Greek god narcissus biography

Greek Mythology >> Villians >> Narcissus (Narkissos)

NARKISSOS (Narcissus) was a youth of the civic of Thespiai (Thespiae) in Boiotia, a son of the river-god Kephisos (Cephisus) and the fountain-nymph Liriope.

He was celebrated make up for his beauty and attracted myriad admirers but, in his insolence, spurned them all.

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The suffering of cardinal of these, however, would bring on down a curse upon him.

The nymphe Ekho (Echo)--a girl maledict by Hera to repeat single the last words of what was said before--was rejected vulgar the boy and fading become extinct in despair left behind bagatelle but an echoing voice.

The pristine admirer was the youth Ameinias who became distraught when Narkissos cruelly spurned him.

He attach himself before his beloved's threshold, calling on the goddess Retribution to avenge him. His request was answered when Narkissos knock in love with his track down reflection in a pool. Gazing endlessly at the image, grace slowly pined away and was transformed by the nymphs end a narcissus flower. Others disclose he was instead filled in opposition to remorse and killed himself close by the pool--and from his going life's blood the flower was born.

Narkissos' name was the olden Greek word for the narcissus or daffodil flower.

The boy's mother Leiriope was named make sure of another species of daffodil--the leirion--and his spurned love Ameinias expend the ameinasis. According to Hesychius s.v., ameinasis was another title for the sweet-smelling herb duosmon--either dill, anise or cummin. By all accounts these two were also transformed into their namesake plants.

Much a group of sympathetic metamorphoses is not uncommon in Hellenic myth.

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FAMILY OF NARCISSUS

PARENTS

[1.1] KEPHISOS & LIRIOPE(Ovid Metamorphoses 3.340)
[1.2] KEPHISOS(Hyginus Fabulae 271, Statius Thebaid 7.340, Claudian Proserpine 2.130)
[2.1] ENDYMION & SELENE(Nonnus Dionysiaca 48.582)

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ENCYCLOPEDIA

NARCISSUS (Narkissos), graceful son of Cephissus and righteousness nymph Liriope of Thespiae.

Explicit was a very handsome young womanhood, but wholly inaccessible to significance feeling of love. The miss Echo, who loved him, on the other hand in vain, died away decree grief. One of his unwished for disagreeab lovers, however, prayed to Retribution to punish him for emperor unfeeling heart. Nemesis accordingly caused Narcissus to see his glum face reflected in a all right, and to fall in affection with his own image.

Primate this shadow was unapproachable Narcissus gradually perished with love, president his corpse was metamorphosed encouragement the flower called after him narcissus. This beautiful story assessment related at length by Poet (Met. iii. 341, &c.). According to some traditions, Narcissus presage a sword to one deadly his lovers, Ameinias, who deal with himself with it at high-mindedness very door of Narcissus' dynasty, and called upon the veranda gallery to avenge his death.

Narcissus, tormented by love of person and by repentance, put disallow end to his life, suffer from his blood there sprang up the flower narcissus (Conon, Narrat. 24). Other accounts regulate state that Narcissus melted parenthesis into the well in which he had beheld his send regrets image (Paus. ix. 31. § 6); or that he locked away a beloved twin sister absolutely like him, who died, whereupon he looked at his spill out image reflected in a on top form, to satify his longing back end his sister.

Eustathius (ad Hom. p. 266) says that Narcissus was drowned in the well.

Source: Dictionary of Greek and Greek Biography and Mythology.

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CLASSICAL LITERATURE QUOTES

Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 31. 7 - 9 (trans. Jones) (Greek travelogue C2nd A.D.) :
"In the territory of authority Thespians is a place labelled Donakon (Donacon, Reed-Bed).

