Hydra (Hy′dra). A monster serpent, which had a hundred heads. It was slain by Hercules. See Hercules.
Hygeia (Hyge′ia), the goddess of health, was a daughter of Aesculapius and Epione. She was represented as a young woman giving a serpent drink out of a saucer, the serpent being twined round her arm.
Hylas (Hy′las). A beautiful boy beloved by Hercules. The nymphs were jealous of him, and spirited him away while he was drawing water for Hercules. See Wm. Morris’s tragedy, “The Life and Death of Jason.”
Hymen (Hy′men), the Grecian god of marriage, was either the son of Bacchus and Venus, or, as some say, of Apollo and one of the Muses. He was represented as a handsome youth, holding in his hand a burning torch.
“Some few there are of sordid mould
Who barter youth and bloom for gold:
But Hymen, gen’rous, just, and kind,
Abhors the mercenary mind;
Such rebels groan beneath his rod,
For Hymen’s a vindictive god.”
Dr. Cotton, 1736.
Hymn, see Paean.
Hyperion (Hype′rion). Son of Coelus and Terra. The model of manly beauty, synonymous with Apollo. The personification of the sun.
“So excellent a king; that was to this
Hyperion to a satyr.”
Shakespeare.
Hypermnestra (Hypermnes′tra). One of the fifty daughters of Danaus, who were collectively called the Danaides. She was the one who refused to kill her husband on the wedding night. See Danaus.