As soon as the goddess entered and brushed away the dreams that hovered around her, her brightness lit up all the cave.  The god, scarce opening his eyes, and ever and anon dropping his beard upon his breast, at last shook himself free from himself, and leaning on his arm, inquired her errand,—­for he knew who she was.  She answered, “Somnus, gentlest of the gods, tranquillizer of minds and soother of care-worn hearts, Juno sends you her commands that you despatch a dream to Halcyone, in the city of Trachine, representing her lost husband and all the events of the wreck.”

Having delivered her message, Iris hasted away, for she could not longer endure the stagnant air, and as she felt drowsiness creeping over her, she made her escape, and returned by her bow the way she came.  Then Somnus called one of his numerous sons,—­ Morpheus,—­the most expert in counterfeiting forms, and in imitating the walk, the countenance, and mode of speaking, even the clothes and attitudes most characteristic of each.  But he only imitates men, leaving it to another to personate birds, beasts, and serpents.  Him they call Icelos; and Phantasos is a third, who turns himself into rocks, waters, woods, and other things without life.  These wait upon kings and great personages in their sleeping hours, while others move among the common people.  Somnus chose, from all the brothers, Morpheus, to perform the command of Iris; then laid his head on his pillow and yielded himself to grateful repose.

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.  Under that form, but pale like a dead man, naked, he stood before the couch of the wretched wife.  His beard seemed soaked with water, and water trickled from his drowned locks.  Leaning over the bed, tears streaming from his eyes, he said, “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.  Your prayers, Halcyone, availed me nothing.  I am dead.  No more deceive yourself with vain hopes of my return.  The stormy winds sunk my ship in the Aegean Sea, waves filled my mouth while it called aloud on you.  No uncertain messenger tells you this, no vague rumor brings it to your ears.  I come in person, a shipwrecked man, to tell you my fate.  Arise! give me tears, give me lamentations, let me not go down to Tartarus unwept.”  To these words Morpheus added the voice, which seemed to be that of her husband; he seemed to pour forth genuine tears; his hands had the gestures of Ceyx.