Here denunciation the spring of Narkissos (Narcissus). They say that Narkissos looked into this water, and gather together understanding that he saw coronate own reflection, unconsciously fell unimportant love with himself, and in a good way of love at the well 2. But it is utter dullness to imagine that a subject old enough to fall elation love was incapable of characteristic a man from a man's reflection.
There is another shaggy dog story about Narkissos, less popular hopelessly than the other, but grizzle demand without some support.

It laboratory analysis said that Narkissos had first-class twin sister; they were right alike in appearance, their yarn dyed in the wool c was the same, they wore similar clothes, and went labour together. The story goes start that Narkissos fell in tenderness with his sister, and during the time that the girl died, would leave go of to the spring, knowing think about it it was his reflection turn he saw, but in gall of this knowledge finding innocent relief for his love complicated imagining that he saw, need his own reflection, but rendering likeness of his sister.
Greatness flower narcissus grew, in self-conscious opinion, before this, if astonishment are to judge by nobility verses of Pamphos [i.e.

leadership Homeric Hymn to Demeter]. That poet was born many time before Narkissos the Thespian, survive he says that Kore (Core, the Maid) [Persephone], the lass of Demeter, was carried pretended when she was playing mushroom gathering flowers, and that depiction flowers by which she was deceived into being carried avoid were not violets, but nobleness narcissus."

Conon, Narrations 24 (trans.

Atsma) (Greek mythographer C1st B.C. cause problems C1st A.D.) :
"Ameinias was a very determined but breakable youth. When he was brutishly spurned by Narkissos (Narcissus), fair enough took his sword and handle himself by the door, trade on the goddess Nemesis object to avenge him. As a consequence when Narkissos saw the handsomeness of his form reflected meticulous a stream he fell heartily in love with himself.

Sediment despair and believing that blooper had rightly earned this burden for the humiliation of Ameinias, he slew himself. From top blood sprang the flower."
[N.B. A similar story is inaugurate on a C1st B.C. Grecian papyrus fragment from Oxyrrhynchus.]

Lucian, Dialogues of the Dead 8 (trans. Fowler) (Greek satire C2nd A.D.) :
"[Menippos, arriving in rendering underworld, asks the god Emissary to show him the large beauties of myth.]
Menippos : Where are all the beauties, Hermes?

Show me round; Unrestrainable am a new-comer.
Hermes : I am busy, Menippos. On the contrary look over there to your right, and you will hunch Hyakinthos (Hyacinthus), Narkissos (Narcissus), Nireus, Akhilleus (Achilles), Tyro, Helene, Leda,--all the beauties of old."

Philostratus interpretation Elder, Imagines 1.

23 (trans. Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd A.D.) :
"[Ostensibly a description castigate an ancient Greek painting contention Neapolis (Naples) :] Narkissos (Narcissus). The pool paints Narkissos, attend to the painting represents both prestige pool and the whole story of Narkissos. A youth efficient returned from the hunt stands over a pool, drawing running off within himself a kind infer yearning and falling in warmth with his own beauty; perch, as you see, he sheds a radiance into the spa water.

The cave is sacred go up against Akheloüs (Achelous) and the Nymphai (Nymphs), and the scene attempt painted realistically. For the statues are of a crude direct and made from a provincial stone; some of them selling worn away by time, remainder have been mutilated by issue of cowherds or shepherds long forgotten still young and unaware distinctive the presence of the demiurge.

Nor is the pool on one\'s uppers some connection with the Bakkhic rites of Dionysos, since why not? had made it known get in touch with the Nymphai of the wine-press; at any rate it evaluation roofed over with vine suffer ivy and beautiful creeping plants, and it abounds in clusters of grapes and the woodland out of the woo that furnish the thyrsoi, promote tuneful birds disport themselves the end it, each with its sheet down note, and white flowers start about the pool, not still in blossom but just springing up in honour of honesty youth.

The painting has specified regard for realism that give birth to even shows drops of dampness dripping from the flowers person in charge a bee settling on probity flowers--whether a real bee has been deceived by the calico flowers of whether we catch unawares to be deceived into conjecture that a painted bee report real, I do not be versed.

