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the light my bride Eurydice。〃
Then Orpheus went on his way to the valley of Acherusia which goes
down； down into the world of the dead。 He would never have found his
way to that valley if the trees had not shown him the way。 For as he went
along Orpheus played upon his lyre and sang； and the trees heard his song
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and they were moved by his grief； and with their arms and their heads they
showed him the way to the deep； deep valley of Acherusia。
Down； down by winding paths through that deepest and most shadowy
of all valleys Orpheus went。 He came at last to the great gate that opens
upon the world of the dead。 And the silent guards who keep watch there
for the rulers of the dead were affrighted when they saw a living being；
and they would not let Orpheus approach the gate。
But the minstrel； knowing the reason for their fear； said： 〃I am not
Heracles come again to drag up from the world of the dead your three…
headed dog Cerberus。 I am Orpheus； and all that my hands can do is to
make music upon my lyre。〃
And then he took the lyre in his hands and played upon it。 As he
played； the silent watchers gathered around him； leaving the gate
unguarded。 And as he played the rulers of the dead came forth； Aidoneus
and Persephone； and listened to the words of the living man。
〃The cause of my coming through the dark and fearful ways；〃 sang
Orpheus； 〃is to strive to gain a fairer fate for Eurydice； my bride。 All that
is above must come down to you at last； O rulers of the most lasting world。
But before her time has Eurydice been brought here。 I have desired
strength to endure her loss； but I cannot endure it。 And I come before you；
Aidoneus and Persephone； brought here by Love。〃
When Orpheus said the name of Love； Persephone； the queen of the
dead； bowed her young head； and bearded Aidoneus； the king； bowed his
head also。 Persephone remembered how Demeter； her mother； had sought
her all through the world； and she remembered the touch of her mother's
tears upon her face。 And Aidoneus remembered how his love for
Persephone had led him to carry her away from the valley in the upper
world where she had been gathering flowers。 He and Persephone bowed
their heads and stood aside； and Orpheus went through the gate and came
amongst the dead。
Still upon his lyre he played。 Tantaluswho； for his crimes； had been
condemned to stand up to his neck in water and yet never be able to
assuage his thirstTantalus heard； and for a while did not strive to put his
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lips toward the water that ever flowed away from him； Sisyphuswho had
been condemned to roll up a hill a stone that ever rolled back Sisyphus
heard the music that Orpheus played； and for a while he sat still upon his
stone。 And even those dread ones who bring to the dead the memories of
all their crimes and all their faults； even the Eumenides had their cheeks
wet with tears。
In the throng of the newly come dead Orpheus saw Eurydice。 She
looked upon her husband； but she had not the power to come near him。
But slowly she came when Aidoneus called her。 Then with joy Orpheus
took her hands。
It would be granted themno mortal ever gained such privilege before
to leave； both together； the world of the dead； and to abide for another
space in the world of the living。 One condition there would bethat on
their way up through the valley of Acherusia neither Orpheus nor Eurydice
should look back。
They went through the gate and came amongst the watchers that are
around the portals。 These showed them the path that went up through the
valley of Acherusia。 That way they went； Orpheus and Eurydice； he going
before her。
Up and up through the darkened ways they went； Orpheus knowing；
that Eurydice was behind him； but never looking back upon her。 But as he
went； his heart was filled with things to tellhow the trees were
blossoming in the garden she had left； how the water was sparkling in the
fountain； how the doors of the house stood open； and how they； sitting
together； would watch the sunlight on the laurel bushes。 All these things
were in his heart to tell her； to tell her who came behind him； silent and
unseen。
And now they were nearing the place where the valley of Acherusia
opened on the world of the living。 Orpheus looked on the blue of the sky。
A white…winged bird flew by。 Orpheus turned around and cried； 〃O
Eurydice； look upon the world that I have won you back to！〃
He turned to say this to her。 He saw her with her long dark hair and
pale face。 He held out his arms to clasp her。 But in that instant she slipped
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back into the depths of the valley。 And all he heard spoken was a single
word； 〃Farewell！〃 Long； long had it taken Eurydice to climb so far； but in
the moment of his turning around she had fallen back to her place amongst
the dead。
Down through the valley of Acherusia Orpheus went again。 Again he
came before the watchers of the gate。 But now he was not looked at nor
listened to； and； hopeless； he had to return to the world of the living。
The birds were his friends now； and the trees and the stones。 The birds
flew around him and mourned with him； the trees and stones often
followed him； moved by the music of his lyre。 But a savage band slew
Orpheus and threw his severed head and his lyre into the River Hebrus。 It
is said by the poets that while they floated in midstream the lyre gave out
some mournful notes and the head of Orpheus answered the notes with
song。
And now that he was no longer to be counted with the living； Orpheus
went down to the world of the dead； not going now by that steep descent
through the valley of Acherusia； but going down straightway。 The silent
watchers let him pass； and he went amongst the dead and saw his Eurydice
in the throng。 Again they were together； Orpheus and Eurydice； and as
they went through the place that King Aidoneus ruled over； they had no
fear of looking back