When Orpheus, son of Apollo, sang in the groves and the valleys, beasts lay down to listen, and birds flocked to the sound of his voice. High in the mountains a he sang. And mountain nymphs drew near to hear him, and one - whose name was Eurydice - loved him for his songs.
So they became man and wife.
But one day, struck by the tongue of a venomous snake, Eurydice died. And her soul descended to the underworld, where dark-faced Pluto reigned as king.
Then Orpheus took his lyre and wandered the earth in search of his wife. And as he went, he sang. And when he did not find her, he turned his face from the light and sought her in Pluto's kingdom. And there he found her.
Then Orpheus struck the lyre and sang for the dark king on his dark throne. And the voice that had charmed the birds and calmed the beasts touched Pluto's heart. And he agreed to free Eurydice and let her return to the world above. But on one condition. That Orpheus should not look back until he and his wife had reached the light.
But on the journey back, Orpheus was filled with so much love that he turned his face and looked at her. And Eurydice cried out in sorrow. Then the power of the dark king reached out and snatched her away from him. And the singer went back to the world of light alone.
