ORPHEUS, _sings._
_Ite tritumphales circum mea tempora lauri._
_Vicimus Eurydicen: reddita vita mihi est,_
_Haec mea praecipue victoria digna coronâ._
_Oredimus? an lateri juncta puella meo?_
EURYDICE.
All me! Thy love too great
Hath lost not thee alone!
I am torn from thee by strong Fate.
No more I am thine own.
In vain I stretch these arms. Back, back to Hell
I'm drawn, I'm drawn. My Orpheus, fare thee well!
[EURYDICE _disappears._
ORPHEUS.
Who hath laid laws on Love?
Will pity not be given
For one short look so full thereof?
Since I am robbed of heaven,
Since all my joy so great is turned to pain,
I will go back and plead with Death again!
[TISIPHONE _blocks his way._
TISIPHONE.
Nay, seek not back to turn!
Vain is thy weeping, all thy words are vain.
Eurydice may not complain
Of aught but thee—albeit her grief is great.
Vain are thy verses 'gainst the voice of Fate!
How vain thy song! For Death is stern!
Try not the backward path: thy feet refrain!
The laws of the abyss are fixed and firm remain.
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