A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

218. ORPHEUS

     Orpheus he went, as poets tell,
     To fetch Eurydice from hell;
     And had her, but it was upon
     This short, but strict condition;
     Backward he should not look, while he
     Led her through hell's obscurity.
     But ah!  it happen'd, as he made
     His passage through that dreadful shade,
     Revolve he did his loving eye,
     For gentle fear or jealousy;
     And looking back, that look did sever
     Him and Eurydice for ever.