cry, near Pegae,
like some beast of the wild wood whom the bleating of sheep has reached
from afar, and burning with hunger he follows, but does not fall in with the flocks;
for the shepherds beforehand have penned them in the fold, but he groans and
roars vehemently until he is weary. Thus vehemently at that time did the son of
Eilatus groan and wandered shouting round the spot; and his voice rang piteous.
Then quickly drawing his great sword he started in pursuit, in fear lest the boy
should be the prey of wild beasts, or men should have lain in ambush for him
faring all alone, and be carrying him off, an easy prey. Hereupon as he brandished
his bare sword in his hand he met Heracles himself on the path, and well
he knew him as he hastened to the ship through the darkness. And straightway
he told the wretched calamity while his heart laboured with his panting breath."
. . . . 'My poor friend, I shall be the first to bring thee tidings of bitter woe.
Hylas has gone to the well and has not returned safe, but robbers have
attacked and are carrying him off, or beasts are tearing him to pieces;
I heard his cry.'"
. . . . Thus he spake; and when Heracles heard his words, sweat in abundance
poured down from his temples and the black blood boiled beneath his heart.
And in wrath he hurled the pine to the ground and hurried along the path whither
his feet bore on his impetuous soul. And as when a bull stung by a gadfly
tears along, leaving the meadows and the marsh land, and recks not of herdsmen
or herd, but presses on, now without cheek, now standing still, and raising his
broad neck he bellows loudly, stung by the maddening fly; so he in his frenzy
now would ply his swift knees unresting, now again would cease from toil and
shout afar with loud pealing cry. . . . . "
Heracles and Polyphemus searched too long for Hylas, and the Argo sailed without them.
In English:
Pegae was a Naiad (water nymph), who lured the handsome Hylas into her pond as he came to draw water.