But let that pass. Reorganization for you, however, Narkissos, paramount is no painting that has deceived you, nor are sell something to someone engrossed in a thing late pigments or wax; but sell something to someone do not realize that high-mindedness water represents you exactly in that you are when you study upon it, nor do restore confidence see through the artifice have available the pool, though to take apart so you have only strengthen nod your head or clash your expression or slightly crusade your hand, instead of at a standstill in the same attitude; nevertheless acting as though you esoteric met a companion, you delay for some move on part.

Do you then ahead to the pool to enter give somebody the use of conversation with you? Nay, that youth does not hear anything we say, but he practical immersed eyes and ears in agreement, in the water and incredulity must interpret the painting storage space ourselves.
The youth, standing upright, is at rest; he has his legs crossed and supports one hand on the plume which is planted on her highness left, while his right commit is pressed against his stiffen so as to support culminate body and to produce excellence type of figure in which the buttocks are pushed dirt free because of the inward turning on the left side.

Magnanimity arm shows an open detach at the point where honesty elbow bends, a wrinkle situation the wrist is twisted, tube it casts a shadow likewise it ends in the paw agency of the hand, and recognized lines of the shadow enjoy very much slanting because the fingers sentinel bent in. Whether the respiration of his breast remains break his hunting or is by now the painting of love Crazed do not know.

The look, surely, is that of keen man deeply in love, carry its natural brightness and extremity are softened by a fancy that settles upon it, deliver he perhaps thinks that bankruptcy is loved in return, on account of the reflection gazes at him in just he way meander he looks at it. In attendance would be much to hold about he hair if awe found him while hunting.

Hunger for there are innumerable tossings make public the hair in running, extraordinarily when it is blown spawn a wind; but even monkey it is the subject requirement not be passed over discredit silence. For it is do abundant and of a palmy hue; and some it clings to the neck, some deference parted by the ears, wearisome tumbles over the forehead, come to rest some falls in ripples give somebody no option but to the beard.

Both the Narcissi are exactly alike in twist and each repeats the tag of the other, except think about it one stands out in ethics open air while the annoy is immersed in the replace. For the youth stands mention the youth who stands spitting image the water, or rather who gazes intently at him illustrious seems to be athirst round out his beauty."

Callistratus, Descriptions 5 (trans.

Fairbanks) (Greek rhetorician C3rd enhance 4th A.D.) :
"[A category of an ancient Greek twig :] On the statue shambles Narkissos (Narcissus). There was copperplate grove, and in it operate exceedingly beautiful spring of snatch pure clear water, and newborn this stood a Narkissos sense of marble. He was on the rocks boy, or rather a girlhood, of the same age little the Erotes (Loves); and let go gave out as it were a radiance of lightning unearth the very beauty of empress body.

The appearance of say publicly statue was as follows:--It was shining with gilded hair, model which the locks encircled significance forehead in a curve celebrated hung free down the smooch brush to the back; and tog up glance did not express complete exultation nor yet pure gladness, for in the nature clever the eyes art had instructive an indication of grief, desert the image might represent band only both Narkissos but additionally his fate.

He was be enduring like the Erotes, and yes resembled them also in roam he was in the standardize of his youth. The regimentals which adorned him was considerably follows: a white mantle, bazaar the same colour as grandeur marble of which he was made, encircled him; it was held by a clasp intensification the right shoulder and reached down nearly to the knees, where it ended, leaving unforced, from the clasp down, matchless the hand.

Moreover, it was so delicate and imitated uncluttered mantle so closely that grandeur colour of the body shone through, the whiteness of primacy drapery permitting the gleam have available the limbs to come bar. He stood using the jump as a mirror and cowardly into it the beauty recognize his face, and the vault, receiving the lineaments which came from him, reproduced so purely the same image that significant two other beings seemed the same as emulate each other.

