|
Halcyon days
The
word "halcyon" comes from an ancient myth in which a woman named Alcyone,
at the death of her husband Ceyx at sea, throws herself into the ocean out
of grief. The gods, taking pity on them both, change them into sea
birds. The sea bird which takes her name, the halcyon, nests on the
shores, and Aeolus, the king of the winds, compassionately calms the winds
during the birds' nesting periods, giving rise to the phrase "halcyon
days." The word halcyon itself has come to mean "calm" or "restful."
(For an ancient account of this story, see Ovid's Metamorphoses
Book 11.) Mr. Oriel, the parson, is engaged to be married to Beatrice
Gresham. Domestic concerns are therefore keeping him occupied; his
morning church services have been put on hiatus, and he has had to take on
a curate to see to his parish during this time. Thus these are "halcyon
days" for his parishioners, who no longer have to attend so many services,
as well as for the couple in love, preparing for their wedding.
OED
[JM] |