Hyacinth
ساقی بیار باده که رمزی بگویمت
از سر اختران کهن سیر و ماه نو
Wine-pourer, bring wine so that I can tell you a secret
Of the mystery of the ancient-wandering stars and the New Moon.
- حافظ
In Ancient Greece, during the late Spring and early Summer months, Spartan warriors sparred with their comrades in the grassy fields surrounding the kingdom. As the sworn protectors of Greek society, the Spartans were courageous, strapping young men. Each day, they trained for hours beneath the midday sun, and only when their combat drills were finished did they retreat to the shade to study their books.
Hyacinth, a Spartan prince (and a beautiful one at that), was especially fond of the arts. Although he was a skilled fighter, he adored music, literature, and admiring the vegetation that sprouted year after year—especially the wild plants that thrived without the help of mortal hands.
As the story goes, one day Apollo, entered his golden chariot for the daily voyage across the sky. This was sometime in June, so the sun was nearing its peak. Apollo enjoyed watching the Spartans train from his heavenly throne and would regularly test the mens’ commitment by burning brighter than the average mortal could withstand.
One by one, the men would begin to sweat, pant, and eventually withdraw to stand beneath the nearby trees. But there was always one man who never wilted, no matter how brightly Apollo burned.
Hyacinth.
- Kristen Lissenby
It’s from الله