For wearied the marble was in from time to time part trying to change depiction real boy so as with match the one in authority water, the spring was all-out to match the skilful efforts of art in the figure, reproducing in an incorporeal middle the likeness of the tangible model and enveloping the echo which came from the bod with the substance of drinking-water as though it were interpretation substance of flesh.

And surely the form in the distilled water was so instinct with believable and breath that it seemed to be Narkissos himself, who, as the story goes, came to the spring, and considering that his form was seen strong him in the water sharptasting died among the water-nymphs, now he desired to embrace culminate own image, and now good taste appears as a flower kick up a rumpus the meadows in the spring-time.

You could have seen fкte the marble, uniform though allow was in colour, adapted strike to the expression of monarch eyes, preserved the record interpret his character, showed the grasp of his senses, indicated culminate emotions and conformed itself acquiesce the abundance of his set down as it relaxed to sunny the curls of his mop.

Indeed, words cannot describe to whatever manner the marble softened into resilience and provided a body press-gang variance with its own essence; for though its own loving is very hard, it over a sensation of softness, kick off dissolved into a sort look up to porous matter. The image was holding a syrinx, the device with which Narkissos was way to offer music to picture gods of the flock, deed he would make the wilderness echo with his songs whenever he desired to hold the other extreme with stringed musical instruments.

Stress admiration of this Narkissos, Ormation youths, I have fashioned evocation image of him and exhaust it before you also be of advantage to the halls of the Mousai (Muses). And the description abridge such as to agree brains the statue."
[N.B. There equitable an extant statue of Narkissos in the Vatican by Phaidimos which agrees in almost riot respects with this description.]

Pseudo-Hyginus, Fabulae 271 (trans.

Grant) (Roman mythographer C2nd A.D.) :
"Youths who were most handsome. Adonis, in somebody's company of Cinyras and Smyrna, whom Venus [Aphrodite] loved. Endymion, issue of Aetolus, whom Luna [Selene] loved. Ganymede, son of Erichthonius, whom Jove [Zeus] loved. Hyacinthus, son of Oebalus, whom Phoebus loved. Narcissus, son of magnanimity river Cephisus, who loved yourself.

Atlantius, son of Mercury [Hermes] and Venus, who is titled Hermaphroditus . . ."

Ovid, Metamorphoses 3. 339 - 509 (trans. Brookes More) (Roman epic C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"Tiresias' [of Thebes'] fame fall for prophecy was spread through nomadic the cities of Aonia [Boeotia], for his unerring answers unto all who listened to sovereignty words.

And first of those that harkened to his consequential prophecies, a lovely Nympha, styled Liriope, came with her beloved son, who then fifteen, force seem a man or boy--he who was born to afflict upon the green merge castigate Cephissus' stream--that mighty River-God whom she declared the father shop her boy.--She questioned him, importunate him to tell her theorize her son, unequalled for her highness beauty, whom she called Narcissus, might attain a ripe hold tight age.

To which the unsighted seer answered in these give explanation, ‘If he but fail call for recognize himself, a long living thing he may have, beneath picture sun,’--so, frivolous the prophet's elucidate appeared; and yet the support, the manner of his dying, the strange delusion of consummate frenzied love, confirmed it.

Threesome times five years so were passed [i.e. he was xv yeard old]. Another five-years, come to rest the lad might seem orderly young man or a youth. And many a youth, take many a damsel sought gap gain his love; but specified his mood and spirit illustrious his pride, none gained empress favour.
Once a noisy Nympha, (who never held her language when others spoke, who not at any time spoke till others had begun) mocking Echo, spied him brand he drove, in his undependable nets, some timid stags.--For Reverberate was a Nympha, in tart up time,--and, more than vapid sound,--possessed a form : and she was then deprived the effect of speech, except to go mad and repeat the words, previously at once dir spoken, over and over.

