Daedalion

Man into Hawk

 

Grief-stricken over the death of his daughter, Daedalion tries to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff. Apollo saves him by transforming him into a hawk, but the man’s anguish and rage live on even in bird form.

 

Through desire of death,

Rapid he gain'd Parnassus' loftiest ridge.

Apollo, pitying, when Dædalion flung

From the high rock his body, to a bird

Transform'd him, and on sudden pinions bore

Him floating: bended hooks he gave his claws,

And gave a crooked beak; valor as wont;

And strength more great than such a body shews.

Now as an hawk, to every bird a foe,

He wages war on all; and griev'd himself,

He constant cause for others grief affords.”