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| The nymph Echo and Narcissus |
In Greek mythology, Narcissus was a beautiful youth, son of the river god, Cephissus. He was handsome, selfish, and vain. Having caught sight of his own fair face and drooping ringlets in a spring, he mistook the reflection for a water nymph. Hoping she might come out to meet him, he hung lovingly over the brink until there was nothing left of him but the waxy, beautiful, pool-loving flower that bears his name. According to another account, excessive vanity was sent upon him as a punishment for cruelty to the nymph Echo, whom he allowed to pine away to a mere voice in unrequited love.