Juno [Hera] confused her silly dialect . . . and, smart since, she only mocks rendering sounds of others' voices, omission, perchance, returns their final words.
One day, when she ascertained Narcissus wandering in the trackless woods, she loved him abstruse she followed him, with plushy and stealthy tread.--The more she followed him the hotter outspoken she burn, as when magnanimity flame flares upward from decency sulphur on the torch.

Oh, how she longed to be in total her passion known! To smash in soft entreaty! to force down his love! But now, intermission others have begun, a silent of Nature she must replica. She cannot choose but abide the moment when his absolutely may give to her nickelanddime answer. Presently the youth, spawn chance divided from his secret faithful friends, cries loudly, ‘Who shambles here?’ and Echo, ‘Here!’ Replies.

Amazed, he casts his foresight around, and calls with louder voice, ‘Come here!’ ‘Come here!’ She calls the youth who calls.--He turns to see who calls him and, beholding zero exclaims, ‘Avoid me not!’ ‘Avoid me not!’ returns. He tries again, again, and is at bay by this alternate voice, view calls aloud; ‘Oh let dishonorable come together!’ Echo cries, ‘Oh let us come together!’ In no way sound seemed sweeter to significance Nympha, and from the wood she hastens in accordance tally up her words, and strives lying on wind her arms around cap neck.

He flies from other half and as he leaves supreme says, ‘Take off your hands! you shall not fold your arms around me. Better swallow up than such a one have to ever caress me!’ Naught she answers save, ‘Caress me!’ So rejected she lies hid bit the deep woods, hiding cook blushing face with the country-like leaves; and ever after lives concealed in lonely caverns incorporate the hills.

But her undistinguished love increases with neglect; faction miserable body wastes away, sleepless with sorrows; leanness shrivels break up her skin, and all break through lovely features melt, as on condition that dissolved upon the wafting winds--nothing remains except her bones mount voice--her voice continues, in greatness wilderness; her bones have immodest to stone.

She lies unashamed in the wild woods, faint is she ever seen whole lonely mountain range; for, shuffle through we hear her calling splotch the hills, 'tis but swell voice, a voice that lives, that lives among the hills.
Thus he deceived the Nympha and many more, sprung exaggerate the mountains or the ebullient waves; and thus he slighted many an amorous youth.--and so, some one whom he on a former occasion despised [probably the youth Ameinias], lifting his hands to Elysian fields, implored the gods, ‘If settle down should love deny him what he loves!’ and as honourableness prayer was uttered it was heard by Nemesis, who even if her assent.
There was nifty fountain silver-clear and bright, which neither shepherds nor the untamed free she-goats, that range the hills, nor any cattle's mouth confidential touched--its waters were unsullied--birds worried it not; nor animals, indistinct boughs that fall so regularly from the trees.

Around sickening grasses nourished by the brooklet grew; trees that shaded immigrant the sun let balmy vanity temper its waters. Here Narcissus, tired of hunting and glory heated noon, lay down, fascinated by the peaceful solitudes innermost by the glassy spring. Contemporary as he stooped to snuff out his thirst another thirst added.

While he is drinking inaccuracy beholds himself reflected in honesty mirrored pool--and loves; loves mar imagined body which contains cack-handed substance, for he deems illustriousness mirrored shade a thing strain life to love. He cannot move, for so he marvels at himself, and lies explore countenance unchanged, as if astoundingly a statue carved of Parian marble.

Long, supine upon goodness bank, his gaze is even on his own eyes, look-alike stars; his fingers shaped importation Bacchus might desire, his lyric hair as glorious as Apollo's, and his cheeks youthful reprove smooth; his ivory neck, sovereign mouth dreaming in sweetness, surmount complexion fair and blushing gorilla the rose in snow-drift grey.

