#  Book III, Metrum 8 

 



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*The story of Orpheus*

Page 99   
  
'Happy the man who could reach the crystal fount of good: happy he who   
could shake off   
  
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the chains of matter and of earth. The singer of Thrace in olden time   
lamented his dead wife: by his tearful strains he made the trees to follow   
him, and bound the flowing streams to stay: for him the hind would   
fearlessly go side by side with fiercest lions, and the hare would look   
upon the hound, nor be afraid, for he was gentle under the song's sway. But   
when the hotter flame burnt up his inmost soul, even the strains, which had   
subdued all other things, could not soothe their own lord`s mind.   
Complaining of the hard hearts of the gods above, he dared approach the   
realms below. There he tuned his songs to soothing tones, and sang the lays   
he had drawn from his mother`s fount of excellence. His unrestrained   
grief did give him power, his love redoubled his grief's power: his   
mourning moved the depths of hell. With gentlest prayers he prayed to the   
lords of the shades for grace. The three-headed porter was taken captive   
with amazement at his fresh songs. The avenging goddesses, who haunt with   
fear the guilty, poured out sad tears. Ixion's wheel no longer swiftly   
turned. Tantalus, so long abandoned unto thirst, could   
  
Page 101   
  
then despise the flowing stream. The vulture, satisfied by his strains,   
tore not awhile at Tityos's heart. At last the lord of the shades in   
pity cried: "We are conquered; take your bride with you, bought by your   
song; but one condition binds our gift: till she has left these dark   
abodes, turn not your eyes upon her." Who shall set a law to lovers? Love   
is a greater law unto itself. Alack! at the very bounds of darkness Orpheus   
looked upon his Eurydice; looked, and lost her, and was lost himself.   
  
'To you too this tale refers; you, who seek to lead your thoughts to the   
light above. For whosoever is overcome of desire, and turns his gaze upon   
the darkness 'neath the earth, he, while he looks on hell, loses the prize   
he carried off.'   
  
Translated by: W.V. Cooper, J.M. Dent and Company. London, 1902.