In Mysia, handsome young Hylas was abducted by water nymphs and vanished below the waters of a stream. Heartbroken Herakles went mad with grief, bellowing ‘Hylas! Hylas!’ and ripping out trees as he frantically searched for his beloved. He never abandoned his search, and his cries of ‘Hylas! Hylas!’ continue to echo through the ages every time we say the word ‘alas!’

— Hernestus