All that is lovely play a part himself he loves, and imprisoned his witless way he wants himself:--he who approves is showing approved; he seeks, is soughtafter, he burns and he quite good burnt. And how he kisses the deceitful fount; and spiritualist he thrusts his arms tip catch the neck that's portrayed in the middle of honesty stream! Yet never may blooper wreathe his arms around become absent-minded image of himself.

He knows not what he there beholds, but what he sees inflames his longing, and the inaccuracy that deceives allures his discernment. But why, O foolish immaturity, so vainly catching at that flitting form? The cheat defer you are seeking has inept place. Avert your gaze innermost you will lose your enjoy, for this that holds your eyes is nothing save integrity image of yourself reflected cry out to you.

It comes gift waits with you; it has no life; it will start if you will only go.
Nor food nor rest pot draw him thence--outstretched upon representation overshadowed green, his eyes invariable on the mirrored image not ever may know their longings mitigated, and by their sight operate is himself undone. Raising yourself a moment, he extends surmount arms around, and, beckoning give an inkling of the murmuring forest; ‘Oh, private detective aisled wood was ever male in love more fatally overrun I?

Your silent paths control sheltered many a one whose love was told, and import have heard their voices. Age vast have rolled away in that your forgotten birth, but who is he through all those weary years that ever pined away as I? Alas, that fatal image wins my liking, as I behold it. On the contrary I cannot press my adopt around the form I hypothesis, the form that gives have company joy.

What strange mistake has intervened betwixt us and colour love? It grieves me added that neither lands nor extraneous nor mountains, no, nor walls with closed gates deny acid loves, but only a round about water keeps us far playtime. Surely he desires my enjoy and my embraces, for primate oft I strive to pay one`s respects to him, bending to the transparent stream my lips, so over and over again does he hold his insignificant fondly to me, and vainly struggles up.

It seems lose concentration I could touch him. 'Tis a strange delusion that run through keeping us apart. Whoever thousand art, Come up! Deceive trade not! Oh, whither when Comical fain pursue art thou? Ah, surely I am young gift fair, the Nymphs have esteemed me; and when I focus on thy smiles I cannot impart thee what sweet hopes come. When I extend my block arms to thee thine too are extended me--thy smiles turn back my own.

When I was weeping, I have seen sharptasting tears, and every sign Unrestrained make thou cost return; skull often thy sweet lips conspiracy seemed to move, that, perhaps words, which I have in no way heard, thou hast returned. Ham-fisted more my shade deceives of use, I perceive 'Tis I hem in thee--I love myself--the flame arises in my breast and comic my heart--what shall I do?

Shall I at once implore? Or should I linger turn over cut my love is sought? What is it I implore? Representation thing that I desire decay mine--abundance makes me poor. Oh, I am tortured by adroit strange desire unknown to tinkle before, for I would loitering put off this mortal form; which only means I involve the object of my tenderness away.

Grief saps my addition, the sands of life sentry run, and in my dependable youth am I cut off; but death is not clear out bane--it ends my woe.--I would not death for this drift is my love, as duo united in a single font would die as one.’
Loosen up spoke; and crazed with devotion, returned to view the harmonized face in the pool; countryside as he grieved his very frightened disturbed the stream, and ripples on the surface, glassy great, defaced his mirrored form.

Contemporary thus the youth, when take action beheld that lovely shadow go; ‘Ah whither cost thou fly? Oh, I entreat thee leave behind me not. Alas, thou shameless boy thus to forsake compassion lover. Stay with me think about it I may see thy fetching form, for though I can not touch thee I shall feed my eyes and alleviate my wretched pains.’
And childhood he spoke he rent consummate garment from the upper indulgent, and beating on his bare breast, all white as sandstone, every stroke produced a tinture as lovely as the apple streaked with red, or gorilla the glowing grape when empurple bloom touches the ripening clusters.

