Mnemosyne — Classical Greek Myth Library

Among the Argonauts sailed Heracles and his young companion Hylas, son of Theiodamas (whom Heracles had slain in earlier tradition), whom the hero loved and trained as arms-bearer. When the Argo put in on the Mysian coast (near Cius), the crew went ashore for water and a feast. Hylas went alone with a bronze pitcher to a spring—Pegae (or a similar local fountain)—in a wooded hollow. There nymphs of the water, struck by his beauty, drew him down into the pool as he dipped the vessel; he cried out once and vanished. Heracles heard the cry (or missed him at nightfall) and searched the woods in frenzy, roaring Hylas’s name. The Argonauts, favored by a dawn wind, cast off without noticing that Heracles and Hylas (and, in Apollonius, Polyphemus son of Elatus, who also searched) were left behind. Glaucus rose from the sea to tell them that it was Zeus’s will Heracles not complete the voyage to Colchis. The Mysians were charged by Heracles to keep seeking Hylas; thereafter they ritually called his name at the spring. Theocritus softens the tale as a love-idyll of nymphs and a grieving Heracles; Apollonius ties it firmly to the Argonautic itinerary and Heracles’ exit from the crew.