Metamorphoses by Ovid

Thence Hymen, in his saffron vesture clad, Through the vast air departs; and seeks the land Ciconian; by the voice of Orpheus call'd Vainly. He came indeed, but with him brought No wonted gratulations, no glad face, Nor happy omen. And the torch he bore Crackled in hissing smoke; nor gather'd flame From whirling motion. Still more dire th' event Prov'd, than the presage. As the new-made bride, Attended by a train of Naiad nymphs, Rov'd through the grass, a serpent's fangs her heel Pierc'd, and she instant dy'd. Her, when long-mourn'd In upper air, the Rhodopeian bard Ventur'd to seek in shades, and dar'd descend Through the Taenarian cave to Stygia's realms. 'Mid shadowy crowds, and bury'd ghosts he goes, To Proserpine, and him who rules the shades With sway ungrateful. There he strikes the strings Responsive to his words, and this his song.-- "Gods of this subterraneous world, where all "Of mortal origin must come, permit "That I the truth declare; no tedious tales "Of falshood will I tell. Here came I not "Your dusky Hell to view: nor to o'ercome "The triple-throated Medusaean beast "Snake-hair'd;--my wife alone my journey caus'd, "Whose heel a trampled serpent venom'd stung: "Snatch'd in her bloom of years. Much did I wish, "My loss to bear; nor ought forbore to strive; "But love o'ercame. Well do the upper gods "That deity confess. In doubt I stand "If here too he is known; but here I judge "His power is felt: the ancient rape, if true, "Proves love ev'n you first join'd. You I implore, "By all those regions fill'd with dread; by this "Chaos immense; your ample realm, all fill'd "With silence; once again the thread renew "Eurydice too hasty lost. To you "We all belong; a little while we stay, "Then soon or late to one repose we haste: "All hither tend; this is our final home. "You hold o'er human kind a lengthen'd reign. "She too, when once her years mature are fill'd, "To you again, must by just right belong. "I then request her only as a loan: "But should the fates this favor me refuse, "Certain I'll ne'er return. Two deaths enjoy." -- The bloodless shadows wept as thus he sung, And struck the strings in concord with his words. Nor Tantalus at flying waters caught; Nor roll'd Ixion's wheel: the liver gnaw'd The birds not: rested on their empty urns The Belides: and Sisyphus, thou sat'st Upon thy stone. Nay fame declares, then first, Vanquish'd by song, the furies felt their cheeks Wetted with tears. Nor could the royal spouse, Nor he who rules deep darkness, him withstand Thus praying; and Eurydice is call'd. Amid the recent dead she walk'd, and still Halted with tardy steps from her late wound. Her, when the bard of Thrace receiv'd, this law Receiv'd he also: that his eyes reverse He should not bend, till past Avernus' realms; Else he'd the granted favor useless find. In silence mute, through the steep path they climb Dark, difficult, and thick with pitchy mist; Nor far earth's surface wanted they to gain: The lover here, in dread lest she should stray, And anxious to behold, bent back his sight, And instant back she sunk. As forth his arms He stretch'd, to clasp expecting, and be clasp'd: Unhappy! nought but fleeting air he held. Twice dying, she can nought her spouse condemn; For how blame him because too much he lov'd? She gives her last farewel; which scarce his ears Receive, then sinks again to shades below.

Orpheus, thus doubly of his spouse despoil'd, All stunn'd appear'd: not less than he who saw In wild affright the triple-headed dog, Chain'd by the midmost: fear him never fled, Till fled his former nature: sudden stone On all his body seizing. Or than he, Olenus, when the crime upon himself He took, and guilty wish'd to seem; with thee Hapless Lethaea, confident in charms. Once breast to breast you join'd, now join as stones, Which watery Ida bears. Beseeching vain, And wishing once again the stream to pass, The ferryman denies. Then on the bank In squalid guise he sate, nor tasted food For seven long days; his cares, and grieving soul, And tears were all the sustenance he knew. Cruel he call'd the gods of Erebus, And to high Rhodope himself betook, And lofty Haemus by the north-wind beat.