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.
(Robert Herrick)
More Poetry from Robert Herrick:
Robert Herrick Poems based on Topics: Hell, Envy & Jealousy- A Pastoral upon the birth of Prince Charles: presented to the King (Robert Herrick Poems)
- His Litany, To The Holy Spirit (Robert Herrick Poems)
- His Winding-shee (Robert Herrick Poems)
- The Captiv'd Bee; Or, The Little Filcher (Robert Herrick Poems)
- The Beggar to Mab, The Queen Fairy (Robert Herrick Poems)
- A CONJURATION: TO ELECTRA (Robert Herrick Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Hell Poems, Envy & Jealousy PoemsBased on Keywords: strict, orpheus, obscurity, eurydice, revolve