# Ceyx and Halcyone: or, the Halcyon Birds explained — Bulfinch’s Mythology > Chapter companion for Bulfinch’s Mythology by Thomas Bulfinch. ## What happens King Ceyx of Thessaly, grieving over his brother's death and ominous signs, decides to consult the oracle of Apollo. His wife Halcyone, daughter of Aeolus, pleads to accompany him but he refuses. During the voyage, a violent storm destroys the ship and Ceyx drowns. Juno sends Iris to Somnus, who dispatches Morpheus to appear as Ceyx's ghost to Halcyone. She awakens in grief, goes to the shore, and discovers her husband's body. ## Themes in this chapter ### Love and Transformation Halcyone's profound devotion to Ceyx leads to her grief and eventual transformation into a halcyon bird, symbolizing eternal love and the calming of the seas. ### Mortality and Immortality Ceyx's mortal death contrasts with the divine intervention of Juno and Somnus, and the eventual metamorphosis of the lovers into immortal birds. ## Character check-ins ### Juno Goddess who, weary of prayers for the dead Ceyx, sends Iris to Somnus to dispatch a dream to Halcyone. ### Iris Messenger of Juno, sent to the cave of Somnus to command a dream for Halcyone. ### Orpheus Morpheus, son of Somnus, is described as the most expert in counterfeiting forms; he assumes the shape of Ceyx to appear to Halcyone. ## Key lines > Ceyx was king of Thessaly, where he reigned in peace, without violence or wrong. He was son of Hesperus, the Daystar, and the glow of his beauty reminded one of his father. Ceyx ruled Thessaly peacefully and was known for his radiant beauty, inherited from his father Hesperus, the morning star. _Introduces Ceyx's lineage and character._ > Halcyone, the daughter of Aeolus, was his wife, and devotedly attached to him. Halcyone, daughter of the wind god Aeolus, was deeply devoted to her husband Ceyx. _Establishes the couple's close bond._ > I promise, by the rays of my father the Daystar, that if fate permits I will return before the moon shall have twice rounded her orb. Ceyx vows by his father's light that he will return within two months, if fate allows. _Ceyx's promise to Halcyone before departing._ > When Halcyone saw these preparations she shuddered, as if with a presentiment of evil. Halcyone trembled with a foreboding of disaster as she watched the ship being prepared. _Foreshadows the tragic outcome._ > Ceyx thinks of Halcyone. No name but hers is on his lips, and while he yearns for her, he yet rejoices in her absence. During the storm, Ceyx calls out only for Halcyone, grateful that she is not with him to face the danger. _Highlights Ceyx's love and concern for his wife._ > He prays that the waves may bear his body to her sight, and that it may receive burial at her hands. Ceyx hopes the sea will carry his corpse to Halcyone so she can give him a proper burial. _Ceyx's final wish before drowning._ > The goddess, at length, could not bear any longer to be pleaded with for one already dead, and to have hands raised to her altars that ought rather to be offering funeral rites. Juno grew tired of Halcyone's prayers for the dead Ceyx, as they should have been funeral offerings instead. _Juno's motivation to send the dream._ > Morpheus flew, making no noise with his wings, and soon came to the Haemonian city, where, laying aside his wings, he assumed the form of Ceyx. Morpheus silently flew to Thessaly and took on the appearance of the drowned Ceyx. _Morpheus's mission to deliver the dream._ > Do you recognize your Ceyx, unhappy wife, or has death too much changed my visage? Behold me, know me, your husband's shade, instead of himself. The ghost of Ceyx asks Halcyone if she recognizes him, despite his deathly appearance. _Morpheus's message to Halcyone._ > Halcyone is no more, she perished with her Ceyx. Utter not words of comfort, he is shipwrecked and dead. Halcyone declares that she has died along with Ceyx and refuses consolation. _Halcyone's reaction to the dream._ > While she reviews every object, and strives to recall every incident, looking out over the sea, she descries an indistinct object floating in the water. As Halcyone gazes at the sea, she spots a vague shape drifting in the waves. _Halcyone discovers Ceyx's body._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters/ix-ceyx-and-halcyone-or-the-halcyon-birds - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/bulfinch_s_mythology_se/chapters