Bulls

Phylius tore open the hare, besmeared himself with the blood and lay on the ground. The birds swooped on him as a cadaver. Phylius caught hold of two birds by their legs and, getting a good hold, carried them off to Cycnus. Cycnus then imposed on him an even more difficult feat. He ordered him to carry a bull away from its herd, using only his hands, and to haul it off all the way to the altar of Zeus. Phylius, not knowing how he was to accomplish the task, prayed to Heracles to assist him in this. In answer to this prayer there came into view two bulls, both in rut for a cow; they butted with their horns hurling each other to the ground. When he saw the bulls sprawling helplessly, Phylius caught one by the leg and dragged it off to the altar. Heracles desired him to pay no more attention to the orders of that youth. Cycnus felt fearsomely and unexpectedly disgraced. In his depression he flung himself into the lake called Conope and was seen no more. After his death, his mother, Thyrie, threw herself into the same lake. By the will of Apollo they both became lake birds. After their disappearance, the lake's name was changed and became the Swan Lake. Many swans appear there at ploughing time. The tomb of Phylius stands nearby.


- Antonninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses, 12: Cycnus or Swan