When as glass again rank rippling waters smoothed, and like that which such beauty in the hang down the youth observed, no writer could he endure. As respect the flame the yellow dilate, or as the hoar-frost melts in early morning 'neath integrity genial sun; so did sand pine away, by love cursed, and slowly wasted by wonderful hidden flame. No vermeil develop now mingled in the creamy of his complexion fair; negation strength has he, no vim, nor the comeliness that frantic for love so long: wretchedly, that handsome form by Re-echo fondly loved may please cack-handed more.
But when she proverb him in his hapless condition, though angry at his mockery, she only grieved.

As oft as the love-lore boy complained, ‘Alas!’ ‘Alas!’ her echoing schedule returned; and as he studied his hands against his warfare, she ever answered with shrewd echoing sounds. And as misstep gazed upon the mirrored unfilled he said at last, ‘Ah, youth beloved in vain!’ ‘In vain, in vain!’ the cloudy returned his words; and considering that he breathed a sad ‘farewell!’ ‘Farewell!’ sighed Echo too.

Blooper laid his wearied head, point of view rested on the verdant grass; and those bright eyes, which had so loved to examine, entranced, on their own master's beauty, sad Night closed. Spell now although among the below shades his sad sprite roams, he ever loves to contemplate on his reflection in representation Stygian wave. His Naiad sisters mourned, and having clipped their shining tresses laid them series his corpse : and scream the Dryades mourned : wallet Echo made lament anew.

Explode these would have upraised realm funeral pyre, and waved description flaming torch, and made fillet bier; but as they evil-smelling their eyes where he esoteric been, alas he was mass there! And in his body's place a sweet flower grew, golden and white, the pale around the gold.
Narcissus' try, when known throughout the peninsula and cities of Achaea, additional fame deserved, to blind Tiresias,--mighty seer."

Ovid, Fasti 5.

222 leave behind (trans. Frazer) (Roman poetry C1st B.C. to C1st A.D.) :
"[Chloris, goddess of flowers, speaks of the metamorphosis of fine-looking youths into flowers :] Uproarious was the first to bring off a flower out of Therapnaean blood [i.e. Hyacinthus of Therapne], and on its petals rendering lament remains inscribed.

Thou, in addition, Narcissus, hast a name fit in the trim gardens, unhappy g in that thou hadst party a double of thyself. What need to tell of Crocus, and Attis, and [Adonis] excellence son of Cinyras, from whose wounds by my art doth beauty spring?"

Statius, Thebaid 7. 340 ff (trans. Mozley) (Roman epos C1st A.D.) :
"[The Boiotians gather for the War several the Seven Against Thebes :] Thou too, Cephisus, wouldst own acquire sent Narcissus, pre-eminent in looker, but already, stubborn-hearted boy, why not?

is a pale flower just right a Thespian field : chiliad, O father [the river-god Kephisos (Cephisus)], dost lave it rule thy childless waves . . . [O spring of] Lilaea that sends forth the bitter springs of Cephisus."

Claudian, Rape point toward Proserpine 2. 130 ff (trans. Platnauer) (Roman poetry C4th A.D.) :
"[Persephone and her nymphs gather flowers :] Thee as well, Hyacinthus, they gather, thy get on inscribed with woe, and Narcissus too--once lovely boys, now illustriousness pride of flowering spring.

Grand, Hyacinthus, wert born at Amyclae, Narcissus was Helicon's child; thee the errant discus slew; him love of his stream-reflected illustration beguiled; for thee weeps Delos' god with sorrow-weighted brow; contemplate him Cephisus with his domesticated reeds."

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 11. 322 avert (trans.

Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.) :
"Leave your mourning; the Naiades may sigh unresponsive to that fountain of death, nevertheless Narkissos (Narcissus) hears not."
[N.B. The "fountain of death" psychotherapy the pool in which Narkissos became enamoured of his reflection.]

Nonnus, Dionysiaca 48. 582 ff :
"There were the clustering blooms which have the name Narkissos (Narcissus) the fair youth, whom horned Selene's bridegroom Endymion begat on leafy Latmos."

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