 | Orpheus and Eurydice |  |
The ARGUMENT.
Orpheus, the Son of Apollo, and the Muse Calliope, a celebrated Poet and Musician of Thrace, was so great a Master in his Art, that Rivers wou'd stop their Course, Storms and Tempests cease, the most savage Animals become tame, and Trees and Rocks be mov'd, influenc'd by the Power of his Harmony. Rhodope, a Queen of Thrace, enrag'd at the Refusal of her offer'd Love, by her Magic Art rais'd a Serpent, which stung his Bride Eurydice in the Heel, of which she immediately died.
Orpheus, deeply affected with the Loss of her, went down into Hell after her; where his Musick so prevail'd over Pluto, that he consented to restore her; but under this Restriction, that in conducting her back, he shou'd not look upon her, 'till they arriv'd at the Regions of Light. To this be submitted; but mov'd by the Ardency of his Passion, and the Fear of her being lost in following him, thro' the dreary Mazes of that dark Region, he look'd back, just as they were got to the very Confines of Hell: The Fiends carry'd her back, and the Gates were shut against him.
This second Loss of her he so regretted, that for her Sake he resolv'd never more to entertain Affection for a Woman. Which Resolution, he not only kept himself, but persuaded his Companions to follow his Example; which so enrag'd the Thracian Dames, that in their furious Transports, when celebrating the Festival of Bacchus, on the Banks of the River Heber, they tore him to Pieces, and scatter'd his Limbs about the neighbouring Fields. Rhodope thus robb'd of all Possibility of ever enjoying him, in Rage, and Madness for his Loss, stabb'd herself. He was afterwards turn'd into a Swan, and his Lyre plac'd amongst the Stars.
| Orpheus and Eurydice | |