Page:Lovers Legends - The Gay Greek Myths.pdf/75

Rh and quiet sleep. But even as the outer eye closes, the inner one awakens. Hercules beheld Hylas rising from the water, his supple body wrapped in a robe of saffron weeds, the gift of the sly nymph.

"Why, father, do you keep on searching? It's such a waste of time. This is my home now, it is the will of Fate. That sweet quiver I used to shoulder — my heart breaks for it; but it's time for you to carry on now. Never fail in your labors, never let the sight of me fade from your eyes, always remember our love."

Tears welled up in Hercules' eyes: "How can I leave you here alone, my darling boy, and we never again to brave our stupendous trials together?" He reached out, hungry for one more hug, but his hands only clawed the mist. 61