Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 49, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 January 1884 — The Hyacinth in Mythology. [ARTICLE]

The Hyacinth in Mythology.

According to the mythologists, this fairy-like, fragile flower had its origin in the death of Hyacinthus, a Laconian youth, greatly favored hy Apollo, and much admired for his beauty. He fell a victim to the jealous rage of Zephyrus, who, in revenge for the preference manifested for him by the Sun-god, had determined to effect his destruction. Accordingly, one day, when the ill-fat-ed youth was playing at quoits with his divine friend, Zephyrus blew so powerfully upon the iron flung by Apollo that it struck the unfortunate Hyacinthus on the temple and killed him, to the intense grief of his innocent slayer. To commemorate the grace and beauty Of the poor young Prince, for such he was, Apollo, unable to restore him to life, caused the flower which now bears his name to spring from his blood.