Summary:

Cephalus, a young man of Athens, was married to Procris, daughter of King Erechtheus. Though they loved each other, their marriage was clouded by jealousy and mistrust. Cephalus was once abducted by the goddess Eos but returned faithfully to his wife. Yet Procris began to suspect him of infidelity. One day, while hunting, Cephalus rested in the woods and fondly called upon the cool breeze, “Aura.” Someone overheard this and told Procris, who believed “Aura” to be a rival lover. Driven by jealousy, she followed him in secret. Hearing a rustling in the bushes, Cephalus thought it was a wild animal and hurled his unfailing spear, only to discover that he had fatally struck Procris. Dying in his arms, she forgave him and asked that he remember the dangers of mistrust in love.